Margot's Wedding Issue 16 by Helen Ruff

Issue 16

w w w. m a rgo t s w e d d ing. c o . u k

In this issue Inspire 6

The Big Red Box

10 8 Ideas to Inspire – Weddings at The Boat Shed 18

Catch a Fire Pizza

22 Q&A With Lauren Hunt of Paper Bear Lane 28 How Interior Trends are Influencing Weddings 34

Mother of...

Cover Photographer | Epic Love Story Photography Design | RAD Creative | www.radcreative.co.uk Published | In Southsea by Margot’s Wedding Ltd

Ellie & Jonathan

From the editor

Styled Shoots 30

The Notebook

Teddy Pig Photography

Real Weddings

Hi! Thanks for dropping by… make yourself a cuppa, grab a blanket, pop some digestives on a plate and settle into this issue. Or heck, pour yourself a glass of vino and settle into it with a bowl of Bombay Mix. When I wrote my last editor’s note, mid-August, I was dashing off to France for my best friend’s wedding and oh my goodness, what a celebration it was! You can read all about the oyster shucking/guitar playing/poem reading/pool partying shenanigans on the blog. The whole wedding was perfectly thought through, wonderfully relaxed, silly and fun. Lou was so chilled she got legless (with me of course) the night before the wedding day. Who does that?! Anyway, a few Bloody Mary’s and some cucumber on her eyes and she was back in the game.

Since our last issue I’ve been busy with all things Boat Shed. The venue (within Wicor Marine in Portchester) has changed so much over the last few months. There’s plenty to do before our launch wedding fair (Sunday 8th March) but I’m already conducting viewings. I’ve absolutely loved meeting couples and hearing their ideas. See pages 10-11 for some great ideas, if you’re considering a relaxed Boat Shed wedding (some of my own, some inspired by couples I’ve met recently!). Following the nautical theme, the Notebook styled shoot on pages 12-15 is arty and elegant. Doesn’t the airy interior of Gins Barn, with its muted colour palate and faded grandeur, look super inviting?

On pages 30-31 Katie Sutton, AKA The Vintage House that Could, discusses how interior trends feed through into the wedding industry. This piece got me rather excited, especially as I’m moving house in the new year and am pinning interior ideas like crazy. Katie’s Insta feed is quite simply a faded floral dream. Enjoy! And as always, I love to receive feedback...

Helen Helen Ruff | Editor helen@margotswedding.co.uk | 07795 076 553 www.margotswedding.co.uk @margotswedding margotswedding

Mark Bothwell

The Big Red Box Audio Guest Book 6

The Big Red Box is the world’s only audio guest book. Housed in a beautifully handcrafted, life-sized replica of the iconic British red telephone box, it’s fun, interactive and uses state-of-the-art technology to capture the essence of an event. Founder and Chief Inventor Rebecca Uttley has produced events for over 20 years. She’s worked as a PA to the rich and famous, as a Wedding Planner, Art Director for Secret Cinema and she once owned an antiques shop. Over to Rebecca to tell us more… The idea for an audio guest book came about whilst planning a wedding for a celebrity client who didn’t want guests to take photos. I had to think about a way to capture the spirit of the wedding in the same way a photograph captures a moment. I talked to my married friends and dived into message boards on wedding planning websites. The same thing kept coming up... people didn’t have enough time to talk to their guests. Everyone wanted to relive their day and wished they could have spent more time with their loved ones. The idea literally came to me in the shower and by the end of the day I’d bought the replica telephone box, registered the domain name and spoken to my friend who has since developed the code for the technology. At wedding shows people always ask “Is it a photo booth?”. I’ll never put a camera inside. It would then be about the person standing in the box, not the happy couple on the end of the phone.

