Rethinking the non-alcoholic drinks options at weddings and parties

We've noticed that more and more people are scaling back on their alcohol consumption, even at

celebrations and parties.  The success of the anti-drink:drive campaign, health concerns around alcohol and a general public mood towards moderation means that the non-alcoholic drinks option at weddings and parties is rising in demand. 

Historically this has formed rather a dull alternative with orange juice and sparkling water the stalwart offering.  But this need not be the case.  Exciting non-alcoholic drinks from cocktails to unusual fruit cordials have blossomed in recent years.  

We've been concocting and serving our client’s guests with mouth-watering fruity cocktails,  freshly pressed apple juice and mint punch with crushed ice, a variety of elderflower based pressés and impressive fruit juice fountains.

So if you want your celebration to be a bit different and want to rethink the non-alcoholic drinks option, do get in touch for some exciting alternatives.

Sunny Summer Events from Surrey

So it’s time to get the kids back to school, put your beachwear away, grab yourself some time to ‘chillax’ as we like to say…

We have had such a lovely couple of months since our move to our new office & kitchen base  this summer…we thought we would share some of the delights of party & wedding season 2012…

 

Before the summer began…we had our internal FIELD EVENTS TRAINING course building week… * see bottom of this blog

Then into July - The Great Big Event Co – ‘Godalming Bake-off’ Vintage Tea Room

 August – a wonderful 40^th Wedding Anniversary … quite unlike any other we have had the privilege to run

                  

 

 1st September – A really country wedding & a truly romantic 25^th Wedding Anniversary

 

TGBEco In house Field Event Service Training programmes are in development. In 2013 these shall be available as one day and 3 day courses equipping everyday service teams with the basics for temporary or more permanent assignments.

This course is being designed to create a service culture and basic training for field events The Great Big Event Co style.

Covering

·         culture & service

·         table settings

·         etiquette

·         guest approach

·         special moments

·         field event banqueting

·         FOH management training

·         marquee & facilities - for Field Events

·         wine service

·         bar setup

·         table laying

·         function operations

 

Look out as this training programme will be launched in March 2013

 

Enjoy!

Gilly, Romilly, Sindy and the team

 

Our new office for TGBEco / Vintage DaysRegistered Office:
C/o Regus at 3000 Cathedral HillGuildford

Surrey GU2 7YB

Telephone: 01483 243503

 

Our Surrey base and where you can find us
for a coffee anytime you like…
HHF, 1st Floor, Highfield Lane,
Thursley, Surrey GU8 6QJTel: 01252 70246

 

w: www.thegreatbigevent.com

e: info@thegreatbigevent.com

 

Showcase weekend with JF Marquees

We know the sun hasn't exactly been sun shining much recently but JF Marquees brought alittle bit of sunshine to the Medicine Gardens in Cobham on the weekend of 28th/29th April.

The viewing weekend was a fantastic opportunity to come see a marquee set up and envisage your event along side the finer details. The Great Big Event Co. and Vintage Days came along to theme an area of the marquee and showcase our Vintage Day theming service along a small sample of our very large vintage crockery and glassware collection which is available to hire for weddings, parties, afternoon teas and more. 

There were also a large selection of sweets available to launch our all new children's party service, although we believe the sweets didn't service the whole weekend?!

We hope you like the photo's courtesy of our friends at JF Marquees and if you have any events coming up this summer please do give us a ring to see how we can help your event be even more unique.

Best wishes,

Gilly, Romilly, Sindy and the team

w: www.thegreatbigevent.com

e: info@thegreatbigevent.com

Engagement photo shoots.

With Spring officially started, the wedding season will be kicking into action very soon. This week we wanted to focus on an increasing trend we are seeing in our weddings and that is our newly engaged couples are marking the occasion with an photo shoot.

All this beautiful weather provides photographers with fantastic light and spring flowers to make the shoot even more spectular. We caught up with Greg from Just Imagine Photography for his expert experience as to the benefits of an engagement shoot...

"An engagement shoot is a win win situation.  Whether you feel comfortable in front of the camera or not, you will get something out of it.  For those who are nervous about being the focus of attention it is an assurance that it is not as frightening or awkward as they thought it would be and for everyone else it's still a good opportunity to get to know your photographer a bit more.  Explore ideas with him/her in an environment which is safe and friendly and not time restricted.   There is no better way to help make you feel more comfortable with and engaged in your wedding photography and it will help you to relax on your wedding day ensuring you get the most out of the experience." Greg - Just Imagine Photography

If you are interested in a engagement shoot we're sure Greg at Just Imagine Photography would be happy to discuss your requirements further.

Also if you are in the throws of organising your wedding and need alittle help then please do take a look at our wedding planning packages. Our dedicated wedding planning team will be more than happy to discuss how we can help.

