Cornish Brides - Summer 2014

Cornish Summer 2014

With Love From

Cornish Brides I don’t know about you, but it never fails to amaze

have traced your ancestry back to Cornwall and

me how quickly the time flies. It’s either because

just love the idea of returning ‘home’ for your

I’m enjoying myself so much, or I’m just getting

special day. A lot of you brides have left the

older! Either way, it only seems like a week or so

county for work, but simply would not dream of

ago that I was sitting here at my desk in Truro

getting married anywhere else and some of you are

writing the introduction for the Spring issue of

not Cornish, but have met and fell in love with a

Cornish Brides and now here we are, almost a third

Cornishman. The reasons are many and varied, but

of the way through the year with Summer just

you all have one thing in common ... a love of

around the corner.

Cornwall and a desire to be married here. So, whilst a lot of your wedding planning may be taking

Since our last issue, another 900 couples have

place outside the county, you will be right here on

‘tied the knot’ here in Cornwall and we’ve also seen

your big day and that’s what is important.

the introduction of same sex marriages, which became law on March 29. It’s a continual

We love the thought of this because it gives us the

celebration that carries on throughout the year

opportunity to source the most amazing ideas

and lately, we’ve seen more couples coming from

and inspiration from all over the world. Of course,

outside the county to get married here in beautiful

Cornwall is a wonderfully diverse county with a

Cornwall ... and who can blame you?

multitude of talented and creative people, but the world is getting smaller every day and here at

Here at Cornish Brides, we have the privilege of

Cornish Brides, we embrace and welcome every

being in touch with brides all over the world and it’s

bride, wherever you live. So, whether you are from

so refreshing and gratifying to hear from brides

St. Austell or Sydney, Lanner or London, Penzance

who are planning their Cornish wedding from every

or Peterborough, we hope you will find everything

corner of the globe. In most cases, you have a

you need on the pages of Cornish Brides because

connection with Cornwall, having either been born

at the end of the day ... it really is all about you!

here or having relatives living here. Some of you

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

1

Say

“I

” do!

with Richardson Hotels

Our experienced wedding team will help you plan every little detail from start to finish so you can have the day you have always dreamed of.

The Metropole Hotel Padstow

Are you looking for an exquisite wedding venue with exceptional service? The Richardson collection of hotels provides the ideal venue for your wedding celebration.

We have five unique and individual hotels to choose from which can accommodate a range of ceremonies, partnerships, wedding breakfasts and evening receptions, in a beautiful and romantic atmosphere. With our award winning restaurants and chefs we can cater for the intimate gatherings or grander scale celebrations.

Situated on the stunning north coast of Cornwall this boutique hotel with it’s panoramic views over the water and harbour is perfect for photo and video opportunities.

Call on: 01841 532486

The Fowey Hotel Fowey On the south Cornish coast situated on the River Fowey surrounded by pretty gardens it’s a delightful and intimate venue, with tantalising menus, table decorations, music and entertainment to make your day truly memorable.

Call on: 01726 832551

The Falmouth Hotel

FROM

Only £2995 BASED ON 50 GUESTS

*

Falmouth Set in 5 acres of landscaped gardens enjoying a prime seafront location overlooking Falmouth Bay it offers one of the most elegant and spacious celebration venues in Cornwall.

Call on: 01326 312671

email: reservations@richardsonhotels.co.uk *Offer subject to availability terms & conditions apply.

in

. . . e u s s i this 4

White Gallery London - a review of one of the greatest bridal shows in the world

32

Beautiful Bride - news and trends from the world of weddings

42

New British Talent - introducing new bridal label, Maria Senvo

52

Social Media Pages - Neill Mabbott gives us an update on social networking news

56

The Grapevine - news and trends from the world of weddings

61

Brides Retreat - everthing you need to ensure you look and feel your best

76

Bride of Paradise - Cornish Brides photo-shoot

80

Modern vs. Traditional - what kind of mother-of-the-bride will you be?

84

Totally Tropical - create your own tropical wedding

88

Bridal Insider - behind the scenes at Rosewarne Manor

89

Grooming 窶連ndsome - our not-to-be-missed feature for all the grooms out there

104

The Grapevine - more news and trends from the world of weddings

108

When Two Worlds Collide - Carley Wetting shares more bridal experiences

114

Honeymoon Heaven - amazing ideas for your idyllic honeymoon

plus

24 pages of

fabulous

designer dresses

FRONT COVER : BRIDE OF PARADISE Photography: Ron Bushell Photography Hair and Make-up: Bridgette Capel Dresses: The Wedding Company, Bodmin Flowers: Art of Flowers Model: Leanne Ward Location: Carlyon Bay Hotel, St. Austell

www.cornishbrides.co.uk Publisher & Head of Sales Colin Robinson Editor-in-Chief Janice Robinson Communications Manager Neill Mabbott Administrator Kirsty Forbes Illustrations by Lisa Grenfell Additional Contributions from Carol Dowsett Cornish Brides Glenthorne House, Truro Business Park Truro, Cornwall TR3 6BW Tel: 01872 270169 Email: info@cornishbrides.co.uk

The inclusion of any article or advertisement in this publication does not constitute any form of accreditation by the Editor. Every effort is made to ensure that advertisements appear correctly.

