lucy loves... Laura Power Photography

We'd chatted a bit over Twitter but I only met Laura Power for the first time at the 'Off to Wed' Wedding Fair in February of this year. But once chatting with Laura, you feel like you've known her for years and I can only imagine her couples feel exactly the same and then know right away they've made the right choice for their wedding photographer. Her energy is infectious.

Laura is a creative and alternative wedding photographer and she provides a wonderfully personal service for her couples (as well as truly stunning, honest photographs). What I love about Laura is that she makes a real effort to get to know her couples which in turn means they get beautiful, genuine and candid photos which represent them and their special day perfectly. There is always a level of fun to her pics as well, which shines through (not forgetting the family/group pictures if wanted).

In her own words Laura says "I shoot in a ‘documentary style’ throughout your day, but also like to capture quirky moments and I love to explore unique locations for couple shots". And most importantly, Laura LOVES her job and you can see that in her and the photos she produces.

In a funny turn of events, Laura and I actually have mutual contacts, firstly her Aunt, who I work with in my 'day job'. But also Laura had the same wedding photographer (Emma Case) as my sis for her own wedding and we all used the same amazing florist, Sorori Design, for our weddings. It's a small wedding world!

Laura is photographing one of my lovely couples (Charlotte & Adam) wedding in July and I cannot wait to share her pictures with you as well as have her photograph my work.

To find out more about Laura and see more of her work, click here and have a look below...

I just love this last one and the two ladies on the far right! Amazing!

Laura and I are also planning to do some styled shoots together in the not too distant future, so watch this space...

love lucy x

lucy loves... Nic & Chris

The beautiful couple. Photo courtesy of McPherson Photography

It's Wedding Wednesday! Following on from the lace style invites in nude tones, I combined the same colour palette with Nic & Chris' theme of vintage sweets for the reception stationery with finishing touches of pearl and ribbon. From table plan to sweet har labels, menus to table names, I designed and produced all of the 'on the stationery.

Whilst the rain earlier in the day meant Nic & Chris couldn't get married outside, the room they had their ceremony in was beautifully decorated by flowers from the Sodbury Florist.

I also had the pleasure of dressing the room for their wedding breakfast to ensure it all looked perfect for the couple. The candelabras (also provided by the Sodbury Florist) with pearls draped over made lovely centrepieces.

Oh and also, how stunning does Nic look and Chris scrubs up pretty well too!

love lucy x

The lovely list...

• Venue... Hare & Hounds, Tetbury
• Cake company... Cut Above Cake Company
• Florist... The Sodbury Florist
• Photogprahy:... McPherson Photography
• Stationery... Me! lucy loves...

lucy loves... Host Event Management

A different sort of post for today... A bit of a Q&A with the lovely Olivia from Host Event Management.

I met Olivia earlier this year and we've struck up a lovely friendship immediately all starting from our love of weddings and organising things! Like me, Olivia won an award at the Bristol & Somerset Wedding Awards (still cannot believe that!) with Event Host Management scooping 'Best Wedding Planner'.

Host Event Management is an award winning professional wedding and event planning business based in Bristol, covering The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

What is a wedding planner?
I get asked this quite a lot so here is a little definition to explain!

Wedding Planner (n): An expert in the wedding industry whose job is to ensure that the clients vision is brought to life saving them time, money and stress.  An advisor, counsellor and friend. Creating the wedding you have always dreamed of

Why might someone need your help?
If they have little time to put into the planning process due to work commitments or family life. If a couple doesn’t know where to start and needs some guidance to proceed. If they are booking a marquee or village wedding and feel they need some help leading up and on the day of the wedding.


What services can/do you offer?
I can offer a whole host (pardon the pun!) of services to suit each couples requirements and budgets:

• On the day co-ordination
• Kick start planning
• Full Planning
• Partial Planning
• Venue Finding
• Supplier Sourcing
• Bars
• Staff
• Catering

What advice would you give a Bride and Groom struggling to plan their wedding but know what they want to achieve for their big day?
I would firstly arrange a meeting to discuss where the couple are in terms of planning and ask them about the ideas they have. A wedding planner is an advisor. The couple are in charge, I am just there to suggest and guide if required. My job is to make sure the couples vision is delivered. I would put together a workable plan which they can refer to after the meeting.

What is it about your job you love the most?
Knowing that I am helping people achieve their dream on the most important and special day of their lives. I love the reward you get when you are thanked by the couple who really appreciate what you have done for them.

When it comes to weddings what is your favourite part/s of the day?
The ceremony – without a doubt. I think I’ve cried at every ceremony I have ever watched! Such a soppy girl! It is so touching to be able to watch two people make that commitment to each other. That’s what a wedding is all about in reality.

If you could plan any celebrity wedding who's would it be and why?!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or a Royal couple. I love the Royal family and the pomp and circumstance that surrounds their weddings. It’s so magical. I was in awe of Kate’s wedding dress and I watched the Royal wedding avidly with a glass of pimms in hand! Perhaps I had better contact Prince Harry to let him know of my business before he ties the knot!

Here are some photos of some of the weddings Olivia has organised...

