The icy winds couldn't deter the enthusiastic couples who flocked to Clifton Pavilion at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Many of Bristol's top wedding suppliers were exhibiting at this invitation only event. Downstairs brides and grooms could sample delicious cake from Chocolate Delores or browse stunning stationery by Rachel Goodchild Designs.


Many vintage dresses were on display with the opportunity to try them on along with gorgeous accessories by Hermione Harbutt (below).




Fishee Designs had their fun photo booth complete with props and Beehive Brides were busy transforming the models and brides to be into retro sirens.



A Suit That Fits

Babes in the Woods

Beehive Brides

Britten Weddings

Chocolate Delores

Cox & Baloney
Photographers & Photo Booths

Dawn Wilkins Photography

Fishee Designs Photo Booth

Jo Hansford Photography

Wedding Stationery

Meticulous Ink

Rachel Goodchild Designs

The Marionettes

The Wilde Bunch

Tricia DesignsYour Unique Scrapbook

A new wedding website, Piece of Cake HQ has just been launched selling unique wedding favours. It was started by Bride Leanne after searching for the perfect wedding favours for her own wedding.



Leanne says " It took me ages to find what I had in my head and so I wanted to create a service that made this easier.  Focusing on handmade and unique products that really bring something special to your big day was a key factor. To do this we have teamed up with many talented creatives, hopefully bringing you a range of wedding favours that are not only individual but also perfect for all budgets."



To celebrate the launch of Piece of Cake HQ one visitor to the website can win 30 love bottle wedding favours (shown above), by signing up to the mailing list. Visit the website now to see the great range of products available.

All images taken from Piece of Cake HQ Website

Candy buffets and dessert tables are still one of the most popular new trends for 2012 weddings as they add loads of nostalgic fun to the occasion for guests as well as looking, smelling and tasting fantastic.

  

Local company Bristol Candy Buffet has had numerous wedding bookings this summer and is expecting 2013 to be even busier. Recent bride Tracy, had a vintage inspired teal candy buffet for her wedding and was delighted with it. She sent a glowing testimonial to the company, recommending their services to other brides.

                                 

"Thank you for the excellent display that you did for our wedding on the 8th June. The sweets went down a treat and at times there was quite a queue!!! Luckily me and Stu got to taste a few. I would have no hesitation in recommending your services. I wish you all the best for the future and thanks again. "

If like Tracy you would like to add some stylish fun to your big day, visit the Bristol Candy Buffet website to learn more about the packages and view the gallery of gorgeous sweeties.

Let's face it wedding favours can be a bit dull sometimes and end up being left on the tables meaning wasted time, money and effort for the bride and groom.

                                            

Why not do something a bit different with your favours like these fantastic coasters from new Bristol based company The Happy Dove. They are really fun and can be personalised, making them much more likely to be treasured by guests long after the big day.


                                          

They also offer wine glass charms that make great favours and place names for guests and all products can be colour matched to coordinate with your theme.


                                            

                                             
Find out more about The Happy Dove on their website
      

If you are looking for a wedding favour idea that goes beyond sugared almonds or miniature whiskey, then why not consider donating to a charity on your guests behalf.

You can of course choose any charity close to you or your families hearts. Bristol also has some great local charities such as Cots for Tots that supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael's hospital.

                                


Unicef allows you to purchase specific favours to help children such as vaccines, midwifery equipment, mosquito nets or even a school in a box.

                               
Many large national charities now offer a favour service where you will get cards to put on each table explaining that yo have donated in your guests name and a keepsake such as a sticker or pin badge.

Image Credits: Cots for Tots and Unicef

Today we have a look at wedding favours by Elena Maria. She makes lovely traditional favours such as boxes, tulle bags and bonboneries, all inspired by her own wedding. Elena tells us a bit about how her business got started and shows us some of her lovely favours.



                                            

have you discovered Not On The Highstreet yet? If not you're missing out on thousands of gorgeous products that aren't available to buy elsewhere. Most come from small local suppliers who then use the larger platform to promote their designs.

They have an entire weddings section dedicated to gorgeous and original wedding gifts, decorations and everything else from flowers to cake and accessories. Many of the items can be personalised to add that special touch to your big day. Here's a look at some of the huge range of products on offer.

These vintage rose cake pops by The Cake Pop Company are so pretty and would make gorgeous favours at a vintage wedding.


                                      

How about personalised chocolate bar wrappers from Gifts by Lucy. They are designed to fit around miniature bar of Green and Blacks, which you can buy yourself.

                                    

These wooden letter by Jonny's Sister are a fantastic way to personalise and decorate your venue. They come in three sizes up to 75cm tall and can be painted to exactly match your theme.

                                                   

If you get distracted drooling at the products while planning your wedding, you can also arrange your wedding gift list via the site to get the choice from all of the gorgeous gifts and homeware available.

Visit Not On The Highstreet here to see more wedding items and gift ideas.

