FLORA BELLA - BEAUTIFUL COUTURE FLOWER CROWNS

We're thrilled to have Flora Bella joining us for the first time this year.  From the moment we saw her website we were in love!

With over 10 years' experience in the flower industry as Dinah Taylor Floral Design, Dinah wanted to develop her skills and passion for floral crowns and accessories, so started her new adventure, Flora Bella - creating everlasting beautiful floral crowns using only the finest silk flowers, feathers and vintage accessories.

Every floral crown is unique, beautifully Bohemian and incredibly feminine.  From pretty and delicate to dramatic and luxurious, the options are endless.  Dinah can create a bespoke crown to compliment your personality, especially for your wedding day, and they're ideal for your flower girls and bridesmaids too!  You can even buy from her on-line shop to make things incredibly simple!

Flora Bella can host flower crown parties - perfect for a hen party or any fun celebration!.  You can design your own, luxurious flower crown using silk flowers, feathers and vintage accessories and have a perfect handmade crown to keep forever. The price includes all materials, flowers and accessories, along with refreshments and homemade cake!

We're all very excited to see what Dinah brings with her on Sunday.  I can see there'll be a few trips to try on her beautiful things during the course of the day!

W: http://www.flora-bella.co.uk

E: info@flora-bella.co.uk

T: 07507835754

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HEARTFELT VINTAGE BRIDAL & WEDDINGS - THE HOME OF CREATIVE, ADVENTUROUS WEDDINGS!

It's fair to say we love Heartfelt Vintage Bridal & Weddings!  Based in Alma Vale Road in the heart of Clifton, if you haven't yet visited this vintage lifestyle boutique then you're in for a treat!

Established in 2014 by husband and wife team Will and Kate, the business was bourne out of their desire to create a little haven of calm and creativity amidst the chaos of the modern world.

With a background in the performing arts, running festivals and producing artists all over Europe, it's no surprise that Heartfelt Vintage has evolved to become a multi-faceted business offering a number of different services under one roof.

Part vintage boutique, part tea room, part party venue, they are unique within Bristol and the only place in the city where you can enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea and a freshly baked scone at the same time as choosing from their beautiful selection of vintage wedding dresses!  There's no hard sell here - Heartfelt like to think of themselves as the antidote to modern life. 

Bristol's only supplier of authentic vintage wedding dresses, they have a stunning range of unique dresses from the 1900's to the 1970's, all lovingly restored.  And don't worry about vintage dresses being too small - they have a fantastic alteration service who can either make a dress fit or can build a replica from scratch if you fall in love with a particular gown. 

Heartfelt love creating something from nothing.  With their creative backgrounds they love helping you plan your wedding and turn the most mundane space into something magical.  Some of their most memorable wedding locations last year included a front garden, a cinema and a woodland cemetery!

Offering different wedding planning services 'The Creator', 'The Searcher', the Co-ordinator' and 'The Fixer', they can cover every aspect of your wedding from just sorting out a problem to helping you organise the whole thing from start to finish.

You can also hire their beautiful venue for a vintage hen party with scrumptious food and a variety of activities.

You can either simply hire the tearoom for your own private party, book one of their ready-made party packages or ask them to put together a bespoke party for you.  Or they can bring the Heartfelt Vintage Bridal mage to a venue of your choice.

From vintage makeovers to photo shoots and fascinator making, to afternoon tea with live music, they'll ensure there's always a warm welcome, enough tea to sink a battleship and lots and lots of cake!

We're thrilled to be welcoming Kate and her team back to the Vintage Wedding Fair and we can't wait to see their gorgeous stand.

Photoshoot credits:
Creative Direction & Styling | Kate Ashwell at Heartfelt Vintage

Photography | Leelou Wedding Photography

HMUA | Lou Mack Makeup & Hair

Flowers | Emerald & Jade Flowers

Flower Crown | Deni Maxa at Heartfelt Flowers

Cream 1950s Lace Dress | Heartfelt Vintage

Green Upycled Wedding Dress | Linda Thomas Eco Design

Assistant Stylist | Lizzie Williams

Location | North Street, Bristol

W: http://www.heartfeltvintage.co.uk

T:  0117 904 2898

E:  heartfeltvintageltd@gmail.com

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FLO-JO BOUTIQUE - HEN PARTY FUN WITH A CREATIVE TWIST!

Why not book the perfect Hen Party where you’ll learn how to make a pair of knickers and a garter for the bride?  If there’s material left over, you can make bunting and add all the buttons, bows and vintage embellishments you like. Designing, sewing  and making all things vintage-inspired since 2004, owners Delia and Erika of Flo-Jo Boutique on Gloucester Road host brilliantly fun knicker-making and sewing parties. They search high and low for their retro-inspired prints and find inspiration in vintage lace and silks, which they ‘upcycle’. 

