Thursday 15 July 2010

we set the date

The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club

Yesterday we booked our wedding reception for October next year at the
Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club.



I took these two pictures a few weeks back on a beautiful sunny day. The Yacht Club is situated right on the sea-front on the Plymouth Hoe. The Hoe is one of my favourite things about living here in Plymouth. I really wanted a venue on or around the Hoe for our reception, we will be getting married in the Plymouth Registry Office which is towards the top of the Hoe. I always loved the Grand Hotel right at the top of the Hoe, looking out to sea, but there was a fire there some years back and it was converted to apartments after the fire. There are other hotels around the Hoe but just not ‘right’.

I am so happy a friend suggested the Yacht Club to me a couple of months back, I can’t believe I wasn’t even aware it existed! I must have walked past it hundreds of times over the years, but it is tucked away down by the water. I looked at their website and it looked perfect, it then took me a couple of months to get around to calling them. I had the 1st of October in mind for the date, but they already had a booking on that date by the time I called this week, so I made an appointment to go and meet the wedding coordinator the next day after work. Karl and I both really loved the venue, their hire rates are very reasonable and the wedding coordinator is a lovely friendly enthusiastic crafty lady! We both warmed to her instantly. We booked the following Saturday – 8th October 2011.

It had to be October, our anniversary of being together is the 5th of October – I wanted our wedding day to be close to this. Next year is quite special too – we will have been together for 15 years next October! We actually talked about marriage when we were first together, then we bought a house.. had two kids.. and then for a long while neither of us had any interest in getting married. A couple of years back I started to think that maybe I would like to tie the knot (before I get too old!), I knew I would have to be the one to propose – Karl was quite happy as we were. It took me a while to pluck up the courage (silly – I know!) and then last year I had some rings made and decided I would ask Karl on his birthday. I did, and he accepted!

The Yacht club has the most amazing views out to sea, the main function room is quite traditional and neutral, perfect for decorating however we choose; with french windows opening out onto a balcony overlooking the sea, and it adjoins onto a dining area where our sushi buffet will be laid out. We have also hired an extra little room right on the corner with windows and sea views all around, this will be a children’s area, we will set up colouring and crafty stuff and the kids can escape up there to play! We plan on having a very relaxed informal reception, basically a big party with all our friends and family!

Our engagement rings were made by LivelyHood on Etsy to my specification, they have silver bands and a panel of copper-silver mokume-gane. The two panels on the rings are made to fit together. Mokume-gane is a Japanese technique of forging thin layers of different metals together to create a wood grain pattern. I love it!




Also from Etsy was the fabric I bought to make my wedding dress from. My dress will not be a traditional white wedding dress, it will be a Japanese inspired kimono-esque style. I found this beautiful pink maple chirimen vintage (unused) kimono silk from KimonoMomo, who had enough length of this amazing silk to make the style of dress I want. Are you detecting a theme here? Karl and I both love Japanese style and culture, and Japanese food. This is definitely the inspiration for our wedding ‘theme’. The dress fabric gives me a lovely colour palette to work with..



I won’t start planning ‘proper’ for a while yet.. got both kids’ birthday parties still to do this year.. but I am now officially excited! I am so happy we found the perfect venue to celebrate our special day!

10 comments:

  1. The rings are phenomenal!! And the fabric - I can't wait to see what you do with it.

    It will be fun to see this unfold, that is for sure.

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  2. oh my... you are going to have a wonderful wedding... and the japanese theme will make it unique, soft, simple, beautiful. i cannot wait to see what design you have up your sleeve for that magical fabric!.. oh, i can see why you are excited!!! i am, and i don't even know you! LOL

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  3. Yay yay yay!!! tried to call last night to congratulate you, but missed you - give me a shout some time x

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  4. Wow - that venue is just amazing! I love your story, and I think that your wedding is going to be gorgeous!!!

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  5. OH Anji, how wonderful!! The story is lovely! Congratulations! I look forward to reading all about the plans!!!

    The rings are stunning as is the fabric!!!! The sea is gorgeous! What a grand place to get married!

    ~Kolein

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  6. Hi Anji! Oh those rings are wonderful! I love mokume-gane work, reminds me of samurai swords, it's so beautiful isn't it! And the fabric is georgeous! Well you have plenty of time to plan everything, it'll be a work of art by the time you're done! :D
    Joey xx

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  7. First off, thanks so much for leaving a comment as it brought me here - I'm avidly reading lots of your posts this morning and enjoying them all so much! What a gorgeous spot for your reception and the rings and fabric are stunning. It will be so nice to read along as your plans fall into place. Best wishes!

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  8. congratulations! that venue is stunning, and i love that the rings compliment each other so well.

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  9. congratulations! those rings are amazing. we got a lot of our wedding stuff of etsy as well. have you seen the real simple weddings magazine? they put it out once a year and it was my best wedding planning secret. it keeps things simple and encourages handmade items. it also has things you need, like how much red wine you need for 75 guests, etc. check it out. it has a pull out planner to take along with you, too. it is awesome!

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  10. Are you me?

    My now-husband and I have been together for more than 15 years, and "decided" (meaning I decided) to get married when we were making plans for kids. That was 7 years ago, we are not sure, I have to think hard to remember how long we've been properly married.

    I love that you are doing a non-traditional wedding, I am all for breaking traditions. Your rings are stunning, the design is fabulous and your fabric is absolutely lovely.

    I am sure that you will have a lovely, unforgettable wedding. I am looking forward to hearing more about it.

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