Bovingdon’s have recently added another string to their bow – the beautiful Nonsuch Mansion in Surrey which has been lovingly restored to its former glory.  I was lucky enough to have a look around whilst the renovations were taking place and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working there this summer.  It’s set in the most gorgeous park and has so many great opportunities for beautiful pictures.

Anyway onto grilling Julie about all things wedding delicious!

How long have you been a caterer and how did you start?
So long ago, it makes me feel very old, yet I can remember those early days as though it was yesterday! 22 years later, I still love my work and the man that I started the business with – not a bad record!

How do you find your inspiration?
I love food – “the raw ingredient that becomes a beautiful dish”  hence vegetable, fruit & herb gardening has been huge passion of mine and after 8 years of practice, I am now getting quite good at it and can feed my family and most of the neighbours!

My main inspiration is the people that I work for – I never produce the same menu twice, food to me is so highly individual and deserves more thought than often credited – I love to hear about the thank you letters my brides have received and how there guests comment on how good the food was – to me that’s a job a well done and keeps me inspired to keep progressing/improving/designing.

What tips would you give to brides when planning their catering requirements?
Firstly forget about what you want to eat! What will your guests appreciate? Think about the season, the setting and most importantly the atmosphere you want to create.  Meet with you caterer at the earliest opportunity – talk – tell them everything you’ve organised, booked, dreamt about. Remember your guests will be in there best silk dress and suits – nothing messy – no BBQ’s No dips.
Less is often more, don’t over think the food, but be bold – despite what you think people relish something different.

You’ve recently taken over The Nonsuch Mansion in Cheam, can you tell us a bit about that?
We signed the lease on 8th June and had a team of 20 on site to fully refurbish for a first event on 18th July! It has been a huge but none the less fabulous project to work on. At last we have a venue of our own!

We are now fully finished and the website www.nonsuchmansion.com is live. We are thrilled with the response and booking for next year & 2011 are flowing in.

What’s the best bit about your job?
Easy – the people! I love my client’s, my staff, my suppliers and that fact that every day brings something different.

What’s the worst bit about your job?
That’s easy too – sitting on the A3 for 2 hours a day!

What is the frequently requested dish/menu for weddings?
It seems to be a fish starter, lamb main course and berries of some sort!

We most frequently produce duo’s or trios as starters – Duck or Guinea fowl main courses and something either chocolate or lemon to finish.

Have you ever had a really unusual/exotic request?
Yes, recently a bride who has planned her whole wedding and indeed wanted to book the venue for a set date – who has yet to be proposed too!  We were reluctant to take her deposit!

Describe the most extravagant catering arrangements you’ve done for a wedding?
A 10 course degustation menu – different plates, glasses and wine for each course – and water served by guys on rollerblades! So much fun and so well received by the guests. A huge amount of work to co-ordinate and plan – but well worth it. I eagerly await my next gastronomique couple that want to do something similar.

What are your favourite weddings to do?
Those where the couple are decisive! I like working with people that know what they want, make a decision and then trust implicitly, which enables us to do what we do best – the result are always that little better.

What do you think will be hot (excuse the pun) next season?
Hot….  I hate to fall into providing what’s hot or not. I think there will be more fun this year - we are doing some great late light snacks – popcorn chicken, whitebait! Healthy food seems to be a frequently request too – that is until it comes to the pudding.

Again less is more – keep it seasonal, fresh and simple and it always works.

If you had one wish what would it be?
That I could work until I’m 80 and live until 120.  Or alternative retire to a fabulous villa in the sun with a huge library that I could read through until my hearts content. I guess I’m an all or nothing person!

If you’d like to talk to one of Julie’s team about catering your event here are the details:

Tel: 020 8874 8032
info@bovingdons.co.uk

Bovingdon’s cater at the following venues:

Nonsuch Mansion
Surrey’s most treasured celebration space available and exclusive to Bovingdons.

The Orangery
Holland Park’s glass palace, a blank canvas to be transformed.

Leighton House
Victorian artists’ lavish Arab Hall and Holland Park home.

45 Millbank
Edwardian elegance on the Thames next to Tate Britain.

Bankside Gallery
Modern, clean space on the South Bank.

Foundling Museum
Sumptuous Rococo glamour meets poignant social history.

Getty Images Gallery
London’s largest independent photographic gallery.

Hampton Court House
Recherché mansion in the grounds of the famous palace.

Kent House, Knightsbridge
Regency townhouse famed for its classical elegance.

Kew Steam Museum
Dramatic venue themed around majestic Victorian industry.

Lancaster House
Buckingham Palace’s prestigious, political neighbour.

LSO St Lukes
Perfect acoustics meet dramatic aesthetics in the City.

