Who: Gaby & Matt | When: May 2018| Where: Isle of Wight

With a magical, Bohemian theme, mingled with touches of sheer elegance, Gaby and Matt’s marquee wedding was one of the most special and memorable celebrations we had the pleasure to work on this summer. The couple got married at St Peter’s Church on The Isle of Wight and then guests were invited along to the bride’s family home, where a grand, canopied marquee had been specially constructed amidst the pretty meadowland, which bordered the grounds.

Florist Emma Palais had created a bespoke Alice in Wonderland floral gate for the entrance of the marquee, while the interior was decked with flowers and foliage, which reflected the ethereal woodland look. We styled the tables with gorgeous blush pink water glasses, which linked in with the table linens, exquisite floral displays and eclectic mix and match vintage cutlery.

The reception got off to a soulful start as reggae artist Derek Sandy brought all the guests together with his iconic rendition of ‘Welcome to the Isle of Wight’. His reggae roots and engaging performances brought joy and laughter throughout the reception and added a brilliant mood to the day. After a wonderful afternoon of delicious canapés, plenty of fizz and Derek’s accompanying music, guests retreated to the marquee and settled in for a sumptuous wedding breakfast.

The groom’s father had hand-crafted long, wooden serving boards for each table, which were filled with an abundance of flavourful elements for the Middle Eastern Sharing Board starter. Guests then moved onto a main of slow-cooked shin of beef, followed by a tribute to the bride’s favourite dessert – cream, Dulce de Leche and banana served up in tall-stemmed apothecary jars.

Derek Sandy returned later in the evening to pair with band The Reggae Sauce, and meanwhile a kebab stall, laden with more delectable Middle Eastern flavours was tucked into while guests danced the night away under a fairy-lit marquee and the summery, moonlit sky.

The couple fed back with their heartfelt gratitude afterwards with the following words… ‘We cannot thank you enough for everything you did for us over such a special weekend, you were utterly sublime. You and your team were extraordinary and we truly had the best day we could have imagined.’

If you’d like to talk to us about how we can add the extra magic to your celebrations do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Photography: Mary Anne at Maryanne weddings {maryanneweddings.com/} Flowers: Emma Palais at Palais {www.palaisflowers.com/} Marquee: Sperry Tents {www.sperrytents.com/} Music: Derek Sandy

Who: Emma and Will | When: Saturday 14th July 2018 | Where: Frating Abbey, Colchester

One decision Emma and Will didn’t struggle with when it came to planning their wedding was the location. The Groom’s family’s farm provided the perfect, rustic backdrop for their special day. The reception was hosted on a spectacular raised lawn, while a magical, glass-topped marquee was situated through the trees in the walled garden. A blend of sweet and simple styling in neutral accents of whites and pale botanical greens completed this wedding wonderland.

A traditional double decker bus transported guests from the church to the house where canapés, such as Peking Duck Roll Pancakes and Grilled Halloumi Skewers were circulated on a mix of styled serving platters and rustic cages draped with white roses. Refreshments came in the form of fizz, and also English Elderflower flavoured water set up on a pretty ladder display station.

In honour of the Bride’s home country, New Zealand Lamb was the requested main dish for the wedding breakfast. It was pretty clear how much the Mother of the Bride loved it when she came into the kitchen at the end of the meal and demanded a hug from head chef, Chris. Her words were, ‘I am born in New Zealand and I know my lamb, this was absolutely fantastic, it was so delicious!’

Afterwards, a stunning Patisserie Bar was set up, with a single gold leaf tiered cake created by Fifi Cakery, which sat alongside our delicious potted desserts and decadent chocolate lollipops and macaroons. And the verdict from the happy couple? Quite simply, the Bride and Groom said it was the best day of their lives!

Credits… Photography: Maryanne Weddings {maryanneweddings.com/} Furniture and Crockery: Couvert {couvert.co.uk/} Flowers: Blue Sky Flowers {www.blueskyflowers.co.uk/} Wedding Planning: Louise and Natalie at Louise Perry weddings {www.louiseperryweddings.com/} Cake: Fifi’s Cakery {www.fifiscakery.com/} Marquee: Fairytale Marquees {www.fairytalemarquees.co.uk/}

Who: Rachel and Alan | Where: Millbridge Court

Some couples spend months (or even years) dreaming up their wedding day. But within two weeks of their engagement, Rachel and Alan had already settled on their venue and just nine weeks later they were exchanging their vows. The venue in question was stunning Millbridge Court in Surrey, and even with such a tiny timeframe to prepare, no details were spared!

