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A Wedding Videographer – The New Must-Have

That Amazing Place wedding venue Harlow Essex | wedding photographer – Scott Miller photography

If you follow our blog or social media platforms, then you’ll probably know already that we’ve used wedding videographers in the past. We’ve had a number of happy couples document their big day on video as well as with a regular wedding photographer, yet in spite of this, so many seem unaware of this amazing new option available to them.

We understand that having a videographer film your wedding may not be for everyone but for some, it really could be the best decision you make. When it comes to actually booking one however, it can be a hard call to make. Luckily for you we have the “who” sorted as we have an array of wedding videographers listed on our suppliers page. Right now, however, we’re going to clarify the “why”.

What would a Wedding Videographer add to my day?

Ask any bride or groom what they remember most about their day and we guarantee they’ll tell you it raced by so quickly, in such a blur that they struggle to remember everything. There will always be things that you’ll miss such as the arrival of the groom, the arrival of the bridesmaids or you may even wonder about your own entrance from your wedding guests’ perspective. A wedding videographer however, will catch all of this…and more.

It may not be a necessity, especially when taking into consideration your wedding budget however, a professionally produced wedding film is without doubt the ultimate way of encapsulating your entire day from everyone’s perspective. Think of it as a kaleidoscope of memories from visual to sound that you can share with family, friends and yourself for years to come.

While photographs are an incredibly important aspect of your wedding day, priceless in fact, a wedding video is something you’ll find captures the spontaneous moments that photos may not have done. There’s no denying the fact that the first look back a couple will have on their wedding will be nothing short of magical so to have that on film would be even more spectacular. Who wouldn’t want to watch their big day back in all its glory and relive such a special moment in time?

Expression Photography

Will a wedding video fit within my budget?

Wedding budgets are there for a reason. They stop us spending way beyond our limit and remind us to spread the cost of different suppliers evenly and fairly. Fitting everything into your budget can therefore be quite the tricky task and may lead you to asking yourself whether you want a wedding video or not. Investing money into a wedding photographer or wedding videographer is of course hugely important. Having at least one will ensure you capture those important memories on your day however, you may have to ask yourself which of the two you’d prefer. Simply ask yourself whether having good quality photos or a professional film is more important to you.

There’s no exact science to it all; no way to find out which would be better for you however, there are of course ways around it. A number of happy couples here at That Amazing Place have chosen wedding videographers and simply asked guests to take photos with the disposable cameras lying around the venue that they’ve strategically placed. For more information on the wedding videographers we’d recommend or for ways to help decide, simply contact us today guys.

Hattie & Rhys Jones’ Happy Wedding Day

Photo Credit: Expression Photography

Today we’re looking at the wonderful wedding day of Hattie and Rhys, who said their “I do’s” on September 16th of this year right here at That Amazing Place. Hattie and Rhys has been together for eight years when they married after meeting randomly on a weekend where they were both enjoying company with friends. After hitting it off in a pub garden, and thanks to a rather persistent friend, Rhys and Hattie kept in touch and the rest as they say is history. So here’s a peek into their wonderful day…

The Venue

Photo Credit: Expression Photography

With family coming from afar, it was hugely important that Hattie and Rhys found somewhere that felt like a home from home. Hattie explained, “Being able to arrive on the Friday and relax and stay for the duration of the weekend was a great addition to what we were after. After our first visit to view That Amazing Place, we got in the car, both looked at each other and smiled; we knew it was the place for us.” The beautiful surroundings, impeccable décor and of course the staff, were huge advantages to Hattie and Rhys and convinced them quite easily that our Essex wedding venue was the one for them. They were also incredibly thankful for Paul, one of the venues owners, and event manager Angie, for making their family and friends on the day feel incredibly welcomed. Hattie describes them as being incredibly attentive throughout the whole weekend.

