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Vote for Hanami Dream in UK Blog Awards #UKBA17

Vote for Hanami Dream in UK Blog Awards #UKBA17

With great excitement, I’m pleased to say that Hanami Dream has been nominated in the UK Blog Awards again in 2017.

I was delighted to attend the UKBA16 award ceremony this April and receive highly commended in the events category. The awards are now in their fourth year and are the biggest and UK’s longest running programme to recognise influencer talent and I would love to build on my achievement of this year.

If you like reading my blog then I’d really appreciate your support again.

So please vote for Hanami Dream in the wedding category of the UK Blog Awards #UKBA17 at:

http://blogawardsuk.co.uk/ukba2017/entries/hanami-dream

The Public Vote is only open from 8am on Monday 5th December until 10am on Monday 19th December. So there’s only two weeks to get voting!

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#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 30th November 2016 – thank you gifts

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 30th November 2016 – thank you gifts

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 30th November 2016

As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘thank you gifts’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 1: Gifts for guests can be great mementos of the day showing your appreciation & matching your theme or colour scheme #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 2: Sugared almonds are traditional (give an odd number) they represent Health, Wealth, Happiness, Long Life & Fertility #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3: Couples are choosing unique, personalised, dated & themed gifts to eat, meet, keep or have as a treat #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 4: Give gifts to thank the wedding party for their support – these can be really personalised to the individual #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 5: You might want to buy your new spouse a 0 anniversary gift to celebrate your wedding day #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 6: Whether you give favours or not, don’t forget to thank all your guests for their presence and their presents #UKWedLunch

This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘Thank you gifts at weddings‘ #UKWedLunch

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

Next week’s theme is ‘guest book alternatives’ #UKWedLunch

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#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 23rd November 2016 – dietary requirements

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 23rd November 2016 – dietary requirements

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 23rd November 2016

As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘dietary requirements’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 1: Ask your guests as early as you can – include a section on your RSVP cards #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 2: Customise your menu so that anyone can enjoy the main aspect of the meal #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3: Consider: Vegetarian, Vegan, Non dairy, Gluten free, Kosher, Halal, Hindu, Diabetic, Nut free, Child friendly #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 4: Establish elements of the menu – confirm with guests & show them specific ingredient lists from the chef #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 5: How you serve food can have an impact on offering alternatives (sit down vs buffet) #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 6: Don’t forget about all meals and beverages that are going to be consumed during the day including your wedding cake #UKWedLunch

This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘Catering for special dietary requirements‘ #UKWedLunch

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

Next week’s theme is ‘thank you gifts’ #UKWedLunch

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Inspiration: autumnal marsala & gold Wind in the Willows wedding

Inspiration: autumnal marsala & gold Wind in the Willows wedding

Set in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside of the Cotswolds, this Wind in the Willows styled bridal shoot is an outdoor, autumnal adventure. Complete with vintage transport alongside a picturesque river, followed by a celebration in a grand hall dressed in marsala and gold, with chalk board and marble design features plus tactile fabrics like tweed, corduroy and suede. Planned and designed by Hanami Dream and wonderfully captured by Farrow Photography.

img_1352It is a true celebration of the beauty of nature and encapsulates the sense of an outdoors adventure as typified by the Wind in the Willows book by Kenneth Grahame. This is a chance to get away from the hectic, crowded city to a stunning and tranquil setting. Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger would be proud to attend this relaxed bohemian wedding. Bride & groom on bridge | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

The Old Swan and Minster Mill was a perfect location for this wedding where the bride and groom gazed at one another during their wedding ceremony whilst on the love seats under the Temple Garden. This had the amazing backdrop of a splendid willow tree draping it’s branches in to the River Windrush, flowing on it’s way to join the River Thames. Couple under temple garden | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

The couple moored their rowing boat by a disused boat house, explored the peaceful setting with treks down the river, over bridges, carefree on a tree swing and enjoyed a sumptuous, rustic picnic sat on a blanket with their hamper on the riverbank.Bride & groom picnic by boat | Mae Bridal | Keates of Witney | Classic Flowers | The Pretty Cake Company | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

Mr Toad would have approved of the vintage Humber car (from British Classic Car Hire) to experience the open road before entering the Great Hall through a paper floral archway (by Paper Tree Design) to feast on a mouthwatering banquet.

Couple by car | British Classic Car Hire | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

Once inside the happy couple sat in pride of place at the top table, in front of an impressive fireplace with a mantelpiece adorned with swashes of forest green foliage (from Classic Flowers) and fairy lights. The table was luxurious and tactile complete with a suede cream table cloth, copious amounts of marsala coloured candles in gold candlesticks and geometric copper tea light holders (from Talking Tables). Gold beaded charger plates were topped with gold vintage crockery (from Vintage Gold China), marsala coloured silk napkins and a chalk board design menu card (by Paper Tree Design), besides gold vintage cutlery (from Vintage Gold China).

Couple at banquet in grand hall | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

Guests found their places by referencing the chalk board style table plan and name cards (with guest names paying homage to the character names and table were named after chapters from the book by Paper Tree Design) and were given an opulent, marsala marbled soap as their fragrant favour (by Stonesfield Soap Company).

