Posts Tagged ‘An inspiring wedding guide’

Introducing Tracey Denise from The Indulgent Cake

Friday, July 15th, 2011

With this month’s blog devoted to ‘the evolution of the wedding cake’ we thought we would introduce you to the lady behind our guest article this month Tracey Denise.

Originally from Jamaica, Tracey has been a cake designer for the past 4 years. With an initial passion for fruit cakes (synonymous with the Caribbean), Tracey now prides herself on making a variety of cakes especially for those who have specific allergies and intolerances.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

I really enjoy coming up with an idea or concept and then creating a cake that my clients are blown away by. It brings me a great deal of joy seeing my client’s reaction.

Describe your personality?

I would describe myself as an easy-going problem solver. I would always suggest taking a deep breath, stepping back then approaching the problem as if it was an every day task.

What is your favourite place to hang out?

If I’m honest anywhere where the sun is shining and I can enjoy good a conversation with good company.

Describe a perfect day for you?

A cake delivery with the client being overjoyed with the cake I had created for them, followed by an outing with my son

If you could give one piece of advice to couples getting married what would it be?

Your wedding is normally a one day event and your marriage is for the rest of your life, keep things in prospective. On the day focus on enjoying and savouring the ceremony, reception and sharing the event with your guests. Let go worrying about the little things that have not been done.

Thanks to Tracey Denise from The Indulgent Cake.

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The Evolution of the Wedding Cake

Friday, July 1st, 2011

The wedding cake – what do you think of it?

Usually for most couples its great for taking photos with but little else. However if it is significant it’s likely to have a filling the couple will enjoy, but once the ceremony is over and the party is underway its usually long forgotten.

So how did the wedding cake come to be? Well cake maker Tracey Denise from The Indulgent Cake answers just that with her article on its evolution – enjoy.

Nowadays when we think of wedding cakes we think of them being a reflection of the couple or the brides personality by using colours, flowers or a more literal design.

However cakes of today are by no means a reflection of the past as you will be surprised to know that the earliest wedding cake was recorded as being a simple barley loaf that the husband would break over his wife’s head to show his dominance in the marriage. Nice!

This was followed by the bride’s pie in medieval England, which would either have a sweet (sweet bread or mincemeat) or savoury (meat) filling depending on the brides families budget and  was a feature in weddings up until the late 19th century when it was replaced with a single tiered plum cake.

In terms of decoration, Royal icing was created in the late 1880’s and as the wedding cake became associated with the bride and started being decorated, white was deemed an appropriate colour to reflect the purity of the bride and by this association the cake became centre stage at the meal, just like the bride at the wedding.

Once the art of stacking the cakes was introduced, the tradition of keeping the top tier for the christening of the first child  came into being.

And finally as the artistry of sugar work has progressed so has the decorations on wedding cakes, which brings us back to today with cakes often decorated to compliment the brides dress or the bridal parties’ colours. Just take a look at some I’ve created.

Tracey Denise

The Indulgent Cake

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Introducing Interfaith Minister Kathryn Reynolds

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Not all ministers are stuffy as this month’s guest blogger definitely proves – so lets introduce you to Kathryn Reynolds.

Originally from New York, Kathryn moved to England back in the 1990s and ordained as an Interfaith minister and spiritual counsellor in 2003 following various incarnations.

What inspired you to get started?

9/11, I thought that I would put my occupation where my heart was and becoming a minister seemed to be the right thing to do.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

The moment when the service is complete and the couple have just what they want.

Describe your personality?

I would say that I am creative.  I like to get more out of my clients by going beyond the common poems and quotes and dig deep into their imaginations to create an unforgettable wedding ceremony.

When was the last time you laughed really hard and what was the joke?

My husband and I live in a flat on the 3rd floor and the other day we heard an ice-cream van and decided we were going to go for it. It was like we were children again chasing the ice cream van down the street. I’m just looking forward to finding a way to stop the van this summer.

Describe a perfect day for you?

Waking up about 9 or 10, the sun is shining and breakfast is freshly baked bread, a fresh fruit salad, champagne, orange juice and a latte. My music is playing, I have a great book to read and friends are coming over.

If you could give one piece of advice to couples getting married what would it be?

Never lose your sense of humour as this will get you through anything.

Thanks to Interfaith Minister Kathryn Reynolds.

We look forward to receiving your comments on this month’s topic and remember for all your wedding planning needs at home and abroad head to www.pierrecarr.com.

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Tips for writing personal wedding vows

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Often when I ask couples whether they’ll be including personal vows for their ceremony their initial reaction is to say they would love to. However more often than not the problem they face is that they have trouble knowing where to start and how to convey it well on paper.

That’s why for this month’s blog I’ve asked Interfaith minister Kathryn Reynolds to take the reins with her topic on how to write wedding vows – enjoy.

‘The first couple I married who said their own personal vows told the congregation  - they would love each other’s faces for the rest of their lives, even when they were full of wrinkles.

This couple now has three children and reaffirms their vows every year knowing that as their faces change, they still remember why they love each other – nice.

One of the great aspects of a secular marriage ceremony is the fact that vows can be chosen freely or created by the couple. Unlike couples that marry within a religious tradition secular marriage ceremonies enable the couple to express their love in any way they like.

Often the easiest way to do this is tell the one you love what you really see in them however in most instances saying “I love you” is not enough so I ask couples to create a folder of lyrics, pictures and poems and to write nouns that create a word picture of their beloved to help them get started.

Here are a few things to think about when starting to write your vows:

What made you fall in love?

