How Beauty Weddings was born

How many of us actually write a blog of what inspired us to start up our own business?  Well the first wedding I ever planned was my own.

Back in 2005 my now husband proposed to me on the Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond, with a very romantic backdrop he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  That was on 31st March 2005.  We had talked about getting married in Tobago, in July 2007.  


Then a few months later he asked if I wanted to bring the wedding forward a year and I agreed.  So the idea of Tobago went out of the window and I started planning my own wedding.   We decided that it would be fitting to get married in the Loch Lomond area as it was both romantic and beautiful.  I absolutely revelled in the whole planning process and realised that I was really good at it.

The Wedding was booked for 30th September 2006 and the very beautiful Winnock Hotel in Drymen.  My florist was recommended to me by a colleague and Mel from Ribbons n Roses was just amazing, she knew exactly what I wanted and suggested the table centrepieces, supplied by chair covers, did my make up and set up  my venue.  Now she is one of my preferred suppliers when I am planning other couples weddings.  She can be trusted and relied upon to do the job, do it right and not break the bank.  

I found during the whole planning process how important it was to be assertive enough to let everyone know that this was MY wedding and I wanted it done MY way.   Because I did this everyone was really supportive and offered suggestions but never tried to take over.  Don't get me wrong I didn't turn into Bridezilla either.  If someone came up with a good idea or gave me a suggestion on how to do something a little differently I would take that on board and act upon it .  I involved everyone in my bridal party as much as I could.  A few examples are:  my wonderful father in law did a reading at my wedding, my best maid Bev was just amazing and did whatever I needed her to do, my daughter was a bridesmaid and I let her choose her own dress, my son who was very young was a groomsman and had the job of making sure everyone had an order of service on the day. 

The day of the wedding was fantastic, the week prior it had rained all week but on the day the sun shone.  We were up early and headed off to the hairdressers Belle & Blackley and with Bucks Fizz on the go our hair was done and by 11am we were heading home, via Arko to pick up 5 pairs of white wellies!  Yes white wellies... we were having our photo's taken at Buchanan Castle and to save our shoes from sinking into the damp grass we opted for wellies!   Mel arrived around 1pm with the flowers which were just stunning, did my make up and helped to decorate the wellies! 2pm and it was time to get ready, the Limo arrived from Platinum Limos, a gorgeous silver Limo to take us all up to the Winnock Hotel.

The White Wellies! 

It was around a 45 minute drive to the venue and on the way I suddenly needed to go to the loo, much to the amusement of our Limo Driver.  He pulled into the Craineach Milk Bar, where me and my best maid and sister jumped out and into the toilets.  When we emerged we were greeted with a round of applause from the delighted and amused of the patrons and staff of the milk bar, I suppose its not every day that a limousine and bridal party stops to go to the loo.

                  

    

From that moment on our wedding day was just amazing, all the hard work and effort from me and everyone else just came together and we had the most amazing day from start to finish

                        

It was after the wedding and honeymoon which was at The Cove in Kenya that I decided that this was definitely the right job that I wanted.  I went on to plan some friends weddings and this just confirmed that I was on the right road, from there Beauty Weddings was born.   My daughter who is almost 17 now works with me on a part time basis and helps with the venue decoration adding her artistic touch and keen eye for detail and learning the business as she goes along. We make a great team.  


I hope you have enjoyed reading how Beauty Weddings was born and enjoy the images of our special day.  

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Lasting Memories

I thought it was about time that I covered the all important wedding rings.   

This is the one piece of a wedding day that you will look at every single day and will bring back those wonderful memories of your wedding day.  Choosing the right wedding ring can be one of the biggest challenges for couples, as there is such a huge variety out there.  

So today I am excited to share some of the wonderful pieces by Pebbles Jewellery.   Pebbles is a little different to your usual high street jeweller because they see each and every customer as an individual. 

Pebbles is one of Scotlands leading contemporary jewellers. The company was started in 2005 by husband and wife team Kevin and Val Trotter. Both have an extensive background in jewellery, Val in sales and display, and Kevin in design and manufacture. Their own shop was a chance to marry and develop both these skill sets. 

I asked Val to tell me a bit more about Pebbles and she said. " We are a family business and we are all passionate about jewellery. We are honoured and excited when couples allow us to help  them choose what we consider to be the most important purchase for their wedding - the rings will be on their fingers for a very long time and will bring back the memories of the day just by looking at them - no need to look out the wedding album or watch the DVD!

