HOT BRANDSCOOL PLACES

JULY 2014FASHION CULTURE LIFESTYLE

The Wedding Issue

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to our 2014 Wedding issue full of inspiration for your special day. We have fascinating interviews with Phillipa Lepley, couture bridal designer, Zoe Joseph, Founder of Heritage Stationery and Charles Duncombe Co. Founder of Holidays Please. We also have features on Choosing the Perfect Gift and Designing your Home Together. To help you plan your honeymoon we have a supplement full of the most delightful destinations from our Travel and Places to Stay Directory, including the first of a new series on Special Locations, this month we feature: Number One Dart Marina.

We hope you enjoy this special issue!

www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com

Picture CreditsFront cover image courtesy of www.phillipalepley.com/ Dress Featured: Rose Swarovski Ballerina Dress

Honeymoon cover image courtesy of Number One Dart Marina Other images throughout the magazine supplied by the various companies, or publishers featured.

Please Note All information about products and services are supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, or news items.

Inclusion in this magazine does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.

REAL FLOWERS

Bespoke florists specialising in hand tied arrangements filled with perfumed flowers and aromatic herbs. The Real Flower Company will create glorious arrangements unique to your style, venue and above all budget. Our professional florists will ensure beautiful

scented flowers for the most memorable wedding day.

www.realflowers.co.uk

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VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

Van Cleef & Arpels’ solitaire rings collection gives pride of place to unique colored stones that meet the highest standards. The various models – in gold or platinum – are adorned with sapphires, rubies or emeralds. The rings amply reflect the enchanted style of Van

Cleef & Arpels. Timeless and creative, their forms are drawn from the themes of Nature, Couture, Imagination and the language of love. Stockist Details: Van Cleef & Arpels, 9

New Bond Street, 020 7493 0400

www.vancleefarpels.com

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NICKI MACFARLANE

Nicki Macfarlane is the UK’s leading designer of beautiful flower girl, bridesmaid and pageboy outfits. Nicki has designed many dresses for Royal and society weddings, including HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. All dresses are handmade in England, using the finest fabrics.

www.nickimacfarlane.com

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HARRIET WILDE

London based, Harriet Wilde designs exquisite designer wedding shoes, the bridal shoes are renowned for style and comfort. The collection of bridal shoes are crafted in ivory satin,

metallics, soft kid suedes and lace with matching hand bags. Accessories are now also available.

www.harrietwilde.com

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BELLA BRIDAL ACCESSORIES

Add that extra special touch of glamour to your wedding day with Bella Bridal Accessories. We have a wonderful selection of beautiful wedding accessories ranging from vintage style pieces to modern hair vines and so much more. We also have collections perfect for your

bridal party such as bridesmaid dresses and party shoes for children.

www.bellabridalaccessories.co.uk

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JON AND MICHAELA

With Jon and Michaela wedding photography you have the option of two photographers.Their style is natural, capturing morning preparations to the first dance. An unlimited number of

shots is presented on disc ready for print and handmade photo book albums are also available.

www.jonandmichaela.co.uk

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LITTLE BEVAN

Enchanting dresses for flower girls, super cute separates for pageboys, pretty dresses for teens & adults. Inspired by the luxury of vintage fashions, with a delicate touch and fresh

appeal – a quintessential English look, produced in the heart of London – clothes to treasure for a memorable day.

www.littlebevan.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Phillipa Lepley - couture bridal

designer for an exclusive interview

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I like to begin by sitting down to talk about the wedding to understand the dress they envisage. All our appointments are an hour and a half long, so we really take the time to get to know the bride. Due to the time we take over every bespoke creation as well as fitting the bride with our finessed body minimizing corsetry, we aim to make brides feel wonderful for the happiest day of their lives. It really is all about the difference with us – we spend lots and lots of time with each bride throughout the whole process – to ensure a totally immaculate look is created – each individual gown for each individual bride. “

What are the key stages in creating a wedding dress and what are your favourite parts of the process?

