We can’t quite believe how quickly this year has flown by here at Millbridge Court! We have been so lucky to have been a part of so many magical Winter Wedding Days throughout 2018 & so we thought, as the festive season is well & truly upon us, that we would share some moments from those really beautiful days with you all.

There really is so much that we love about Winter Weddings, from the rich colour palettes, magical nighttime photography, Wintery shots of Brides & Grooms around the grounds, being able to make the most of romantic lighting throughout the day’s celebrations & so much more.

So thanks to the wonderful & talented photographers who have shared their images with us, we have put together some highlights from all of our favourite things about Wintery Celebrations here at Millbridge Court in the hope that it will give you all oodles of inspiration.

Hoping you all had the most wonderful Christmas with your nearest & dearest!

Xx

Rich Colour Palette’s

Wintery & Autumnal Couple’s Shots

Cosy Lounges

Romantic Lighting

Seasonal Ceremonies

Wholesome Kalm Kitchen Menu’s 

Those Romantic Nighttime Pictures

(Lead Image- Photographer: Kerry Ann Duffy, Florist: Meadow Folk)

At Millbridge Court, we are lucky enough to have not one, but two different Ceremony Spaces. One that is set within our Arbor Garden & available to MBC Couples in the warmer months, where they can get married underneath our wooden Arbor surrounded by the Frensham Countryside, & another is in our Ceremony Barn, with high ceilings, oak beams & a stunning floor to ceiling glass wall.

With both spaces providing neutral backdrops to Wedding Ceremonies, the Arbor & Ceremony Barn allow for a huge variety of styling options. Whether your vision for your dream day involves abundant, countryside blooms, chic draping, seasonal styling or whether you want the natural beauty of the Arbor Garden or the minimal, contemporary design of the Barn to speak for itself, the possibilities are endless.

Below, we wanted to give you all some Millbridge Court Wedding Ceremony inspiration by showcasing a handful of ways in which talented industry professionals have brought our Brides & Grooms visions to life throughout the past year.

Happy browsing, lovely readers! Xx

1. Where has your passion for creating gorgeous cakes come from?

For as long as I can remember I have loved to bake and experiment in the kitchen. It’s something I used to do with my mum and nana and I got hooked on making people smile with cake.

2. When did you make the leap to setup MSK & create cakes for Wedding Days?

After taking a sabbatical from my PR job to follow my passion and study patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu, I knew I wanted to make baking my career. I tried a few different things from markets to working in a professional kitchen, but once I dipped my toe into making wedding cakes for friends initially, I knew I wanted to work in the wonderful world of weddings.

3. How would you describe your style of cake making & decorating?

Natural and abundant! My flavours and style are inspired by the beautiful countryside here in Surrey as well as classic patisserie techniques. I use swiss meringue buttercream to dress my cakes and love to work with fresh flowers and edible decorations like macarons to create something unique for each couple. All the jams, curds, caramels and ganache that fill my cakes are homemade in small batches so that everything is super fresh and full of flavour.

4. What can couples expect when they choose you to create their dream Wedding Cake? 

After enquiring, each couple is invited to a consultation and tasting so they can try a selection of flavours while we chat about their wedding and ideas for their cake. I then put together a detailed proposal that captures the ideas we discussed and confirms their design and flavours, as well as the practicalities of delivery and set up on the big day. In the run up to the wedding I keep in touch with couples to confirm all the final details and also liaise with other suppliers such as florists who may be providing fresh flowers for the cake.

5. What do you love most about what you do? 

It’s so lovely meeting people at such a special time in their lives. Being invited to play a role in their wedding has got to be one of the best parts of my job. I also really love setting the cake up on the day of the wedding. Seeing each couple’s ideas brought to life and all the details they’ve chosen is fantastic. Wedding mornings always have a special buzz to them and it’s amazing to be part of that.

6. What top tips & advice do you offer couples along the way?

I often talk to couples about their timings on the day as there are options for when the cake is cut and served to guests to make the most of it for their wedding day. Some people like to use the cake cutting as a focal point for evening guests arriving later, while others sometimes cut and serve it as part of their drinks reception. I also suggest putting a slice or two to one side for them to enjoy after the festivities as cake can disappear quickly!

7. Have you found over the years that certain marketing platforms have been particularly helpful in growing your business?

