Tana & James, 28th April 2012

Last weekend was our first outdoor wedding of this year, and we had high hopes when we started the planning before Christmas.  Perhaps the fact that the night of the tasting was also the only significant snowfall in Henley this February should have given us an indication of what was to come.

The plan was always for the ceremony to be held outdoors in the beautiful garden, which Sandra, Tana's mother, worked tirelessly to turn from winter gloom to a spring delight.  Last minute bedding and some stunning architectural planting meant that, in spite of the relentless rain in the week before, the surroundings did look lovely.  

We had alternative plans for a wet day eventuality, but we all knew Tana and James' hearts were set on the ceremony being outside, and after a nervous morning, a last minute decision was made to take advantage of a lull in the rainfall and go for it!  Our staff placed the fantastic Ice Chiavari chairs out onto the lawn and white seat pads were added at the very last moment!  Some of the guests were a little taken aback at the fact the ceremony would be under the trees, but with the help of umbrellas, blankets and a plethora of pashminas, everyone soon got into the spirit of things.  Even when the bride kept everyone waiting for 15 minutes, there weren't any grumbles!

We don't normally get to see the ceremonial part of our client's big days, so it was lovely to be able to watch this time, although I have to confess to a tear or two! 

Fiona from Henley Ceremonies led a beautiful service, with the  mothers of the bride and groom being invited up to light a candle as part of the ceremony. Tana's cousin, Eve, gave a beautiful unaccompanied rendition of 'When I'm 64', by The Beatles, which was note perfect, and even added her own personalised lyrics part way through.

After the ceremony, guests moved inside for canapes and champagne. The chosen menu had a mediterranean slant, and for a walking starter we served tiny parmesan and rosemary shortbreads with feta cheese and sun-blush tomatoes, ciabatta crostini topped with white bean and sage puree, with diced tomatoes and olive oil, griddled beef fillet served on a croute with salsa verde, proscuitto-wrapped scallop brochettes with bearnaise dipping sauce and smoked salmon blinis with creme fraiche & dill.


While the guests enjoyed the food and drink, (and being honest, a little warm by the fire) our staff moved the chairs back to the marquee, and completed the set up there.

Tana and James had chosen a modern stretch-style marquee, from Lime Marquees, and had gone for a sophisticated, neutral palette of white, black and grey to decorate it.  The grey check napkins, bunting and cake tablecloth were really brought together by the black lace runners which gave real depth and richness to the colour scheme.

The flower arrangements were again down to Sandra, with lovely cream roses and foliage in the stands bought in South Africa.  Each place setting had a tea-cup and saucer filled with roses & rosemary, with a luggage tag name plate.

Baskets of ciabatta and rustic breads greeted the guests on arrival in the marquee, along with bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip.  The main course was served in a tapas style, offering lots of top-ups to the guests. There was herbed roast sirloin of beef, served rare; pan fried sea bass fillets on a minted fennel and radish salad, and a selection of antipasta including   
Serrano ham, salamis, bresaola, & chargrilled vegetables.


At the bride's father's request, there were bowls and bowls of garlicky parmentier potatoes, and succulent baked black figs stuffed with roquefort cheese and wrapped with proscuitto.  
Cold salads included green French beans with toasted almonds and coriander vinaigrette; beetroot and borlotti bean salad with pine nuts and balsamic dressing; sliced vine tomatoes with red onion, basil and olive oil, and a rocket and sweet potato salad with red onion & citrus dressing.

Once we'd been to each table with seconds.... thirds.... and in some cases fourths (top table!), it was time to move onto dessert - a trio of raspberry creme brulee, chocolate cups filled with dark chocolate mousse and raspberry and lemon brandy snap baskets.  The meal was rounded off with coffee, tea, champagne and speeches.
Once dinner was over, the guests once again repaired to the house while we cleared four of the tables from the marquee, to give room for the band and dance floor.  

After the cutting of the cake and the first dance, once the music got started, the guests really got in the mood for dancing, and in spite of wind and rain throughout the evening, the majority of the guests were to be found on the dance floor - with the exception of around half an hour when we served burgers with bacon, cheese, guacamole and tomato and a selection of genuine Cornish pasties from The Chough Bakery in Padstow - even the Cornish guests were impressed with those! 

The party wound down at around midnight, and special mention has to go to our wonderful bar staff, Aggie, Hannah, Helena and Rhiannon, who kept smiling throughout the evening, in spite of working in the client's bar made of a sideless gazebo which wasn't waterproof!  The girls rotated between bar service and clearing, and I suspect there were happier than usual when it was their turn to collect empty glasses and plates from the marquee and house!


The road conditions on the drive home later that night made me realise how lucky we had really been, weather wise, and we could have had it a lot worse.  So maybe the sun, however well hidden, was shining on Tana and James after all.....

new focus

We've been a bit absent for a few days, trying to get caught up with quotes - it's lovely that they're backing up, and next year looks like being very, very busy!  


