The Tender Trap

If you're looking for some sophisticated lounge music to set a lovely ambience at your wedding, then look no further than The Tender Trap. The Tender Trap play classic blues and jazz and have a fantastic repertoire of all the best loved songs from the 30s to the 60s. A wonderful all-female trio with Joanna Swan, the beautiful lead singer, at the helm with a wonderful velvety voice. If expensive chocolate sang, then this is what it would sound like.

You can hear a couple of songs on their website - www.thetendertrap.co.uk (soon to be updated with the new 3 part harmony sound) but, best of all, they'll be playing at the Fair! We'll announce times nearer to the time of the Fair so check back in to see when they'll be playing.

The Tender Trap trio are: Joanna Swan, Ruther Hammond & Tammy Payne. With their unique style of jazz, blues & popular standards – performed with organ, drums and luscious 3-part harmonies – they bring a sophisticated ambience to your special occasion.

They are perfect for pre-dinner drinks & canapés, music to dine to, or gentle dancing, prior to your disco or main band. As well as jazz bookings in clubs, restaurants and festivals, The Tender Trap have played all sorts of events, from champagne breakfasts at the races to murder mysteries in remote Scottish castles. They play an eclectic mix of classic songs from the 1930’s through to the 1960’s. Songs made famous by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Dusty Springfield, Doris Day, Astrid Gilberto, Billie Holiday, Elvis Presley, Julie London, The Beatles etc.

For enquiries, please contact Joanna – thetendertrap@gmail.com

Documentary Image

I am one happy bunny today.

Today, I get to upload some amazing photography from the wonderful Morag McDonald of Documentary Image. Morag's photography is just spectacular. She wins awards as often as I change my...  as often as the wind changes. And it's no wonder. Morag's photography portfolio is enormous and perfect. You'll appreciate her unobtrusive approach on the day, and have an album full of wonderful memories forever.

Check out lots more of Morag's photos at www.documentaryimage.com

Having picked up five professional awards in the last 12 months, Bristol Photographer Morag MacDonald throws her heart and soul into the weddings she shoots.  Drawing on her years of experience Morag produces fresh and exciting imagery for each couple she photographs.

Morag also does 'boudoir' photography. Do check out the website to see how lovely and tasteful her take on this style of photography is - www.bristolboudoirphotography.com - Wonderful pictures of you, looking unbelievably fabulous, taken in a warm, all-female setting to keep you at ease. What a perrrrrrrrrrrfect first wedding anniversary gift for your lovely husband. And what an amazing private keepsake.

Sister Susie

This next post is all about the wondefully talented Lisa Lipman of ultra cool brand Sister Susie. Lisa designs and handmakes the most wonderful collection using nothing but the finest vintage scarves. These clothes are just gorgeous and the scarves are divine. Any of the pieces from this collection would be perfect in your suitcase for your honeymoon.

Sister Susie doesn't have a website yet but is available at a few select outlets (see below) or come along to the fair to see Lisa's wondeful creations in person.

Sister Susie was launched nearly a year ago , the name inspired by the old First World War song "Sister Susie's sewing shirts for soldiers" . Since then this line of tunics, skirts and dresses made from vintage scarves has been stocked in uber chic boutiques round the UK and in San Francisco. They can be found at Prey in Bath, the Laundry in Wells and at Fanny Adams, Blagdon.

I create clothes from stunning vintage scarves, embellished with old buttons, velvets, chiffons, and occasionally mens’ ties, each one is hand made and utterly unique! They are gorgeously feminine but also modern and hip. They marry a Boho -retro look, capturing the old but in a very of- the- moment way. The designs are simple, but the flow across the form is very flattering.

I am a TV producer who makes documentaries. With some time on my hands, I got sewing and have found that women LOVE these clothes.

You can contact Lisa at member@lipman.fsbusiness.co.uk or on 07854 168314.

Clifton Vintage

Clifton Vintage, owned by the lovely Cleo Holyoak, is something of a vintage institution in Bristol. Cleo's shop is just stunning. The most gorgeous vintage style imagineable, perfectly displayed and we just cannot wait to see what magic Cleo will create at the Fair.