What song or poem reminds you of your beloved?

What words best describe the feeling you have when you are alone with them?

And finally think about what you want to tell your beloved. What do you see in their heart? But mean every word you say.

Once you begin it will naturally start to flow but one thing perhaps you shouldn’t tell them is what you’re going to say before the ceremony, so they hear the words for the first time at the marriage and you make his or her heart crack open.

Guaranteed you will not only make your feelings known to everyone in the room. But you will also make everyone reach for their hanky.

Kathryn Reynolds, Interfaith Minister

www.theta2change.com

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The insider track on how to negotiate with a venue and save pounds

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

Despite the current economic climate, couples haven’t been put off wanting to celebrate their weddings in style even though they are under increasing pressure to get more for less.

In times when sticking to the budget is a must, there has never been a better time to negotiate with your wedding venue, but knowing how to go about it is often tricky to get right.

That’s why for this month’s guest blog we get insider tips from Sarah Sowerby, Regional Business Development Manager at Lime Venue Portfolio (the UK’s biggest collection of historic, unique and sporting venues) on how to get the best value out of a venue.

Her top tips are:

1. Underestimate

Always reduce guest numbers by 10% – otherwise you’ll be contracted to the maximum number, whether they attend or not. You can always add a few more names closer to the date. Also allow for a 25-30% drop out from your “ideal” list – holidays, illness etc

2. Last minute

Be aware that when you confirm your booking – the shorter the time to the big day the more you can negotiate as the venue will find it harder to sell the space before the date. But don’t leave it too late though or you will be on the back foot. 3 months is a good benchmark if you can hold your nerve.

3. Put it in writing

If you really have your heart set on a venue but others are holding the same date simply offer the venue an ultimatum offer to sign the contract and pay the deposit there and then. Most venues will still out of courtesy want to contact the other couple, but at least you have made it clear that you are serious.

4. Take advantage

Make full use of the venues staff and their expertise, as well as their preferred suppliers – the relationships between venue and supplier coupled with the venues buying power could save you money.

5. New kid on the block

Opt for a well established venue, in the current economic climate the newest venue in town might not stand the test of time and you will be liable to lose your deposit if a venue goes into administration.

6. Don’t skimp on your venue

The venue you pick will play a central role in your wedding day. From the general ambience and photograph opportunities it provides, to the quality of service you received, your venue choice is essential. Make sure you carefully consider the costs versus the benefits.

7. Consider the Food

Whether you opt for a catering package or bespoke menu, the food you receive will live long in the memory of you and your guests. Whilst it is important to make sure you are getting value for money, make sure that quality of the food and drink isn’t compromised.

8. Think small

Smaller venues are often more exclusive and more intimate. They can also be cheaper making it easier for you to reduce down your guest list and a good way of ensuring you have your most important family and friends around you.

Sarah Sowerby, Lime Venue Portfolio.

www.limevenueportfolio.com

We hope you found the this blog entry useful, we look forward to receiving your comments and remember for all your wedding planning needs at home and abroad head to www.pierrecarr.com.

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Introducing Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

With this month’s blog devoted to photography we thought we would formally introduce Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures who kindly gave us ‘A friend with a good digital camera’ earlier this month.

Originally a commercial photographer specialising in Food, Lifestyle and Travel photography, for years Jemma would shoot weddings ‘on the side.’ But early in 2008 Jemma decided to start a second business that purely focused on weddings and events, hence Pearl Pictures was born.

What inspired you to get started?

I have always loved photography from a young age and was given my first camera when I was 15. I wanted to study art as a degree but instead took business. In hindsight this turned out to be a very good idea now that I am running my own businesses, but at the time I wasn’t so sure. I worked in the design industry for a few years before leaving to become a professional photographer, which was inspired by my grandfather. Sadly, towards the end of his life, he talked about having regrets, wishing he had done more with his life. Well, I thought to myself, I don’t want to have any regrets, so I decided to give my photography career a chance. After all, I could always go back to my old profession if I couldn’t make a go of it. That was 10 years ago.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

The thing that I enjoy most about my work is the variety that each job brings, both in style and personalities. No two jobs are the same. This challenges me photographically and also in the way I interact with people. I enjoy working with people very much and find it extremely fulfilling when I walk away at the end of the event, knowing I’ve captured some great characters enjoying themselves on a happy occasion.

Describe your personality?

I would say my personality is friendly, fun and lively but at the same time professional, understanding and able to interact with many different people of all ages, backgrounds and personalities. I’m also conscientious about my work and have a strong sense of integrity.

What is your favourite place to hang out?

My favourite place to hang out is in the mountains of Wengen in Switzerland. My Dad lives out there and we all enjoy spending time there as a family, enjoying the beautiful environment and skiing in the winter. I try to go there as much as I can, especially as most of my summer is spent working weddings so I try to make the most of the quieter winter months.

If you could give one piece of advice to couples getting married what would it be?

My best piece of advice for couples getting married is to not cut back on your photography budget. Your wedding photographs should be high on your list of priorities, after all, these are what last forever. You must also make sure that you get on well with your chosen photographer. The personalities have to mix well as you will spending a lot of time together on one of the most important days of you life.

Also every now and then throughout your wedding day, stand back from your guests and soak up the atmosphere of the day. Take in their faces and the joy people are having sharing your day with the two of you.

Our thanks to Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures. We look forward to receiving your comments on this month’s topic on photography and remember for all your wedding planning needs at home and abroad head to www.pierrecarr.com.

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