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Acclaim Food

dolceSPOSA — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:52:59 +0000

Acclaim Food is another wedding caterer we would like to recommend to all our lovely readers. To start it off, we would like to share with you a helpful wedding tip on How to Choose a Wedding Caterer which was kindly given to us by Scott Milne of Acclaim Food.

“There is so much to consider when choosing your caterer; budget, style of food, do they charge corkage? Once you have agreed the style and cost of catering, make sure you get at least 2 or 3 proposals that appeal to your theme and budget and go with the one that you have most rapport and confidence with. It’s important that your caterer can give you flexibility when it comes to last minute changes in numbers, menu additions, dietary requirements. The less stress for you, the better.”

Acclaim Food

Acclaim Food prides itself on being the caterer of choice for over 150 brides each year. Our friendly and personal approach from enquiry stage to the big day itself takes all the pressure away from our brides leaving them to enjoy their day. Every aspect of the day is covered in our detailed event plan.

With over 15 years experience at many of the top venues in London and the south-east, our aim is to make your day memorable with fantastic food at a budget you can afford. Our tasting service enables you to pick your favourite dishes and discuss your plans in depth.

Wedding Caterers – Acclaim Food

82 Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NY
Tel +44 (0) 20 8397 8999

Email: info@acclaimfood.co.uk

Photos courtesy of Acclaim Food

Caroline Castigliano, Cheshire

dolceSPOSA — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:04:59 +0000

Caroline Castigliano, the UK’s premier designer of luxury bridal gowns and evening wear, today announces the re-launch of her exclusive boutique in the heart of Wilmslow. Heralded as the ‘destination boutique’ for brides to be and Cheshire’s ultra-glamorous residents, the formerly named ‘Per Sempre’ boutique has been fully refurbished and will carry the designer’s extensive collection, with many gowns that until now have been ‘exclusive’ to the Knightsbridge boutique.

The boutique will feature a stunning collection of this season’s most glamourous, must-have bridal, evening and party wear, all bearing the unmistakable signature of designer Caroline Castigliano, who has dressed some of the world’s most stylish women for their weddings and red carpet events. Cheshire’s brides, leading trendsetters and savvy fashion-forward residents can look forward to relishing in the super chic and effortlessly luxurious designs that are beautifully tailored and epitomise the ‘relaxed feminine glamour’ style for which the brand is renowned.

Set to be the most luxurious bridal boutique in Cheshire, it will provide an experience never to be forgotten, offering a stylish and intimate environment where clients can relax and enjoy a glass of Champagne as they view the stunning collections of bespoke, made to measure gowns.

For years, Castigliano has been the designer of choice amongst many of the world’s most glamourous women. Castigliano said today, “I am so excited about the new boutique. So many Cheshire women love to dress up for events so I have created some wonderful pieces to really make a statement in”.

This exclusive boutique becomes the seventh stand-alone destination in the UK featuring the Castigliano brand, which next year celebrates its 20^th birthday!

Bridal Shop – Caroline Castigliano

40 Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5BG

T: + 44 (0)1625 536 262

Caroline Castigliano Summer Sale

dolceSPOSA — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:01:14 +0000

Seasoned Events

dolceSPOSA — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:09:45 +0000

Due to popular demand, we are now slowly compiling a list of reputable wedding caterers for all our readers to see. Not all wedding venues have their own in-house caterer so it is quite common that couples will have to source a wedding caterer they can trust in helping them create mouthwatering food for their special day.

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Seasoned Events. It is one company we look forward to working with in some of our future wedding events.

For many, Seasoned Events is synonymous with inspiring food and events and symbolises stylish, imaginative food, scrupulous attention to detail and professional, charming staff.

The flagship of the award winning Crown Group and one of the UK’s leading independent catering and events companies, Seasoned Events has over 35 years experience in producing fabulous food and memorable events.

Seasoned Events can offer some of the most prestigious, stylish and unique venues in and around London. Whether you are looking for somewhere to hold your Wedding Ceremony, Reception and Wedding Breakfast or just the Drinks Reception, we have a stunning collection of venues for your special day.