We've also been working on slightly changing the focus of this blog, and making it more wedding specific, so it can be a source of useful information about every aspect of the day for anyone planning a wedding.


We'll keep the occasional fun posts too, but in the main, we'll be weddings, weddings, weddings!


So, all you brides-to-be, please drop me a line and tell me all the things you'd like to see, things you find useful from other blogs, and if you'd like to get involved with us as we work with you through your planning stages, sharing your experiences and eventual big day with our readers.


Look forward to hearing from you - pop a comment in the box, and we'll be in touch.

Wedding case study - Nicole and John

"I wanted to thank you both for a great day!

I had such a great time at my wedding...much better than ever imagined.I can't believe how lucky we were in the end with the weather...but still I think I would have enjoyed it even with floods.  The organisation was great, the food was delicious, the cocktails, the music,the 'revealed dance floor', and everything ran so smoothly thanks to you. We have had so many compliments on everything you can think of at the wedding!"

Nicole Marsh, Henley on Thames

Nicole and John wanted a wedding day that would reflect both their backgrounds - English and Mexican.  Nicole's mother had been Mexican, and was sadly not around to help with the wedding plans, so it was important to Nicole to find a way to include her mother in her day.

Nicole asked us to help with all aspects of planning the day so we sourced and recommended suppliers for the marquee, bouquets and church flowers, cocktail bar, wedding cake and car, while Nicole sourced the photographer and mariachi band, and the reception flowers were taken care of by a family friend.

The wedding ceremony took place in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Henley. The florists provided a beautiful arch of flowers over the main entrance and decorated each pew end with a beautiful cream rose with ivy and organza ribbon.  The church window sills were filled with cream candles and there was a gorgeous low flower arrangement in front of the altar.

Nicole and John then travelled by Beauford Tourer, from London Legend, to the reception which was held in an L-shaped marquee in the garden of John's parents.

There the English & Mexican theme continued, with frozen lime, melon or strawberry margheritas and Pimms and lemonade arrival drinks, and the guests were entertained during the drinks reception by a traditional Mexican mariachi band.  Canapes were served, again a mix of Mexican and English, along with dipping bowls of guacamole and tortilla chips.

The L-shaped marquee was comprised of a welcome foyer with chill out areas, in which the bar was set up, and then off to the left was the main dining area, beautifully decorated in ivory and creams, with gorgeous arrangements of traditional English country flowers including roses and peonies in creams and pinks.  In the archway between the two areas was the white chocolate wedding cake, decorated with summer berries.

The wedding breakfast started with goats cheese and red onion marmalade tartlets and moved on to a pre-ordered choice of fillet of beef medallions with pink peppercorn sauce & dauphiniose potatoes or fillet of sea bass on a bed of crushed new potatoes and artichoke hearts.  Dessert was the wedding cake with a delicious summer berry compote and fresh cream.

After dinner, and the speeches, the mood changed and the Mexican flavour really took over.  The chillout marquee was lit up with red and orange uplighters, stunning bright hot-house flower arrangements appeared and the dividing lining wall was spectacularly ripped away to reveal a hidden black and white dance floor and swing band. 

Nicole and John had told us of a wedding they'd been to in Brazil, were the guests were able to make their own cocktails from a selection of white spirits - either rum, vodka or gin and add in fruits from the bowls on top of the bar full of berries.  We arranged for the same idea, with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, the range of spirits and mixers and a couple of flair bar tenders thrown in!  The guests really got into the 'spirit' of it (sorry!) and a great many cocktails were sampled.

The evening food was also Mexican - steak fajitas cooked in a giant pan in front of the guests and served with soft tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, grated cheese, shredded lettuce and salsa.

The party went on until well into the night, and the next morning we were back there to clear away the debris!  John and Nicole had such a wonderful day that they have subsequently recommended us to many family and friends.

If you'd like to tailor-make your wedding day to suit any aspect of your life or heritage, then why not give us a call - our bespoke service means we can be as flexible as you need us to be, and with weddings being the investment they are, why not be sure you're paying for something you really want, unique to you?

Look who came to tea!

Yesterday, we spent a beautifully sunny day by the banks of the Thames, watching boats glide past in the water, families picnicking around us, Pimms on tap....  And then around about 4pm, Sir Matthew Pinsent himself dropped by for a cup of tea and piece of fruit cake!


Sounds idyllic doesn't it?  We were lucky enough to be asked to provide the catering for the Henley Boat Races 2012, which sees the Oxford and Cambridge University boat teams pitted against each other for a series of races, with the finish line being up by Temple Island Meadow.  

