Olivia Soleto Weddings & Events

Klash of the titans: Punk pole dancing in London

2010-12-01T11:23:00.000+00:00

Pineapple Dance star to present dancing competition

Forget the tired image of pole dancing. At Venue Klash this Saturday, modern choreography is taking on contemporary club cutlure. And the star of Sky 1’s Pineapple Dance Studios, Mark Battershall is presenting it.

Held at Debut in London Bridge, 11 venues from the Pole Secrets dancing schools will take to the stage to find the ultimate modern pole dancer. And there won't be a drop of fake tan in sight.

As well as the dance-offs, there'll be live PAs, professional pole performances, acrobatic aerial displays and top guest DJs, including Felix, creator of dance anthem Don't You Want Me? The event's in aid of Unseen (UK), a charity established to disrupt and challenge human trafficking.

Claire Wright, founder of Pole Secrets said, "Klash sets the standards for new dance events, with styled artwork, performance music and production. This is quality, modern choreography that appeals to anyone who likes to see the boundaries of performance pushed to the limit."

Venue Klash is at Debut, London Bridge, this Saturday, December 4, from 20:00 to late.
For more information go to: www.venueklash.com

Kick-start your wedding planning

2010-10-16T14:05:00.016+01:00

Planning your big day’s very exciting in the early stages of the engagement, but once you start really investigating the whole process, it can become daunting. Very daunting. After all, you’re planning a big event and for most of us, this isn’t something we’re accustomed to. To ease you in, I’ve provided my ten top tips to make the process easier.

1.) Set yourself a realistic budget and stick with it!

Break your budget down into categories ie: Ceremony/flowers/reception/transport/stationery etc… If one category works out more expensive than budgeted for, cut down elsewhere to stay within your budget. It’s very easy to get carried away, so breaking it down will ensure you don’t exceed it.

2.) Choosing the venue

Searching and choosing a venue can be the most time-consuming and stressful part of planning your wedding. I always compare it to buying a house – you know when you’ve found the one! Don’t make any rash decisions, take your time and look at numerous venues before making your final choice and securing the venue with a deposit. Once you’ve found the venue, it will be easier for you to move forward and start planning all the fun things, such as the design, colour themes, flowers and the dress!

3.) Create a style board to be able to visualise your day

You may have a colour or theme for your day, but aren’t sure where to start in putting it together. Creating a style board is always a fun way of being able to see your vision and guides you throughout the planning process to stick with it. Look through magazines and wedding blogs for inspiration, cut out pictures form magazines to build a collage.

4.) Set time frames to complete each task

So you’ve set the budget, booked the venue and have a vision for your day. Now it’s time to have some fun! Using your budget, break your wedding duties to be completed down. Concentrate on one area at a time. e.g. florist/photographer/caterer/music – and don’t make any rash decisions. Meet with at least three-to-five suppliers/vendors from each catergory and draw a list of pros and cons to help make your decision easier. If you have a couple of suppliers that have come in close on each category, meet with them again and discuss your options further.

5.) Use your nearest and dearest to help you complete tasks

As well as being there for you to keep you calm and looking beautiful on your day, make sure you utilise your bridal party in helping with the pre-organisation. This could be as simple as researching for bridesmaid dresses or writing out the name place cards for the table. If someone offers to help, take them up on it – it will ease the pressure.

6.) Obtain contracts from all suppliers/vendors you use

Every supplier and vendor you use should provide you with a contract on paying a deposit. This should outline what is and isn’t included in the services they provide and their terms and conditions. It’s always useful to have a contract so you’re able to refer back to it if you feel someone’s not fulfilling their remit. If you’re not presented with a contract on paying a deposit, demand one and do not pay the deposit until you have read and understood the T and Cs. Remember, you’ll be bound by the contract once the deed is done, as will the supplier/vendor.

7.) Keep a record of payments to be made/outstanding

Put together a payment timeline of deposits paid, next payment and final payment due dates. This will ensure you don’t miss any payments and keep suppliers happy.

8.) Utilise the ushers

Ensure you give each usher a task to complete on the day. This could be greeting and directing guests at the church, aiding late arrivals, making sure everyone is on the transport provided back to the venue, guiding guests at the venue in the right direction, collecting the cards, and ushering them to be seated at the tables when required.

9.) Have a running itinerary of the day’s events

An itinerary will ensure your day runs on time, from the moment the hair and make-up artists arrive, right through to the first dance. Give the itinerary to all involved and run through it with them, including the groom and ushers, but have someone responsible in charge of it on the day. Ideally, this should be your maid of honour and on the groom’s side, the best man. Outline their duties, so they know what they are doing, where they are supposed to be and at what time. Also make notes of supplier telephone numbers in case anything should go wrong.

