Pretty Vintage

Finding the right Vintage Crockery Hire company.

2011-10-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

When it comes to Vintage Crockery Hire there are a number of aspects to consider. I have lots of customers who come to me having collected lovely pieces themselves and so they only require top up items. It is fun to hunt the car boots and flea markets for your own vintage treasures, but I know from experience that it can be hard work too. Therefore a vintage crockery hire company is definitely the way to take the strain out of finding 120 matching cups and saucers in excellent condition or 30 teapots that aren’t stained , crazed or cracked.

Websites are a great way to gage a companies style and taste as they are your visual shop window. If you don’t like 60’s crockery (which personally I don’t) then keep your eyes out in the gallery images for pieces that suit your palette. The chances are if they have a style of crockery pictured in the gallery then you’re likely to get a good proportion of it in your order. Also be aware that most vintage china hire companies can’t usually guarantee to stick to a colour theme. The nature of vintage china for hire is that it’s usually fairly eclectic and unless a company has an enormous stock they probably won’t be able to supply you with just pink and turquoise cups for example. It can be useful to try and make an appointment to view examples of the sort of thing you may receive in an order. We happily do this at Pretty Vintage, and it’s lovely to meet potential customers in person. It also gives us a chance to show clients ideas and items that they may no have previously considered.

My final point is that it is terribly easy to set up a vintage crockery hire company. All you need is some time to trawl the car boots and a bit of spare cash. However, be warned, this doesn’t necessarily make for a successful hire company. An eye for beautiful detail and an ability to see how pieces in the collection hang together as a whole is essential. A vintage crockery hire company supplying a customer with random crockery because it’s over 30 years old is not going to make your wedding day perfection. Look carefully at the company and what they offer. If the photography looks exquisite then it’s likely the crockery will be of a high standard, and the person that chooses it has some style and creativity. It also may be that you have to spend a little more, but if the company is worth their salt then you get what you pay for.

My Wedding Cake

2011-10-26T00:03:00.000-07:00

I just found this photo of my wedding cake and I had forgotten how much I loved it. It was a bit of struggle to get the lady who made it not to cover it in the usual wedding nonsense. After a number of conversations she finally understood that I just wanted tiny dots and some simple piping.
We actually forgot to cut the cake on our wedding day as we were having such a great time. I cried about it on our honeymoon. Weddings do send us all around the twist just a tiny bit.

Cup and Saucer Place Setting Idea

2011-10-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Cream lace, fabric doily, elegant china, macarons, ribbon and topped with a fresh blossom. Exquisite.

Homemade place setting

2011-10-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

Another simple homemade place setting. The font is called Blackadder ipc and I have just used some pretty paper again to make border. Took two minutes and looks so heavenly next to a gorgeous rose and some thin pale pink satin ribbon.

Pretty Tips

2011-10-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

Right, on the advice of a lovely friend I'm going to start posting ideas, ideas and more ideas on my sadly neglected blog. Lots of pretty, simple tips and designs for your wedding day or event to supplement your vintage china hire. This image shows a 1950's spotty teacup with homemade parcel tag, using beautiful wrapping paper. I've tied it with a piece of pretty ribbon. and used stripey grossgrain ribbon around the neck of a lovely little pressed glass vase which cost £1.00 from my local charity shop!

2011-10-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Am excited about a new photoshoot coming up. Will be some beautiful and inspirational new images to view on the website soon.

2011-04-24T02:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter.x

First Norfolk Vintage Wedding Fair

2011-04-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

Pretty Vintage exhibited at the first ever Vintage Wedding Fair at St Andrews Hall in Norwich on Saturday. It was full of beautiful and unusual options for a vintage wedding. See images attached.

Pretty Vintage at local wedding fair.

2011-03-26T07:10:00.001-07:00

Look for Pretty Vintage with our beautiful stand at the first ever Vintage Wedding Fair in Norwich. 'A Most Curious Vintage Wedding Fair' St Andrews Hall, Norwich. Saturday 16th April 2011 11am until 5pm.

Pretty Vintage in April Vogue

2011-03-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

Pretty Vintage is featured in Vogue this month. Page 292 features Vogues guide to A Royal Affair - A day fit for a princess. Find Pretty Vintage at number 14. Hooray!

2010-11-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

My wonderful husband spent most of last night whittling corks to fit the bottoms of my lovely cruet sets! Do they call it above and beyond the call of duty?

2010-11-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

Car boots in the drizzle, but I still love it! However I am running out of room in my basement. Perhaps I need a Pretty Vintage house! Don't miss The Little Vintage Lovers Fair coming up on Sunday 14th November. It's at Sussex Barns near Burnham Market.

2010-11-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

Have a look at www.sweetdaysandroses.co.uk. Such a pretty website and a delightful girl to help you plan the perfect wedding day with beautiful vintage touches.

Norfolk Vintage Wedding Fair

2010-09-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Watch this space for the first ever Norfolk Vintage Wedding Fair. Coming soon....

2010-09-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

Pretty Vintage has provided 52 weddings and parties with stunning vintage crockery so far this year. Our beautiful stock is ever growing and changing. More photos to view soon.

Bank Holiday

2010-08-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

A lovely visit to North Creake antique and collectors fair and a car boot sale. Heaven! Found some lovely new butter dishes and cake stands.

Norfolk Vintage Wedding Fair

2010-07-31T04:45:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in exhibiting at the first ever Norfolk Vintage Wedding Fair early next year? Please get in touch with me. Also Good Luck to everyone getting married today that has chosen the lovely Pretty Vintage collection to set off your day. Oh and watch out for the Cotswold Company Autumn Catalogue through your door. It will be sporting a beautiful selection of Pretty Vintage crockery.

