Fantasy Guest List VS Final Guest List

It is never too early to start your wedding guest list, in fact it is one of the first things you can do as a newly engaged couple. See my post 'Top Tips for Newly Engaged Couples'.

The first list you will make is called the Fantasy List, this list should include absolutely everyone you would like to invite to your big day. Once you have an idea of your where your budget lies and where you will have your ceremony and reception then you will be able to start crossing names off accordingly.

Things To Consider For Your Final Guest List

• Budget


• Ceremony and reception venue capacity


• Who will be paying for your wedding


• Whether you prefer to have an intimate wedding or large lavish affair

Hopefully you're one of the lucky few who will be able to accommodate your entire Fantasy List but for the rest of us we will have to utilise our cutting skills. This is not an easy task, especially since we want all of our friends and family to share our special day and we definitely don't want to offend or upset anyone by not inviting them. But unfortunately, sometimes budgets just won't allow us to have our cake and eat it too.. yes even on your own special day.

Here are some suggestions on how you can or might want to narrow down down your Fantasy Guest List:

1. Any relatives that you have either never met or haven't seen for more than a year


2. Colleagues


3. Children


4. Plus ones


5. If parents are paying for the wedding, they may want to have the final decision


6. Invite the first eldest cousin of each family


7. The ex factor

I am yet to sit down with my gorgeous fiance to write out our 'Fantasy' List and as we've decided to get married in Bali I'm expecting a lot of our friends and family won't be able to make our destination wedding.. Boo! On the plus side, we will have parties for our loved ones in both Australia and the UK for all of those who cannot make the wedding. Any excuse for a party right??

If you've got any more great ideas on guest list management I'd love to hear them?

Much love

T x

Storyboard & Fairytale Wedding Invitations

I've absolutely fallen in love with storyboard and fairytale invitations! It is a fantastic opportunity to give your guests an insight into how you met, how you romanced each other and how you came to be planning your big day.

By supplying the stationer with some details about your story and relationship they will create a unique, fun and quirky story line to entertain your guests and make your invitations look amazing.

I have found three companies that do such an amazing job that I myself have contacted them for quotes and I can't wait to hear back from them. I thought I'd be generous and share my fantastic findings with you.

Please meet Gorgeous Invites. These guys are based right here in the UK which is handy as most of these creative type companies are based on Etsy in the U S of A.

Next up is the very talented Be Mine Designs, also based in the UK.

And last but definitely not least is Anthologie Press who you can find on Etsy. Jen is located in the US but she happily ships to the UK. Her work is so brilliant that dealing with shipping costs would be worth it.

I hope you've enjoyed my findings and I would love to hear about any of yours..

Much love

T x

Some picks from the 2014 Pronovias Fashion Collection

Brides to be.. eat your heart out! Last Friday Pronovias streamed their 2014 collection live from Barcelona.. oh what I would have given to be there. Here are some picks from their fashion collection, there are 35 dresses in the fashion collection to be exact so I recommend you head on over to their website to oogle them all. Enjoy!

T xx

Looking For A Band For Your Wedding Or Event?? Look No Further!

One of the many forms of entertainment you can have at your wedding is a band. It may be a more pricey option than say a DJ but boy do they know how to put on a good show a get your guests making good use of the dance floor (alcohol or no alcohol). I thought I would share some of the very talented and VERY entertaining bands I have come across throughout my research and networking.

Do you have any recommendations of amazing entertainers and bands I should know of??

Much Love

T xx

DJ Dylan & Michael R Leavy Jnr
This pair are an entertaining match made in heaven, they absolutely rocked Hyde Park during Winter Wonderland 2012/2013. They are like an all in one package DJ, singers, dancers, beat boxers, MC, rappers and phenomenal entertainers, they would make an absolutely amazing addition to any event or wedding. They don't have a personal website but I found this video for you which although amazing does not do them or their crazy, dancy, jumpy audience any justice. This song was done A Capella with DJ Dylan beat boxing and Michael R Leavy Jnr's vocals, one of their many talents. I snapped up their details after spending two nights at Winter Wonderland jumping and dancing to their tunes, if you're interested in hiring them you can email Michael at mighty_molb@yahoo.co.uk or I already have an informal price list in my hot little hands which I would be happy to send you. Just email me at tanyalotherington@hotmail.com



Wandering Hands
Cutting loose from the tangle of wires and amps of a regular covers band – Wandering Hands are a talented, energetic trio who bound between tables and groups of guests performing crowd pleasing versions of hits from the last 60 years. Featuring saxophone, 2 guitars and vocals, the band have already proved hugely popular at venues across London. Wandering Hands’ infectious enthusiasm mixed with a vast repertoire of beloved party tunes is guaranteed to give any event an electrifying atmosphere and unmatched feeling of spontaneity.



