Freya Rose Expands her Mother of Pearl Range

Freya Rose Expands her Mother of Pearl Range with 'Fairy',

'Fairy' is part of the exclusive Freya Rose Mother of Pearl Collection. This beautifully delicate peep toe sling back is made from the very finest French Chantilly Lace, and is ex

quisitely finished with two silk cornelia flowers on the toe. The flowers are made by a couturier in Paris who makes the flowers using vintage silk, and it has the signature Freya Rose mosaic mother of pearl heel.

Freya's designs are inspired by her informed background in exquisite jewellery design and her love for vintage couture. 'Fairy' is the result of Freya's passion for intrinsic design and craftmanship.

Freya Rose Website

Recipe for love.

Love quotes source

Festive discount

With the romantic festive season rapidly approaching, here at Black Pearl Weddings we know now is a high point in many relationships, and in these great spirits, engagement is often on the cards. We would like to announce a festive 20% discount on all services until 31st of January 2013 to help the newly engaged with any or all aspects of planning their nuptials.

Festive wishes

Black Pearl Weddings
xxx

**** WINTER BLACK PEARL WEDDINGS COMPETITION ****

Win a Partial Wedding Planning Service courtesy of Black Pearl Weddings.

All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is simply tell us why it is your wedding that deserves to win this fabulous prize. The winner can then go on to select which of the services listed below would best suit them, and we will arrange for them to receive their prize.

"Black Pearl Venue Search and Selection – Black Pearl Weddings will provide you with a service to assist with sourcing and selecting the perfect venue for the ceremony and/or reception.

Black Pearl Supplier Sourcing and Contract Negotiation – Black Pearl Weddings will collate and provide a selection of relevant, reputable suppliers, and provide support with negotiating the best deal for you.

Black Pearl Style and Design– Following a consultation, Black Pearl will ascertain your desired style/theme and undertake the task of bringing your vision to the wedding, ensuring every last detail is impeccably catered for. "

All entries should simply be added in the comments section of our facebook page. Follow the link below to enter

 

Enter 

 

Fun Photos

Couture Bridal Nails

All weddings have photos of the rings, whether it be pictures of the couple with their hands held, or sometimes, when the bride is impeccably manicured, just her own hands.

As with all aspects of bridal beauty, nails are crucial, and have to be exactly right to match a bride's dress. With a day this important, a manicure that is elegant and sophisticated is non-negotiable. Below are some ideas on pretty manicures to really glamorize the wedding and show just how perfectly a brides hands can accessorize to match her dress.

Image source ekiblog

Paula Broome Photograpy

Black Pearl Weddings have unearthed a true treasure with Paula Broome. An outstanding photographer, she can bring any pictures to life, and we thought it only fair to share this find with everyone!

Here is a little bit about Paula, along with a snapshot of her work.


"I am a people photographer, specialising in alternative weddings. I also do portrait work (actors’ head shots, babies, couples….) and event work. I like faces. And vintage stuff. Vintage faces! What?!? (By the way I have a tendency to waffle…)

I love a good wedding. What’s not to love? Friends, family, fashion, love, music and cake (mmmm, cake!) My aim is to capture the mood and feel of the day so that you can look back on your photos and re-live the day. Cashback!

A bit about me? Well…. I’m a Mancunian living in London with my American husband (who will affectionately be referred to in my blog posts as ‘The Yank’) and slightly grumpy cat, Chairman Meow aka Mr. Richard Meowington, Esq. (it’s a long story.)

My passion for photography started in my early twenties when I started travelling the world. It seemed like a great way to document my trips and I soon became incapable of going anywhere without a camera stuck to my face. I was inspired by the vibrance of different cultures and  the people I met on my travels and soon became immersed in the world of street photography. Fast forward a few years to one ‘turning thirty’ crisis and I decided that I absolutely MUST turn this “hobby” into a career. My love of vintage clothes and furniture led to me being approached to do vintage style weddings. And the rest, as they say, is history".

Images Courtesy of Paula Broome
For further information please see the link below
Paula Broome's Website
 

****FABULOUS NEWS****

Julie from Sweet 'N' Fancy has selected a winner.
 
Anita Evans you are the winner of a bespoke Chocolate Trinket Box, hand crafted by Sweet 'N' Fancy.

Well done Anita.

Black Pearl Team x

****FABULOUS NEWS****

 

We have reached more than 100 likes on facebook. Julie from Sweet 'N' Fancy will be selecting the prize winner.

