The Walled Garden at Cowdray

It's been such a busy summer so far and I've not had chance to blog for ages so my new routine is going to be that Monday is blog day!!! Please don't hold me to this!!!
Anyway, here's a wedding from last year believe it or not.
Julie and James were a gorgeous couple who chose the most fabulous venue, The Walled Garden at Cowdray. With styling from Vintage Style Hire, www.vintagestylehire.co.uk and photography by Lisa Devlin, wwwdevlinphotos.co.uk you can't go far wrong.
Unfortunately it was a rainy day, although the rain really didn't effect the day, in fact it meant that the floral garland for around the entrance door was relocated to inside which meant it was looked at all day.
Julie's brief was quite vague, which meant we got to play. Her request was for English country garden flowers in a riot of colours. My personal favourite.
Here are some of the photographs. I hope you enjoy them!

Mother's Day Workshops

In between weddings, creating the cutting garden and family life(!) Laura of Love Little Cakes and I are planning our Mother's Day workshops. We're hoping you agree that it would make a lovely and unique way to treat your Mum or alternatively come along for a fun day with friends. It's up to you however if you want to give away your creations at the end!!
You can come along to the barn on Saturday 9th March for a day of creativity. In the morning Laura will teach you how to professionally stack a multi layered cake and then ice it beautifully with ruffle icing and some vintage inspired sugar flowers. We will then break for a lovely cream tea. After lunch I'll show you how to create your very own hand tied along with some quirky ways to present your gift bouquet.
We then send you on your way with your goodies.
The one day workshop includes all materials and a scumptious Love Little Cakes cream tea and is priced at £85.
Contact Sam info@violetsandvelvet.co.uk or Laura hello@lovelittlecakes.co.uk for more details.

The Violets and Velvet Cutting Garden

I'm so excited about this new venture, it's going to be great! Our very own cutting garden!!
Hammer Hill Farm has been Violets and Velvet's address for the past year, and soon to be a stunning new wedding venue for marquee, tipi and yurt weddings. The farm has some really stunning views over the Essex countryside and is the new home also to The Violets and Velvet Cutting Garden
My plans at the moment basically consist of loads of dahlias, I love them and have lovely childhood memories of buying them tied with wool from the allotments. We've always had dahlias at home so I think Scott (Mr Violet) and I will hopefully have some success with them. Scott is my secret weapon as he's a landscape gardener ever so slightly obsessed with gardening which is great as I can pick his brains along with roping him in to do some weeding.
Right then, I should get on with my plan. Our lovely landlord John is letting me have a 8m x 8m square of his field which is a great size for us to get started on. So, along with of course the dahlias I'm going to try some easier flower varieties for starters, with some more herbs I think. I love herbs with flowers and in my opinion you can never have too much foliage! O.k, I'm off to browse through my new porn, seed catalogues.

 Sarah Raven's amazing Cutting Garden

 Inspiring people, Organic Blooms.

Our very first market at Hammer Hill Farm 1st December 2012

Here we go again.  Kate and I always have too many ideas, although I think this is a pretty good one.
In October (!!) we decided to have a Christmas Market up at our barn. We really loved the open day we had there in the autumn and thought the barn would provide a great space to showcase lots of local  creative sorts!
So, it's this Saturday. We believe it'll be a great success. Kate www.vintagestylehire.co.uk selling all her amazing vintage finds along with her up cycled furniture. Laura from www.lovelittlecakes.co.uk brewing up in the vintage tea room along with hand made French macaroons, beautiful jewellery and of course lots of festive floral goodies and loads more.
Come along between 10 and 4 to see what's happening in the sleepy hamlet of Stanbrook. Are they really ready for this!

You can never have too many knackered old tins...

I absolutely love a tin. Preferably with as many different flowers in as possible. It just works. This little beauty below with the robins on is a fave of mine so if you've been lucky enough to have had it used for your wedding you are very lucky indeed!! 

For more lush tins take a look at the www.vintagestylehire.co.uk

Eltham Palace Bridal Showcase

A date for the diary is the annual bridal open day held at our favorite venue, Eltham Palace & Gardens next month.Brides looking for a fairytale location for their wedding can obtain ideas and inspiration galore at a special open day being held at historic Eltham Palace on Saturday 28th January 2012.
The day will give prospective brides and grooms complimentary access to look around the prestigious and popular art deco mansion, medieval great hall and stunning grounds - which can be hired for civil ceremonies and dinners for up to 200 and standing receptions for up to 300 guests - and get advice from experts from the English Heritage Hospitality team.
A selection of the palace’s top quality accredited and recommended suppliers will be on hand with a wealth of bridal day inspiration and promotional offers, including some offering generous discounts for those booking their services at the open day.
Highlights on the day include:
Caterers providing delicious champagne and menu tasting
Photographers offering complimentary photo sessions
Bridal wear and floristry displays
Entertainment, music, sound and lighting demonstrations
Plus information on crèche services, bridal car hire, and wedding planner services
Eltham Palace & Gardens Bridal Open Day runs from 11am-4pm on Saturday 28th January. For further information call Sarah Horseman on 020 8294 2577 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/hospitality

A stylish affair....

I was really looking forward to this one as I love it when a couple don't want the "norm". Creative couple Alex and Mike, wanted a relaxed yet stylish look which we created with a little bit of help from the lovely vintage prop lady,
Kate from Vintage Style Hire. Jam jars and Grandma's bread bin gave things a very hone-spun feel. The guests had also been baking like mad to give Alex and Mike this truly amazing cake/sweet table using our cakestands to display them. More photos to follow- hopefully of some cakes too......