How To... Create a Unique Christmas Centrepiece

If you are looking an alternative to a Holly & Berries for your Christmas table centrepiece then look no further than today's DIY demonstration.  This quirky design has been created by the extremely talented Signature Flowers by Emma Newman and put together in this simple step-by-step video guide.

You will need:
A Pillar Candle
A Plate
Aluminium Wire
A Taper Candle
Gold Spray
Tillandisa Moss
Florists Glue
Craspedia Ball Flowers
Artificial Flowers (in the demonstration we used Phalaenopsis Orchids)
Pre-made Aluminium Balls

 

and here's how's it's done...

A Magical Day without The Drama - Just 5 Weeks Until the Next Show!

Guest Post by Gentle Visions Photography

The chance to shoot a wedding show at a theatre was not something I could turn down as it combines two areas of photography I'm passionate about weddings and performing arts.

I was also curious to have a good look around the new theatre and document the first wedding fair it has hosted in conjunction with Ice The Cake.

Sue, who had orchestrated the whole event asked me to turn up early in the morning - standard practice if you are setting up a stand to display your wares - but to capture photographs of the show - at the time I thought it a little odd, but I went along with it.

In the car I'm listening to the local radio show Mix 96 and they are talking up this great show - I'm on my way.  

It's a lovely morning so I'm glad to be up and about with my camera.  I park up across the street and already 20 minutes before the doors open to the public people are starting to gather.

I enter via the stage door and gain some insight into what to expect later - this is not just a wedding fair in a theatre it is a wedding show.  As I walk along a rabbit warren style corridor - some of the dressing rooms are labeled up with the acts we'll all enjoy later - others are open and I peek into a throng of activity in the hair and make up department.

I press on quickly to get to the front of house by which time a queue had started to form at the front which brides, grooms and their friends and families waiting to come in.   There was a real sense of occasion - we just needed the red carpets (I write that to see if they will be rolled out next time).

Don't get cold waiting outside at the January show pre-register on our website for queue jump!

The crowd were all on very good form - that's what I love about all things wedding there is always a sense of joy around.

Finally the clock strikes 10 and the doors are flung open and a steady stream of excited brides and grooms (ok maybe not as excited as the brides, but it is Sunday morning!) flow in.

A whole floor of baby blue goodie bags are collected as they pass through and head on into the show.

250 Goodie Bags were given out by 1pm!

The natural flow takes people up the stairs - with the light flooding in through the vast glass walls on this fine day.

Music drifts down from up on high filling the space and my head follows it up - I notice some wonderful lights!  

Whilst I know I'm going to get to shoot loads of brides today or those sporting Bridal wear to be precise I do very much hope to return to shoot a real wedding here its a great location - nothing beats those natural, candid real shots of joy you can capture at a wedding.

The excited crowd rush to chat to various wedding vendors throughout the theatre I head into the theatre itself to get a birds eye perspective on all the action in the main auditorium.

It's not long before the first event starts up on the main stage - the first of three bridal fashion shows. I observe from the upper circle to soak up the entire scene first before moving down for a closer vantage point.

It's not just one bridal house but many - presenting a great array of the latest bridal fashions.  And yes groom fashions too (thank you).  The highlight for me was the Venetian masks used in one of the bridal parades - very theatrical (very happy to shoot a wedding in Venice if anyone is asking!)

 

After the first show I had the opportunity to wander around and see all the exhibitors - great to meet all the familiar faces and a few new ones.

My fellow photographers were busy chatting with potential clients and whilst my commercial head said I was missing out, I was enjoying capturing all the action and I'm sure their creative sides would rather being taking the pictures.

All the usual suspects were there along with a lot more!  I captured some great dance, lovely music and lots more fashion throughout the afternoon.

Flower Arranging with Signature Flowers by Emma Newman

Make Up Demonstration from Feel Beautiful

Makeup, flowers, cake decorating demonstrations were on in the theatres second space and walking a bit further on (which I'm sure not many did) I came across a smaller space ideal for a more intimate ceremony or those whom just don't want to marry on the boards!

Small Ceremony Room

VIP bar, Champagne and the roulette wheel were a level up and I had the pleasure of meeting a beautiful bride in all her wedding finery and had been beautifully made up by Natasha and sporting some amazing sparkly Hena by Pam.