The prize winner will win a bespoke Chocolate Trinket Box, hand crafted by Sweet 'N' Fancy.

The winner can enjoy the option of customizing their Chocolate Trinket Box, with a selection of flavours and colours

Winner to be announced soon.

 

UKAWP Member Focus with our Kelly

Today we introduce one of our newest members, Kelly from Black Pearl Weddings. Kelly over to you ….

How did it all start?
I’ve always had an interest in the wedding tradition, and was thoroughly inspired by the Royal Weddings, which led to me starting by coordinating a friend’s wedding, and realizing this was my forte.

Do you have a favourite venue?
Pembroke Lodge is fantastic. Set inside the beautiful Royal Richmond Park, there is a cornucopia of flora and fauna on site, including herds of wild deer and elegant flower gardens, which really add something special to weddings at the location.
However, I have to say that it would be a dream to coordinate a wedding set within the magnificent Sistine Chapel, the most exquisite place of worship on earth.

How would clients describe you?
Gregarious, determined and conscientious.

Wedding planner you admire?
Sandy Moretta of Tern Events and the UKAWP fame. She’s an inspiration to planners of every level and a true asset to the industry.

How do you unwind?
Curling up with a magazine or doing a spot of internet shopping.

What themes are you working on for 2011/12?
Having recently created an inspiration board themed by Regency Paris, Marie Antoinette and the splendor and opulence of the Palace of Versailles, I would love to incorporate these iconic fashions into a wedding to garnish the ceremony with real renaissance femininity.
I’m also working on a plethora of other inspirations, but you’ll have to watch this space to find out more…

What trends are you seeing?
The infiltration of Eastern culture and tradition into Western weddings, such as the red bridal gowns; and entire wedding weekends are becoming increasingly popular.

What is your signature dish?
Slow roasted venison marinated in a beautiful Rjoca or Tempranillo, with rosemary potatoes and rustic vegetables. Sherry trifle and fruit for desert.

Whose celebrity wedding (dead or alive) would you love to design?
Grace Kelly, who’s feminity and grace was innate, and her story was one of the greatest ever told. She was a true star of Hollywood’s Silver Screen.

Is the job as glamorous as you thought?
I didn’t imagine the job to be glamorous per se, but rather one that is highly rewarding. And that it is, with a huge sense of achievement and satisfaction when one can see the fruits of their endeavours on the special day.

What is your vice?
I’m a slave to exercise and walking is one of my favourite pastimes. I also spend a lot of my free time keeping au fait with current fashions and trends. Not to mention, I’m a closet workaholic!

Please see the link below for more information. 
UKAWP Member Focus 

Meaning of the Butterfly

Madame Butterfly Wall Paper

The butterfly is renowned for its symbolism, representing life and the associated phases of life. Before their graceful crescendo, butterflies experience various stages of life to achieve metamorphosis.

Couples select butterfly wedding invitations as the life cycle is metaphorically synonymous to the development of their relationship, from humble or uncertain beginnings to a spectacular new phase in their lives.

This sentiment is universally recognized in all cultures.

 Rachel Sigmon Couture Headdress

There are also cultural significances with the butterfly. They are an international symbol for life, love and strength. To the Chinese, butterflies represent a long prosperous life whereas to the Japanese, men in love is the interpretation.

Irrespective of a couples interpretation of the significance, the choice for butterflies is one that is so often selected to the romanticism of the symbol, and the subliminal message that this is now the stage of their life whereby they have achieved their perfect stage, and will remain in so until death do them part.

 Butterfly Design

All of this has provided us inspiration for our latest inspiration board The Butterfly

Inspiration Board Source and Credits 

Butterfly Wedding Stationery 

Butterfly Cake 

Karen Millen Butterfly Bag 

Butterfly Perfume  

Butterfly Balloon 

Butterfly Shoes 

Butterfly Favor

Butterfly Wine Glass

Butterfly Flowers

Butterfly Keepsake

Butterfly Pots

Diamond Butterfly Crystal Broach

Butterfly Wedding Dress

Innovative Invitations

It appears that many couples are coming up with unique ideas on how to invite guests to their weddings.

Increasingly, couples are now showing favour with inventive methods of inviting guests to their special day, as opposed to the traditional wedding invitation. This in turn, has developed into a niche market, supplying unusual wedding invitations the gathering masses. 