Theme and Entertainment

Photo Credit: Expression Photography

Hattie explained their aim was for their wedding day was simplicity; a relaxed social event and That Amazing Place became the perfect backdrop for it. This desire was reflected in the theme with simple white flowers housed in exquisite glass throughout. The colour theme was also reflected throughout the entire bridal party with adult bridesmaids wearing platinum and younger bridesmaids wearing navy. Hattie went on to explain, “The Groom and groomsmen also wore navy with navy ties and white polka dots. Rhys’s tie was navy with purple polka dots to match my shoes and bouquet.” In terms of entertainment, they enjoyed a live band called “The Money” from Nottingham. They’d seen them “perform quite a few years ago at a family’s wedding and loved the variety of their sets, so were keen to have them play at our wedding. They also did the DJ’ing in between sets and finished off our night with a requested garage half-hour!”

Catering

Photo Credit: Expression Photography

Photo Credit: Expression Photography

For their catering, Hattie and Rhys opted for one of our preferred suppliers, the fabulous Premier Crew Catering. Hattie said, “Sarah was fantastic throughout the process…we wanted a simple, relaxed and social day so we went for Afternoon Tea as our Wedding Breakfast; this was followed by a hog roast and BBQ in the early evening for all of our day and evening guests. The food was fantastic and Afternoon Tea looked beautiful on entering the room.”

Photo Credit: Expression Photography

From all of us here at That Amazing Place, we’d just like to thank Hattie and Rhys for choosing our venue and once again, say a huge congratulations! We hope to see you again soon, perhaps celebrating your anniversary in the same place you chose to say, “I do”.

Christmas Weddings At That Amazing Place

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Couple it with the festive season and it’s a time like no other. Here at That Amazing Place, we’ve seen many a Christmas wedding so thought we’d share a few insights to help you plan the perfect festive wedding to keep you and your guests having the time of your life…

Christmas Trees – they seem like an obvious choice to most but let’s not forget that they’re one of the biggest symbols of Christmas for many. Whether you’re religious or not, a Christmas tree is instantly recognisable which makes it an absolute must at your ceremony and venue. It’s a super easy prop to include too as you can simply decorate it with your chosen wedding colours, keeping it in theme and of course, super chic. For table decorations, mini trees are ideal and once again, a little internet surfing will help you locate mini decorations in your chosen wedding colours.

Bridesmaid Gifts – this is something that often gets overlooked yet when you look at all the work your bridesmaids (and maid of honour especially) put into your big day, it’s something that should really have a lot of though put into it. As it’s Christmas, and of course winter, pashminas are obviously a fabulous idea. They not only look beautiful but can be worn on the day. You can also incorporate them into your day further by gifting pashminas that offer a pop of colour.

Keep The Little Ones Entertained – the subject of little ones at weddings is always a hot topic for debate but here at That Amazing Place, we know only too well the joy it can bring to have children at your nuptials. That being said however, it’s important to consider the young ones when planning your big day and by that we mean, thinking of ways to keep them entertained and out of mischief. For those enjoying festive weddings, we’ve seen Father Christmas paying a visit bringing a few small gifts to enjoy and play with throughout the wedding breakfast. We’ve also seen couples utilise one of the smaller rooms as a “chill-out” room where Christmas-themed films are played such as the Polar Express or The Grinch. This not only keeps the kids entertained but also leaves the grown-ups with a little more space to enjoy your wedding too.

Christmas Colour Schemes – we know that it can be easy to simply opt for the obvious when it comes to a colour scheme; red and green of course but we also know that others will want to opt for something different. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be Christmas inspired. Berry shades such as deep reds and purples, along with winter whites offer a chic look and can make any wedding feel luxurious. If you’re still looking for more options however, Pantone is a great place to start. From plums and aubergines to deep jewel tones, the world is your oyster.

If you’re lucky enough to be holding your big day here at That Amazing Place, then you’ll be pleased to know that our very own events manager Angie will be on hand to help you in any way shape or form, from your theme to the florist and more. For more information, simply contact us today.

