Plans and Presents Alison Tinlin Wedding Planner Scotland

Sticky Love – A Castle, Golden Syrup and a whole heap of Love – Images by Marc Millar Photography

May 16th, 2012

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Today I am thrilled to share the beautiful work of Marc Millar.

Marc is an Edinburgh based Wedding, PR, Lifestyle and Corporate Photographer

He shares his recent Wedding Shoot with the lovely Clare and Scott,

“I had the pleasure of shooting the beautiful Wedding of Clare Breckonridge, and Scott Hunter on Friday the 27th of April 2012 at The Barony Castle near Peebles.”

“The Wedding was booked for last year, but little Freya came along and they postponed a year so they could invite they’re own little special guest. Clare was the most laid back bride ever and I had such great fun with the girls getting ready at The Barony, including getting the girls in the bath for some fun shots !!

“The girls from City Brides did an amazing job, and the hair and make up was amazing. The flowers were by the Brides mother Ada who is a florist [ she runs The Flower House in Balerno.]

“Ada had to buy and empty and clean around 20 cans of Golden Syrup for the table displays to put the flowers in. She was saying her kitchen is still sticky to this day. The retro theme continued with old mustard tins and signs. It looked fantastic.”.

“The groom was also very crafty and made the most amazing cake. At first look I thought it was a simple 3 tiered cup cake stand with Tunnocks Tea cakes on it, and it surprised me at how good and iconic this looked – but I later learned that he made all the individual fruit cakes and wrapped them in teacake wrappers !!! Stunning.”

“We did a few relaxed family photos, but the best part of the day was when I got Claire and Scott to myself, and we went for a leisurely stroll around the castle grounds with a bottle of fizz !”

“This is my favorite part of the day and most couples tell me the same thing as they get to go for a wee walk and get to spend time with each other and can escape being being the center of attention !! This is when the fact they just got Married sinks in and they can enjoy their own company.”

Thanks to Marc for sharing his fantastic imagery. I love the wee syrup tins as vases, its just so quirky but incredibly effective. And I agree with Marc, the Teacake Tower looks fabulous but discovering the creativity behind it makes it all the more special.

To Contact Marc Millar Photography

Website: http://www.marcmillarphotography.com

Email - marcmillar@me.com

Phone - 07904 790 959 or 0131 551 6764

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MarcMillarPhotography

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/marcmillarphoto

Supplier Spotlight – Celebrate Scotland – Guiding and Tours

May 14th, 2012

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Now you know me, I am incredibly patriotic. and celebrating heritage is something I will never tire of prattling on about.

So it was lovely recently to meet another lady who loves talking about our majestic country as much as me.

Laura Matuszak has been working with the Scottish Tourism Industry since 1997 and just loves sharing her knowledge of Scotland.

Laura talks a little about herself, and her company ” Celebrate Scotland“.

What is it you do, and what services do you offer?

“I allow your Guests to feel truly part of your Wedding at all times……….My name is Laura and I am a professionally qualified Scottish Blue Badge Tourist Guide. The Blue Badge is the international symbol of quality and professionalism in the tourism sector.”
“I am qualified to Guide throughout the whole of Scotland. I can create a unique service for your Guests and I am able to adapt my skills, knowledge and professionalism to suit any type of tour.”

“Services particular to Wedding Celebrations might include:

-Airport/ Train Station Transfers: I can meet & greet your Guests and escort them to their accommodations
-Hospitality Desk Set-Up: I can be based at the location of your choice to assist with your Guests requirements.
-Wedding Reception Transfer: I can manage the transfer from the location of your marriage to your reception Venue whilst providing a meaningful commentary en-route.
-Whole or half Day/ Evening Tours: I can provide these on foot or coach taking your Guests wherever you would like them to explore!”

“My Services could be employed at a variety of times throughout your Celebrations, allowing your Guests to feel truly part of your Wedding at all times! I can be booked on an hourly or daily basis and no number of people is too small!”

“Perhaps you have Guests arriving to your chosen location before your Big Day and are staying on afterwards or, are you looking to entertain your Guests in a unique way whilst you are otherwise engaged?”