The brief from the couple in question was clear and simple – ‘make it fun and informal’, so we decided that sharing food would be the ideal way to get all their guests involved and cut out any unnecessary formalities. After serving up some bite-size canapés in the sunshine, guests were treated to a mix of meze and antipasti boards containing Italian meats, mozzarella, chickpea salad, tabbouleh, hummus and a selection of breads.

For their main course, Rachel and Alan decided on beautifully tender rump of new season lamb. One guest from each table was nominated to collect the meat from the kitchen and carve at their table. The carvers were given aprons and hats to make it all the more fun. And then, as a treat for the eyes and the tummies, our Patisserie Bar provided a sweet sensation with its mix of delectable summery desserts such as Eton Mess and Lemon Posset.

After their whirlwind wedding, the happy couple sent us these extremely kind words…

‘Well what can we say apart from amazing, amazing, amaaaazing!!! From the moment we arrived at Millbridge Court, we knew this was the definitely the place we wanted to get married. It was modern, beautiful, sophisticated and just utter gorgeousness. We had our own ideas from day one of how we wanted our wedding to be and then you jumped aboard and took it that 10 steps further to make it even better! I am a very attention to detail girl, but after meeting you I knew I didn’t have to worry about a thing. You ladies are creative perfectionists. From the sharing starters, to the carve (that was SO much fun – our guests loved it), the patisserie station and oh the cheese board! It was such a unique way to host our guests and bring the fun element to our wedding.

We have been inundated with messages and calls from our guests about the day – amazing food (oh how they loved the food, so many comments on the food), the venue, the service, how fun it was and just generally how it was the perfect day.Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us create our perfect day in such a short space of time. Because of your amazing team you didn’t make me worry once – I had complete confidence that you would deliver. What is also lovely is that you made us feel like our wedding was the most important event when we were liaising with you. The service you provide is truly personal. I have actually named you my little fairies. You ladies just go around with your magic wand sprinkling that magic fairy dust everywhere you go and making everything beautifully perfect!

We had the BEST DAY EVER! With love and thanks, Rachel & Alan’

If you’d like to talk to us about how we can create your dream day – even on a tight timeframe – do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Photography: Anna Fowler {www.annafowler.com} Flowers: Bex from Blush Floral { blush-floral-design.com} Venue: Millbridge Court {www.millbridgecourt.com}

No doubt about it, summer is officially wedding season and this year we’ve seen some truly stunning celebrations. Sarah and Nick chose the beautiful surroundings of Micklefield Hall to host their stylish summer party. Their brief was to blend timeless elegance with country styling, and they managed to achieve a refined simplicity, which ran right the way through the whole proceedings.

Nick works for Tyrrells, and Sarah works in international hospitality, so they both have an exceptional eye for detail and a clear idea of the aesthetic they wanted to create. Expectations were high for the day, but thankfully, at Kalm Kitchen we love a challenge, and we agreed on a menu that showcased seasonal flavours and provided a treat for the eyes too! Canapés consisted of winning combinations such as beetroot cured salmon paired with sweet dill and mustard, and Pork Belly on creamy apple Dauphinoise; while for the main meal, a roasted fillet of beef took centre stage.

As a playful nod to Nick’s work, the couple had two giant bags of popcorn specially commissioned, with their faces printed on them, which sat alongside our popcorn wall. Guests commented what a fantastic day it was, and it was definitely a real pleasure for us to achieve such a seamless service for this gorgeous couple. They got in touch shortly afterwards with this feedback…

‘We genuinely can’t thank you and the team enough for everything you did throughout the planning process and on the big day. You were so helpful in walking us through everything and in making decisions (especially when we couldn’t make them) and we have loved working with you, we couldn’t have asked for a better caterer and wedding planner. So many people commented on the day what a fantastic job you were doing, and in particular my Dad wanted to pass on his thanks as he was so was impressed with how you managed the day.

You made the whole day seamless and the timings worked perfectly. The food was also insanely good, I’ve never heard so many comments about a meal, with the beef top of everyone’s comment list, it was all delicious. Everyone says that as a bride you don’t eat that much, but I ate every last bite of every course – it was too good not to.

Best of luck with the rest of this summers wedding…wish we could do it all again.

