What: Anna Kara launch event | When: February 2020 | Where: Miss Bush Bridal, Ripley

In celebration of its exciting new designer, Anna Kara, Miss Bush Bridal in Ripley held a wonderful welcome launch this February. Kalm Kitchen was delighted to take part in this evening of beautiful styling, good food, music, and of course, fabulous fashion.

The Anna Kara bridal launch party was a celebration of bohemian, relaxed style with a twist of Polish inspiration as a nod to the brand’s heritage. It’s been quite a few years since Kalm Kitchen catered an event at The Chapel (in fact we worked on Miss Bush Bridals’ first ever Chapel event in 2014!) and we loved being back. We were tasked to come up with a menu that reflected the designer’s eastern European roots. As designer Anna Kara is from Krakow and all of the dresses are handmade in Poland, we opted for canapés and cocktails with a Polish-inspired theme. Our team put together a mouthwatering menu of treats, which included the following:

In addition, we created two inviting grazing plates, which stood on display close to the chapel entrance and were just as beautiful as they were delicious. The savoury tray included beetroot hummus with goats’ cream and honey, basil and cashew nut pesto, sweet potato and flatleaf mini falafels. The abundant platter also included salted pretzels, Norbury Blue and Sussex Charmer cheese, pickled baby garden vegetables, homemade oat cakes, black olive ficelle and bilberries, decorated with pretty wildflowers. The sweet version featured brownies, macaroons, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, edible flowers, passionfruit, kiwi, and grapefruit. We also put together a special cocktail for the evening; the Polish Mule, using Belvedere Vodka, elderflower syrup and sparkling ginger beer.

Partying in style

A truly spectacular floral display by Wild Renata Flowers added to the bohemian spirit. Sumptuous florals in shades of muted purple and pink, antique yellows next to velvety deep red, and wild foliage in a rich dark green and burgundy transformed the chapel’s signature arch. Guests were not only treated to a fantastic fashion presentation, but also a relaxed party atmosphere with tunes from Spin Sisters and fun Photobooth from Boomerang Booth.

Credits:
Photography: Sophie Duckworth Photography {www.sophieduckworthphotography.com}
Floral Design: Wild Renata Flowers {www.wildrenataflowers.com}
Glassware: Couvert {couvert.co.uk}
Catering: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk}
Biscuits: Dolly Dewdrops Cake Art {dollydewdrops.co.uk}
Make up: Carolanne Armstrong {carolannearmstrong.com}
Hair: Sharon Roberts {sharonrobertshair.co.uk}
Photobooth: Boomerang Booth {boomerangbooth.co.uk/}
DJ: Spin Sisters {www.spin-sisters.co.uk}

Do you have a launch or private event in mind? Talk to us about how we can elevate your event with imaginative food and drinks. Do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Who: Sophie & Oliver | When: December 2017 | Where: Gate Street Barn

Gate Street Barn in Surrey was the setting for Sophie and Oliver’s chic winter wedding with a decidedly 1920s feel. From the bride’s spectacular beaded corset to the wild style bouquets wrapped in burgundy and ivory lace ribbons, the day had an array of intricate touches. And it was all planned and executed in just seven months.

With a close eye on budget, the couple still managed to achieve the stylish look they dreamed of, without cutting corners. By festooning the barn with lights and florals, the couple transformed the space into a stylish but cosy setting – perfect for the time of year. They also injected their own modern, geometric twist with design details and graphics. And one of the couple’s favourite touches was a heartfelt display featuring framed photos of all their relatives on their wedding days.

We worked closely with the couple to imagine a menu which would cater to every taste. First of all, guests feasted on a selection of canapés served up on imaginative vintage platters. For starters, it was an Antipasti sharing board or vegan kale salad. The main course made the most of the winter setting with a comforting crowd pleaser of chicken and leek pie with creamy mash and roasted carrots.

Sophie and Oliver chose to go non-traditional with their cake and served up a four-layered carrot cake with a smooth butter icing created by Digbys at Vauxhall station. Their guests loved it, and the couple made sure they got a slice too!

Party time

The party continued well into the evening, dancing to tunes from Chris Haslam at Chess Disco. The couple’s first dance was made even more memorable as they were showered with a dried petal flower cannon. Just one of many magical moments during a spectacular day.

Read more about Sophie and Oliver’s big day at Whimsical Wonderland Weddings. If you’d like to talk to us about unforgettable food for your wedding or event give us a call on 01483 813360 or email info@kalmkitchen.co.uk.

Credits… Photography: Kat & Ash at The Springles {www.thespringles.com}. Florist: Carrie Macey at Topiary Tree {www.topiary-tree.co.uk/}. Venue: Gate Street Barn {www.gatestreetbarn.com/}. Videographer: Ashleigh at Ash Videography {www.ashvideography.com/}. DJ: Chris Haslam at Chess Disco {www.chessdisco.co.uk/}

Are you dreaming of a wedding that sums up the spirit of the English countryside? Alice at MeadowFolk has made it her trademark to take all the charm and beauty that the UK has to offer, and capturing it in her stunning floral displays. Far more than just a traditional florist though, she has a passion for growing a wide range of her own flowers from seed. So, you end up with exactly the bouquet you’d imagined. We caught up with Alice to find out a little more about the inspiration behind her creations…

Q// How would you describe MeadowFolk’s signature style?

My floristry style is wild, natural, seasonal and British grown where possible, with me growing lots of the flowers myself. This  enables me to always include something a little unusual and unexpected, like Sweet Pea trails, unripe raspberries or alpine strawberries.

Q// What is trending right now in wedding floral design, and is there anything in particular that’s emerging as a new trend?

Hanging foliage, one hundred per cent. By hanging foliage and flowers from the ceiling, you’re bringing the outside in, and creating a woodland canopy above the guests. Be that by stringing swags of foliage garlands around thesides of a marquee, hanging planks, beams or ladders for foliage to cascade over, or by using metal hoops to create a chandelier effect. It really does transform a reception room into a much more enchanting and romantic space. An emerging trend I’ve noticed would be grooms and their squads veering away from traditional buttonholes and going for larger, more unusual floral décor. I created mini foliage hoops that the groomsmen wore on their lapels for a wedding last summer. The hoops symbolised eternal love, and they looked pretty cool too!

Q// What advice would you give to brides who are currently making the flower choices for their big day?

Picking an overall vibe that you want your wedding to achieve really helps narrow down flower choices for your big day. Bohemian Woodland – English Country Garden – Wildflower Meadow. They all conjure up completely different flowers in my mind that would best suited to their vibe. So, lead with that and ask your florist to suggest a few for you.

Q// And finally, what would be your ultimate bouquet to create? And what are your all-time favourite flowers?

I love creating big, blowsy bouquets, full of movement and containing unusual elements like rosehips, and seasonal beautiful blooms. I’d really love to create more foliage bouquets; there are so many textures, colours and scents that foliage can bring to the party. My all-time favourite flower? Too many to choose from! But a bouquet of apple blossom would be just dreamy. Cosmos, Scabious and Ranunculus are up at the top too. And scented garden roses of course – with Margaret Merril leading the way for her scent and glorious stamens!

To find out more about Alice, visit her website meadowfolk.co.uk/