So it’s been a little while since the last Blog article and as well as detailing certain events and useful tips we thought it might be quite nice to give a monthly update about what is happening in the world of Goose & Berry.
This year has already been a busy one, probably our busiest yet and whilst we get a chance (and a kind of belated New Year’s resolution) we have given ourselves a little task of making sure we write a monthly blog, no matter how busy we may be. It’s never ending I’m sure! However luckily we love what we do at G&B and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, I hear you ask, what have you been up to! Well, read on…
What’s New?
The big news this month is our new premises! We have moved into bigger and better premises. It’s looking amazing and we are ready for the busy season ahead. What I personally am most excited about however is my desk. Yes, I am a full on desk accessories and stationery geek and rather proud of it. That added to my rather ridiculous obsession of all things copper and rose gold. Now I know these colours and metallic are everywhere now and seem to be a key trend but let me tell you…I have loved them for years. I love their warm and rich tone, whether it be in accessories, clothing or jewellery. I guess this love has stemmed from my background working in property and interior design. I’m fascinated by the way certain fabrics, colours and shapes all work together and have a different effect in different settings.
The joy about our new premises is that is a rather industrial warehouse chic appeal to it. Yes, it will have a working kitchen (like we don’t already struggle enough to try and resist eating ALL THE TIME!) but it will also feature our desks, a tasting space and meeting space. Multi functioning dream space right here! With this joyous space, which I might add is super light and airy, brings a natural lure to all things copper and metallic, to contrast against the white walls and hard industrial shell. Just you wait until I get started on the soft furnishings…I can’t wait to look at the various fabrics, chairs etc. and then the shelving units…basically we’ve all gone interiors crazy and it’s only just started with the desks.
Food and Events
Aside from moving into our new pad, we’ve been keeping busy on the catering front with many events and weddings already this year. We’ve had some lovely end of winter and Spring weddings and lots of fab dinner parties. April has been a busy month for tastings, confirming final choices and entertaining clients with our tasty treats. We love tastings and seeing what couples and clients choose and seeing the look on their face and hearing their feedback when finished. It also gives us a chance to learn lots about the couple, particular tastes, wants and needs, whilst also giving me a chance to understand and learn more about our menu…i.e. taste everything on our menu!
Weddings
I get the fun job of heading up Goose & Berry Weddings. This month (and at the end of March) I have been quite the busy bee indeed. At the end of March I had one of the highlights of my year so far. Part of my job involves organising styled shoots with some other fab wedding lovelies and superstars. I had arranged for 2 shoots to take part in one day (mammoth task!) at the simply breath taking and world famous Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons (quite the privilege). Now I won’t spoil the fun and tell you too much about it until the shoots get published (fingers crossed!) but I met a serious all time hero of mine – the one and only Raymond Blanc. Fair to say I was a little star struck, but he was a true gentleman and had such charisma. He was genuinely interested in what we were doing, polite and just an all-round lovely man. For a serous foodie like myself, this was a huge highlight, not only of my year, but yes…my life.
At the start of the month, we were invited to Quintessentially Atelier at The Dorchester Hotel. G&B adore this luxury wedding and bridal show; it has the perfect mix and selection of suppliers for the luxe market and you will always see a few fellow wedding suppliers and lovelies there, so it’s always nice to stop and have a catch up over a glass of fizz. It’s a wonderful showcase, not only showing off a stunning venue but also the crème de la crème of wedding suppliers, from photographers, bridal designers, florists, cake designers and entertainment. Several of our preferred suppliers were there and it was great to see our local neighbours Eight Ray Music who had several acts performing. Can’t wait until one of our summer weddings has one of their bands playing; it’s going to be super!