Place setting | Menu by Paper Tree Design | Cutlery & Crockery by Vintage Gold China | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

The top table was swathed in a striking floral table runner with a loose relaxed vibe containing lots of greenery along with burgundy dahlias, flowing amaranthus (mirroring the weeping willow tree outside), ranunculas, hypericum berries, snow berries, skimmia and bombastic roses. These flowers (from Classic Flowers) featured in the remarkable bouquet that the bride cradled, as well as in her loose braided hair (by Lucy Beesley Bridal), her corsage and the groom’s buttonhole. Bouquet by couple next to river | Classic Flowers | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

These florals were beautiful replicated on the cake (by The Pretty Cake Company) which also combined other on trend themes such as marbling, metallic gold lustre, drip effects and a chalkboard tier, which was sympathetic to the stationery and a nod to the author of the book. img_1206

The gorgeous bride braved the cold autumnal weather, with a beautiful smile complete with marsala coloured lipstick (with makeup by Lucy Beesley Bridal) and perfectly fitted the romantic A line wedding gown with lace sleeves, sweeping net train and floral appliqued bodice by Watters (provided by Mae Bridal). She completed her look with a short veil (by Richard Designs) worn low below a delicate hair vine (by Miranda Templeton) and gold coloured Blake shoes (by Benjamin Adams). Bride with bouquet by river | Mae Bridal | Classic Flowers | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

Our handsome, bearded groom suited the countryside surroundings with the dapper tweed jacket and waistcoat, coupled with a checked shirt, marsala bow tie and plush red corduroy trousers that he wore (from Keates of Witney). Groom on swing | Keates of Witney | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.

Take a look at the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot – ‘Keeping it local with suppliers for the Wind in the Willows shoot’

And take a glimpse behind the scenes at the how the theme and designs came to life – Behind the scenes: Wind in the Willows shoot

#keepitlocal

Planning & Design | Hanami Dream | www.hanamidream.co.uk
Location | Old Swan & Minster Mill | www.oldswanminstermill.co.uk
Photographer | Farrow Photography | www.farrowphotography.com
Models | Jess & Henry
Hair & Make up | Lucy Beesley Bridal | www.lucybeesleybridal.co.uk
Bridal dress and accessories | Mae Bridal | http://maebridal.co.uk
Groom clothing | Keates of Witney | www.keatesmenswear.co.uk
Florist | Classic Flowers | www.witneyflorist.co.uk
Cake | The Pretty Cake Company | www.theprettycakecompany.com
Stationery (including paper floral arch) | Paper Tree Design | www.papertreedesign.co.uk
Cutlery & Crockery | Vintage Gold China | www.vintagegoldchina.com
Copper geometric tea lights | Talking Tables | www.talkingtables.co.uk | sourced by Lark Rise Flowers | http://larkriseflowers.com
Favours | Stonesfield Soap Company | www.stonesfieldsoap.com
Transport | British Classic Car Hire | www.britishclassiccarhire.co.uk

Keeping it local with suppliers for the Wind in the Willows shoot

Keeping it local with suppliers for the Wind in the Willows shoot

Set in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside of the Cotswolds, Hanami Dream’s Wind in the Willows styled bridal shoot is an outdoor, autumnal adventure. Complete with vintage transport alongside a picturesque river, followed by a celebration in a grand hall dressed in marsala and gold, with chalk board and marble design features.

Couple at banquet in grand hall | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.

Thanks to all these wonderful suppliers #keepitlocal


LocationOld Swan & Minster Mill

Old Swan Minster Mill logo

An enchanting blend of romantic riverside gardens and stunning wildflower meadows, traditional Cotswold stone buildings, superb fresh local food and outstanding service, the Old Swan & Minster Mill offers the ultimate wedding experience.

Enjoy a timeless atmosphere in this unique rural setting set across 60 acres of idyllic grounds that form a perfect backdrop for your wedding celebrations.

They can host a maximum of 50 guests for your formal ceremony in one of our true historic reception rooms or for the ultimate romantic ceremony why not get married in the riverside setting of the Garden Temple; licenced for outdoor ceremonies. Framed by the weeping willows, creeping roses or in Spring surrounded by thousands of early blooms, it is hard to think of a more bucolic location for your wedding ceremony.

For the celebration wedding breakfast that follows, move on to the Minster Room in the 600 year old, Old Swan. With its oak beamed ceilings and original Cotswold stone fireplace it provides the perfect setting for a relaxed and intimate celebration with family and friends.

The restored Malthouse provides an outstanding location and setting for your evening reception. Alongside the River Windrush and with stunning views of the wildflower meadows and rose gardens, enjoy a night of dancing and merriment in the newly refurbished barn (maximum of 80 guests).

For larger wedding parties, they can accommodate a marquee in our magical gardens.

Couple under temple garden | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

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Hair & Make up – Lucy Beesley Bridal 

Lucy Beesley logo

Bespoke wedding hair styling & make up artistry tailored to your individual style
Getting ready | Lucy Beesley Bridal | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

 


 

Bridal dress and accessories – Mae Bridal

Mae Bridal logo

Mae Bridal is a beautiful bridal boutique located in the Oxfordshire town of Witney, just 12 miles west of Oxford. A little haven filled with vintage elegance and timeless collections that will capture the heart of any bride.

