Random things I have been admiring of late...

I discovered this image by Dominique Bader over at Love My Dress today and I don't know what it is about in particular that I like so much. The dress is pretty fabulous, the pose works really well, and I really like the way it's cropped just below the shoulders. It makes me want to know more and that's the way a good photo should make you feel I think.




Heart confetti? Lovely.




The polaroid coasters I found over at appletea and you can buy them here...




A perfect Valentine's gift, no?




Some people really are so ridiculously talented.



Happy thank-god-February-is-nearly-here-so-spring-must-be-too Monday lovelies.

The wedding budget

Whilst January is a truly depressing month weather wise, it's a pretty exciting one for recently engaged brides to be. And judging by the amount of enquiries I alone am getting, a hell of a lot of you got engaged during the festive season!

I thought I'd write this post to give a little help to those starting their wedding planning, with or without a wedding planner. Aside from telling people you're engaged and revelling in all the congrats it's pretty much the first thing you should consider. And that is...

... the wedding budget...

I can not tell you the amount of enquiries I get where the bride or groom will explain their ideal wedding and then tell me they haven't considered the budget. Or those that say they're thinking of spending say £20,0000 - £35,000 as if this £15,000 gap isn't rather significant.

I know when you've literally just got engaged and are only just beginning to imagine your big day, you might not have even had a chance to work out what you can afford. Or even discussed with your parents whether they can and want to contribute. And I totally understand that. In fact I salute you for being so organised and contacting me straight away! It's just in my wedding planning experience, the budget is like the elephant in the room with some couples and they would rather plan the whole wedding without really thinking about it.

But, and here's the free advice, before you allow yourself to dream about your ideal wedding, work out what you can afford. Don't decide on the wedding you want and then work out the money later. It will be stressful, upsetting and difficult and if you're not careful will result in you starting married life in debt.

So whilst I don't want to ruin your daydreams of your perfect wedding I do want you all to be realistic, whether you become my clients or not! It will make the whole wedding planning process so much easier if you know what you can afford and will prevent you feeling crushed when you realise that Vera Wang dress you wanted isn't going to be anything other than a pipe dream.

What do you think brides to be? And wedding planners, what are your thoughts on the wedding budget?

*I've written it in purple italics to make it seem less scary :)

Spring, please hurry up, we need you rather badly

I want the trees to look like this...



I don't know about you but I have had my fill of winter.

I want that smell the air has when it starts to get warmer.

I want it to stay light until at least 7pm.

I want to see blue sky, and sun.

I want the temperature to reach double figures.

I want to wear what I want, not what keeps me warm.

I want to sip coffee in London's outdoor cafes.

I know. I want a lot but don't you agree, it's time for spring?

Stress! How do you deal with it?

I'm interrupting my venue research temporarily today to write this little post on stress and my advice on how to tackle it.

Working as a wedding planner stress is something I come across a fair amount. Of course couples getting married tend to be stressed, or at least go through stressful times; wedding suppliers can get stressed and believe it or so can wedding planners ;)

We all get stressed about things that rationally we know aren't really important. And we get stressed about things that definitely are important. I'm not sure it really matters what it is that makes you feel stressed, the feeling itself is what's so damn horrible!

But I thought I'd post about what I tell my couples when they go through difficult times, and indeed what I tell myself. Nothing beats stress better than getting out of the situation (when it's possible obviously). So for brides buckling under the pressure of seating plans and guest accommodation; or for wedding industry peeps struggling with an aspect of their business I urge you to take time out. Whether you can only afford an hour or if you're lucky enough to have time to take a day or so off do it. Do anything and everything that doesn't make you think about your current stress.

So for brides to be, go out for dinner with your fiancee and talk about when you first met, or what you want to do in 5 years time. Talk about anything or do anything that isn't to do with your wedding. And same goes for all you wedding suppliers running your own businesses. Go and do something that has nothing whatsoever to do with your business. Nothing benefits your clients more than you having a life outside of work. It clears your head, keeps you calm and when you feel like that you're in a much better position to tackle your stresses without letting them overwhelm you.

Tonight I urge you all to conduct a little experiment. For couples getting married - don't think or talk about your wedding. Put down those magazine and get off those blogs. And wedding professionals do the same. Because in my experience nothing beats distraction and escapism for a little bit of stress relief.

Obviously I am not a psychologist and know next to nothing about stress. This is just my humble advice! What about you. How you you tackle stress in your life?

