Just in time for wedding season, we’ve been going a bit Pop mad this summer. If you like chocolate and you like lollipops and most importantly you like cake, then you will probably like everything about Pop Bakery.

Here are photos of some of their lovely products, bespoke of course!  We wish you well Clare and the team.

Have a look here for info on the Smilers

Situated around 10 miles from Suffolk seaside stunner that is Southwold, the Farm is located in a very green spot; we took advantage of many local walks and hearty pub lunches naturally.

But the property itself is the real gem, literally. We stayed in The Stable, or the Mughal Jewel Box as it is affectionately known. The owners have converted this plus the other areas of the farm into a charming East Meets West blend.  The setting is beautifully designed, using the very best materials with lots of intriguing farm machinery for authenticity, we had a lovely bijou private garden, perfect for an alfresco breakfast even on a sunny but cold morning .

They have restored the old Stables keeping all the wonderful beams, door, floors and general character and each room is decorated in a different rich jewel colour with wonderful Eastern furniture, light fittings, original granite and cupboard doors shipped over from Jodhphur!  The attention to detail extended to the wonderful book collection, rich spiced chocolate  we were given plus the fragrant, Duck Island, Mandarin and Bergamot, bathroom goodies. Full of more lovely touches than I can mention, the previous occupants of the Stables had clearly been inspired with romance as they had gotten engaged!

For more information, go to the website. www.belle-grove.com

A solution to the ‘will anybody have the same outfit as me? dilemma which many a wedding guest worries about - well the female ones anyway!

What r u wearing  sorts that problem out.  You, as the bride or event organiser registers your event on their website for free. I suggest then letting guests know in the formal wedding invitation that they should register on-line once their outfit is chosen; they can even register the outfit anonymously so as not to give the glamorous game away. I suggest registering bridesmaids outfits too to help guests avoid certain colours or styles.  Inspired!

The bride probably doesn't need to register her dress!

 Thanks to Brown and Co Photography for the image.

Have you thought about having a wedding celebration ceremony conducted by a friend or relative instead of a relatively unknown celebrant? Civil Ceremonies Ltd offer a service where they will prepare a bespoke script for your wedding to be delivered on the day and issue you with a certificate. It’s a wonderful role for someone very special to you to conduct this unique and moving ceremony for you without having to write the whole ceremony from stratch.   

The wedding isn’t legal so would need to be preceded by the official paperwork but it’s a great option if you want to have a blessing in the open air, at home or wherever takes your fancy. The script is priced at £150 which we think is good value too.

The giving of rings at one of our recent civil partnership ceremonies

We thought the dance floor decals from Cathys Concepts were a lovely way of adding a little splash of colour and personalising to you and your wedding, especially if you have a dancefloor which is not being used for showcasing the wedding cake. There are lots of options on design but naturally we like the elegance one.

We have yet to come across these in the UK, although we’re sure it won’t be long!

We’re fortunate enough to see some beautifully constructed, lit and decorated marquees ranging from clearspan/framed to traditional pole tents to tipi tents but it was nice to see an elegant alternative that had a flowing airy feel. Based on square-edged designs (which the symmetrical freak in me loves), the whole marquee can be opened up in good weather with lovely thick linings billowing in the breeze. In bad weather the whole thing can be closed up but without any clear plastic in sight!

The company has teamed up with a range of suppliers of great quality contemporary chill-out area furniture, bars, chairs and all sorts and they can supply and install all electrics, lighting, linings, carpeting, toilets etc.

Well worth a look if you’re considering a marquee and want something a little bit different.

We recently conducted a pre-visit ahead of the day and left with a big spring in our step. The venue is every inch the grand stately pile but has a homely and welcoming feel so no need for red ropes everywhere! It seemed a perfect layout for an exclusive and elegant wedding reception where most of the ground floor rooms are used during different parts of the day, not mentioning the beautiful terrace and grounds. With a range of caterers and suppliers on board and a limited number of events taking place in house per year, it’s a bespoke option. We are very much looking forward to working with the team there!

In particular we love the personalised wooden signs made in reclaimed wood, perfect for greeting wedding guests at the front gate if you’re hosting your wedding at home. Also as a lovely wedding gift is their personalised wedding plantabox; a beautiful and really thoughtful addition to a newlyweds’  garden.

And finally, we think the bespoke map hearts are very cute allowing you to frame a vintage map of a location of your choice inside a heart – perfect for that wedding abroad or if you just happen to love where you live!

Wooden sign

Plantabox

Heart map