The lovely Patricia aka Brit Pop Princess is one of my favourite beauty v-loggers and she recently got married to her beau Mike.
This is their wedding highlight video which is so so beautiful.
Enjoy!
Candy buffets are popular in the USA but are a relatively new concept in the UK….until now. I was really excited to discover Candy Rain, a UK based supplier of candy buffets, at the Brides of Culture Wedding Fair in March and couldn’t wait to speak to the owner Bukky and share the story behind her business with you.
When and how did you come did you come up with the idea for Candy Rain?
I got married in September 2010 and remember thinking I wanted a candy buffet because I have an irrationally sweet tooth and I wanted my guests to have a special treat. Unfortunately that idea didn’t pan out because a candy buffet is a ‘nice-to-have’ at an event and not a ‘must-have’ . I always loved the look of candy buffets and so I started to research providing this service for weddings and other events. I got a lot of inspiration from the images you see of American weddings .
I slowly started to buy the confectionery and bake-ware and would create and re-create set ups in our conservatory. I then began to showcase my work at bridal shows and its steadily spiralling from there. Candy buffets are a relatively American concept but they are becoming increasingly popular here which is great.
Tell me about Candy Rain?
Candy Rain provides events (not just weddings ) with a candy and dessert creations that is not just visually spectacular but also mouth-watering array of delightful treats for guests. Whether the theme of the event is a baby shower, engagement party, corporate product launch or a wedding, we design a custom table to match the colour or theme with almost obsessive attention to detail. We use ornate apothecary jars and vases to display the candy and dessert.
On first sight, guests are wowed by the stunning centrepiece setting and then to top it off they are free to indulge in some seriously yummy treats! From handmade chocolate truffles to cake pops, retro candy like bon-bons, macaroons, rock candy and muffins – we have undertaken the ‘arduous’ task of taste testing a huge variety of treats. All in the name of ensuring we bring our clients the very best quality products.
What services do you offer?
As an alternative to a candy or dessert station, we also provide individual candy and dessert platters for each table at events. This option is a particularly popular alternative to traditional wedding favours that often go uneaten. We also provide an Ice-Cream service. From wild flavours such as amaretto and apple to banana, to mango, strawberry – our enormous selection –can be enjoyed in a waffle or wafer bowl and candy sprinkles.
For every service booked, a Candy Rain attendant will be at your event, we will set up, refill and takedown the display. If there are any left over candy at the end event, the client will have to take it home and consume everything themselves!
How do you work with couples, what’s the process?
Because a candy buffet is one of the fun elements of wedding planning the process is pretty pain-free. At initial consultation we work with the couple to determine the size of their guest lists, colour scheme, favourite sweets/candy and any other important aspects they would like to incorporate such as a certain picture or a message to the guests . The possibilities are truly endless and we can come up with a design that will be a talking point at any event.
Describe a typical day in your life?
My typical day starts and ends with the little boss in my life, Joshua my 7 month old little man. Once he is bathed and fed, I get online and respond to client questions, send out invoices, design client tables, order confectionery (my fave part), update our social networks, research new and different set ups and get organised for wedding season bookings. In between all of this we have feeding time for little man and play group, play dates etc. I often easily work into the wee hours because for me this is a passion project, I love what I do and providing amazing service comes with ease.
What inspires you?
My hubby and son inspire me. Hubby is my no1 fan and supports EVERYTHING I do – he goes out of his way to do help my ventures become a success. Even if it means missing out on things that he enjoys to help me out-he always does and I truly appreciate him.
What are your plans for the future?
I would love to expand on what we have already started. There is a great buzz around what Candy Rain are doing and we just want to spread the word even further!!
What advice would you give to brides-to-be’s?
Make lists…lots of list…tick things off when they are complete. And when it comes to Mr’s involvement…lets face it they are not exactly very wedding savvy..Olive, emerald, lime are shades of green to us..to them its all gibberish.
So when it comes to decision-making about anything wedding related – don’t bombard them with too many choices – narrow down to 3 choices that you really like and present that to them to choose from – trust me it works.