On most occasions our initial involvement starts with the purchase of the engagement ring. If the guy is unsure which ring to buy, but wants a ring to propose with, we have a replica engagement ring which we will loan him so he can do the romantic proposal and then bring his fiancee in so they can choose the real ring together.

Because we have a very relaxed but professional manner- choosing your rings should be enjoyable and fun not intimidating, every single couple who have bought their engagement rings from us have returned for their wedding rings. Often we have also supplied the jewellery for the whole wedding party.

We are finding more and more that people want something individual and this is where our bespoke service comes into its own. We can make a wedding ring to your own specifications - whether it's to fit around an unusual wedding ring or to remodel a ring or jewellery that has special significance".

Not only can you find that perfect ring but Pebbles also have a wonderful range of jewellery that you can use as gifts for your bridesmaids, groomsmen and attendants.

What about some gorgeous earrings for your bridesmaids. 

Some matching cufflinks for your groomsmen.

And something extra special for your attendants/flower girls, their first diamond! 

Whatever your needs are for your wedding or gift ideas, you can be assured that the service and attention to detail that you will receive from Val and Kevin at Pebbles Jewellery will be second to none.   

To contact Val and Kevin visit their website
Follow Pebbles on Twitter www.twitter.com/Pebblesjeweller
Join Pebbles on Facebook - www.facebook.com/Pebblesjewellery

Or why not pop along to their shops in Bo'ness

2 Hope Street, Bo'ness EH51 0AA

01506 826863Mon - Fri 9.30-5.00pm 
Sat 10.00 - 4.00pm
Bo'ness is approximately 18 miles from Edinburgh, 25 miles from Glasgow, 15 minutes from Falkirk and just a few minutes from Linlithgow.

Or their Edinburgh Branch

9 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DR0131 557 4908Mon - Fri 10.30 - 6.00pmSat 10.00 - 6.00pm
The Jeffrey Street Boutique is just off the Royal Mile at the Cannongate heading down towards Waverly Station.

Ice the Cake

There are loads of wedding directories out there but none quite like Ice The Cake.    This directory is run by the fabulous Sue and I asked her a few questions about what inspired her to create this great site and what her plans are for the future.

What inspired you to create Ice The Cake?

My inspiration initially came from two things my own experience of wedding suppliers for my wedding and my search for excellent customer service.  I wanted somewhere to be able to show my appreciation to the wedding suppliers who first and foremost had been involved in our wedding so we created Ice the Cake as somewhere to do just that.  In addition, I have always been a stickler when it comes to exceptional service and I am a firm believer that companies should always give 100%. That doesn’t mean there won’t occasionally be issues, but in my opinion, it’s about how they are dealt with that makes the difference between good and bad customer service.

What were the biggest obstacles you faced when setting up the site?

I didn’t have any obstacles as such as I have been self-employed for several years but creating the website has been a massive learning curve as I have designed it myself and I know nothing about techy stuff (well I knew nothing – I guess now I know quite a lot!).  I am however in the process of talking with ‘professionals’ about creating ‘Phase 2’ of the website.

How did you market your site to get the buy in of those Incredible and Credible Suppliers?

I think finding in’credible’ wedding suppliers has been quite easy.  There are many small businesses out there with fabulous people running them but they cannot afford to get their voices heard through the normal advertising routes.  I am therefore here trying to be an intermediary if you like, by creating online and face to face advertising opportunities with minimal outlay.  I am particular about who I include on the website and have turned some companies away, having taken the decision not to promote ‘direct selling’ organisations.  I am looking for unique companies, those that create beautiful handmade products, ethical and eco-friendly companies, and those who are dedicated to exceptional customer service.  I can’t say that the suppliers we work with won’t at some point provide a less than perfect service as this is something I have no control over and each company works in their own way, but, I am taking the time to get to know the suppliers with the aim of having personally met at least 75% of all advertisers on our website by the end of the year.

What are your biggest successes so far?

Well after tomorrow I hope to be able to say that my biggest success will be our first Wedding Fayre and that we will have raised a large amount for Cancer Research UK.  We are on target to have raised over £200 before we even open the doors so I am very proud of that.  Being included in Wedding Ideas Magazine’s ‘Top Trend’ section was wonderful and I have to say I nearly fell of my chair when I received an email from Elle Magazine inviting me to be included in their August Issue!

Where do you see Ice The Cake going in the next few years?

So much has happened already and we are still only a very new company but we have lots of plans set for the coming months.  I hope to establish a company that Brides and Grooms can trust when searching for suppliers for their weddings and I am extremely excited about creating the ‘Credible and Incredible’ Wedding Suppliers awards which I hope to get underway in the Autumn! 