Best wishes,

Gilly, Romilly, Sindy and the team

w: www.thegreatbigevent.com

e: info@thegreatbigevent.com

t: 0845 459 9812/4

The big question...

With Valentines day fast approaching there will be some of us expecting, hoping or longing for a marriage proposal! That got us thinking about the whole proposal issue, it must be a terrifying event to plan, where, when & how to proposal are all crucial to the moment because lets face it, if your proposal is success you could me re telling that moment for years to come - no pressure then!

But the thing is it really doesn't have to cost a fortune often the most imaginative or creative proposals that work the best. Last year we loved the You Tube sensation of Adam King proposing to his girlfriend on a London commuter train, with the help of his friends in a choir.

OK we don't all have the friends in a choir that are willing to sing on a packed commuter train, but the idea of doing something personal and unique will bring some very special memories.

For those not expecting a proposal we hope you have a lovely Valentines.

Best wishes,

Gilly & the team

www.thegreatbigevent.com

EXCLUSIVE: Win the chance to come talk all things weddings with our experts!

Are you getting married in the next 12 months and live or work in around Godalming/Guildford? 

If the answer is YES then we are giving two lucky brides the chance to talk exclusively to our top wedding team; Gilly from the The Great Big Event Co., David from David Wickham Photography and hair and make up artist Gemma Sutton. 

We are really excited to be working with David & Gemma on Tuesday 18th October on a modern vintage styled photo shoot in Godalming. We would like to invite two brides (or couples) to come watch the photo shoot and then sit down with all three of our wedding specialist for lots of free advice and tips for your big day. 

To enter just leave a comment below or click here to email us your name, date and location of wedding (if decided) and we will pick two lucky winners out on Friday 14th October and contact you with further details. 


You will need to be available 11.30am - 2.30pm on 18th October and be able to met us in Godalming, Surrey - Good Luck!

We are thrilled to be working with David & Gemma next week on the modern vintage wedding shoot. Godalming will be a beautiful backdrop and we can't wait to see the results. We caught up with David over the weekend and here's what he had to say...

'Over the last few weeks I have been working on a series of romantic, wedding style photoshoots with vintage bridal boutiques and lovely wedding venues around Surrey and the South East, to tie in with the launch of my new vintage style wedding photography website. Modern Vintage Weddings, launching 1st November has been a natural union of my Fine Art collection 'Modern Vintage', which are romantic scenes of London and Paris, and my 'Beloved' portrait service. I have been looking for a while for a great vintage events company and contacted Gilly at The Great Big Event Company with the hope that we could work together on some really special, memorable images, that would really make both our websites stand out and highlight what we both can offer fellow vintage lovers. What we decided upon is a vintage bridal picnic photo shoot. I'm passionate about creating fresh, vintage styled photography that suits those that are looking for something special in their wedding photographs, something classic but with a contemporary feel.'




If you would like any more information on any of the companies involved please take a look at our websites and feel free to give us a call.

www.thegreatbigeventcompany.co.uk - wedding venues, catering, marquees, entertainment, styling and wedding planning services.

www.davidwickhamphotography.com - wedding photography in a modern vintage style.

www.gemmasutton.com - bridal hair & makeup.

www.vintagedays.co.uk - Vintage crockery, glassware and tableware hire.

Wedding Special: Bang The Gavel.

This month we are delighted to feature a guest blog from Vanessa King who is a professional Toastmaster based in Surrey. We hope you enjoy her insight into the role of a toastmaster...

People often ask me what I do as a professional toastmaster. The image is generally someone who shouts, bangs a gavel, and introduces the toasts. Most people are surprised to learn there's anything more to the role than that, but I have made it so much more. I do introduce the toasts and I do speak loudly sometimes, but I never shout and I don't even own a gavel! Every event is a unique experience for the people who've generally put in a huge amount of thought, effort and money into it and it's no less unique for me. I see my job as Toastmaster to make sure the event is every bit as perfect, special and unique as the client imagines it will be.

Anyone involved in significant events knows they start many months before the big day, and the most successful events, from my perspective, always start with my early involvement. The day is unique and my service is tailored specifically to the client. I have a planning meeting with the client where I 'walk through' every aspect of the day as planned thus far.

There isn't much for me to do after that initial meeting, but I keep in regular contact with the client to make sure there's nothing I can do to help in the lead-up to the event, particularly with respect to the speeches. People are often very nervous about giving a speech as it is often the first time they've spoken in public.

The night before the event I make sure my uniform is immaculate and starch my shirt and trousers. I have a number of boxes with all sorts of bits and pieces that might be needed at an event, ranging from scissors, glasses, mints, paracetamol, pins, and hand lotion! I put all of this into the car as you never know what might be needed on the day.