Cleo doesn't just sell vintage. She loves and knows vintage. All her peices are in fantastic condition and Cleo can usually tell you about their history too. Clifton Vintage really is the best that vintage has to offer.

Some words from the lovely Cleo below:

I have vintage accessories and jewellery from all eras, 1880s-1980s, suitable for the bride and her entourage. I love quality craftsmanship and stunning design, and aim to find pieces that reflect this.  I'll be bringing as fabulous a collection as I can muster to the event, but there's always a fair seclection in my shop in the Clifton Arcade.  Whether era-specific or timelessly classic, you'll find tiaras, hats, gloves, shoes and bags, lace and feathers, wraps, shawls and stoles, dainty pendants, diamante collars, bangles, bracelets and brooches.

Vivien of Holloway

Who wants to look like Christina Hendricks in Mad Men?

ME! ME! ME!

Who wouldn't? Well my lovelies, look no further than the legendary Vivien of Holloway. These dresses would flatter every figure. Think you don't have a very 'vintage' shaped waist? Just take one Vivien of Holloway 50s circle dress, add one of the fabulous chiffon petticoats and there you are. A 50s siren! Now where's the red lippy?...

A seriously heavy-hitter in the vintage World, Vivien of Holloway recreates the very best styles from the 40s and 50s. Her dresses have been snapped on many a style-savvy celeb and were worn on Strictly Come Dancing last year.

Check out the Vivien of Holloway website for more dresses - www.vivienofholloway.com. And, of course, come along to the wedding fair to meet with the girls and chat to them about how they can make you look a million dollars!...

Viven of Holloway wedding dress

Bridal party in Vivien of Holloway

The gorgeous shop on Holloway Road

The fabulous Paloma Faith in Vivien of Holloway

Jane Bourvis

Jane Bourvis' collection of wedding and occasion dresses is truly inspiring. Her shop in Notting Hill is like something from a fairytale and we're so excited to have some of these very, very special dresses at our Fair! These exquisite dresses are individually fitted and handcrafted using the finest vintage and antique fabric and trimmings, some dating right back to the Edwardian era.

Jane's client list reads like the who's who of celebrities. We don't like to name drop but, yes, that is Sarah-Jessica Parker in a Jane Bourvis dress...

We specialise in extremely beautiful hand made antique & vintage bridalwear. We work with exquisite antique textiles and fine & delicate laces sourced from 

Edwardian / Victorian times & late 20’s. 

Every piece is unique, custom made, handworked & individually fitted.
Cut with patterns of a bygone age. The laces are stunning, the textiles sublime. As are our veils, jewellery and other bridal accessories. We also do veils, trimmings, & headdresses.

 Antique sourcing from the early 1900’s onwards

Silk & silk brocade skirts, corsets, fine lace dresses, beautiful jackets & coats in

silks and velvets and wonderful jewellery and headpieces.

Tiaras, sublime silk corsages. Hair jewellery can be customised to specific requests.

Our attention to detail is neverending and specific help given timelessly.

www.janebourvis.co.uk

Jane Bourvis

89, golborne rd, london w10 5nl

0208 964 5603

Shellac Sound

We are lining up some amazing entertainment to delight you lovely people at the Fair. And, of course, to give you some inspiration for your own special day.

These next guys are just wonderful. Shellac Sound are gramophone DJs. Gramophone DJs! How fantastic!

Matt Jones and Kate Wright of Shellac Sound will be 'gramophoning' on the day of the Fair and we can't wait to hear and see them. Their gramophones are just gorgeous and the sound of a gramophone is about as evocative of a vintage era as you can get.

We will be announcing full details of the entertainment line-up soon.

We are Matt Jones and Kate Wright, two gramophone enthusiasts based in Bristol, playing music from the 1920s,30s,40s,  on original wind-up gramophones
 

We have played at wedding receptions (including the wonderful Burgh Island Hotel), art galleries,cinemas, birthday parties in church halls and tea parties in the park.
 

