Your wedding day often passes by in a blur, with so much going on you can miss lots of key moments when you are busy having photos taken or mingling with guests, so what's the best way to capture and record those precious memories?

Of course photography or videography help to visually capture the key moments and provide a lasting record. Top Hats & Tea Cups had talented photographers Marie Man and Oscar and Rose showcasing thier gorgeous images. But how about having your own book written by someone who is there on the day capturing the atmosphere and translating it into literary prose.




The Wedding Reporter calls it creating a literary legacy as you will have a keepsake of your day capturing all of the drama, excitement and emotions in a bespoke report to treasure forever. Emma Woodhouse was at Top Hats & Tea Cups talking to couples about the Wedding Reporter and was met with unanimous responses of "what a fantastic idea".

Emma developed her business after recording her own big day on forums and her blog and seeing how brides loved to share detailed reports of their weddings. She is the UKs first and so far only Wedding Reporter and now finds her self regularly reporting "from the matrimonial front line".

Finally if you want a wedding night to remember, how about spending a night under the stars in this stunning honeymoom yurt from Wedding Yurts. It can be set up at your venue or any romantic location you desire. Definitely an experience to remember forever.

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

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors on your Wedding day or add reception space to a smaller venues, then a marquee is the way to go. Traditional marquees have always been an expensive option but today there are lots more choices with a great range or tents, yurts and marquees available.

Yurts are a new concept for Weddings and can be a lot cheaper than the traditional marquee starting at just £350 for a small 12ft yurt from Wedding Yurts. They can also be podded together to create flexible spaces. You could have a 20ft yurt for the main reception with a 12ft yurt attached as a bar or chill out zone. Three yurts podded together can seat 40-50 or provide dancing space for 60-70.


                                            

However if you are having a large celebration, then the traditional marquee may suit you better as they provide space for up to 350 people, depending on the size. Large marquees can be very expensive but also look stunning and create a real air of luxury.

A tipi is another option for a relaxed outdoor Wedding. This one is from Tipi Events.


                       


Top tips for marquee Weddings

• Make sure you have a flat piece of land to put the marquee on
• Get several quotes and recommendations
• Remember to add in the cost of furniture hire, flooring, lighting and heating
• Think about where the caterers will prepare food and serve drinks
• Provide adequate toilet facilities for guests
• Ensure there is enough parking for he guests
• Provide carpeted and ideally covered walkways in case it's muddy and wet

What says Christmas more than champagne and chocolate (well apart from Santa, turkey and reindeer). If you want something rather special at your Wedding how about a Raw Chocolate Parlour in a gorgeous pink lined yurt. Imagine your guests indulging in raw chocolate canapes and champagne love potions.


                            

We introduced you to Wedding Yurts in a post back in August. Read all about them here. The best news about the Raw Chocolate Parlour is that the chocolate is actually good for you as it's packed full or anti-oxidants and nutritional values.


                                                

The chocolate also supports the Ashaninka Tribe whose home in the Peru Amazon has been threatened by logging. Raw chocolate helps them through fair and sustainable trade of cacao. Find out more about having your own sumptuous Raw Chocolate Parlour here

Photos courtesy of The Raw Chocolate Parlour

If you are looking for something a bit different in terms of a Wedding Venue or you dream about spending your Wedding night "glamping" under the stars, then read on. Wedding Yurts allow you total flexibility in choosing your reception venue as they can be used in your garden, in a field or in the grounds of an existing Wedding Venue. They can also provide accommodation for you or your guests.



 These stunning shots were taken at Maunsell House by  Antonia Wozencraft, the styling by the girls at Ava Event Styling and the wedding dresses, shoes and jewellery by the Wedding Club.




Here's what Lizzie from Wedding Yurts has to say about this brilliant new concept,


The 20ft yurt can be used for a party with a 12ft yurt attached for the bar and another 12ft yurt the kitchen, or a 20ft yurt for hosting a banquet with a kitchen yurt or crèche attached.
Our boutique yurt accommodation is luxurious and we have a honeymoon yurt beautifully decorated for a magical wedding night under the stars.

We have a mobile kitchen which can be set up inside the 12ft yurt, wooden dance floors, furniture, sound system, lighting, soft furnishings and decorations, we also know lots of very talented and creative people to help create your special day.



The yurts are wonderfully versatile and can be erected inside or outdoors, in a field, a garden or your chosen wedding venue, a unique venue ideal for celebrations and intimate gatherings.