At Flo-Jo you'll find collections of handmade undies, knicker-making kits and frilly pines for sale.  They also run a haberdashery with carefully sourced fabrics, but the other half of the shop is a fabulous retro style 50's kitchen-inspired workshop space, filled with sewing machines.  This is where the fun happens with regular workshops on embellishing, quilting, patchwork and dressmaking, alongside high tea, cake and a glass of champagne.  Hens have a great time bonding over their making experience and it's something that mums will enjoy too. Flo-Jo cater for all ages and sewing experience, from total novices to fashion designers. 

The knicker-making workshops are a very popular hen party choice. Over 3 hours you'll make a pair of knickers and contribute to the making of a garter for the bride-to-be using a selection of new and vintage lace and trims, retro-style prints, buttons and bows.

Take a look at their website to find out exactly what they offer - from Hen parties, through Baby Showers to complete beginner's sewing workshops - there's so much to do! 

Flo Jo Boutique

Email: flojoboutique@gmail.com

Tel: 0117 9041498

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FLO-JO BOUTIQUE - KNICKER MAKING PARTIES & MUCH MORE!

On a popular independent shopping street in Bristol you'll find a beautifully styled shop that Bristol Vintage loves... 

Designing, sewing  and making all things vintage-inspired since 2004, owners Delia and Erika of Flo-Jo Boutique on Gloucester Road host brilliantly fun knicker-making and sewing parties.

The knicker-making workshops are a very popular hen party choice. Over 3 hours you'll make a pair of knickers and contribute to the making of a garter for the bride-to-be using a selection of new and vintage lace and trims, retro-style prints, buttons and bows.

Flo-Jo Boutique serve tea and cakes on vintage china and you'll finish off your party with a glass of bubbly in vintage Babycham glasses. 

Groups have a really good time bonding over their making experience and it's something that mums will enjoy too. They cater for all ages and sewing experience, from total novice to fashion designers. 

Flo-Jo is more than just knicker making.  They have a gorgeous selection of designer fabrics, quality haberdashery and craft gifts to inspire.  Looking for a retro fabric print?  These are your ladies!  They also offer a year round program of dressmaking and craft courses, children's sewing parties and baby showers!

So join the knicker-making revolution with Flo-Jo Boutique and make sure you visit them at our 2015 Fair on Sunday, March 8th. Delia will be bringing a selection of their wares to inspire you.  Save the date!

HEARTFELT VINTAGE - ALL YOU COULD WANT UNDER ONE ROOF!

We're really excited to have the fabulous Heartfelt Vintage joining us for the first time at this year's fair.  If you haven't yet visited this luxury vintage boutique and tea room then make sure you instantly add it to your 'to do' list!  It's like walking into a treasure trove filled with beautiful, covetable items.  I have been known to stand outside just staring at a dress in the window with a wistful look on my face!

Kate and her team at Heartfelt are one of the few places in Bristol offering a bespoke wedding service including the most beautiful dresses and accessories, as well as  a seamstress, headpiece designers and hair and makeup artists.  They can also help you with florists, photographers, entertainers, vintage crockery and much more.

On the day they'll be bringing along some stunning unique vintage wedding dresses, each with their own history.  And if the dress isn't the exact fit, their seamstress has some magical ways to help make it just right for you as well as talking you through the options of finding your dream dress if you know what you want but just can't find it.  

The Heartfelt website has some clever tips worth reading before you visit the fair on what to bring with you when you're looking for your perfect vintage dress.

As well as bridal wear and accessories, Hearfelt stock a truly lovely selection of handpicked quality vintage pieces along with preloved designer items and vintage inspired designer pieces so, when you go along to find your wedding dress, your friends may also find the ideal outfit for your big day!

But Heartfelt is so much more than just a vintage shop - they have a scrummy tea room, so you can have a rest after the hard work of buying gorgeous vintage items AND they provide a range of Hen Party activities including fascinator making, vintage makeovers with photographs or just a glamorous afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly - whatever you choose they guarantee you'll have fabulous vintage fun!

Enquiries

Email:    heartfeltvintageltd@gmail.com    
Website: www.heartfeltvintage.co.uk

ANATOMY OF A HEN PARTY LIFE DRAWING CLASS

I was very excited when I heard about this great Hen Party idea.  Over to tutor Penny for a sneak peek behind the scenes of a Hens with Pens  class.

What actually happens at a hen party life drawing class? One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is “How rowdy are the hens?”, quickly followed by “Is the model nude?”.

I really enjoy teaching the classes and find that there is a massive variance in mood from the quiet and studious to the very lively. It depends on the personalities within the group and, of course, what time of day the class is held. In all cases I try to provide some tuition so that those who really want to learn how to draw get the chance to pick up a couple techniques. At the same time I’m aware that it’s a party activity so I don’t put too much pressure on anyone to produce a masterpiece!

As for whether the model is nude – yes he is! In the academic tradition of life drawing, models would always be nude so that students can gain an understanding of anatomy. The same is true for a hen party life drawing class.