With 25 years in the couture bridal business, I believe in being very hands-on, always overseeing my team of ‘petites-mains’ (each of whom have their own specialism and area of expertise). There are four key processes in creating a Phillipa Lepley gown; the consultation with the bride, the measurements, the toile (mock-up) fittings and finally the brides’ dress fittings. It is a very detailed process, but here at Phillipa Lepley my team of artisans work tirelessly to create the ‘perfect dress’, ensuring a quick turnaround is made for brides who can’t wait to say ‘I do’. I would say my favourite parts are the beginning – designing on the bride and the end – the final look – final check fitting, all finished and ready for the wedding.

What are your plans for the future?

I embark on the next 25 with the same passion as the last. I believe we will continue to provide brides with wedding dress that are created for one day to last a lifetime, made with love , passion and integrity.

What are your favourite ways of relaxing?

My down-time is spent either with my family, cooking and pottering at home and my gorgeous white bichon-frise or travelling to my favourite parts of Europe. Walking on beaches is probably when I’m most relaxed but I do love to scour boutiques and warehouses for new materials– these trips are sacred as they have always given me inspiration for new Phillipa Lepley designs.

www.phillipalepley.com/

You are celebrating your 25th anniversary this year, what have been your highlights during that period?

To mark the brand’s Silver Anniversary, we at Phillipa Lepley have created a commemorative dress and veil. To honour such an exciting time, the ‘Phillipa’ gown was made to exemplify everything that represents the brand - artisanal luxury and exquisite craftsmanship. The gown is comprised of an oversized grand Italian Duchesse Satin skirt, and a heavily embellished bodice encrusted with diamante, crystal and vintage silver pearls - all reflective of what I like to call OCDetail! How have wedding dress designs changed over that time?

Wedding dress designs have changed rather a lot over 25 years. However, at Phillipa Lepley, we have always been known for creating timeless, feminine and refined dresses. I like to design dresses that will stand the test of time as well as they can. After all you have to remember, you will be looking at your wedding photos forever….”

What makes a Phillipa Lepley dress special?

At Phillipa Lepley, we love to look after brides on a one-to-one basis and find the dress that suits them.

FIONA CAIRNS

Fiona Cairns Ltd designs and creates luxury cakes. From celebration and bespoke wedding cakes to tea time treats, there is a cake for everyone. Classically designed with contemporary twists, each and every cake is lovingly hand-made and hand-decorated using only the best

ingredients, ensuring that each one tastes as good as it looks.

www.fionacairns.com

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BY ELISE

By Elise offers an eclectic mix of Pearl and Gemstone jewellery suitable for any Bride. The Collection includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The pearl necklaces and

bracelets come in an array of shapes and sizes, and a stunning pearl and crystal Collar for those wishing to make a real statement on their special day. The Earring Collection has

something to suit the bridesmaids, the brides mother as well as the bride herself. There are even some spectacular blue crystal drops for ‘Something Blue’ on the day.

www.byelise.com or Tel- 0044-1757-633239

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INTERVIEW

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Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Zoe Joseph, Founder of Heritage

Stationery for an exclusive interview. You are celebrating your 21st anniversary this year, what have been your highlights during that period?

2014 is Heritage’s 21st Anniversary. I can’t believe how fast the years have passed. Our highlights over the years have been expanding our ranges to include every style of bespoke stationery imaginable, along with moving into offering the highest quality digital print in the UK, together with our specialist print and finishing services, and growing into the internationally recognised brand we are today.

How have stationery designs changed during that time?

Design is never static, so we are always creating new ideas and trends. In this age of email and texts, the demand is high for communicating in the traditional way with High Quality Personalised Stationery. The Heritage brand identity is classic in style, clean, crisp and up to date. Everything we offer is bespoke so we will always help our customers to create an item of stationery uniquely personal to them.

What makes Heritage Stationery special?

With our many years of experience creating Luxury Bespoke stationery for just about every type of event imaginable we have the skill and expertise to take ideas and turn them into a printed reality, anyone looking for bespoke stationery that they will want to keep and treasure for years to come will be delighted with the highly personalised and unique stationery products we can create. Heritage also has the expertise and staff to help each and every customer on a very personal level. I know from experience how frustrating it is when you can’t get in touch with a company to discuss an order or get answers to relevant questions so this is something we strive to avoid. We always encourage human contact!