Beautiful Asian Make Up Demonstration from Make Up Artist Boutique

A very quick break for water and a banana to keep me going and I was back exploring the theatre and all that was on.   One couple were feeding each other chocolates at one of the stalls - love it.  

 

A bridesmaid’s fashion show preceded another airing of the grand bridal fashion show and I took the opportunity to view it from some different angles - which gave me a great vantage point of back stage and the action with the packed theatre behind.  

The last event of the day was well attended and after the initial reluctance of the audience to come forward Kandie kisses gave everyone an insight into her world.

Gentle Visions Photography

Please join me on facebook http://on.fb.me/lovephotography

Tring based Reportage Style Wedding Photographer

www.gentlevisions.co.uk

‘Fun behind the scenes’

Scrumptious Treats with a 'Touch of Decorative Magic'...

“A Sweet Buffet is ornamental as well as delicious; it involves a touch of decorative magic that will have your guests talking about it for years to come…”

Today I have an absolute treat in store for you.   I have been working with Melissa from The Cake Boutique for several months and more recently, Laura from Pick and Mix Buffet has also joined the Ice the Cake network. I was absolutely delighted to hear that the two were collaborating to create some scrumptious Sweet Dessert Tables.

As my parents Ruby Wedding Anniversary was approaching we were looking for something different to WOW their guests and nothing could've prepared me for the awesome display that these two lovely ladies created for them on their special night. (More on this epic party to come next week).

Ruby Wedding Anniversary Sweet Dessert Table

So after seeing what an incredible display they put together for the party, I asked them to do it all over again for the InCREDIBLE Wedding Supplier of the Year Awards TWO WEEKS LATER!  The display was absolutely exquisite and as I'm sure any of our guests would verify tasted delicious! (If you attended either of these events we'd love to hear what your favourite delight was.)

So after some scrumptious treats and lots of giggles, I got together with these extremely talented ladies for a chat about their collaboration and what the future holds for them...

How did you both meet?

Laura:  Melissa and I met via Facebook. I wanted to start to offer Sweet Dessert Tables, but wanted to find someone who would continue to offer the same high level of service, taste and creative flair.

Melissa: What she said! Laura came for tea and cake - it was important to see if we shared the same aims and standards.

First Birthday Sweet Dessert Table

So what was your first step towards working together?

Melissa:  We teamed up to do a full on table for Laura's daughters first birthday. Laura came up with a design and concept and I created the baked goods.

What kinds of things did you make?

Melissa:  Laura created a beautiful range of paperie, sweetie jars, water bottles and party bags, I did cookies, cuppies, mallow pops, CakePops brownies etc

Ruby Wedding Anniversary Party

So I'm guessing it was extremely well received!! What did you do next?

Melissa:  The rock n roll party! We've only been working together properly 6 weeks! Though we seem to know each other like we've worked together years!

Laura:  Is it only 6 weeks! Mental…

Soldier Themed 1st Birthday Dessert Table

Oh wow that's amazing, so tell me about other things you've been up to!

Laura:  We created a soldier table for a First Birthday Party, on a very small scale...  Melissa did a fabulous two tier birthday cake, soldier biscuits, Cupcakes (with soldier cupcake flags), Bunting, Water Bottle Wraps, Jelly Belly filled tubes, Tubs of Colour coordinating sweets

How did you come up with the designs for the labels, etc..?

Laura:  Melissa sent me a photo of her inspiration.. A Cath kidston Childrens Suitcase...  Then we took the design from there

Melissa:  The little boy is called ‘Little Soldier’ by his mum so it was a natural theme and the suitcase steered us.

Aww how cute! So when a customer contacts you what options are available to them?

Melissa:  Whatever they want! It's driven by how much they want us to do. We can just supply the edibles or do everything from bespoke paperie to props and set up.

Do they need to give you a spec or do you give them ideas of what's available?

Laura:  We are happy to fully design or work with their thoughts and wishes

Melissa:  The customer can decide how much they want to spend and we'll work to that.

Laura:  We can cater from a minimum of 20 people.. so they don’t have to be for huge parties.

