The Wedding Planner becomes the Bride: The Bliss Weddings Proposal.

Today we have the tale of The Bliss Weddings Proposal. One the 29th July 2007 I Katie said Yes to marrying Ben.

Once again this extract is taken from my Wedding Blog so here we go.

The proposal...

Maybe not the most romantic story this website will have ever seen but here we go...

Ben promised me we would get engaged before my 21st Birthday and me being me, I was on countdown. So, having booked our holiday for the September to Tunisia, I merely suggested to Ben that my 21st Birthday was on the horizon and reminded him of his promise. I can't fully remember how the conversation went so we will skip to the interesting and also important bit...

We went shopping to have a look at engagement rings- there was no point really, as all my friends will know, I had my ring picked out from being with Ben for a few months! So we went looking anyway and at Ernest Jones in Manchester we tried on a couple of rings.

I am not sure how it happened, I promise I didnt spike his morning brew, but the next thing I know the ring (the ring I had wanted for years) was in a box and it was paid for. This was on the promise that it would be given to me on Ben's terms in the not so distant future (my terms).

So we went to the Bulls Head- not for a carvery, way before they brought that rubbish in - and had some lunch. All the while this little green bag was in my bag. It was a very weird lunch.

Anyway we got back to Ben's Parents and they were away at Auntie Ethel's in Norfolk as it was her Birthday and Ben said something like come on give me the ring you are not having it now.

I reluctantly handed it over and the started to open it and I went mad, saying how he was so mean for doing that to me! He said in a little cheesy voice whilst opening the box 'Will you Marry Me?' I said I am not saying anything until its real. He said 'OK' and closed the box and then asked me again adding 'this is real'.

I said 'Yes' in a very dramatic voice thinking he was still half joking and then he went to put the ring on my finger. I realised he wasn't joking when i noticed he was crying (Sorry Ben, needed to put that in for effect, by in my defence, it is completely true).

To this day I don't think I have ever been so excited, happy and pleased as I was when that ring was on my finger for keeps.

So it wasn't down on bended knee or in a glass of champagne it was in the corner of the Carole & Sonny's back room near the chair but it was perfect, just the two of us in a place we call home and of course my sparkly 12 diamonds. xxx

Real Weddings: Simone & Marcus' Wedding at The Drop Forge photographed by Bloom Weddings

Salut beautiful people. How are we today? Mr Bliss Weddings is at work today so I am spending as much of the day as physically possible preparing wonderful blog posts for you. What are you doing today? Whatever your plans I hope you have a wonderful day - but don't forget to take a wee read of today's Real Wedding, it is a belter!

Bloom Weddings are the talent behind the lens of today's Real Wedding where Simone and Marcus tie the knot at the Drop Forge. As you will see it looks like they had an amazing piece of weather for their day - the shot of Simone and her Bridesmaids on the penthouse balcony, it looks they are in Dubai or somewhere equally as lush! I love a cute dog at a wedding and gosh I just want to squeeze the cheeks on this little thing.

Take a few minutes with your favourite tipple and join me in reliving their big day. All images are courtesy of Bloom Weddings, for more information and to see more of their work please visit their website and blog.

Enjoy...

Love Katie x

Back in May we photographed Simone and Marcus' wedding in Birmingham, Simone had the best views of the city from her penthouse apartment, and the weather was beautiful. We loved the tea and cake at the church followed by the 1930's theme reception at The Drop Forge in the jewellery quarter. After photographing their engagement shoot last year, Marcus and Simone had told us their plans and so we were really excited for the day and all the different aspects to photograph. Baxter the dog to made an appearance in his little tux, he is quite possibly the most well behaved and most adorable dog ever! Congratulations Simone and Marcus! Here are our favourites from the day. 

2 People 1 Life: Lisa & Alex - Wedding Number 2 "The Quebec Wedding"

Good morning to all you wonderful people! How are you? 

The good news is that not only are you now nearly half way through the working week but we are also back with Lisa and Alex's journey and we are in Quebec with Wedding Number 2. 

Grab a brew and pull up a pew!

Love Katie x

All images and words are courtesy of Lisa and Alex, 2 People 1 Life. 

We arrived at Chapelle Ste Agnes…late as per usual…and with me already flapping with worry about the day. We had planned to be there at 10.30 and arrived at 11.30 and the wedding was due to start at 1.30! We had to move into thehoneymoon suite, get ready, create a bouquet and buttonhole, meet Deacon Jean Rousseau who would be holding the ceremony for us, set up cameras, meet our guests and convince them to act as photographers for the day, catch up with Karena and John to make sure we we’re all on the same track, set up the terrace etc, etc…the list goes on!