@thebigredbox.co

A personal, pre-recorded greeting message is played to guests when they pick up the telephone. The Big Red Box then collects their voicemails expressing congratulations, sharing love and reminiscing. The things people say and stories they tell are beautiful...and after 10pm, pretty hilarious! There is always more than one person in there and there is always singing. After the wedding, you receive a little red box which contains all the voicemail messages on a super-cute 3D printed telephone handset USB stick. After my first wedding my client said that aside from her dress and their vows it was the most talked about thing at the wedding!

www.thebig

redbox.co

suppliers of luxury wedding and event props for hire flower walls 5ft and 4ft light up letters 4ft light up numbers sweet towers package discounts available covering the areas of hampshire, surrey west sussex & dorset t: 02380 371936 f: @sparklingeventshampshire i: @sparklingeventshampshire

w: www.sparklingeventshampshire.co.uk

e: info@sparklingeventshampshire.co.uk

8 IDEAS TO INSPIRE WEDDINGS AT THE BOAT SHED Margot’s Wedding are managing weddings at brand new Hampshire wedding venue, The Boat Shed @ Salt. With works due for completion after Christmas, and a launch wedding fair to look forward to on 8th March, we thought we’d update you as to the goings on…

Pie & Mash

A couple who recently viewed for an October wedding wanted pie and mash from, local independent record store/pie restaurant, Pie and Vinyl. We thought that was an ace idea for cosy autumn vibes. They even do cana-pies (see what they did there?) as mini morsels to accompany reception drinks. We love the idea of getting cosy in The Boat Shed for an autumn wedding. Sheepskins on benches and apple crumble for pud. Might need to hire some heaters though!

Ceremony backdrop 10

This photo is from the Notebook-themed shoot (on pages 12-15) This can certainly be achieved at The Boat Shed! We can lend you some oars and your florist can work their magic. We’re pretty sure local florist Lula from Smell the Roses would love to take on this challenge! You can meet Lula at our wedding fair on 8th March. www.smelltherosesuk.com

Steel Band

Don’t you think this offers the perfect Caribbean soundtrack to a summer soiree by the water? www.warble-entertainment.com

Sharing platters

Rustic and uber-relaxed dining seems to be the order of the day for couples viewing The Boat Shed. I love the idea of hog roast or BBQ sharing platters (with all the trimmings of course) served to the tables. This gives a relaxed feel but with a formal element. You can still have your place settings, table plan and speeches… and no one has to queue at the buffet! Meet Norman from Grate Catering and Events at the wedding fair on 8th March. www.gratecateringevents.co.uk

Ann Aveyard

www.pieandvinyl.co.uk

Ice Cream

In keeping with the relaxed, nautical theme. Let your guests explore the boat yard and the shoreline as they enjoy their dessert. We like Pop Ice and their converted Renault Estafette, Poppy. You can meet them and chat all things ice cream, poptails, shakes and cakes at our wedding fair on 8th March. #poptailsandcreams

Featured Venue

www.popice.co.uk

‘Boat Yard’ range by Paper Bear Lane

Hands up who loves our beautiful bespoke site map illustrated by Lauren from Paper Bear Lane? We certainly do, so much so we’ve asked Lauren to come up with a bespoke boat yard range just for us. Her intricate and playful illustrations will tie a Boat Shed wedding together nicely, not only on invitations but on table plans, and thank you cards too. See feature on page 22 to find out more about Lauren. www.paperbearlane.com

In-house bar

We’re proud to be partnering with Effervescence Refreshments to offer an inhouse bar for weddings at the Boat Shed. We love that the beautifully converted 1977 Peugeot J van can drive right into our industrial space. The bar is fully-stocked and Kieran will accommodate requests for specific beer/cocktails where possible. We can’t wait to see it in situ! Come to the launch wedding fair on 8th March and have a glass of fizz on us.

The onsite bridal suite, The Cabin, offers the perfect space for bridal prep, quiet time for children (and tired grownups!) and a marvellous place to wake up as husband and wife. A two-night wedding package includes Champagne and chocolates. We’ll even book you a table at onsite Salt Café for breakfast…

What do you think? Does it float your boat? Contact helen@margotswedding.co.uk to request the sales brochure and arrange a viewing. www.margotswedding.co.uk/the-boat-shed

Sam Pharoah

The Cabin

Tidy Wild Ellie and Jonathan’s wedding theme focused around wild flowers, brown paper, wood and greenery. They wanted as many people to celebrate with them as possible and Firle Place offered the rustic yet formal feel they were looking for.

s SO easy to get on with,

“Our photographer Ally wa

it was like I had known her

for years!”

Freya & Matt

“We ordered heaps of cut flowers and arranged them at the venue ourselves, which saved money… the bouquets and button holes were all professionally arranged though!”