There were lots of mouth watering treats on display at the Top Hats & Tea Cups Wedding Fair on Sunday from Candy Buffets to cupcakes and beautiful stacked wedding cakes.

Bristol Candy Buffet, part of How 2 I Do Wedding & Event Planning had brought along a great selection of sweets from fudge to marshmallows, Haribo fruit sweets and giant chocolate jazzies. Candy Buffets are a huge new trend for weddings and one that is growing all of the time.

 Bristol Candy Buffet offer a range of packages to suit different wedding sizes and budgets, as well as offering candy centrepieces and swirly lollipop wedding favours, that can double as place settings with each guests name on a pretty label attached with a ribbon bow to match your theme.




Ice Maiden Cakes had brought a gorgeous selection of tiered cakes to display. Make sure to check out their website for some great pictures of their cakes and cupcakes. Their cocktail cupcakes were recently enjoyed by the cream of the wedding industry at the Wedding Ideas Magazine 100th Issue Party and went down a storm.

Today we are continuing to look at wedding favours that double as fantastic valentines gifts for your loved one.

Maison Loulou is a local Somerset based company. It was founded by Louise Sturmey, who after several years in new product development for the food manufacturing industry, decided to follow her passion for chocolate. After experimenting for months on new flavour combinations and perfecting her skills, came up with these beautiful and tasty morsels that everyone is talking about.

It's only two weeks until Valentines Day so time to think of some gifts for the one you love. This week we will be sharing some great products from local wedding suppliers that could either make fantastic valentines gifts or unique wedding favours.


Today we look at raw chocolate, with a guest blog post from Lizzie from the Raw Chocolate Parlour. Pop back over the next few days for more ideas including cupcakes, chocolates and love tokens.

The Ultimate Valentines gift, for all you love birds this Valentines day!

We make our Raw Chocolate Hearts from organic and fairly traded cacao from Peru. The hearts are freshly made and need to be devoured straight away or kept in the fridge to preserve the unique qualities and taste.

Raw Chocolate is delicious and nutritious. It is pure, unadulterated and not heated above 42 degrees c to preserve its three hundred nutritional compounds including many trace minerals and essential amino acids.




It is made from the cacao bean, also known as ‘Theobroma Cacao’, which literally means ‘Food of the Gods’. Raw chocolate is a potent aphrodisiac favoured by both 16th Century Aztec King Montezuma. In nature the primary source of magnesium is cacao. Magnesium helps the body to relax and calms nerve functions, balances brain chemistry and helps build healthy bones and nails.





The Raw Chocolate Parlour is a unique venue promoting the sensuous secrets of Raw Chocolate. We serve our homemade raw chocolates with champagne cocktails inside our pink yurts decorated with sumptuous furnishings and sparkling lights, a decadent space for you to indulge your chocolate fantasies.

Raw Chocolate Hearts are ideal wedding favours, treat your guests to a delicious treat.

Our signature cocktails include a love potion cocktail made with ten aphrodisiac herbs in a gogi berry syrup and 'Golden Kiss' is made with cacao infused black vodka and decorated with gold leaf. Perfect to share with your lover on Valentines day.




The Raw Chocolate Parlour will be at the Love Food Festival on the 12th of February. The Raw Chocolate Hearts are also available at all four Thali Cafes in Bristol.

To place an order,  or phone 07816452080

This Christmas Bristol Wedding Planning and Candy Buffet company How 2 I Do are offering 10% off any new services booked between now and the 31st January 2012. How 2 I Do offer a fantastic range of great Wedding Planning packages with On the Day Wedding Coordination from just £350.00 to full Wedding Planning with the Professional Package at £1295.00.


How 2 I Do also provide gorgeous vintage inspired Candy Buffets from only £1.90 per head that can make a great alternative to traditional Wedding favours. There are several Wedding packages on offer from the silver package for 75 guests up to the platinum package for 150.




As the editor of Bristol Wedding News Steph Allison, owner of How 2 I Do has a fantastic knowledge of the Bristol Wedding Industry and works with all of the top suppliers in the area. She has over 10 years experience in the hospitality industry and has worked on numerous Weddings, parties and events,

Visit the How 2 I Do website here.

Learn more about Candy Buffets here.

To get 10% off and quote code XMAS10.

Mullion Cove is a Bristol based company specialing in Cornish food. Not only do their delicious biscuits and treats make brilliant Wedding favours, they also have loads of products on their website that would make ideal Christmas gifts.

I was lucky to try some of their Cornish Farings at an event and they are absolutely delicious.
they also offer hampers that would make a perfect present for a loved one at Christmas or a great thank you for someone in your Wedding.



They are currently selling limited edition white chocolate and cranberry fairings for Christmas so don't miss out on these as they look delicious.

Visit the website to order some lovely goodies now.

Candy or Sweetie Buffets are a huge new trend for Weddings that have massively overtaken the chocolate fountain as the must have accessory for your reception. Bristol Candy Buffet offers a great range of delicious sweets for your special occassion from just £1.90 per person.