2010-07-25T03:06:00.000-07:00

Pretty Vintage has lots of beautiful new bunting available for hire. There will photos to view in the gallery soon. Also a FAQ page will be up and running shortly.

2010-07-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Have just returned from a sunny Latitude, but unfortunately minus my phone!! My apologies to anyone who has tried to contact Pretty Vintage. Please email me and my phone will be back up and running very soon.xx

2010-07-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

5 wedddings this weekend but all packed and despatched....Phew! Have bought some beautiful new stock and have lots of gorgeous new bunting too. Lovely packing crockery in the sunshine.x

Busy busy

2010-06-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Pretty Vintage has never been so busy! My life is a never ending stream of packing and washing gorgeous crockery and I'm not complaining. Thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments about the website. Also for taking the time to email after your wedding events to say how pleased you have been. I will be putting a customer comments page on the website as soon as I get a chance! Off to buy more stock on Monday from a big antiques fair. Enjoy the sunshine.x

2010-06-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Oh and please look at my beautiful selection of new photographs in the Pretty Vintage gallery. Alvin Burrows has once again exceeded my photographic expectations.

2010-06-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

Oh dear been a long time! Very very busy wedding season so not much time to blog or think straight! Just had a fantastic article in Aga Living Magazine and also Pretty Vintage was mentioned in Sainsburys Magazine this month. Very exciting!
I have lots of beautiful new bunting and some more vintage champagne saucers on their way too. By the way it's The Little Vintage Lovers Fair today at Heydon in Norfolk. Too busy to go but definately a must if you have some free time. Back to bubblewrapping and counting cake plates for me!

2010-04-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Sunny day and a big antiques fair - heaven! Deck chairs, tin baths and a pretty spotty tea set. A goods days hunting. Photo shoot booked for the 8th so lots more beautiful pictures for the website very soon.

2010-03-29T06:06:00.000-07:00

Have a look at a lovely piece about Alice in Wonderland at Green My Style. http://www.greenmystyle.com/mad-hatters-tea-parties-with-an-eco-twist/

2010-03-28T06:09:00.000-07:00

Gathered up lots of new and beautiful pieces yesterday including some lovely galvanised tin baths, perfect for champagne.
Also came accross a brilliant website called www.love-vintage.co.uk which makes vintage bouquets, but also has lots of pretty accessories including romantic paper rose garlands. Definately worth a look.x

2010-03-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sunny day. Have just received the most amazing vintage croquet set. Am trying desperately to stop my two year old from hammer throwing! Anyone for croquet?

2010-03-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

So I'm not the best blogger I realise! However here I am again to tell you to look at a beautiful blog called Luphia Loves. It's full of amazing photos and gorgeous things....clever girl.
Off to another antiques fair this weekend to find some beautiful bargains, only this time with my 3 little ones in tow. Could be stressful with 3 under the age of 4 and a room full of crockery.
My husband just bought me a beautiful present of tons of ready cut pretty fabric to make a patchwork quilt from Liberty. Thank you Mister.xx

2010-02-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

Am excited as lots of beautiful crockery arriving this week. Especially lovely dinner plates. Also have found a wonderful supply of gorgeous bunting to add to my stocks.

2010-02-18T11:21:00.000-08:00

Pretty Vintage is starting to make mismatched vintage cake stands. Lots for me and then some for you when we get round to selling them. Very exciting.

2010-02-14T03:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day to my wonderful husband x
Find Vintage Clothing at St Gregory's Church, Pottergate for absolutely ravishing vintage clothing and accessories. Also there is a lovely little antiques fair every Wednesday in the cloisters at St Andrews Hall. I think it's on 10am to 4pm. Definately worth a visit.

2010-02-13T04:51:00.000-08:00

Lovely things at the little vintage fair at The Langtry. Pretty clothing, cupcakes and crockery.

2010-02-13T02:53:00.000-08:00

Off to The Langtry Vintage Fair. Hopefully find something exciting.

2010-02-12T00:49:00.000-08:00

Lots of new and beautiful crockery added to my range after scouring the antique fairs last weekend. Also Pretty Vintage will be showing at The Little Vintage Lovers Fair on the 6th March at Dragon Hall. There's also a vintage craft fair at The Langtry Pub on Unthank Road, this Saturday from 11 till 3.

2010-02-04T03:53:00.000-08:00

Photo shoot coming up soon with lots of new images on Pretty Vintage. Watch this space.

2010-01-30T08:14:00.000-08:00

A beautiful blue skied snowy Saturday. Having a lovely day with my 3 little ones and have just started an Elmer mural on my little boy, Rufus's bedroom wall.

2010-01-29T05:49:00.000-08:00

Today has included a visit from a bride to be with lots of lovely ideas for teapots filled with huge pale pink roses and peonies. Also I am bubble wrapping like a demon to prepar for the vintage show that is in Harpenden this weekend. Why not go and have a look at our beautiful stand. It sounds as if the fair will be full of wonderful vintage finds. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? 'Vintage Fashion and Accessories Fair' Sunday 31st Jan 10am - 4pm Admission £2.50 Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PL.

2010-01-28T03:31:00.000-08:00

I am throwing a birthday tea for my lovely friend Kate today. Home made chocolate chip cookies and the flattest cheese scones I've ever managed to make! More haste less speed. A good excuse to get out my bunting and tea pots. Sometimes it seems like everyone else benefits from all the pretty crockery so fun to use it myself. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE.X

My first day!

2010-01-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

Pretty Vintage blog is up up and away - in a vintage balloon of course! I aim to write about everything I love and also to promote people who are doing beautiful things for weddings and parties predominantly in Norfolk but elsewhere too if the mood takes me. While you're here you could have a sneaky look at my website that hires out gorgeous vintage crockery