Thanks Olivia! I hope that gives you a better understanding of what a Wedding Planner does and how one can help a couple plan their very special day. If you would like to find out more, visit the website here.

Lucy loves... and Host Event Management are planning a styled shoot in the next few months and so there will be more from the two of us, along with lots of other lovely suppliers very soon.

I hope you've liked today's Q&A, more will follow throughout the year.

love lucy x

lucy loves... Old Down Manor

Old Down Manor. Photo courtesy of Richard Thornton Photography

In March I became a 'preferred supplier' at the beautiful Old Down Manor. As you can imagine I was so chuffed as it is such a stunning and well respected wedding venue. What makes it event more special is that the venue is on my doorstep and I spent my childhood going to the grounds of the Manor House to pick strawberries with my Grandparents! Lots of happy memories of the venue.

Found in the picturesque hamlet of Old Down in South Gloucestershire, Old Down Manor really is one of the premier wedding venues in the area. And it really is the perfect location for a wedding, both big and small.

As a private country house, when couples hire it for their wedding (or for any other celebration), it is exclusively theirs all day. This allows for fantastic flexibility in tailoring the venue to suit the style of the wedding. It also means for complete privacy and intimacy.

Amongst other gorgeous rooms in the main house, the wedding ceremony takes place in their newly built Orangery overlooking a rose garden as well as having breathtaking panoramic views. It is also licensed to provide Civil Ceremonies in the Drawing Room as well as a the Magnificent Hall with its romantic sweeping staircase and vaulted glass ceilings. After the ceremony, guests can spill out onto the lawn and enjoy drinks overlooking the countryside and views across the Severn before heading in for the wedding breakfast.

At Old Down Manor there are two lovely Wedding Coordinators, Lucy and Adele, who help couples every step of the way. There is also the very lovely Olivia of Host Event Management also on hand. There is a talented team of chefs, providing a full catering service for all elements of a wedding day.

And finally, Old Down Manor has eight bedrooms including a stunning bridal suite all with an eclectic mix of modern and antique furniture and gorgeous decor. And don't forget the swimming pool which guests can enjoy the next day!

It has everything a bride and groom, along with all their guests would need. I couldn't recommend Old Down Manor highly enough and am thrilled to be working with them.

To find out more, visit their website here.

love lucy x

lucy loves... my new postcards

Although I love my business cards, they are not always the best way for people to see the work I do. And with being part of my first wedding fair (which I imagine will be the first of many to come), I decided to design some postcards showcasing my work.

And here they are! I'm really pleased with them. There is a range of stationery on them, all things you've seen before but all together in one place! As I am always creating new bespoke stationery, I decided to do a small print run so no doubt I will be putting some new designs on here very soon.

Hope you like them! And if you would like some, know someone who might or can put them in places where potentials brides and grooms may see them, please contact lucyloves@live.co.uk. Thanks!

love lucy x

lucy loves... Lucie & Mike

Something completely new and different is being served up on the blog today... a set of invitations in pastel shades for Lucie & Mike's May nuptials.

The brief I received was to come up with a design that incorporated their pastel/candy colour palette of blush pink and pistachio whilst reflecting the elegant vintage style of their wedding.

The use of stripes and polka dots work really well together and add a modern, playful twist whilst still reflecting their theme. I also designed a crown motif, gaining inspiration from some decorations Lucie has sourced for the reception. To personalise it further, I incorporated their initials which will be used through out with their on-the-day stationery.

The invitations included a number of pieces detailing all of the information required for the wedding which was all held together with a customised 'belly band', again all within the theme.

Front and back of the invitations

The seperate pieces to the invitations

The crown motif with L & M initials

The belly band close up

The completed piece all wrapped up in the belly band

I look forward to sharing more photos of Lucie & Mike's stationery after their big day! And good luck with the last bits of planning.

love lucy x

lucy loves... Oscar dresses 2014

I love awards season for all the amazing dresses that we get to see. Here's are my favourites from last night's Oscars...

Kelly Osbourne in Badgley Mischka. The white silhouette look amazing with the delicate lace detailing at the top. Love. Quite bridal as well.

Image from www.reveal.co.uk

Leslie Mann in Jenny Packham. So fresh yet simple with a lovely Spring feel. Love how she's styled her hair so simply as well. Lovely!

Image from RCFA

Charlize looks pretty epic in her Dior gown. Stunning and it feels like a proper, full 'Oscar's' dress if you know what I mean?!

Image from Perez Hilton

Such a simple Grecian design from Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong'o. She looks every inch the winner. So beautiful and radiant.

Image from the Daily Mail

Maria Menounos' dress covered in sequins and crystals looks amazing. I imagine she twinkled as she walked! Look the cap sleeve detail and the small 'puddle' train. Love her hair as well. Again another almost bridal dress...

Image from Because I Am Fabulous

I think this is going to be a love it or hate it type of dress but I think it's incredible. Kate Hudson in Versace. The shape, the detail, the back, the sleeves, the draping. Pure Hollywood Glamour in my eyes! Love, love, love! And almost a little bit bridal but that may be due to it being white!

Image from the Daily Mail

So that's my take on Oscar dresses 2014. Roll on next year's!!

love lucy x