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Hot Wedding Trends for 2012

Here at The City Rooms we like to keep our finger on the pulse of the wedding world and stay up date on all the latest wedding trends and fashions. Here is our low down of what is going to be hot in 2012

Lace

We’re talking lace wedding dresses, favours and even wedding cakes! Choose lace for an simple yet elegant feel.

Lace Wedding Dress - Hot trends in 2012Lace Wedding Cake - Hot Trends for 2012Lace Wedding Favour - Hot Trends for 2012

Mismatching

This year we predict that we will see much more of mismatching bridesmaids dresses (in both colour and cut) as well as mismatched table decor too!

Different Coloured Bridesmaids DressesMismatched Table Decor

Rustic Weddings

Rustic materials such as burlap will be huge this year. This ties in with the recent post we wrote on eco-friendly weddings!

Rustic Wedding ChairsRustic Wedding IdeasRustic Wedding Flowers

Colours

Check out the Pantone chart below for a guide of hot colours this spring!

Hot Wedding Colours for 2012

If you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in the Leicester then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff. You can also check out the dates of our next wedding fayre on our weddings page.

Brochure

Christmas Brochure

Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas

Eco-chic is sweeping the wedding circuit at the moment. This big green trend is a huge hit with brides who have a love of all things organic, fury and environmental. Nowadays there are so many options to choose from when it comes to an environmentally friendly wedding that are a world away from the stereotypical camp fire and flower power dresses you may be imagining.  Here are some modern eco-chic wedding ideas…

Invites:

Eco Friendly Wedding invitesTable Decor:

Eco Friendly Table DecorFavours:

Eco Friendly Wedding FavoursIf you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in the Leicester then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff. You can also check out the dates of our next wedding fayre on our weddings page.

Valentines Themed Weddings

So you have said yes to the big question, not “will you be my valentine” but “will you marry me”.  Being a hopeless romantic you have decided to have the wedding in February, the same month as Valentine’s Day, and with a valentines theme no less. Unfortunately this year v-day falls on a Tuesday which for most people isn’t the best day so the weekends before and after are the next best thing.

I have to admit that I am a little bit torn when it comes to presenting you with valentine’s themed wedding ideas. My modern self wants to show you a selection of contemporary valentines themed ideas and decorations whilst my other self (the one that doesn’t come out very often) wants to red it up and bombard your eyes with roses and love hearts galore. I have decided to unleash my true romantic self and go for the latter option as I feel that it’s the one which embraces the true meaning of valentine’s day.

Roses:

Red roses are the classic lovers flower, the one that every girls hopes for a dozen of each year. If you are having a valentines themed wedding then red roses are a must. You can use them  in bouquets, as bridesmaids hair accessories, as petals scattered down the aisle, as stunning centre pieces and as a cake toppers!

Valentines themed weddings - Roses

Chocolate:

Another valentines day favourite! Consider handing out chocolate favours to your guests as well as chocolate wedding cake, cupcakes and chocolate thank you presents. You could even have a chocolate sculpture for the top of your cake or as a standalone decoration. Ifyou are real chocolate lover then go for chocolate themed wedding invites too!

Valentines themed weddings - Chocolate

Love Hearts:

Love hearts are the very essence of valentines day. There are many heart themed wedding items available including confetti, cake decorations, invitations, table sprinkles and favours.

Valentines themed weddings - Love Hearts

If you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in the Leicester then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff. You can also check out the dates of our next wedding fayre on our weddings page.

Paper Wedding Bouquets

Being someone who has had an unhealthy obsession with stationary since a child (I mean how many notebooks does an 8 year old really need?) I am very excited to see the emerging craze for paper wedding bouquets. We had a company that made paper bouquets at our last wedding fair and they really were exquisite. I know that they are not something that will be to everyone’s taste but they are unusual, eye catching and make a real talking point.