Prepare to fall in love all over again in our appointment only designer boutique, with gorgeous gowns from a range of designers, as well as accessories and shoes that will ensure you are styled from head to toe.


Groom clothing – Keates of Witney

Keates of Witney logo

We are situated in the town of Witney on Market Square opposite the Butter Cross, and comprise of three floors, Keates Menswear, Men’s Hire-wear and Blossom Bridal.

We represent a landmark for quality and service and offer formal suits and accessories with a wide range of casual wear to suit all styles, taste, and occasions.

Groom in tweed jacket | Keates of Witney | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.ukfacebook logo@blossombridal.co.uk

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Florist – Classic Flowers

At Classic Flowers, they offer fresh, quirky and innovative ideas for all occasions from Weddings to Funerals or just saying ‘With Love‘. Their fully qualified and talented team of floral designers can help turn your next occasion into a gorgeous floral affair.

Bouquet on plinth | Classic Flowers | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uktwitter-1@WitneyFlorist

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Cake – The Pretty Cake Company

Pretty Cake Company logo

The Pretty Cake Company offers a friendly, personal and bespoke wedding cake design service to produce breath taking wedding cakes that will be remembered for years to come. Our aim is to produce a wedding cake that is individual to the bride and groom – always focusing on the attention to detail that makes all the difference. We have over 10 years of experience in designing and creating wedding cakes and work closely with numerous prestigious wedding venues in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds.  We will work with you and take your ideas and inspirations in order to create a truly memorable wedding cake. We pride ourselves on using the finest quality and freshest ingredients available.

Unlike many other cake companies, we now specialise only in wedding cakes, as this is our true passion.  Now we are able to focus on keeping up to date with current bridal trends and ensuring that our clients receive expert advice in the wedding cake field.

Clients are guaranteed a friendly, efficient service where quality is never compromised. Consultations by appointment only. We are based in Minster Lovell, Witney, West Oxfordshire and can deliver to a wide area.

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Stationery (including paper floral arch) – Paper Tree Design

Paper Tree Design | Logo | stationery

Paper Tree Design was created through a love of paper and a desire to produce beautiful and personal stationery and decorations. Thoughtfully designed, we focus on quality and attention to detail to make your stationery truly individual. With a background in Fashion and Textile Design, and 15 years experience in retail buying and product development Suzanne has a wealth of experience to draw on and is passionate about delivering design with little personal touches that reflect the clients loves and interests.

Living in rural Oxfordshire Suzanne cannot help but be inspired by the beauty of the natural world and the changing seasons, and can frequently be found in lanes and hedgerows with her camera and a sketchbook. Specialising in paper cutting, at Paper Tree Design we create your handcrafted wedding stationery to order. Choose to personalise a card from one of our ranges or commission a bespoke design. I am at my best working with your theme and ideas for a truly personal invitation and welcome you to come and have a chat and a cuppa in my Oxfordshire studio to discuss plans for your wedding.

Chalkboard stationery | Paper Tree Design | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uktwitter-1@PaperTreeOxon

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Cutlery & Crockery – Vintage Gold China

Vintage Gold China logo

Vintage Gold China is a boutique vintage china and gold cutlery hire company based in Gloucestershire. We specialise in hiring elegant, fine china, bronze candlesticks and genuine vintage gold cutlery. From small tea parties, village hall get-togethers, hen party evenings, showy dinner parties, wedding breakfast or celebrating your golden wedding anniversary, Vintage Gold China will help you create the perfect, glamourous vintage setting.

With access to our beautiful collection of elegant tableware consisting of quality vintage English fine bone china, French porcelain, vintage bronze gold cutlery, Victorian style glass dessert plates, bronze and glass candlesticks and many styles of votive – you will find all the tableware accessories you need to tastefully style your event. We can also supply luxury table linens from our sister company, Table to Dine For.

We supply to events in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Avon and Wiltshire areas.  For weddings, parties and events, contact us for your tailored quote.

Place setting | Menu by Paper Tree Design | Cutlery & Crockery by Vintage Gold China | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

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Copper geometric tea light holders – Talking Tables

Talking Tables logo

Essential Party supplies for any Occasion

Geo Copper Tea Light Holders | Talking Tables | sourced by Larkrise Flowers | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

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Copper geometric tea light holders – sourced by Lark Rise Flowers

Lark Rise logo

Lark Rise Flowers, are professionally qualified florists, based in the rolling countryside of North Oxfordshire. They provide flowers for weddings and events throughout Oxon, Bucks, Northants, and beyond.

Stock is sourced from the major flower markets, and if seasonally available from an expanding group of British growers. The Eco commitment continues with a policy of recycling waste packaging and surplus green material.

Sandra, the Proprietor, is happy to meet with you for personal consultations and site visits. She will work with your brief, budget, or theme, to create a unique day for you both.

The Lark Rise team have a wealth of experience, having provided many wedding flowers, and decorated most of the major wedding venues in the area. They take pride and care in their work, from the simplest buttonhole through to beautiful bridal bouquets and venue décor.

