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

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Blog

EMMA NORTON - ROMANTIC, FAIRYTALE FLOWERS

We're thrilled to welcome back Emma Norton Wedding Flowers to this year's fair. Emma's beautiful, romantic, fairytale flowers are every bride's dream.

Having worked with flowers since she was a teenager, Emma's experience and eye for detail are second to none. With so many years' experience Emma realised her real passion lay in weddings and so created her business to specialise in working on weddings so is committed to making your big day as beautiful as possible.

Emma will work closely with you to ensure your flowers are distinctive and unique to you. She loves hearing your ideas and you'll work in partnership on your themes, colours and styles to create the perfect designs from your bouquet  to the accessories, table arrangements and venue flowers.

With her calm, relaxed manner and total professionalism you'll feel in safe hands with Emma.  Take a peek at her news and testimonials to see and hear from real life couples who've loved working with her.

You'll adore Emma's beautiful blooms at the wedding fair and she's really looking forward to meeting you and telling you about her passion for flowers.

E: emma@emmanortonweddingflowers.co.uk

T: 0117 9625987

M: 07891 308540

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

TOMORROW'S THE DAY - COME TO THE BRISTOL VINTAGE WEDDING FAIR!

We're all really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair.  If you're new to the blog, take a look at the posts for all our amazing exhibitors - there's something for all brides and grooms to be and any vintage fans or anyone wanting a peek at our fabulous venue!  With entertainment and refreshments throughout the day, we can guarantee a great day out!

The doors open at 10.30 am and close at 4.00 pm but in between we're hoping to meet some wonderful couples, families, bridesmaids and anyone who loves beautiful vintage or vintage inspired pieces!

The address is: Clifton Pavilion, Bristol Zoo Gardens BS8 3HA.  There is a lot of on-street parking nearby, or on Clifton Down (about a 5 minute walk away).  The parking is for anyone on a Sunday and is also free.

Some of our exhibitors don't have credit card facilities so do bring your cheque book if you have one.  The closest cashpoint is in Clifton Village, a little walk away.

At the moment, the weather's looking promising so do come and enjoy the sunshine in this wonderful venue.  We can't wait to get excited about your big day!

Ali xx

P.S.  We've a couple more blog pieces to go up today, so do keep checking in! x

Oh - and just another chance to admire Moomie Swan's wonderful artwork!

THE CLIFTON PAVILION - THE PERFECT VENUE!

When we started the fair, Katie and I talked for days about the 'perfect' venue for the fair.  And, of course, by that we meant the perfect wedding venue!  We had no idea that we would actually find it and continue to hold our fair there every year!  But that's how we feel about the Clifton Pavilion

Our exhibitors always say "it's the BEST venue" and we can't believe just how lucky we are. The rooms are beautifully proportioned, the light is amazing and really, this venue has everything you could want.  For a start, the Clifton Pavilion has a licence to perform wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships  so you can hold your ceremony here as well as celebrate afterwards.

The elegant rooms are gorgeous, with sumptuous gold flock wallpaper in the Clifton Suite and the famous leopard print carpet leading into it, as well as glorious views over the zoo. Amazing chandeliers light up the room and yet it somehow feels personal and intimate!  The garden room is incredibly light and airy and you have the unique added bonus of being able to have your photographs taken in the zoo gardens!  Take a look at some of the fabulous reviews on Hitched from couples who have had their big day here.

The venue is run by Bristol Zoo Gardens Hospitality who take pride in supplying excellent menu options utilising fresh, locally sourced sustainable and ethical ingredients, coupled with friendly professional staff.  

By holding your wedding at the Clifton Pavilion you are helping the great work of Bristol Zoo Gardens as a proportion of your wedding fee goes to the zoo assisting with conservation projects - both in the UK and overseas.  You can take pride in the fact your wedding will have an ethical aspect!

Exciting news is that the Zoo we have recently opened The Lodge, a two bedroom accommodation within the grounds.  They have put together an overnight stay package for bride & bridesmaids the night prior to the wedding and for the bride & groom on their wedding night.  