Our Guide To Bridal Winter Wedding Hair

It’s pretty much a given that every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day and while a bride’s style of course has an influence, so too does the season in which she says, “I do”. To help, we thought we’d piece together a fab guide to getting the perfect bridal winter wedding hair.

The Right Tools For The Right Job – with the harshness of the winter air and of course, the brutality of radiators, looking radiant can take a little extra work. Armed with the right products, hair styling tools and of course, a fabulous hair stylist, then your winter wedding hair will look nothing short of amazing. With winter wedding hair, you must remember that frizz becomes more of a problem as moisture gets sucked away causing it to become more static. Ensure natural bristle brushes are used or wide tooth wooden combs to help combat this.

Keep On Top Of Your Hair’s Condition – in the weeks and months (if you have enough time) you need to ensure you’re using a deep conditioning treatment in order to ensure not only is your hair moisturised but your scalp is too. Apply this frequently and ensure your locks are in optimum condition before your big day. It may feel like a lot of fuss but it really isn’t a lot of work. Simply apply before you step out of the shower and rinse ten minutes later. It’s much easier than you tell yourself it is. For strong, glossy locks, look to products containing keratin and be sure to use a good cleansing shampoo that will help prevent any product build up over time.

Fall In Love With The Updo – as a winter bride, it’s important to think about your own hair’s texture and type. The reason being is that due to the possibility of inclement weather, it always pays to work with your hair, instead of fighting against it. Take into consideration that fine, straight hair will be far more prone to drop curls while naturally thick hair may tend to frizz. With this in mind, it’s often best to opt for an updo when trying to tame unruly hair. It’s more likely to withstand the changes in temperature and moisture levels and will mean your hair can be neatly tucked away and won’t budge for the rest of the day.

Choose The Best Products – as any of our recommended hair stylists will tell you, using the best products is essential when it comes to ensuring your hair is in the best condition while also helping to avoid hair disasters on the big day. The hair products used will obviously depend on your hair type, the style you choose and of course the textured look you’re trying to achieve.

Think About Your Outfit – when it comes to bridal fashion during the winter months, brides will often choose a faux fur shrug or shawl to keep warm during their walk down the aisle and during photographs which is a consideration when picking your hairstyle; for instance, if you’re wearing a fur shrug, you must remember a low bun could easily rub against it, making it look unkempt. Not a look you want to achieve while saying “I do”.

We hope this guide to winter wedding hair helps you achieve the perfect look on your big day and remember, if you’re looking for an expert to take care of you on your big day, simply check out our list of preferred suppliers here.

Plan Your Wedding With Ease…

Here at That Amazing Place, we know only too well that just because a company has great reviews online, doesn’t mean it’s always going to stand up to your expectations. Let’s face it, with people recommending their friends and family’s companies left, right and centre, anyone who’s anyone can get a handful of great reviews within a few minutes of creating an online presence. It’s for this reason that finding the perfect caterer or the perfect wedding gown maker can feel so stressful. Not only are they hugely important roles but they’re involved in one of the most important days of your life too. That’s where personal recommendations come in so handy. You’re not simply reading a Facebook review, you’re talking to someone you know who’s actually used their service and that’s precisely why we decided to create our “Preferred Suppliers” list. From florists to photographers, we have everything covered to help you plan your wedding with ease.

What’s more, these are companies or individuals that we’ve worked with ourselves. That means that not only do we know their work but they know our wedding venue too. This we hope, will help you plan your wedding with ease, without the usual stress that people think of. To give you more of an idea, here are just a few examples of the companies we have on our preferred suppliers page:

Florists – as you can imagine, over the last couple of years, we’ve come across a wide range of florists supplying the weddings that place week in and week out. From our meetings, there have been a few in particular that have really shone and these include the fabulous Creative Designs to the amazing Gracie Day. We also highly recommend the fabulous services by the likes of Browns Blooms and Balloons as well as Jo Cook Floral Designs, Joanna Truby and the wonderful Vickie Cowell.