John was in his overalls tending to the vines as we arrived and Karena came running across the vinyard to meet us in her big floppy sunhat with a basket in one hand and a tripod in the other…I could tell straight away we were all in a flap so instantly felt better! We sat in the cool chapel and placed the cameras and planned where we would get pictures from and who would stand where and when.

Alex and I made ourselves at home in the honeymoon suite which is as elegantly decorated as the rest of the vinyard and then went our seperate ways…Alex to meet Mr Rousseau and myself to go on a flower hunt! I gathered wild flowers from the vinyard, daisies, mini sunflowers and huge yellow flowers along with some strange looking seed pods and a couple of small lillies and tied them all together with vine wire. I fashioned Alex a buttonhole out of the same flowers and then at 1.15 I thought it a good time to get ready.

Alex returned from his catch up and put my remaining nerves to rest as it turns out Mr Rousseau is a time served wedding veteran, after 50 years of marrying people all over the world which includes virtually every religion there really was nothing left to worry about!

Being helped into my dress by my husband to be was unusual for the obvious reason that normally the groom would not see the bride until the ceremony. but it was such a tender and romantic moment. I watched his reflection gently fasten the tiny glass buttons with a proud smile on his face and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to be ‘marrying‘ Alex all over again!

He shot back up to the chapel for the final preparations and I sat in the sunshine in my wedding dress suddenly my nerves faultering and getting worse by the minute! Eventually Karena came to collect me and we walked over the vinyard in the bright sunshine where John greeted me to walk me down the aisle. We waited for the cue to go in and stepped inside the stunning little chapel.

The French music played and the cool air was welcoming as I walked down the aisle. The ceremony was lovely and Mr Rousseau had kindly prepared a reading and also a poem which he added to the ceremony.

The Reading

From The Song of Eternity,  by Selim Aïssel

Daughters and Sons of the Earth, I want to teach you to see what is the best in human beings.

See in them not what they are, nor what they do. But what Eternity has deposited in them.

Then your words will know how to lead them, On the path to Immortality

The poem

“2 People 1 Life Marriage  Blessing ”

Now you will feel no rain,

for each of you will be a shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold,

for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness,

for each of you will be a companion to the other.

Now you are two people, but there is only one life before you.

 A long and winding road

In which each turn means discovery

Plough the furrow of your life together

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead

and through all the years.

May happiness be your companion

and may your days together be good and long upon this earth.

His fabulous Quebecois accent gave the whole ceremony such a great feel and he spoke of Ste Agnes herself and asked that the congregation keep us in their thoughts and help us on our journey. He raised his hand above our heads and blessed us and typically made me cry! It was such an intimate ceremony with only a few guests who would start the day as strangers to us and by the end of the day become good friends and people we will still be in contact with in years to come!

After the ceremony I was handed a beautiful french parasol, Karena had used this on her wedding day at the same chapel and it suited the moment perfectly. We made our way to the terrace for an ice wine toast and canapes.
John and Karena had kindly supplied the very special Cuvée Majorique 2005 icewine. This special bottle has a place in the Queen of Englands Royal Cellars following the vinyards win at the ICWS World Wine competition held in London. I doubt even the Queen would enjoy a glass of the stunning ice cold liquid as much as we did that afternoon!

The sun was hot and the ice wine superb. Alex described it as happiness in a glass and a perfect drink for a perfect day. We drank wine and ate fois gras canapes on the terrace with our guests and enjoyed tales of their travel adventuresas well as sharing our own. It was such a perfect afternoon, one I will never forget.

Once the sun had cooled a little we wandered carefree around the vinyard. The heart shaped lake, the stone henge, the vines, the terrace…so many beautiful places and such a beautiful day too, luck was definitely on our side with the weather!

We headed up to the reception hall and Alex had one little trick left up that long sleeve of his! Karena had set up the music, the walnut floor had just been polished and I was asked by my future husband to have our first dance. So there set in a beautiful valley that felt a million miles from anywhere we laughed, kissed and waltzed as the sun set behind the rolling hills of Quebec.

We finally retired to the honeymoon suite for a rest and a cooling shower before having dinner with the vintners Karena and John. We chatted the night away and before we knew it it was midnight! 1 month to the day we had our first weddingback in Didsbury!

How far we had come! Both in miles on our adventure and in our journey to findunique places in the world to get married. We had had our first internationalwedding! It had been a great day, we had met some very special people in the process and learned about the Quebecois culture which is in essence the purpose of our trip. To immerse ourselves in a countries culture and to meet new friends.