A Hens with Pens class - timeline

As a hen party life drawing tutor, my weekends are spent dashing round the countryside with sketchbooks in tow – one of the nicest aspects of the job is getting to see all the fabulous accommodation that hens are using – in one case we even held a class in a yurt!

After I’ve arrived and set up, my first task is to get all the hens wearing their berets and moustaches and furnished with drawing materials. We then spend about an hour doing some low-pressure portraits of each other that can and usually do have hilarious consequences.

At half-time our male model will arrive, and my job is to secretly usher him in to get changed without the bride catching sight of him. Once he’s modelling the hens often ask questions about whether he gets nervous, but for a professional art model it’s all in a day’s work. Both myself and the models love seeing the hens’ drawings and it’s really rewarding for both of us to see a progression in technique and an improvement in drawings over the two hours.

Penny is a life drawing tutor at Hens with Pens.

Babes in the Woods

Bristol Vintage is thrilled to introduce you to Babes in the Woods.

Babes in the Woods run wild woodland hen do’s in secluded Devon and beautiful Malvern.

With their signature Californian domed tents, wild walks and woodland wedding favours, Babes in the Woods host great alternative hen weekends.

A hen party with Babes in the Woods  is all about comfortable woodland living, complete with champagne and Devonshire cream teas.

Hens can spend the weekend indulging in good times, champagne and luxury camping.

Other activities include the chance to learn bushcraft skills, such as fire and shelter building, ‘wild walks’ of the area, chill out time in front of a roaring fire and even the opportunity for some proper girlie pampering.

2014 will include the option for wild swimming in the river at Devon or a mini-trek to one the Malvern Hills called, Chase End.  Hens can use their ‘wild’ experience to make unique and seasonal ‘wedding favours’ for their guests such as hedgerow jams, garlic pestos or hedgerow lip balms.

Everything is organised so all you have to think about is enjoying yourselves.

So release your inner Ray Mears and find out more from the Babes themselves. They'll be on hand at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair to answer all your questions. If you can't wait and you need to be glamping right this minute, take a look at their website, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Mauretania Bar & Lounge

Mauretania Bar & Lounge is one of Bristol's best kept secrets and we at Bristol Vintage think she's a stunning, totally unique and sophisticated choice for a wedding venue. With its rich and fascinating history, the Mauretania is perfect for you lovers of vintage.

Hidden inside the beautiful and historic building are plenty of art deco features.... think chandeliers, opulent wood-panelled walls and ornate plasterwork. These art deco interiors originate from the world famous RMS Mauretania Ocean liner, built in 1906 and the biggest, fastest and most opulent ship of her time.

Creating bespoke packages to suit your particular event whether it's your upcoming nuptials or a sophisticated hen party, the Mauretania is a bar, cafe and club that effuses exclusivity with plenty of style. They have a variety of rooms available... The snug rooms with their hidden entrance on Park Street are perfect for receptions, whilst the spectacular Mauretania room offers a beautiful setting for wedding breakfasts. The club room is fantastic  for later festivities and features plush blue velvet seating booths, a giant glitterball and a magnificent domed ceiling, originally the centrepiece of the RMS Mauretania's library!

Want to feel like a VIP at your wedding? The team at the Mauretania can create a bespoke package perfectly tailored to your needs. They also have talented in-house chefs who'll work with you to arrange anything from elegant canapes to a lavishly indulgent three-course meal. Book the Mauretania Bar & Lounge by emailing them direct at info@mauretania-events.com and you'll be sipping one of their fantastic signature cocktails and planning your celebrations in no time.

Fosse Farmhouse

At Bristol Vintage we're always on the lookout for inspiring places that will suit the sort of vintage-style we adore and we've found a place to stay that we think you'll love too.

Fosse Farmhouse is nestled in the beautiful Cotswolds in an area of outstanding natural beauty. In fact, the nearby village of Castle Combe is just 20 minutes from Bristol and Bath and is frequently used for film locations, such is its vintage charm. 

The Farmhouse sleeps up to 16 guests and is perfect whatever your accommodation budget, with pretty bed and breakfast rooms furnished with gorgeous vintage pieces, country antiques and French brocante (most of which is for sale) as well as three luxurious, contemporary self-catering cottages.  

Owner and chef Caron Cooper sources the finest local ingredients to prepare delicious breakfasts and evening meals, with clotted cream teas served in the orchard throughout the summer months. You could take yours in the Garden House living room, of course, once it gets a little colder... 

It's a perfectly wonderful place to host not only your vintage-style hen weekend but to have all your wedding guests stay in one place. Every room is gorgeous...

Owner Caron has experience in organising events too and will decorate to your taste with flowers, bunting and banners. She'll also ensure the bride and groom and all your relatives are looked after properly with a delicious wedding breakfast.  

So if you're getting married locally, take a look at Fosse Farmhouse. Nearby Sheldon Manor is a favourite wedding venue and they send all their weddings to stay at Caron's Farmhouse. We hope you love it too...