Finalising Food

I'm sorry I've been absent for a while and in the last couple of days I've tried to make up for it and get the posts up I've been planning for a while.
I have had a difficult couple of weeks that have been full of sadness due to the loss of my Nain (Nan in welsh) and has also meant I have had lots of travelling.
While this has been a difficult time, I have had a lot of support and so, for me, this isn't the place to process my loss.

So today I want to think about something more positive - food for the wedding!

Family Favorites: Christmas Roast, Hot Cross Buns, Birthday cake & BBQ

Food is a really important part of a wedding. I think I would go as far to say that, other than having a church ceremony, food is the MOST important element of the day for me. Food plays a big role in my life, when I get together with family a meal is normally the center of the occassion; our favourites are probably a BBQ or a Sunday tea (cold meats, hard boiled eggs etc all followed by cake and jelly/trifle) and I turn to food at sad times of when I'm feeling ill.

Both BH and I are foodies, we'd rather go out less often and eat at independent places when the menu's ever changing and ingredients sourced locally, we both enjoy cooking (tho BH to a lesser extent) and enjoy a good meal.

Love of food: Toad-in-the-whole, a traditional Turkish chicken dish from Selcuk
orange sponges for valentines and 3 cheese & broccoli quiche . Apart from Turkish chicken, all cooked by me!

For our wedding we were looking for a menu of classic, British winter warmers.
The whole day has a cosy rustic feel and we want this continued in what we eat, but we also wanted to be careful that we don't weigh our guests down with lots of heavy food.

Before the food tasting we were both a little a nervous, we had chosen the Guildhall based on the beautiful building and friendly staff; I have been to a wedding there but it was over 4 years ago and as it is council owned, we weren't sure about the quality of the food.

Winter Warmers: All images from BBC Good Food
Shepherds Pie, Roast Beef, Stew,
 Bread & Butter pudding, Welsh Rarebit and Apple Pie.

All of our concerns were hogwash! Nigel the Chef is amazing!
We tried 3 soups & 2 pate for starters, 2 mains (one came in both Goats & 'normal' cheese options) and 3 puddings. Everything we tried was amazing. not only delicious but well presented and we really felt that they had gone out of their way for us.
We had asked to try a 3rd main, but due to a mix up we weren't able to, however we were told where we could source the main item and my mum then purchased and sent us the item for us to cook up and test at home a couple of days later.

We really would have been happy to have any of the options we tried, however after talking through everything we tasted, our desire for a classic meal and also wanting our guests to have essentially the same meal while offering variation for those with dietary needs, we came to a conclusion and have now emailed to conform/order our wedding breakfast.

I can reveal that the starter will be soup and I will share the other details after the day.

TTFN ~ Kate xxx

Save the Date

As invites are soon to go out, I thought I would share my Save-the-Dates with you.
I sent these to immediate family and very close friends.

They are slightly smaller that 3rd A4, printed on 300msg Contour white laid card and were sent in a DL envelope.

The fonts were chosen and downloaded to reflect a slight Shakespearean theme (the title font is called 'Hamlet or Not'), the fonts and use of a little purple has been replicated on my invites.

TTFN ~ Kate xx

4 Somethings

Most English/British Brides know the rhyme:
'Something Old, Something New,
Something Borrow, Something Blue
And a sixpence in my shoe'

Being a traditionalist at heart, I really wanted to make sure I met the 'somethings' criteria, and I wanted to do it so I had an item (or items) to cover each point. The Knot suggests these are tokens given at the last minute by close female relatives, however most Brides I know have pre-planned the items.

Something Borrowed
I know the logical thing would be to cover this in order, but my something borrowed is my most important item and I want to explain why it is borrowed and not old.

My parents on their wedding day

Meaning: by carrying/wearing something borrowed from a happily married woman you are hoping that their good fortune and long lasting, happy marriage will be carried into your future.