Instagram has been invaluable to me over the last couple of years. Being able to use it as a ‘shop window’ is brilliant. Working with venues and other suppliers to tag and share each other’s works means we can all reach a bigger audience and couples can easily find suppliers who are perfect for their wedding day.

8. What do you love the most about Millbridge Court?

So many things! The team is incredible and so supportive to couples and suppliers alike. Millbridge Court always feels like a home on the morning of the wedding, with bridesmaids in dressing gowns and families having a sneak peek at all the preparations. From a cake perspective there are also so many lovely spaces to set up a beautiful cake table that really allows your chosen cake to be a sweet centrepiece!

9. Other than Weddings, what other occasions do you get asked to create sweet treats for?

Other than weddings, I make cakes and pop up patisseries for all sorts of celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries and christenings. I’ve been asked quite a few times by former wedding clients to make a cake for another family celebration and that is always really special!

10. What are your three favourite industry professionals/ brands to follow on Instagram?

@KalmKitchenltd – for inspiring and mouth-watering food and styling

@Rockmywedding – for beautiful real weddings and fresh ideas

@Hannahberryflowers – for incredible seasonal flowers and breath-taking displays

(Lead Image: Photographer: Benjamin Wheeler, Florist: Blush Floral Design, Balloons: Bubblegum Balloons)

Here at Millbridge Court, our Dining Barn features high vaulted ceilings with rustic beams, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, wooden floors & soft white walls; the end result of which is a light, airy, neutral space, which allows for each & every celebration to look truly unique & reflect the style of the couple.

With there being so many possibilities available to Millbridge Court couples, we are always so in awe of the varying ways in which the Barn is transformed throughout the seasons by the wonderful industry professionals who are entrusted to bring these visions to life. The neutral canvas ensures that every styling detail stands out, so whether there are low or high centrepieces, giant balloons suspended from the beams, coloured linens, round tables or banquet tables, no detail goes unnoticed.

In this blog post, we are sharing images from a handful of our 2018 Wedding Days, showing an array of setups, styles & floral arrangements in the hope that it provides all of you lovely readers with some Millbridge Court Wedding Day Inspiration.

Happy Monday & happy browsing! Xx

Can you believe it’s September this week?! Nope, us neither! It feels like our first Outdoor Ceremony of the Season was only a few weeks ago, these sunny months really have flown by.

The Summer so far here at Millbridge Court has been so wonderful & it has been an honour to host such  incredible celebrations that have involved so many amazing industry professionals which we have had the pleasure of working alongside. Each celebration has also been so unique to the happy couple themselves which is always such a delight for us all to see.

We have already been lucky enough to receive beautiful imagery from a handful of talented photographers who have joined us throughout the past four months, so we thought we would put a selection of those pictures together for you all to illustrate just a few things that we love about Summer Weddings here at Millbridge Court!

Feel free to browse for lots & lots of Summery Wedding Inspiration & here’s to the rest of this gorgeous 2018 Summer Season! X

Lead Image: Claire Graham Photography

Find out more about Millbridge Court

• What first made you interested in Photography? 

I’ve always LOVED taking photos – for me it was not an action it was the fact that I was documenting things I wanted to remember.  I always had a small  ‘handbag camera’ that would come everywhere with me; to parties, events, festivals, weekends away and holidays. I was known for taking photos wherever I went, so much so that my friends and family stopped worrying about bringing their cameras as they knew I’d have it covered.

• Why did you decide to become a professional photographer within the Wedding industry? 

I went to my first wedding about 8 years ago, and fell in love with the day, from the tiny details, to the tablescapes and the happy moments. As someone who loved taking photos you can imagine how in my element I was! After the wedding I thought, gosh I’d love to photograph weddings with a ‘real camera’. Back then didn’t think anything of it until after a few more weddings, I found that some of the photos I’d captured on my ‘handbag camera’ were being framed by these couples alongside their professional photos. For me that was the moment when I thought, yes, I can do this! So I borrowed a second hand Canon SLR camera and had an intensive 1-2-1 lesson with a pro to understand how to use it. From there I began helping at weddings, simply to carry the main photographer’s bags and to gain experience. I went on to shoot for the same photographer, as well as an Asian photographer and then some lovely female photographers to gain as much experience as possible before starting out on my own. It’s been the most incredible and rewarding journey.

