Supplier Spotlight - Enjoy afternoon tea in style with Ruby Rue Teas

"A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, which is one you forget about afterwards." - A.A. Milne

Ruby Rue Teas is a specialist caterer offering afternoon teas with a simple but sophisticated, retro feel.  Using charming mismatched vintage and ‘shabby chic’ china and good, traditional fare, they can turn your teatime into a special occasion.

Ruby Rue offers a friendly but informal service, providing delicious homemade fresh food with a country kitchen feel and using high-quality ingredients, sourced locally where possible.

Let Ruby Rue Teas transform your teatime with three different types of service:

Afternoon tea delivered to your door

For special occasions and small, intimate gatherings, delicious homemade sandwiches, biscuits, cakes, scones and clotted cream, plus a variety of teas and coffee, together with a place setting for each of your guests, in pretty, mismatched vintage china and an elegant tiered cake plate to display the food. (minimum 8 people).

The Ruby Rue Travelling Tearoom

Tailor-made to meet your requirements, Ruby Rue Teas are ideal for bringing a touch of genteel sophistication and charm to a wide range of personal and corporate events. They can provide:

• a selection of teas and coffee served to each table

• chairs and tables to seat up to 48 people

• linen tablecloths

• napkins

• all china

• flowers for each table

• trestle tables to serve from, all dressed in linen and flowers

• staff all smartly dressed in Ruby Rue aprons

China hire

All vintage china is available to hire, for you to use as you choose. Part of the charm of Ruby Rue Teas is the ‘shabby chic’ nature of the mismatched china. Each piece is full of character.

For more information please visit the website.

I'm sure you agree that, apart from having a great name, Ruby Rue Teas offer a fabulous service that would compliment any Vintage themed wedding celebration. 

Why not treat your guests to a cream tea in the afternoon as a sophisticated alternative to cocktail hour?

Lots of Love

Ruby's Good Causes - Oxfam's new online wedding shop - You don’t have to spend a fortune to look a million dollars!

Oxfam's new wedding shop stocks a selection of fabulous wedding items. Brides to be can to get their hands on unique pieces, from unworn designer dresses donated by bridal shops, to second-hand and vintage dresses, all for a fraction of the high street price.

Also on offer, visitors will find a wide selection of wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ and ushers’ outfits. A special ethical 100% silver jewellery line has been added for the occasion, including elegant bracelets, necklaces and earrings that will be the perfect complement to a bride’s outfit or a thoughtful present for the bridesmaids.

From insider tips to designer dresses and favours, the site is an essential go-to for every couple planning a wedding that doesn’t cost a fortune and that will make a lasting difference, helping to fight poverty in more than 70 countries around the world.

Oxfam bridal departments
Oxfam have got a stunning collection of ex-catwalk and pre-owned wedding dresses in mint condition. They’re a one way ticket to looking gorgeous – but they won’t break the bank!  The bridal departments are run by wedding experts, who share your passion for finding dream dresses and accessories for you and your bridesmaids at the perfect price.

11 bridal departments across the UK:

Visit the website for further information.

I'm sure you'll agree that supporting Oxfam is a fabulous way to enrich your wedding day.  I'd love to hear your stories about great finds on the website or in stores.

Lots of Love

Happy Easter wishes from Ruby

Ruby is taking some time off over the Easter Break so there is no blog today but I thought I'd share my favourite Easter shop window display in my home town.

Window display at The Finishing Touch, Abingdon

I hope you all enjoy the sunshine, the time off work and eat loads of chocolate!  For those of you on diets or with dairy allergies, check out these gorgeous Easter egg soap bombs - a perfect alternative!

From Beyond Bubbles, Abingdon

See you next week.

Lots of Love

Supplier Spotlight - Card-Bored Box

Absolutely hilarious! Card-Bored Box is a fun-filled brand selling cheeky adult piñatas. Recently launched, their innovative products are set to take the UK by storm.

Already massive in the US and Latin America, a piñata, pronounced 'peen-yah-tuh', is a brightly coloured cardboard mould filled with sweets. Traditionally used at children’s parties, Card-Bored Box attempts to beat the donkey by providing a range of piñatas perfect for birthdays, stag and hen nights galore.

Sold empty, to be filled with sweet treats of your choice, their designs range from the Burlesque Bottom to the not so naughty, but equally nice, luscious lips and wedding cake variety.

Available to order online, Card-Bored Box piñatas can be purchased at http://www.card-boredbox.com/

So what are you waiting for? Give their adult piñatas a bash!

I love piñatas - they are ideal for parties, hen do's or informal weddings.  Your guests will love the challenge of cracking the box and discovering what treats you've placed inside for them - why not use this as a fun alternative to favours?

