The Intimate Wedding

We are Event & Wedding Planners covering Sussex area, Based near Brighton.

A lot of couples are struggling with the who to invite decisions, with increasing pressure from family members, i.e parents on who they should invite, if you are inviting Aunt Pat then you must invite her grown up kids & their partners and their kids adding 30 more people to the guest list at at least £50PH ..

If you and your intended are not quite strong enough to point out its your wedding day & not your parents then you either remortgage to pay for the wedding or you make some firm decisions.

Why not opt for the low key wedding day, The intimate wedding.
In Sussex we are lucky to have lots of lovely venues that can accommodate such wedding ceremonies.

Our August 2015 Bride & Groom Kelly & Eddie opted for such a Wedding.

This is also a real budget saver, why not spend a good amount on really close family & friends and having a perfect day. So with their children and both sets of parents, one Grandma and 2 friends (The wedding planners) for witnesses Kelly & Eddie had a beautiful ceremony at The Old Tollgate, Upper Beeding, West Sussex. This venue is licensed.

We sat in the room which was nicely decorated with chairs either side & Kelly was walked in with her Popsey, looking stunning in a beautiful full wedding dress, hair & makeup had been applied by a make up friend at home. Kelly had even been surprised by a luxury Limo to collect her & Popsey.

Eddie & Kelly made their vows in front of the 10 guests, did it feel empty & sad? No way, it felt beautiful & real, As a wedding planner we normally await outside or near the exit guiding buses etc, but to be there with the very close family was a true privilege.

 

Its a very nerve racking experience The Wedding Day, so to do this without a huge audience can help you enjoy the whole  experience.

 

Just because its a small wedding does not mean traditions cannot be kept.

After The ceremony, we chatted & drank 

Then we had a gorgeous 3 course meal (carvery) in a private room, where we could be loud and laugh and joke. 

It was also great as the children did`nt need to stay seated as it was just us.

Kelly & Eddie were able to speak to all their guests too, and looked so much more relaxed without 150 people watching them eat.

 I would thoroughly recommend an intimate wedding, it saves arguments of who you have or have not invited and saves thousands of pounds.

Our gorgeous couple opted to have a wedding party 2 days later on the saturday night, which also is a good solution to those relatives who want to see you in your wedding attire.

The party was in a local hall, which is really nice inside The Barn, Southwick. Starting from late afternoon Kelly & Eddie and the wedding party re wore the lovely wedding attire, They were very relaxed too.

With a buffet and photo booth, speeches and a wedding cake this was the wedding day party,  This also would be good to have if you married abroad

Another wedding we had the bride and groom sent invites out on their wedding day saying the got married join us (2weeks later date ) to celebrate.

Not everyone wants to get married in front of lots of people, or invite the whole family.

or spend so much money you don't really have.

So make sure you have the wedding you both want, not what everyone else wants

Wedding Planners are not just for huge weddings

Save the Groom

I first married in 1996, yes I was young and stupid, But it was a big wedding and the groomsmen wore grey tails and top hats, with burgandy waitcoats and cravettes, This style (not actual image )

Twenty Years later not much has moved on with suits, its not that they have come back in fashion, its just they havent gone out of fashion.

 

We have the morning suit look is still a traditional formal wedding attire.Its very ascot or the day at the races.

 I just think more effort and imagination could be used, not this though

Ewww

But maybe a bit james bond like with a gorgeous Tux.

Very suave

Navy has been big the last season or so, 

 

John Maher here in 2013 rockin the look with a blue velvet jacket & dickie bow

I love this & would look fab on a groom

 

Marc Wallace London

This suit is certainly not boring and its a favourite

It says I am the groom and its just as much my day as its is the brides...

A groom should shine his personality its a very special day

Great wedding attire

Groomsmen can still look formal 

There is even a Navy take on the formal morning suit if you want to keep tradition but add a bit of spice, Waistcotas and Cravettes

 

A 3 piece Harris Tweed suit, very country gent

So Please grooms, do not just pop in the local suit shop 2 months before the wedding and make do, Let your personality shine through, Its your special day too.

 

And I am not rubbishing Grey suits, just bring them up to date.

Websites sourced images from:

 https://www.marcwallace.com/

www.weddingdresspreston.co.uk

 http://www.dinner-suit.co.uk

 khianastillpretty.blogspot.com

 www.weddingandweddingflowers.co.uk

Christmas Entertaining at home

Christmas time blog




Christmas time is a great time to get together with families or friends, but how to add some excitement without breaking the bank, or spending the day cooking?