Sarah and Nick xxx

If you’d like to talk to us about helping to plan your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Photography: Anneli Marinovich {www.annelimarinovich.com} Videography: Justina Frankowska @ HD Moments {www.hdmoments.co.uk} Flowers: Sarah Rogers {www.sarahrogersflowers.com} Cake: Lewis Freeman Music: Titanium String Quartet {www.titaniumstrings.com} ‘Motown Gold’ {earcandylive.co.uk/acts/motown-gold}

Who: Belinda and Dominic | When: July 2018 | Where: The Garden Museum, London

Situated on the banks of the River Thames, in the imposing shadows of the Houses of Parliament, The Garden Museum provided the astonishing setting for Belinda and Dominic’s classy, city wedding. With a brief to capture a clean, botanical and fresh mood, which reflected London life, we were thrilled to conjure up a modern, original menu for them.

Guests arrived at 5pm to start the drinks and canapé reception, while a chorus of strings played in the background. This was very much an evening affair, so with that in mind, we went for an array of stylish combinations, which were bursting with flavour. With crisp, contemporary styling at the heart of the day, we accessorised with an understated palette of white, with a touch of gold and an abundance of green accents provided by vibrant foliage.

Children were catered for with their very own menu, which was just as stylish as the grown-ups’, and vegetarians tucked into an indulgent Moussaka, while a rump of perfectly cooked new season lamb took centre stage – served up and carved at the table.

With the wedding party and all the guests happily fed, soul band The Suggestions took to the stage with an amazing set, which really brought the party alive. This was followed by DJ Chris Binns on the decks, with the music continuing long into the evening.

This was certainly a day to remember – chic, memorable and full of big city spirit. The bride and groom contacted us afterwards with this glowing feedback…

‘Dom and I would like to express our gratitude to you for all you did to make our wedding on Saturday special. In the run up to the day you had endless patience with all our questions, and helped us negotiate our way through the huge mountain of organisation to ensure that we had every part of the day planned out to a tee.

Under your leadership, the Kalm Kitchen team did a brilliant job and everything from the drinks reception through to the three-course meal and bar felt totally seamless. We particularly appreciated your efforts to keep Dom and myself fed and watered with your personal service during the drinks reception – eating and drinking definitely had been low on our agenda the whole day so it was great to be reminded to do that!

In terms of the food, the meal was excellent and we have had a lot of people say that it is the best wedding food that they have ever had. The lamb in particular was perfectly cooked, and we would be grateful if you could pass on our compliments to the chef. The service too was slick and unobtrusive, and the team members were polite and courteous.

With thanks again to both you and Kalm Kitchen for making our day special.

Best wishes

Bea and Dom xx

If you’d like to talk to us about creating a menu for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Food: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk} Photography: Hamish Irvine {hamishirvine.com/} Flowers: Karen at Karen Woolven Flowers {karenwoolvenflowers.co.uk} Wedding cake: {Mother of the Bride made it!} Music: Blue Topaz Strings {https://www.bluetopazmusic.com/}

Who: Laura and David | When: February 2018 | Where: Millbridge Court

With months of planning and preparation involved, the big day itself can feel overwhelming, but Laura and David’s laidback approach – along with a few quirky surprises – made it a breeze to create a relaxed and interactive vibe throughout their beautiful wedding. After weeks of snow and cold weather, they were blessed with a gloriously bright February day, celebrated in the grounds of Millbridge Court.

Laura and David wanted to make sure that all ages felt included, so they dispensed with too much formality. At the celebrations after the ceremony, guests mingled while elegantly style platters of canapés presented in copper cages were circulated. Later on, the main meal was a chance for everyone to sit and chatter over a three course menu of flavourful red pepper and vine tomato soup, then a deliciously tender pork belly served on creamy mash. And finally, a dish which entirely summed up the mood of the day was unveiled – a Sharing Summer Berry Pavlova. Each table was delivered a generous sharing-sized tiered pavlova, heaped with bright, ripe berries, a berry compote, cream and scattered with edible flowers. To add to the fun, one person from each table was invited to wear a chef’s hat and moustache while serving up this gorgeous, interactive creation.

Laura and David contacted us immediately afterwards to pass on their thanks for such a special day…

‘Oh wow, what an incredible wedding day we had yesterday! I honestly can’t thank you enough making everything run so smoothly and making our day just everything we’ve been dreaming of. We will of course be in touch when we are back from honeymoon with a proper thank you but wanted to make sure you know how grateful we are before jetting off.’

