Faraway Shores celebrates the beauty of foreign lands and the stunning colours and textures found in nature; we’ve been inspired by warm sunshine, soft sandy beaches and bougainvillaea growing wild.  This look is the epitome of stylish bohemia: beautiful sun drenched detailing provided by nature and effortlessly presented to create a carefree vibe.  We’re not so much celebrating one country in this look, more the very experience of visiting new places, uncovering their natural wonders, cultural traditions, hidden treasures and revelling in a relaxed, carefree environment.  Making it the perfect design concept for a destination wedding or even for a UK wedding celebrating the beauty and freedom encountered on faraway shores…

The post Inspiration: Faraway Shores Bridal Mood Board appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

And so we are delighted to announce that we are now a proud member of the Love Lust List - a UK Wedding Directory hand picked by the team at Rock My Wedding.

You can find us listed in the South East, under Planners, but don’t forget that with studios in the South and the North West we are uniquely positioned to offer our event design, styling and delivery services throughout the UK…oh, and we also like to travel!

To find out more about our services and how we can help you create your dream wedding or party, visit our website or get in touch at hello@pocketfulofdreams.co.uk.

Vicki xx

Image Credits: Katy Lunsford Photography

The post Official Rock My Wedding Supplier appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

This colour palette is inspired by none other than Pantone, the official colour trend maestros who identified Nectarine and Poppy Red as hot colours for 2013.   Love this fresh and exuberant colour combo?  Then you’ll be drooling over our design concept boards which show you how to create your very own Summer Punch wedding…

Our Summer Punch design pairs Poppy Red – a spirited, true red – with Nectarine – a citrus orange with coral undertones.  These exciting and effervescent shades complement each other perfectly; the Poppy Red provides a celebratory yet passionate tone to the proceedings whilst the striking Nectarine brings a sense of animation and tanginess, helping to soften yet invigorate the design.  A warm orange completes our palette creating an overall look which is passionately optimistic with a freshness just perfect for the summer months.

Simple lines, natural materials and soft textures bring an organic edge to the look, whilst helping to reinforce the warmth and enthusiasm of this design.  Vintage decor pieces, natural elements and retro styling help to create a look which is not only dynamic and exciting but boasts an effortless sophistication and timeless quality.

THE LOOK

DECOR & DETAILS

This look pairs bright and effervescent shades with soft, organic details to create a fresh and optimistic look – just perfect for a summertime celebration.

Created by Pocketful of Dreams, to provide a little inspiration for your party or event.  Pop over to Love My Dress for the full set of inspiration boards for this look.

Do let us know what you think in the comments box below and if you’re interested in discussing how we can create a unique design concept for your celebration, then get in touch at hello@pocketfulofdreams.co.uk.

Vicki xx

Image Credits – The Look: bride, hairpiece, necklace, dress, bracelet, shoes

Image Credits – Decor & Details: vase, napkins, drinks, plate, pouf, watercolour

The post Inspiration: Summer Punch Styling Guide appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

A Seaside Hideaway

The Gallivant is located a mere hop across the road from one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in the South: Camber Sands.  As soon as we arrived we immediately climbed up the dunes to be greeted by the low tide stretching out as far as the eye could see, miles of untamed grasses and a truly stunning ruby red sunset.  We were instantly relaxed and ready to retreat to our coastal hideaway…

As a former motel there is little in the way of communal space at The Gallivant beyond the restaurant but despite that, you are welcomed warmly and immediately feel transported into a calming environment brimming with shabby chic decor and detailing.

We stayed in a Coastal Double Bedroom (facing the beach but sadly without any views) which epitomised coastal chic with calm grey walls and white washed driftwood furniture.  Our room was small and simple but the boutique credentials of The Gallivant were displayed in the most ridiculously comfortable bed, luxurious linens, fluffy dressing gowns and thoughtful touches like a little jar of homemade cookies left for us to enjoy.  I also loved the cute retro touches which were dotted throughout our room: an old style telephone and postcard prints of Camber on the wall.

Fabulous Food At The Beach Bistro

The only indoor communal space in the hotel, the Beach Bistro is light, breezy and decorated in a New England style with nautical inspired artwork and reclaimed driftwood.  Tables are well spaced out yet there was a definite buzz when we ate which made it perfect for a Saturday evening.

Whilst I am a huge fan of good food I am also a fussy eater and as we knew we were being treated to a tasting menu, I had given strict instructions about my eating habits when we checked in.  I was interested therefore to see how my adapted tasting menu would measure up to my many and peculiar dietary requirements.  And honestly, I was blown away!  The bistro has a policy of trying to use ingredients from artisan suppliers and family fishermen and farmers within 30 miles of The Gallivant and this commitment to locally produced and sourced food was evident throughout every course – flavours were full and fresh, each ingredient carefully added and the presentation was just beautiful.