We have already seen a rise with paperless wedding invitations with such examples including social media posts, emails, and even web pages dedicated to the ceremony with RSVP confirmation links.  

Now it seems wedding vendors are becoming increasingly innovative in order to stay at the top of their market.

Here are a few such invitations that demonstrate the ever changing trends.

Wedding Movie Invitation Movie

The Wedding invitation DVD, a concept in which couples get to star in their own movie aimed at inviting guests to their wedding. These DVD’s are available in many different themes from Hot Pink to Romeo and Juliet.

 

Available from Fabulous Wedding Invitations.

 

Tea Towel Wedding Invitations

Guests are presented with personalized tea towels detailing the wedding. This is a lovely idea, as guests will never forget the date of your wedding even when doing housework!

They are available in several different themes including winter or spring themes.

 

Available from Wedding Tea Towels

Origami Wedding Invitations 

Made from a delicate white cotton organza fabric, these are  hand-folded into beautiful origami invitation designs. There are various designs available with multiple ribbon and label color schemes, and prove an attractive addition within the guests homes.

 

Available from Paper bird design

 

Flat acrylic or Perspex Wedding Invitations 

An invitation styled such that it can be placed on a metal stand, so that your guests will remember your wedding date and have their own unique customized memorabilia of the day.

 

Available from Precision Units

 

The Candy Bouquet Invitation

Why not treat your guests when inviting them to your wedding with these candy bouquets? Each one comes with a selection of favourites.

   

Available from Kellys-Candy-Bouquets

This selection is just a small taste of the vast range of inventive methods in which invitations can now be offered.

Our Guest Blogger from the USA.

This week we have had the privilege of a guest blogger Joanne Braxton. She's living in Atlanta, GA. and is freelance blogger that enjoys invitations and party-planning (especially weddings!). She has written this blog for you all to enjoy. 

Creative Save the Date Card Ideas

Long before wedding invitations are sent out, a save the date card is mailed to friends and loved ones, notifying them that your special day is approaching. The card doesn't have to be expensive or fancy. In fact, a unique and personal notice is all that is needed. Save the date postcards and save the date photo magnets are just a couple of ideas that have been successfully used by creative brides-to-be. Not only are they relatively inexpensive to make, they make delightful keepsakes for your recipients. 

Save the Date Postcards

Save the date postcards are easy and inexpensive to make, and you don't have to be a graphic designer. Design layouts can either be found online or are contained in the template files of most photo editing and greeting card design software. These resources are very user-friendly. Blank postcards are available at most office supply or craft stores, or you can purchase a good quality card stock and use a postcard template.

Once you have the supplies you need to design and print your save the date postcards, all you have to do is put your creativity to work. To help get those creative neurons flowing, here are a few ideas to use as inspiration:

-Miniaturized mock movie posters with the name of the bride and groom substituted for the stars. Put your wedding date where a movie’s release date would usually go.
- A picture of the wedding location, substituting ‘Wish You Were Here’ with ‘Hope You Can Come’ or ‘Save the Date’. You can also include more details about the location.
- Magazine covers or newspaper features with the big news and details added.

Save the Date Photo Magnets

Save the date photo magnets are another great option that are inexpensive to make and easy to design, These can be placed on a refrigerator, file cabinet or any other metallic surface, ensuring the date is front and center.

Ideas for the design run the gamut from a photo of the couple and their wedding date super-imposed over it to a mini calendar that has the date outlined with a heart or wedding bell shape. The save the date photo magnets can reflect a wedding theme or interest of the wedding couple, such as a favorite sport or hobby.  In addition to including a memorable image, these cards can be trimmed with a border or ribbons in the bride's colors.

Magnet material can be bought online or at craft stores. You purchase magnets that are either buttons or rolls of sheets, which can be custom cut into any size or shape.

The photos should be printed on photo paper or card stock. They should then be cut and glued to the magnet. The bride and groom can set aside an afternoon together to assemble as many as needed in no time.

Inventive layouts and themes, clip art, downloadable design software and templates, and craft stores can help make your save the date postcards or save the date magnets fun, creative, and memorable. Regardless of what you decide to use to make your cards, be sure to make them include personal touches of both you and your soon-to-be spouse. 