New music you may or may not have heard of (or like for that matter)

Well I'm glad to see Friday this week folks. It's been a mental week which is fast becoming the norm here at Savoir HQ ;)

Anyway I missed my weekly mixtape masters last week from just being so damn busy but this week am back with some new sounds for your ears to wrap themselves around.




Music Playlist at MixPod.com

For more Mixtape Master madness, peep the playlists on these blogs:

Hi-Fi Weddings | Tylre. | Ten Thou Bride | Fashion Under 100 | Jo, Rooting | Craft My Life | another damn life | Fancy Notion | Dead Flowers | Casa De Kaloi | Bunnies’n’Beagles | My San Francisco Budget Wedding | Existing Between Reality and Dreams

Lynn Hatzius wedding stationery

I get a fair few wedding people send me emails inviting me to take a look at their work because they believe we share the same vision and ideas and will have similar clients. Unfortunately whilst these people are often lovely, they're not always suitable for Savoir.

But that all changed when I got an email from Lynn Hatzius. Quite frankly her work is a-maaazing. As you can see by the images below (sorry for small pics, my fault).

Lynn is a London based illustrator, collage artist and printmaker who makes handmade, printed, die-cut and paper engineered wedding invitations. Her website oh so special shows these unique wedding invitations and you can see her other art work here.
















I love love love them all really. What your thoughts?

Some pretties to start the week with

Good morning all! Hope you've had a grand weekend. I've got lots of lovely wedding work to get on with today and I'm going to squeeze a trip in to see my friend's new born baby.

Here's this week's monday medley

the bouquet

The first blog beauty to present to you is this creative and quite frankly adorable origami bouquet called I Heart You. Such a cute idea and could be adapted as a bridal bouquet quite easily I reckon.




the dress

I'm seeing more sparkly embellished detail in dresses at the moment and this is definitely something I can get on board with, especially when on vintage inspired and neutral coloured dresses. So glamorous and interesting at the same time. Found via the wonderful {this is glamorous}




the diy bar

A french fry (or chip for those from Blighty) bar to be more precise. What a truly good idea. And you can apply it to any food I guess.




the centrepiece

I discovered these on an Etsy trip. Particularly like how it's called Hussy reclaimed succulent stiletto.

I'm always on the lookout for original wedding decoration and these would certainly be interesting centrepieces.



Have a good day!

My dad has become Bridezilla

First up I should stress that I'm not a fan of the term 'bridezilla' but I can say without a doubt, my dad has turned into one.

My dear father recently announced he's getting married (for the third time, ahem) to his lovely bride to be. Wonderful news. Cue champagne and congratulations.

Now I knew it wouldn't be a big shindig and he was unlikely to need my services but I assumed I'd be called upon to assist in some fashion. You know what with being a wedding planner and all.

More fool me.

Now I love him obviously but he's a stubborn bugger at times. He's an academic and believes there's nothing worth knowing that you can't learn from books. So this wedding planning malarky - piffle - there's nothing to it.

Except that it seems he's finding it a touch more stressful than he imagined but true to his character will not ask for advice. And actually all he's planning is a trip to the registry office and booking a table in a local restaurant for 8 of us. All in all not that much more complicated than your average Saturday night.

But my dear papa has decided he wants to get married as soon as possible and then go off on a lovely honeymoon. Except his bride hasn't found an outfit, he can't choose a restaurant and can't find a country or hotel he wants to go on honeymoon to.

But the pressures of wedding planning seem to be getting to him and he's quickly realising that despite it being a very small do, wedding planning can sometimes be a big fat pain in the you know what.

I have to be honest, it's a tiny bit amusing. And it's even more funny that he is the most nightmarish 'client' ever and I'm not even helping him. Just listening is painful enough!

So father dear, if for some insane reason you have stumbled across my blog - I can help you.

I am a wedding planner. As in I plan weddings.

Has the same thing happened to you? If you work in the industry have you ever helped someone close to you plan their big day? Was it as 'interesting' as my experiences with my dad?!

Telephone box guest book alternative

One of my couples (who are having an a-MAZ-ing wedding incidentally) had the rather good idea of using a red telephone as a guest book alternative. The idea being that they hire a box with a working phone (and plenty of change) and have a little sign inside telling guests to call a particular number. When they dial it will go to a pre-recorded message from the bride and groom asking them to leave a message.

What do you think?

I think it's a genius idea! It will be entertaining for guests (and pretty amusing when said guests have had a tipple or two); and will be an original keepsake for the couple.

