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This morning I am thrilled to introduce you to the lovely Dawn, one of my fabulous Featured Suppliers here at Brides Up North. The support of independent regional businesses like Memories Of Vintage means that I can keep delivering a double daily dose of wedding inspiration to your screens, and that you – my dear readers – can keep discovering amazing suppliers in your own area. Train tickets to London not required. I value every Featured Supplier’s contribution to our Northern Revolution so greatly – their talent is what it’s all about!
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Enough smulsch from me, let’s meet Dawn and find out more about her vintage crockery hire and wedding styling service.
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“We are a friendly company that treats all brides individually and take time to give them a special experience for a once in a lifetime day”
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Why did you decide to launch Memories Of Vintage and what is your background?
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Memories started from a passion for beautiful crockery and tradition. I have always collected china and I’m a traditional girl with traditional values. I still believe you should spend your evening meal around the dinner table with your family just as I did many years ago with my brothers and my grandmother.
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My passion for beautiful crockery meant I really wanted to have it on the tables at my own wedding so began collecting and once I had the china I didn’t really want to part with it as it had all been handpicked for its quality and style. Starting up Memories was one way of keeping my beautiful collection but I was also aware of how difficult and expensive it is to source so realised I could provide exactly to others what I would have wanted as a bride without the expense and time needed. Meeting all those bride and grooms is so exciting especially when you have the pleasure of giving them their own very special day.
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I began in retail and was assistant manager of a well-known fashion shop at nineteen and since then I have always worked with people and enjoy talking and meeting new people. At the age of 40 I had the opportunity to live my dream of studying fine art at Lincoln University and find that I use these creative skills to enhance the appearance of the table at the events I supply.
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Tell us about your collection of vintage crockery?
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Memories has a large collection of fine English bone china and we can cater for up to 500 guests. We have a huge selection which has a large spectrum of colours and designs, from pretty florals to strong reds and greens which are decorated with 22ct gold trims. The range dates from the1800’s to the 1950’s, some art deco and some hand painted. There is something to suit all tastes and styles. The collection includes main plates, side plates, cake plates and stands, terrines and tea pots all of which can be coordinated to your taste.
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Can a bride and groom choose which crockery to hire for their wedding? What is the consultation process?
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Memories welcomes involvement from the couple in order to personalise their day and choices so if the couple wanted to have a look at the crockery we do have a consultation room where the crockery is displayed. They can see for themselves the range and styles of china and we simply go from there. If the bride has a particular scheme in mind we choose crockery or table centres to personalise their wedding, I like to tone, compliment and organise it so it will look beautiful on the tables.
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What other tableware can you supply?
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We have stunning glassware, especially the huge trifle bowls which are amazing as table centres filled with gorgeous flowers. Also in the collection we have silver and glass candlesticks, which can be dressed with vintage pearls or tall candelabras for the more traditional look. We can dress and style in many different ways according to the couple’s requirements.
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Our cut glass dessert bowls can be used for starters or deserts or they look really cute with a range of sweets if simply dotted around a children’s’ table. We also have little Victorian salt pots which also can be used as tea light holders or look great with just a large flower placed within them.
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Tell us about your range of vintage decorations for hire?
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A wedding should reflect the happy couple and our range gives the opportunity to personalize individual tables: if your family has a musical background we can supply vintage table centres to include violins, trumpets and vintage sheet music. Each table can be dressed to suit the individual guests. We have vintage hat boxes, typewriters, bowler hats, top hats, binoculars and cameras- these all look beautiful with vintage flowers surrounding them or intertwined within them! We aim to make the centrepieces a memorable part of the setting and look to sculpt them according to the couple.
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Tell us about your made to order favours?
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Our favours are sweet and simple but aim to be a keepsake of the day… soft fragrant lavender sprigs tied together with a button label or any dried flower of your choice can be put into the design. Beautiful silver and mother of pearl handle butter knives look gorgeous with ribbon tied around them and a vintage label which enables you to put the guest’s name on. Silver sugar tongs are another favourite for favours or whatever the happy couple are looking for we are happy to source for them, it’s part of our personal service. Some couples like to give a vintage cup and saucer as a reminder of the day and we can supply and source these at a negotiated price.
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How many settings can you supply and what is the collection/ delivery process like?
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We can supply up to 500 guests for afternoon tea and 200 for dinner, but the collection is growing all the time so who knows where it will stop! We deliver and set up if required and the hire is for 4 days inclusive so we have setup time. It’s up to the brides if they want us to wash and pack the crockery up. I have a great florist so we can provide arrangements too on the day. Our aim is to fit in with your requirements and to be able to adapt to your needs to make things as stress free as possible..
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What can Brides Up North expect when they use your service?
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Fun, laughter, peace of mind and excellence. Brides can be involved as much or as little as they like.
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How does Memories Of Vintage provide a superior experience to other china or prop hire companies?
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When designing the tables, we use vintage items in a creative way and with humour if requested. The tables are a piece of artwork, a sculpture, as well as a talking point at the table. We personalise the tables for each individual couple so no two weddings have been the same. We like to think we can offer them the most unique and beautiful style. We have always received positive feedback from our bookings and our clients report that we have exceeded their expectations in terms of the service that we have provided. We are always open to ideas and like nothing better than the challenge of creating something that captures the essence of the day.
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Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?
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Prices vary according to the items hired and prices include the initial consultation whether it is at our studio room or at the bride/groom’s requested venue, crockery hire, setup of the tables including table centres and personalised styling.
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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If Brides Up North readers book a wedding with us we can offer 10% off the cost of the whole of the hire charge. Minimum spend would be £300. Please mention Brides Up North when booking.
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ find out more?
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You can visit our website www.memoriesofvintage.co.uk, find us on Facebook or call us on 07709 201 190.
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Anything else that Brides Up North should know?
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We were the sole supplier of vintage crockery for Epsom Derby over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. It was used in the Duchess Stand for the sponsors of the Derby Investec and their invited guests. It took two of us six hours to pack their order individually but we had some fantastic feedback and it was all worthwhile. We were very proud to think that our crockery had been part of such an important traditional British weekend and it was amazing to see the preparations that go into such an important event.
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Memories Of Vintage
Memories Of Vintage is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier, and this is a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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