What are the key things a bride and groom should remember when choosing stationery?

Your Wedding Invitations set the tone of your wedding, either by being formal and traditional, or more contemporary and light hearted. Like everything for your wedding day, it all depends on what is right for you and what you want. Usually couples choose a style and let this follow through all the stationery they need for their wedding, in other words a theme is chosen and then used on the save the date cards, wedding invitations, order of service’s, menu’s and place cards, it’s all a matter of choice.

When planning a wedding or special event it’s important to choose the right company to work with to make your day exactly as you’ve dreamt it would be. Time and time again at Heritage we see customers who have used a company to supply their stationery, only to be bitterly disappointed when it arrives. ALWAYS ask for a proof and actual copy in the post before agreeing to pay for your order.

What are your plans for the future?

Currently we are busy building a new and exciting website, our aim is to continue to be the UK’s leading first class bespoke stationery company, and to create wedding stationery in the future for those children we have produced birth announcements for!

What makes a perfect holiday for you?

The perfect holiday for me is to relax in the sun with my family. I have 3 children and time away from our busy life is the most precious. It is time to reflect, renew and to come back with new energy and ideas.

http://www.heritage-stationery.com/

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GIFT ATELIER

The Gift Atelier is an online gift boutique offering original and high-quality accessories and lifestyle gifts for ladies, gents and the home. All gifts are selected for their originality,

making it the ideal site to find the perfect wedding gift.

www.giftatelier.com

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ELLA JAMES

Shop at http://www.ellajames.co.uk/ for pretty gifts and inspiration - a gorgeous selection of delightful wedding gifts or to dress the table for any wedding.

www.ellajames.co.uk

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LSA INTERNATIONAL

With their unique aesthetic and enduring quality, LSA International is an innovator in contemporary porcelain and mouthblown glassware. With over 250 new pieces released each year, make your selection from their coveted range of drinkware, serveware, and

decorative accessories.

www.lsa-international.com

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LINLEY

Looking for that extra special gift? British design company LINLEY have a beautiful collection of stunning homewares and other creations, including the Limited Edition

Diamond Jewellery Box. Most LINLEY products have plaques which can be engraved and this makes a really lovely touch, especially on a wedding present - the Heart Cake

Slice is particularly good for this.

http://www.davidlinley.com

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FEATURE

Choosing the perfect gift

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Whether you are buying gifts for the bride and groom, or gifts for your best men, bridesmaids, ushers or parents, or even favours they should be special and serve as a reminder of the day.

Gifts from the bride and groom to guestsOne of the best ways of doing this is to create an overall theme for the wedding and choose gifts that link with this theme. If you know the interests of your special guests then try and find gifts that will be treasured by them beyond the wedding day. If for example you have chosen a vintage theme, you could search for vintage jewellery, or vintage style gifts that are unique and different.

If you are focusing on the bridal bouquet you can choose jewellery that picks up the flower design for gifts for the bridesmaids and the mothers of the bride and groom gifts. Gifts for the men can be more challenging, but again personalised jewellery can be chosen as a special gift, or something linked to their hobbies or interests.

There are a number of websites that specialise in personalised wedding gifts which are listed below, but always remember to allow time for the personalisation.

As well as bouquets of flowers you may want to explore the options of gifts of living plants/small trees which may be sent after the event, and serve as a more lasting reminder.

With wedding favours there is always the implication of cost particularly if you have a large number of guests, but again if you research a number of providers you will find something that works with your overall theme. Some popular options include handmade soap, wish charms, handmade macarons, or cookies, sometimes with the date, or names included.

Gifts for the bride and groomToday many people take the option of simply choosing something from a wedding list, give money, or a gift voucher, but if you have the choice of choosing something yourself, the same principles apply as above, always try and find gifts that will be treasured by them beyond the wedding day.

If you are looking to have something engraved or personalised, always allow lead times, with time built in just in case it isn’t quite right. Always try and find out as much as possible about the future home of the bride and groom, (see feature later in this issue) so that you can buy something that matches their taste and colour scheme.

As with the gifts that the bride and groom may give, choosing something living like an olive, bay, or citrus tree, can be a delightful and enduring gift. They may also appreciate an annual membership to something that may be outside of their budget. Cutlery, linen and unique pieces of glassware can also be very appreciated by the bride and groom.