Ministry of Sound
Legendary twenty first century space with superior technology.

Music Room
Mayfair’s most secretive exhibition space and gallery.

Parkstead House
Surrey charm with unparalleled views of Richmond Park.

Neptune Court
Spectacular glass domed space filled with gold and silver.

The Queens House
The original “House of Delight” nestled in Greenwich.

Royal Observatory
Dine amongst the stars beside breathtaking view of London.

Staples Inn Hall
Stately Elizabethan grandeur with a lovely courtyard garden.

Stationers Hall
Historical haven in the heart of the City within sight of St Paul’s.

Trinity House
Maritime history brought to life beside the Thames.

Westminster Abbey Gardens
truly exclusive, heavenly location hidden beneath Big Ben.

Fulham Palace
Stately home, extraordinary location, remarkable venue.

I caught up with Bernadette and got her to spill the beans about her love of all things wedding…

How long have you been a wedding planner?

Since 2002

How did you get into wedding planning?

I used to be an Executive PA for a large American corporation and many of my US counterparts hired wedding planners; I was intrigued and started investigating the market here in the UK. I discovered there were not many planners around (bit different now!) so slowly started researching the industry. I soon realised many of my duties as a PA crossed over into wedding planning so launching my own business seemed a natural progression.

What’s changed in the industry since you first started?

Well the number of wedding planners for a start! When I used to meet clients in 2002-2004 I very much had to sell the service of a wedding planner to them and how it could benefit them. Nowadays clients have done their research and know what they want from a planner, they know what questions to ask before deciding. Many of them have found me via the www.ukawp.com which is an alliance of wedding planners in the UK.

Describe your favorite weddings.

I tend to specialize in beautiful country weddings, especially marquees, probably due to my location in East Anglia. I therefore love creating stunning, romantic themes that suit not only the couple but the setting they have chosen as well.

What’s the best bit about your job?

Working with Kerry Morgan! Ha ha ok, it’s getting to know the couple and their families really well and because so many of my weddings are at the family home I begin to feel part of the family. I also love watching a bride’s face when I explain the design to her, and seeing the transformation on the day is rewarding. So many hours are dedicated to planning a client’s wedding so it’s always a strange feeling once its over, all those hours spent on the design and within a few hours no-one notices any more!

What is the worst bit about your job?

Dealing with the emotional trauma caused by families. Sometimes they don’t realize the stress it puts on the bride and groom, my heart truly goes out to them as we try and reach a compromise to please everyone.

How do you get the inspiration to make each wedding unique?

Each wedding has a USP, for example one bride’s Father worked for Tiptree Jam so we incorporated the fruits they use within the design, another wanted a bohemian edge so we used bright linen and candlelight. So although the setting is sometimes similar, the transformation inside and around the marquees or venues are always different.

What pearls of wisdom can you pass on to anyone who’s planning a wedding?

Read my planning guide on my blog! To begin with find out what you can afford to spend on your wedding, now isn’t the time to start married life in debt. Then break down the tasks into manageable blocks and learn to delegate, you can’t and shouldn’t try and do everything yourself.

If you had one wish, what would it be?

To stop time for 2 weeks and spend it on a tropical island with no blackberry or computer. With just my husband for company and a good book, that would be bliss. Or and maybe the odd drink and never ending ice cream!

Thanks Bernie!  For more about Bernadette and the wonderful Dream Occasions visit her site and blog

Watch this space for my next ‘Inside Weddings’ interview – the woman at the helm of London’s top catering company, Bovingdons.

How long have you been a florist and how did you start?

I have been a florist for 20 years.  I was a secretary for 12 years and then lost my job suddenly and wanted to do something different and really just gave floristry a try and thankfully it was the right move.  I think I always had the need to work in design laying dormant in me I just hadn’t realised until I tried floristry.

How do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration from all kinds of sources – interior design, dress design, nature - just a walk in the park can offer up a whole range of ideas.  A lot of my inspirations come from the bride and groom as I really like to design the arrangements (especially the large arrangements tables etc.) to suit the couple.  For instance we did a tea party for a groom who was well known amongst his friends as loving tea.  I did another wedding for a couple where the groom was a landscape gardener so we made each table arrangement completely different and used his particular favourite flowers in each of the designs.   One of the most unusual bouquets I ever did was made completely of vegetables with just five calla lilies.  This was because the bride’s father had been a keen vegetable grower and she wanted to use vegetables as a tribute to him.  It was really touching and everyone knew why she had this bouquet.

What tips would you give to brides when planning their floral arrangements?