Drawing on a large collection of 78 rpm shellac records,we can tailor a set to suit your tastes. We use two 1930s His Masters Voice 102 gramophones, widely regarded as the best sounding portable gramophone,and one horn type gramophone, to complete the picture.
  
        "On the beach, in the woods, up the river, or wherever you may be, there is no instrument to compare with His Masters Voice portable" - HMV, 1929
 

We've been gramophoning for about 6 years, we started out playing in bands,which led to us playing records at music concerts - somewhere along the way we got interested in gramophones, collecting the old records as we travelled around.
                    

It's always a pleasure to bring the gramophones and the music to new people!

http://www.shellacsound.co.uk/

Rose Popay (aka the Art Tart)

There are many words to describe Rose Popay, but the two words I think best sum her up are PURE and GENIUS.

The daughter of performers, Rose studied fine art and went on to work with the man himself, Mr Damien Hirst, before going it alone. Rose's personality and artwork are absolutely captivating. She will draw your wedding as it happens and, if you like, allow your guests to put their mark on the artwork too. 

Rose will come as herself or in character. My favourite character, The Art Tart, even has her own website! She's just wonderful. Any wedding with Rose around would be a wedding to remember.

Come to the Fair to meet Rose herself. Rose also does individual 'Enid Blighton style' characatures and she'll be capturing some of you at the Fair! We can't wait to see her at work.

Check out Rose's websites for more information http://www.rosepopay.co.uk/ and, for Rose's fabulous alter-ego http://www.thearttart.com/ Check out the videos. They're fantastic! 

What Rose does, in her words: 

This process starts with me drawing the bride and groom and some main features of the setting as well as some of the guests. This can then be opened out to the guests to join in! They may draw each other, memories, the food.. I continue to draw alongside to give the canvas a strong structure as well as encouraging others to join in. Then the picture is laid down and ready to paint. By the end of the evening the bride and groom are presented with the canvas, the image can be used as a thank you card as well! There is also the option for me to draw solo. Prices around £350.

Rose drawing outside

Rose drawing with guests

Guests painting artwork

The Art Tart at work

The Art Tart drawing wedding guests

Street Art from The Art Tart

More about Rose:  
Rose studied Fine Art at Bretton Hall before being head hunted for Damien Hirst’s science studio. After five years Rose decided to do her own thing and has gone on to work internationally, recieving awards and taking her place amongst the world’s top artists. Rose can not only capture your event but involve your guests in creating a collaborative art work. This takes it beyond a charming record and into the sphere of entertainment. With her strong performance background Rose can appear as her self or as a character to enhance the theme of your event.

Kiss me Cake

Writing this blog is making me fat. Well, I suppose I was already a bit squidgy, but the cake makers we have coming to the fair are just wonderful and thinking about their goodies never fails to get my taste buds going.

Ally Bradley, Founder and 'Chief Baking Officer' of Kiss me Cake is to blame this time. Her cupcakes are just gorgeous! Ally's really passionate about what she does and you can taste it in every single cake. Ally's cakes are made with nothing but the best, local ingredients.

The lovely Ally

Come and meet Ally at the fair and sample some of her delicious cupcakes. You can see more flavours on the website - www.kiss-me-cake.co.uk

The Splitscreen Ice Cream Company

OK. This may well be just about the coolest thing ever. Dan and Aimee of the Splitscreen Ice Cream Company have a VW Type 2 (or VW Camper to you and me). It is utterly fabulous and extremely rare. It was once an ice cream van in Germany back in the 60s and Dan and Aimee have restored it to it's former glory and it's now available for events. Fantastic!

The ice-cream itself comes in many wonderful flavours from a local, award-winning, organic farm and is freshly made every day. There will be some very happy wedding guests me thinks. 

And just imagine the photos!!!

Come along to the Fair to meet with Dan and Aimee. You can also join their facebook group - The Splitscreen Icecream Company. More information about the van can be found on their website - http://www.splitscreenicecream.com/

Kudos...