I had an email from Lizzie Jones a few months back to tell me about a new business she had set up which combined amazing raw chocolate and yurts……a strange combination you may think, but they are two separate businesses that can be hired out separately or together. Lizzie has set up the The Wedding Yurts as well as it’s sister compnay Raw Chocolate Parlour and she has been working hard with a few other companies to come up with a stunning styled shoot to promote the two business.

Today I am going to be focusing on the Wedding Yurts, but will be talking about the Raw Chocolate Parlour in a month or two. They will be exhibiting at the Designer Vintage Bridal Show and their pink yurt will hold host to the exhibitors party complete with champagne love potion bar! It will also be at the show for the full two days, so a great chance for you to get to Birmingham and meet the yurts for yourself!

The shoot was put together by Lizzie and photographed by Antonia Wozencraft who Lizzie has told me did an amazing job and highly recommends after working with her on this shoot. They were also helped a huge amount by Ava Event Styling (with a further list of contributors at the end of this post) with the dresses and accessories supplied by The Weding Club, an amazing of team of people who all made the whole shoot possible!

The shoot consists of 4 different looks, one of which I will show you in part two of this post when I go into more details about the raw Chocolate Parlour! but for now, we have 3 gorgeous looks for you! and the though process behind them from Antonia the photographer

Hippie Chic 
The relaxed mood for the cream yurt was set by the 60s styling, model’s clothes and laid-back manner. I echoed the warmth of the textiles in the images, typical of photographs from this time.

AliceIn Wonderland
We wanted to highlight the ability of the Yurts to put you in amongst natural surroundings; whatever the weather! These images were taken when it started to rain and we moved from the lakeside to under the trees. The model commented that she felt a little like Alice in Wonderland which I loved! I researched vintage Alice illustrations and was inspired by some bronzed drawings which I felt really reflected the mood, weather and lighting of the day.

Elegance
A wonderful feature of the big yurt is the airy wheel in the roof, letting light flood in whilst keeping the driving rain out. I used it as the backdrop for these images, keeping the lighting very simple to allow the wheel’s silhouette prominence.

Lizzie told me a bit more about the Yurts themselves and how they work for a wedding.
The Wedding Yurts can be podded together to create a unique space with the capacity to sit fifty guests for a wedding reception or seventy guests dancing and lounging at the wedding party.
The 20ft yurt can be used for a party with a 12ft yurt attached for the bar and another 12ft yurt for 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.
We deliver all around the country and depending on what you hire determines what mode of transport we use. In the yurts Mongolian homeland, the Mongols would load the yurts onto the backs of two camels! fortunately we are lucky to have four wheels.

Personally I love yurts because they are beautiful and perfectly designed to create a circular structure with extraordinary stability and a feeling of spaciousness. A tent which is almost a house, I love the fact they can be erected almost anywhere, in secret locations in the woods, near a beach, in a park or simply in your back garden offering a private, warm, beautiful space to share with friends and family. I love the big wooden doors and most of all the window located right at the top in the centre of the roof letting the sunlight flood in during the day and at night time is perfect for viewing the stars. Traditionally the central wheel was called the eye to heaven and the brides dowry would almost always include a yurt.
The yurts can also be erected indoors transforming a space, making a square room round and dome like, we have strings of golden l.e.d lights to decorate the ceiling which looks and feels magical.

Our sista business is the Raw Chocolate Parlour. It is a unique venue serving mouth watering Raw Chocolate Treats. Raw Chocolate is, believe it or not ‘chocolate which is good for you’!
Our Yurts are transformed using a fuchsia pink canvas lining and decorated with sumptuous furnishings to create the Raw Chocolate Parlour, we will be attending the DVB Show in October where you can experience our delicious Raw Chocolates.

Thanks to Lizzie for inroducing me to the wedding yurts, I really do LOVE them! and can’t wait for October when I get to hang out in them!

Please find a list fo all the people invlved in the shoot, all great suppliers!
Wedding Yurts: www.weddingyurts.co.uk
Raw Chocolate Parlour : www.chocolateharlotparlour.co.uk/
Photography:  www.antoniawozencraft.com
Styling: www.avaeventstyling.co.uk
Dress and accessories www.thewedding-club.co.uk
Cakes and desserts: www.boutiquebaking.co.uk
Flowers: www.littlea.co.uk
Props: www.bonnefete-hire.co.uk
Location: www.maunselhouse.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST……………….I JUST REALLY LIKE THESE GUY’S!!

What are your full names?
Imy and Muhunthan

How did you meet and how have you been together?
We met in February 2009 at my second cousins’s birthday. Muhunthan was my cousin’s boss at the time. We’d been together for a year when he proposed.

Who was your dress by:
Charlotte Balbier, bought from Mirror Mirror in Islington

And the suit?
Adam of London (Portobello)

How would you sum up your day?
Incredible day all around, fun, exciting, special, funny, emotional.