• How would you describe your ‘style’ of photography?

• What is your favourite part of a Wedding Day? 

• What top tips & advice do you offer your couples on their Wedding Day? (from a both a photography perspective & otherwise).

• What do you love most about Millbridge Court? 

• When couples book you as a photographer what extras do you provide in addition to the on the day photography & the plethora of gorgeous images following the big day?

Without giving too much away  my service is not just about delivering lovely photographs but about personal touches as I truly believe that it’s the little things that count. So from booking right through to the wedding day and even after, I love to make my couples feel special as little things arrive through their mail box. I also always make myself available to my couples if they ever need any help or advice with anthing; I’ve even helped a bride buy her wedding shoes in the past! After their wedding day I invite them over for a glass of fizz to watch their wedding photos back with me – the perfect end to a personal service.

• What details &/or moments do you enjoy capturing the most? 

• Outside of Weddings, what else do you love shooting?

• Who are your 3 favourite Wedding Industry Professionals/ brands to follow on Instagram? 

Throughout April, there was something rather exciting going on at the end of the Millbridge Court grounds. After months of planning, landscape gardeners got to work planting Laurel hedging, ferns & installing an incredible pair of vintage gates in front of our Bridal Suite, the Hideaway… & now that all of their hard work is complete, we’re excited to introduce to you all, The Hideaway Secret Garden!

A botanical sanctuary just beyond our flower meadow that creates that extra bit of magic & privacy for our couples on their Wedding Day & the morning after the celebrations. A tranquil & peaceful space to be able to enjoy all to themselves.

We hope that all of our MBC Couples love it just as much as we do! Here are a few sneak peeks to give you a taster of whats beyond the gates. Xx

And we love that we have already received pictures of photographers using the Secret Garden as a backdrop for gorgeous couples shots… here are L&S captured by The Springles last week.

And J&T captured beautifully by Joanna Nicole Photography earlier in May!

We can’t wait to see many more over the course of the Summer!

1) What is your Role at Kalm Kitchen?

My role in Kalm Kitchen, as a wedding events manager, is to create a calm and unforgettable planning experience, leading up to the big day. We are passionate about providing creative and delicious food for your wedding day and providing an exceptional service throughout the journey, going that extra mile, with meticulous attention to detail. On the event day we will execute your plans to perfection and bring everything we’ve discussed to life.

2) What made you want to be an Event Manager at Kalm Kitchen?

My work life has always consisted of running events and the joy and accomplishment I get from them are next to none. My best friends got married in April 2017, before I had started with Kalm Kitchen, and I was heavily involved with the planning process. I knew from then that this was the industry I wanted to be in. Meeting new faces has always been a pleasure of mine and making my client’s dreams come true only makes it better. Kalm Kitchen had impressed me so much with their styling, food menu and work ethic, that as soon as I heard they were looking for an event manager, I didn’t think twice about applying for my dream role.

3) What do you love the most about being a part of the Kalm Kitchen family?

The word family is exactly what I would describe Kalm Kitchen to be. We all have our quirks and strengths, which I feel really develop us in our roles. The owners of Kalm Kitchen, Jen and James, have been such an inspiration to me and I cannot thank them enough for the time and effort they put into all of us, which then reflect in our events. Kalm Kitchen has not only given me great colleagues to work with, but friends for life!

4) What tips & advice do you give to couples during their planning journey?

I would tell them to enjoy every moment of it. I think it is natural to want perfection for the big day, which can add too much pressure and cloud the enjoyment of talking through their ideas.

5) What is your favourite part of a wedding day? 

Seeing our couples for the first time in the morning has always been so special for me. I love that initial catch up and excitement you share together. It is such a lovely moment that I wish I could bottle up every time.

6) What new wedding food trends should couples be looking out for over the coming year? 

Food stations are an amazing statement for the big day. The “wow factor” that comes with them offers such a great experience for guests and something delicious they do not expect. Our Lemonade and Lollipop stand works perfectly for a hot summers day and looks incredible! Or, for the evening, our Honeycomb and Hot Chocolate station satisfies those sweet cravings and brings everyone together as the night draws in. Complete Bliss!

7) If you could choose your dream Kalm Kitchen menu, what would it be?

I love the sharing experience for the wedding breakfast. I would have a middle eastern sharing board with an abundance of dips, breads and my personal favourite, halloumi!