Always be careful about choosing pictures, or artwork as personal choice can vary so much, however a studio gift voucher gives them the option.

Sources of inspiration for wedding gifts

https://www.etsy.com/uk/browse/weddings?ref=fp_ln_new_weddings

http://www.handpickedcollection.com/gifts/wedding.html

http://www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com/

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/gifts/shop-by-occasion/wedding

Images from left to right courtesy of: Designers Guild, Glazebrook & Co., LSA International, LINLEY and Ella James

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GLAZEBROOK & CO.

Glazebrook & Co. Classic Cutlery for modern living. Finest Stainless Steel designs with alternative dishwasher safe Cream and Black Handle Knives. A perfect wedding gift. For

more information visit: www.glazebrook.com Email: sales@glazebrook.com or Tel: 020 7731 7135 Free Sample Service. Delivery Worldwide

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DESIGNERS GUILD

Established in 1970 by Tricia Guild, Designers Guild is a luxury, lifestyle company, which designs and wholesales furnishing fabrics, wallcoverings, upholstery, bed and bath and

home accessories worldwide, with an online shop available in the UK and US.

www.designersguild.com

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THE MARGARET TAYLOR COLLECTION

Would you like a tile mural or a hand painted bespoke piece of china? Please get in touch for an informal chat. If you decide to have the art work done, you will receive a sketch for your approval. Tiles or china are then painted before being kilned. Once fired at very high

temperatures the paint is fused into the surface of the china and is indelible.

www.themargarettaylorcollection.co.uk/

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BLUE ISLE

Classic Furniture and lighting with a sophisticated and contemporary edge. Blue Isle’s online collection features solid, white weathered oak teamed with crisp, ecru linens.

Reclaimed wood and metal pieces add a more urban feel. A timeless style for town, coast and country.

www.blueisle.co.uk

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CHH DESIGN

British designer, Caroline Hely Hutchinson’s distinctive and fabulously exuberant, hand painted range brings joie de vivre to the home and garden. The finest bone china is for

aficionados of the refined, chic and modern table. Luxuriously gift boxed for wedding and birthday presents.

www.chh-design.com

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RED LILLY

New vibrant home wares to personalise your space and creative lighting, planters for outdoor living. Beautiful stone and silver jewellery collections.

www.redlilly.co.uk

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FEATURE

Designing your Home Together

The wedding is over, the honeymoon was bliss, and then you return home………

Your wedding day is a very special event, but once the joy of that day and the honeymoon are over, most people have to return to the reality of living together. Taking time to plan this joint home can really help long-term harmonious living. One of the biggest challenges is often time, planning a wedding can take up so much time that couples often neglect to plan their future home. In today’s society many people already are living together, but even if that is the case you may want to refresh your home ready for your new lives together. Just like any creative activity, it is important to have an overall framework, before you fill in the detail. If you are creating a new home there are real advantages in planning the overall ‘look and feel’ of your home.

In the months before your wedding try and allow time to explore other people’s homes, restaurants, bars, hotels, magazines, all can provide inspiration, but ultimately it is your own personal choice. Creating a mood board with colours, textures, furniture designs and swatches of material is a great place to start. If you are renting a property you may have less choice in wall décor, but if you own your property it is still worth having a level of caution before you create a very bold statement wall!

Creating your ‘home brand’Just as the company you work for has a brand, your home is part of your personal/joint brand. It gives out messages about who you are, your lifestyle and creates its own personality. Think about different homes you have visited and how they make you feel. There are homes that immediately make you feel relaxed, and others, which are so beautiful you are almost afraid to sit nervously on a chair, or so cluttered one feels overwhelmed by its ‘busyness.’

Creating a home that reflects you and your partner is important if you are both going to be happy living there.

Decide the ‘look and feel’ Designing your home should be pleasurable, but should also play to people’s strengths, so if you love interior design and your partner is more ambivalent, agree the broad parameters of how your home should feel and then one of you can take the lead responsibility for the detail. It can also help with the overall design if you decide on a theme, this doesn’t have to be too rigid, but thinking about the overall style of the home, whether you decide on a seaside/nautical look, or a warm romantic feel, or a chic urban style can help shape the rest of your choices.