However, no responsibility can be accepted for errors to individual advertisements. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY ADVERTISEMENT WHICH WE CONSIDER TO BE UNSUITABLE OR INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PUBLICATION. ﾂｩ Cornish Brides and/or individual advertisers or contributors. All rights reserved. No part, written or visual, of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

3

Now in its fifth year, White Gallery London has become synonymous for being the most significant showcase for acclaimed designers, specifically those designers who are influential in setting trends within the bridal market.

In early April, more than 70 international designers came together at Battersea Evolution in a dazzling show of the most breathtakingly innovative bridal collections, attracting the world’s most discerning buyers and press, including Cornish Brides. As an official Media Partner of White Gallery London, we had front row seats at all the catwalk shows and access to all the designers, enabling us to bring you an exclusive preview of their 2015 collections, as well as a behind the scenes look at this spectacularly stylish and elegant event.

The White Gallery London fashion shows offer an incredible array of bridal talent and this year, more designers than ever took part, making 2014 the most amazing show yet. Opening the show this year was Lark Bridal, unveiling three couture

collections

by

award-winning

designers, Cocoe Voci, Caroline Atelier and Stephanie James.

Ian Stuart once again

dedicated time, passion, energy and emotion into his show, treating his audience to a mesmerising fantasy as he showcased ‘Lady Luxe’ his 2015 collection. Stars of the show were soft satins, beaded French lace, taffeta metal and sequin-embroidered lace as well as organza and metallic beaded lace.

Alan

Hannah demonstrated two very different looks;

THE FINEST IN BRIDAL DESIGN 4

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

showcasing both the Alan Hannah signature

THE FINEST IN BRIDAL DESIGN

label, with hand-painted bodices and intricate beading and Mia Mia its sister brand, demonstrating a fresh and vibrant collection with a unique and individual personality.

Emma Hunt made her White Gallery

catwalk debut with a stunning collection designed with the discerning bride in mind.

Elegant and

timeless, yet fresh and modern and made entirely in Britain, The Echo Collection was exquisite and enchanting. Presenting the signature collection and the new ‘Maddy’ diffusion label on this year’s catwalk, seasoned brand, Madeline Isaac-James gave us a show of fun, passion and emotion. Inspired by sunrises and Turner’s epic seascapes, designer Natalie Gladman (the label is named after her three children) showed innovation

and

creativity

with

two

dazzling

collections. To round off the two-day show, White Gallery London presented a combined Designer Preview catwalk show. A handpicked selection of top designers came together to showcase their latest collections in a stylish and elegant display. Designers featured included Lusan Mandongus, Sadoni, Ivory & Co, Yolan Cris, Terry Fox, Linea Raffaelli, Jack Sullivan, Wendy Sullivan, Qiana Bridal, Timeless Elegance, Anna Romysh Haute Couture, Naomi Neoh and Charlotte Balbier.

C

r e i b l a B e t t harlo

www.charlottebalbier.com

r e i b l a otte B

l r a h C

www.charlottebalbier.com

l a d i r B a n a i Q www.qianabridal.co.uk

Jack S

ul ivan

www.jacksullivanbridal.com

Anna

Romys

h Haut

e Cout

ure

www.annaromysh.com

. o C & Ivory

www.ivoryandcobridal.co.uk

i l e a f f a R a

Line

www.linearaffaelli.com

alan hannah amanda wakeley sposa anna romysh haute couture annasuly augusta jones benjamin adams london blue bridalwear brides by desire by wendy sullivan cabotine novia by Madelin e Isaamills gema micholas caroline atelier caroline castigliano charlotte balbier charlotte c-Jam christos es costarellos cocoe voci the couture veil cymbeline eliza jane howell emma hunt emma tindley franc sarabia freya rose gemy maalouf hadas cohen halo & co harriet wilde ht headwear ian stuart ilovegorgeous ivory & co bridal ivory & co tiaras jack sullivan bridal jenny packham jesus peiro johanna hehir karen willis holmes katya katya sherhurina linea raffaelli lou lou lusan mandongus lyn ashworth bylace sarah Pastel hues, appliqué detailing and set tobarrett dominate maddy madeline isaac-james malis henderson bridal trends in 2015 mia mia miquel suay miranda templeton mooshki boutique naomi neoh nicki macfarlane nicola anne nicola harvey couture nilah & company nordic gems novia d’art nymphi ozlem Pastel tones were just one of the main bridal trends revealed on a stunning catwalk at the mostavendano recent edition of international bridal suer parthenis patricia polly edwards qiana bridal rachel simpson raimon bundo design fair, White Gallery London, which took place in April at Battersea Evolution in London. Some of the world’s bridal couture so sassi stephanie allin couture stephanie sadoni group sassi holford sasso shelltopbelle designers - including Madeline Isaac-James, Emma Hunt, Terry Fox, Brides Desire