I love the idea of a candy buffet, it can be used instead of favours and they are such a pretty addition to your wedding reception décor. Visit the Candy Rain website for more information.
Image credits:
Photography by: Giovanni Loi
Candy Buffet by: Candy Rain
Cakes by: Delights by Cynthia
I am going to be a bridesmaid!!!
My wonderful friends Sheryl and Thomson are childhood sweethearts and are getting hitched on the 27th May and I can’t bloody wait.
Sheryl and I have been friends since High School, and I was lucky enough to have her as one of my bridesmaids for my wedding last year.
Sheryl is a stylish chick and so her wedding is sure to be a beautiful affair. Now that we are at the 6 week countdown I thought it would be fun to share some of her ideas with you all.
First up the bridesmaids dresses. Now we are very lucky as the bride has chosen some suitably stunning dresses for us, and they are uber flattering. So needless to say I am very much looking forward to wearing it, it’s navy and bang on trend as it is a peplum dress.
We are also going to have an ivory corsage to place on the peplum, with ivory pashminas to complete the look just in case it is a bit cold.
I’ll be teaming the dress with the Kurt Geiger version of these Christian Louboutin’s (I’m only showing the CL’s because I can’t find a photo of my ones!). I actually brought them for my wedding but didn’t end up wearing them as I was a bit naughty and brought a second pair. So I am glad I am getting some wear out of them.
I will go into Sheryl’s theme for the wedding in a later post but the idea is Vintage Glamour – with a hint of Paris. The peplum choice of dress is a nod to a more shapely vintage look – think the look of the women of ‘Madmen’, and we will be accessorising with pearls to really add the glamour factor.
In terms of make-up we are going for Chanel in the 60s…the more I hear about this the more excited I am, like a kid in a candy store I tell you!
If you are looking for modern bridesmaid dresses, I would highly recommend going to the High Street. Just remember to keep an eye on the seasons and start looking early if you want particular colours. All of the high street faves have plenty of choice.
Apologies for the overly sentimental post…but today is our 1st wedding anniversary!!!
The first year as a married has been a roller-coaster of loveliness and craziness, and our anniversary month is proving to be one of our most emotional yet. A time I could not have got through without the ever-present Mr.
I honestly did not think that getting married would make that much difference to our lives. We were doing it to seal the deal, to involve our nearest and dearest and to celebrate. We had been together for 9 years and living together for 6. I knew all there was to know, the strange quirks, the necessary compromises, the good stuff and the not so good.
Following the honeymoon we were coming straight back to live in the flat we had always lived in, so other than a marriage certificate, some beautiful photos and awesome memories I presumed everything would remain exactly the same.
or so I thought….
It just felt different, more secure, more committed, more something. I’m not saying that it is all a bed of roses, but at least I know that whatever I face in the outside world, I come home to the sanctuary of us.
Happy anniversary Mr BelleNoir.
X x
p.s Take a look at my first anniversary give-away
To celebrate our first wedding anniversary I am doing a giveaway!!!
I have managed to get my hands on a few items from the new BSq. Natural Couture collection for you, the lovely readers and supporters of BelleNoirBride.
The range is available in Fortnum & Mason and House of Fraser and features exclusive images from the V & A John French archive.
I love that the collection is all natural, no parabens, mineral oils, SLES, harsh preservatives or artificial colours.
The lucky winner will receive the following selection:
Bsq. Natural Couture Hand & Nail Cream (RRP £12) – to keep hands soft and smooth and it is also a great overnight intensive manicure.
Bsq. Natural Couture Shower Cream (RRP £14) – a gently hydrating body cleanser.
Bsq. Natural Couture Body Lotion (RRP £16) – a light moisturising body cream.
All you have to do is
a) Either ‘follow‘ BelleNoirBride via BlogLovin‘
or ‘like‘ the BelleNoirBride Facebook page
and
b) Leave a comment below.
The winner will be picked at random. The giveaway closes on Monday, 30 April 2012 at midnight.
Good Luck!
X x
Welcome to BelleNoirBride, the place for the Black British bride-to-be, newly-wed and wanna-be bride to get her regular dose of wedding loveliness. As well as frequent musings on life, style and love.