Wedding Caterers – Seasoned Events

13 Bishop’s Gate, London EC2N 3BA
Tel +44 (0) 20 7334 3958

Email: lesley.healy(@)seasonedevents.co.uk

Photos courtesy of Seaoned Events

Wedding Speech Etiquette

dolceSPOSA — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:28:38 +0000

The famous wedding speech: the curse of the groom, best man and father of the bride (and also the guests if they are forced to sit through 20 minutes of bad jokes and boring anecdotes).

If you have been called upon to give a wedding speech, fear not: wedding speeches are fun, relaxed affairs that even the world’s worst public speaker can master with a few simple tips.

Best Audience

Always remember with a wedding speech that this is the best audience you are ever likely to get for a speech. They will be in the mood to laugh and get emotional, especially if they’ve already had a few drinks. Just keep them happy and your speech will be remembered fondly.

Here’s a brief guide to the main speeches for the groom, the father of the bride and the best man. Remember that all the speeches should be funny, relaxed, with a few jokes thrown in and a few more sincere moments as well. Never go over 10 minutes, but try to keep it to between five and seven minutes if possible.

The Father of the Bride’s Speech

The father of the bride’s speech is normally the first of the wedding speeches because, as far as tradition goes, he is paying for the wedding.

Firstly, make sure to welcome everyone, especially welcoming the groom’s parents into the family, and say how pleased you are that your daughter has found such a great groom. Thanks is usually expressed to the organisers, caterers and anyone involved in the day.

The speech is then usually focused mainly on the bride, and should include a bit of a joke and a story about the bride’s past, as long as it is not too embarrassing. Jokes can focus around married life, but it is usually also a sincere speech as the father gives his daughter away.

You should then finish by proposing a toast to the bride and groom, and then introducing the groom (unless you have a master of ceremonies to do it for you) for his speech.

The Groom’s Speech

The groom’s speech is the second of the wedding speeches, and he is responsible for thanking all those who have played a part in organising the wedding, especially those who have made a special effort. Traditionally you then thank the bride’s parents for granting you her hand in marriage, but it is now more common to simply congratulate them for raising such a wonderful daughter.

The speech should include some kind words about the bride, and a few stories about how you first met, as well as a few funny anecdotes from the last few months or years of the relationship. It is then the groom’s responsibility to propose a toast to the bridesmaids and to thank the best man for coming. A few words about the best man then follow, leading onto the introduction of the best man’s speech.

Best Man’s Speech

This is the last of the wedding speeches, and it is usually the funniest. It is also focused mainly on the groom. Start by responding on behalf of the bridesmaids, and also thank the groom for choosing you for such a distinguished role.

The speech should contain a lot of jokes and a few funny stories about the groom. A bit of gentle ribbing is good, but try not to go too far and spoil his day. A nice word about the bride always goes down well too.

It is the best man’s responsibility to read out the ‘telegrams’, which are usually cards these days, from people who couldn’t make it. You can then propose another toast to the bride and groom if you wish, but this is not customary.

Finish by wishing everyone an enjoyable meal or day, or direct them to the next activity which could be the cutting of the cake.

Do it Your Way

Wedding speeches involve a number of protocols, but remember that these can all be changed. Find out from the wedding couple what formula the speeches are to take, but they may simply tell you to do what you want. As long as you keep the speech short, funny and sincere you will be well thanked for it.

Photos courtesty of CKP Weddings and David Pullum

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Unique Chic Stationery

dolceSPOSA — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:54:43 +0000

I discovered a new wedding vendor that inspired me with her creativity and style! Seeing their fresh, fun and beautiful wedding stationery made me realized even more how fun my job is and how much I love it!

Here are some of our top picks from Unique Chic:-

Wedding Stationery – Unique Chic

Email: hello(@)unique-chic.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 7771 550 153

Photos courtesy of Unique Chic

Sexy Honeymoon Wear by Melissa Odabash

dolceSPOSA — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:49:35 +0000

Oh my, I am absolutely in love and drooling over the Melissa Odabash beachwear 2010 collection. They are all so sexy, stylish and sophisticated. I am seriously lusting now and wishing I am one of the lucky ones who are set to fly to Maldives for a romantic honeymoon!