by Wendy Sullivan, Alan Hannah and Ian Stuarttimeless james couture stephen yearick terry fox couture victorio & lucchino watters white showcased dresses with pastel tones in their 2015 catwalk presentations with soft golds, powder blues and rose pinks all being ivy yolancris ysa makino zaeem jamal alan hannah amanda wakeley sposa anna romysh haute featured as the base colour on a number of different dress styles. couture annasuly augusta jones benjamin adams london blue bridalwear brides by desire by Madeline Isaac-James’ designer, Natalie Gladman, chose a pale sky blue to provide the under layer for one of her bridal creations. The wendy sullivan cabotine novia by gema micholas caroline atelier caroline castigliano charlotte gown was then topped with a sheer overlay featuring delicate white appliqué flower detailing, allowing the pale blue under-colour to balbier charlotte mills christos costarellos really shine through providing a stunning, eye-catching dress whichcocoe voci the couture veil cymbeline eliza jane offers an alternative take on the traditional white or ivory gown. howell emma hunt emma tindley franc sarabia freya rose gemy maalouf hadas cohen halo Emma Hunt’s take on pastels was showcased in a completely different Alan ivory waywilde with an all-over pale peach silk gown,ian featuring floral laceilovegorgeous detail & co harriet ht headwear stuart ivory & co bridal Hannah& co tiaras jack on the straps and around the waist. Brides Desire by Wendy Sullivan debuted a pale dusty pink gown with a one-shoulder sullivan bridal jenny packham jesusappliqué peiroflowerjohanna hehir karen willis holmes katya katya strap while Alan Hannah showed a rose pink gown with lace overlay, a rose pink bowlou worn in the hair.lusan mandongus lyn ashworth by sarah barrett maddy sherhurinaaccessorised lineawithraffaelli lou Although designers interpreted the trend for pastel hues in different madeline isaac-james malis henderson mia mia miquel suay miranda templeton mooshki ways, the trend for colour on the catwalk is undeniable this season.

Away from pastel hues, there was also a trend toward appliqué floral boutique naomi neoh nicki macfarlane nicola anne nicola harvey couture nilah & company detail, seen on both the front, back and strap detailing of gowns and as in previous years, the popularity of lace continues in the range of nordic gems novia d’art nymphi ozlem suer parthenis patricia avendano polly edwards qiana 2015 bridal gowns - proving that this is a trend set to continue for a art u t while yet with classic all-over lace gowns and also as an accent fabric S n bridal rachel simpson raimon bundo sadoni group sassi holford sasso shell belle couture so Ia providing contrast between the bodice and the skirt. sassi stephanie couture stephanie couture stephen yearick terry fox timeless If the White allin Gallery London catwalk shows are anything to gojames by, 2015 is set to provide a selection of stunning bridal gowns with couture victorio & lucchino watters white accents of colour and appliqué detail providing new, interestingivy and yolancris ysa makino zaeem jamal alan hannah striking dress options for brides-to-be. amanda wakeley sposa anna romysh haute couture annasuly augusta jones benjamin adams london blue bridalwear brides by desire by wendy sullivan cabotine novia by gema micholas caroline atelier caroline castigliano charlotte balbier charlotte mills christos costarellos cocoe voci the couture veil cymbeline eliza jane howell emma hunt emma tindley franc sarabia freya rose gemy maalouf hadas cohen halo & co harriet wilde ht headwear ian stuart ilovegorgeous ivory & co bridal ivory & co tiaras jack sullivan bridal jenny packham jesus peiro

D N E R 5 1 T 0 N 2 O

I

t r a u t an S

www.ianstuart-bride.com

Ian S

tuart

www.ianstuart-bride.com

o d a S

e r u t u in Co

www.sadoni.no

Terry F

ox

www.terryfox.co.uk

Ala

h a n n n Ha

www.alanhannah.co.uk

Alan H

annah

www.alanhannah.co.uk

! u o y n o s n g i des What happens when you bring together more than 70 of the absolute best bridal designers in the world? Easy - you get the greatest wedding show on earth!

White Gallery London is, without doubt, the most prestigious and elaborate showcase event in the bridal industry calendar with a staggeringly beautiful array of wedding gowns from designers who have flown in from all four corners of the globe. Of course, there is also a wealth of British talent and a number of new designers who are just starting out in the world of weddings and who have been ear-marked for huge international success. So, who are these designers?

Let’s start with Alan Hannah, one of the most respected designers in Britain today. The Alan Hannah label is synonymous with a perfect couture cut and execution, but for 2015, lovely embellishments have been added to give depth to the designs, including handpainted flowers and textured beading. The brand’s Mia Mia label is another firm favourite with brides, full of verve and vitality and overseen by Alan’s wife, Marguerite, who brings a sense of fun with dramatic skirts and unusual detailing.

