No matter what you are up to this weekend, make sure you save some time for the amazing Fabulous Places Christmas Market!
Both myself and Abbi save up our list for christmas presents and spend a small fortune at this fabulous event on pressies and goodies for the festive season. It really is an event not to be missed.
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One of our lovely wedding planners, Clarisse Elysée, a new Ethical Wedding Consultant from La Vie Est Un Voyage, organised a new style of engagement photo shoot in October 2011. Not only did the event have a strong vintage theme from the 1950’s, it was also what we affectionately call, ‘eco-chic.’ After meeting with the fiancés, she opted for the beautiful Cathedral Quarter Hotel in Derby where Kimberley and Troy, the recently engaged couple, embraced the role of 1950’s jazz icons such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Just gorgeous.
Although daunted at first, the couple relaxed and took front stage under the advice of Shaun Taylor, the photographer. Clarisse comments: “This is an excellent, unique and fun way for engaged couples to experience what it will be like to be in the spotlight and to familiarise themselves with the camera and photographer. Because this particular photo shoot had a strong theme that was dear to the couple, approaching the project from a mixed vintage and eco-chic perspective made it both challenging and rewarding, particularly when I saw the final results.”
So, how eco-friendly was the photo shoot?
The “secret” resides in careful and sustainable planning. To reduce the carbon-footprint, Clarisse handpicked small and talented businesses based in or around Derbyshire. The make-up artist only used organic make-up, whilst the flowers were locally sourced, in-season, and grown by a florist based in Ashbourne. In true eco-friendly style (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to avoid unnecessary waste, after the shoot Clarisse donated the fresh flower bouquets to a local care home ‘so the residents could enjoy them as much as we did on the shoot.’
Spreading the word about eco-chic weddings starts with Clarisse’s own business network. Shaun Taylor, the photographer said: “Participating in this project was great. Now inspired by Clarisse’s vision, I consider my carbon footprints and think of how I can go about reducing them.”
So, what eco friendly elements will you be bringing to your big day? Do share 
Special Credits:
Photos: Shaun Taylor Photography
Make-Up and Hairstylist : Laura Jane Sessions - Organic make-up artist
Cupcakes/Cakes: Lavender Cakes
Florist: Freedom Flowers
Hair accessories: Daisy-Doo
Vintage male tweed jacket: Princes Vintage
Vintage props/crockery/ table linen: Bonne Fête
Special thanks to: This is Bazaar
Event organiser and stylist: La Vie Est Un Voyage
The perfect place to unwind during the winter months
For a truly indulgent, relaxing day spent with your nearest and dearest then Eden Hall Day Spa is a real must. Not only does it offer a sanctuary for you to rest and unwind, it is also the perfect setting for a day with the girls. And what better way to spend a day just before your wedding getting pampered and preened?
Well, Eden Hall have launched a fabulous 'Blushing Bride' package for brides to be who are in need of some serious r and r. Here is some more information from the team at Eden Hall:
"Be a blushing bride and join us for the Relaxation Day plus ... get smooth glowing skin with a 25min Full Body Polish, ease tension and relax tired muscles with a 25min Relaxing Back Massage and finish with a Make up consultation and application.
Then sit back and relax with a glass of pink champagne and treat yourself in the Shop with a 10% discount of your recommended Mii make up.
All this for only £150"
So, if you want to look your best on your big day and feel totally and utterly indulged then give the team over at Eden Hall a call and get yourself booked in!
Happy weekend everyone
When it comes to styling your big day with all those little extras which makes your wedding your own, head to one of Save the Date's favourites, Velvet Weddings. From shabby chic to romantic, vintage to colourful, the team over at Velvet know what you're looking for and deliver fabulous goodies to make your day stand out from the crowd.
And the best news is, not only can you get gorgeous bits and pieces for your wedding but you can also deck your lovely little nest out with unique, quirky and individual items which really do make a house a home.
And, here are Velvet's top 20 wedding buys:
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you're getting married or not, www.velvetstore.co.uk is worth a look but be warned, have your credit card at the ready. It takes a very strong woman to visit this site without actually buying anything ....
Happy shopping! xx
Lincolnshire Boutique Has Designs on Royalty…
She may have missed out on designing the wedding dress of the century earlier this year, but local designer Nicola Culliford, owner and founder of ‘Meringue’ Wedding Dress Boutique on St Mary’s Street Lincoln, moved a step closer to royal fashion this week when a guest at the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall chose to wear one of her very own creations to the second royal nuptials of 2011.
Former Lincoln resident Lisa Lloyd and her ex rugby international husband Leon, were amongst the privileged guests invited to share Zara and Mike’s special day with them in Edinburgh on Saturday 30th July and with a such a special invitation in hand Lisa headed straight to Nicola for advice and inspiration on her royal wedding outfit.
“With just over four weeks between invitations being received and the big day itself, it was a bit of a challenge getting everything completed in time” says Nicola “but seeing how lovely Lisa looked plus the thought that one of my designs could be in the same room as the queen and might even catch the attention of the new Duchess of Cambridge, the person every designer in the world would like to dress, made it all worthwhile”
Lisa and Leon were captured leaving the Ceremony at Cannongate Kirk on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile on Saturday afternoon en route to a spectacular reception at the official Royal Residence Holyrood House. They both looked suitably sophisticated amidst the array of royal and sporting celebrities also sharing in the exciting occasion. Lisa’s soft pink dress was cut from pure Thai silk and chiffon with Leon’s morning suit being topped off by a pink silk tie cut and hand finished by Nicola from the very same fabric.
Sharing her thoughts on attending such a grand occasion Lisa said “It was an amazing experience that Leon and I will always remember. Zara looked stunning in her Stewart Parvin gown and there were some amazing outfits amongst the congregation, but I felt extra special in the dress Nicola designed and created for me plus I didn’t need to worry about arriving at the Ceremony wearing the same outfit as another guest!”
We at Save the Date magazine ♥ Meringue and we're so pleased for Nicola and this fabulous claim to fame. We are also SO pleased that Meringue will be exhibiting at the Wedding Event with a Difference on 16th October ... yay!
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