“Surrounded by nature – working with nature”


Favours – Stonesfield Soap Company

Stonesfield Soap Company logo

Stonesfield Soap Company is a small, family-run business based in in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. It started off as a hobby, following on from our daughter’s 9th birthday party (a ‘spa science’ party, making bath fizzies, melt & pour soap etc), and as a concerned response to the huge number of unnecessary chemicals found in toiletries today. Since then, it has grown into a business driven by a passion for the manufacture of natural, artisan cold-process soap with an emphasis on design. The maxim that ‘beautiful skin deserves beautiful soap’ is at the forefront of what we do, with a firm belief that a good, natural soap should not only leave the skin feeling gently cleansed and perfectly conditioned but should also provide a positive visual experience, with the design of the soap playing an important role. The inclusion of various botanicals, clays, milks and a wide range of pure nutrient and essential oils, all carefully chosen for their individual properties, helps us create a very special soap indeed. We employ a strong ‘no palm oil’ policy and actively support a local conservation charity that works out in Sumatra. As well as soap, we are continually expanding our range of bath and skincare products, such as balms, bath bombs, salts and oils.

Mr Toad's place | Stationery by Paper Tree Design | Soap favour by Stonesfield Soap Company | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uktwitter-1@StonesfieldSoap

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Transport – Angela Martin – British Classic Car Hire

British Classic Car Hire logo

A trip in a classic car provides a whole new experience in road travel.  The smell of the leather seats, the lovely clunk of the solid door and the admiring smiles from those you pass; they provide a picturesque touch to your wedding day photos, and will make you feel like you are the stars of a vintage movie as you are driven to your wedding reception!
Every car in our fleet is an original, vintage vehicle, so by hiring one for your wedding, you’ll instantly become part of its history.  A full chauffeur service is provided with each car hire and discounts are available if you wish to hire more than one.
The company is run by Angela Martin, a classic car enthusiast, and she is well equipped to advise you on which model will best suit your needs, and her enthusiasm is infectious!   Whether you prefer the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I or you are drawn to the retro style of the 1938 Daimler or 1935 Humber, all models are safe and comfortable to ride in.
Ribbons can be added in your preferred colour scheme and your chauffeur (usually Angela) is happy to stop off for a photo-shoot so if you have a favourite backdrop which you’d like to be photographed against, Angela is more than happy to oblige!
Whether or not you have a passion for cars, classic cars have a beauty about them that everyone can appreciate and as soon as you step aboard one, you won’t stop smiling.  The whole experience is one that will stay with you forever, so its a perfect treat for such a special day.
If you would like to meet the cars, contact Angela on 01865 301701 or visit http://www.britishclassiccarhire.co.uk/ for more information.
Couple by car | British Classic Car Hire | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk
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Take a look at a behind the scenes look at the briefs that were given to these fabulous suppliers and how the Wind in the Willows theme came to life with their designs and products.
Behind the scenes: Wind in the Willows shoot

Behind the scenes: Wind in the Willows shoot

I was really pleased to work with Farrow Photography on another styled shoot this autumn. We first joined forces in 2014 to bring to life some inspirational themes to show how you can enhance your milestone events. Following the success of our previous themed photo shoots, we collaborated once again to produce an amazing bridal styled shoot based around another well known story, The Wind in the Willows. It was also an honour to be able to showcase some amazing products from some fantastic local suppliers.

Hanami Dream | inspiration | Wind in the Willows | Farrow Photography
Theme
I choose the Wind in the Willows theme as it is another classic story with it’s roots firmly based in and around Oxfordshire. The book by Kenneth Grahame was written 108 years ago (published on 15th June 1908) and he took inspiration from the River Thames from his child hood and also from when he lived in Oxford when he was at school. In later life, he lived in Blewbury with his own family and The Wind in the Willows was based on stories that he used to tell to his son Alistair. It is even claimed that Mapeldurham was the vision for Toad Hall.

This book evokes such beautiful natural scenes of being beside the riverbank – a relaxing setting, which allows characters rustic picnics and peaceful treks down the river, all to contrast with hectic, crowded city life. Many cite that the book has a common theme of struggling with a sense of place. Whether it’s being comfortable with where you are or facing things that need to be changed.

For me, it typifies a sense of adventure and the great open road. So initially, I really wanted to focus on getting as many different modes of transport involved in this bridal shoot, including a rowing boat, a vintage car (poop poop!), a colourful old fashioned bow top caravan and even a barge, if possible.

There’s also a running theme of hospitality in the book, so I wanted to get across the feel of a decadent banquet in the Grand Hall as well as a sumptuous picnic.

I wanted to hint at the theme with slight nods to the book in place names, the table plan and on the cake. I certainly didn’t want to focus on the weasels at Toad Hall as their laughs and noises used to scare me when I listened to the cassette story as a child!

The final thing that I really wanted to capture was stunning, rich autumnal colours.

Hanami Dream | inspiration | Wind in the Willows | Farrow Photography
Styled shoot
A styled shoot takes almost as much time and effort to produce as a wedding day and entails bringing together the theme from many different suppliers.

The beauty of styled shoots (versus a real life wedding) is that it is a great opportunity to be a little more extravagant and really show off what you’ve always wanted to do. You can indulge your fantasies with new trends or products that couples may not have seen yet or something really unusual.

