A Great Big Thank You !

I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those who have joined me on the amazing journey I have taken this year.

There has been high's, there has been lows, and a lot of the time it's a challenge, but I thank God every day for helping me get as far as I have.
9 months ago, I would never have dreamed of having my very own Website or Blog or being nominated for a prestigious award [VOW'S], or being published in 2 National magazines.

I have recieved phenomenal support from my following on Twitter and on Facebook and I would like to thank each and every fan and follower.
As well as that support, I have met some amazingly talented people who I have worked with, and some I would be honoured to work with.

I wish all of you, client, supplier, friend the most wonderful New Year and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2010.

New Year Special !

Special Offer - From Hogmanay to 31st January 2010 40% off Full wedding Co-ordination [£750]
and continued 20 % off both On the Day Co-ordination packages.
10% off party packages.
Valid on all 2010 / 2011 weddings and 2010 parties.
http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk/

Little Ducky !

Its been a while since I wrote a party blog.
My focus tends to be on Weddings, as that forms the majority of experience that I have had in these first months.
But I would just like to share with you a few ideas for a childrens event , wthether it be a Birthday party, or a Christening.

Little kiddies love rubber ducks.
Quack quack is one of the first words my children learnt, and my son is in love with his new flashing bath ducky.
Example here.
[This one is pink, my sons is yellow.]
Their usual bright yellow colour is just like sunshine and lifts your spirits.

As a prelude to your event, these little ducky invitations would be lovely
Invites here. 
or these
Another invite.

As a base colour I would just use plain white table cloths, or if you want to create the effect of a pond on your table then use a deep blue table cover.
You can then buy yellow plastic tableware and cutlery online
Coloured tableware.

As ideas for centrepieces , you could have
- little duckies in a fishbowl with soapy, bubbly water [to give the idea of ducks in a bath]
- little duckies on a mirrored plate [to give the effect of a clear pond]  or
- little duckies in a round bowl filled with blue glass beads [again to give the idea of the duck on the pond]

For other decoration consider  yellow, white and blue balloons or these
Balloons.
Also duck pinatas, or these fabulous ducky cut outs which would be fabulous around the walls of your venue.
Ducky cut out.
Or you could have some lovely bright yellow flowers such as gerberas, roses, carnations or daffodils.

For the edibles of the party, you could have ducky cookies
Example here [also comes in pink]
Ducky cupcakes
Think these are more a birdy but quite ducky like.
If you are creative in the kitchen, you could make your own cupcakes and use these fantastic little cases.
Cupcake cases.
You could also have this beautiful cake.
Cake example.
Another example
Or if you wanted to make your own ducky cake, you could use this fabulous cake tin
Tin here.

For themed activities if event a birthday party consider
-making playdough duckies
-colouring in ducky pictures or painting
-play duck, duck, goose.

As a gorgeous reminder of your guests special time at your event , consider gifting these beautiful bookmarks.
Bookmark example
Or for the children [or adults] , these fabulous little chocolates.
Chocolate example.
Or these great little soaps.
Soap here

I hope this has given you a little inspiration for your own themed event, and remember I would love to help bring any personal ideas you have to life.

For a mood board that goes together with this blog post see:-
FACEBOOK

Happy Christmas Everybody x

I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You very much to those who chose Plans and Presents for their event this year.

I look forward to 2010 and to planning many more Weddings or Events and would be thrilled and honoured to share the most wonderful of experiences with you.

Take Care

Ali xxx

50'S Wedding Chic !

The 50's were an era that was representative of Glamour and Romance with a bit of Rockabilly [ fusion of black and country music] and Rock and Roll thrown in for good measure.
It was a time when Marriage was for life and both genders had very specific roles.
In these times, it could be seen as constrictive to us, the fairer sex, but  in those times , it worked.
Polka dots, stripes, lace and pearls were very popular during this time and the Vintage theme that this ties in with, is reportedly hot for 2010.
Pastel colours were also very popular.


To give your guests a feel for the day, an invitation such as this one with polka dots would be a lovely and elegant introduction.
Example here.


As an alternative to a champagne reception, consider martini's or a cocktail hour.

For stunning centrepieces consider pale pink roses or carnations which were very popular in the time in  large martini glasses.
Example here.

Or as an alternative, large teacups with cut flowers in them look exquisite.
Example here.

The beauty of the pale pink could be followed through in the rest of the floristry too.

For wedding attire, Candy Anthony in London is an amazing designer of 50's style gowns and any bride would look gorgeous in some of her creations.
 Example here.

For great vintage 50's style dresses suitable for bridesmaid wear, such as this pink polka dot gown see here,
Example here.
or

Another example.

And every girl has got to love her shoes, the kitten heel was  very popular then.
Example here.

For headresses, the birdcage veil was a common choice as well as hair accessories such as these
Example here.

For the boys a pinstripe suit was the dapper choice of the 50's male.
Example here.