I imagine they'll want to do a more traditional guest book as well just in case guests don't get round to the phone, or feel too shy but all in all I think it's a fabulous idea and one I shall be stealing!

I love alternatives to the norm so do let me know if you know any other good guest book ideas like this puzzle guest book.

Blog browsing

Good evening my dears, hope this week finds you all well. Today I had a good day, spoke to a few new clients, met up with a fellow wedding planner and continued a venue search for an August wedding.

Now I'm going to have tea and cake (despite the late hour) and shall leave you with these for company...

the photo

Just look how happy this bride is. Just lovely. Found over at Hi Fi Weddings the rest of the wedding is utterly charming.




the ring

Found over at Glamour and Grace this baby by Macha jewellery can be bought on etsy. It's so raw and imperfect I love it.




the mask

Rather liking the idea of Venetian style masks at a wedding. In fact a masked wedding would be pretty interesting. Or maybe a bit odd? Would look good for photos however.




the chairs

I can just see these chairs at a whimsical wedding. They're Philippe Starck for Kartell and since they're a touch expensive I'm not sure we'll be seeing them at weddings anytime soon. Still a girl can dream.



What have you got planned this week?

Work Experience/jobs at Savoir Weddings

I thought I'd write a post about jobs at Savoir Weddings because I have been getting an awful lot of applications and at the moment I just don't have time to reply to each individually.

Like many wedding planners I do the majority of work on weddings myself. I used to work with a business partner who has since moved on to pastures new which has increased my work load. However at this stage in general I am not looking to hire a full or part time assistant. I currently have a team of people who help out when needed but since one of the skills of wedding planning is being organised, I'm pretty good at keeping on top of things myself!

From May to September however I am much busier and will definitely be looking for someone to come on board. This will be an intern position but will really show the right person all the aspects of running a wedding planning business warts and all so he/she can see if she's right for the job.

So anyone interested in work experience please get in touch closer to the time (around April) when I will look seriously at applications.

Oh and a word of advice for those applying for any position with us or any company: 'dear sirs' or 'to whom it may concern' get deleted immediately. Do your research and find out the name of the business owner!!

Some truly splendid song covers

So I have a bit of a thing for song covers and for this first Hi Fi Weddings mixtape masters of '11 I bring you some fab Radio 1 Live Lounge covers.

I'm not really sure why I like covers so much. It's just interesting to hear the different ways a song can be sung. Often makes you appreciate the original too.



Create a playlist at MixPod.com

For more Mixtape Master madness, peep the playlists on these blogs:

Hi-Fi Weddings | Tylre. | Ten Thou Bride | Fashion Under 100 | Jo, Rooting | Craft My Life | another damn life | Fancy Notion | Dead Flowers | Casa De Kaloi | Bunnies’n’Beagles | My San Francisco Budget Wedding | Existing Between Reality and Dreams

Be a Mixtape Master. Email Angie or Ashley to get in on it.

Photo centrepieces

How sweet is this idea? You could use these holders at your wedding as centrepieces and intersperse flowers and candles around.

Am really feeling a photo vibe at the moment.

Oh, and you can purchase from Etsy. Splendid.

Wedding inspiration for 2011

Well happy 2011 lovelies! I hope this new year brings you whatever it is you're looking for.

Savoir Weddings has had a rather splendid start to the year. I have been a little remiss on blogging because it has been MENTAL. Aside from eating Christmas dinner I have been a very busy wedding planning bee. Which is all rather exciting and fills me with anticipation for 2011.

And here is the first Monday Medley (okay Tuesday) of the year.

the ceremony



I LOVE this idea. Partly because I'm working with a couple who want to use a projector and this is great inspiration and partly because it's just awesome.


the designer

You simply must head over to London Bride to check out Charley's post on French designer Delphine Manivet. These dresses actually make me salivate a little bit.






the hair

This year I would quite like to dye my hair lavender. For no particular reason other than it looks interesting.




the dress



I don't think I've seen a dress this divine in a while. The colour is magnificient.

Of course this dress is another one of my faves.


the 'maids



It's all about the colours and the shawls I think.


the decor



I'm not sure why but I have a bit of a thing for stags and deers at the moment. These prints would look good framed as wedding decor I think. And you can buy here.

Also feeling this idea today..



I'm not sure how you'd do it, presumably just slighlty curl the photo and slide in? You could fill with photos of you as a couple, as children, with family and friends and make a nice feature of it at your reception.

That's it! This week I will be bringing you a guest book idea from a wedding I'm styling and will be bringing back my mixtape masters contributions.