Check out the flagship store and spoil yourselves from top-to-toe with super hot beachwear and accessories!! Here are some of our favs at Dolce Sposa:-

Price starts at £145.00. You can also find Melissa Odabash in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

Honeymoon fashion – Melissa Odabash

48B Ledbury Road, Nottinghill, London W11 2AJ
Tel +44 20 7514 0056/57

Email: shop(a)odabash.com
Tel: +044 (0)207 229 4299

2010 Wedding Events

Oscar de la Renta Trunkshow – 11th to 12th June

dolceSPOSA — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:22:23 +0000

Ladies, do not forget to attend one of the much awaited 2010 wedding event in London. The Oscar de la Renta trunkshow at Brown’s Bride will allow all the style savvy brides-to-be to view the stunning Oscar de la Renta bridal 2010 collection flown directly from New York. For a teaser, check out my top 10 Oscar de la Renta picks from his 2010/2011 bridal collection and see them for yourself at the trunk show.

Trust me, they are all gorgeous and fabulously chic!

Please note that there is a £25 charge per person which is redeemable against any purchase.

Brown’s Bride
www.brownsfashion.com (opens in new window)

11-12 Hinde Street, London W1U 3BE
Tel +44 20 7514 0056/57

Photos courtesy of Oscar de la Renta

Julie Kim Wedding Photography

dolceSPOSA — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:23:48 +0000

Julie Kim is a London based wedding photographer who has recently been named as one of UK Top 10 Winter Wedding Photographer. She is known in the industry for creatively infusing documentary approach and contemporary quirky portraits at weddings that many past clients love.

At a Glance

Part of an overall list for Top 10 UK winter wedding photographer
Style – reportage/photojournalism
WPJA member
Wedding album – Jorgensen & other major suppliers
Production time – 4 weeks
Camera – Canon 5DII bodies and Prime lenses 24,35, 50, 85
Wedding photography package starts at £1,950 based on all-day coverage (albums, extra photographer are charge seperately)
Destination wedding will have extra incremental costs

Wedding Tip: Trust your photographer, especially if you have booked one for a particular style. Communicate how you’d like your wedding to be remembered and then leave them to surprise you with a set of amazing images. Kick back, relax and enjoy yourselves – that in itself will provide them with all they need!

Wedding Photographers – Julie Kim

Email: julie(@)juliekimphotography.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7772 524 334

Photos courtesy of Julie Kim Photography

Caroline Castigliano Launches New Website

dolceSPOSA — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:02:53 +0000

Girls, have you seen the new Caroline Castigliano website yet? If not, check it out and be inspired by the Caroline Castigliano bridal 2010 and 2011 collection. The new site has a lot of fresh ideas for you all to enjoy…

Fun and interactive seems to be one of the core idea behind the new website. Looks like Caroline and her team understand well, how choosing the perfect wedding dress should be fun from start to finish! Apart from including live footages of catwalks, photo shoots, interviews and photographs from bridal events, they have also thoughtfully included a ‘wish list’ area where brides-to-be can share with friends and family via social network like Facebook and Twitter some of their absolute favs. A lot of brides-to-be will surely love this and on top of all that, Caroline Castigliano is holding a competition in which one lucky visitor will win a bespoke wedding dress valued at up to GBP 5,000.

To enter the competition, visitors should simply log on to Caroline Castigliano’s new website and register your details.

Bridal Shop – Caroline Castigliano

Knightsbridge: 154 Brompton Road Tel: 020 7993 9622

London W1: 62 Berners Street Tel: 020 7636 8212

Bath: 5-6 Saw Close Tel: 01225 789900

Edinburgh: 6 Waterloo Place Tel: 0131 558 3355

Guildford: 10 Tunsgate Tel: 01483 449994

Leeds: 12 The Headrow Tel: 0113 234 0990

Wilmslow: 40 Water Lane Tel: 01625 536 262

Photos courtesy of Caroline Castigliano