A GIRLS NIGHT OUT AT THE IVY!

Last night Kirsten Butler (aka The Little Wedding Helper), Emma Norton and I had a fabulous girls night out at The Ivy Clifton Brasserie.

I've always wanted to eat at The Ivy in London but it's still on my 'wish' list so I was very excited to see whether Bristol's newest addition to it's thriving restaurant scene would live up to my expectations.

In the heart of Clifton Village, the restaurant is based in the old Bank building on Caledonia Place.  The entrance is quite impressive but it's the inside that has the real 'Wow' factor.  With lots of beautiful dark wood, amazing Art Deco light fixtures and a stunning bar area, it's really quite breathtaking when you walk in.  

I have to mention the staff - all immaculately dressed, they were welcoming, friendly and attentive and I was really impressed that every member of staff who dealt with us seemed to know who was having which dish at our table.

We all started with a cocktail and I had the beautiful 'Lavender Lady' which was delicious with quite a delicate flavour.

The menu is really extensive and we loved the fact that along with some unusual dishes there were also some great comfort dishes like their signature hamburger and fish and chips.  Our starters were superb - I had one of my all time favourites, the classic Prawn Cocktail, and was really pleased that it was fresh with a great tomato flavour - not at all sickly or over creamy, but my companions' dishes looked wonderful too, with Kirsten choosing the seared scallops and Emma the Mozzarella di Bufala - which I think I want to try next time!  The ladies decided on steak and fat chips and I went for one of the days specials which was two different types of lamb, incredibly tender and tasty.

In the past I've not been able to resist the dessert menu but these days I find that so many things are too sweet or sickly that it takes a really good pudding to tempt me but I have to say EVERYTHING on the dessert menu appealed to me.  I was a bit worried as Kirsten and Emma chose the Creme Brûlée which is one of my ultimate favourites and I thought I was going to be jealous but I HAD to try the Chocolate Bombe with an ice cream centre and warm salted caramel sauce, which our waitress poured over the Bombe.  I can happily report that it was divine!  Our only regret was that Kirsten didn't video it melting under the sauce.  All washed down with a delicate bottle of rose and finished off with coffee.

We all felt it was a real dining experience - wonderful surroundings, great service and a fabulous menu, beautifully cooked and presented!

We ate in a room off the main dining area, which we all thought would be wonderful for a smaller wedding party as it had a garden area too and the whole experience was really rather special.

It's also worth mentioning that they serve afternoon tea so once you've done your wedding dress shopping you could pop in to rest your weary feet and treat yourselves!

I'll definitely be going back - hopefully might surprise my husband and treat him for a special occasion!

THE BRISTOL MARRIOTT ROYAL HOTEL - A UNIQUE WEDDING VENUE IN THE HEART OF BRISTOL!

I recently had the great pleasure of sharing a lovely lunch with Sue Sullivan, the Wedding Co-ordinator at The Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel and took the opportunity to chat to Sue about what this beautiful venue has to offer brides and grooms.

Like many of us in Bristol, I regularly walk past this landmark hotel on College Green and I  have enjoyed afternoon tea in one of the classic lounges but I had no idea just how much this four star hotel can provide for wedding couples.  

The Bristol Marriott Royal is licensed for traditional and civil ceremonies and can cater for everything from small informal ceremonies up to 264 people, with a range of rooms from the calm oasis of the Palm Court, the Art Deco Palm Bar and Walter's Restaurant or a small private dining room.  They offer special rates for you and your guests to stay at the hotel including use of the spa and the Romanesque floodlit pool as well as a hair and beauty salon - so you and your guests have everything you need to just kick back, relax and enjoy your day!

However, what's really special is the unique service Sue and the team offer to couples holding their wedding at the hotel.  Sue has worked at the Bristol Royal Marriott for 11 years, the last 8 as the hotel's Certified Wedding Co-ordinator and her lovely relaxed exterior hides the fact that she has dealt with every wedding situation imaginable and is pretty much unflappable.  What's more this lady loves weddings and is passionate about making your day really special and unique to you.  