Ian Stuart needs little introduction and is one of this country’s most acclaimed designers. After winning Best New Designer of the Year in Beautiful bridalwear from Ivory & Co. 1999 and the US ‘Rising Star’ Award in 2001, Ian’s career has been nothing short of phenomenal and he has gone on to win more awards than you can shake a stick at, including an Outstanding Contribution to the Bridal Industry Award and Best Designer of the Year on no less than 5 occasions! His long-standing passion for fashion, art, music and theatre has always been the driving force which determined his future as a bridal gown designer and it is these passions that shine through in his designs - which are bold, dramatic, luxurious and diverse.

Debuting at this year’s show, the House of Mooshki are a new, bespoke wedding dress designer - specialising in custom designed gowns from vintage through to gothic who has been singled out as one of the rising stars of the industry. Another new talent making their debut this year, Zaeem Jamal started his own clothing line in London in 2009 and has since expanded into bridalwear, creating designs that are both elegant and dynamic.

Terry Fox returned to White Gallery with a stunningly romantic collection entitled ‘Siren Song’.

Designed from dreams, this inspirational collection encapsulates mystical creatures of the sea. The key design is sumptuous layering to stimulate the senses, using fine fabrics and textures with misty sheers over twinkling embroidery to add depth and an ethereal quality.

Anna Romysh amazed the catwalk audience with her daringly exquisite take on bridalwear

Other favourite British designers at White Gallery this year included the uber-talented Charlotte Balbier, Emma Hunt, Madeline IsaacJames, Lyn Ashworth by Sarah Barrett, Naomi Neoh, Qiana Bridal, Stephanie Allin and Emma Tindley.

International favoutires, Watters, flew in from Texas again with their most stunning collection yet.

Inspired by the love stories of Romeo & Juliet, Tristan & Isolde and Anthony & Cleopatra, these gowns feature intricate beadwork and dreamy necklines, creating a powerful and lasting impression.

Sisters, Yolanda and Cristina grew up surrounded by organza, tulle and silk at the bridal store their mother managed in Barcelona.

Not surprisingly, when they grew up, the created their own bridal brand and YolanCris were back at White Gallery this year with three stunning and unique collections. Norwegian designers Trude and Hamid Sadoni share a passion for creating luxurious gowns and the Sadoni brand has become a symbol of exquisite elegance and simplicity. Their 2015 collection consists of light, fluid silhouettes in pure silk chiffon with layers, drapes, lace detailing and crystal sashes. Belgium-based Linea Raffaelli revealed their latest collection with exquisite designs made with the most beautiful Italian fabrics and Lusan Mandongus presented a vintage inspired collection with rich, subtle details, high necklines, lace sleeves and peplum waist detail.

One of the highlights of the White Gallery catwalk shows this year came from French designer, Anna Romysh Haute Couture whose gowns brought an audible gasp from the audience. This really is where avant-garde meets ultimate fashion in a fusion that was daring and yet utterly exquisite.

Taunton based Sassi Holford is another respected But it’s not all about wedding dresses at White Gallery. designer with a knack of turning out the most exquisite Shoe designers were well represented with Harriet Wilde, collections. Her attention to detail is meticulous and Freya Rose, Benjamin Adams and Rachel Simpson whilst she has an uncompromising eye for quality. Showcased Bridal Accessories were in abundance with Halo & Co. HT at White Gallery this year, the Sassi Holford Signature Headwear, Ilovegorgeous, Ivory & Co. Malis-Henderson, Collection, So Sassi and The Couture Veil were each Miranda Templeton, Nilah & Company, Nordic Gems, divine; individual collections that are balanced, focused Nymphi, Polly Edwards and Cornwall’s very own Shell Classic YolanCris; daring and divine and utterly inspiring. All hand-made in the West of Belle Couture, the only lingerie company and the only England by a team of talented and dedicated couture professionals, it is hardly Cornish business ever invited to exhibit at White Gallery. A major achievement surprising that Sassi Holford is one of Cornish Brides’ favourite designers. for owner/designer, Michelle Blenkinsopp.

Lusan M andongus www.lusanmandongus.com

E

t n u H mma

www.emmahunt.co.uk

Emma

Hunt

www.emmahunt.co.uk

s e m a J c a a s I e n i l e d a M

www.madelineisaacjames.com

li e a f f a Linea R

www.linearaffaelli.com

Alan H a

nnah

www.alanhannah.co.uk

rt

a u t S n Ia

www.ianstuart-bride.com

Emma H unt

www.emmahunt.co.uk

Madeli

ne Isa

ac-Ja

mes

www.madelineisaacjames.com

Madeli

ne Isa

ac-Ja

mes

www.madelineisaacjames.com

White Gallery London Images : www.christopherdadey.com

We would have loved to showcase each and every one of the hugely talented designers who took part in White Gallery London this year, but we’ll be keeping in touch with them all over the coming months and we’ll bring you more news about their latest collections in future issues of Cornish Brides.