Personal SpaceWith smaller properties, it can sometimes be a challenge to allow personal space, or accommodate all your personal interests, especially if one or both are you are working from home. If one of you has a style that is more individual, or has a particular hobby, or interest, not shared by the other than try and dedicate space either inside, or outside the property where this can be explored.

Colour choicesThis can be an interesting discussion point between couples, as colour preferences can be so personal. There are many sources of information about colours, and their impact, but the biggest factor is your and your partner’s reaction to the individual colours. Sample pots of paint can help, but you can also use material to create large blocks of colour to test living with the colour. Try this over a few days to gauge how you will feel over a period of time, sometimes it can be as small as a shade difference that is needed.

Creating a colour palette that runs through out the property can be one of the most enjoyable parts of setting up home, it allows you to take an overview of how you would like your home to develop. Your choice of colours can also inform your Wedding Gift List, and sharing elements of your mood board/ colour scheme will help others to choose something that will fit with your overall design.

Something uniqueAs well as the practical items such as furniture and furnishings, you can also personalize your home with a statement item, something that is special to you both; a painting, a map, or a personal photograph or print that is created just for you. There are more incredibly talented artists and craftspeople today than ever before, and finding a painting, or sculpture that resonates for you, or commissioning a piece of artwork will give your home something unique to treasure for years to come.

Image courtesy of Loaf - www.loaf.com

Sources of Inspiration

The Great Interior Design Challenge - Katherine Sorrell

Kelly Hoppen - Design Masterclass: How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams – Kelly Hoppen

Colour Deconstructed - Tricia Guild

Bright Bazaar - Will Taylor

We also have a fabulous collection of companies in in our latest Homes issue: http://issuu.com/hotbrands/docs/hbcphome2014

ANCIENNE AMBIANCE

Treat yourself or someone else to exquisitely fragranced luxuries, inspired by the roses of ancient times, from London-based luxury brand Ancienne Ambiance. As recommended by

Vogue, The Good Web Guide, Positive Luxury, The Beauty Shortlist & many more.

http://www.ancienneambiance.com

MEL MILLIS

Mel Millis, an artisan luxury collection of organic phytonutrient skincare. Formulated with the purest and potent organic bioactive phytonutrients extracted from plants. Garden

your body with the proven science of nature. Re Energise, Rebalance, Revitalise, Explore and Fulfil Your Quest and prepare for your wedding day.

www.melmillis.co.uk

NuBo®

NuBo® boutique skincare delivers a diamond standard experience that is as effective as it is enticing. Using the world’s most advanced technology, NuBo® offers intelligent, style-conscious people a truly exclusive invitation to skin that looks, feels and performs better.

www.nubo.com

The Honeymoon Guide

The Honeymoon GuidePlan your perfect escape together...

FEATURE

An Occasional Feature on very Special LocationsFeatured Property: Number One Dart Marina

What Makes Number One Dart Marina Special?

Number One Dart Marina, an exquisite home in a breath-taking location, offers complete luxury on the very edge of the River Dart in Dartmouth, Devon. The waterside property literally draws in the stunning River views with large French windows opening onto riverside terraces, a massive ‘porthole’ window in one luxurious bedroom and an amazing ‘tub with a view’ set in a bay window which allows guests to look up and down River while they soak.

What makes staying in a private home different?

Although you are away on holiday, you enjoy an extra level of privacy. In addition every detail of Number One has been personally chosen by its owner, whose wife is an artist and a keen collector of objet d’art so the combination of music, art, books and impeccable style makes Number One a rare find. This is pure style and comfort with a dream kitchen, a magnificent dining table with a view, deeply comfortable beds, large sofas and soft throws – all chosen to offer truly luxurious accommodation in a perfect setting. Paintings and objet d’art add a touch of culture. Contemporary pieces sit alongside a collection of silver, much of the art has been collected from around the world, and each piece is displayed with an artist’s eye for simply beautiful objects.

Why is it perfect for honeymoons?