Melissa:  It can take a lot of hassle out of throwing a party and be a serious wow!

Laura:  We can however cater for huge parties!!

Melissa:  Like awards ceremonies!

Sweet Dessert Table at The InCREDIBLE Wedding Supplier of the Year Awards 2012

How do people go about booking - who should they contact?

Melissa:  Either of us! Sometimes people think they want a sweet buffet or a cake but then see what we can do together!

Is there somewhere that customers can look at the things you've already created such as one of your websites?

Laura:  My website, has all all the work we have done so far and both our facebook pages

What would you say makes your dessert buffets different to others that are available?

Laura:  I would say the quality of the products..Sweets/Cakes/Desserts, Attention to detail, decorative flair.

Melissa:  The standard! We strive to do everything better. More creative, more beautiful, more delicious! Have you ever seen shimmering mint imperials? Only on our table!

How do you go about catering for special dietary requirements?

Melissa:  We cater to dietary requirements. I can offer alternatives to suit most allergies.  Gluten free brownies are a speciality!  Dairy free cupcakes, mallow pops, dairy free brownies, cookies... Dairy free butter substitutes are pretty good to work with!

Laura:  My supplies have a full range of dairy free sweets also

Who inspires you?

Laura:  AMY ATLAS!

Melissa:  That's easy isn't it - Amy Atlas!

Who is Amy Atlas & why she is such an inspiration?

Melissa:  Amy Atlas is a stylist.  She creates amazing tables. She pretty much put them on the map.

Laura:  The standard of her work is extremely high, and this is the level of decorative attention we also offer...

Did you find Amy Atlas before you found each other?

Melissa:  Yes- we both admired her- it was one of the things that indicated we were on the same page when we met

If you could create a dessert buffet for anyone in the world (alive or not) who would it be and what would you create?

Laura:  I'd would have loved to have created one for Michael Jackson, can you imagine how outrageous it would be

Melissa:  Marie Antoinette. Decadent, opulent pastels and golds. Macarons, tiny pastries, a ruffled cake....

Laura:  See... we both have gone for total opposites.. but still work so well together!!

Melissa:  We both get completely on board with the other's concepts!

What is your favourite treat from a dessert buffet?

Melissa:  Ohhh that's tough. I do love a milk bottle. Or a macaron!

Laura:  My favourite is 'Silver Hearts'.. no one thinks they are sweets, then they try them and realises they are filled with chocolate.. or Baileys Cupcakes!

I'm getting hungry now - just had a yoghurt... not quite the same!  What are your plans for the future?

Melissa:  To turn every party into something perfectly beautiful

Laura:  LOVE THAT

Melissa:  Thanks!

You two are hilarious!  OK a couple of quick fire questions... 

What is your favourite colour?

Melissa:  Pink

Laura:  Pastel Green

If you could be any dessert in the world what would you be?

Melissa:  Creme brûlée

Laura:  Creme Brulee.. Hard Shelll... Soft Centre

Melissa:  No way!!!!!!!!

Laura:  Thats tooo spooky

White or Milk Chocolate?

Melissa:  Milk

Laura:  White

What do you hope to find in your stocking this year?

Melissa:  Cox and Cox typographic cookie cutters!

Laura:  Marc Jacobs handbag and some new uggs

Real or Fake Christmas Tree?

Laura:  Real... although I hope my daughter doesn’t try and eat it

Melissa:  Real!!! Three of them! One massive, two table top.

What do you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve?

Melissa:  Mince pie, brandy and a carrot for the reindeer

Laura:  Same. Also.. I'll leave glitter tiny foot prints this year.. for the fairies that have been.

Melissa:  Oh and ill be scattering some of Laura's reindeer food to show them where to land!

& finally What is the most magical thing about Christmas?

Laura:  Being with loved one

Melissa:  I just love being with my family and being a kid!  I'm a Christmas nut.

These 'Blondies' were insanely tasty!

Thank you ladies not only for a hilarious interview but the two absolutely stunning Sweet Dessert Tables that you have created at two of my events.  I cannot thank you enough and look forward to some more treats soon...  Sue xx

If you have been lucky enough to sample these ladies beautiful work please leave them a comment below.