10.) Hire a wedding planner

A wedding planner isn’t just for the rich and famous and doesn’t have to cost absurd amounts of money. Most wedding planners offer numerous types of services that won’t blow your budget such as on the day management or last minute management. Both of these services will ensure all the finer details are taken care of and your day runs like clockwork. A lot of wedding planners also offer an hourly planning consultation service offering advice and tips on how to kick-start the wedding planning process. This may be charged at an hourly rate – normally at £35 per hour or as a package for a certain amount of hours.

Andrew & Suzanne 25.09.10

2010-09-27T20:55:00.023+01:00

Many congratulations to Andrew and Suzanne Jackson who got married at St. Joseph’s RC Church, Highgate, London on Saturday 25th September 2010.

The sun shone brightly as the bride – wearing Vivienne Westwood – and her proud Dad arrived in a beautiful vintage VW Beetle.

The celebrations continued at The Lord Stanley pub, which was given a makeover with an afternoon tea party feel. Here's a peek of the day’s events.

Olivia Soleto Weddings

Olivia Soleto Weddings

Olivia Soleto Weddings

Olivia Soleto Weddings

A huge thank-you to the following people who helped in making their day so spectacular:

Yolanda at Mizz Marples Cupcakes & Treats for the delicious cakes.
Alison at Pollen Nation for the beautiful flowers and lantern design.
Helen at Polly Pootles for the wonderful beetle.
Sam at Violets and Velvet for the vintage crockery.
Daisy at Peachy Production for the outside lighting.
James at Omnibuzz for the routemaster that transported guests to and from the church to the venue.
Claudine at Moments Captured for capturing the day; can't wait to see the official photos.
Anthony Teasdale for the big beats.
And lastly, Adam and his team for the superb food and hospitality at The Lord Stanley.

OSW in You & Your Wedding

2010-09-07T11:58:00.011+01:00

OSW's Anthony Teasdale has written a foolproof guide on how to write the perfect groom's speech in this months You & Your Wedding, the Uk's biggest wedding mag.

Anthony, the Editor of Umbrella magazine and a regular contributor to Esquire, offers guidance for best men and grooms looking to write brilliant wedding day speeches. Click on the Men's Room to find out more.

Flower Power

2010-07-12T11:17:00.002+01:00

Cool Cocktails

2010-07-06T13:35:00.003+01:00

What better way to kick-start your wedding celebrations and impress your friends than with a tantalizing, stylish cocktail? My lovely friend Nuno Pires from Global Cocktails put these little beauties together for me, which are to die for! I particularly like the Honeymoon Martini. Divine!

Watermelon Daisy

Ingredients: Watermelon chunks muddled with fresh lime juice, agave nectar and
mixed with tequila blanco

Honeymoon Martini

Ingredients: Fresh lemon mixed with homemade vanilla sugar, cream and gin with
citrus essential oils, garnished with rose petals

Forbidden Fruits

Ingredients: Fresh raspberries and blackberries muddled with fresh lime juice, a splash of sugar and shaken with vodka.
serve long and top with ginger beer

Staggered Saturday - A Smarter Future

2010-06-26T20:29:00.000+01:00

Staggered Saturday - A Smarter Future

Favourite places

2010-06-24T14:35:00.001+01:00

One of the perks to being a wedding planner is being able to visit and work with some amazing venues. From the traditional to contemporary; there's something out there for everyone, but here's a taster of my current favourite three.

Design Museum

With several rooms to choose from, each with there own contemporary design and amazing views across the River Thames, to Tower Bridge, The City of London and Canary Wharf, the Design Museum is the perfect setting for a London Wedding of the modern bride and groom. Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD.

One Marylebone

A venue with a variety of three very distinct blank canvas spaces; elegant and sophisticated, One Marylebone is the ultimate London wedding venue with the wow factor. Your guests will not be disappointed! 1 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4AQ.

The Peasant

A beautifully appointed pub, The Peasant is located on St. John's Street, Clerkenwell, London's Oldest suburb. Perfect for beer lovers and those looking for something eclectic and unique, but still sophisticated enough for Mum and Dad. The Peasant, 240 St. John Street, London EC1V 4PH.

Rachel Day Photography

French Sole wedding collection

2010-06-13T22:11:00.011+01:00

An avid fan of these beautifully designed and extremely comfortable ballerina pumps from French Sole, I got giddy with excitement when I saw their latest wedding collection. A great alternative that allows you to dance the night away.