For entertainment, you can go all out, whether it is a swing band or an elvis impersonator.
Or for something just a little bit different you could consider hiring a jukebox with all the guests personal music choices on it.
Example here.

You could also consider hiring a checkerboard dance floor which was very popular at that time, such as this one.
Example here.

And to go completely 50's kitsch , think soda fountains, a candy buffet with lots of retro sweets
Example here.
or an ice cream bar such as this
Example here.

And don't forget that cake, whether it is a 4 tiered vision in frosting or a cupcake tower then here is a great place to get inspiration.
Examples here.


Whether all of these ideas or just a few sample touches are used then your 50's wedding is sure to be a chic affair.

Engagement Season

Plans and Presents is gearing up for all those festive proposals.
In America , this time of year is called Engagement Season.


Apparently according to statistics, a 1/3 of all engagements over the whole year take place over the Holidays.
This is usually because from Thanksgiving to New Year there are an abundance of opportunities for memorable proposals to take place.


In celebration of this special time, Plans and Presents is introducing a Special offer.
Until 1st January 2010, I am offering 20% off Full Wedding Co-orddination and either of the On the Day Co-ordination packages.
This offer is valid for 2010 / 2011 weddings.


To find out more about these packages see my website at http://www.plansandpresents.co.uk/.

I would also really appreciate your support on my Twitter Page
http://www.twitter.com/MrsPandP.

And also on my Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/PLANS-AND-PRESENTS/90608567675?ref=ts.

I hope each and every one of you have a fantastic Christmas and wish you all the very best in 2010.

Sandcastles for December !

When you think of a Beach Wedding you think of miles and miles of pearly white sand, lots of lush greenery, gentle winds and the ocean caressing the shore.

For many couples these days , a destination wedding somewhere nice and hot, where you are treated like a king and queen is just the epitomy of luxury, and a fitting location to spend the most important day of your life.

A little closer to home, a beach wedding is still possible but probably with slightly more unprdictable weather.

Here are some suggestions:
Camasdarrach in the Scottish Highlands http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/.
Orocco Pier in Edinburgh http://www.oroccopier.co.uk/scottish_wedding_venue/beach_wedding.asp.
Casealrag cottage at Crear http://www.weeweddings.co.uk/.
Seamill Hydro in Ayr http://www.seamillhydro.co.uk/weddings.html

But to think a little outside the box, why can't you bring a beach wedding inside ? !!

To bring this to life, you would probably need a large room or hall.  To recreate your beach effect, it would be handy to know someone skilled in carpentry.  A large frame would need to be assembled and a tarpaulin fastened beneath it.  This would be reasonably inexpensive, and materials could be purchased at any large DIY store.  This frame would need to be filled with sand, which could be purchased at pre mentioned DIY store or childrens toy store [though bags for sandpits would be smaller].  The framework of the beach scene could be disguised with flowers.  An aisle runner down the centre as a path for the bride would be very effective.  To the sides of this path small lanterns or hurricane lamps would light the way.  Chairs adorned with white coverings and complimented with theme matching sashes would be a beautiful addition.  And a floral arch or gazebo for where the couple take their vows would complete the look.

For the Reception area, simple white tablecoverings with napkins and chair cover sashes in complimentary theme colours would be elegant.  For table centrepieces, a goldfish bowl with sand in the bottom and shells with a chunky church candle would fit theme.  Alternatively a tall vase with sand, shells and floating candles would be illuminating.  Flowers to compliment your ceremony arrangements would be just as effective too.  Your cake could have several chosen themes - starfish and shells, mermaids or an undersea theme or could simply incorporate the colours you have chosen to suit your day, though gold [to symbolise sand] and blue [to symbolise the ocean] are the obvious choices. 

As a preview to your day , the beach theme could be brought through in your Invitations , while on the day, the theme would influence order of the day, menus and placecards.  A guest book with a starfish, shell or fish design would be unusual or you could stencil a plain book with one of these designs to economise.

You really have free reign with wedding attire, but a light morning suit for the boys and a simpler gown for the bride is general. But as it is your wedding day, you make the choice of what you want to wear.

For favours, consider little buckets with sweeties see http://www.confetti.co.uk/ or starfish wine bottle stoppers or wine charms.  You could even get lots of mini bottles with a personalised wedding poem for all your guests to remind them of your special day.  Check out http://www.iwantapoem.co.uk/.

To compliment this theme, see my Facebook fan page for inspration from the Baech Moodboard here.

Famous for 5 minutes !

January 2010 Issue of Brides Magazine out now.  Front page CD includes a Classical Music selection and a Supplier Directory featuring ME !

Click on Wedding Preparation, then Planners, then Scotland, then Strathclyde.  Takes a while but little old me is there in glorious technicolour!

UK Brides, run out and grab your copy today !!! It is an honour to be featured.

Plans and Presents is about getting the day that you want and I hope you, as readers, will give me the opportunity to assist you with the most special day of your life.

I will also be featured in an article on Wedding Co-ordinators in the Scottish Wedding Directory Magazine out next month.