The variation of papers that are on the market today is astounding. With flowers you have to work with what is seasonal and available in your wedding colours but not so with paper. You have a wealth of colours, patters and even buttons and glitter to choose from! Paper wedding bouquets also make great keepsakes that will not die or wilt away. They are really the modern alternative to artificial wedding flowers.

I also really love these wedding paper flower seat decorations. This is an emerging trend and definately one to watch in 2012!

What to expect at a wedding fair in Leicester

In October we held one of our best wedding fairs to date. It was fabulous. We had 35 exhibitors who showcased their wedding creations and services. There really was something for everyone and many of the brides who visited us not only found the perfect suppliers but also had a really great day out.

Wedding Fair in Leicester -The City Rooms

If you are newly engaged Leicester bride and are wondering what exactly happens at local wedding fairs then read on.

Exhibitions:

All weddings fairs will usually host a range of exhibitors from photographers to cake makers. We always try to present our brides with something unique and at our October fair we had a paper bouquet company and a mobile bar! Exhibitors will usually bring along examples of their work for you to look at as well as being on hand to answer any questions that you many have.

Live Music:Wedding Fair in Leicester - Band

As you can see from our pictures we always like to include some great entertainment at our wedding fairs. In the past our ballroom has hosted everything from pianists to swing bands, much to the amusement of our visiting brides and their families.

 

Demonstrations:

A lot of make-up artists, hair stylists and manicurists will give you the chance to give their services a try during a fair. Spend 5 minutes getting a mini-makeover with your bridesmaids as well as getting your hands on some free pamper samples.

Fashion Shows:Wedding Fair in Leicester - Fashion Show

Nearly all wedding fairs will run catwalks and fashion shows at different times throughout the day. Many local bridal shops and gown designers will bring along a range of fabulous dresses which they will showcase on the runway. You can sit and admire the swathes of silks, diamantes and lace and picture yourself wearing each one.


Our next wedding fair will be on Sunday 25th March 2012. For more information on Weddings at The City Rooms have a look at our weddings page or click to request our brochure.

Christmas Themed Weddings Ideas

In recent years Christmas themed wedding have become much more popular. Whilst summer is still the most popular season for weddings, more and more brides are being tempted by the thought of a wedding album covered with snowy pictures, fur wraps and glistening decorations. I know that this is Leicester and not the Alps but a beautiful setting like our ballroom looks fantastic when decked out in Christmas finery.  Another great benefit of a winter wedding is that they tend to be a little cheaper than their summer counterparts.  Here are some top tips for decorating your wedding venue for a Christmas themed wedding.

Modern Christmas Themed Wedding Ideas:

 Modern Christmas Themed Wedding Ideas

I love the modern red & blue reindeer themed invite. Whilst still being christmasssy it breaks the mould for using red and blue as opposed to a more traditional red and white or red and green colourscheme. The cupcakes are decorated beautifully and the gingerbread house would make a show stopping wedding cake!

Classic Christmas Themed Wedding Ideas:

Classic Christmas Themed Wedding Ideas

If you want go for something more classic then opt for Poinsettia and Roses as your main flowers. Create your centrepieces from baubles, pine cones and evergreen foilaige. Create an atmosphere with candles, tea lights and lanterns.

If you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in the Midlands then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff.

Hiring a wedding planner- Leicester brides

There once was a time when wedding planners were just for the rich and famous. Nowadays though there are a lot more wedding planners out there who offer a range of services at costs to suit all sorts of budgets. We have met a number of wedding planners and event agencies over the years and so we thought that we would give our Leicester brides the lo-down on hiring a wedding planner.

Leicester Wedding Planner

You will find that most venues have experienced wedding planning and events staff in house. At The City Rooms we have a dedicated and experienced team who can help with all aspects of your wedding breakfast and other wedding festivities. You can hire an external wedding planner who can help with anything from booking florists to making wedding favours. It all depends on your requirements and budget.

