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.