Did you have a theme or colour scheme?
I made our wedding invites from a wood block stamp – when I realised it was a peacock design I decided to use peacock colours as our theme – teale, blue, turquoise, deep plums etc.

What made you decide to get married where you did?
We felt it would be practical to get married in London but I wanted somewhere with more of a wild, country feel. I googled ‘unique wedding venues’ in London and the Wetlands Centre came up. We visited, fell in love with it, in particular with the fisherman’s hut (Wetland Living), where we decided to have the legal part of the wedding. And with some industrial views from the Observatory we knew it was still in London!

Did you have any personal touches, Or anything that you did yourself?
I made every invitation by hand. I handwrote all the place cards, table names (with illustrations) and created the seating plan. I bought 75 peacock feathers which were used by the florist and used for the seating plan too. I performed with my African Dance Troupe – Blema Sisters

How many guests?
30 for the civil ceremony, 110 for the blessing and dinner, and around 170 for the evening reception

What were your special moments/highlights?
The unexpectedly amazing weather made everything look incredible. I was so pleased with the flowers – by Lucy Bewhay lulu_bewhay@hotmail.com  I loved our speeches. My African dance and drumming troupe performed and also a Ghanaian acrobat – so much fun and the acrobat was incredible and very funny – everyone loved it and he involved both of us in his show – he had us both spinning pans on sticks – He’s called Nii Black Wonder- 07897905034
ebenezerlaryea@hotmail.comAnd also my amazing  dance troupe too- we do weddings! Contact Vicky Dzivenu 07939377222  blemasisters09@yahoo.co.uk The Bonfire Band were great too, set just the right tone and their music was just what we wanted.

Is there anything you would do differently?.
We would have asked for the day to be filmed. We decided against it, but as the day went by so quickly, we wish we had some film to remember it by, in addition to the photographs.

What advice would you give any other couples?
Don’t try and make 150 invitations by hand, especially with a wooden stamp from India. If you want to do it, use a rubber stamp – seriously, I nearly lost my mind over the invitations. Also, try and keep the day in perspective, do want you both want, and enjoy it.

What was your biggest surprise of the day?
We both gave speeches and were surprised at how much we enjoyed delivering them. We’d both been battling nerves beforehand. I nearly didn’t go ahead with it, but am so glad I did

For more information on Sam Gibson Photography Go to:
www.samgibsonweddings.co.uk
samjgibson@gmail.com
TWITTER
07929 209505

Here is what they say about the farm:
‘Heaton House Farm is owned and run by Mick, Margaret and their daughter Sarah Heath who is the seventh generation to live there. Heaton House Farm, primarily a wedding venue, is still a working farm today.
In 2003 the family took the decision to diversify the business from being a dairy farm into utilising the barns on an all year round basis, as a unique barn wedding venue.
Along with their team of dedicated staff, the Heath family have developed an individual approach to weddings and events which allows clients the freedom of choice.’

The Heaton Family

I always try to find venues that are different and quirky that I can recommend to my couples and Heaton House far, is the perfect wedding venue.

On the outside it has the perfect setting, surrounded by Cheshire countryside, you can see for miles and miles, flat land throughout so ideal for disabled guests. But on the inside it is a beautiful, fully functional wedding venue.

It’s like a tardis, with movable sections, dividing walls, all decorated with full drapes.What used to be the cow shed is now a beautifully modern and fully fitted out wedding venue, under floor heating and huge lighting rig.

The outside area has a great and very large patio space, which is great for BBQs and Hog Roasts, They are also in the process of getting their outside wedding license and re structuring one of the outside areas, so by next year they will be able to hold outside wedding……………woo hoo!!

It’s still a working farm with hens and cows in the surrounding area, so if you want a Tractor ride during your wedding there is one on site to entertain the children or make for some fab wedding pictures. They also make their own beer on sight which they sell in the bar, this can be bottled and sold with your own personal logo and picture on it, or your own bear pump added for the night of your wedding.

The venue can hold anything from 15  to 1000 guests. All the walls are movable, so they can create any sized room you wish. Their is a large welcome area which then leads off to the bar area, which then leads off to the ceremony area and then the wedding breakfast area.  While you are eating the ceremony area is set up for the night time entertainment. The options you have are endless, with different lighting to add colour to the neutral draped walls.

Heaton House farm also has 7 rooms that accommodate between 14 and 22 people, all newly decorated, large and very modern. They also have a camping and caravanning site!

A beautiful lake water area is opened for the wedding photos and perfect for an hours chill out time during your wedding day.

As well as English weddings, Heaton House Farm specialises in Asian and Jewish weddings as well as they can cater for up to 1000 guests.

This really is a superb wedding venue, they have 100 weddings booked for next year and still manage to keep each wedding exclusive, never booking two weddings at a time.
I would highly recommend this venue it offers great choice, great views and a great alternative to the standard wedding venue, with a very professional and friendly team behind it.