I cannot find the link, but I read somewhere that a good item to borrow is a veil, as this was the item to keep evil spirits from the bride.
 I really liked this idea so set about asking the women i am close to about their veils. Getting married within 4 years of each other my Mum, future MiL and Auntie all had some sort of late 70s/80s Juliet cap - while this look is going through a revival, it does not fit with the simple, classic feel I'm aiming for.
I am still considering a veil and to read more thoughts on this,                                                        please see my previous post.

Silver coin purse

Instead I have selected to carry a silver coin purse. I have no idea how old this coin purse is, but I do know it has been carried by my Great Grandma, my Grandma, Mum, Auntie and sister at their weddings. All have happy marriages that are an example to me of what it takes to make a relationship work and all are important women to me. My Ma & Pops have been together 58 years, some of that good fortune would be welcome in our future!



Something Old

Meaning: By Carrying something old a Bride is carrying continuity to the past and the family she is 'leaving'

I have a sting of Baby Pearls, they are a short necklace of small beads that I was given on my 1st Birthday from my Mum & Dad, they had previously been my Mum's and were given to her on her 1st Birthday also.
They date from the late 50s/early 60s and are the oldest piece of jewellery I own.
I can't wear them as they are too short for a necklace and too long for a bracelet, but I am looking at options for how I can incorporate them into my day.

Something New

Meaning: Looking forward with optimism for the future

Brides today will wear many new things on their wedding day and I have been mulling over what i should count as this item. My shoes will have been broken in. My dress will only be worn on the day, and I want my 'something' to be something I wear/use during our marriage. My Jellewery was a 21st present (see up-coming post on Dotty Vintage Weddings).
However I have been told that someone will be getting me earring to match my pearls, I don't know when I will get these (there's still Christmas and my Birthday before the wedding), but if I don't wear them until the day, they will be brand new and something I will use for years to come

Blue bead as
part of hair piece

Something Blue

Meaning: Blue in British tradition represents love, fidelity and purity. Other colours carry the same meaning around the world, tho I do wonder if this was put in place so it rhymed.

I have chosen to make some items for my hair and incorporated into one of these are 2 blue Swarovski crystals.

TTFN ~ Kate xx

Tasty Treat: Rocky Road Recipe

Rocky Road

Recently I wrote about my cake and sweetie table for another site I guest blog for. In that post I forgot to mention that I am hoping to make some of the sweet treats for the buffet. And today I thought I would share one of the recipes I hope to use.

With the wedding in January I thought I would try and add a warming twist on the chocolaty favourite Rocky Roads, I did this by adding the spice of ginger biscuits in place of boring digestives.


Rocky Road is a really simple thing to make and tastes amazing, and if you don't like one element, you could always swap it with something else, or just leave it out.

Cross section of Rocky Road

Ingredients 
(approximates)

12 ginger nut biscuits
1 small bag of mini marshmallows
1 bag share size Malteasers
1/2 bag sultanas
3/4 tub glace cherries
2 blocks milk chocolate cake topping

Everything looks better on a
 pretty stand

Break biscuits into small pieces (about 5mm x 5mm) and slice cherries into 6 or 8 pieces.

Add to a large mixing bowl with marshmallows, Maltesers and sultanas.
Mix together

Get a rectangle or square baking tray out and leave near where you are working.
(I find silicone is the best type of baking tray for this)

Melt chocolate; either for 1min30 or 2 mins in microwave or in a glass bowl over gently simmering water, until all the squares have melted. Instantly pour the chocolate on to the dry ingredients and stir.
Once everything has been thoroughly coated, put mixture into baking tray and press it down to ensure its tightly packed. Leave to cool to room temperature, then place in fridge.

Leave for at least 2 hours and the turn out and slice with a large,                                                    sharp knife (it might help to run knife under a hot tap.

Make a cup of tea and ENJOY!!!

TTFN ~ Kate xx

Invites: On My Marks

I have had this post drafted for a while now, and have wondered whether it would give too much away for my guests, but as they will be recieving their invites soon, I thought I'd share some of my basic ideas.