Thank you so much Joanne, from the Black Pearl Weddings team. x

For more from Joanne Braxton see the links below 

All about wedding invitations blog

Joanne Braxton Twitter page 

Competition Time

Win your very own Chocolate Trinket Box, hand crafted by Sweet 'N' Fancy. All you need to do to register for this gift, is to like the Black Pearl Weddings Page, and once we hit 100 likes, a winner will be selected at random, and we will arrange for this unique item to find its way to you! 

The winner can select from a choice of White, Milk or Dark Chocolate, with the Heart details offering a selection of Pink Strawberry or Orange flavour, or White, Milk or Dark Chocolate.
 
Best of luck!
Black Pearl Weddings xx

Our Facebook link is below

http://www.facebook.com/Blackpearlweddings

Toast your wedding in style

Lolita, a former DKNY artist, ­­­­has released a collection of super stylish drinking glasses that have enchanted the USA to become the new “must-have” accessory.

Individually stunning, the quality and style of Lolita Wine Glasses has made them instant collectibles, with each glass also having its own unique selling point - a recipe written on the bottom of each glass. With such a varied range of designs and glassware for martinis, wine, mojitos, margaritas and pilsners - the perfect set awaits you.

The official collection of glasses designed by Tracy Lolita Healy can be found at hula island

Here are some of Lolita's wedding wine glasses

The Glamour Wine Glass

 The Bridal Bouquet Wine glass

The Just Married Wine Glass

The Guest Book Wine Glass

The Special Day Wine Glass

The The Just Married Wine Glass and Guest Book Wine Glass come with marker pen's so they can be personalized.

Image source and credits below. Please follow the links to purchase any of these glasses

Glamour Wine Glass by Lolita 

Bridal Bouquet Wine Glass by Lolita 

Just Married Wine Glass by Lolita  

Guest Book Wine Glass by Lolita 

Our Special Day Wine Glass by Lolita  

Children's Wedding Treats

SWEET 'N' FANCY

Julie, the owner of Sweet N Fancy has sent us a picture of some of her wedding treats for children.

Julie says "These treats are made of organic milk chocolate and enhanced with mini smarties for the added detail. The scrumptious cup cake has a strawberry flavored chocolate button on top for a taste sensation. These treats are ideal for children as they are visually and tastefully sublime."

She went on to say  "These delightful treats are a genuine pleasure to make, knowing the happiness they will bring to children. There are other designs in this range available including ginger bread men and teddy bears"

Any enquirers can be forwarded to Julie at sweetnfancycreations@yahoo.com

Roses are Red

Our latest inspiration board is inspired by the latest trend of red bridal dresses and red Roses

Red symbolizes many strong positive emotions - love, courage, enthusiasm, confidence, strength, determination, and desire. We also know that a red rose is a Symbol of true love.

With this in mind we came up with the red rose mood board.

Mood Board Image source and credits listed below

Heart of rose flowers,

Clutch bag 

Red wedding cake 

Crystal red rose

Red Shoes 

Rose Cufflinks 

Red Rose Wine Glass 

Rose Sofa 

Red Rose Lights 

 

Seeing Red

Currently, weddings throughout the UK and the rest of Europe are being heavily influenced by themes from the orient. In keeping with the tradition of a wife bringing her husband luck and fortune, and red being the colour associated with such fortuitous beliefs.

Many well established high end couture designers are now expanding into Chinese weddings, and are releasing ranges that match the traditions of China, which are becoming increasingly accessible and fashionable throughout the western world.               

Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta are two of the many designers who are now developing a link between both sides of the globe and demonstrating respect for Chinese tastes and beliefs. Here is an example of how stunningly beautiful this tradition can be translated into a western wedding style, providing an entirely unique theme.

Here is an example of red bridal dresses with Vera Wang's latest bridal collection

Image source and credits 

Vera Wang

Magnificent Minaudières

We have found the most exquisitely detailed wedding Minaudières crafted by Judith Leiber

Judith Leiber, the American luxury brand, is synonymous with elegance, style and sophistication. Each product is executed with meticulous attention to detail and flawless hand-craftsmanship. Judith Leiber has re-defined the accessories category with products that are on the cutting edge of high fashion while always remaining timeless classics.

Below is a selection of these spectacular Minaudières. 

Crystal Cupcake Minaudière

 The Crystal Flower basket Minaudière

The Crystal Cake Minaudière

Cake Slice Crystal Minaudière

For more information or to purchase these stunning Minaudières please see the link below,

Judith Leiber 

Image source and credits

Judith Leiber