The shiny black door to Number One, which is modestly hidden away in a quiet ‘cloister’ opens onto a wide hall with a sweeping curvy staircase with butter-soft leather and pale wood details. The stairs lead to two bedrooms, a super-king bedroom suite with long River views and the unique bath tub with a view. Up another floor the second bedroom is a romantic king with a round window which frames the sparkling River – sitting up in bed might never be the same and this would make a perfect honeymoon spot. What else is special about Number One?

Part of the multi-million pound investment in Dart Marina Hotel & Spa, Number One has the highest standards of finish with intuitive ‘scene’ lighting, air conditioning and heating, Italian porcelain, oak floors, sleek and polished Poggenpohl kitchen, SMEG appliances, Sky television, surround sound music, a TV at the foot of the bath, one touch blinds and curtains, a pantry with a floor to ceiling, temperature controlled, wine store – plus a myriad of touches to make staying at Number One a huge pleasure.

Are there other benefits?

Guests staying in Number One are welcome to use the Dart Marina Hotel Health Spa facilities which include an indoor pool, steam room, spa bath and fitness suite. Bookings can also be made for treatments which are charged separately. What else is available to enjoy in the area?

Dartmouth is a famous yachting centre with a long maritime history. The friendly town has winding streets lined with small shops selling everything from canvas deck-buckets to fabulous seafood and fine art. Number One and our Dartmouth Hotel is a short walk along the embankment of the River Dart, passing children catching crabs, small water taxis ferrying people backwards and forwards along the river and larger river cruisers – add the unmistakable sound of the steam train puffing away on the Kingswear side of the River Dart and you have the complete picture.

Within a short drive of Number One there are award winning Blue Flag beaches, beautiful Devon villages, breathtaking coastal path walks, historic houses and gardens and riverside walks. The water is a constant attraction and every type of watery experience can be had including the famous Dartmouth Royal Regatta.

For further information please call Dart Marina on 01803 832580 or visit www.dartmarina.com/numberone

BAILEY ROBINSON

Bailey Robinson are a British based luxury travel company providing tailor made holidays across hand-picked global locations. Our experts will create a holiday to match your

requirements and help you choose the best location for your honeymoon.

www.baileyrobinson.com

KESGRAVE HALL

Step back, relax and indulge at milsoms Kesgrave Hall, a contemporary 4-star hotel with 23 fabulous bedrooms ranging from standard through to the ‘top grade’. Plenty of theatre

can be found in the restaurant overlooked by the Engine Room, with head chef Stuart Oliver championing all that is great about Suffolk produce.

www.kesgravehall.com

NEW ZEALAND IN DEPTH

Founded by Paul Carberry in 2003, New Zealand in Depth specialise in creating tailor-made holidays to New Zealand. Paul has spent more than a year of his life on the ground in New Zealand and offers a genuine personal service, taking the time to understand his

clients, their interests and their needs. This is the only way to create a truly bespoke honeymoon experience.

www.newzealandindepth.com

HARBOUR HOTELS

Drenched in natural beauty, history and culture, the Harbour Hotels collection offers views and surrounding areas that can rival any Mediterranean destination. With hotels dotted along the south coast, the Harbour Hotels Collection boasts four incredible waterside

havens, all with one thing in common simply breath-taking views – and a boutique Dorset seaside hideaway. Perfect for weddings and honeymoons!

www.harbourhotels.co.uk

INTERVIEW

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Charles Duncombe Co. Founder

of Holidays Please for an exclusive interview.

When you are thinking of spending something in the early days always think “Can I spend less to get more”. Invariably if you think about for a little bit of time the answer is “yes”. Don’t just spend money when you have it, always retain that small firm mentality about costs and a large firm mentality about sales.

Where are the most popular destinations for your customers?

At the moment the Indian Ocean is incredibly popular. Destinations such as the Maldives and Mauritius in particular are proving to be real winners. Honeymoon couples especially love them which means the destinations have held up well during the recent difficult economic times.

If you like to mix your relaxation with some adventure then the Far East (Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam) are also fantastic. You can be getting a Thai massage on the beach one day and be jungle trekking the next. Although you might want to do it the other way around!

What are your hopes for the future?

