Hansley Beard

Vintage Winter Wedding Dress Inspiration

This Simplicity sewing pattern from the early 1970s shows some beautiful wedding dress designs suitable for a winter wedding. Finish off your winter white gown with a furry hood and cuffs (2nd from left) or a beautiful hood of lace (3rd from left).

Posted Mon, 28 Dec, by Jennie Beard in Dresses, Vintage Clothing

Wedding Day Management       Helpful Hints 1:

Planning a wedding is time-consuming and often stressful. With so many decisions to make, it’s easy to forget about some of the mechanics of your day. A wedding planner, family member or friend can help you out here, making sure that between you, you’ve thought of every possible scenario and detail. Every day this week we are going to share with you some of our helpful hints to remember when planning your wedding day.

1. Make sure someone has a list of the mobile numbers of all your suppliers and helpers, just in case! It’s not unusual for the bride to get a phone-call or text in the middle of hair and make-up to be asked where something should be delivered to. To avoid this make sure someone is at all the relevant venues to meet suppliers and to show them what is going where.

Image of Wedding Sign from Cox and Cox

Posted Mon, 28 Dec, by Jennie Beard in Wedding Day Management, Weddings

The Story of Blush Cupcakes

At Hansley Beard we try to use local suppliers as much as possible and love listening to the stories behind the suppliers. One of our regular suppliers is Maria Clark from Blush Cupcakes based in Derbyshire. Many of you have been asking me to tell you more about Blush Cupcakes so here is Maria’s story…...

Why cupcakes?:

I have enjoyed baking from an early age, having been inspired by my Mediterranean upbringing, and having our dear American neighbour Vonetta give me many of her cake recipes to try out, which I still have today. Cupcakes came to my attention over here a couple of years back. I spotted some of Primrose Bakery’s gorgeous ones in Wholefoods in Kensington. Soon after, I attended a wedding in Derbyshire where the bride told me that she had difficulty in finding a local supplier. Something just clicked there and then. Although I am concentrating on cupcakes now, I am sure that I will want to expand my business to include other baked goodies before too long.

What is your background?:

I qualified as an Interior Designer back in 1984, and have had a very fulfilling career. My main specialism being retail design. Ever since I was a child, buildings and good design have fascinated and moved me. I don’t believe this passion will ever leave me. Nowdays though, rather than sketching interiors, I sketch cupcake ideas. I still need to try out an idea visually on paper!

Tell us about your cupcake philosophy:

Taste is number one in the priority department. I try to use natural, good quality ingredients where possible. I grow edible flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables in our garden and use these in my cupcakes - no nasty slug pellets or chemicals are ever used. I love experimenting with different ingredients, and I like to think that people who enjoy eating my cupcakes like something that little bit different.

Can you tell us more about what you can provide?:

As well as taking personal orders by phone, I supply cupcakes for weddings, parties and corporate events. It is best to call me for suggestions of which flavours I can make as many are seasonal.

What geographical area do you cover?:

I currently supply to Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

How can people order from you?:

They can call me on 01433 631413. Any up and coming events will be posted on our Blush Cupcakes facebook site.

Posted Mon, 28 Dec, by Jennie Beard in Celebrations, Cupcakes, Weddings

Coco Catering Christmas

We were recently invited to the launch of Coco Catering’s new Christmas canapé menu held at Menzel’s Bar on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield.

Jennie Beard (Hansley Beard), Katy Thomson (Serendipity Photography) Blanche Duggleby and Richard Spataro (Coco Catering)

Here’s their yummy Christmas canape menu:

Mini salmon fish cakes with creme fraiche and caviar
Homemade spiced Christmas nuts
Parmesan shortbreads with goats cheese and cranberry sauce
Rye bread with turkey, crispy bacon and cranberry sauce
Mini chocolate brownies dusted with gold glitter
Mini sherry trifle

So, if you’re too tired to bother cooking for that planned Xmas dinner party, why not hire Coco Catering to provide you and your guests with a banquet of delight?

Coco Catering cater for weddings, parties, family occasions, dinner parties, drinks receptions, special events, corporate events and business meetings. They are experienced in British and European cuisine and pride themselves on producing excellent quality homemade food.

For more details of Coco Catering’s wide range of menus check out their website at Coco Catering ..... they also have a facebook fan page where you can see previous events and weddings and keep up with Coco Catering news.

Posted Sun, 13 Dec, by Jennie Beard in Catering