A selection of the invites we have received in the last couple of years

We are about 4 months until our wedding and I have spent the last few weeks going cross-eyed as I cut the different elements so I can soon start assembling our invitations.
For each package there are 4 sheets that form the invites and additional info, 3 parts to the RSVP and 2 decorative parts, times that by 75 and its a lot of cutting!

The invitations has been one thing that has been a true compromise between BH and I, as we have rather different tastes:
He would have something very simple, elegant and traditional, he doesn't like calligraphy looking fonts and he wouldn't bother with additional info, rather send an email. Where as I want the invite to be very hands on with lots of detail and handmade design and I LOVE calligraphy looking text.
So coming up with the final design took a few redrafts. A few months ago I shared with you the fonts, colour and paper we had chosen.

We now have a final design:
We have chosen a pocket fold case; the center, flat part will hold the invite to the service.; simple black text on pearlescent card secured with photo corners so it can be removed and put on a shelf/mantelpiece.
The pocket will hold the reception invite, directions and an additional info sheet: providing local hotels, information about photography, confetti, dress code, gifts and full contact details for my mum.

Clockwise from Top left: Portrait Grey and yellow, Landscape Baby Blue, Brown with ribbon tie,
Grey with blue & yellow details, Square Pale Blue & Turquoise with titled inserts, Yellow invite with red leaf details,
A5 Christmas themed invite with tartan and ribbon detail, Fir cone detail with a woody brown detail,
Green with Paisley design and Red 3 section, duel language pocketfold invitation

To create the decorative/crafty element, and to satisfy my 'Bridezilla' tendency that the invite has to reflect us and have something handmade, we have decided to add a 'bellyband' around the folded card. This also allows me the opportunity to add some rustic texture to an otherwise formal item.

Clockwise from top left: 'M 'monogram floral fabric and ribbon, Yellow 'French Country' solid band with vintage framing,
Modern Grey with wedding date, Yellow bubbles with initials, Simple white and featuring couples story, Baby Blue Bow

As well as the bellyband I am adding a crafted touch with 2 stamped details.

As we know we have several friends and family with food allergies and also need to know if people would like space on a bus, we are including an addressed (but not stamped) RSVP card to make life easier for guests and our parents.

So here is my invite sneaky peak; these are the materials for our invitations:
2x custom cling stamps & acrylic bloc
Hessian fabric
Natural Charms grey stitch ribbon
Pocket fold in laid card
3 fold card in pearlescent card
Purple and petal paper
RSVP sticker
Matching card in laid and pearlescent for inserts


Once we sent all our invites i will provide a more detailed post with lots of photos of the final design.

TTFN ~ Kate xx

Flowers Finalised

Buttonhole, Hair wreath,
Bouquet, Table Wreath
Corsage on bag.

While I was at my parents for a few days, I finally managed to meet up with my friend Fay, who is a talented florist and who is kindly doing my flowers for the wedding.

What I love about having a friend do the flowers for you is that you can discuss the details over a cup of tea and a giggle.
Fay's known me for years, so as I sat there explaining the theme and the look I'm going for, she could follow me and begin to picture what I'm after.

I knew exactly what 'items' I would like her to create and, even though I am doing the church decoration, there was quite a list:

1x buttonhole for groom, using both flowers.
4x buttonholes for grooms family, Best man and Ushers, using one type of flower
4x buttonholes for my family and friend, using the other flower
4x girlie buttonholes for 'team Bride'
3x corsages for Mums and BH sister
2x hair pieces for bridesmaids
2x flowers to carry for bridesmaids
1x bouquet for me
12x table centers
decoration for around cake
20+x sprigs for the choir
and possibly 4 small vases for around reception

The thing I love about Fay is that she has known me for years, so she very quickly caught my vision for the look of the day of a magical/fairy tale woodland. I was also able to show her the plant my Grandma's been growing for use at the wedding and tell her exactly what flowers I would like - thankfully she agreed that it would all work well together and would be in keeping with the 'theme'

TTFN ~ Kate xx