“I think its really important you feel

like ‘you’ going down the aisle. In

. I took the floor length lace jacket

I went for a Grace Kelly type look

evening so it was like having two

the end

off for the

dresses!”

14 “Our vicar chose to say ‘you may now

kiss the groom’ which I thought

was brilliant and tied in nicely with

the fact that both I and the

Maid of Honour did speeches too.”

Real Wedding

“For inspiration, aside from Pinterest, I really enjoyed looking at photographer’s blogs for ideas, and also venue’s Instagram pages.”

“I walked down the aisle to Jonathan’s friend playing ‘All of Me’ by

John Legend on

the piano. Our first dance was ‘Lost Stars’ from the film Begin Again.”

“We had caramel wafers as our favours for everyone - something my Grandad always used to have in the tin when we went to visit.”

CATCH A FIRE PIZZA fir www.catcha

epizza.co.

Portsmouth-based Catch A Fire Pizza craft traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas using the best locally sourced ingredients. Pizzas are cooked street-food style in their mobile wood-fired oven. Owner Darren Patterson will work with you to produce a bespoke menu for your guests, you can choose your favourite toppings and why not give the pizzas personal names to go with your theme? Quite the talking point! If rustic and relaxed catering is the order of the day, speak to Darren about his menu options. He doesn’t just offer pizza! He also offers canapes, pie & mash, BBQs, hog roasts, pig pan paella, buffets and desserts… why not go for canapes followed by

BBQ sharing platters, dessert (think rich chocolate brownies or lemon cheesecake) and then wood-fired pizza in the evening? Catch A Fire have got all your catering needs covered. Darren is very passionate about food, provenance and high welfare meat. He works with the best local suppliers to source his produce.

Weddings @ The Boat Shed Darren is based locally to The Boat Shed in Portchester (see feature on page 8 & 9) and he’s been cooking there regularly, long before Margot’s Wedding set their sights on the venue! His open, relaxed set up works perfectly for pizza nights in the summer – diners enjoy their pizzas with a glass of wine as they watch the sunset over the harbour. Magical.

Featured Caterer

www.catchafirepizza.co.uk

Q&A WITH LAUREN HUNT Illu stra tor and foun der of Pape r Bear Lane

WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND/QUALIFICATIONS? I.E. HOW DID YOU GET INTO ILLUSTRATION?! HAVE YOU BEEN DRAWING SINCE YOU WERE YOUNG? Oh it’s been a long old road to get here. And yet, when I look back on things, it’s honestly as if it’s all been meant to be. I guess you could say it started when I was around five at Rainbows and won a stocking full of chocolate goodies for drawing the best Christmas tree. I didn’t slow down there though and the accolades just started rolling in when I secretly submitted a drawing into Blue Peter and earned myself a coveted Blue Peter Badge! Jesting aside, I loved art and design at school/college but was plagued with self-doubt. After taking some mis-guided advice from a mean lecturer when the self-doubt was at its peak, I did a couple of years at university studying textiles and fashion before deciding enough was enough. I finally listened to my heart; quit that and started a degree in illustration. This little business of mine has been in the making (in various forms) ever since.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT CREATING ILLUSTRATIONS FOR WEDDING STATIONERY? The thing I love most is making people happy. The idea for PBL came after I illustrated some wedding stationery for my best friend and she loved it so much. It made my heart so happy to have made her so happy and I wanted other people to be able to experience that too. It’s not until earlier this year though that I had first-hand experience of what it felt like to receive something so special. When my partner and I got engaged our close friends gave us a gift; a beautiful illustration of the cabin in Lapland where H proposed to me. Let’s just say, we shed some tears together when we opened it because it honestly felt so magical and nostalgic and heartwarming. It was such an incredible feeling. We’ll cherish that gift forever. So now, I completely get it. That experience changed my perspective on what I do, because I can totally relate to how important my little illustrations are to the couples I work with. They are way more than pretty drawings for a special day, but small time capsules of all the emotions and all the memories.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE STYLE OF YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS AND DESIGN WORK? I guess it would be very easy to describe my style of illustration as quirky, whimsical, perhaps even a little Quentin Blake-esque (which is just the biggest compliment in my eyes - ♥ QB 4eva). But what I would hope people would say about them is that they are heartfelt, imperfect, nostalgic and beautifully flawed.

send them out! Overall the whole process for invitations takes roughly 6-9 weeks, but we also create matching stationery items and on the day details like table plans, confetti cones and bespoke favours which are often turned around a little bit quicker. If couples have questions about the process, the pricing or what products PBL can create, please do reach out and ask. I’m always so happy to hear from you and will do my best to help.

