Liverpool's Gothic Wedding House Relaunch Party

Where the Heart Is

Home Sweet Home for the North West’s Bridal Best

Liverpool’s iconic gothic building the Wedding House  relaunched last week over a two day event in true celebratory style.  And keeping in with the essence of any fabulous wedding knees up, guests were indulged with fun, fizz and festivities.  Special guest Lord Mayor Cllr Frank Prendergast officially opened the event by cutting an aptly coloured pink ribbon before stepping inside the beautiful grade II listed building to sample an array of the thirty elite suppliers now housed there.  Wow!

From its original detailed Victorian tiled floor to the inviting rich red staircase, it’s clear to see how the Gothic Revival inspired a genre of romantic poetry in the literary world.  And within the wedding world, it seems the Wedding House has stirred many a romantic too.  Brides and their entourages came in droves to sample the four floors of top design inspiration and personal style advice to help plan their special occasion. 

Hot band on the circuit, Kikosi set the party atmosphere as guests were wowed by a first dance routine choreographed by Danielle Norman from Butterfly Wedding Choreography.  Also wowing the guests were the easy-on-the-eye semi naked hunks courtesy of My Sexy Butler.

The Wedding House is the brainchild of husband and wife proprietors Neil and Jennifer Shaw of Knutsford.  Neil purchased the building eight years ago to house his Liverpool Groom formal hire store.  He approached several other businesses at a Liverpool Echo wedding show and invited them to join, several of who are still there now. In 2011, Jennifer, a business improvement consultant working predominantly for global PLCs, took a sabbatical to help out in the family business.  

Jennifer says “I started by approaching some of the best wedding and special occasion related businesses within the North West; my vision to bring in some younger, funkier and more bang on trend businesses who would widen the appeal to any stylish customer looking for something a little bit different for their special occasion.”  

Like any blushing bride-to-be, the Wedding House is now at her most beautiful.  Nestled in the heart of the city centre and open seven days a week, the cream of the wedding crop exclusively provide an all year round wedding show experience to guide brides through the exciting planning process.  A wedding treat retreat! 

“We are still very much aimed at the wedding market, however, I equally see it as a destination of choice for a fashionista visiting for that special outfit to make them stand out from the crowd at the races or something to give their party the WOW factor, whatever the occasion.”

For a detailed guide of all suppliers at the House please visit www.theweddinghouse.co.uk

Much Love & Happy Planning....xxx

Here Comes the Pride...

Planning a civil partnership can be a very daunting experience, and with an abundance of choice and oodles of options, where exactly do you start? From the Sublime to the, er, Stanford, your wedding can be as subtle or extravagant as you wish. So for an insight into the all important planning tips, follow Bespoken Dreams  guide to Here Comes the Pride! In the words of Julie Andrews, let’s start at the very beginning…


12 Months to Go – RAINBOW!

R EVEL!
Organise your engagement party and show off your bling; it’s celebration time! Tell relatives and close friends and plan your Save the Dates.

A GREE
Agree on the type of celebration you want; relaxed or formal, register office or licensed venue (you can contact your council to receive a full list of venues licensed). But whatever you choose, remember to…

I NCORPORATE
…Incorporate your dreams, aspirations, likes, loves, hobbies, lifestyle or interests into the day of your bespoken dreams. Delicately stamp your unique personal style and flair all over it!

N UMBER CRUNCH
With the average wedding costing £22k, and of course a raging recession to think about, it’s important to sit down and discuss your budget as soon as possible. If family members are contributing, involve them too. What are your priorities and what areas can you cut back on or save? Think about opening up a wedding bank account and don’t forget to include wedding insurance in your sums. Consider a wedding planner; they have friends in high places and can connect super savvy couples with elite suppliers offering wedding planner discounted rates!

B OOK THE REGISTER OFFICE
Book an appointment to give notice at your local register office. Couples must have lived in the district they are giving notice in for at least 7 days. Your notice will be publically displayed for 15 days and anyone who wishes to oppose may do so during this time. Assuming it’s not Corrie or the Dales, you’ll be good to go…

O RGANISE THE VENUE
Decide if you will have the ceremony and reception at the same place. If you have your heart set on a fashionable venue, book it yesterday! Think about seasons. If it’s more popular in summer then why not consider a winter wedding? Also think about topical events; FA Cup finals, the forthcoming Olympics, they all have knock on effects on cost and availability. If you don’t have a venue in mind, shortlist your own venue menu and visit 3-5 until you find your perfect location temptation!

W RITE THE GUEST LIST
Decide on a first draft of numbers and draw up a list with both sets of parents. Of course this won’t be the final cut, but you will need a rough indication before you can confirm your ceremony and venue. Capacity at a particular venue will dictate whether you host dinner for 80 or an evening cocktail reception for 120.


“So! If there’s one thing you take from this planning keepsake, then darhlings please let it be this, today is your beginning of always, a lifetime of happiness and bliss”

Helen Burns For Better or Verse


Much Love and Happy Planning x

Premiere! Bespoken Dreams Launch Party on Film

On Sunday 8th May 2011, the Cream of the Wedding Crop and the North West's Best gathered at local celeb haunt Neighbourhood Cafe to celebrate the launch of Bespoken Dreams Wedding Design and Consultancy, and to raise funds for local hospice Marie Curie Liverpool.  Guests enjoyed a red carpet arrival, champagne and canapés, entertainment from Steve Charles supplied by Riverside Entertainments Agency and a luxury raffle draw with prizes donated from generous local businesses. 

We're highly delighted to announce we raised over an impressive £780 on the night! 

Uber talented husband and wife team Tony and Sara Williams of  Marry Me Films very kindly and professionally captured the evening on film.  A MASSIVE THANK YOU to you both for donating your time and efforts. 

And here are the evening's highlights! 

Full coverage of the event will be featured in the Down South Liverpool Magazine and the Best of Liverpool supplement June issue of the Liverpool Echo.  Images courtesy of Martisan Photography

With special thanks to Neighbourhood Café, Riverside Entertainments Agency, Steve Charles, Marry Me Films, Martisan Photography, Matt Cox Hairdressing and Beauty, Resident Makeup Artist Claudia at Matt Cox, So Coco Rouge, Zoe Photography, Deco Hair and Makeup, Funtown, Flowerbug, Laser Skin Clinic, Liverpool FC, Lizzie's Larder, Martisan Photography, PlumSugar, Red Carpet Makeup, Roberts Edwards & Worrall, The Mixing Bowl, The Restaurant Bar & Grill, the Tiny Tea Room, Kirsty Doyle, Benna Harry, Little Satsuma, Down South Liverpool, the Eminence Group, Flannels and Wade Smith.

A personal thank you to Matt Cox, Red Carpet Makeup and Kirsty Doyle  for hair, makeup and a beautiful bespoke dress on the night!  And a huge thank you to my beautiful friend Jo over at My Stylish Bump for her invaluable help.  Mwah x

Bespoken Dreams Promo from Marry Me Films on Vimeo.