What a fabulous event, what amazing designers. We look forward to White Gallery London 2015!

Elegant Bridal & Occasion Wear Over Steps Cottage Lanreath nr Looe Cornwall PL13 2NX

Bespoke, handmade Wedding, Bridesmaid WE’VE MOVED!

and Prom Dresses

Come and see us at our new premises for beautiful bridalwear

and tailored to your

~ including a stunning plus-size range

specific requirements

bridesmaids’ dresses and bridal accessories

using the highest

sketched, designed

quality materials at

Also, suit hire for the groom

amazing prices.

Excellent customer service Visit our website: www.b2bbridal.co.uk Tel: 01326 316000

Together we can create your dream dress.

01503 220430 Unit 2

Intrepid Works Bickland Water Road Falmouth Cornwall TR11 4SN

www.elegantbridal.co.uk

Extensive collection of beautiful Wedding Gowns in sizes 8 - 28 Stunning gowns in a variety of styles and fabrics Bridal Bridesmaid Mother-of-the-Bride Accessories

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY PLEASE

01872 573377 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am-5pm All appointments completely private LARGE SALE RAIL

www.bliss-bridal-gowns.co.uk

30

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

All the very latest news, trends and gossip from the world of weddings to ensure you’re a

e d i r b l u f i t u ea

b

ON TREND ... soft pastels

•

appliqué detailing

•

sheer overlays

•

lots of lace

If you’re actively looking for the dress of your dreams, then you need to come

Kingsley Village.

Our wedding shows

have been designed with you in mind and we always have the very best bridal boutiques in attendance showcasing the latest in bridal design.

Tiffany Bridal

Lowen Bridal of Launceston are delighted to announce that they are now stocking the Tiffany bridal collection to complement their range of Tiffany bridesmaid and prom dresses.

Lowen Bridal are great supporters of British designers and feel the Tiffany label meets their ideals of quality dresses with exceptional detailing, but at affordable prices. www.lowenbridal.co.uk

32

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

BRIDAL BUZZ ... BRIDAL BUZZ ... BRIDAL BUZZ ...

HOT OFF THE CORNISH PRESS

along to a Cornish Brides Show at

The Bridal Studio in Helston have just taken delivery of some beautiful crystal, rhinestone and pearl appliqués and trims in various sizes to add detail and sparkle to any dress for any function. Prices start from just £24 and they completely change the look of a dress.

Lavender Rose Bridal will have new collections from David Tutera and Sophia Tolli arriving in their Penryn store this summer. Both are very strong collections and Ellen will be holding a launch event in July/August. Details will be announced on social media soon.

Following the success of their last Open Day, Frocks & Frills will be hosting another on June 22 from 10.30am. You are also invited to pop along to their Veromia and Sonsie Designer Weekend on June 21-22.

Loving the new Maddy Collection from Madeline Isaac-James which is now available at Bella Bella Bridal in Plymouth.

Brides-To-Be of Falmouth are offering a free pair of ‘Pink by Paradox London’ shoes with every wedding dress purchased during May. They will also be introducing a new designer collection very soon - so watch this space for details.

We bumped into Elaine from County Cream at the London Bridal Show recently where she was busy ordering the stunning new Callista collection by Alfred Sung Bridal.

This is a truly gorgeous range, especially for brides with curves sizes start from 16 up to 30. The Truro boutque will be holding a special launch and Designer Weekend on August 16.

Lowen Bridal of Launceston are thrilled to announce that following the runaway success of the Tiffany bridesmaid and prom range, they will now be stocking the Tiffany Bridal collection.

The White Room in Liskeard will soon be stocking the new collection from Bellanovia. These gorgeous dresses will be instore soon.

Absolutely fabulous to see Shell Belle Couture of Bude flying the flag for Cornwall at White Gallery London, the world’s premier bridal trade show. Owner and designer, Michelle Blenkinsopp was invited by the show’s organisers to showcase her exquisite lingerie at the show.

The only lingerie company in attendance and the only exhibitor from Cornwall.

Bliss Bridal of Goonhavern are on the move. Wendy tells us that she will be re-locating to a new showroom in Perranporth very soon.

It’s going to be a busy time for Wendy who will be picking up the keys for her new premises on May 1 and hopes to be open for business at The Back Store, 4 Boscawen Road, Perranporth less than two weeks later!

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

Coming to Cornwall ...

Here at Cornish Brides, we love to see that brides of all shapes and sizes and being catered for and there are a number of stunning collections out there for brides with curves. We paticularly love the new Callista collection from Alfred Sung Bridal, which is currently available at Bella Bella Bridal in Plymouth, but will also soon be making its way over the Tamar to County Cream in Truro.

The name ‘Callista’ is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘most beautiful’ and a more fitting name would be hard to imagine for what is a truly beautiful collection of wedding gowns. Designed specifically for fuller figure brides, these gowns are made to offer style, support and a perfect fit and every effort is made to ensure that Callista brides feel special on their big day.

