It's been a while....but look at what we've been doing!!

We're late, we're late for a very important date..no time to say hello, goodbye..we're late, we're late, we're late, we're LATE! Actually. We're never late. Infact it's a planner's curse that we are ALWAYS early..well for work -related things you understand... even we dabble in the punctuality stakes for the fashionably late debate. But....shriek! The blog is late. Clearly we need to get on the phone to the midnight pixie agency and battle them down about just exactly why they haven't come along during wedding season to lighten our (lovely) load. Honestly, if you want something doing.... hire a planner!

That is just what the clever souls at the infamous Animal Health Trust did when they took us on board as the exclusive planner at the brand new country wedding venue - Lanwades Hall. This stunner of a venue is nestled in leafy historical Newmarket, set in 120 blissful acres. Laterz London air... we've found a new love...and it makes us feel so fresh that not even the Evian babies can compete on our cloud. The venue itself is a majestic 16th Century style beauty built in 1907 from the £5,450 winnings of a certain lucky Mr. J.W Larnach on his horse Jeddah in the 1898 Derby. Have a swoon over this:

The stunning tree-lined drive in these stunning classic cars...bliss. If only traffic jams looked and felt this good.

The Hall. Beaut.

Hmm maybe I should consult some sort of 'betting for dummies bible' if this is the kind of return on a nifty £500 flutter.... although I don't even think a 'Back to the Future' stylie handbook could secure a win from these unlucky paws.

Now, that isn't all my eager eared readers, oh no. This venue will be licensed for civil ceremonies in three rooms, you'll have exclusive use of the venue and you'll have us with you every step of the beautiful petal-lined way! Oh, and you can bring your dog along. Not as random as it sounds (although you'd be forgiven for thinking we were that random...creative types.cha!)...Lanwades Hall is owned by the AHT, which strives year on year to innovate and publicize pioneering ways to fight and cure injuries and illness amongst our furry companions. As such, all profits from the glorious weddings go straight back into the charity, which helps to buy items such as microscopes, operating equipment (and other intelligent genetic type things that leave our brains whirring) to ensure their phenomenal work continues. If that isn't enough, this friendly lot are constantly speaking at conferences, writing cutting-edge publications and generally spreading their findings throughout the veterinary industry to ensure animals across the country benefit from their findings. In fact, if you've ever owned a dog, cat or horse, it's highly likely the lovely big-brained folk at the AHT have helped to carve life-saving techniques! Hurrah. As such, the grounds of this stunning venue are dotted with beguiling follies and stallions too, which make an incredible backdrop for photos- you don't get that in London! What's not to love!!?

SO, as the exclusive planner ( na-na-nah-nah-nahhhh) , we set it upon ourselves to do a fabulous photo shoot with our favourite London photographer -Hamish Jordan from Eternal Imaging (there are some things London just does better). We pulled together the top suppliers in the area and had an incredible day with fabulous suppliers, lovely models and stunning surroundings. It's a tough life doing a job you love! We'd planned to be sneaky-sneaky and only show you snippets of the fabulousness, but we are just too excited ( our P-P-P-Pokerface would not hold up well in torture)... so feast your bleary goggles on this lovely lot.But, we'd just like to take this opportunity (Oscar award moment) to thank all the generous and outstanding suppliers for providing their pristine worldly goods. They are the best of the best in their field, so naturally a perfect fit with us ( hey, modesty just isn't in at the Oscars). Oh yeah, and did we mention it was covered in the local papers?

Here are some piccies of the kind of things we put together....

Flowers on a mirror = twice the flower power. Fact.

B-e-a-ooootiful birdcages and stunning crystal centrepieces... can only be from one lovely lady...

You can even have your reception in the sunken garden.... la la la we're just showing off now...

Enough about us - now for Adore and Abolish!

Adore

LANWADES HALL. Subtle I think you'll agree.

As you may recall we suggested the idea of sunken ipads into a custom built bar to ensure the guests are throwing some serious shapes out on the dance floor... but if you're a techno-phobe ( shame on you), how about adding a section to your rsvp's with the opportunity for the guests to request a song. Winner. You could also think about designating each table with a song - when that song is played, they all have to get up and shimmy about! This is a great way to gee up the dance floor after supper- safety in numbers and all that jazz! ( and all.... that.....jaaaazzzzz... that jazz.).

Books as wedding favours. I'm afraid your fave beach red of Marian Keyes won't quite cut it here. Think old school romance, you can even go for a classic book of poems. You can have a different book for either sex, and unlike jam or choccies, the guests will actually have something to keep aaaand it looks beautiful on the tables - you can have sleeves made to detail the date of your day, all to match you colour scheme, and you can even have your guests name printed upon it....and ta-da it's a place name too. Or...if you're a bit mischievous like us, these books are so cute and add a touch of humour!

It's easy to forget how much effort your guests put into your day. They are likely to purchase a new outfit, book a day off of work, go to your hen and stag parties, arrange for nannies, buy you a gift and pay for accommodation and transport amongst many other things. If you've got friends coming from far away that have booked into your hotel, it's nice to let them know how much you appreciate it. Why not put together a little welcome basket. No this does not mean a cheesy photo of the two of you and a chupa chup lolly. Scented candles, organic cookies, toiletries and wine are always appreciated, as is a thoughtful note detailing some nice restaurants near by the hotel, taxi numbers and local activities.

Peonies. We heart you, we salute you, and we will see you next spring. We might even have a sniff too.

Abolish

Standard canapes. No. If you can buy them in Iceland...it's not good honey. One of my gorgeous brides has gone off the menu (wild we know) and is having Quails eggs with Celery Salt- yummy scrummy. This is one classy canape, you don't get those tasty treats everyday - and if you do, you belong in the cast of Made in Chelsea.

Silly wedding bands. They ruin everything, evverryytthhiinggg ( to be read in an echoey voice of doom). Get it right, get it loud and immediately turn on your pretty heels and run if they even mention a) a backing track b) a disco ball or c) the 'classic' Puppy Love... it's not classic, its criminal. We've got plenty of fantastic bands we know... but you'd have to hire us or bribe us (perhaps with celery salt and quails eggs) to find them out... or just have a look at the links.

Socks and sandals. I know, I know, it's that in-between weather, and no one likes cold tootsies but there is no excuse for this fashion disaster. This is right up there with tucking your napkin into your shirt. N - O.

Ok it's pretty political, but we can't not mention how saddened we are to hear and see the London Riots. Our hearts go out to all those who've had their lives, businesses and homes affected, and their safety shaken. We're thinking of you all, and we're incredibly proud of all of the emergency services here in our Lovely London, and the overwhelming sense of community and well-wishers that are helping in every way they can to clear the streets and offer a helping hand and a whole lotta love.

All our love and good wishes,

Jennifer and the Event Wishes team xxxx