Fully FunKtional
With their fun and playful side already showing in their name please meet the all singing, all dancing, booty shaking Fully FunKtional. I saw these guys perform when I was at Ascot Races and they were amazing, I don't think there is anything the can't do.

Fully FunKtional are the ultimate party people! An 6-12 piece professional band featuring top London session musicians with outrageously cool credits including Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, BBC Big Band, Kylie, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Children in Need, Craig David, Lemar, Daniel Bedingfield, virtually every West End show inluding Chicago, Jerry Springer the Opera, Witches of Eastwick and umpteen others!
Their premier 10-piece features their famously funky rhythm section, two scorching horns, three sexy singers and their conga-tastic percussionist. Fully FunKtional mainly perform as a 6 or 8 piece.

Decoration Ideas - Bride & Groom Champagne Flutes

I came across this cute idea when I was browsing the Confetti catalogue which, by the way, I would recommend any bride 2 be reads for great ideas and wedding inspiration. The top picture is of the gorgeous toasting flute wraps which can also be used for napkin rings but any of these flutes featured would make a great addition to the top table, setting the mood for the 'Just Married' bride and groom.

Much love

T xx

Wedding Hair - Half Up Half Down

Hello lovelies,

I wanted to share some beautiful Half Up Half Down wedding hair styles I have come across. I love the idea of having a tiara across the top of the head or a stunning brooch clasped at the back.

How would you like your hair for the big day?

Much love

T xx

Source: Uploaded by user via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: longhairstyleshowto.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: weddingsabeautiful.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: forum.weddingcentral.com.au via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: yelp.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: beautylish.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Spanish Food In London - Casa Brindisa

Andy and I are lovers of all things Spanish, the country, the wine, the language and especially the food. So it only made sense that we should finally get our acts together and stop trying to make last minute reservations and score a booking at the highly popular Spanish tapas restaurant in South Kensington Casa Brindisa.. and so we did!! And we weren't disappointed!

We've tried many tapas restaurants in London and only a select few are worth going back to or even worth lining up for 45 minutes at a no reservation policy venue (we're crazy I know, for good food that is).. Casa Brindisa is now one of our high contenders. We've actually been to one of their other restaurants in Soho, Tapas Brindisa but don't remember it being this good.

En route to our amazing Spanish feast we stopped off at a couple of favourite local bars, the first stop was Brinkley's which is just off Fulham Road. Brinkley's deserves it's own post so I won't go into too much information just yet but what I can tell you is that the bartender made me a mean Cosmopolitan and since we were there between 5pm and 7pm happy hour it cost a whole £5.50. Great huh?? As you can tell Andy opted for a manly beer.

The next stop was Eclipse on Walton Street, another favourite spot which deserves it's own post.. but if you are familiar with Eclipse you will know that they are famous for their Watermelon Martinis.. if you're not familiar with Eclipse I recommend you get acquainted ASAP. It's a super cute cocktail bar in South Kensington, right around the corner from our final destination. As you can see, this time Andy opted for a more fruity drink.. a Watermelon Martini is irresistible. 

Welcome to Andy & Tanya's table at Casa Brindisa..

With a missing Andy..

Cheers!!

Pan De Coca.. Traditional Catalan flatbread with tomato and side of alioli. DELISH!

Catalan Spinach with pine nuts and raisins

Padron peppers and Tortilla De Corizo

Making sure no alioli gets missed

Gambas Al Ajillo

Corn Fed Chicken Leg

Butifarra Con Mongetes - The super tasty Catalan sausage and beans with alioli

We can't wait to go back when the weather is warm to take advantage of outdoor seating and the Creperie directly across.

Casa Brindisa
7 - 9 Exhibition Road
London
SW7 2HE

View Larger Map