We were set up in a marquee, offering hog roast pork baps, barbecue burgers and hot dogs, some lovely middle eastern inspired kebabs using prime Copas turkey, and delicious carrot and sesame burgers for our vegetarian friends.  Along with this was a selection of fresh fruit and snacks, with some tasty homemade cakes to round off the day.  The 'Best Chocolate Brownies in the Universe' were definitely the best sellers!

We also had a full bar service on offer, who provided draught Brakspears bitter, along with a selection of other draught products, wines and ciders and soft drinks.

We had a fabulous day, everyone was in such high spirits, the sunshine really made the day, and we can't wait to be asked back again next year!  


Our thanks to Devinia and Hugh for letting us be involved.

Henley Boat Races

This weekend will be a new experience for us - we're providing the catering for the Henley Boat Races being held on the river in.... yes, you've guessed it, Henley-on-Thames.


We're going to be based in a marquee up at Temple Island Meadows, and are providing a range of yummy dishes, including roast pork baps with stuffing and apple sauce, 1/4lb homemade burgers with the works, hot dogs, carrot and sesame burgers for the veggies, and a whole host of fantastic home made cakes.  There's fruit and salads too for those more health-conscious visitors!  

In addition to the lovely food, we've got a full bar, serving draught bitter from Brakspears, who are sponsoring the event, as well as other beers and lagers, cider, wine and a few spirits.


Temple Island Meadows are up at the start of the famous Henley Royal Regatta course, and are an ideal location for any type of event.  We have catered for weddings on the site, with gorgeous marquees being provided by Henley Contracting, and with ample parking or mooring available alongside, you can choose to arrive by car or other vehicle or by boat. The venue lends itself brilliantly to either a formal sit-down meal, or something a little different and more relaxed such as a Thai banquet cooked in giant pans in front of your guests, or a barbecue.  Last year we provided a full Dubai brunch themed wedding reception with a range of Middle Eastern dishes being cooked on barbecues in an open kitchen area and then served to the guests via different buffet stations.


If you'd like further information on catering at Temple Island Meadows, drop us an email and we'll be happy to discuss your event. 

Summer Celebrations 2012

Following on from our last post about ideas for the Jubilee, we've come up with two great special offers to help get your party plans underway.


Both would be fantastic ways of celebrating the event, especially with that long weekend of 2nd - 5th June, stretching ahead of us, just crying out for a social event, whether you're a royalist or not!  Our afternoon tea offer is just the thing to give a bit of style to your weekend get-togethers with friends and family


Of course if the royal events are not your thing, then there's a summer of sporting prowess to either cheer about or cry about! 

Starting with Euro 2012 from 8th June until 1st July when hopefully a new England Manager will lead us into European football glory - will we all be using Shakespeare's immortal words: "The game's afoot: Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'"

Wimbledon next, starting on the 25th June, and with Andy Murray's recent defeat of Djokovic, dare we pray for English glory in the men's final on 8th July? And what of the ladies? Not much hope of a British victory there I suspect, but could Venus Williams add her 6th victory to edge closer to Navratilova's record of 9 wins?  In true Wimbledon style, strawberries and cream would be the perfect end to either of our offer suggestions.

And then, on 27th July, London 2012 starts with the opening ceremony.  Can we play the home team advantage and come away with a decent clutch of gold medals, and heads held high until the closing ceremony on 12th August? 


Hardly time to draw breath before the Paralympics, from 29th August to 9th September.  From humble beginnings as a rehabilitation programme for injured British servicemen held in Stoke Mandeville in 1948, this has grown into an International spectacle. Traditionally Great Britain does well at these games, and since 1960, we are 3rd on the overall medals table with 1447 in total, behind Germany and the US, although we're joint top of the golds table with 23.


Phew! If that hasn't got you all excited and in the mood for a party, I don't know what will!  So, here's the details of our offers - go on, take us up on them - you know you want to!


1) Save £200 on your summer garden party

Celebrate 2012 in Britain with a party at home, and we will provide a chef and giant pan free of charge.

Choose from dishes such as:

Paella

Fajitas

Indian or Thai curries

Oriental stir fries

Jambalaya

Applies to events held between 1^st April and 30^th August 2012.

Themed disposable partyware also available – ask for details.

  

2) Free vintage china hire on afternoon tea parties for Diamond Jubilee Weekend

Up to 10 guests.

Offer applies to events booked by 30^th April for 2^nd – 5^th June inclusive.

Offer is subject to availability.

Equals a saving of £100.00.

Contact us and quote 'pan2012' or 'tea2012' to take advantage of these great offers.

That's the way to do it!

Further to my recent blog post regarding vintage tea parties and their resurgence in popularity, take a look at this amazing post on The Pretty Blog for some real inspiration!

Quirky Tea Party - pink & turquoise decor inspiration.


Now I'm off to pretty up my plans for tomorrow's market stall decor!