If you’d like to talk to us about how we can create a menu which is perfect for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Photography: Philippa Sian {www.philippa-sian.co.uk} Flowers: Longacres  {www.longacres.co.uk} Venue: Millbridge Court {www.millbridgecourt.co.uk}

Who: Thily & Wain | When: July 2016 | Where: Fetcham Park

You might as well aim high when planning a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and Thily and Wain came up with an emphatic brief for their day: ‘Create that luxurious wow factor!’ Set in the magnificent grounds of Fetcham Park, guests gathered to start the day with an ancient Chinese wedding tradition, which sees the groom compete in a series of tests and games (known as door games) before he can claim his bride! This was shortly followed by a beautifully styled brunch in the garden, consisting of pastries, fruit skewers, smoked salmon blinis, fresh juice and mini granola pots, all presented on vintage-style ladder shelving.

With the guests well fed and entertained by the door games, the nuptials commenced, followed by a tea ceremony, and then a selection of canapés was circulated on the terrace and in the stunning grounds. As dusk fell, guests took their seats for a sumptuous meal, and then afterwards a night of dancing.

Our brief was to create a menu which was elegant, beautifully presented and delicious, so we focused on exquisite ingredients, accented with a few exotic flavours. We really allowed our imaginations to take over for dessert, with a patisserie boutique laden with sweet treats and adorned with the prettiest pastel-toned flowers courtesy of Fairy Nuff. Situated in the grand Shell Room at Fetcham Park, it definitely achieved the luxurious wow factor that Thily and Wain had dreamed of. They wrote to us shortly afterwards with the following kind words…

‘Just wanted to say a massive thanks to you and your lovely team. You did such a fantastic job of making it all come together – the presentation and flavours were spot on. And such great service throughout the day, you really are all a bunch of super-trooper ninjas. The banquet was delicious as was all the finger food and dessert. We got a lot of compliments for the food and thanks for making all our guests feel so welcome. We will be sure (not that you need it) to spread word of your services far and wide.’

If you’d like to talk to us about creating the wow factor for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Flowers: Steph Turpin: {www.fairynuff-flowers.co.uk} Venue: Fetcham Park {www.fetchampark.co.uk} Photography: Cecellina {cecelinaphotography.com} DJ: Matt Maurice {www.mattmaurice.co.uk} Cake: Karen Anna {www.karenanna.co.uk} Light up Letters: Vowed and Amazed {www.vowedandamazed.co.uk}

Who: Charlotte & Matthew | When: August 2017 | Where: Millbridge Court

Most couples view their wedding day as an excuse to throw the party of their lives, and in Charlotte and Matthew’s case, they fully poured their hearts and souls into creating a fun-packed day, which their family and friends would remember forever. The ceremony was in the beautiful arbour gardens of Kalm Kitchen’s much-loved venue, Millbridge Court. Local florists Lavender Hill dressed the arch with a beautiful display, and to add the finishing touches Charlotte decorated the arch herself with homemade pastel ribbons.

Tent and festival specialists ‘The Little Top’ were on the scene with their quirky tepee to keep little guests amused, and the team scattered the lawn with giant games and hula hoops for all the guests to get involved with. Charlotte and Matthew loved seeing all their loved ones mingle, and it meant they got to spend time with everyone, so the garden party vibe worked wonders.

Strolling acoustic trio, Wandering Hands, added to the party atmosphere, performing on the move and giving all the guests a taste of their amazing tunes while everyone tucked into a selection of canapés featuring crowd-pleasing takes on family favourites such as Bite-sized Fish & Chips and Mini Burgers. The main meal was a fantastically indulgent buffet, presented beneath a copper arch, showcasing plenty of Mediterranean flavours for everyone to enjoy.

Afterwards, a rustic Patisserie bar took centre stage, bursting with decadent displays of yummy elements for guests to create their own takes on Chocolate and Eton Mess, plus Banoffee Pots, Macaroons on Sticks and Chocolate Lollipops. As the day drew to a close, beautiful displays of cheese, chutney, fresh honey, fruit, bread and wafers were brought out on stunning blackboard backdrops. There was also a vibrant wall of flavoured doughnuts, creating a stylish, eye-catching and mouthwatering sweet treat, perfect for guests to have on the go, or to take away as a parting gift.