The collection is designed in wonderful soft and lightweight fabrics; chiffons, organza, embroidered tulle and soft floaty satins. Attention to detail and fit is key to the design and the award-winning collection has received massive acclaim within the bridal industry.

Beautiful brides come in all shapes and sizes, so embrace your curves and love your figure - it’s what makes you special.

Also arriving in Cornwall this summer is the new collection from David Tutera for Mon Cheri which will be instore at Lavender Rose Bridal in Penryn in July, together with the new Sophia Tolli collection. Two strong and stylish collections that brides will love.

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

Ann Guise is an award-winning designer who specialises in silk wedding veils.

All her creations are in pure silk fabric sourced direct from the manufacturer and her silk tulle is woven using the same techniques that date back to the early 1800’s.

She creates a limited quantity of exclusive silk wedding veils each year, all professionally designed and meticulously hand-made to a bride’s individual requirements using only the very best quality silk fabric, French lace and custom embroidery. She is the only bridal veil designer specialising solely in designing and hand crafting beautiful top quality, bespoke silk bridal veils.

Ann spoke to Cornish Brides and passed on some useful tips and advice for brides.

www.annguise.com

A silk tulle wedding veil can make a dramatic difference, transforming the simplest dress into a stunning Bridal outfit.

A wedding veil will transform the simplest dress into a stunning bridal outfit.

It will change your whole look. I always advise brides to try on different styles of dress and lengths of veil to find the one that suits you best and by a process of elimination, you will find your dream outfit. Don't have a heavily patterned veil with a very ornate dress as one will ‘fight' with the other. Wedding veils are usually made of polyester or silk tulle and whilst polyester is less expensive than silk, once you try on a silk veil, you will feel and notice the difference. Tulle is a very sheer fabric and won't obscure the detail on your gown, but you should not choose a veil that cuts across detail on the back of your dress, let it finish below the decoration. If you’re petite, you won’t want your veil to swamp you as you will get lost inside it and it will only make you look smaller. Adding colour by way of embroidery to your veil is a good way of complementing your outfit with your bridesmaids or with your bouquet. Remember, your veil is an integral part of your bridal outfit and not just something that is ‘plonked' on your head as an afterthought. Take your veil to your hair trial and practice putting your veil on, especially with a new hair style. If your veil is creased and you are nervous of pressing it, ask your bridal store if they will steam it a couple of days before your wedding. Transport it home covered in a pillow case or duvet cover depending on its length. Don't wear something because you think you should; wear what you want and what you feel comfortable in. Your guests should compliment you by saying that you look stunning, not your dress looks stunning!

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

ST PING EP OU T

Loving the new collection of bridal footwear from Harriet Wilde. Whatever the setting or season for your wedding, the Harriet Wilde range will have something to suit from elegant lace classics to fashion-funky boots and super-stylish flats, perfect for beach weddings. www.harrietwilde.com

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

CORNWALL

s k c ro

It’s not often that you come across a Cornish brand that is making its mark on the bridal industry, but that is exactly what Shell Belle Couture are doing right now. The Bude-based lingerie label recently became not only the first lingerie company, but also the first Cornish company, to be invited to exhibit White Gallery London and it was absolutely amazing to see them in London standing proudly alongside some of the biggest and best bridal brands in the world.

If you’re looking for some seriously stunning lingerie for your wedding, wedding night or honeymoon, then don’t even think about leaving the county to find it. Internationally acclaimed designer, Michelle Blenkinsopp has created the most amazing collections of lingerie, lounge-wear, swimwear and slip dresses which would be perfect for any bride.

Michelle’s love of vintage is apparent in these collections which are guaranteed to add a touch of glamour, elegance and panache to your wedding trousseau.

Combining delicate touches, feminine details and heirloom intracacy with the finest silks and French Leavers laces, Michelle has created garments that you will want to love and cherish, not just wear.

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

for the beautifully undressed www.shellbellecouture.com

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

Transform your wedding dress with a bespoke belt or sash. We love these designs from Madeline Isaac-James.

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

e

am G e h t f o Ahead

Wimbledon-based milliner Emily Baxendale has been making hats since 2008 and her creations are frequently worn by the likes of Jodie Kidd, Sadie Frost, Louise Redknapp and Pippa Middleton.

With a choice of ready-to-wear studio pieces and a bespoke service for clients looking for something that extra bit different, her designs vary from perched pillboxes, statement saucers and bridal veils to intricate crystal detailing and silk flowers for weaving into the hair. Her signature contemporary style with a vintage twist give her designs a real ontrend edge that are adored by style conscious brides and fashionable wedding goers looking for a standout headpiece. www.emily-london.com

Somethi

We love simple yet stylish hair accessories.

ng Blue

Every bride needs something blue on her wedding day and this lovely charm fits the bill exactly. Contemporary jewellery designer, Catherine Best, focuses on originality within her designs and uses only the finest, carefully sourced gemstones and precious metals. This dainty, yet vibrant blue topaz heart charm, delicately set in 9ct white gold, is the perfect way for any bride-to-be to include something blue in her special day.

www.crownandglory.co.uk

www.catherinebest.com

Boxing Clever Invest in one of these beautiful wedding dress boxes from The Empty Box Company. Handmade at their Tavistock workshop, these gorgeous boxes are unlike any others you will find and are fabulous value for money. An ideal way of transporting your dress to your wedding venue and as all boxes are designed to last a lifetime, you can be sure your dress will stay as good as new in one of these boxes for years to come. Full range of dress, travel and accessory boxes available. www.emptybox.co.uk

bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ... bridal buzz ...

