We have another new marquee in the family! Last Sunday John and I went on a road trip to Northampton to the most stunning All Saints Saxon church in the beautiful village of Brixworth.
'The Brixworth 'as it shall now be known was bought down from the church tower and we are now the prowd owners of a lovely 40' x 20' vintage marquee.
Hopefully the photoshoot will be next weekend, to include Belle too. I also plan to photograph all my small hire pieces so I can make a catalogue page on the web site for interested parties to see the detail on all the items.
Well, that's the plan! In truth, life is so flat out busy with enquiries, bookings, working at events and then making decisions on cookers, kitchens, worktops, walls, paint colours, cupboards, knobs, sinks, showers, tiles etc, etc (we will NEVER move again!!!) that the fun extras, frippery and photography always are left until last.
More quoting and paper shuffling now......

May Madness!

I can't believe how life just seems to get more and more hectic!!
While in the throes of trying to rennovate our new (old) cottage, we are in our rental house and trying to sell it, at the same time as running two businesses, three children, two dogs, one cat, one granny and four vehicles!!

Life on the Vintage Marquee front is frantic!! This summer I have 43 tent bookings and another 12 events awaiting confirmation....WOW!! I think I need a secretary! Just keep the e-mails coming folk so I don't forget anything!!

I am also helping with flowers and pretty stuff at several local weddings (what a wonderful job!)
And busy purchasing the odd extra marquee or two (off to Northampton on Saturday to pick up a vintage 20' x 30') but more on that one next time...

Meanwhile there has been a fabby photo shoot at Church Farm in Kington Langley Wilts, where Will and Kate (we have good connections here in Wiltshire) are launching their new wedding venue (to assuage boredom between public engagements!!) We will be linking web sites, and there will be some new pictures posted on my site soon.

Till next time...with photos I hope of beautiful Kings Meadow at Church farm, looking lovely with the wild flower meadow and graced with the majestic Big Top!

hummingbird cards

Well! The first thing I am pondering is why I always decide to update my blog so late at night and after several glasses of wine!! The first challenge is to remember my password (always a worry!) then I'm on a roll! So, my news today is I have a new friend! Sally-Ann contacted me about a marquee hire, but sadly we couldn't help as we were already fully booked, but, you know how it is... we got chatting and I discovered that Sally-Ann's business is making THE MOST BEAUTIFUL stationery! It is all lazer cut; the most delicate lace effect designs with (I think) a wonderful vintage feel. Sally Ann's company will of course create bespoke designs for each individual event, but we are planning to work on some 'vintage marquee' invitations etc...very exciting! So have a look at her web site www.hummingbirdcards.co.uk ..very special stuff! I would love to post a picture now, but having just moved, I have clerverly kept my camera to hand, but packed away the charger!! (along with all my important bank details, cheque books etc..oh joy!!) more next time...

Hunting and gathering!

Well. we've done it! Belle is on her way! Quite pretty I think! Made from cream canvas and 4m round, she will fit in well with the other marquees and may well gain a few sisters if she proves to be popular!

More fairly lights are also on the way, and fairy light hearts which I think will look lovely against the canvas at night. 100 fabulous old church hall style chairs should be arriving on Monday, very exciting as I have been looking for some for ages.

With each new booking and enquiry I have new (old) items to source. Next on the agenda are old crystal vases for flowers.. a hunting we will go...!

feeling displaced!

Well, we have just sold our house so are now renting for a while. Very odd and quite cosy and lovely to have only 10% of our posessions with us, but all our family and our animals, more than enough really. Why (and how!) do we gather so much stuff around us!!
So we have had to loose our phone number (so the 01249 one no longer exists) so I am only contactable via e-mail or mobile.
Still masses of activity on the Vintage Marquee front. Lots of wedding bookings for this summer.
I have bought more wooden folding chairs, so have a fairly extensive stock now.
I am hoping to buy a bell tent soon to add to my collection, she will be called Belle of course!

lazy Sunday afternoon

So what better to do than update my blog??

Well, I have been very creative this last couple of weeks, and have produced an eight page wedding planner which I hope will prove to be a comprehensive guide, along with a consultation from yours truly!

Also progress has been made on the marketing front (although John is a little concerned with keeing up with demand!) and Derek and I (with the help of Ripe publishing in Corsham) have produced some fabulous fliers which I plan to distribute to local pubs and hotels.

I am also linking up with some vintage and wedding shops in Bath, so hope to promote Vintage Marquees locally and have fewer bookings further afield (far more sensible!)

Lots of enquiries for the summer now. Unfortunately the marquee season (especially canvas marquees) is fairly short, and I hate to dissapoint by being unable to help if I already have a booking, so book early to avoid dissapointment!! An old cliche, but true!

Happy New Year!

Well!!

2011 is off to a flying start with lots of enquiries and several wedding bookings for the summer.

Derek (the fabulous web designer!) and I have spent several creative hours adding to the pages of my web site. The marquee page is now updated with Jester, Jubilee and Joey! I have added the option of a consultancy service for wedding and party planning and we have also updated the testimonials (Derek argues that people don't bother to read them, but I disagree!!) and the gallery. I can't resist taking photos of all the lovely parties, cakes, decorations, flowers etc, so the gallery is ever evolving! Here's to a sunny and happy New Year.