The couple contacted us afterwards with these lovely words:

‘We had the most magical day, and it’s huge thanks to you and the invisible teams behind you that made it happen. We have been inundated with messages of how amazing the venue, food, displays and waiting service were – our guests have been absolutely blown away by the care and attention they were shown. Extra special thanks to Pete and Sarah (…) for your patience, accommodating all our crazy requests and making it honestly the day of our dreams. And a special thanks to you personally for always having a smile on your face and taking such good care of me and Matt ensuring we always had a drink and plate of food. You are an absolute superstar!’

If you’d like to talk to us about creating a menu for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Flowers: Lavender Hill @lavenderhillcompany {www.lavenderhillflowers.co.uk} Photography: Sarah Legge @sarahleggephotography {www.sarahleggephotography.co.uk} Childcare: The Little Top @thelittletop {www.thelittletop.co.uk} Venue: Millbridge Court @millbridgecourt {www.millbridgecourt.co.uk} Acoustic Trio: Wandering Hands @wanderinghands {www.wandering-hands.co.uk}

Who: Josy & John | When: October 2017 | Where: Plush Tents, Chichester, West Sussex

Josy and John’s unique, colourful wedding was inspired by the eclectic and Bohemian vibes of Woodstock, featuring an array of influences from the 1960s and 70s. Married at Camden Registery Office, they celebrated a few days later with a casual, outdoor ceremony featuring a Shamanic blessing under a beautiful, handmade floral arch strewn with an abundance of richly toned autumnal flowers and foliage. The main ceremony and drinks reception were both held outside in a leafy, woodland setting surrounded by friends, family and their son Jasper, who played an unnforgettable part in their day.

Keen to keep the mood casual, and come up with a menu which reflected the imaginative character of the day, there was no formal, seated meal. Instead guests were treated to a range of bite-sized canapes celebrating some of the most distinct flavours of the season, followed by a range of four dishes served up in bowls ready to be tucked into. Dessert was one of Kalm Kitchen’s iconic Donut Walls, much to the delight of everyone attending. Later on, after a night of dancing in a large yurt, guests were invited to create their own midnight snacks at the Bagel Bar, and indulge in some totally crowd-pleasing servings of Chips and Gravy before heading off to glamp in the nearby surroundings.

This magical wedding was all about fun, love and close friends and family. Josy and John’s original and individual approach to every detail captured exactly who they are as people, and left everyone with ever-lasting memories to take away from the day.

If you’d like to talk to us about creating a menu for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Food: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk} Flowers: Hana Moss Music: Mighty Ingaiz / Faith and Branko {www.faithibranko.com}Photography: Matt Wretford {www.mattwreford.net} Videographer: Stephen John Cook {www.stephenjohncook.com}

Who: Camilla & Robert | When: Saturday 3rd June 2017 | Where: Private Marquee Wedding in Chiddingstone, Kent

Camilla and Robert’s stunning wedding aimed to capture every beauty of the British countryside, and it truly did! A self-sown wild flower meadow of Ox-eye daisies, cornflowers and poppies in Camilla’s parent’s garden set the scene for guests to walk through to the magnificent marquee. Guests were greeted with a selection of bite-sized canapés presented in vintage, flower-decked cages, while the tables were adorned with beautiful floral table arrangements in a palette of pastels with delicate ferns and foliage, set against a simple white backdrop.

We were tasked with creating a menu, which would celebrate every aspect of the summertime, using seasonal flavours and the most iconic ingredients. Asparagus, peas, Jersey Royals and an abundance of strawberries were the obvious choices to make starring appearances alongside the centrepieces of tender beef or delicate sea bass for our main course.

The day had style, warmth and a real sense of family – with even the couple’s dog and the bride’s horse featuring in the proceedings, and of course the perfect weather conditions helped! What a spectacular summer’s day it was.

The father of the bride contacted us afterwards with these lovely words:

‘Thank you for catering for the wedding on Saturday so brilliantly. Your serving staff were perfect with just the right level of interaction! Needless to say the food was fantastic – everyone said so, but more significantly, four friends in my age group i.e. people who must have been to a lot of weddings including some extremely sumptuous ones, all said that it was the best wedding food they had ever had. If asked, we will definitely recommend you – although if your standards are always that high, I doubt you have many gaps in your diary for years ahead.’

If you’d like to talk to us about creating a menu for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Food: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk} Flowers: Katherine Craft @ Florist in the Forest flowers {www.floristintheforest.co.uk} String Quartet: Estilo {www.estilostringquartet.com} Photography: Wild Weddings {www.wildweddings.co.uk} Marquee: Camelot Marquees {www.camelotmarquees.co.uk}