What is the best part of your job?

Working from home so I get time to spend with my two children and also the fact that I love what I am doing.  I am getting to do what I do best – researching, co-ordinating and above all chatting!!  I am very excited about the future of the business and hope we will continue to go from strength to strength.

Not only has Sue created this fantastic directory but she has also been nominated for a Mumprenuer Award which she will hear about later in the year, and we at Beauty Weddings wish her all the very best and have everything crossed for a well deserved award coming her way.

You can visit Ice The Cake on their website

Like their Facebook page  and follow on Twitter

Sinatra Weddings

Sharing with you the talent of Frank Holden with his Sinatra Tribute is a real delight for me this week.  I have seen quite a bit of Franks work in the past and he really is a fantastic and would make the day of any bride and groom, adding that personal touch as well as entertaining your guests with quality music and charisma.

Frank is among the lucky few who have actually seen Frank Sinatra live on three occasions. He has been providing his innovative Sinatra Wedding entertainment for some 13 years now and provides a superb quality and standard of service.

You will find an outstanding entertainment package here for your wedding reception, all designed by Frank personally, and all carefully structured in line with your budget. Frank writes and produces from a one-hour entertainment package to a four-hour package.

Frank said "On booking one of our Sinatra wedding entertainment packages, we will liaise with your chosen venue to ensure all goes smoothly. All formats have that "Sinatra Swing" feel to them, very cool and very laid back. Additional songs by Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Neil Diamond complement Frank’s range".

There are also additional specialised services available such as live piano through dinner and a customised disco to conclude your reception. Additional videos and audio samples are available on the website, as well as photos. 

Frank's attention to detail and presentation are second to none. So when your wedding requires a five-star presentation, call Frank because there is a package there for you!

Sinatra Weddings should be your first port of call for first class entertainment.

You can contact Frank by phone  Office: 0141 773 3755 or Mobile: 07932 177 954

or by E-mail: frankholdensings@yahoo.co.uk

and why not follow him on Twitter @FHsingsSinatra:

Website:  www.sinatra-entertainment.com

  

Special Sparkles by Tiny Gems

As a bride you want to make sure that your look is perfect and complete. Choosing the right accessories can be one of the biggest headaches a bride can have and as its completely personal no one can really know what it is you want...or do they?

Sarah from Tiny Gems can help with just that, she will be able to interpret exactly what you want and how you want it. I asked Sarah to tell me a bit more about her work and what inspires her. Here is what she said:

"I was born in North Wales and we moved to Liverpool when I was 3 years old. Tiny-Gems was created when I was made redundant from the bank I had worked in for many years. I am based in Wirral/Cheshire however as I am internet based my jewellery travels far and wide even to Singapore and Australia, distance really is no object.

My main aim is to create something to make your wedding day stand out from the crowd. The website only gives examples of my work and I love nothing more than a bride to be getting in touch and sending me images of their dress and explaining the themes and ideas for their big day so that I can then create something especially for them whether it be jewellery, tiara or heirloom bouquet.

I officially have the best job in the whole world, I love all things wedding and get so over excited discussing plans with people and sharing their thoughts and ideas. Everyone wants everything about their wedding to be special and my main aim is to ensure that happens, even if that includes helping out a bride sourcing items for their wedding that they are struggling with. 

I love developing relationships with my customers and I consider them all to have become good friends. The personal touch is something I am very proud to offer to all of my customers.

"I am inspired by all kinds of things the list is endless, I love old Hollywood Glamour it so timeless and elegant and can be worked into either modern or vintage styling effortlessly. I especially look up to the one and only Audrey Hepburn a real style icon, whose images are as up to date now as they were when they were taken a true celebrity.



When I start designing a new heirloom bouquet I will select one brooch that I want to be the centre focal piece and will work all the rest of the pieces around it. Although it has been known for me to take apart and re-work a bouquet 10 times plus until I am happy with the look of it. I am a very hands on person so once I have made the main part of the bouquet I will then play around with ribbons and materials to make the collar and handle to the brides colour requirements and send lots of pictures throughout the process to ensure we are both working towards our vision for her finished heirloom bouquet."

When I saw the beautiful pieces that Sarah has created, I knew I had to share them with you. I hope you will be as inspired as I was and I will be recommending these to my brides in the future.

For more images and how to contact Sarah visit her website www.tiny-gems.co.uk

You can follow her on twitter www.twitter.com/hhjtinygems and Facebook www.facebook.com/tinygems