Hair Stylists – bridal hair, as you’ll no doubt know, is a hugely important aspect of any day and as such, it’s imperative that the right person is found for such an important part of the day. That’s why we narrowed our preferred suppliers list of bridal hair stylists down to just four because let’s face it, the bride must always look fabulous. From Lynette Chasmer to Beautiful Hair, along with Michelle Walker Hair Stylist to the now famous Team Glam, we really couldn’t think of anyone better to trust with such an important job on such a big day.

Catering – while helping the bride and groom look their best on their big day is of course important, there’s another aspect of any wedding that’s quite possibly even more so and that’s the catering. Not only does it need to be perfect for the happy couple themselves but it also needs to be perfect for every single one of their guests too. That’s why, once again, we recommend only four companies for the job. They are the phenomenal Magpie Catering, the wonderful Carte Blanche Catering, the sensational Premier Crew and last but by no means least, the fabulous Caribbean Cookpot.

Photography – wedding photos aren’t just with you on the day, they’re with you for the rest of your life which is why finding the right photographer, one who understands your style and just what you want to achieve, is super important. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a fantastic list online of multiple photographers who we feel really offer a professional service and what’s more, know That Amazing Place too. From Amanda Karen Photography to Light Source Weddings and the fabulous Scott Miller Photography.

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive and one quick peek on our website will show you the fantastic go-to directory we’ve created! Jump online today!

Here’s Why Our Wedding Venue Is So Amazing!

Our Amazing Wedding Venue

Our Amazing Wedding Venue

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you may have noticed that we discuss quite a broad spectrum of topics; from wedding top tips to current trends and even the actual weddings that take place here at our country house wedding venue but today, we thought we’d take the time to talk about That Amazing Place itself. From our wonderful manor house to the extensive grounds in which we’re set, we’d like to welcome you to That Amazing Place, a beautiful country house wedding venue nestled in the heart of the Essex countryside. While you may know us as Hubbards Hall, we’re here today to tell you all about our wedding venue and just why we’re so, well…amazing.

Once upon a time, our grade II listed building was actually occupied as a residential property until its current owners, the wonderful Paul and Jane, decided to renovate and re-open it as the elegant venue that it is today. When it comes to That Amazing Place, many people know that we’re a wedding venue but what a great deal of people don’t know is that day to day, we’re also a boutique bed and breakfast. We offer fabulously luxurious rooms along with a variety of excellent facilities, including delicious breakfasts, amazing views and above all else, exquisite customer service. From business stopovers to family breaks, we have the facilities to really make your stay like nothing else.

As we mentioned above, the majority know us as the beautiful wedding venue in Harlow but the question asked by many is what makes us so amazing. Well, our extensive grounds and stunning interior aside, the fact that we’re an exclusive-use wedding venue really does make us stand out from the crowd. We understand only too well that your wedding day is something you want to share with your loved ones, both family and friends however, as much as you may wish to shout your love from the rooftops, we know that you won’t want to share the space with total strangers. It’s for this reason we decided to make it an exclusive use wedding venue to give you the space to enjoy yourself without the worry of unwanted guests spoiling your day.

That’s not all our cosy and intimate wedding venue has to offer however; we also have 12 deluxe bedrooms that sleep up to 25 guests, perfect for housing your guests the night before and evening of your big day. From King rooms to Double Deluxe rooms, we have a fabulous choice to suit everyone.

Last but most certainly not least, we wouldn’t be That Amazing Place without our dog-friendly policy. Unlike a great deal of wedding venues up and down the country, we allow you to bring your four legged friend along with you on your big day because after-all, they’re family aren’t they?

Now of course, we couldn’t possibly squeeze every ounce of “amazingness” into one short blog but we think that goes a little way to explaining just why our wedding venue is as popular as it is. For more information, simply contact us today.