Introducing The Grooms

Neil & Rogers' Civil Partnership was always going to be a theatrical affair.

Neil works in the theatre and the couple met during a production of the York Realist it was only right that their love of theatre would feature on their wedding day.

So the theme was set....

For one day only guests were invited to a production of 'The Grooms'

The invitations were tickets, the order of service were programmes, and the day was divided into acts.

Entrance to The Grooms Civil Partnership

Burgundy was the colour scheme, which sets off the elegant colours at Dorton House.
Black Baccara and Vandella roses were the main flowers in the buttonholes, corsgages and decorations.

Ceremony Room

Buttonholes & Corsages

Ceremony Table

An emotional ceremony followed.......

Civil Ceremony

Matching Guest!

The theatre continues into the reception with the tables being named after famous theatres:

Top Table named The Strand

The show stopping cake was designed as a replica of The Strand Theatre, complete with stage set and 'The Grooms' watching the performance.

The Strand Theatre Wedding Cake

The Grooms watching the performance

Ahh What fun, I was even mentioned in the programme,
 "To Julie and all at Classic Events, thank you for your patience and understanding. We couldn't have done this without you."
Well I enjoyed every minute of it:

Cake: http://www.artistryinsugar.co.uk/
Flowers: http://www.botanical-flowers.co.uk/
Venue Styling: http://www.classic-events.net/

May the 4th be with you

Of course I know he's my son when he plans his birthday party around a date. No not his actual birthday, not the nearest Saturday, but a full two and half weeks after his forthcoming birthday, my son decides is the date for the party. May 4th. Nothing special about that until he announces he has chosen this date and wants me to design his invitations to say "May the 4th be with you" This of course will be a Star Wars themed party and I celebrate that at the grand age of seven my protege is born.

Stars Wars Theme Party

This involved costumes, lighting, games and food all apropriately themed to delight the discerning rising 7's of Kent. Master of ceremonies Obe Wan Kenobe tutored the young Jedi Padawan with lightsaber practice. In these modern days 30 little ones welding weapons would send many a parent hot footing it for the health and safety manual, so I found myself spray painting foam pipe insulation which turned out to be the perfect prop when teamed with balloons for playing Remote (I will not explain further, but suffice to say ask any focused Padawan and they will explain)

I also turned my hand to making a suitable birthday cake (Oh why do I put myself through this when my little black book has many talented cake makers numbers listed). Again for simplicity the lightsaber was my saviour and although to a professional, my effort is rather maladroit, as a mother I was happy with my work.

Star Wars Light Saber Birthday Cake

With a seemingly endless supply of Star Wars themed party goods it was easy to accessorise and some brown curtain lining with sash cord provided inexpensive jedi robes for the children.

My darling son has already advised me his next theme will be Dr Who..........

I shall finish with a big thank you to Emma & Lily at Say It With Chocoalte for their help with our thank you's. With a moments notice they whipped together some fabulous chocolate bars to say thank you to our friends & and; family. Great work ladies.

Spring into Summer

 

April & May positively flew by with weddings and parties galore which saw us at Cooling Castle Barns (twice), Rowhill Grange, The Hilton at the Dartford Crossing, Great Fosters, Sevenoaks Holiday Inn, the Marriott Bexleyheath, Dorton House (three times) the Tudor Marriott in Maidstone and Sundridge Park. Burgundy was certainly the colour of the month with it making an appearance five times, with various shades of pink & green following a closely behind.

We were also delighted to style a wonderful Breakfast at Tiffany's themed surprise 40th birthday party, a Christening and garden party for beautiful twin girls as well as my most irrefutable client's (my son) 7th   birthday party, but more of that to come.

We were also honoured to be invited to the annual service of thanks for service to the community by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent
http://www.lord-lieutenant-kent.info/civicservice2010.html .
We try to work hard within our community and for local charities so an acknowledgement for our time and efforts is much apreciated.

 

Of course much of the talk and worries were due to the ash cloud stopping air travel in and out of the UK. Guests had to cancel at short notice and one of our brides had a stranded bridesmaid that was unable to make the day. With stranded guests, postponed honeymoons and a stag weekend hastily relocated from Prague to Dublin we were called upon a few times to help with last minute changes of plan. Usually reserved for corporate events, a projector, screen & dvd player at two of our weddings allowed a for few good will messages from guests that could not make the day.

Wedding Fair

Come along and visit us this weekend at The Priestfield Wedding Show

Have a look through our portfolio and if you are inspired why not take advantage of one of our fantastic 'On the day' offers.

For further details, please see our website: http://www.classic-events.net/

Winter Sparkle at Cooling Castle Barns

A touch of late winter sparkle was the order of the day in what turned out to be an unseasonably warm day in early March at Cooling Castle Barns in Rochester, Kent. Fairy lights around the beams, E-luminator bases lighting up the tables, diamante buckles on the chair sash bows and a scattering of table crystals added the sparkle and glamour to the elegant lily vase arrangements and navy blue sashes.

I was aware I had a slightly anxious bride, when her aunt kept popping in and providing mobile 'phone updates as to how it was all coming along. The day went smoothly and I was delighted to receive the following thank you:

"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did decorating our venue for our Wedding Day. It looked absolutely stunning! We were totally amazed by it all and even more so were our guests! We had some lovely feedback following the big day and several people have asked for your contact details as you both did such a lovely job."

Well thank you Claire, you and Darren were a pleasure to work for and I wish you both every happiness.

Mood lighting set to blue enhances the colour scheme and creates interesting shadows on the table

Diamante buckles attached to chair cover sashes add a little sparkle to the room decoration.

Wedding Fairs Kent 2010

Classic Events would be delighted to have the pleasure of your company at the following Wedding Fairs during Winter / Spring 2010,

We can show you some fantastic ideas for styling your wedding as well as lots of useful wedding planning tips:

Sunday February 14, 2010 Cobham Hall, Cobham, Kent DA12 3BL 11am - 4pm Sunday February 21st, 2010 Brands Hatch Motovision, Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NG 11am - 4pm Civil Partnership Fair 

Sunday March 7th 2010 Dorton House, Wildernesse Avenue, Seal, Kent, TN15 0EB 11am - 4pm See www.rlsb.org.uk and for further details

Well I cannot believe that it is nearly the middle of February and this is my first post of the year!

I guess the snow, Christmas, family and a very busy start to the new year have taken their toll on my ability to tell you all about it! The snow gave us a few challenges, one bride called upon our services for decorating her venue, when her original company got stuck. they made it eventually, but it was all hands to the pump and between us everything looked stunning. One of our brides who had booked on the day co-ordination from us certainly made us earn our money. Most of her guests were either travelling from the Midlands or flying in from Europe while 90% of Britain was under a blanket of snow. Unfortunately (but probably sensibly) a couple of guests decided to stay at home, but we managed to juggle travel arrangements and everyone else managed to get there. One of my most genuine thank yous was from the brides grandmother when I provided her with a blanket and a hot chocolate from my flask. (Please note this service is not normally available). My beloved husband always advises to keep a shovel, torch and broom in the car, bless him, he looks so smug when he is right. My essential tips guide now includes a section for winter brides. When booking wedding cars, make sure the company has access to four wheel drive vehicles in case of bad weather. Better to get to your wedding in not so perfect 4WD than not at all. The rest of the Christmas season was busy with parties etc and new year saw me sorting out my McKay's from my McLean's as a Burns Night celebration requested some very special tartan decorations. Our wedding year kicked off last week with a busy weekend of two weddings one at the gorgeous Hempstead House and the other at the forever popular but fantastic Cooling Castle Barns where all thinks pink and black were the order of the day.