We had the pleasure of meeting the head chef, Trevor, who trained under no less than Marco Pierre White and he told us that his approach at the Beach Bistro is to let the freshest of ingredients speak for themselves and to know “when to stop being a chef and fussing with things” as he put it.  Having tasted his creations, it certainly is a recipe for success.

We enjoyed a mouthwatering feast including house smoked duck, Roast salt marsh lamb, fresh catch of the day and our favourite dish of the evening, Seared Rye bay scallops served with Hambley cured Trout Tarter, oyster and champagne jelly.  All paired with the most delicious of locally produced wines…by the end of our meal we were the only people left in the bistro: we were full but boy, were we content!

Beach Weddings At The Gallivant

The Gallivant has built up a stellar reputation for delivering informal yet chic wedding days with all the joy associated with being by the sea.  I met with the lovely Alice, the Events manager at The Gallivant and it quickly became clear how passionate she is about the weddings they offer and her commitment to really get to know every couple she works with.  She told me that they specialise in relaxed celebrations and not stuffy, traditional days…just the type of wedding that we at Pocketful of Dreams love!

All weddings are on an exclusive basis so The Gallivant effectively becomes your own private residence for the day, with ceremonies held in the New England Room (the Beach Bistro by day) and your wedding breakfast enjoyed in the Beach Hut Marquee, a permanent fixture on a driftwood deck alongside the coastal garden.

But it’s the details that make a wedding here really special; you and your guests will enjoy a choice of fabulous feasts created by Trevor and his team, served family style for everyone to dig in and enjoy, whilst the Marquee comes ready decorated with nautical inspired linens, bunting, storm lanterns and driftwood decor.  And the thing I love most about a wedding here?  Your drinks reception is held in the dunes, making the very best of your location…complete with a pair of flip flops thrown in for every one of your guests.

If you are interested in finding out more about a wedding at The Gallivant, you can download their wedding brochure here or why not attend their next wedding open day where you can meet the team and sample their delicious cocktails and menus for yourself?  For more details, click here.

A huge thank you to The Gallivant for hosting us – we had a fabulous stay and cannot wait to return to the Beach Bistro.

Vicki xx

Image credits: couple, sign, table, bedroom, bistro, salad, asparagus, wedding party, wedding breakfast

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This bespoke couture house creates the most divine bridal dresses and accessories, all bespoke designed and perfect for any brides out there looking for something uncompromisingly glamorous and undeniably individual.

Graceful Bride To Be

And this design house is now offering an additional bonus for brides-to-be, with their Graceful Bride To Be competition.  Any bride who books a free design consultation with The State of Grace will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win two nights at the stunning Dar Jaguar, an exquisite boutique hotel nestled in the ancient medina of Marrakech.

This riad has been lovingly restored and designed by the founder and owner of The State of Grace, Lucia Silver, and would make the perfect exotic escape, be it a getaway with the girls or a romantic break from wedmin with your man.

And even if you don’t win this fabulous prize, all brides entering the Graceful Bride To Be competition will receive 10% off all bespoke The State of Grace creations ordered.

All The Details

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, all you need to do is book a consultation at The State of Grace by clicking here.

Entries close and the winner will be announced on June 20th 2013.

So brides to be, what are you waiting for?

Vicki xx 

The post Graceful Bride To Be Competition appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

In the past few years gold has undergone a bit of a resurgence in the wedding world and we have to confess, here at Pocketful of Dreams we are big fans of all that glitters and shimmers.  However this mood board – which we designed for top wedding blog Love My Dress – was designed to show that gold doesn’t always have to be about unabashed flashiness, but that you can use this versatile shade to create a soft, pared back look perfect for a more relaxed day in a rustic or industrial setting.

Mellow metallic tones are definitely having a moment.  Soft hues are everywhere and can be mixed with other metallics and pastel shades to create a gorgeously modern twist which hints at glamour without being overpowering.  By steering clear of glitter and sequins and focusing instead on antiqued metals and soft textures with brushed, mercuried and matt finishes, metallics are toned down to create a look which retains an intensity but with a sweet twist.

We’ve created this look with a soft, vintage gold as the metallic base with shades of lilac, blush and a cream backdrop to complement and soothe the gold.  However, pick your favourite metallic tone to work with – liquid mercury, bronze, copper and rose gold are all gorgeous shades; choose one or mix and match for a stunning look.  You can even play with metallic pastel shades, just remember that the key to this look is to keep the colours muted.  We’re not looking for full-on glamour and glitz here, rather a relaxed and pared back look – a subtle aesthetic with an understated metallic glow.