This styled shoot is a collaboration of like minded people that can create great things together but perhaps don’t have the budgets to produce this kind of work if they all worked independently.

Hanami Dream | inspiration | Wind in the Willows | Farrow Photography

Brief
I am very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the UK and am surrounded by some seriously talented wedding venues, professionals and suppliers. I was honoured that so many wanted to be involved in this shoot and they certainly didn’t disappoint with the products that they provided.

I gave them all the same brief that I was trying to achieve:

an outdoors adventure with vintage transport along the beautiful riverside, followed by celebrations in a grand hall dressed in marsala and tweed with chalk board signs

I also provided them with my collated vision and ideas on my Pinterest board.

The themes I wanted to encapsulate included:

  • Transportation
  • Autumn
  • Bo-ho / 1970s
  • Chalk board
  • Marbling
  • Greenery

I wanted to focus on the following autumnal colours:

  • Marsala (colour of the year in 2015 and still going strong)
  • Pale pink/coral (Rose Quartaz is one of the colours of the year in 2016 and I wanted to have a dress that wasn’t a traditional white dress)
  • Gold (using the current metallic trend along with copper and a welcome alternative to silver)
  • Tweed (casual men’s wear perfect for the country setting)
  • Forest Green (focusing on lots of greenery and foliage)

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Designs
The creative suppliers worked wonders in transforming my overflowing pot of ideas and pairing it down in to realistic and achievable products for us to showcase.

  • Stationery designsOne of the first ideas for this shoot came from an image that I saw of a floral archway bursting with rich dark coloured flowers. Having spoken to Paper Tree Design about my vision, they were excited about making this floral arch from paper and card including lots of dark green foliage and some metallic and pearlised paper. The stationery had to synchronise up with lots of other elements such as the font and date of the wedding used on the invitation and cake, the flower illustrations used are ladies smock, wild rose and pink, and white campion, the menu used is a sample from the venue, plus the envelope liner was tweed inside a marsala coloured envelope.Then the theme came alive with the inclusion of the author and character names on the place cards (Mr Grahame, Mrs Grahame, Mr Toad, Mr Badger, Mr Mole, Mr Rat), and the seating plan had table names displayed on a chalk board which were named after the first 9 chapters of the book (1. The River Bank, 2. The Open Road, 3. The Wild Wood, 4. Mr Badger, 5. Dulce Domum, 6. Mr Toad, 7. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, 8. Toad’s Adventures, 9. Wayfarers All).

Paper Tree Design | stationery | design | Wind in the Willows shoot

  • Cake designThe Pretty Cake Company helped to combine a few ‘on trend’ themes for this photo shoot, whilst combining the floral themes too. Marble wedding cakes are a revived trend that are becoming very popular and combined with the ongoing popularity of metallic effects, this shoot  was perfect to experiment with both. The top and bottom tier were covered using a hand mixed grey marbled sugarpaste. The top tier had a subtle splattering of edible gold lustre paint and the bottom tier had the gold drip effect which looked like it poured from the second gold lustred tier. The chalkboard effect on the third tier was sympathetic to the stationery used and with a nod to Kenneth Grahame whose book ‘The Wind in The Willows’ inspired this shoot. The cake was finished with a selection of arrangements of sugar flowers such as burgundy dahlias, coral ranunculus, sweet avalanche roses, snowberries and green viburnum.

The Pretty Cake Company | cake | design | Wind in the Willows shoot

  • Flowers Classic Flowers really went to town with my brief of having loose and flowing displays along with the colour themes running throughout the shoot. The green amaranthus especially in the bouquet worked in beautiful harmony with the weeping willow at the venue.Here are the flowers that were used in the shoot:
    • Brides bouquet – Mustard roses, Astrantia, Green and Coral Hypericum, Bombastic spray roses, Green Amaranthus, Burgundy Dahlia, Skimmia, flowering eucalyptus, ivy and fatsia leaves.
    • Buttonhole – Mustard rose, Bombastic spray roses, Burgundy Dahlia, Green and coral hypericum, flowering eucalyptus and skimmia leaves.
    • Table arrangement – flowers as brides bouquet PLUS green orchids and soft ruscus.
    • Swag on fireplace – Flowering eucalyptus, ivy, skimmia and soft ruscus.
    • Temple – Peach roses
    • Love Seat – ivy, flowering eucalyptus and skimmia

Despite getting stuck in Calais (due to the migrant camp closing), the flowers thankfully made their way from the Dutch supplier in time for the shoot!

Bouquet on plinth | Classic Flowers | Wind in the Willows | marsala & gold | autumnal | Old Swan & Minster Mill | Witney | October 2016 | Photography by Farrow Photography www.farrowphotography.co.uk

  • Soap favours – the beautiful Marsala Peacock soap favours were an equistite addition to the beautifully laid tablescape in the banquet scene. Stonesfield Soap Company were amazing at making these bespoke soaps to match the colour theme of the shoot and they added a great aroma to the room whilst we were shooting! They are all made by hand and these images give an idea of the amount of processes that go in to making these favours. Here are the ingredients of the soaps that were used on this shoot:
    • Oils used: olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, shea butter (raw), rapeseed oil (UK cold-pressed), cocoa butter
    • Essential oil blend: Lavender, mandarin, patchouli
    • Other inclusions: goat milk yogurt, tapioca starch, kaolin clay

Suppliers
I couldn’t have been happier (and luckily) with the products that all the suppliers produced and provided.

