Day to day we’re used to dishing out questions; to our wonderful featured brides, talented local suppliers and top dress designers, so that we can bring you all the latest bridal news and inspiration. It’s not that often that the tables are turned and we find ourselves in the spotlight. However, we keep being asked for gossip and insight into what goes on behind the scenes here at Brides Up North HQ. Who are we to argue?
And so, in order to give a glimpse as to what we get up to during both work and non-work hours (not that we have too many of the latter!) we’re introducing a new series of ‘behind the blog’ features to our pretty pages.
Here we’ll give you all the latest Brides Up North developments, as well an update on our home and social lives, plus a look at what we have planned in the coming months.
I’m kicking things off this month, with a personal post from Julia to follow in November. So readers, welcome to my world…
work
September and October are crazy busy months for Brides Up North as we take to the road to stage our Luxury Wedding Fairs at some of the finest and coolest venues in the top half of the country. This is a fabulous opportunity for us to leave our white-walled office and meet/catch up with skilful suppliers in the industry while meeting you lovely brides-to-be first hand. We love to see the fabulous displays that our exhibitors put on to inspire our visitors whilst hearing what couples have planned for their big day. So far it’s been an epic season, that’s seen our events taking place in rustic barns, urban warehouses, elegant hotels and fine stately homes, offering something for all. And there’s still five events lined-up in the Autumn calendar – check them out here!
Elsewhere we have been fortunate to be invited to some spectacular industry events, including The Bridal Buyer Awards in Harrogate (for which we act as a judge), the Northern Blog Awards in Manchester (where we won the title of ‘Best Wedding Blog’, no less!) and a fabulous ‘Tickle Your Tastebuds’ event with hospitality specialists Dine.
Held at their beautiful headquarters and gorgeous wedding venue The Mansion, in Leeds, (where we just so happen to be hosting one of our Luxury Wedding fairs this Sunday), Dine treated us to a delicious three-course meal with accompanying wines, which culminated in a sorbet taste test (turns out our senses aren’t quite as in tune as we thought!) The stunning presentation matched the amazing flavours and we can highly recommend these guys to deliver incredible food and service for your big day. The images accompanying this post by Olivia Brabbs Photography will show you a little of what we got up to.
Even further north, we travelled up to Matfen Hall in Northumberland, to hear all about the refurbishment plans that the team there have in store to take this already fairy-tale venue to the next level. Prepare for full details coming up on the blog soon and we will be unveiling the transformation with a Luxury Wedding Fair at Matfen on Sunday 4th March 2018!
home
After weddings, this is one of the main topics discussed at Brides Up North HQ at the moment, as both Julia and I have both recently purchased new properties. For me it was a move across Sheffield, taking us from an apartment to a house (that’s right, I now have stairs and outdoor space!) I’ve found this means becoming excited about things I would have previously considered quite mundane (light switches and radiators mostly), plus my ‘home’ pinning is off the Pinterest scale!
It’s a project in that it requires cosmetic attention throughout, as well as a new kitchen, but we (my boyfriend and I) are learning to take things one step at a time and enjoy the planning and process too. So far, we’ve transformed a tired once-cream living room into a deep-blue sanctuary – the walls took three coats, four in some areas, and I know we will curse our choice of deep-hue when trends change and muted tones are back in, but for now we will enjoy our ‘Blue Fringe’ selection.
The bathroom is underway now, and again we’ve shunned light tones in favour of something with depth, unable to resist Pantone’s colour of the year, which literally pours from every interior magazine and plumed for a dark green tone and botanical theme. Further updates to follow.
play
Between the wedding fairs and home DIY there hasn’t been much time for play but I’m off to the Lake District this weekend for a bout of R&R, where I intend to inhale as much fresh air (cake and wine!!) as possible in tranquil surrounding – while no doubt frantically pinning more home images!
My shopping allowance has taken a nose-dive thanks to the house too, so I’ve been looking to the sales and also a fairly-priced Zara of late, to update my wardrobe as I’m determined to get some extra wear out of the clothes I already own (I had a stark reality check when my boyfriend’s clothes fitted onto one single rail in the new house while mine managed to overspill two wardrobes, a rail and a couple of draws – not to mention the shoe situation!)
coming up
With party season in sight, we’re looking forward to some seasonal celebrations both in and out of work – we’re nominated in the prestigious Vuelio Blog Awards in London and we’ve a few industry parties to rock, plus some obligatory spa day chilling – all justifying a new outfit, right?!