Created by Pocketful of Dreams, to provide a little inspiration for your party of event.  Pop over to Love My Dress for the full set of boards for this look.

To chat about your wedding plans and how we can work with you to create your own bespoke, wedding design concept, email hello@pocketfulofdreams.co.uk.

The post Inspiration: Soft Metal Love Bridal Mood Board appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

Think of Pinterest as an online pinboard: whenever you see an image anywhere on the web that you love, you can “pin it” and save it to one of your very own Pinterest boards.  Your boards can cover anything you like from wedding inspiration to recipes to crafting ideas.

You can also follow other people, blogs and brands on Pinterest and this is a real feature of Pinterest that I love as seeing what others are pinning gives me a real insight into the people behind my favourite blogs.

All in all it’s a veritable melting pot of inspiration – perfect for when you’re in desperate need of a new cake recipe, some party planning inspiration, ideas for gifts, make up tips, something to make you laugh, something to melt your heart or just a way to lose yourself for a few minutes (or hours – you have been warned!)

Pocketful of Dreams and Pinterest

Vicki and I browse through Pinterest on a daily basis for a regular dose of gorgeousness and inspiration and it’s a key tool we use when working with our wedding planning clients to share ideas, get a sense of our clients’ tastes and visions and create bespoke design mood boards.   But on a personal level we’ve also used it specifically to plan the perfect Christmas, find recipes, hunt out new hair do ideas, seek out inspiration for home improvements and Vicki of course used it religiously in the build up to her own wedding!

Our Pocketful of Dreams Pinterest account is crammed full of ideas, inspiration and hopefully gives you an insight into who we are as individuals, how we work as a business and what really makes us tick.  You can follow us and see what we’ve been pinning here:

And if you don’t already have a Pinterest account, registration is really simple: just click this special custom registration link below to get pinning!

>>> SIGN UP TO PINTEREST NOW <<< 

Pin It Forward UK Campaign

Those clever people over at Pinterest have just launched a campaign in the UK to raise awareness of the wonders of Pinterest and we were thrilled to be invited to be a part of it.  Over a 30 day period, 300 UK bloggers will be sharing insights into how they use Pinterest and their favourite Pinterest board – not only does this show quite how broad the appeal of Pinterest is, it’s also a great way to discover some new blogs!

Of course, as creative event designers we wanted to create something a little bit special for this campaign and so have been busy plotting and pinning to create the most beautiful of Pinterest boards for your viewing (and re-pinning) pleasure.

Called The New Wedding Style, this board showcases a new kind of wedding and the sort of celebration that we love: a day that is beautiful, fun, vibrant and easygoing with innovative, fresh and colourful design touches.  We’ve split the board up into categories:

• The Vibe – Words, patterns, colours and textures to spark that initial inspiration
• The Look – All the fashion and beauty that encompass our bride, groom and their wedding party
• The Ceremony – Stylish ideas for the I-Do’s
• The Style – Bursting with pretty paper, delectable decor, floral and tablescape ideas
• The Moments – Our favourite spine-tingling moments from a wedding day
• The Party – Fun party ideas to get your wedding rocking
• and finally The Next Chapter…because we strongly believe that the marriage is just as important as the wedding.

Hopefully this board will fill you with ideas and inspiration for your own wedding day or celebration and gives you a little insight into the way we roll.  We love quirky, thought provoking design but most of all we love getting to know the couples we work with and creating a day that is all about them: their personalities, their love and their life together.

For more beautiful wedding style inspiration don’t forget to check out the boards the our wedding blogger friends - Bridal Musings, B.Loved and Want That Wedding - have created for the campaign.

We’d love to know what you think of our New Wedding Style board and how you use Pinterest but next, it’s time for us to Pin It Forward to the next blogger in the campaign, Kate from Crafts On Sea – a great blog bursting with baking and crafting ideas and who has a fabulous set of boards on her Pinterest account.  Happy pinning…

Michelle xx

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Hannah is a London girl who trained as a Theatre and Costume designer at Central Saint Martin’s and now works as a Props & Fashion Stylist for advertising and magazines.  She writes the rather fabulous blog Couture Craft and generally, I think it’s fair to say, is our kinda girl!

Her gorgeously illustrated, hard back book is a beauty to behold and promises an array of irresistible makes, bakes and beauty projects to keep your guests entertained with minimum effort.  With a seemingly endless supply of ideas ranging from candyfloss cupcakes to DIY nipple tassels, party games you actually would want to play and pampering instructions for hair, nails and make up, it certainly does deliver!

