June – The Summer issue

Welcome to The Summer Issue of we-love-to-tea-party! We have got loads of events, projects and parties happening over the coming months, so we will be regularly updating over the coming weeks!

Eco-Vintage Photoshoot :...

 

What we love about ‘’Vintage’’ is that it does not have a set formula it’s all about expressing your own style, individual interpretation and above all experimenting and having fun!  We thought it would be great to get together some local wedding and event suppliers to our HQ in Devon and all showcase what we have to offer.

The theme of ''eco-wedding’’ came about from speaking to many brides over the past few months who are all pulling in the purse strings and who are using more eco-friendly and in turn purse friendly solutions for their big days.

 

The morning of June 1^st came and first to arrive were Hooe 'sYurts - a Devon based family run business who specialise in stunning round wooden tents based on a Mongolian nomadic design. The yurts come in various sizes from huge dining spaces to cosy snugs and it is possible to link yurts together creating an amazing space for a wedding reception for up to 200 guests. The yurts create a very special atmosphere and offer something really different from the traditional marquee. Amy from Hooe's Yurts is passionate about textiles and travels the world collecting items to lovingly decorate and furnish the yurts adding a real wow factor to the interiors. To compliment the reception venue Hooe's Yurts also offer exquisite honeymoon or guest bedroom yurts – which are simply chic and very romantic! Bedroom yurts are excellent for the bridal couple or special guests who want to stay at the wedding reception till dawn but also have a luxurious place to sleep. All the yurts can be well heated with traditional wood burners which make spring and autumn weddings a real possibility…needless to say we love them.

TETP Hire Parlour was raided for some of our beautiful early 1900’s vintage china. We opted for delicate patterns of summer roses and dainty floral patterns teamed with some darker, richer and bolder colours which worked well against the colourful and more tribal prints of the Yurt. We created simple place settings with dinner and tea plates in which a gorgeous tea cup and saucer was sat on. Instead of using the traditional favour and table centre pieces we used freshly cut and in season flowers placed into each cup – the effect was simply stunning.

Bold three tiered cake stands where used to showcase the homemade cakes from Tricky treats and homemade scones and sandwiches from TETP farmhouse kitchen (the team tucked into these during the day). TETP Hire Parlour also provided a selection of our finest Silver cutlery to finish off the table settings. We also used some gorgeous accessories from birdcages to pearls, Victorian tablecloths, Storm Lanterns and floral jugs.

TETP Out anf About
Last week was a busy week… Victoria went to Boutique 1 in Dubai to the launch of Lucy in Disguise – a vintage inspired fashion label by sisters Lily Allen and Sarah Owen – the collection is stunning and they have taken the best bits of vintage to make a modern day and wearable collection – we love it! Boutique 1 had put on a fabulous party feel to the event, yummy canapés, flowing drinks and music by Dubai's finest DJ Bliss…the guests were taken from a who's who in Dubai and all (of course) dressed in their finest regalia. 

Designers  and sisters Lily Allen and Sarah Owen

International stylists to the Stars and Guest Judge on Americas Next Top Model with Victoria Moy from TETP

Theresa Tsui, Dubai hot fashion video blogger, Victoria Moy, James Osman - hair stylist

The uber oool DJ Bliss

Clare and the City…
Clare is quickly becoming the IT girl of Dubai…her style is edgy and retro and her personality is somewhat effervescent, she hosted her first girls night out at The Address Dubai Marina….yummy cocktails where placed in our hands on arrival along with uber trendy moustaches on sticks, ladies than walked through the entrance of  floaty bubbles! Ladies could receive a relaxing message or others could tuck into the bucket loads of Lindt chocolate that were on every table, along with marshmallows and lollypops…for Victoria the choice was a no brainer…the chocolate won! Fashion bloggers, make up artists, hair stylists, businesswoman and socialites all mingled and had a very Clare and the City night...and of course all went home with a rather large goodie bag...as Clare would say we ''loves it'' !

Moustaches and ladies!!!!

Events...
The English Tea Party was really excited to be involved with the soft launch of My Ex Wardrobe- a portal for selling pre-loved clothes in Dubai. A really fabulous concept by three sisters all of whom have that entrepreneurial flair. The soft launch saw around 50 invite only ladies browsing through rails and rails of clothes from Zara to Chanel. Guests snacked on cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge slices and uber cool lemon cake pops from the Kitchens of Lilybakes. Tea, coffee and pink lemonade was served in our fashionably gorgeous vintage tea cups! The team had also provided a make up artist and stylist to keep the ladies occupied inbetween fitting room dashes! Great day!

Alice Temperley & Elemis

Off TETP went to Alice Temperley in the Dubai Mall for the launch of the ''Temperley for Elemis Traveller Safari set'' in aid of Mothers4children charity. It was obvious that it has been a busy social week as the best of Dubai's fashionistas and bloggers were all tucked up in bed. Even with attendence  low the quality was at its highest! TETP went along to the event with Sian from My Ex Wardobe, Carrie from La Belle Epoque Jewels and Dubai's elite fashion blogger Lisa Strannesten... we oogled at the beautiful fairy tale dresses, we munched on red velvet cake pops and relaxed with dreamy hand massages from Elemis! I think we should be in the running from a little Temperley gift??

Cakes for the shoot were supplied by Tricky Treats who are a fresh young Bournemouth based company that creates alternative cakes and desserts for private and commercial clients. They take great pride in using locally sourced raw ingredients, such as Oakdene Farm's Free-range eggs, from Verwood, and Cann Mill's Organic Flour, from Shaftesbury. All Tricky Treats products are free from artificial colourings and only use time honoured preservatives....mmmmm we love!

We were delighted to have Claire Sloane as our photographer for the shoot; Claire is based in the coastal town of Exmouth and took some really fabulous shots of the day. Claire is passionate about her work and the people she photographs. When Claire takes a picture she wants your personality to shine through in the images. Her photography sessions are all about you – her client:  your children, your pets, your life, and your moments. Claire’s shoots can be in the studio, or on location – like we had.  Above all her motto is to have fun together, get creative, and come away with images you will love….and the result yes we love them!

We were also delighted to be joined by the wonderfully fresh and chic Marry Me team. A web based company whose sites are your dedicated source to all things Wedding in Somerset and Devon from stunning, unique & quirly Venues to quality reputable Suppliers! Marry Me in a Flash is dedicated to professional UK Wedding Photographers and Videographers. They also have a fantastic forum for Wedding chat, help, advice, ideas and great discounts/offers exclusive to Marry Me - best of all it focuses on the Westcountry...we heart!

Credits:

A HUGE thank you goes out to all our suppliers who very generously provided all of the photography, food, flowers, props and styling for the shoot. It couldn’t have been achieved without them and they made it so much fun!

Production: Nat Haydon at The English Tea Party
Yurt: Amy at Hooe’s Yurts www.hooesyurts.co.uk
Photography: Claire at Claire Sloane Photography

Venue: TETP HQ UK

Vintage crockery: The English Tea Party www.theenglishteaparty.co.uk
Accessories and Props:The English Tea Party

Flowers: From the garden - Rosemary, Mint, Sage, Thyme, Chives, Purple Sage, Peonies, Rose, Lupins, Lavender, Pink Elderflower & Rhododendrons

Cakes: Lisa from Tricky Treats www.trickytreats.co.uk

Lisa made miniature Carrot cake filled with cream cheese frosting and topped with Butter cream Roses (made from natural colourings using turmeric and strawberries). The large top cake was also a carrot cake filled with Cream Cheese and covered in Royal Icing.

Media: Marry Me

and now for some more fabulous photos....