Thanks so much to John and Karena for making our first international wedding a possibility! You have a beautiful vineyard! 

Real Weddings: Gemma & Paul's Wedding at Nunsmere Hall in Cheshire by Lawson Photography

Hello! Good day to you. Today we feature another wedding from the fabulous Pete and Laura who together are Lawson Photography. I know I keep saying it but I am a North West kinda girl and I know I have also mentioned it once or twice about being a Wedding Planner and having been here blah blah, but today I raise you.

After me and Ben told my parents on New Years Eve 2011 that we were going to actually get married and not just be all engaged, I took my Mum on a road trip to my potential Wedding Venue and that place was Nunsmere Hall. Yes you guessed it a couple of years earlier I had been to have a look round and meet the team there and I just knew that it had to be on my shortlist.

I am not sure if my Mum reads this blog or not, I haven't asked her, but she cried as soon as she saw it. She just said it has to be here and that my Dad, Sister and all the family on both sides would love it.

I can't actually say unfortunately when I tell you this but we didn't get married here in the end. My now husband unfortunately (this bit is really unfortunately) ended up without a job and we couldn't afford to get married here. Although I look at this wedding with fond eyes, I don't regret one bit about not being able to have my own here but there will be more about this in later weeks when I tell you more about my Wedding.

So I hand the blog over to Lawson Photography to tell the tale of Gemma & Paul's big day.

All images courtesy of Lawson Photography. Check out their other work here.

The weather forecast for Gemma and Paul’s wedding day was a bit grim.  Lucky for us it was only half accurate, and after thundery showers outside the church the skies cleared and the sun shone on Nunsmere Hall.  We were so happy; the gardens at Nunsmere are really beautiful and we loved going for a wander around them with these two.

Paul looked dapper in his black tailored suit, and Gemma was stunning in her gorgeous gown and Jimmy Choos (no ivory bridal satin in sight, these heels were FIERCE!). They have seriously good taste, the details were spectacular, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many pom poms!

The best thing was how much FUN this wedding was.  Laughter in buckets.

The Maids Edition Part 1 : Choosing your Bridesmaids

I am not sure about you but when I was little I used to dream about my wedding day. When I got older me and my friends used to make pinky promises that we would all stay friends forever and be each others Bridesmaids.



When you grow up and realise that per Bridesmaid there is an overwhelming cost with honouring each and every one of those promises.

What I am going to do is tackle each of the things which I feel you need to consider when choosing your bridesmaids but before I do that I am going to terrify you with what comes with each Bridesmaid

Dresses
Shoes, bag, hair accessories, jewellery
Bouquet
On the day hair and make-up
Thank you gift

Just having the one now are we? I'm kidding.


I personally had my sister as Chief Bridesmaid, 2 friends, 2 younger bridesmaids (15 and 11) and a flower girl (3). So yes I can speak from experience and say that it is one expensive affair with 6 in total. But its not even just the cost.

Here are my brood:

You need to ensure the people that you chose are for the right reasons - don't ask someone because you were their Bridesmaid or because of those pinky promises.

Consider the relationships you have with your shortlisted Bridesmaids - who could you totally depend on and who do you really believe deserve the honour.

Think about those on your partners side - it would be a nice touch to include them too.

Think about your overall guest list - you don't want a football team when you have a small guest list.

Do you have an adorable little girl that could be your flower girl?


Do you have your list now? The important thing to remember is to stick to your guns once you have made your decision. From the moment you get married there will be quite a few people lined up ready with their acceptance speech and their shocked faces. But you can't have them all and if you asked everyone their role wouldn't be as important to you.

Until next time

Love Katie x

The Wedding Planner becomes The Bride: How me and Ben met

Welcome to my new readers, hello to those who have returned. I hope you enjoy my blog.

Something which I want to do on the blog is to talk about my story. No, no, not to bore you all -  my life isn't completely fabulous or particularly more exciting than others to be honest. But I do believe everyone has a story to tell and this is my blog so...quite frankly I will!

To tell my story, I do need to rewind 10 and a half years now. Me and my wonderful Ben met on the off-chance on a night out. I may as well reveal my age - I am now 27 so yes we were 17 when I met him. He is older than me, not that he looks it but he is now the grand old age of 36.

We met in a night club Sol Viva in Bury. This is somewhat a bit of a legend (being the only night club there apart from Siberia who no-one dared go to) Sol Viva. Two words which you associate with Bury. Sticky floor also springs to mind.

I am sure you will agree a tourist delight (picture below), a beautiful addition to the Bury landscape.

Regardless of how much I shudder, this was indeed the haunt to be in Bury for many a moon. Those over the age of 30 will remember it as the Roxy and many reading this will have had a flashback or two probably at hearing the name.