From the minute you choose the Bristol Royal Marriott as the venue for your big day you will feel totally looked after.  Your accommodation will be booked and approximately 10-12 weeks before your wedding day you will be invited to your menu tasting and have an opportunity to see another wedding set up.  The hotel is particularly proud of its catering  with everything cooked and prepared in-house, fresh for the party and they have some delicious packages from an elegant afternoon tea, to canapés, a classic wedding breakfast, a vegetarian menu, even a children's menu and lots more.  There really is something for every taste.

Approximately 6-8 weeks before your wedding, Sue will meet with you to go through all the final details for the day.   At this point a time line and running order will be drawn up, the menu and drinks decided on, and everything you can think of covered including entertainment, room set-up, table decorations and flowers.

Two weeks prior to your big day you will meet the Chef & Banqueting Manager who is your dedicated contact for the day and point of contact for any external suppliers such as your florist, the cake caterers and photographers.  They will ensure the guests know where they should be on the day, will give any Toastmaster speeches if needed, and make sure the room will be set up exactly as you want.

What really impressed me is Sue's dedication to her job and her couples - she tries to make sure she is there on the day and at the ceremony and to say goodbye before you leave - it really is a truly personal service.  In addition, the Bristol Royal Marriott offers numerous different packages to cover everything you could conceivably need.

Add to this the central location and speedy access to Bristol Airport, so you can whisk yourselves off to your honeymoon destination, along with extra discounts for Sunday and Friday weddings and it's pretty much the perfect wedding venue.  On top of which, the hotel even offers you dinner for 2 on your first anniversary - what could be more perfect!

THE DAFFODIL - FOR FILM STAR WEDDING DAY GLAMOUR!

Let me introduce you to the star of our Wedding Fair - The Daffodil!

I had been looking for a venue in Cheltenham for a while.  There are some  beautiful buildings but I wanted something that made my heart thump and my senses go WOW!  A friend had mentioned The Daffodil to me so I googled it and got quite excited.  But I've been disappointed before, so I made an appointment to meet up with their Events Manager and take a look.

The minute I saw the frontage I knew I was going to love it ... and walking into the building just knocked my socks off!  I am a MASSIVE film fan ... but my true love is vintage films - black and white, period films - glamorous, gorgeous and my style inspiration.  Well The Daffodil reflects all of that.  I was so thrilled when they said they'd like to host my vintage wedding fair.

Cheltenham's first purpose built picture palace, opening its doors to the public on the 5th October 1922, its Art Deco style was an instant success.  It was the height of glamour, with an upper circle lounge area for relaxing pre-feature, perfume vending spritzers in the ladies powder room and the country's first 'kissing seats' designed for courting couples.

The advent of television caused it's closure and, after several different incarnations restaurateur Mark Stephens fell in love with its potential in late 1996.    The Daffodil was lovingly restored with many original features reinstated and is now one of Britain's most unique and dramatic dining rooms.  

A dazzling open kitchen has replaced the silver screen, displaying a different kind of theatre, overseen by renowned Head Chef, Tom Rains, serving daily and seasonal specials combined with well established favourites.  The restaurant has established a great reputation for producing delicious and unpretentious classic dishes using the finest seasonal ingredients.

Not only that ... The Daffodil is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies, with a bespoke planning service to provide everything you need for a fairytale day.  Up to 140 guests can dine on the day or you can have a more cozy, intimate affair.  Whatever you want, the Daffodil can truly make you feel like a film star for a day!

On the 21st, the fully licensed cocktail bar, set in the mezzanine circle balcony and overlooking the hustle and bustle below, will be serving their Matinee Menu so, when you're overwhelmed by all the gorgeous exhibits, why not sit back, enjoy the view and pretend you're back in the '20's!