A very special day

Where to start ... today, I loved

The Fashion
- For me, the out and out winner from the guest list was Miriam Gonzalez Duantez. I also liked Sam Cam - especially her hair jewels, Zara Philips and Victoria Beckham

The Flowers
- Sweet William, myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth and ivy. Sweet William means gallantry, lily-of-the-valley means return of happiness, hyacinth symbolises constancy of love, while myrtle is the emblem of marriage and love. There is also ivy for fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship and affection. And love the single sprig of lily-of-the-valley in the lapels of Kate's father and brother.

The Tiara
- A diamond "halo" made by Cartier. It was given to Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother when she was the Duchess of York by her husband. She gave it to The Queen to mark her 18th birthday and today it has been lent to Kate. [Dont' forget that to qualify as the something borrowed, it must be returned to its owner.] Think this is it - if not it's very similar.

The Tinies
- Sooooo well behaved in the Abbey but sooooo enjoying themselves. And they looked just adorable.

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge
- Their day, their way.

and The hotties

- Prince William & Prince Harry

and - David Beckham

Finally ... the picture you thought you'd never see.

David did it ! He made her smile !! Look closely !!!

Tomorrow is THE day!

I wasn't going to blog about the Royal Wedding today BUT ...  I'm getting excited!

Apparently, that hooded female entering the Goring was Sarah Burton. Is it going to be McQueen? Will Kate wear a tiara and if so, which one? I love the Fringe Tiara - do you think The Queen will lend it to her? She wore it when she married Prince Philip.

The Royal Collection © 2008,

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

RCIN 200184

 

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/royalwedding1947/object.asp?grouping=&exhibs=NONE&object=200184&row=53

Can you do that with Royal Collection things? Hope I don't end up in The Tower!

AND ...  how 'touchy' was Prince William on his walk-about?

Will be watching tv from quite early tomorrow to check out hats, suits, dresses, flowers - oh, mustn't forget shoes ... which channel or shall we hop through them all? Watch all spaces!

We hope they have a fabulous day.

Fab new blog!

I was thinking royal wedding dresses ... one of my most favourites is the one Princess Anne wore when she married Mark Phillips in 1973. I loved it then and still do - it's just so timeless & stylish.

However .. I came across another blog which I have been absorbed in for far too long this afternoon but

IT IS GREAT! Called Mad Hattery! It's mission is, and I'm quoting here, "bringing you the very best in ridiculous royal hats". Not all of these hats are ridiculous; some, yes but not all - in fact, there are some quite stunning ones. It doesn't just focus on British royalty, European royal families are included as well. The blogger is "Ella Kay" and needless to say, she's from the States. Here's just a few photos, but there are pages.

PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

or MARCEL ANTONISSE/AFP/Getty Images

PHOTO CREDIT: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

PHOTO CREDIT: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Do let me know what you think!

Back to work ...

Hope you all had a great Easter. We had an egg [and present] hunt. It was lovely weather and we ate in the garden which has got to be an Easter first. Also did some Easter decorating as hadn't done any at Christmas as we were away.



Now it's back to work although on Friday we'll be watching the Royal Wedding - which obvioulsy counts as work when you are in the business of wedding planning! Can't believe the amount of media interest the US is generating for the event. BUT it's one thing the UK does better than anywhere else - pomp and ceremony! Don't you just LOVE our soldiers in full ceremonial uniforms?

This should begin to set the mood ...

The Niagara Peninsula

We've had a little flurry of enquiries over the weekend for weddings in Niagara. Not sure why they all came at once over this particular weekend but I can see why the location is popular. The area provides something for everyone ... from the thrill of  The Falls, the serenity of the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to the lush, green acres of vineyards.

Choose a location for the perfect outdoor wedding ceremony – in the garden of an historic Inn, surrounded by grape vines, on the edge of Lake Ontario in the Gazebo or be daring on board the Maid of the Mist approaching the Falls. If you're a fan of winter, go for all things frozen during Niagara-on-the-Lake’s annual Icewine Festival where there is even an ice bar in the main street. Obviously, there are plenty of indoor locations available ranging from a traditional North American colonial style through to modern sophistication.