This month has also involved quite a few final meetings for 2 weddings we are planning this summer. One couple few in from America to sort out all plans in a week, so we had a fun time meandering around Windsor, from one meeting to another, all amongst the backdrop of the Queen’s 90th Birthday. What an experience for them it was…although getting around Windsor was not so easy. Last week has also seen final plans taking place for another couple and involved my favourite discussions…no not food, but flowers. Aside from copper and rose gold, my big passion is all things floral. I have taken a wedding floristry course because I am so fascinated by the world of weddings and floristry. (Next on the agenda is calligraphy, excited much!). We went to visit Lily’s Flowers and boy do they have a dreamy workspace. Surrounded by horses, flowers and then the cutest office dog, I genuinely wanted to take up residence (I know…new premises, excited, etc.…but they lack horses!). That aside, flowers are all finalised, followed by wine tasting and then a good old run through and chat over a cuppa…and wine…of course!
One of the most fun points of my month involved taking a couple of days and mixing work and pleasure, oh yes, it can be done! G&B Weddings went on a little Cotswolds tour…and in this case what happens on tour doesn’t stay on tour! The visit started at a favourite of mine and having a delicious lunch at Dormy House. After followed a tour and also a little jaunt to Foxhill Manor, one of the three hotels on the Farncombe Estate. This one is a serious WOW factor – 8 sumptuous bedrooms with the most magical views. Honestly, true escapism and bliss, ultimate luxury. If you want true exclusivity and a hidden away retreat, event or wedding, look no further than Foxhill Manor and look at taking all three hotels. They are all divine and the attention to detail is superb.
Next up was Thyme, the most idyllic rural Cotswolds retreat. I had booked to stay in one of the Cottage Suites and wowsers, it did not disappoint. Beautiful furnishings, super cosy and comfy and just beautiful! Fun, herb infused cocktails (my fave) in the Baa…such fun! Followed by a super tasty dins in The Swan, which is a couple of minutes’ walk along the village. Imagine a true country pub and you have The Swan. Returning to my cottage, I was welcomed with a hot water bottle in bed and the cutest little nightcap. Little touches like this were so spot on and make Thyme a beautiful luxury country retreat. Breakfast was served in the Tythe Barn and served was some of the most delicious sausages and granola (not together I might add) I have tasted. The service was faultless – friendly, smooth and efficient. Heaven for a lazy morning! I was treated to a tour of the beautiful space where ceremonies can be held, Thyme House – an interiors dream– antiques and rustic but classy furniture. I also took a little wander past the lambs to the kitchen garden. Full of wonderful offerings and lots more to be grown and used at Thyme; clucking chickens, quails, some feisty pigs and then my new friend, Salty the family pig. Such a cutie, although I did feel guilty after eating those sausages!
After a tough goodbye and a promise to visit again soon, I made my way to Barnsley House, stopping off at The Village Pub. It was definitely a foodie Cotswolds Tour as much as a venue one. Barnsley House is a true masterpiece. A stunning Cotswold village manor house, set amongst the most picturesque gardens and a blissful spa hidden in the grounds. The temple and gardens offer the most perfect ceremony spot, whilst you get the use of the restaurant and lounges for the wedding breakfast and reception, or a marquee at the bottom of the garden. Just so dreamy! These signs were the sweetest, so sweet and a great fun, talking point for guests. Fully in love with all venues, I then had a little jolly around Cirencester, Bibury and Daylesford Farm – I couldn’t resist and definitely bought my other love – gin. Always have to invest in gin wherever I go. Feeling rather tired after a relaxing, but rather fun packed couple of days I returned home longing to return and full of ideas for the dreamiest of weddings I could plan at the venues.
So there you have it….quite a fun packed month, full of excitement! Next up is May…which we will update you about in a few weeks’ time.
Emma. x
Goose & Berry are a Luxury Boutique Catering, Wedding, Event & Brand Experience Planning & Design company who specialise in Weddings, Social and Corporate Events. We are based in Marlow & London and cover London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and the Home Counties.
www.gooseandberry.co.uk
Did you know we also Plan and Design Weddings and Events!
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