The Marquee at The Keeper and the Dell

We're so very proud of our lovely marquee. It is one of very few round ended vintage marquees. It's wonderful shape means that it sits so very perfectly down in the Dell. With natural canvas and beautiful old wooden poles and finials, it really is a beauty.

 

When we first began planning weddings & celebrations here at The Keeper and the Dell, we were determined to find a marquee which would fit well with the landscape and with our vintage style. After much searching for the perfect one, we were so very lucky to be introduced to the Bloomfield Family of Great Yarmouth. Before then, all we could find were ugly metal & plastic marquees, overly opulent Indian tents and dark teepees. Not only was a Bloomfield marquee perfectly fitting, it came with a local history and a family bond which made it even more special. 

The Bloomfield Family have been living and working in Norfolk for many generations. Each and every one of their marquees has been homemade by members of the family at their own workshop. With skills & expertise learned from years of living and working on the Norfolk coast, the Bloomfield family have created beautiful natural marquees since 1874 which have lasted and surpassed all others. Our own marquee was handmade on a Singer sewing machine over 40 years ago. 

As well as the pretty natural canvas, the marquee has beautiful strong poles, painted a rich green and topped with a bright red finial. The ropes are thick and strong, and held in place with wonderfully rustic stakes ~ when this beauty goes up, it is like living within the circus!

We also love to use Bloomfields rustic wooden tables and chairs in our marquee ~ they really fit with the style and feel, and are so very practical. These look pretty left plain, or can be really dressed up with cloths, flowers and other vintage props & pretties. 

We have added a coconut matting flooring underfoot, which with it's rustic coloured stripes, works really well with the style of the marquee and furniture. Up above, we have hung pretty festoon lighting and 3 large chandeliers, giving the marquee a wonderfully opulent vintage feel, perfectly ready for any occasion. We can then add pretty bunting, and from there our Brides and their helpers are free to decorate the marquee however they wish. It really is a pretty blank canvas, ready for the magic to begin. 

Here are a few photos of how other Brides (and their Grooms, of course), have decorated the marquee for their own special day. 

Enjoy x

 

And so begins April, with Blossom & Blooms in every corner

It's a Beautiful Sunday, Beautiful People

Good Morning One & All! What an absolutely delightful Spring day it is! I was up very early with the larks and the goats, who enjoyed skipping around on the damp grass with the sunshine on their backs. I'm hoping to get all my indoor work done pretty quick so I can go out there and join them again for a walk around our pretty Dell. I may even dust off the bicycle and take a little ride in nearby Ringland Hills.

First off though, as The Keeper is away skiing ,I'm going to thoroughly enjoy a rare moment of having this big bed to myself, and cover the duvet with all my notebooks, magazines and enjoy tapping away on the laptop for an hour or two. 

 
As well as answering the huge amount of enquiries for Wedding Celebrations  that have come in over the last couple of days, I'm going to enjoy catching up with the latest posts on Blogs such as Rock n Roll Bride and Love My Dress, I have particularly enjoyed Kat's post 'What is Your Purpose?. It really struck a resonance with me as I have really found a 'job' which I so truly love, that it feels more like 'a calling' ~ it is such an honour when a couple choose to marry at The Keeper and the Dell and I'm delighted that I can then help them with their own wedding plans, which fit in with how they live  and how they love each other, rather than following a strict format or plan.

If you have been intouch, hoping to be able to come and see The Keeper and the Dell, you will know that we have been so very busy and pretty much fully booked over the new few weeks with bookings & viewings. Hopefully we will be able to show all of you our great place, but in the meantime, have a good read of our website, especially the Nitty Gritty page which should answer any of your questions and help you decide if our place is the right one for you both.

When planning your wedding, its a good idea to really think about what aspects of your day are most important to you ~ this maybe the freedom to choose whichever caterer/florist you wish, or to be able to bring & serve your own drinks and not be charged corkage or for some, or knowing you can have live music until late around a fire. We may not be able to fulfil your every wish but whatever your special points are, you can then use the internet to research carefully through all the venues own websites and ask the right questions before you book a viewing. It's also important to remember that when choosing an outdoor venue with a rustic vibe, such as The Keeper and the Dell, that it is important to let your own plans 'bend with nature', relax up a little and allow your own day to flow.

Now it's time for me to pop the kettle on for that second cup of tea of the day and then once I've answered the latest enquiries from excited Brides, I'll head out into the wonderful sunshine and enjoy the peacefulness of a pretty Dell with a couple of gorgeous goats for company. Whatever your own plans, whether it be for a Sunday or a 'Some Day', make them your own and then hopefully you'll be as happy as a black goat in a bucket.

Lolly x

A cold & frosty morning on the last day of February with Bow River & Bilbo, the goats

The Keeper and the Dell is officially listed in Brides Magazine's Top 100 Venue Guide!

Introducing Cupsa Daisy Vintage and their lovely exclusive offer to our couples marrying at The Keeper and the Dell this Summer

Hello & welcome to the latest addition to our Norfolk Love family, Cupsa Daisy Vintage.  Based in Cromer on the North Norfolk coast they are perfectly situated to provide a delightful touch of "days gone by" with charming period crockery, exquisite vintage fine china, gorgeous glassware and vintage decorative accessories, all perfect for any wedding or celebration held at The Keeper and the Dell. 

If you are looking to add a romantic flourish to your vintage themed wedding, Cupsa Daisy Vintage can help you add your own unique style into your special day. They have beautiful vintage mix or match china including an amazing selection of tea cups, teapots, cake stands, small cake plates, sandwich plates, milk jugs, sugar bowls, table cloths, bunting and so much more to add that final touch. 

There are already lots of great reasons to go vintage with Cupsa Daisy Vintage ~ they are a lovely little independent company in Norfolk, they offer free delivery & collection within a 20 mile radius, a free washing up service, and most importantly have some of the prettiest china I have seen (and I promise you, I have seen ALOT of vintage china!).

As a special little Norfolk Love offer, Cupsa Daisy Vintage are offering an exclusive proposal to all our couples who are marrying at The Keeper and the Dell this Summer. They will include free delivery & collection (we're 23 miles apart) AND also their  unpacking and repacking service worth £40.   To enjoy this wonderful offer, contact Vanessa direct, letting her know your wedding date here at The Keeper and the Dell. Your order will need to total over £80 and all of the normal T&C's as seen on their website will apply.  I really look forward to seeing Vanessa's wonderful vintage china here this Summer at our beautiful weddings.

A Vintage Valentines Offer to all our couples getting married at The Keeper and the Dell this Summer

This little Norfolk owned Puck Caravan will be available for sleepover hire at any of our weddings this Season. As a special Valentines offer, any bookings made before the 14th February will enjoy a lovely discount.  The usual price for this season is £140.00 for one nights stay in the Puck at the Dell, but you can enjoy this little piece of vintage sleepover for just £100.00

 

The Puck can be used in the day time with its little table up in place and then in the evening, folds down into a comfy double bed with full bedding. There's even cute vintage china & board games to use and pretty lighting to make it even sweeter in the evening. No worries about setting up or taking down your own tent, or having to load up the car with duvets & pillows. Here is your chance to enjoy a little piece of Vintage prettiness and sleep in our pretty Birch Garden. 

This offer is open to our couples who have booked a wedding with us this Summer or for any of their guests to enjoy.  Our own little Puck is still available for daytime hire as a photobooth or a great little vintage styled prop ~ the two Pucks together look extra sweet.  

Contact Lolly before 14th February with your booking to enjoy this great Valentines offer.