Lots of Love

Ruby Competition - WIN a Wedding Planner for the Day

To celebrate the Royal Wedding this month, Ruby Weddings are pleased to announce this exciting competition, offering one lucky couple the chance to win a wedding planner to help manage their wedding on the day.

This fabulous prize, a Wedding Day Management package, worth £450, is open to any couple getting married this year in the UK.*

To enter please email georgina.webb@ruby-weddings.co.uk, by 29th April 2011, telling us in a max of 50 words why you should win. 

The winning couple will be announced on 3 May 2011.

Good luck!

Lots of Love

*Terms and conditions: Weddings must be held during 2011 and at a wedding venue in the UK. Travel & expenses may be payable for weddings held more than 30 miles form Oxford.  No cash alternative is available. Prize is not transferable. Couples will be featured on Ruby Weddings blog.

Ruby News - Rock n Roll Bride Party 2011

With over 500 people applying to attend the party of the year, tickets to the Rock n Roll Bride's Annual Party were the hottest in town!

©Lucy Ledger Designs

Anticipation was building on Twitter and it was all everyone was talking about, first there was the excitement of getting a 'golden ticket', followed by the dilemma over what to wear.....and then Kat threw another challenge into the mix - what photobooth prop to take!

With a veritable 'Who's Who' of the wedding community at the party, the Pink Lady did not disappoint, it was the place to be seen.  There were glittery cupcakes from Restoration Cakes, yummy sweet treats from Sweet Dream Events, addictive RocknRollBride cocktails served in paint tins and a photobooth that rocked out!  

Best of all the hugely talented Rich from FX Films made a short video of the party....check out my gorgeous Chocolate Box fascinator (with real chocolates which everyone tried to steal) from Esemee Designs.

Rock n' Roll Bride - London Party, April 2011 from FX Films on Vimeo.

It was a fantastic evening that was a great opportunity to meet up with all my Twitter friends, make new friends and of course help celebrate all things pink and fabulous in the name of RocknRoll. 

Thank you so much Kat for hosting such a fabulous party - keep doing what you do - We All Love You!  

Lots of Love

P.S. I make no apologies for the number of times I say 'fabulous' in this blog!

Ruby Tips - How to Style Your Royal Wedding Themed Event with Fuschia Designs

Fuschia Designs are really excited to announce the launch of the online Fuschia Boutique. It is your one stop shop for wedding and party products for all celebrations.

If you haven't already got your products for the wedding of the year, then fear not Fuschia can help you.

Whether you are having a full on street party or an intimate family garden party to celebrate the Royal Wedding, Fuschia's Online Boutique has everything you need to ensure you impress your guests.

 

Check out their fantastic new collection called Royal Britannia which features bunting, cake stands, plates and cups, perfect for celebrating this very special occasion on the 29th April.

If you are looking for something with that Royal feeling but in a more vintage style, why not try Fuschia's gorgeous afternoon cake stands and sandwich platters, they are perfect for presenting cakes and sandwiches.

Vintage in colour and style they have a gold crown on the top to give a regal feel!

If you are stuck on ideas then check out the trends and inspiration section on the Fuschia website which will give you tips on how to style your event.

For even more fabulous ideas and themes visit the website or visit Holly's Blog.

Have fun exploring the site!

Lots of Love

Ruby's News - Social Sirens Shoot - Charlton House, Somerset - 3rd March 2011

I recently took part in a very exciting, and quite secret photo shoot at Charlton House with the Social Sirens and at long last I am able to talk about it.....believe me it has been hard keeping the details secret but I am sure you will all agree it was worth the wait! 

The Tweet Girls Calendar is a charity fundraiser for PC David Rathband'sThe Blue Lamp Foundation and Help for Heroes.  It all started, one late night on Twitter, last year as a bit of a joke but very quickly snowballed into a very real idea with ladies queuing up to get naked!

The Social Sirens are a collective group of people, from all walks of life in the wedding industry, who have connected together through the medium of Twitter.  Orchastrated by Gina, we all gathered together to play our parts in the making of this fabulous calendar, in support of the wonderful causes. 

We all had important roles, no matter how large or small, there were the models, the lenders of gorgeous underwear, the hair and make up teams, the venue staff, the photographers, the unsuspecting hotel guests and of course the film crews (eek!).

My shoot was the last of four and the anticipation was building - what the hell had I let myself get into by agreeing to pose in my underwear in front of people I had never met!?!  The day started with nervous introductions as we all thought about what was ahead of us and as we made our way into the dressing room to get ready it all started to feel very real......I was going to be standing in (and outside) this beautiful hotel in my underwear, but then a strange thing happened to me, as the layers started stripping off I realised that we were all the same.  We all came in different shapes and sizes, colours and ages but I wasn't the only one worried about how I was going to look, each girl had their own insecurities, we were united by that fear and it made us stronger and more confident.