The Clifton Pavilion will be serving refreshments on the day, so take a few minutes to sit back and relax whilst you're there.  We're so looking forward to another year at this wonderful venue and we can't wait to share it with you!

Copyright Capture SC by Shane Cox

Copyright Capture SC by Shane Cox

Copyright Shutter Bliss Photography

Copyright Capture SC by Shane Cox

Copyright Capture SC by Shane Cox

Clifton Pavilion

Email: Hospitality@bristolzoo.org.uk 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Youtube

COUNTRY VERSUS TOWN WEDDINGS - WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Before you choose between a country or town wedding venue, take a look at our interview with Liz Ballinger, the Wedding Co-ordinator at The Bishopstrow, a Longleat Hotel in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, who has some great advice:

The Bishopstrow

"For many years now, happy couples looking for the perfect location to tie the know have fretted and flustered over what sort of venue they should use for their wedding.  Do they stay local to their current home, go to the place where they met or grew up or pick somewhere entirely new?  Should they escape to the country or venture into the city for their ideal wedding venue?

The location of the ceremony and the reception has such a big effect on every other element of your happy day, from the choice of caterers to the ability of guests to attend, the pressure is on to choose something that will keep everyone happy.  Not only that, but the wedding venue says so much about you as a couple, picking a venue to reflect your style and personality is a tough call for anyone.

So let's address one element of the decision making process: should you stay in town or hop out to the rural wilderness to tie the knot?  Deciding whether to opt for breath-taking rolling scenery or city centre convenience should at least start to refine your list of choices down.

Location

Picking the right location for both you and your guests will make a big difference to your special day.  A city based wedding will usually ensure excellent transport links for all your friends and family, making lots of positive RSVP's more likely.  There will also be lots of affordable places to stay, should they want to, or plenty of public transport options for getting home after the party.

A countryside wedding can be a bit more difficult in some situations.  Hosting a wedding in the Scottish Highlands is likely to exclude a good number of your guests, as those in the south will be hesitant to make the trip.  However, not all countryside locations have to make getting to and from a difficult prospect.  Wiltshire wedding venues, for instance, are located just a stone's throw from the M4 motorway, making it possible to secure your stunning rural countryside escape but still ensure easy access for your guests.  And with many such venues offering on site accommodation, more guests can stay over and prevent the early evening exodus that city weddings sometimes encourage. 

Winner:  Countryside weddings - for onsite accommodation and assurance of company all night long.

Beauty

It's unlikely that a wedding venue in a city location can rival the natural beauty that you find in countryside locations.  However, that doesn't mean you can't get some awesome wedding photos in and around your city location too.  If you're a couple with a bit more 'street' about you, taking pictures in front of graffiti smothered walls, around warehouses or in busy streets can actually be totally arty and cool.

However, the traditional wedding picture still tends to be on a background of rolling hills, landscaped gardens, unspoiled beaches or panoramic vistas. And it’s only the countryside location that can really deliver this in style.

Winner: Countryside weddings – Urban can be edgy, but for timeless beauty, the countryside is the top choice

The Bishopstrow Grounds

Uniqueness

Getting married in the countryside offers a number of unique choices. Unusual castles, rural barns and tents in fields are all an option, and with so much space to play with you’ll be able to tailor your big day to completely reflect your personality and preference.

However, having your wedding in a city location can offer a huge variety of choices when it comes to unique surroundings. Sure, cities have hotels, manor houses, churches and halls, but as well as that you have the choice of warehouses, nightclubs, even aquariums or zoos. If a unique and unusual wedding venue is your bag, nothing can beat the city.

Winner: City weddings – A wider range of quirky venues make this the top choice.

Price
Always a major consideration, price can be a make or break element of your perfect venue choice. City locations are traditionally more expensive, but, as with anything, it depends what you want. Getting wed at the Hilton with a wedding party of 500 is always going to be expensive. But with fewer guests and more flexibility in your choices, there’s no reason you can’t get married on a budget, even in the biggest of cities.