Whether you and your girls are hardcore crafters or more fans of sitting around, drinking cocktails (a popcorn martini complete with popping candy anyone?) whilst engaging in some beauty treatments, this book is guaranteed to have something to tickle your fancy.  It also manages to achieve that tricky balance between looking fabulously inspiring – with beautiful images to accompany every idea – and being achievable with easy-to-follow instructions and a whole load of templates at the back of the book.

Great inspiration for those of you looking to have a giggle and relaxed times with the girls, searching out some non-tacky hen do ideas or if you just fancy indulging in a beautifully presented book full of fun and fresh ideas to keep yourself busy on a rainy Sunday afternoon.  Personally, I’m looking forward to trying out the Peaches and Cream Leggy Ruffle Cake with a Girls’ Gossip Mojito Punch and crafting some Cosmos Tights!  Who fancies popping round..?

Girls’ Night In: Craft, Cakes and Cocktails for the Ultimate Party is published by Quadrille Publishing and can be yours for just £16.99.   Get your copy now on Amazon.

Vicki xx

Image Credits: Tiffany Mumford and Verity Welstead

The post Girls’ Night In – Craft, Cakes and Cocktails for the Ultimate Party: A Review appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

The recent turn in the weather has had us dreaming of long, lazy summer days in the sunshine and in celebration of that, this design is a fresh and light look guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Pastel shades are perfect for creating a soft, exquisite look and this beautiful colour combination is both delicate but also uplifting and youthful.  Match muted tones of azure blue and blush with nude and cream shades for the perfect soft-hued look.  Then throw in a hint of gold for a delicate luxe edge.  The result is a novel take on a pastel palette and allows you to add a hint of fun and creativity to your design; embracing the softness and laid-back beauty of this concept whilst adding a hint of modernity.

Your decor and details provide you with an opportunity to incorporate the shades from your colour palette but use these elements to also reinforce the underlying essence and feel of your day.  You’re aiming for a soft, relaxed and very beautiful day with a hint of cheeky unexpectedness that adds a freshness and modern feel to proceedings.  So give thought to colours, textures and materials; cute little touches like pastel blue stripy straws and balloons at your drinks reception add a fun edge and injecting subtle gold hints to vases and platters will add a modern hint of luxe.

Created by Pocketful of Dreams, to provide a little inspiration for your party or event.  Pop over to Love My Dress for the full set of boards for this look.

Do let us know what you think in the comments box below and if you’re interested in discussing how we can create a unique design concept for your celebration, then get in touch at hello@pocketfulofdreams.co.uk.

Vicki xx

Image Credits: Bride, door, cakes, shoes, dish, flowers, badge, ring

The post Inspiration: Blushing Blue Bridal Mood Board appeared first on Pocketful Of Dreams.

What Is Street Food?

Now the term street food might conjure up images of overpriced burgers served from vans with slightly dubious hygiene standards but we are here to tell you that true street food has undergone a total revolution in the UK and covers all sorts of artisan food sold from trucks, vans, pop up counters, tricycles or even airstreams!

Traditionally a way to offer affordable food to workers, street food is a great way to experience traditional dishes, cooked in front of you with fresh ingredients and at good prices.  This is where you’ll taste the real food of a country or region!

The craze for food trucks has been taking America by storm for a while, bringing a back-to-basics approach to food and a real focus on reinventing classic dishes and using high quality, fresh ingredients.

Here in the UK, the street food revolution is booming, with everyone from artisan suppliers to the down and dirty food trucks offering a variety of influences, inspirations and flavours.  Think Asian kebabs and dumplings, Indian Chaat, British pies, Mexican torn pork burritos, crepes, gourmet ice cream, organic vegetarian cuisine and even oysters…the possibilities really are endless!

Street Food For Weddings

So why is street food a great idea for weddings?  Well, if you’re tired of eating the same old meals and canapés at weddings, then street food is the perfect way to up the food ante – forget tradition and expectations, street food allows you to serve up top notch food and is a perfect option for either your drinks reception, evening reception or even your wedding breakfast!

It brings a relaxed and fun edge to your day so is perfect for those of you planning a festival or outdoors wedding or in fact anyone looking to create an informal and non-traditional day.  This is also a great way to inject some personality into your wedding; why not work with your vendor to create a special dish named after you both, serve your favourite food – perhaps discovered on your travels around the world – or traditional dishes to reflect your heritages?  Not only will your guests enjoy fabulous food but the fun, surprise and personal factor means that guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come!

It’s also a great practical option; this can be a far more budget-friendly way to cater for your guests and it gives you the option to offer more choice and variety, a win for you and a guaranteed guest-pleaser!

We love the idea of serving street food to your wedding guests and next week we will be sharing our top street food vendors to help you transform the idea into reality.

Vicki xx

Image Credits: Truck, Burger, Couple, Sweet Potato Chaat, Server

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