TALK US THROUGH THE DESIGN PROCESS FROM INITIAL CLIENT CONTACT TO COMPLETION. So, once a couple have got in touch and I’ve finished doing my little happy dance around the kitchen, we’ll arrange to meet up or have a Skype call to get to know each other and chat through ideas. Some couples come to me with loads of plans and clear ideas, but quite frequently couples come to me feeling a little overwhelmed with everything. They’ve booked the venue but have everything else to organise and so the pressure can mean their creativity is a bit stumped. Wherever a couple is at with their ideas, I’ll support them through the whole process to make sure that by the time their invites arrive, they are nothing but thrilled and excited to

I get a lot of energy and creativity from spending time with g, passionate, interestin wholesome people

I can totally relate to how important my little illustrations are to the couples I work with. They are way more than pretty drawings for a special day, but small time capsules of all the emotions and all the memories.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Nature and architecture is probably top of the list but I get a lot of energy and creativity from spending time with passionate, interesting, wholesome people. I find inspiration strikes at the most unexpected time but moments of boredom (long train journeys, advert breaks during Taskmaster, waiting for the hot water to return for a shower) are often absolute gems for creativity and ideas! I can’t promise they’re always good ideas but... they’re always in abundance! TELL US HOW YOU WORK BEST? I.E. DO YOU ILLUSTRATE WHILE LISTENING TO MUSIC? OUTSIDE? BY THE FIRE? WITH TEA AND BISCUITS?! All of the above! Most often you’ll find me illustrating with the telly on, a snoring puppy nearby and a good snack on hand. Absolute dream. TELL US ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING? Same as above? Watching the telly by the fire with biscuits nearby? I really love a good crime drama (have you seen Unbelievable on Netflix? It’s my most recent fave!) so it is likely that you’ll find me cuddled on the couch. But if not, I love a cosy weekend walk with the dog (seeing how happy she is running through tall grass is something of pure joy) followed by a scrummy roast at home. At the moment though, most

of my time is being spent in Homesense, and the like, stockingup on beautiful Christmas thingamabobs ready for the festive season! I’m planning on making my own crackers this year! YOU’VE ILLUSTRATED A COUPLE OF MAPS FOR US – ONE WE COMMISSIONED FOR PATRICK’S BARN’S BROCHURE AND ONE FOR THE BOAT SHED AT SALT – THEY’VE RECEIVED LOTS OF LOVE! WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED ABOUT THESE PROJECTS AND HOW HAVE THEY DIFFERED FROM YOUR USUAL COMMISSIONS? I have LOVED it. I’ve known for ages the value that illustration could add to small independent businesses, helping to tell their unique story and fully show off their personality and ethos but I hadn’t yet branched out because that pesky to-do list always said there was something more pressing to get on with. Then when I was approached to do the first map for the GORGEOUS Patrick’s Barn, I finally had the perfect excuse to dedicate some proper time to it. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but I have been blown away by the reaction towards each map I’ve produced; it’s been incredible! - so positive and so beneficial for each business. I really want to continue to work with local businesses in the future. It’s also super fun making new friends in the industry! www.paperbearlane.com

www.paperbearlane.com

Arabella Floral Beautiful flowers for weddings and events

www.arabellafloral.com

Daniel Thomas Photography

How Interior Trends are Influencing Weddings It makes complete sense to me! I love interiors and I love weddings so why should they be separated? We invest in pieces for our home that we want to look at every day, and the styling of your wedding day should give you the same feeling. It has always been a great starting point for me; I spend hours pinning interior inspiration, which I then filter through to my wedding designs.