We have compiled some easy options, some exciting recipes.








Mulled wine is great at Christmas, especially warmed up, check here for a fab recipe http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8143/mulled-wine-cocktail or why not grab a readymade bottle at your local supermarket, co op have bottles for only £3, you could even just pour this into a saucepan and simmer on the hob, no one will ever know.




The Classic Snowball.


Buy a bottle of Advacaat or similar brand, Add 1 1/2 OZ Advocaat, top up with lemonade, on ice cubes,

Add a drop of lime juice, For decoration why not add some whipped cream and cinnamon stick.


An exciting Christmas Cocktail to impress your guests is The Christmas Cookie Cocktail.

Perfect for after dessert, use an equal measure of Baileys, Kahlua (or Tia Maria) and Peppermint Schnapps, add these ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice, then strain and serve in a chilled martini glass









How about an exciting non alcohol drink, A Mulled apple juice, serve warm to war up the guests, http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/13370/mulled-apple-juice










A hot buffet is perfect for guests to pick at, but how not to spend a fortune, add part baked oven rolls, they are cheap but also very effect, have plenty of these with cold meat as fillings & pickles.

Rolls are filling & cheap too.



The Classic jacket potatoes', cheap but filling,







These are hearty and warming, they are perfect for serving a lot of family & friends

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1046653/brisket-and-cheese-stuffed-jumbo-potatoes-recipe



Love these easy winter canapés






 



These are an old favourite but easy to make & add a bit special to the party.




 
Mix together crème fraiche, horseradish, Tabasco and juice. Spoon a little on each blini, top with salmon and garnish with cress.




Dessert, easy to serve and keep portion control & comes across a bit quirky, serve your guests dessert in a glass.
Desserts are always fab served in glasses, a bit posh hotel, this recipe can be made to suit.

http://thecozyapron.com/cozy-cameo-rich-dark-and-handsome/



















Why not make these with the children, edible snowballs, easy to make & yummy too, there are a few easy variations of the recipes.


Some easy desserts get the kids to help and make these up


http://allrecipes.com/recipe/snowballs-i/





Have a very Merry Christmas, Make life easy for your self.

Last tip, buy some lovely looking mince pies, take out from silver foil wraps and place in the oven to warm, lightly dust with some icing sugar & serve on a cake stand, scoop some shop bought brandy butter into a pretty sugar bowl... oh you the domestic goddess.



Save time, money & stress this Christmas





FunkyLush Events offer a bar staff, waitress hire service perfect for those bigger house parties, see previous blog



www.funkylushevents.co.uk

Brighton Charity Ball 2014

Our friend Michelle De la Motte Rice very sadly lost her young daughter Lola, aged 2 years 8 months, in 2006 to a Brain Tumour. Michelle owns a wonderful business called Gifts for Angels which makes and sells beautiful graveside ornaments & vases in bright funky colours. We collaborated on an idea for a money raising event, a fantastic beautiful ball, we named it The Brighton Charity Ball. We sourced the beautiful Clarence Suite with adjoining Lancaster Suite at the The Brighton Hilton, as our venue, a truly magnificent room with chandeliers hanging from a high arched ceiling, which in a former life was a Catholic Church & then a Casino.

Various companies were approached for sponsorship, the idea being that these funds would pay for everything we needed for the evening, from ticket printing to entertainment, friends & family also provided sponsorship funds.

Profile Model Management of London became our main sponsor (Michelle had been an employee at Profile) and McRoreys Removals of Scotland also made a substantial contribution towards the sponsorship funds.

We sold tickets with a margin made on each ticket, being the difference between the charge made by The Brighton Hilton for the meal and the selling price to guests. FunkyLush Events provided their services free of charge & Michelle did not get paid either. We worked hard at promoting the event and managed to sell a staggering 143 tickets The menu was chosen carefully and we cajoled & hassled people for raffle prizes, and were lucky enough to get  some incredible prizes, including a Ski holiday, Fresh water pearls, £200 Marks & Spencer Voucher, an Ice Bar London Voucher and Lily Allen Tickets to name but a few.

Goody bags were sourced for each table, donated by Brighton's Toni & Guy Hairdressers. Various local companies paid into the sponsorship fund to have their flyers in the goody bags which also included items such as Brighton Rock & beautiful candles, high end magazines & other promotional gifts.  