With an over 25 room, an RnB room and a minion room there was choice of music and dare I say it individuals, the oldies, the groovers and the druggies respectively.

In all seriousness, me and Ben met in Sol Viva, I am not ashamed to admit it but I do hope people don't think any less of us. Ben was in the Over 25 room (sorry Ben) and I naturally was busting the moves in the RnB room (Shabba). Anyway I got in to the oldies room and a half cut Ben and friends were in there.

Fast forward a few hours as it all gets a bit messy and the last dance of the night comes on and its Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing which to clarify is my favourite film ever and one of my favourite songs. Patrick Swayze is also amazing as Jonny. I nailed it / killed it with dancing and singing depending on who answers the question.

I managed to write my number down in eyeliner (classy) #allhailrimmel on the back of a bus ticket (also classy) and gave it to Ben and the rest is history.

Ben even then was someone who lost everything - something which is a daily occurrence in our house with the wallet, the phone, the keys, the pass for work, the belt. Lets just say he was the same then too. So he had no phone. He did a couple of weeks later get a Nokia 3310 - rock out and then text me to ask if I fancied meeting up. 

Of course I did, I was apprehensive as compared to me he felt like an old man at 25 but I soon realised that he was just adorable. I knew very early on that he was a keeper. 

So me and Ben as a tribute to the glorious start to our relationship had that song as the last dance at our Wedding. 

Love Katie x

2 People 1 Life: Welcoming Lisa & Alex to the blog and Wedding Number 1

Some of you may have heard about Lisa and Alex and like me you may have followed their journey intently. As soon as I made the decision to focus more on blogging I just knew this remarkable story had to be featured. If you don't know their story I shall tell you a little about them.

Lisa and Alex were a couple in love and decided to pack up their lives and make their way to Australia in their campervan Peggy. You could say they were embarking on an adventure just by doing that. Then they had the wonderful idea of getting married in every country they visit en route to their new home in Australia to find the ultimate place to get married. Once they have they intend to go back and do it all again!

As I write this they have said I Do 62 times! Wow.

They have certainly been busy, each wedding is wonderfully different and incorporates local culture and traditions. I know that you will love hearing and reading about their journey - I am in total awe and I know you will fall in love with them just as much as I have.

Today I bring you Wedding Number 1 which took place down the road from me here in Didsbury. All images and following words are courtesy of 2 People 1 Life.

Love Katie x

I don’t have any idea where to start to tell you just how magical the whole weddingwas! Alex had thought of everything! From vows to confetti throwers…we had it all!!!

I had had my hair done-Zoe, and my birdcage put in – silver sixpence in her shoe, my make up done ( a first!!!!) – Emma, a glass of champagne – Nikki, a bite of a cherry bakewell ( the nerves had got to me) – Mr Kipling, and been fastened into Tabitha ( which fit like a glove having only one fitting!)- Charlotte Balbier. It couldn’t get any better; until I was handed the most GORGEOUS bouquet I had ever seen- Sian, full of peonies, sweet Williams, lavender, mint and vintage English rose buds, the exact flowers I would have chosen myself…all on film-and of course photographed! I felt like a very spoilt princess!

I left White Closet with My Mum and Dad to walk me across to the Metropolitan pub, Didsbury to meet Alex with Johnny  Draper and ‘pearls and Lace’ running along in front and behind so my Dad had no chance of escaping the camera, We laughed about how well everyone had done to keep the secret and how much of an amazing job Alex had done to pull it all together!

My nerves had relaxed after a few more pictures and a bit of a time out while Johnny sorted everyone out and Dad and I walked in to Gavin and John ( The Coolers) singing an acoustic version of wonderful tonight! I couldn’t believe how many people where there! About 30-40 of our family and friends sat there to see our first wedding!! All of them co-conspirators I might add….but then I saw Alex! I was absolutely blown away! He looked so handsome and so nervous and I rushed to get to his side!

I had a moment to look around while the song came to an end and noticed the gorgeous flowers matching my bouquet from the Flower Lounge draped around  freestanding  Candelabras and Candle vases. It proved that dreams can come true!

Alex had arranged for Jim Gregory (public speaker) to hold the ceremony which was amazing and we will add this to another blog for you to read. Then Ilan, a close friend did a reading by Dr Zeus (tweaked to fit of course) again which we will add to the blog ‘wedding ceremony speeches and poems’ and then for the vows which of course made both Alex and I a little teary as they were so lovely and we meant every single word as we said them. Jim pronounced us 2people1life and told Alex he could kiss me. It was perfect!

