HOT NEW FIND: Pale and Interesting the venue

Every now and then a place sneaks up surreptitiously on you and makes off with your very heart. Pale and Interesting is just such a place. At once staggeringly chic and airily pared back, it is a rare breed of wedding venue that we just don't seem to do here in the UK, but is more commonly knocking about in the verdant loveliness of a New England ranch - pure Snippet and Ink territory.

Run by husband and wife creatives Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote, the interior is all pearly white tones, antique crystalline chandeliers and crisp vintage linens and french corded lace. Offering the perfect fully licensed ceremony and reception venue for up to 120 guests or 200 if you spill out into a marquee in the wild meadows.

You could even marry in the sweet and secluded 16th Century Fairfield church, perhaps lining the entrance with lashings of baby's breath for a Kate Moss wedding feel. Nestled in the area of outstanding natural beauty that is Kent's Romney Marshes, it is a short hop from London and 10 minutes from the pretty seaside haven of Rye. And we're in love.

Please quote Quintessentially Weddings Blog if you approach this venue!

Pale and Interesting
T: 01797 344 077
E: [email protected]
Paleandinterestingthevenue.com

HERE COMES THE GUIDE: New wedding planning book!

Helping you to see the wood for the trees when it comes to wedding planning...Image courtesy Elizabeth Messina

You may have heard whispers on the winds that Quintessentially Weddings are to launch the ultimate insider's wedding planning book later this year - The Secret Quintessentially Wedding Guide. And I am proud to finally disclose that the rumours are indeed true! Get ready to swoon over 250 pages of inspirational content, advice, ideas and our handpicked suggestions of the very best the wedding world has to offer. The guide takes brides and grooms through every step of the wedding planning process from plucking out your engagement ring to defining what style of bride you are, helpful hints for good groom-ing, honeymoons, trousseau's, gift lists, cocktails, venue styling and beyond.

A little Valentino in blue....

Featuring some of our favourite designers from Bruce Oldfield to Phillippa Lepley, Sassi Holford to Marchesa,Vivienne Westwood and the lovely Browns Brides, the book brings together established stars (The Savoy, The Dorchester, Little Venice Cake Company, The Wedding Shop, Smythson and Royal Wedding florist Shane Connolly to name just a few) right through to real undiscovered gems, hidden venues and hitherto word-of-mouth talents you may not have known about.

A little Bruce Oldfield...

Intended as a unputdownable resource for the newly engaged - or indeed as a timeless guide that can be shared among friends and passed down - the book combines a unique handbag friendly size with alluring coffee-table book worthy imagery, making it as pretty as it is practical.

With a touch of Savoy style...

Out in July at an RRP of £25, the book will be available to purchase at Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, selected Waterstones nationwide and Amazon.

FANTASY FRIDAY: Agent Provocateur new Bridal collection

Happy Friday! I love this day of the week, my thoughts turn to the weekend (and no doubt all the wedmin I need to catch up on) and especially as it brings the chance to share with you some ridiculously pretty, covetable things that fall into what we call FANTASY FRIDAY. The things that turn a wedding from nice enough, to something quite fantastical.

The latest bridal collections from Agent Provocateur certainly do that. Forget polite neutrals, bras so sculptural they lacerate and dig in, and the disappointment that might sneak onto your groom's face should you plump for the ordinary bridal lingerie many a department store is awash with. At once disarmingly seductive, beautiful and chic, this is underwear to marry for. Made from the finest handmade lace, luxurious silks and with winsome detail in the shape of tufted pom-poms, sinuous lines and playful pantones of blush peach, soft minty white and ivory the precise shade of double cream, you could simply opt for a stylish set of knickers and bra - but just try and resist a full set of Snowberry, Angliqua (from the Soiree premium range), Sidonie or Fifi....Agentprovocateur.com

SEE THE FULL BRIDAL RANGE HERE