FunkyLush Events designed and decorated the room which looked absolutely stunning. We also organised all the place names and table layouts taking care that everyone was sat in a place that would appeal to them.  

By the time we had finished The Clarence Suite looked amazing, The DJ had set up & the bands equipment was on the stage, and we hired the lovely ostrich feathers & lit up vases from Dazzling Décor which gave the room a real WOW factor!

The night started with guests being greeted by 2 showgirls, they looked amazing in their feathers.

We had the lovely Michelle Bowdidge from Brain Tumour research at the entrance table with my neice Jema. The photographers Blue Dawg Photography snapped the guests looking splendid in their finery. A welcome drink was served to each guest on arrival.

We mingled in the Lancaster suite, where guests were able to view our fantastic auction table, check the classically designed seating plan and for a small donation, use the photo booth, provided by www.photochambers.co.uk . All the money taken throughout the evening from the photo booth was given to Brain tumour Research.

 

Guests were seated for 8pm when Michelle De la Motte Rice gave an introduction speech, followed by a speech by Michelle Bowdidge of Brain Tumour Research. Michelle explained where the money raised would be going. Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in the young - and yet very much under funded.

 

A delightful three course meal was served by the Hilton staff, Sussex tartlet for the starter followed by topside of beef for main with mustard mash & leeks, and completed by a delightful dessert Brighton Mess desert, pink cream , meringue & red berries all served with plenty of wine on the table. Coffee & tea finished off the meal.

 

 

Brighton's very own Matthew Vankan sang tunes from Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole amongst others, and soon had guests on the dance floor. 

 

 

The Showgirls sold many raffle tickets & we raised an impressive £1985 on the raffle.

Brighton Soul Revue played some funky soul tunes & everyone enjoyed dancing to their live music.

We had an auction table located by the bar with lists of bids, these bids on only 4 lots went crazy and we took a total of £820, and much appreciate the donors of the items which included a preen designer dress.

 

At 11pm we called the raffle, the donated prizes were all fantastic.

 

Then we partied with tunes from DJ Marc James until the small hours.

 

We cannot thank everyone enough with a total just toppled over £6000 all for

Brain Tumour Research

 

Please take time to read information about Brain Tumour Research & the great work they do.

 

You can also donate via Just Giving

 

For more information on Event Management  please view our website, and if would you like an event like similar to this, perhaps a corporate event, please contact  www.vivacious-events.co.uk

 

For more information on Gifts for Angels please visit www.giftsforangels.co.uk

 

 

 October 2014 copyright of funkylush events & weddings

 

 

Welcome drinks for events or weddings by FunkyLush Events & Weddings

The traditional welcome drink of cava, champagne or bucks fizz is traditional & guests often expect it, But maybe it is not fitting to your event or wedding.

Add Strawberry or raspberry puree to champagne to make a Kir Royale, attach a strawberry & already we have something a little different. still oozing class.

 

 

 

 Mini wine bottles with straws are perfect for those wanting to add a touch of fun whilst still keeping with tradition.. great for hen parties.

It doesn't always have to be alcohol, Love these test tube style slush puppies, actually add some vodka in that & great for grown ups. colourful too.

Having a summer wedding or event outside then a refreshing Mojito with fresh mint will welcome your guests in style.

                  Pimms is a popular summer welcome drink, with chunks of fresh fruit too.

 

Love this help your self ready made cocktail idea, made in little jars and awaiting guests in an ice bucket, quirky & exciting.

 

 

 

Add some glamour to your event or wedding by serving the cocktails early.. Martini.. shaken not stirred

A non alcoholic cocktail, mango juice with crushed ice & a drop of pinapple juice, very fruity

Winter warmers are fun too, Hot chocolate in glass cups or Hot Apple Butter Rum. that will warm the guests up at your winter wedding or event..

 

 

This blog was prepared by FunkyLush events & weddings,

www.funkylushweddings.co.uk

 

contact us for a no obligation quote,  we just love thinking differently.

 



Country Garden English Wedding

A summertime English country garden wedding, requires flowers, lots of pretty flowers, pastel colours, bunting & tea cups

 

White cotton & lace, hair down and hand tied flowers.

 

                                 Cakes with strawberries and fresh cream, not too formal.
                                         Rose petals for guests to use as confetti,

                     Marquee or garden venue, village hall, with lots of flowers in jam jars,

 

Tea cups and saucers as place settings too,

 

twee and English, roses or peonies.

 

If you would like us to help style your wedding or event contact us on www.funkylushweddings.co.uk