Cakes By Robin

Now at Savoir we like to find ideas for the alternative bride. And these might not be particularly 'alternative' cakes but they're so elegant I had to feature them and I want to eat them right off the page.



They almost don't look real they're so perfect



I'm quite a pink fan and this picture makes me happy and hungry!





Cakes By Robin was established by Robin (unsurprisingly there) and is based in London. I love how simple and effective her designs are.




Robin is totally flexible and will create a cake from scratch for you, work with a design you have, whatever you want really. For more details have a look at www.cakesbyrobin.co.uk. Yum.

Vintage tea sets

In my eternal quest for pretty things and quirky suppliers I came across the lovely Vicky from Vintage Tea Sets. Based in Bristol she supplies china tea sets, glassware and silverware from Victorian period to the 50s. She has over 450 trio sets, mountains of sugar bowls and milk jugs, quirky cake tongs and unusual cake plates. And the service includes delivery and collection so you can get them delivered right to your door. Most importantly for brides on a shoestring, the prices start as low as 50p so you can vintage up your garden tea party without blowing too much of your budget.





I especially like the mismatched tea pot and cup





I want to eat these cupcakes right off the page.





Right I'm off to put the kettle on...

Thank you Vicky for sending me the images which were taken by the talented Graham Morgan www.grahammorgan.com

Go to www.vintageteasets.co.uk for more

Romantic honeymoon guesthouse!

Last week we had the fun job of visiting potential honeymoon accommodation in the beautiful and relaxing area of Gwynedd in Snowdonia, Wales.

Ffynnon is a luxury boutique guest house in the little town of Dogellau. It is absolutely amazing and that is an understatement. First of all it's on Love Lane. Could that be any better for a honeymoon? And the owners Debra and Steve exceeded all expectations. They were friendly without being intrusive, helpful and accommodating. Basically we didn't want to leave.

All rooms at Ffynnon are individually decorated. We stayed in the newest room called Emily which is the priciest room at £180 (the cheapest is £120). It was more than worth the price. When we walked in the room our jaws actually dropped. These pictures don't even do it justice...



This was the most comfortable bed ever and actually came with a pillow menu which was rather exciting.



Check out that bath in the middle of a huge room!






Looking at the photos again makes me want to go back forever.

The area itself has mountains to climb, deserted beaches to stroll and delicious fish and chips to eat whilst gazing out at the sun setting over the estuary. It had everything I expect from a romantic break and I've been recommending it to the world since I returned.

Email josieanddan@savoirweddings.com if you want full details.

Otherwise go to www.ffynnontownhouse.com and book.

I Heart Hydrangeas

I think Hydrangeas are adorable at weddings. Or in fact anywhere. Whilst we were in Wales last week they were EVERYWHERE. As we drove along coastal roads they bobbed their heads in the breeze all over the place. It really was amazing.



Now I know there's nothing particularly alternative about using hydrangeas at weddings. But the whole point of having an alternative wedding is that you do what you want. So if you want hydrangeas you damn well have 'em even if 'traditional' people have them too.



So why do I love them. Well the shape is so unique. I love the big fluffy marshmallowness of them. And the colours. Oh the colours. They come in pink, white, purple, blue and in so many different shades. I think I would plan my colour scheme at my wedding around hyndrangeas.

There are lots of creative ways you can use them for your wedding. Your could bundle stems from the same colour for a simple, affordable effect. Or you can intersperse them with other blooms for a more complex, textured bouquet. They're also great fillers, (although I don't like the word, it sounds like they're not important!) with other flowers as they're nice and affordable in general.



They are summer flowers although I have heard you can get them in Autumn too.

You can make your own simple hydrangea bouquets.
Check out http://bit.ly/FlVsN for advice that's quite useful.

These photos were taken on our little trip of Snowdonia which I will be blogging about very soon.

WhiteKnot.org - Marriage Equality

WhiteKnot.org - Marriage Equality

I came across White Knot and thought I'd have to blog about it. White Knot is an US based organisation that promotes marriage equality. Anything that celebrates equal rights for everybody gets my vote. As they say on their twitter page, 'everybody should have the right to tie the knot'. Couldn't agree more.


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Vintage tea cups

I bought these adorable tea cups are from Vintage Heaven on Columbia Road, Bethnal Green perfect for a summer fete style wedding. I love the colour of the blue and ornate swirly design, it makes me think of delicate ladies sipping genteelly and talking about lady like things.




Visit the shop on Sunday when the flower market's on and rest your weary feet with tea and cake in the little tea shop at the back. All makes for a delightful day!

Art as wedding inspiration

When you're a bride (or groom) to-be absolutely everything and anything around you can be used as inspiration for your wedding. Here's one of my favourite pieces by Alphonse Mucha to get your creative juices flowing...

Alphonse Mucha's The Moon makes me think of a magical, midnight wedding. With deep blues and peacock greens, twinkly fairy lights, on a balmy summer's night this could be the perfect ethereal fairytale. I think I like it because it makes me think of Midsummer Nights Dream but in blues instead of greens. It feels other worldly and exciting! Simplicity would be the key to preventing this turning tacky but then if fairies and magic is your thing who cares if other people think it's tacky.
I think lots of soft twinkly lights would help set the mood, especially if you had a blessing outdoors at dusk. These lovely little globes of light would work well...

or these flower fairy lights both from www.flowerglow.com



Or you could make your own like these cool DIY tealight covers from the uber useful Credit Crunch Bride