After we had regained composure Andrea also read out a poem that she had bought us as a wedding gift! You will also find this in ‘wedding ceremony speeches and poems’…and it got us started all over again almost blubbing!! With cameras at every corner and bookshelf (the wedding was held in the library at theMetropolitan pub, Didsbury) I managed not to smudge my beautiful make up by Emma all over my face and Alex stayed manly looking and didn’t cry!!

We walked back up the aisle together to  Gavin and John singing and that was the first real chance I had had to see who had been keeping this huge secret from me and gasped as everyone came up and congratulated us both!! Family, old friends, new friends and lots of new faces all of whom had helped Alex put the day together so well!

Johnny got everyone sorted outside and we came out of the door to confetti
and bubbles supplied by and all things nice and very well thrown by our guests and some of the children from Cavendish School who had made us the most beautiful cards and almost made me cry again at how adorable they were!

Everyone had made such an effort for our special day and this was only just the beginning!

Lisa x

Lovely Pretty Things: DIY Wedding - How to make your own heart Piñatas from Bespoke Bride

Hello and it is crafty Tuesday once again...ready to have some fun?

I absolutely love this idea. One of the things I realised in the past few years is that I never had a Piñata - what a terrible set of parents I have. With my Birthday fast approaching I am hoping that someone in my family will either get the hint to buy or make me one.

But these are also a fantastic idea for your wedding! Not just a wonderful creative decoration but one that can double up as a fun game for adults and children. Tie it all in with your colour scheme, pop a personalised label on there and you have something fabulous for people to enjoy or take home.

Lets get creative.

Love Katie x

All images and words are courtesy of Bespoke Bride.

So I know Cinco De Mayo is over but who says we can’t have our own little Mexican Fiesta whenever we want? I for one absolutely love Mexico and what I also love is pretty little things that contain lots of yummy sweets and treats! AKA piñatas! Making your own mini piñatas is not only easy but is also the perfect favour for your wedding or would make for some great decor/party fun! Here’s what you’ll need to make these little beauties:

// Card (I used a cereal box) // Tissue/crepe paper in the colours of your choice // Sweets // Scissors // Sellotape //All purpose glue // Ribbon // Glitter (optional, but deep down, we all know it’s absolutely necessary) //

1: Using a stencil or free hand, cut out 2 heart shapes (the same size) and a long piece of card about 4cm wide.

2: Cut your ribbon into 2 strips of the desired length and tape one to each of the hearts.

3: Tape your long thin strip at a 90 degree angle to your heart.

4: Tape the other heart on top and be sure to leave a small gap for your sweets!

5: Fill the heart with treats and glitter!

6: Tape up the little gap so you now have a secure cardboard heart filled with goodies!

7: Tissue paper time! Cut all of your colours into thin strips and create a fringe effect.

8: Starting at the bottom of the heart begin to layer your fringed tissue paper with glue! Be sure to leave the fringes free from glue though!

9: Continue until the whole side of your heart is covered!

10: Repeat on the other side of your heart and then trim around the edges to make the heart shape prominent again.

11: Time to cover the sides! Start at the bottom again and work your way up until the top, middle of the heart.

12: Once you’ve reached the middle, start at the bottom of the other side of your heart and repeat until it’s completely covered!

And that’s it! You’re all done! Easy right? The best part is cracking it open though, especially since you know what treats went into it!

Much Bespoke Love

Jess x

Real Weddings: Natasha & Dylan's Wedding at Chateau Rhianfa photographed by Gill Jones

Happy Tuesday, how are you? 

Today we have a fabulous wedding for you! I do know that I say this quite often and also how beautiful the Bride is; but Natasha who is today's leading lady looks breathtaking. 

Her look was part crafted by Nina Wren who I actually considered for my own wedding earlier this year - the only reason I didn't have Nina is because we got married in February and as my mother kept informing me the week of the wedding for the past few years had been laid in snow and Nina was a loooooooong long away from me in Manchester. 

So without further ado take a look at this gorgeous wedding at this wonderful venue. All images are courtesy Gill Jones Photography. More lovely work can be seen here. 

A beautiful vintage inspired wedding from start to finish, add Chateau Rhianfa to the mix and a perfect wedding day appeared. Natasha’s creative flare  shone through. On the day she had a close team of friends and family to interpret her ideas too; so much lovely detail to work with, not to mention Natasha’s gorgeous dress. And daring! Natasha and Dylan didn’t hold back, The Duke suite was perfect for our shoot. I must mention their fabulous guests though, particularly three sassy women, they should be invited to every wedding this season,  fun guaranteed! Natasha’s hair and make-up by Nina Wren.