I'm not going to lie, the first time I had to de-robe, which I hasten to add, was outside (!) I was petrified but it was so liberating and, dare I say fun, that I, and the other girls soon forgot about our fears and weren't afraid of being naked in front of each other and the camera crew.

It was a day of tears and lots and lots of laughter, I was honoured to meet such a great group of people who are true professionals in their fields but more than that I believe that they are now my friends - after all, we have seen each other in our pants!

The Big Reveal will be at a glittering press launch later in the year but hopefully these behind the scenes shots have whetted your appetite. 

The models
Me - Ruby Weddings
Sarah Evetts - Boho Bride
Suzie Wheat - Suzie Wheat Vintage
Kim Herbing - The Wedding Community
Elspeth Hardie
Denise Ward - Toast Master & Celebrant

Hair & Makeup
Trish Rawlins - Make Up By Trish

The Guys Behind the Cameras
Greg & Ian - TP Photography
Rich - FX Films
Henley - Lime Leaf Photography

The Girl Who Made it All Happen
Gina - ByGina Events

Please remember that all of this is to raise money for Help for Heroes and PC David Rathband's The Blue Lamp Foundation. If would like to get involved and you can spare even just £1, it would be greatly appreciated, please donate through our website.

Lots of Love

Supplier Spotlight - Special Offer from Shropshire Petals

April is special month this year, with Bank Holidays galore - not only do we have Easter to enjoy but the forthcoming Royal Wedding is fast approaching creating a buzz of excitement.  Shropshire Petals are celebrating April by introducing their new Royal Wedding inspired April Mix of the Month which is perfect for celebrating your wedding or occasion in true British style.

April’s Mix of the Month is a pick and mix of Ocean Mist and Lady in Red petals. This is a perfect mix of red rose petals with a delicate splash of white and blue delphiniums. This mix is £11.99 per litre which will give you 10-12 handfuls of confetti.

There are street parties and celebrations planned all over the country, why not throw your own royal wedding party and decorate tables with our April mix for that extra British twist!

Special Offer!

2 Shropshire Boxes for £65

Enter Ruby2011 at the Checkout

Induldge and Go Petal Crazy!

For more information please visit http://www.shropshirepetals.com/

Supplier Spotlight - Debbie Carlisle Bouquets - Bespoke Vintage Jewellery Bouquets

Debbie Carlisle Bouquets’ luxury bespoke vintage jewellery designs mix antique brooches and buttons with crystals, pearls and diamante, combined with luxe fabrics to create one-off exclusive keepsake bouquets and headpieces which showcase her brides’ unique taste and sense of style.

Every element of the bouquet’s design, consultation and sourcing of materials is done personally by Debbie and her attention to detail ensures every bouquet is both a unique work of art and a beautiful and luxurious accessory that can be treasured long after a bride’s wedding day is over.

Debbie works tirelessly to source the perfect vintage treasures for her designs and encourages her brides to have their own heirloom or sentimental pieces worked into their piece to make it a truly personal keepsake treasure.

The bouquet design process begins with a consultation, with Debbie, who works with the bride to create a piece to perfectly complement her gown, individual taste and personal sense of style. Once the design is agreed Debbie begins hand-selecting the vintage pieces before hand wiring the intricate bouquet. Every piece is handmade by Debbie and the client is sent progress pictures during the design process so they are fully involved in the creation of their bespoke bouquet.

Debbie’s designs include her distinctive trademark teardrop bouquets – including the elaborate Teardrop Shower bouquet packed with vintage brooches and buttons and a Jewel Brights bouquet made entirely from colourful statement vintage jewellery.

Debbie also makes matching jewellery buttonholes and corsages and has a selection of statement headpieces to complement her bouquets - from vintage-inspired headpieces you can click to buy onine to one-off pieces made using vintage jewellery.

Designs include the diamante-encrusted Bijoux headband and the Ava hand-beaded feather pad headpiece – each one finished with a different vintage brooch or dress clip, ensuring every bride has a piece that is unique to her and complements her dress.

Visit the website for more information and to view Debbie’s online boutique. Like Debbie’s Facebook fan page and follow her on twitter for the most up-to-date news.

Wow - when I first saw Debbie's designs I was totally blown away! They are totally bespoke so no two designs are ever the same, you will amaze your guests with a statement piece that is so unique and personal to you.  I hope you love her designs as much as I do.
 
Lots of Love