CORNWALL’S ONE-STOP WEDDING SHOP Stockists of Veromia, Sonsie, Pure by Romantica, Silhouette by Romantica, and Tia by Benjamin Roberts - sizes 6 to 36.

Shoes, veils, tiaras, bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories Appointments recommended Also in store: Wedding Transport • Favours • Candy Buffet • Cakes Photographer • Venue • Outside Caterer • Jewellery • Stationery Chair Covers and Sashes • Entertainment and more!

Mill House • Trewardreva Mill • Constantine • FalmouthTR11 5QD

tel: 01326 341276 www.frocksfrills.co.uk

Fantasia Bridal LOSTWITHIEL

We are the largest stockist of Ian Stuart gowns in the UK Also Augusta Jones Myring Kesterton Ellis Bridal Mia Mia John Charles

Tel: 01208 872202

By Appointment 10am - 8pm : 7 days a week

www.fantasia-bridal.com 40

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

A luxurious and elegant bridal boutique with a unique collection of exquisite, high quality bridal gowns.

5 Market Street Liskeard Cornwall PL14 3JH

01579 340719 www.whiteroom-bridal.com

New British Talent Here at Cornish Brides, we love coming across fabulous new designers to tell you about and it’s even better when those designers are British, so imagine how thrilled we were to be contacted by Holly Cuthbert and Ryan Wilkinson of new label, Maria Senvo. Now I must admit that I originally thought this was a Spanish or possibly Italian label launching in the UK and I was surprised when I read the press release with the heading ‘new British brand’ so, curiosity piqued, I read on. Maria Senvo is actually an anagram of Vena Amoris, which is latin for ‘vein of love’ and whilst I think that Vena Amoris would have been a splendid name for a new bridal brand, clearly Holly and Ryan had other ideas and so Maria Senvo was born.

Having previously worked in bridal and luxury ready-to-wear, this young dynamic couple identified a gap in the market for a bridal label that reflected the desires of a new generation of brides. Designs that were stylish and glamourous, yet fashionable and ‘on trend’. “What we love most about today’s brides is that they are not afraid to be different”, Holly told Cornish Brides. “They like traditional, but they love fashionable and they clearly want to reflect this in their choice of wedding gown”.

Holly and Ryan spent a long time searching for designs that were understated but had glamour and style and came to the conclusion that there was a definite niche they could fill that would appeal to today’s young brides. They then made the decision to quit their jobs and take a leap of faith into the bridal industry, launching Maria Senvo in early 2014.

They are now both actively involved in every element of the business and feel it is important to their brand to work together, giving a unique female and male perspective, which really comes across in their designs.

Their debut collection is bold, daring and utterly gorgeous. Consisting of a range of fairytale dresses with pearl beading and delicate lace embroidery, these designs reflect an understanding and respect of the traditional with all the flair and creativity of forward-thinking fashion and it’s a heady combination. Maria Senvo brides want to be composed and sensual, whilst comfortable and elegant and this collection achieves exactly that. Holly and Ryan are looking forward to experimenting with colours and shapes over the coming months and have big plans to grow their label. Attention to detail is important and back detailing in particular is something neither is prepared to ignore. The seemingly uncomplicated designs are stylish, but look closer and you will see playful details, elaborate shapes and clever use of fabric. “The insides of our dresses are just as exquisite as the outsides”, says Ryan. “We want our brides to feel amazing from the moment they step into a Maria Senvo gown”. It is exactly this kind of attitude that has clearly been a major influence on the design of this collection and what sets it apart from others. Intricately beaded bodices, elongated lines and sheer pleats complement detailed backs and razor sharp finishes and today’s discerning young brides will appreciate and love, the thought and effort that has gone into each handmade gown.

Definitely designed for a new generation of brides, the Maria Senvo label is now attracting attention from leading bridal retailers around the UK and looks set to be a brand that could lead the way with regard to style, quality and fashion in the coming years. www.mariasenvo.com

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

43

Ma

o v n e ir a S

www.mariasenvo.com

Maria

Senvo

www.mariasenvo.com

Jane Louise Mother of the Bride Outfits We stock a large range of stunning designer outfits for Mother of the Bride

We also have a massive selection of accessories, including shoes, bags and jewellery.