“You have the freedom to make suggestions as to your requirements, hire any transport required and together we will create something entertaining and tailor made for your Guests. I love to be creative and working with other people’s ideas for itineraries so, anything is possible!”

When, and why did you start your business ?

“I am a 33 year old native of Edinburgh, Scotland and appreciate all the Country has to offer to both to its people and its visitors. I have trained and worked within Music Education for the last 14 years whilst continuing to consistently work part-time within the Tourism Sector.”

“I have a pride and passion for the Country including what it has to Celebrate and very much enjoy working with people hence, I wanted to begin to combine both areas. After studying part-time via the University of Edinburgh for two years, I qualified and achieved ‘Blue Badge’ status in 2010.
My Company ‘Celebrate Scotland’ was born!”

What inspires you?

“People who have stories to tell, a song in their heart and a skip in their step!”

What’s your greatest achievement?

“Never giving up on having a story to tell, a song in my heart and a skip in my step!”

Whats the future for your Business ?

“I strive to maintain and develop high standards of customer service and I have an ability to communicate my knowledge and passion for Scotland whilst entertaining and hosting people who visit from all over the world. In the near future, I would like more people based in Scotland to know about me/ the Blue Badge Tourist Guide qualification and how they can employ my services to enhance their own Celebrations/ Gatherings.”

“Allow me to Celebrate all Scotland has to offer with you!”

Thanks to Laura for talking to me all about her great service which is fabulous for any celebration or Wedding but particularly relavent if you are having a Destination Wedding in Scotland or if you have a lot of guests that are not local to the area and you wish them to enjoy the area as much as yourself. There are a multitude of options and your guests would be very impressed at your forethought in providing such a service for them.

To Contact Celebrate Scotland
Website

Email: laura@celebratescotland.biz

Phone: 07736 224 768

Facebook

Twitter

Photo Credit – Alison Tinlin

The Lady in Red – An Engagement Shoot – Images by Beecham Photography

May 8th, 2012

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Today I am thrilled to share this stunning Engagement shoot, shot by Thomas Beecham of Beecham Photography earlier in the year.

Thomas is a Wedding Photographer based in Cumbria.

Initially driven by art and design, he studied graphic design, photography and computer animation and worked as an artist in the digital games industry, but always found photography the perfect medium to capture and create beautiful images which people are genuinely happy to own and cherish.

Thomas tells us a little more about himself and about the shoot we share,

“I’m Thomas Beecham and my company is Beecham Photography. I’m a wedding photographer based In Kendal, Cumbria but will very happily travel throughout the UK. I’m originally from Southend-on-Sea, Essex but moved to the lakes about 20 years ago after meeting Rachael (my now wife) who is a local lass.”

“I love weddings and all the details and moments that go into making such a special day. My style of photography is to tell the story and capture the atmosphere of the day. I aim to photograph people when they are unaware of being photographed, when they are at their best – natural and relaxed.”

“The couple are Hannah and Darren, both from Kendal. They were a great couple to photograph, good fun, really relaxed and obviously very in love! They got married on Saturday 28th April, 2012 at Kendal Kingdom Hall and and had their reception at the gorgeous Linthwaite House Hotel, Windermere.”

“I chose Rydal Hall Gardens, Ambleside for the engagement photos because the landscape and features really say Lake District to me. Hannah and Darren both have a real love for the Lakes (as do I) and it seemed a good place to capture a real feel for the Lake District scenery. It has everything there you could want, lush greenery, dry stone walls, formal gardens, woodland, a 500 year old living sweet chestnut tree and even a waterfall! It’s a really beautiful place.”

Thanks to Thomas for sharing his gorgeous work. I love the strength and vibrancy of the colours coming through against the cooler landscape, and the emotion is beautifully conveyed though the images.

To Contact Beecham Photography

Website: http://beechamphotography.com

email: thomas@beechamphotography.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beechamphotography

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beechamphoto

Google+: https://plus.google.com/109543721963733845006/posts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thomasbeecham

Weddingland Family

May 6th, 2012

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Its funny sometimes the things that inspire you.

I have spoken about my faith before HERE, and its very true that while many think the Bible is outdated, the roots of it still apply in modern society.