I would recommend that brides use flowers that are in season as this not only helps with cost but creates the right “feel” to the wedding.  Very often brides want to use peonies or other summer flowers in the winter and it just doesn’t look quite right.  There are so many beautiful flowers available in each of the seasons that it’s not necessary to try and source out of season flowers.  Another tip I give to brides is not to get too worried about colour schemes.  Brides are always very keen to have flowers that match their bridesmaid’s dresses exactly.  This can look a little bland and it is much better to use shades of the colour.  I think that pretty much any colours can be put together and I work very hard with the bride to achieve an interesting and workable colour scheme to keep within her theme.  Another important tip is to use flowers and designs that will suit the dress and the venue.  There is nothing worse than a large beautiful extravagant room with small designs used on the tables.

What’s the best bit about your job?

The best bit about my job is undoubtedly the reaction when the couple see the reception room for the first time or when the bride sees her bouquet.  I love it when I get a few tears!

What’s the worst bit about your job?

The worst thing about my job is the early mornings or the cold in the winter but other than that it’s a great job – its working with people at their happiest.

Describe the most extravagant floral arrangements you’ve done for a wedding.

One of the most extravagant floral arrangements we have done for a wedding was huge bird cages on top of stands which were used in place of pedestal arrangements.  These were complimented with bird cages standing on tall metal stands and birch trees with lights hanging on the branches for the tables.  The whole look was like a fairy tale.

Have you ever had a really unusual request?

I have just been asked to quote for a firework wedding.  We are going to make table arrangements in the style of fireworks – we are making a fountain of lights and flowers about 8 ft high for some of the tables and Catherine wheels made of flowers for the other tables.  In the centre of the room we are creating a fire with wood and twigs, flowers and lighting.  Each of the tables will be placed around the fire as if seating around the bonfire.

What do you think will be hot this season?

I think the one of the styles for this year is vintage.  This has been popular for a couple of years but there are still a lot of vintage style dresses around and very subtle vintage colours work well with these dresses.  Brides are asking for more traditional style bouquets again so although the hand tied posy is still very popular brides are also asking for shower bouquets again – these had gone out of fashion for a few years.  There seems to be a wider variety of colour schemes around this year.  Pink is still quite popular but also green and gold.  Orchids to seem to be very hot this year.

If you had one wish what would it be?

I would love to work on a wedding which is to be held outside; perhaps in a forest or on a beach where we could create a fairy tale theme.  We could hang lights and flowers in the trees and create a magical design or if on a beach we could create unusual designs including driftwood and shells and other interesting seaside materials.  I know this is not possible in this Country at the moment because of the law but hopefully one day it will.

Thanks Beverley!

This week I spoke to wedding planner Zoe Lingard.  Those of you not familiar with Zoe’s blog should take a peak.  Many an afternoon can be spent looking at her amazing mood boards.  I often find myself thinking – ‘Oooh, that’s lovely and Oooh, I like that, what a lovely idea’ and before I know what’s happened, I’ve not got any work done!  It’s highly addictive!  It was great to get Zoe’s take on what’s its like being one of the coolest planners around!

What kind of brides book wedding planners?

Anyone who is looking to save time, avoid stress and who wants the expertise of a trained professional. Most of the couples I work with tend to work long hours in very demanding jobs and just don’t have the time to put together their dream wedding. In addition, because my company places such an emphasis on beautifully designed weddings, I also have a number of clients who are looking for expert advice in relation to the design of their wedding.

Describe your favourite wedding?

Overall, I’m passionate about weddings that really reflect a couple’s personality. I always say that guests should leave your wedding feeling like they know you a little bit better so a wedding with lots of personalized, finishing touches is always great. So many people say “the details don’t really matter”, but it’s always the weddings that have had the most time and effort put into the finishing touches that are still talked about years later.

More specifically, I did a wedding back in December at the Haymarket Hotel in London which was beautiful. The evening reception took place in the fabulous Pool Room and we floated wooden dishes filled with candles and rose petals on the swimming pool – it looked truly stunning. I’ve also got some great weddings coming up this summer; one in particular is taking place in a beautifully restored farmhouse and will be styled like an uber glamorous Glastonbury festival. I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished results.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Anywhere and everywhere! Sometimes it can be something as seemingly irrelevant as the weather or a scrap of fabric. Other times it can be something more coherent such as paintings, fashion magazines or films. I subscribe to over 40 blogs and am constantly blown away by the unending creative inspiration available on the internet.

How did you start wedding planning?

Before becoming a planner, I worked for the NHS and the local authority in various administration and finance management roles. Until going to university I’d always loved art, textiles and anything remotely creative but for some reason wound up studying Psychology and working in non-creative jobs. When I got engaged myself, I fell in love with the planning process and realised how wedding planning combined my skills and passions. Looking back, all the jobs I ever did contributed to me becoming a planner, even the first job I ever had as a 13 year old was in a florist!

