Posts Tagged ‘The Butterfly Journal’

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Spring 2012 – Pantone Tangerine Tango

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

The daffodils are out so spring has now truly sprung and with all this colour around us there is no surprise that on the catwalk fashion designers have used it to their full advantage in their Spring Collections.

But forget the pale pastels many have looked towards vivacious and appealing reddish orange for inspiration.

Why? ‘Because it’s a colour that is sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive’, says Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman from the Pantone Color Institute®.

But don’t just take her word for it check our mood board for ways you can incorporate this exotic and friendly colour into your special day.

Credits: Top L to R: Cake Events By Sarah, Viva La Wedding, Aphrodite Weddings

Middle L to R: Minihafilharaicasar, The Little Daisy, Toronto Wedding Society, Red Letter Event Planning

Bottom L to R: Chic Wedding Favors, Wedding Blog box, Poppyseed Designs, One Wed

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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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Introducing Sarah Sowerby from Lime Venue Portfolio

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

With insider tips this month on ways to save on your wedding venue lets introduce you to the woman behind the blog post Sarah Sowerby.

Having been with Lime Venue Portfolio (a central reservation team for venues that the Compass Group UK & Ireland cater to) for 7 years, Sarah has recently taken on the role of Regional Business Development Manager which involves promoting 55 venues within the M25 (from historic gems like the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich to Trinity House and many more) but ultimately helping brides and grooms to find the perfect venue for their special day.

What inspired you to take on this role?

I love meeting new people and this goes hand and hand with finding the perfect venue for the bride and groom on their special day.  I’m always up for a challenge and I believe there is a certain skill needed for anyone working in the events and wedding business.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

Seeing the event in full swing gives me the most pleasure.  Watching guests celebrate and enjoy their day gives me real satisfaction knowing that all the hard work leading up to the day has been worth it.

Describe a perfect day for you?

Sun, Sea, Seafood & New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – delicious!

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

Watching my husband and our godson on a treasure hunt I organised for them recently. It was hilarious to see the excitement on the four year olds face as he raced around looking for each clue.

What is your most possessed item and why?

My photos… in particular our wedding day photos because it was the most amazing occasion with great memories

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

Don’t sweat about the small stuff.  I remember my husband and I really stressing the day before our wedding and trying to ensure that everything was perfect.

We were so wound up about some the smallest of details. We should have been relaxing and enjoying the lead up but we became so up tight!

On the day the detail that we felt were so important didn’t matter at all and we had the best day without even noticing the detail we felt needed to be right!

Thanks to Sarah Sowerby from Lime Venue Portfolio.

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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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 Charlene Hutsebaut from Positively Slim

Friday, April 15th, 2011

With this month’s blog devoted to ‘losing weight for your wedding’ we thought we would introduce you to the lady behind our guest article this month Charlene Hutsebaut.

Originally from Winnipeg, Canada Charlene moved to England 10 years ago following a stint travelling to establish two businesses. The first her name branded one to one personal training company where clients can take advantage of her Stott Pilates and strength and conditioning credentials. The second her online business Positively slim which is a free membership site for individuals to learn about health, fitness, nutrition, yoga and lifestyle choices.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

Other than the obvious physical progressions my clients will make, I most enjoy when a client realises that being fit is just one part of many other components. Eating well, participating in lots of activities they like as well as making time for themselves as a natural part of their everyday life rather than it being a chore.

Describe your personality?

I like this question because I always think of how my friends or clients would describe me.  I am definitely deeply caring, intuitive, sensitive, outgoing, loyal, honest, reliable, smart, ambitious and assertive.  It has taken me some time as a personal trainer and woman to understand these things about myself and I do feel that I am learning more every day.

What is your favourite place to hang out?

I am not sure I can just pick one place because I am such a world traveller. But in London, I love hanging out on my new flat’s balcony in the sun with my plants. In Canada I love being either poolside at my parent’s condo with old friends or reading a book in the screened veranda at my godparents cabin at the lake.  Back in New Zealand I would love hanging out by driving around the country in a little car, stopping at my leisure at great cafes or beaches.

Describe a perfect day for you?

Ah, a perfect day would be having a coffee in the sunshine either on my balcony or at the beach, then going for either a rollerblade (makes me feel completely free) or a run and some weights and then exploring somewhere new and taking photographs.

If it was a work day I would start the same way, coffee, then a few clients, a workout, some yummy lunch then a few more lovely clients and then home to relax. I suppose my most perfect day would be spending time with my parents at their condo in Canada, as I don’t get enough of those days anymore.

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

Weirdly I think I had a great “belly laugh” last week with two of my new female clients while they were doing a balance exercise.  One of them got the giggles and it just permeated to the rest of us and we couldn’t stop laughing!   It was a lovely moment because I really felt like these women were having fun and for me I was making a difference for them.

Thanks to Charlene Hutsebaut from Positively Slim.