For more information go to:
www.heatonhousefarm.co.uk
weddings@heatonhouse.co.uk
Heaton House Farm
Rushton Spencer
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 0RD

01260 226203

I don’t know what I was expecting, maybe just another bar? but I was very impressed when I got there. The Bar is gorgeous, with lots of different areas. Cream leather seating areas, flocked fabric, a private dinning area, a lovely outside seated area with drapes (very Ibiza) a lovely VIP area tucked away with cream seating, very New York and a huge staircase!

The venue is closed on Sundays, so it is the perfect place to hold a wedding reception or private party if you are looking for an alternative venue, for numbers between 20 and 450. If you are looking for a venue any other day than a Sunday then the restaurant can be hired out which is set away from the main bar for smaller wedding parties.

Pacific say about their venue:
”Situated in the heart of Chesterfield, Pacific has become one of Chesterfield’s most popular destinations. Our doors have been open since November 2006 and we pride ourselves on the friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere and the great service we provide. Step inside and experience the luxury, contemporary, funky but affordable place to be. Pacific offers both the young and young at heart a stylish setting to relax and enjoy great locally sourced, home cooked fresh food and a wide range of international beers and freshly made cocktails.
Pacific is the place to be and be seen, whether its for a bite to eat at lunchtime, an evening meal in our Italian restaurant, after work drinks, a break from shopping or just a good old night out. Pacific is the ideal venue for parties, wedding receptions, corporate events or just a gathering of friends or colleagues. Offering a selection of buffets, canapés and platter menus with FREE private room hire for parties of 20 to 450.”

With FREE room hire, and a huge selection of buffet menus, The pacific Lounge is a great place to hold your wedding reception or party.
For more information go to:
Pacific Lounge Bar and Restaurant
6 Church Lane – Chesterfield – S40 1SD
FREEPHONE : 0845 8732729 Telephone Office : 0845 8732729 01246 210700
www.pacificloungebarandrestaurant.co.uk
E-mail: info@pacificloungebar.co.uk

The wedding open day is Sunday 16th May 11am – 4pm……..come along and meet Boho and say hello.

It is a little known fact that YSP is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and partnerships, and with it’s amazing surroundings why wouldn’t you want to get married here?

The stunning five hundred acre setting and intimate function spaces make Yorkshire Sculpture Park an outstanding location. Whether it’s a civil wedding ceremony in the Auditorium, an intimate dinner in the YSP Restaurant or celebration drinks and canapés on the outdoor terrace, enjoy your special day in the unforgettable surroundings of Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The ceremony itself is held in the Roger Evans Auditorium: The Auditorium is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and partnerships and is situated in the award winning Visitor Centre. This contemporary space has been designed to offer maximum flexibility for intimate gatherings of 30 or large celebrations of up to 120. This versatile space can be adapted and dressed for every occasion.

The reception is then held at the YSP Centre and Restaurant: The entire YSP Centre can be exclusively hired for special evening entertaining, including the beautiful 18th century terrace in the formal Garden. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés on the Centre concourse or outdoor terrace overlooking YSP’s rolling landscape. Enjoy a delicious evening meal for up to 130 guests in the fabulous licensed restaurant, which opens up panoramic views of the Country Park and Henry Moore’s monumental sculptures.

Sally The wedding and Events Manager advices that weddings are held later on in the day, ideally at about 4pm-5pm. The Park outlets are shut at 5pm and the park it self at 6pm so this then leaves the wedding party complete exclusivity to the whole venue.
There is also the option for a small cost of hiring the underground gallery for an exclusive viewing, this is a fantastic option for the art loving couple who want to offer their guests something a bit different.

The parks award winning restaurant will cater for the wedding breakfast and offers a huge amount of variety in it’s menus. You can choose from a 3 course sit down wedding breakfast, a hot fork buffet, snack menu, canepes and a large selection of drinks packages.
As well as the food the park offers an alternative gift list. The couple are able to make up their gift list from the parks shop, which is full of art, individually made jewelery pottery and a selection of books.

And if you are looking for a photographer, the park has it’s own official photographer Lee Allen. Of course they allow you to use whom ever you like, but Lee has been given exclusive access to all of the parks grounds and has the insider knowledge of the best places for those amazing shots!

Since my meeting with Sally, Boho has been put on their prefered supplier list for wedding planning, so if you have any questions, or need help for you big day I am the person to speak to.

A big thanks to Sally for meeting up with me and taking time out of her busy day to show me around the grounds. It really is an amazing venue, and certainly on top of my list if I were to renew my vows. The grounds are amazing and the ceremony and reception it self, modern, light and really offers something different for your wedding day.

For more information go to www.ysp.co.uk
or mail Sally at: weddings@ysp.co.uk or call 01924 832 508.
More more information on Lee Allen and his photography go to www.leeallenphotography.com.