What have you learnt since becoming a planner?

I don’t think a week goes by where I don’t learn something as a planner or a business woman which is part of why I love my job; no client, no wedding and no day is ever the same!

What the best bit about your job?

I have to say I am bit of a wedding nut so I just love being involved in such a special event. Nothing comes close to the feeling of when a celebration has gone smoothly and you know the couple had a great day. I love seeing the look on the couple’s face as they see their reception space for the first time and because I’m such a sap, end up shedding a tear at 9/10 weddings. I also just love the process of wedding design from the initial design consultation right up to the finished event; it makes all the late nights and long phone calls worth it.

What pearls of wisdom can you pass on to anyone who’s planning a wedding?

I think the most significant one would be that if you’re on a budget don’t automatically opt for cheaper suppliers, as these can be a false economy in terms of the standard of service they provide. Instead, I would advise reducing your guest list, shortening the day slightly and having less ‘components’ to the day e.g. don’t have a band and a DJ, opt for one or the other.

What is the worst bit about your job?

It’s not bad, rather frustrating. Sometimes suppliers who aren’t used to working with planners can be reluctant to work us, which can make life difficult. In reality we are both working towards the same goal; to give the bride and groom a great day but such suppliers can wrongly assume that we’re going to cause them extra work and be ‘high-maintenance’.

What do you think will be hot this season?

Generally I see couples moving away from traditional palettes and embracing something more unusual and bold.  For ceremonies, Humanist ceremonies are becoming hugely popular and for receptions photo-booths and candy bars are going to be huge.

If you have one wish what would it be?

That planners would become a completely normal, run of the mill part of planning a wedding.  I meet so many people who tell me they wish they’d had a planner and that they found the whole wedding planning process overwhelming and stressful.  That’s such a shame; a wedding really should be a great experience and having a wedding planner goes a long way to ensuring that.

Thanks Zoe!

This week I caught up with Miranda Eason, editor of Cosmopolitan Bride.  I’ve known Miranda since she first joined Cosmo back in 2005 and she’s featured lots of my brides over the years.   It was great to have a chance to pick her brians on what she loves about weddings and what it’s like being the editor of the faboulous Cosmopolitan Bride Magazine.

Describe your favourite weddings.
In the magazine we feature lots of different types of weddings but I particularly love outdoorsy, typically English weddings – I’m a sucker for vintage crockery, afternoon tea party type food, meadow flowers and bunting. On the other hand I adore glamorous city weddings in landmark buildings or chic boutique hotels. As a guest I think there’s something special about a destination wedding. You usually get to spend more time with the bride and groom, as there’s often a get-together the night before the wedding and an event the day after, plus you get to bond with the other guests.

How do you choose which real weddings to feature?
I’m always looking for something that I’ve never seen before, whether it’s a particularly unique style, a great colour palette or a brand new venue. The more ideas that will inspire readers on all budgets the better. The photography is important – a wedding works best for the magazine when there’s a good balance of formal shots, well-executed detail shots and beautiful caught-in-the-moment shots of the couple.

What’s the best bit about your job?
I love every part of seeing the magazine come together, from the very first ideas meeting, to the finished magazine arriving in the office.

What is the worst bit about your job?
As a bride-to-be myself I’m dreading putting the deposit down on my dress and then the next day seeing one I love more arrive in the office for a photo shoot!

What pearls of wisdom can you pass on to anyone who’s planning a wedding?
Sit down and work out your guest list and budget early on. Decide the things that matter to you most as a couple and spend your money in these areas. Don’t do anything because you think you have to do it – although it’s nice to follow some traditions, there really are no rules that you have to follow these days (although if your parents are contributing they will, quite rightly, want a say in some areas). Try on lots of different shapes of dresses, you might be surprised at what suits you. Consider having a few days between the wedding day and your honeymoon so you can catch up on all the big day gossip and spend time with friends and family who’ve travelled from far away.

What do you think will be hot this season?
Many of the trends happening in weddings are a direct response to the credit crunch. Smaller, more intimate weddings are definitely becoming more popular – we’re seeing lots of civil services in the city, followed by dinner in a lovely restaurant. Delayed honeymoons or mini-moons (short but luxe honeymoons) are on the rise. Couples are personalising their weddings and saving money in the bargain by doing more and more themselves, from the stationery to the decorations – even making the cake.

If you had one wish, what would it be?
For guaranteed sun every Friday and Saturday from May through to September for all the spring and summer brides.

Thanks Miranda!

You can read my interview on her blog. I love Zoe’s blog and it’s a real honour to be featured!

Enjoy!