Venue Focus - High House Barns, Essex

Last month I had the pleasure of taking a look around Highhouse Barns. I met with the lovely Victoria, from Pink Butterfly Weddings for a tour and a chat about this new and exciting venue.
Located not too far from the QE11 bridge in Purfleet the barns have been renovated to accomodate wedding receptions, parties and they are licensed for civil cermeonies. There is a lovely walled garden for photos and the fact that you can have the QE11 bridge in the background in certain shots give the venue a trendy, urban feel, although inside its a lovely barn.
You can bring in all of your own suppliers, although when it comes to catering Victoria has recommended caterers who know the venue, but other than that you have a blank canvas.
For live music, at Essex wedding band One Foot in the Groove we love a barn as the acoustics lend themselves very well to live music. The wood gives a nice warm rounded sound. If you are looking for something slightly different then Highhouse Barn is definately worth a look.

Review of the Year 2012

2012 was a big year for me as it was the first year of trading as EC Wedding Design. I helped plan two big weddings, assited a colleague with one of hers and planned the music for numerous weddings throughout the year, with my wedding band in London, One Foot in the Groove

As the Summer ended I decided that I really needed to take the business to the next level and I felt that my original website wasn't really saying anything about the sort of weddings that I helped to plan and didn't appeal to the brides I felt I should be helping. As the year comes to a close I have just launched my rebranded site ready for 2013, Louise Perry Weddings. With some beautiful images of last years weddings

www.louiseperryweddings.com

As I look back at what my little company achieved I am very proud of the work we have done and the lovely couples I was able to work with on their big days. I look forwward to building the business and working some more fabulous clients in 2013. Happy New year x

Renewal of vows and 40th birthday

Lighting/Live wedding band at The Dorcester

A Summer Marquee wedding in Essex

My favourite image of 2012

My new website

Hello everyone, I'm very excited to tell you about my rebranded website. I felt that to really take the business forward I wanted to trade under my own name, afterall I am the one who does the planning and works closely with my couples and clients to plan their wedding or party in Essex.
I have worked in the wedding industry for almost 10 years and I have built up lots of fabulous contacts and suppliers covering all budgets. I also wanted to get over the myth that a wedding planner is:

1. Expensive
2. not for everyone
3. a luxury

I don't really like to offer packages as I don't think you are a package. Each bride I work with is an individual and each one has diferent requirements. After our initial, no obligation consultation I am then able to get to know you and you know me and together decide if we want to work together, because that's what its all about, working together to plan the wedding of your dreams.

By working this way I believe that a wedding planner becomes accesible to more brides as the cost is based on the help you need. You may only need a little help with certain elements of your day or you may want someone to get you going with you planning or help you find certain suppliers. Its all about you and what you need.

Every bride needs a bit of help planning her day and sometimes by having a 'neutral' on your side it can help. My opinions will always be objective and not swayed by any emotions, which when you ask family members or friends they can be.

Have a look at the new site and do get in touch for a consultation, its FREE and you are under no obligation. What have you got to loose.

A marquee wedding in Essex

celebrate with flowers

Blake Hall

Jade's flowers

wedding planner London, Essex, Herts and Suffolk

WInter Weddings

Its is unavoidable but its getting colder and time to wrap up warm and think about open fires, hot toddies and if you are planning a winter wedding there are some gorgeous ideas around for your big day. Ideas for cakes, table decorations and styling ideas

Silver and white cake

More table ideas

Candle centre pieces with snowflakes

Christmas bauble place names

A fabulous ice sculpture

Will you have music during your drinks reception?

I love the drinks reception, and that has nothing to do with the champagne! The ceremony is over, your guests are mingling and chatting and you are having your photographs taken. What about some musical entertainment for your guests? Again there are lots of options as to what you can do and something for every budget. From a solo saxophone up to a jazz quintet. Perhaps you would prefer something more classical then you can't go wrong with a string trio or quartet, and most of them play so much more than classical music.
I always say to my couples think about the syle of your wedding and take into account the time of year, the venue and of course your musical preferences.
A Summer wedding suits a jazz trio outsdide on a terrace in the sunshine, something lively and a string quartet is lovely for a Winter wedding playing near a log fire. Vocals can be nice during drinks, but I'm not so keen on them during dinner and I think they can be obtrusive. Acoustic guitar and vocals is one of my favourite options as its very contemporary, for the mosern couple. You could go for a tribute act, especially if you have a favourite performer; Elvis, Madonna or Michael Buble. Give some thought to your budget. A quartet will cost more than a solo performer. Ask if they can perform at your civil ceremony as well. They might even offer this free of charge.