Orange Blossom

2010-06-13T22:10:00.001+01:00

Le Meurice - Perfection in Paris

2010-06-07T22:04:00.022+01:00

What better way to start your honeymoon than a visit to Le Meurice. Located in the heart of Paris, opposite the Tuileries Gardens, Le Meurice is the ultimate luxury hotel. Glamorous, elegant and chic, it’s been a favourite with travellers (particularly the English) since 1835. Our tip: hire a pair of hotel’s own bikes and take a ride round the Tuileries.

Wedding Stationery

2010-06-03T12:26:00.025+01:00

Take a look at this beautiful personalised wedding stationery from Paperchain. The company offers a variety of of unique designs, which can be tailored to compliment your style and colour theme, or if you wish, something a little more bespoke.

Brides at work day

2010-05-12T13:59:00.002+01:00

Still got your wedding dress collecting dust in the bottom of your wardrobe? Why not get it out and wear it for a good cause on 17th September 2010. The National Wedding Show is supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer for this fabulous event, so come on girls... What are you waiting for!

Top five first dance floor-fillers

2010-05-03T12:55:00.004+01:00

Many couples choose their first dance song based on something that’s special to them; a record that reminds them of when they first met, or a certain time and place. Others may go for a tune that’s a bit quirky and reflects their personalities, or something that fits in with their wedding theme. Whatever the decider, your first dance can be a great way of getting all your guests on the dance-floor. Here are my top five first dance floor-fillers. Enjoy!

1) Jackie Wilson – Higher and Higher

2) John Paul Young – Love is in The Air

3) Diana Ross – Love Hangover

4) The O’Jays – Love Train

5) Todd Rundgren – I Saw The Light

Love My Dress

2010-04-29T22:49:00.003+01:00

I'm delighted to have become a sponsor of Love My Dress, which is a UK Wedding blog and style diary run by the lovely Annabel. Check out Love My Dress for all things vintage, glamorous and seriously gorgeous!

Green shoots

2010-04-10T09:40:00.001+01:00

Spring has Sprung

2010-04-02T16:24:00.006+01:00

Happy Easter everyone!

OK, so spring hasn't sprung quite just yet, but I'm sure we're not far off and at least the nights are lighter for longer. In the meantime, enjoy these spring/summer colours, and have a lovely Easter break over indulging in the chocolate chuckie eggs.

The new OSW website is up and running!

2010-03-22T19:23:00.003+00:00

I am absolutely thrilled/over the moon/chuffed to bits to announce that the new website for OSW has gone live. And, though I say it myself, it looks brilliant.

Thanks have to go to the multi-talented Daniel Nicholson and his team at Class Action Media in Liverpool, who’ve created a website that’s chic, easy-to-use and beautifully simple.

To take a look at the site, either click on the link above or go to: www.oliviasoletoweddings.com

See you there!

Men's Grooming

2010-03-22T16:02:00.003+00:00

For all the latest trends on men's grooming, check out the Murdock website, which offers an array of products, tips and advice for all you groom's to be to smarten up before your big day.

Male Grooming in the New Decade

2010-03-22T15:33:00.001+00:00

Male Grooming in the New Decade

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Wedding venues – five top tips

2010-02-24T17:21:00.005+00:00

Trying to find the perfect venue is one of the most stressful and time-consuming parts of organising your big day. It is also undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions you'll make when planning your wedding, which is why it must be right. Follow my five tips to help make your decision easier.

1) When choosing a venue, take into consideration your style, passion and likes. Your venue should be a reflection of your personality and must feel right for you.

2) Is the venue within your budget? It can be easy to get carried away, but one of the biggest costs you will incur will be the venue, followed by the food and drink. Can you really afford it? Shop around before you make your decision and make sure you visit the sites in person to get a real feel for the place.

3) If you’re having your ceremony off-site, consider the length of time it takes by car to get to the reception. Your guests may have already travelled a fair distance and may not be familiar with the area. Keep the journey time to a minimal – no more than 20 minutes is advisable. It may be worth arranging transport for your guests from the ceremony to the reception – an old London Routemaster bus is a quirky, but practical alternative.

4) No dancing allowed. You’ll be surprised how many venues prohibit dancing; especially country properties and those within National Trust or belonging to English Heritage. If this is the case, you’ll be required to hire a marquee for the evening reception, which costs yet more money. Also check bar restrictions while you’re at it.

5) Finish times. Many venues have to close at midnight due to licensing laws. However, if you want the party to go on longer, check if the venue is able to apply for a late license and what the restrictions are on continuing to serve beverages. No-one likes to leave a wedding party early!

A bed of roses

2010-02-05T13:32:00.004+00:00

Autumnus

2010-01-31T18:50:00.000+00:00

Cool Britannia

2010-01-31T13:19:00.000+00:00

Something blue

2010-01-30T11:54:00.002+00:00