As a vegetarian I would have our delicious arancini ball, which is available in an abundance of flavour and accompaniment combinations, to suit every taste. Mine would be a mozzarella, basil pesto and pine nut arancini on a bed of caponata and fresh basil. Dreamy!

A sharing dessert is a must! I am a chocolate fiend, so mixing this together with salted caramel and layers of meringue to create a slice at the table pavlova is perfection. You can nominate one person per table, and dress them in aprons, chef hats and moustaches, to collect the pavlova and serve the guests on their table. These are the little touches that create lasting memories of your special day. You just know it’ll be a talking point for years to come.

8) What do you love most about Millbridge Court? 

I know I can speak on behalf of all our couples getting married at Millbridge Court, that this is the dream venue.  The balance of contemporary design and country home works perfectly and instantly makes you feel at home when you walk through the front door.

9) What are your favourite linen and glassware colour combinations at the moment? 

I am in love with vintage oak trestle tables paired with our luxurious urbane napkin range, it effortlessly really brings an outdoor feel inside. Having a spot of colour in the water glass elevates the whole design of the table. An idea would be to speak with the florist to match the colour palette of the flowers and unite all the elements together in harmony. My personal favourite is to have a bronze coloured water glass with a chalk urbane napkin as showcased in the most recent May tasting evening.

 Chalk glassware & urbane napkin featured at our Tasting Evening

 Flowers: Lavender Hill Company, Photographer: The Springles

10) Who are your three favourite Wedding Industry professionals/brands to follow on Instagram? 

@natspaperstudio is a must for stationary lovers. I am in love with her designs, and her “Crazy Cat” charm just adds to the personality of her amazing work

@bubblegumballoons Their installations are the work of dreams. With a huge range of clients under their belt, they have proven that balloons are stylish, luxurious and most importantly fun!

@kindredxstylingbyjen showcases creativity and adventure. If you want to feel inspired by the latest trends and interiors to elevate your style, Jen is your girl.

Here’s the Lovely Pete, in action

Photographer: Millie & Belle

Last Sunday, we hosted our Annual Spring Preview & what a gorgeous preview it was, thanks to the amazing MBC Partners that joined us; creating inspiring displays & chatting away with our lovely MBC couples.

Showcasing stunning tablescapes in our Dining Barn were Alice (Meadowfolk), Carrie (The Topiary Tree), Katie (Blackberry & Bloom) & Gill Pike who each created such varied arrangements, from the rustic to the bold & beautifully blowsy… there was something for everyone. We had amazing wooden banquet tables & cross back chairs provided by Academy Furniture Hire & each table was complimented by coloured glassware from Crystal Hire.

The beautiful flowers weren’t just confined to the Dining Barn with Gill Pike showcasing her breathtaking foliage Moongate Arch in our Ceremony Barn, the perfect backdrop to any Ceremony & Carrie Macey created a statement urn arrangement outside the Millbridge Court entrance, a wonderful way brighten up a rainy day!

Further brightening up the grey day was Laura from Laura’s Paper Heart who serenaded our guests so beautifully throughout the event.

In our Bridal Changing Suite we had the amazing Carolanne Armstrong & Sharon Roberts doing Express Hair Styling & Make Up Sessions for our Brides. Such a wonderful opportunity to ask these very knowledgeable & talented ladies any questions & to trial a hairstyle/make up look for their Big Day.

Showcasing gorgeous Wedding Cakes were Andi Freeman & Melissa ( Thirty One Cakes) who also had delicious testers for our couples to try & the even more tasty treats were provided by Kalm Kitchen who circulated Canapes, yummy bowl food & they also put together yet another incredible Patisserie Boutique, with added foliage & Spring Flowers from Blackberry & Bloom.

We had MBC Partners Philippa Sian Photography, Jon & Laura from VLA Wedding Photography, Neale James & Sophie Duckworth showing our Brides & Grooms the phenomenal Wedding Days they have captured at Millbridge Court over the years. Thank you also to Ash Videography & Chris & Amy from W4 Wedding Films for not only joining us, but for putting together really beautiful videos of Sundays Event (you can find these on our Instagram & Facebook page).

Thank you so much to everyone that came to our Preview, we hope that you all had a really wonderful time & left truly inspired for your Wedding Day.

Xx