  • Venue – I picked the Old Swan and Minster Mill based on it’s riverside location and it’s glorious weeping willow tree. How fortuitous that we also discovered that they had an old disused boat house and moored rowing boat that just so happened to be painted in red to match our theme perfectly! Also the chairs in the dining room were also a perfect colour match. It seemed like fate to bring the venue and colour palettes together in one amazing venue.
  • Hair – I was incredibily pleased that Lucy Beesley Bridal were available to do the bride’s hair and make up for this shoot. She actually did my hair at my own wedding 5 years – surely you can’t get a better recommendation! She brilliantly included the colour theme in the marsala lipstick and green/black eye liner and ensured the braided hair followed the loose and flowing themes.
  • Dress – Originally, I really wanted to use a non-white dress for this shoot – like a pale pink or coral colour. Plus I wanted to get away from the strapless dresses we see all too often. So I briefed Mae Bridal that I wanted to use something that covered the shoulders (which I think our cold bride was appreciative on the day!) and that had embroidery on it. The Watters Amelia dress hit the brief bang on with a nude coloured under skirt, amazing embroidered back and sleeves, plus a nice bo-ho vibe to fit in with the laid back theme.
  • Menswear – Keates of Witney provided a brilliant tweed jacket and waistcoat with pops of red to bring together the bow tie, cords and red of the checked shirt. Our groom looked like a proper country gent!
  • Cutlery – I wanted to get away from all the silver cutlery adorning tables and push towards the mixed metallic trends that are appearing. I was also really keen to use local suppliers for this shoot and searched extensively for gold cutlery. I was delighted to find the Vintage Gold China whilst networking on a wedding Twitter hour one night. They seem to be the only supplier locally to have an extensive selection of modern and traditional styled gold cutlery as well as crockery to hire. Plus they were a font of knowledge and extremely happy to help with my quest for finding marsala coloured candles to go in their lovely selection of gold coloured candlesticks. Even after a tiring night washing up the products from the night before, they turned up with such enthusiasm and encouragement that it was a delight to have them involved in the shoot.
  • Tea light holders – Another trend I wanted to include an element of geometric terrariums or candle holders. Just by chance, I was talking to Larkrise Flowers at the Cogges Wedding Open Day about my search and they were able to very kindly source some brilliant geometric copper candle holders from Talking Tables on my behalf.
  • Car – The shoot’s main inspiration was always about different modes of transport, so it wouldn’t have been complete without the stunning Humber from British Classic Car Hire. And a stroke of luck that the interior of ‘Hester’ was a luxurious marsala coloured leather – it was meant to be! ‘Hester’ is stunning in Black and White, with her beautiful, almost Art Deco lines, lots of chrome detailing and huge headlights, Hester turns heads wherever she goes. A comfortable ride, sliding sun-roof and lovely drop down tables in the rear, she’s a real beauty.
  • Models – And lastly the shoot was brought beautifully to life by the stunning models. I advertised for waves and beards and was so pleased that Jess and Henry were not only able to play our bride and groom but fitted the bill perfectly (his beard was so well coiffured!) They are a real life couple and this really showed in the way that they interacted and came across on camera. Not yet married, but very much in love, they were just right as the happy couple (even if it was a fake wedding!) I, for one, can’t wait to hear if playing the parts has sown any seeds and I look forward to hearing any engagement news in due course!

See more about our Wind in the Willows shoot – Inspiration: autumnal marsala & gold Wind in the Willows wedding

And take a look at the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot – ‘Keeping it local with suppliers for the Wind in the Willows shoot’

#keepitlocal

 

Inspiration: Wind in the Willows

Inspiration: Wind in the Willows

An outdoors adventure with vintage transport along the beautiful riverside, followed by celebrations in a grand hall dressed in marsala and tweed with chalk board and marble design features.

Hanami Dream | inspiration | Wind in the Willows | Farrow Photography

See more images in our gallery and the amazing local suppliers who came together to make this shoot possible in this blog post

Photography by Farrow Photography

 

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016 – wedding vows

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016 – wedding vows

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016

As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘wedding vows’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 1: Vows are promises rather than laws nowadays #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 2: You can choose to use traditional vows including ‘obey’ and ‘worship’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3: Consider alternatives of ‘to love and to honour’ or ‘love and cherish’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 4: In humanist or non-religious ceremonies you can personalise & write your own vows #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 5: Make sure the vows you say are values & commitments you are willing to stand by #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 6: Capture the twinkle in your eye as well as the sincerity in your heart #UKWedLunch

This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘To love and to cherish’ with thanks to Humanist Ceremonies #UKWedLunch

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

Next week’s theme is ‘dietary requirements’ #UKWedLunch

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Alternative wedding guest book ideas

Alternative wedding guest book ideas

Your wedding day is a unique kind of day when your ‘circles’ all come together. It’s not often that you have all the people from different walks of your life in the same room at the same time. How wonderful to look around and see the people you love just there for you two.