Locally sourced food is of the highest quality and some of the best chefs in Ontario are found in kitchens here. The vineyards produce world class, award winning wines not to be missed!

Here's a taste - if you want to know more, email or phone us. We're happy to help.

Let them eat cake!

For the past few weeks, I have been considering a random comment made by my daughter that most wedding cakes are designed to appeal to the bride and what about the groom as it's as much his wedding. This obviously doesn't take into account an additional cake for the groom but she does have a point. At least she has a point if the groom involves! I was speaking with someone today who is 2 months away from being married. He has been given a book with all the groom's responsibilities. Has he read it? No! Will he read it? Yes, he tells me,  about 2 weeks before the wedding! Perhaps if he is reading this, the website staggered  [men's wedding blog / men's wedding website] may be of interest to him? (We do advertise our site on there focusing on weddings in the snow with winter sports.)

Anyway, back to cakes - I have concluded that a lot has to do with flowers and colour. Paler pinks and corals will always be girly although brighter pinks not so much. Adding flowers also seems to make a feminine statement. However I have found some cakes from a couple of sources - real simple/tara donne and delissious cake studio.

I've shown them in a video as I'm enjoying playing with my new found skill ? !

Experience the Magic - Your Wedding in Cottage Country ...

This is the first video I've made - think it works; I hope you like it. The images are from some of our favourite photographers working in Muskoka and also some fab cottage country venues.

For those who don't know Muskoka, it's all about the great outdoors where Ontarians get back to their roots surrounded by nature and water!  It's an easy journey a couple of hours north of Toronto and is known as 'cottage country'.

The photography is by Elizabeth in Love, Heather Douglas, Images by Paulo, Lemon Fresh, NightinGail and Kelly Holinshead - The Shutterbug Gallery.

The venues are

Hidden Valley Resort where the gracious lifestyle of a bygone era is recaptured. Originally built along rugged shorelines in the late 1800s when the area’s resorts were sumptuous retreats for the very wealthy and their friends, you’ll experience the authentic Muskoka when you arrive at the new Hidden Valley Resort.

and

Domain of Killien which you'll find nestled in an idyllic setting of forested hills and lakes near Algonquin Park. It's a unique oasis of rustic magnificence, waiting to welcome you. The estate is more than 5,000 acres and features a small, historic inn on a lakeside as well as private cabins.

I'd like your thoughts on my video and Muskoa!

BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs archive

This will keep me happy for HOURS! I've just found out that the BBC have launched an online archive for Desert Island Discs. Not all episodes are playable - don't know why - but the information is there for you to search. By castaway, by music, by luxury, by other guests who liked same/similar tracks. The BIG question is who to listen to first. I have 2 all time favourites Dr Gwen Adshead who was on last July - I listened to the Sunday programme on the way to Leeds - and Joan Armatrading who I was staggered to find was castaways in 1989! Her music choices are there but not the recording which is a shame as I just remember thinking it was an amazing choice of music, totally unexpected but one of the tracks I am sure she said she always played when she did the hoovering! Listening now to Martin Sheen as I arrived in Leeds yesterday before it was finsihed. Guess you'll have worked out when I usually listen.

Yes!!!

I'm not usually one to boast ...

I was going to wait until they arrived

but I've changed my mind ...

Liberty Nikes

Released today ... sold out today

AND I HAVE A PAIR ... 

they are on their way!!

Now ...

I have my eye on a second pair.

Can't wait for the release.

I SO love them.

Liberty

A wonderful time ...

This must have been a wonderful day. You can just tell they're having the most amazing time. No more words - just some of Marianne Taylor's amazing photography http://www.mariannetaylorphotography.co.uk/blog/jessica-alexander-wedding

Just HOW happy can two people look?!