Levels of service

Most wedding planners in Leicester offer a number of different packages. Firstly there will be a comprehensive wedding package where they will literally take the reins and organise every last detail for you. This is great for couples who are short on time. Secondly there will be the option of hiring them to conduct your finishing touches such as venue design and set up. This is great for brides who need a bit of creative help and inspiration. Lastly you could just hire a wedding planner to be there on the big day and ensure that everything runs smoothly. This is a good idea for all couples as it allows them to forget about the logistics and just enjoy their day.

Choosing a planner

There are a number of ways that you can look for a wedding planner in Leicester. Many of them will advertise in the local wedding magazines and be at local wedding fayres. You can also look on the internet or ask your friends and family for recommendations. Your church or service venue may also have a planner that they work with on a regular basis who they can recommend.  It is always  a good idea to ask for testimonials from previous couples that your perspective planner has worked with. Also, make sure that you meet with them in person as you don’t want to hire them and then find that there is a bit of a personality clash!

Click here for our wedding brochure!

If you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in the Midlands then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff.

Christmas Party Venue Decoration Ideas

The staff Christmas party is usually one of the most looked forward to events of the year. Your employee’s work hard year round and it is nice to give them a real festive treat. You want to make sure that your party has the wow factor and one of the best ways to do this is through the decorations that you use. Here are some of our Christmas party venue decoration ideas.

Bauble Centre Pieces: 

Many people tend to go for a traditional flower or poinsettia table centrepiece but how about doing something  a little bit different this year? Try using baubles in your centrepiece and think of creative ways to display them  such as on a cake stand like in this picture. You could also get a selection of glass vases and fill them with different coloured and sized baubles.

 

Christmas Plants: 

Simply just using potted plants in seasonal colours will make your venue look great. Try adorning the plants  with ribbon, bows or even tinsel (but don’t go crazy with the tinsel as to much can look tacky!). If you were  to buy larger plants you could hang baubles or fairly lights from them for extra sparkle!

 

Christmas Candles: 

Candles will always help to create a great atmosphere at any party. You could incorporate them into your  centrepieces or just place them around the room on window sills and ledges. Try using them along side pine cones, Christmas potpourri and tie them with ribbon for the best effect.

 

If you are looking for a fantastic Christmas party venue in the Midlands then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff.

Scottish Themed Weddings

Many people who are Scottish or who have Scottish ancestry like to celebrate this when they get married. Some people choose to go all out and have kilts and tartan galore whilst others gently incorporate the theme in certain areas. Let’s have a look at some of the best Scottish themed wedding ideas.

Invites:

Your invitations really set the scene for your big day. They will help to give your guests an idea of what to expect. Choosing a motif that is symbolic of Scotland to feature on your invites is a great way to introduce the theme. Thistles and Celtic crosses are very striking and look great on wedding stationary. However if you want something more subtle then just using colours associated with Scotland (lilacs, reds, greens and navy blues) within your stationary is a good idea.

Cakes:

You can do so much with cakes these days that the only limit is your imagination. Many people choose a simple white cake design and then add tartan ribbons around the layers. Others choose to add thistle flowers to the top tier or drape a swatch of tartan material around the cake. Alternatively you could completely Scottish it up and go for a tartan painted cake!

Flowers:

There is of course one obvious choice and that is to have thistles as your primary wedding flower. They are a lovely colour and can be matched with white flowers in bouquets or other displays. Other flowers that are native to Scotland include the Cuckoo Flower, Dog Rose and Red Campion. You will be able to get a better idea of what types of Scottish flowers are available if you have a weekend away self catering in Scotland as we shortly recommend. Visit a number of Scottish florists and they will be able to give you help and advice on local blooms.

 Accommodation:

Why not go the whole hog and hold your hen and stag parties there. You could stay self-catering in Scotland and hire a nice big cottage for your friends & family to stay in. You could also tie this in with some shopping for authentic Scottish items to incorporate into the wedding!

If you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in the Midlands then give us a call or email info@thecityrooms.co.uk and speak to one of our highly trained members of staff.