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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‘Should I lose weight for my wedding?’ by guest blogger Charlene Hutsebaut

Friday, April 1st, 2011

With the royal wedding at the end of this month and Kate Middleton losing weight in the run up to the big day, we thought it would be a good idea to get a fitness expert’s perspective on weight loss and weddings for our second guest blog.

So lets introduce you to Charlene Hutsebaut, a  Canadian personal trainer who has over 17 years experience in the fitness industry who now trains one to one clients in London and has an online membership site called Positively Slim. Over to you Charlene.  

‘With so much media hype at the moment about Kate Middleton getting ready for her wedding, my thoughts have always been she looked wonderful, fit and healthy before the engagement so why has she now started to shed body weight?

In my mind there was absolutely no need for this fit, healthy woman to lose anymore on the scales, as my professional approach to health and fitness is to not use the scales but  girth measurements, energy and fitness levels and feelings of wellbeing, which I believe is a much better guide.

A very popular wedding planner has been quoted as saying that many brides lose weight in the lead up to their wedding because of stress.  This may be true, but isn’t this supposed to be a happy day?  If a bride wants to be healthy and happy there are ways to look and feel great & combat stress!  I believe stress can be avoided by making positive choices, being organised and delegating tasks.

I feel getting married is a great time to have a health/fitness goal to work towards.  If a bride wants to be fitter, more toned and healthier she should start at least three months to a year before the month of the wedding due to scientific reasons.  Physiologically the body needs to have time to set new motor patterns, lay down muscle, shrink fat cells and develop healthier tissue.  This all takes much more than a month, which some brides feel is more than ample to get fit.  It’s not.

The benefits for starting as far away from the wedding date as possible are many. Regular exercise, meditation, yoga/pilates and other alternative health practices will keep stress at bay, keep energy levels even and feelings of emotional wellbeing positive. These things should be done consistently and regularly each week with a well-balanced nutrient rich food plan.  This will most likely result in girth measurements lowering perhaps some weight loss, but not unhealthy amounts and the start of a healthier lifestyle for a lifetime past the wedding.

I strongly suggest that a bride does not focus on the numbers on the scales but on healthy goals such as how clothes fit and most importantly how she feels. As many people may have already read, muscle tissue weighs more than fat.  If one starts a fitness routine in the lead up to their wedding they will build new muscle which will most likely not show a change on the scales but will certainly allow them to feel more toned, energetic, stress free and have clothes feeling better.

A good way to think about this comparatively is to visualise two women of the same height and age, one being an athlete or regular exerciser and the other a sedentary (non-active) person.  The reality is that the former will be heavier on the scales because of having more muscle tissue than the sedentary woman but will look more toned, healthier and fit.  So in my professional opinion this means that the scales are negligible.  What do they really tell us if the heavier woman in our example looks and feels better?

Charlene Hutsebaut

www.positivelyslim.ning.com

Thanks Charlene. As always we would love to receive your comments so don’t hesitate to drop us a line and if you need help with your planning head to Pierre Carr Weddings.

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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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The friend with a good digital camera

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

New year, new changes and our first for this blog is to have a guest blogger – an industry expert who has a topic close to their heart they wish to share with you.

So without further a do lets introduce you to Jemma Watts, owner and photographer of Pearl Pictures based in North London. Jemma has been shooting weddings for over 10 years and her topic for this month is ‘ The Friend with a good digital camera’ – over to you Jemma.

‘Since digital cameras hit the high street, the wedding photography industry has changed forever. Competition has never been more fierce for the professional wedding photographer, now that most people have a digital camera.

I hear way to often, how a friend is going to take the wedding pictures and of course this can be a very attractive offer when considering the savings on the overall budget. However, I can’t tell you how many times I get a last minute booking from brides changing their mind, realising they want a professional to take their photographs.

If a friend is something you are considering, have you thought about what really goes into being a wedding photographer and producing the images you will love and cherish for a lifetime?  If the answer is no here are a few things that you should consider before taking up that kind offer from your ‘friend with a good camera’.

Firstly, it’s not the camera that makes the pictures good; there is actually a skill involved in capturing those memorable moments, like the shots where no-one knows you are there, capturing all the details of the day as well as the emotions.

A professional photographer will know the proceedings of the day, will know where to be at the right time throughout the ceremony, and will always mentally be one step ahead of the proceedings throughout the whole day.

A good wedding photographer will always be on the look out for great shots, while your friend may be catching up with old acquaintances over a glass of champagne – which to be honest, you can’t blame them, they are a guest right?

It’s also important to be able to ‘read’ people, to know when to take the shot. A good photographer will be practically invisible to the guests. My best compliment is when the bride tells me that she didn’t even know I was there.

Lastly, and probably most importantly, you want your friend to enjoy your big day. It is a huge pressure on someone to capture such an important day in your life. The friend simply cannot take great photos, without missing all those special moments whilst at the same time trying to relax and enjoy your wedding day.

So please consider all the above before you make that crucial decision about your wedding photography. Remember…you can’t re-shoot the day if you don’t get the photos you want.’

Jemma Watts

www.pearl-pictures.com

Photos courtesy of Pearl Pictures

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