Photographs are a brilliant way of capturing who celebrated your big day with you, plus traditionally guests sign a keep sake book and leave a poignant message for the happy couple to read back after the special day. This lovely tradition has got some modern updates and ingenious alternative ideas.

Paper Tree Design wedding tree

Here are a few of my favourite wedding guest book alternatives:

  • Photographs
    • Take polaroids of guests on the day and put them in a book alongside a handwritten message
    • Have a photo booth for people to take their own snaps of the day
    • Have a video diary or place where people can leave their own video messages
  • Paper
    • Have a recipe book where everyone contributes a favourite recipe to be printed in a book (see recipegiftbook.com below)
    • Get guests to complete a calendar with their message on their own birthday or special anniversary
    • Ask guests to write how they know bride & groom on postcards
    • Provide advice cards for guests to suggest date night ideas
    • Leave notes and cards in an engraved oak lift-lid box (see Make Memento below)
    • Get guests to put their best wishes on to labels to hang from a wish tree (see Tree of Hearts below)
    • Ask guests to write their messages and seal them in a bottle to be opened on their first anniversary
  • Furniture / homeware
    • Encourage guests to sign a pottery wedding plate that you can display or use in your kitchen (see Busy Brush Café below)
    • Get guests to sign a piece of wooden garden furniture such as a swing seat, table or bench
    • Ask people to sign decorative, keep sake items for your home such as a quilt, globe or Christmas baubles
    • Provide bottle labels for wine that people can write advice or wishes to be read on wine to be opened for future anniversaries
  • Poster / artwork
    • Use guests fingerprints to create the leaves on a tree on a canvas that be hung afterwards (see Tree of Hearts below)
    • Have hand written messages on various hearts placed around a cut out framed tree (see Paper Tree Design below)
    • Frame an illustration of your venue which guests can sign (see Illustrated Invites below)
    • Get your guests to contribute and colour in a giant poster mural (see Fancy Features below)
    • Ask your hen party to all ‘kiss the miss goodbye‘ and place their lipstick mark next to their signature for instant framed artwork
    • Provide wine corks for guests to sign and then be framed
    • Place signed pebbles or wooden hearts in a big glass vase
  • Games
    • Get guests to sign jigsaw or Jenga blocks
    • Write labels with wishes and attach them to balloons that can be launched at the end of the day

And take a look at these brilliant local suppliers that can bring a different angle to a guest book at your wedding:

Busy Brush Café

Busy Brush Cafe logo

Create a beautiful and highly personalised platter or serving plate, design it with a painting of your venue or of the happy couple and have it glazed and fired ready to present at your wedding along with a special ceramics pen that guests can use to write their message on the plate.

Busy Brush Cafe offer wedding plates of all shapes and sizes that can be used every day in the kitchen or hung up on the wall for decoration. Spend a couple of hours in the quirky and supportive cafe environment and have fun painting up your own plate, or have one of the team design it all for you to specification. The plates can then be collected a few days later once they’ve been glazed and kiln fired and the team will provide you with a permanent ceramics pen for guest messages that will last a lifetime! Prices range from £40 to £150 depending on size and detail required.

Busy Brush Cafe_signed-wedding-signature plate

facebook logo@busyatbusybrush

 

 

 

 

 


Fancy Features

Fancy Features make Giant Colouring In – fully personalised artwork hand illustrated to canvas ready to get coloured in by you and your friends at your event. We design and deliver artwork to clients all over the world.


Illustrated Invitation

Illustrated Invites logo

A small family business located in Somerset, who are passionate in bringing a niche service to wedding stationery.

Producing beautifully detailed pencil sketches of the couple’s wedding venue or church which are then used as a theme throughout the wedding stationery products. Choices of colours, font styles and wording of invitation according to your needs ensures a personal and unique touch to the couple’s stationery. “Designed exclusively for You”.

Our Guest Comment Frame is proving particularly popular for its uniqueness as we go one step further than to just leave a blank space for guests to write on at the reception.

We provide guests with ‘message cards’ for them to write on during the reception, which has proved to be a great talking point after the speeches have been done and dusted and a lull in the proceedings whilst coffee is being served.

After the honeymoon, the couple send us the cards to be edited onto the frame and these original cards are returned together with the completed frame.

Our specialty is that we either print or scan the original messages onto the frame around the sketch, ensuring that perfect spacing and an overall pleasing look is achieved. Providing this in either a black or white modern frame, this product not only doubles as a great keepsake but great to hang proudly in the home as a reminder of the Special Day!

Illustrated Invites guest comment frametwitter-1@illustratedinv

facebook logotheillustratedinvitation

pinterest-1The Illustrated Invitation

instagram logotheillustratedinvitation


Make Memento­

Our hand-engraved, solid oak keepsake boxes make the perfect wedding gift for the happy couple! Perfect for storing treasured wedding keepsakes and mementos, you can make this gift extra special by adding a personalised engraved date to mark the special occasion!