I learn a great deal from every event I do. I have learned that a little stress is a good thing, but I shouldn't worry too much because I do have an authoritative yet gentle manner that gets people doing what they need to be doing. I have learned that I am good at making everyone feel looked after and I'm getting better all the time at liaising with everyone to make sure things happen smoothly. The best thing I've learned is that I've finally found my dream job that brings together all the skills I have and the things I love to do.

I'm fortunate to have received lovely testimonials from my clients. I am proud to serve them on such memorable occasions and being a professional Toastmaster is just the most rewarding job in the world for me.

Thanks to Vanessa for this months blog - more information can be found on Vanessa's website www.ladytoastmaster.wordpress.com. Our next feature will be focusing on the rising trend in baby showers. We have our first ever shower booked this Autumn which will be themed using our beautiful vintage crockery and we can't wait. More details later...

Enjoy the sunshine.

Gilly & the team

www.thegreatbigevent.com

Fiona Cairns talks about her Royal Commission

Kate Middleton's dress may be a closely guarded secret but British cake baker Fiona Cairns has been talking about her commission to create the royal wedding cake.

In an interview with the BBC she said that she had a meeting with Kate to discuss her ideas for the cake. Fiona says the cake is a traditional wedding fruit cake with a modern twist! There will be lots of lattice & scroll work and she has been given a list of 16 flowers to incorporate into the cake in one way or another.

The finished cake will of course be multi tiered, with a simply but stylish white and cream scheme and each tier with be different. Fiona sums the cake up as being as 'traditional, delicate, modern with a vintage element'.

We can wait to see what it looks like!

We're back for 2011

WELCOME to our first blog of the year...It’s going to be a terrific year! Whilst we are starting on the planning for our 2011 events we want to make sure that we keep blogging.

Highlights of 2010

John and Anni’s Wedding - August 2010
John & Anni Llewellyn Smith’s ‘country styled’ wedding, was styled and planned by Gilly Botte of Vintage Days Weddings, wedding photographed by Zoe Collyer and catered by Pan Global Catering with Vintage Days Weddings

A truly tremendous day with lots of fun, festivities, and frolics...

Phil and Caroline’s Wedding – September 2010
Philip and Caroline’s Wedding was all about the people, friendships and style. The day was brilliantly sunny and warm and the group of friends all arrived on the old Route master bus with a willingness to celebrate!

The ethos from the outset was about good quality food combined with top notch service and having Gilly on hand to advise and co-ordinate those essential ingredients needed by every busy couple nowadays.

The Great British Bake Of Final
A bit of Vintage Days fame courtesy of the amazing ...Love Production team on their production of The Great British Bake Of.

Vintage days was asked to add ambience to the production of this lovely programme. It was such a pleasure to be part of this production in our own little way...and tapped right into the creative spirit behind Vintage Days!
www.loveproductions.co.uk


Vintage at Goodwood 2010
Most of our stock was hired out by The Goodwood events team who put together a superb Vintage Event at Goodwood this year. This was the inaugural ‘Vintage at Goodwood’ event and we were proud to be a part of this.

www.vintagedays.co.uk

Crown Pavilions at Goodwood Revival

www.crownpavilions.com

We styled 3 beautiful Gazebos for Crown Pavilions at Goodwood Revival in September.

1. A shabby Chic Tea Party
2. An Arabian meets Raj Styled Coffee House
3. A Luxurious Ladies Quiet Place

Here’s where we are going in 2011;

OUT with the old and IN with the new...2011!

!Look out! for the updated logo & website to follow during 2011. We are also embracing social media and we will have new Twitter & Facebook pages coming VERY soon.

With our new website...online shop and pre-priced packages which will be available to those of you who we don’t get to meet face to face at Cobham!

We are extremely grateful for your continued support and we look forward to working with you again during 2011 and beyond!

Best wishes,

Gilly, Sharon, Romilly, Rachael & Terry

The Great Big Event London - Website Launch

We are delighted to announce the launch of our dedicated London Office website: www.london.thegreatbigevent.com.

Heading up the team in London is Sharon Dawes our Senior Event Specialist for The Great Big Event & Wedding Company. Our London office will focus on events in London, Essex, Herefordshire and Watford. Sharon also has a wealth of experience in international business into U.A.E. (particularly in Dubai) and Atlanta, USA.

Gillian Botte-Isaac, founder of The Great BIG Event Company commented 'this adds incredible value to our existing corporate and private client base, contacts and network and also opens the door of opportunity to service new clients both inbound and overseas.'

Our London office adds value to our business services as Sharon has extensive experience in large scale hospitality and broad range consultancy to the catering industry. Her professional approach to both private client and company business, is invaluable to our business.

For your London, Essex & Herefordshire events you can contact Sharon directly on:

Telephone +44 (0)208 352 1121
Mobile: +44 (0)771 809 3692
Email: Sharon.Dawes@thegreatbigevent.com or
Head Office +44 (0)845 4599812

www.london.thegreatbigevent.com

www.thegreatbigevent.com