For countryside weddings, the choice is endless. With an unlimited budget you can hire out a whole castle for the weekend, or on a shoestring you can rent a local barn. Price is totally under your control, and will all depend how many people and how much you have to play with.

Winner: Draw – both wedding locations offer a wide range of options dependant on your budget

As with every element of your wedding, there is no right and wrong answer when it comes to wedding venues. Everything depends on your own preferences, personality and ideas. Whether you have a budget of tens of thousands or of just a few hundred, with a bit of tenacity and innovative thinking, you can find the perfect venue for your big day."

THE LITTLE WEDDING HELPER - TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF STYLING!

Most brides have an image of how they want their wedding day to look.  Some spend months sourcing and hand making items for their big day but struggle to put it all together at the last minute, when they're so busy dealing with dresses, bridesmaids, catering and guests.  Others love the ideas but don't know how to pull it all together or might just not have that creative bent.  Or maybe you just need a bit of help but want to do the majority yourselves?  Whichever type of bride you are, Kirsten Butler, aka The Little Wedding Helper, can make your event truly magical.

First things first - what is the Little Wedding Helper?  Well, Kirsten is an award winning stylist - she's an incredibly talented lady who transforms venues from pretty into magical!  She's full of ideas to make your day personal to you and give your venue that WOW factor!  

Every couple want their own personalities to shine through on their big day - whether it's mismatched coloured glass bottles filled with country flowers, cute vintage knick knacks for your tables, a selection of family photos in beautiful frames, scrabble letters spelling out the Bride & Groom's names or a suitcase for the table plan, Kirsten can do it beautifully.  What I love is that she can bring all your ideas to life, but she's always ahead of the game, spending hours researching new directions and coming up with her own quirky take on things.  

Kirsten is a long term 'car boot' partner of mine and I'm always amazed when she picks something up that I bypassed and then explains to me what she's going to do with it - her imagination knows no bounds and she's always thinking outside the box!  She has a garage full or props and a head full of creative ideas! 

And yes, I'm a little bit jealous!  But I love working with Kirsten and can promise you that you will too.  She's collaborative by nature and brings out all your own creativity.  Added to which she's lovely, positive lady who adores weddings and the couples she works for and really does put 110% into every job she does - her enthusiasm knows no bounds. And if you need proof, just take a look at her testimonials - you don't have to take my word.

So, if you're the kind of bride that spends hours on Pinterest, collecting images of how they want their wedding to look, but you either don't have the manpower, the time or the creativity to make those pictures come to life, then why don't you get The Little Wedding Helper and just take that weight off your mind!

Clifton Pavilion

We’re lucky enough to be holding our third Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair at this wonderful venue on March 10th, so why not bring your Mum along for a delicious coffee and a sumptuous treat served on only the best crockery supplied by Bristol Vintage.

It’s the perfect time to take a look at this grand venue. Did you know you can hire the Clifton Pavilion for your own wedding? Perfectly suited for such occasions, it is both elegant and unique - a perfect venue for your big day. It boasts gorgeous rooms, stunning décor, high ceilings and views from the balcony overlooking the beautiful gardens.

The Clifton Pavilion has a license to host wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships too, so you can enjoy both your ceremony as well as your celebrations at the same venue. Available on an exclusive basis for up to 120 guests and with complimentary access to the Bristol Zoo Gardens, you can enjoy an incredible range of photo opportunities. Plus, your guests are welcome to explore the Zoo and see a host of animals from gorillas to penguins, complete with a soundtrack of roaring lions.

From your first step, through to your big day, Clifton Pavilion’s events team are on hand to assist you with everything from choosing your menu, wine and flowers to your entertainment and table plan. They use the finest locally sourced, sustainable and ethical ingredients to deliver a diverse range of menu options all created by their experienced chefs. Their functions team is professional, helpful and on hand to ensure your day is delivered perfectly, leaving you to relax and enjoy.

Clifton Pavilion is a truly a unique setting, so come along to our Fair on Mother’s Day and take a look for yourself. Entrance to our Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair doesn’t include free entry to the Zoo on the day, but there’s so much else to see and do, you won’t have a minute to spare.