Handmade to order in our studio, our solid oak wood boxes have been lovingly designed and crafted using thick, heavy European oak timber. The wood is hand-cut, then individually sanded and treated to enhance the natural grain and preserve the beauty of the wood. Our boxes are finished with a chic hand-engraving and black infill, with the heart arrow finished with a red infill – producing a truly unique style. Finally, our oak boxes are finished with a clear gloss protective varnish to ensure durability and display a stunning finish. These lift-lid boxes are great for presenting and storing cards, photos and other treasured wedding mementos!


Paper Tree Design

Paper Tree Design | Logo | stationery

The wedding tree from Paper Tree Design is a great way to remember all the people who took part in your special day, family members on the hearts and friends written around the tree. It can be provided fully made up, or instead you can chose to have a blank tree and hearts for your guests to hand write around the tree. Various sizes are available depending on the number of guests, and prices start at  £50.00. The tree can be colour matched to the colour theme of the wedding, contact suzanne@papertreedesign.co.uk for further details.

Paper Tree Design was created through a love of paper and a desire to produce beautiful and personal stationery and decorations. Thoughtfully designed, we focus on quality and attention to detail to make your stationery truly individual. With a background in Fashion and Textile Design, and 15 years experience in retail buying and product development Suzanne has a wealth of experience to draw on and is passionate about delivering design with little personal touches that reflect the clients loves and interests.

Living in rural Oxfordshire Suzanne cannot help but be inspired by the beauty of the natural world and the changing seasons, and can frequently be found in lanes and hedgerows with her camera and a sketchbook. Specialising in paper cutting, at Paper Tree Design we create your handcrafted wedding stationery to order. Choose to personalise a card from one of our ranges or commission a bespoke design. I am at my best working with your theme and ideas for a truly personal invitation and welcome you to come and have a chat and a cuppa in my Oxfordshire studio to discuss plans for your wedding.

Paper Tree Design wedding treetwitter-1@PaperTreeOxon

facebook logo@Paper-Tree-Design

instagram logo@papertreeoxon

 

 

 


recipegiftbook.com

recipegiftbook logo

recipegiftbook.com enables friends and family to give a truly meaningful gift to the bride and groom, the gift of a recipe.

Create a beautiful keepsake to celebrate your wedding day, a cookbook filled with recipes from all your wedding guests.

Whether it’s treasured family recipes or modern favourites, your guests will have fun sharing their recipes, photos and personal messages with you. Guests simply add their recipes online then following your wedding a charming hardback cookbook is sent to you.

Creating a ‘recipe gift book’ is a great way to bring both families together in the run up to a wedding. It’s a special cookbook and a wonderful way to collect precious recipes and create something unique to celebrate your marriage.

The bride and groom can choose from six recipe book designs and personalise the front cover title to make their book unique. When complete the bride and groom will receive a beautiful hardback book, presented in a gift box. The finished recipe book is free for the bride and groom. The guests just pay £4.99 to add a page to the book. The bride and groom can order additional copies of their recipe book and even allow guests to purchase a copy too.

recipegiftbook.com supply the ultimate personalised wedding present from all of the guests, a gift the bride and groom will treasure long after their wedding day. Take a look at their introductory video to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di7YPD3koBA

recipegiftbook design_modern

twitter-1@recipegiftbook

facebook logo@recipegiftbook

pinterest-1recipegiftbook

instagram logo@recipegiftbook


 

Tree of Hearts

Tree of Hearts logo

Tree of Hearts specialises in personalised wedding stationery and has over 90 beautiful collections to choose from including traditional, modern, vintage and beach designs catering for a wide range of tastes and styles. They offer quality stationery at affordable prices and have everything you need from save the date cards and wedding invitations to order of service, table plans, fingerprint trees and thank you cards.

Free samples are available upon request so you can see and feel the quality of their stationery ensuring it is perfect for your special day.

Fingerprint trees can incorporate approximately 50 (small), 80-100 (medium) or 150-200 (large) fingerprints per tree size. Includes a personalised print and 3 small ink pads in colours of your choice.

Tree of Hearts_fingerprint tree

Wishing tree & wishing tags includes a white freestanding manzanita wishing tree (90cm tall) supplied with personalised wishing tags & sign in a design of your choice. The tags can be used for favour tags or wishing tags.

Tree of Hearts_wishing tags

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@tree_ofhearts

facebook logo

@TreeOfHeartsWeddingStationery

instagram logo

@tree_of_hearts


#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 9th November 2016 – wedding insurance

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 9th November 2016 – wedding insurance

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 9th November 2016

As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘wedding insurance’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 1: Things don’t always go to plan – have a back up, prepare for the worst & have options should the unexpected happen #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 2: Think what you’d do if your venue went into receivership, along with your hefty deposit just two weeks before the wedding #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3: Consider postponing the wedding if family member goes in to hospital suddenly #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 4: Plan for different weathers & if guests can’t get there  at all due to bad weather #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 5: Ask photographer what happens if they’re ill on the day or their equipment gets broken or stolen #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 6: Wedding are large financial commitment – insurance is one of smallest expenses of budget but best money you’ll spend! #UKWedLunch

This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog What if? Do you really need wedding insurance? with thanks to Silk Thistle #UKWedLunch

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

Next week’s theme is ‘wedding vows’ #UKWedLunch

Photography by Farrow Photography