We have grown from 2 people to over 70 now and we are aiming for that magic 100. We will do this by trying to be fun and different. For example we have become the first company to lend Google Glass to our customers for them to use on holiday. I dread to think of some of the pictures we are going to get back!

What do you always take in your luggage?

It might sound boring but I like to take a wifi dongle which you can put a local SIM card in. It means you can have internet with you wherever you are but only pay for data at local rates.

What made you want to run a travel company?

It started completely by accident…..

I had a friend who ran a local travel agency businesses and I was involved in internet marketing at the time. One morning he asked me to help out with some search engine marketing. Within a few hours he called me over told me to stop it because too many customers were calling and they couldn’t get any work done!

So we decided to set up www.holidaysplease.co.uk as a joint venture and we haven’t looked back since.

As a comparatively young company what advice would you have for people wanting to run their own business?

When it comes to sales think big and think different, when it comes to costs think poor (which often isn’t hard!).

Having the internet and email everywhere isn’t necessarily the most relaxing thing on holiday though and so I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone! The other thing I would take would be a reasonable amount of spending money and to make a pledge to spend it. I say this because sometimes those little extras (tips, expensive drinks etc..) can be a bit annoying. However if I have set aside some spending money and know that I am going to spend it then it helps me stop feeling that I am getting “nickel and dimed to death” when I am out there.

As someone who works in the travel business, how do you escape - what makes a perfect holiday for you?

I enjoy lying on a beach …. for about 5 minutes. I then get hot and bored!

So, I always like to arrange for lots of things to see and do when I’m on holiday. I have been lucky enough to dive with whale sharks, track black bears and bungee jump off the Victoria Falls so I am not much of a beach bum I’m afraid.

http://www.holidaysplease.co.uk/

BOVEY CASTLE

From the moment you arrive at Bovey Castle, you will instantly know that this is the venue for your wedding. As the only five-star hotel and country estate in the county, Bovey

Castle is the unrivalled location for a Devon wedding and honeymoon in a Dartmoor setting.

www.boveycastle.com

CARRIER

At Carrier, we have more than 30 years of experience creating luxury holidays. Our holidays are personal, bespoke and tailor-made to the desires of each holidaymaker, and we leave no stone unturned and no detail overlooked, a perfect honeymoon choice.

www.carrier.co.uk

THE AURORA ZONE

Designed to maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis at its peak, The Aurora Zone has created the widest range of Northern Lights holidays in Finland,

Sweden, Norway and Iceland.

www.theaurorazone.com

AUDLEY TRAVEL

Audley Travel is an award-winning tour operator that specialises in tailor-made trips and small group tours to over 80 countries around the world. Using their extensive, first-hand

knowledge, Audley’s country specialists build itineraries that match their clients’ individual interests, budget, pace and accommodation

preferences to create unique honeymoon experiences.

www.audleytravel.com

ABERCROMBIE & KENT VILLAS

Abercrombie & Kent Villas offer a wide range of luxury villas throughout Europe, from French chateaux to Tuscan farmhouses. As well as beautiful properties, we can also help

organise the finer things that make your holiday complete with everything from private chefs to local hosts to help you make the most of your honeymoon.

www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES

Exclusive Escapes provide you with wonderful villas and boutique hotels all exclusive to them. All their villas offer a ‘hotel-service’ with welcome hamper, daily maid cleaning and

car hire. In 2013 Exclusive Escapes expanded its coastal programme to include top-of-the-range seafront townhouses and in 2014 has unveiled a host of brand new opportunities to explore south west Turkey including the introduction of a new region and the launch of a

brand new hotel Alavya, and four brand new super chic coastal villas, and guided trekking on a new long-distance path-the Carian Trail.

www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk/

EXPERIENCE TRAVEL GROUP

Enriching the lives of the world’s most passionate travellers. Bespoke, luxury experienced based holidays in Asia. Experience is everything!

www.experiencetravelgroup.com

BLUE AND WHITE LOCATIONS

Blue & White Locations aims to create and showcase the most comprehensive collection of luxury properties available to rent from around the world. We help you find the chicest luxury ski chalets and villas for your honeymoon by bringing them together under one roof

and presenting them in style on our website:

www.blueandwhitelocations.com

HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES

www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com