The current trend for lots of floral patterns, clashing prints and chintz makes me very happy as I love using this style within my weddings. When couples start to see this type of vibe coming through in homewares it makes them realise the same can be done for their wedding too. Insta famous scenes, like Liberty London, have spurred the rise in couples wanting big blousy roses and high impact floral displaysâ&#x20AC;Ś and I am NOT complaining!!

Images by The Vintage House That Could

mo de rn tw is t Bo ho wi th a vi nt ag e

The boho feel is still strong but with a vintage modern twist. Paired with the ever-wonderful pampas grass and dyed dried flowers, it feels much more up to date. Some of the coolest interior shops, such as Rocket St George and Anthropologie, have such an eclectic range of pieces using terrazzo and leather accents. As a business I am always drawn to vintage and handmade items, so I love that the trend for mismatched and artisan is still strong.

sa n is st il l st ro ng Mi sm at ch ed an d Ar ti

I also love it when couples move away from standard white linen. We are more than happy to experiment at home with coloured table cloths and napkins, so why should your wedding by any different?

Faye Green Photography

ur bi g da y Fe el at ho me on yo

Letting your favourite interior pieces, or just what you love, influence your wedding style is a brilliant way to get your perfect wedding look. After all, if you’re happy to live with it, if it’s an extension of your personalities, then it’s going to create a wedding that suits you both. Feel at home on your big day! By Katie Sutton thevintagehousethatcould.co.uk

THE NOTEBOOK “With such an idyllic setting at Gins Barn, located on the Beaulieu River in the New Forest, I wanted to create a romantic ‘Notebook’ feel for the shoot, particularly as it was on the river’s edge. Although we didn’t have a rowing boat, we put our own twist on it by creating a ceremony arch out of oars across the pontoon.” – TASHA MAE, WEDDING COORDINATOR

STYLED SHOOT

Photography by Hana Venn

Mother of...

A lot of wedding traditions are lovely. The something old, something new adage feels like a glorious opportunity to offer the magic of talismans to the next generation. Similarly, someone close to the happy couple standing and saying a few words, thus allowing for a moment of reflection and calm, in a pretty manic schedule, is a tradition that should not be done away with.

What the wedding rules of the ‘Mother Of’s’ outfits are, however, is a decidedly grey area. Is there an ancient tome revered by the pagans that decrees the set circumference of a ‘Mother Of’s’ headwear? Do you even need to wear a hat? If your offspring has decided to get married in a church, then covering your shoulders is always best and a well-placed fascinator does show a healthy respect for a place of worship. That is, however, where the rules begin and end. The most important part of the day is that two people who love each other are celebrating with their nearest and dearest. Religious, nor social etiquette dictates that you enjoy that experience in a satin two piece and bolero.

eth ing new ada ge fee ls “T he som eth ing old , som ic uni ty to off er the mag lik e a glo rio us opp ort t gen era tio n.” of tal ism ans to the nex

Don’t get us wrong, if you have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity for a decent browse in Debenhams, follow your heart dear friend. If, however, the thought of a structured midi brings you out in a cold sweat, fear not, we are here to propose an alternative: PLAY TO YOUR LENGTH: The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. If you feel at your best in a mini skirt, or a sweeping floral maxi, or fitted trousers and a top, then follow your gut. There are few things worse than wishing you’d worn something else, particularly on important days. Try Monsoon for trouser suits and jewel bright maxi dresses. uk.monsoon.co.uk/uk/wedding/wedding-guest LEAVE TIME FOR EXPERIMENTING: If you always head for an A Line silhouette, adjusting to a bias cut is going to take some time. Like the idea of exploring new styles but don’t want to spend hours in department stores? Why not invest in ASOS’ £10 for a year’s next day delivery scheme. Trying something new in the comfort of your own home before the pressure sets in is the dream scenario, and returns? They’ve never been so easy! www.asos.com/women DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE COLOUR TRAP: You are not a bridesmaid and are not beholden to a colour scheme. Yes, pastels can be incredibly elegant and coordinating with the colour scheme is a lovely touch, but if you don’t find yourself turning to blush or sage on a regular shopping trip, don’t feel obliged to adopt them into your palette now! Bright colours can really zing up wedding portraits! For exciting patterns and bold colour contrasts check out Oasis! www.oasisstores.com/gb/clothing/shop-by-occasion/wedding-guest By Pip O’Neill