This morning it was part of a BIBLE VERSE and this got me to thinking.

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

The crux of the story was about relationships and family.

Tensions within families go back to the beginning of time when Cain murdered his brother Abel [sons of Adam and Eve] through jealousy.

And through time from that point there has been disharmony and war and families broken.

To keep loving family relationships takes work and time, many factors can have an impact and relationships can break down due to many reasons.

Within the Wedding Industry I have explored how relationships have broken down and how TRUST can be broken.

With the Wedding Industry as well as family, we can take each other for granted , we may not listen, we may not communicate properly and a relationship that was once healthy can become poorly.

To be the best we can be for the people we hope to support, healthy relationships are needed.

The UK Wedding industry is a huge network of talented and incredible people, and the point that I hope to make is we need to stand together even though we may have differences.

We might not agree with each others particular paths or choices but to be part of the larger Wedding family is an incredible privilige, and being a support to each other is healthy for each of us as a Business as is maintaining the relationships we have with our own loved ones.

Relationships can be really tough, family relationships even tougher at times but we need to take control, apologise if needs be, and make an effort to be united, whether this is a family situation or Business.

Now I’m not that deluded to think that everything is as easy as that, things can be much more deep rooted and take very much more to repair, but the first step is the willingness to try.

In Weddingland I believe its so important that we stand as one, much like the house for the greater good. and focus on ultimately those that we work for, the Bride and Groom as without them this family we belong to would not exist.

The New Cool in Table Centrepieces – Spotlight – Ice Styling

May 4th, 2012

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Today I am really excited to speak to Clair Willsher of Ice Styling.

Ice Styling is the sister site of Global Ice Sculptures who create fantastic ice sculptures, ice bars, and vodka luges for every event.

Ice Styling now focus on all things table centre’s, in ice of course!

Clair gives us the goss on whats hot [ so to speak] in the Ice world,

“Well, here at icy towers, over the past year or so we have noticed a very definite trend, (keeping an eye out as we often do, you understand) in wedding table centrepieces.”

“It was all very similar, flowers, candelabras, flowers with candelabras or fishbowls, not that I’m knocking them, please don’t think that, but, well, being the creative souls we are, we thought we’d try something different.”

“Having been in the ice business for nearly two decades, we feel it almost runs through our veins.”

“With this at the front of our minds, we have developed a new and exciting concept – Table Centrepieces & Venue Decor made entirely from ice.”

“Always pushing the boundaries of design, we wanted to offer something different and out of the ordinary….. The Ice Styling concept was born.”

“Now, we understand that traditional decor is still hugely popular, and always will be, but you know, there are some brides, that like us, just wanted that something a bit different and finally after a few tentative attempts of mentioning ice table centrepieces, one of our brides really wanted to run with it as she was after all having a winter wonderland theme and well, that’s what we do best you know!”

“She came over to meet us, whom I hasten to add, anyone is welcome to do, our kettle is always on and more often than not we have biccies on one of the desks, bringing flowers from her bouquet and venue decor with her.”

“After chatting for a while, we got a feel of what she wanted, and this was the result…”

“These are our striking pyramids, measuring 58cm tall and designed exclusively for and by us here in our studio. Inside the pyramids we suspended in the ice the flowers the bride gave us, a single white rose, a blue thistle and some eucalyptus, the overall effect, I’m sure you’ll agree is just stunning, it certainly proved a talking point on her big day!”

“We were also asked to create a “Table Topper” something completely new for us I have to say, but again, we bashed heads and this was the result…”

“We etched the new married name of the bride and groom into the ice using snow so it stood out against the clear sparkling of the ice and suspended in snowflakes, again, keeping with the winter wonderland theme and perfectly complimenting the table decorations and chair sashes!”

“Here are some of our most popular designs!”

Thank you to Clair for sharing these utterly outstanding creations. Its always really good to think outside the box and these centrepieces breach a new level of cool !

My personal favourite is the Table plan, which has the ultimate WOW factor in its uniqueness, love it !

To Contact Ice Styling

Website: http://www.icestyling.co.uk

Email: enquiries@icestyling.co.uk

Phone: 01494 722747 / 07831 327359

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ice_styling