Also, Prom and Evening Wear Sizes 8-26

5 Pike Street Liskeard PL14 3JE 01579 348304 www.gowns2raveabout-liskeard.co.uk

Madeline Isaac-James including the new MADDY collection Madeline Gardner New York So Sassi Callista Also Ebony Rose for Bridesmaids

Brook House • Station Road • Plympton • Plymouth PL7 2AU

01752 656964 www.bellabellabridal.co.uk

46

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

The Bridal Studio Come and visit our beautiful bridal boutique in Helston.

We are exclusive stockists of Wendy Makin and also stock Phoenix Gowns and Gino Cerruti as well as a large selection of veils, shoes, tiaras and jewellery.

Everything for the Bride

11 Wendron Street

Helston

Cornwall

Tel: 01326 560903 www.bridal-studio-helson.co.uk

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

47

Julia

i n u r g o t n o K

www.juliakontogruni.com

Crowning Glory Finding the right hair style for your wedding day can be difficult. Do you keep it simple and natural? Should you opt for something elaborate or dramatic? Will you wear it up or down?

Revlon Professional have dedicated their 2014 Spring-Summer Collections to the world of brides and special events with its ‘Yes, I Do Collection’ - a dream proposition, with the sweet, naive and architectural lines of haute couture that can turn hair into an exquisite jewel. With this first bridal collection, Revlon Professional fulfills the dream of thousands of brides looking for a wedding day style that evokes emotion and elegance.

www.revlonprofessional.com

s e g a P a i d e Social M

It’s fun, it’s fast and it’s furious. Join Cornish Brides’ Communications Manager, Neill Mabbott, as he takes us on a whirlwind tour of Social Media

cornish.brides

@cornishbrides

cornishbrides

CONTACT NEILL MABBOTT Get in touch with me with all your news, views and pictures. email: media@cornishbrides.co.uk

What’s Happening on Facebook?

Did you know that Cornish Brides has a popular Facebook Page dedicated to keeping our 5,300+ followers up to speed with the very latest bridal trends and news? We like to mix our content up and will always provide you with inspiration from businesses in Cornwall and the south west, but when you’re as passionate as we are about all things bridal, we’ll also share news with you from the four corners of the globe. It doesn’t really matter if the exact dress from that Australia designer is not available in Cornwall, it’s our aim to give you ideas and inspiration, which you can use when choosing your dress from a Cornish bridal boutique or when ordering your cake or bouquets. That’s the beauty of social media and the Cornish Brides Page in particular, something new and popular in Los Angeles or Sydney can be seen instantly by a bride-to-be in St Austell, giving her an idea for her own wedding in Cornwall. It’s all about ‘Inspiration’!

If you haven’t visited the Cornish Brides Facebook Page yet, you’re missing out on some great ideas and inspiration. Like our page now at: facebook.com/cornish.brides

FACEBOOK FAVOURITES

52

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Are you Pinning Yet ?

Pinterest is such a quick and easy way to find ideas and inspiration on everything you could possibly think of and the Cornish Brides Pinterest Boards are a great starting point for all things bridal. Enjoy this selection of images from our Summer Wedding Inspiration Board and get pinning!

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

53

ages Social Media P

Twitter Trends @KellyAnnsFlowers : Looking forward to voting starting tomorrow for the @cornishbrides awards. Great fun to be part of it all :) #cornwall #wedding #flowers @QianaBridal Apr 6 : While you're at @WhiteGallery we would love to show you our new 'Love & Romance' Collection. We're on stand 504 @cornishbrides @NatalieEddy2 : I'm on the hunt for silver bridesmaid shoes #wedding @cornishbrides any ideas where??? #weddinghelp @b2bfalmouth : @cornishbrides Saying hi from #bridestobefalmouth we have just joined #CBAwards! @RetallackResort : @cornishbrides Absolutely tantalising! I am looking forward to dining tomorrow @GreenRoom_JN with @Rebecca_Ritson #foodies #masterchef @budeifulbrides : A new company you might like @cornishbrides called @bennysicecream @andrewgeoghegan : AG Saturn & Celestial cufflinks featured in the Spring edition of @cornishbrides magazine #luxury #meteorite #diamond @RosevineWedding : Great shoes and some lovely lace in this online edition of @cornishbrides @janebowley : @cornishbrides you have featured some beautiful wedding dresses who stocks them in the sw need an ivory/gold with sleeve or straps @sharpanddapper : @cornishbrides Let's help the grooms and groomsmen look even more handsome! @I_do_girl : @EStuartBride stunning 'Audrey' dress looks beautiful in @cornishbrides Spring 2014 edition @Idofilmweddings : Another great @cornishbrides Wedding Show yesterday.

Secured another booking and there was a lot of love for my videos. @kissphotography : WOW tons of emails from todays #weddingshow with @cornishbrides! #busyevening @penventon : Looking forward to next Sundays @cornishbrides show - come along to our stall and pick up our special offer :) CORNISH TWEETS The team from @cornishbrides attended @WhiteGallery in London this April where many of the best bridal designers in the world revealed their beautiful new collections for the seasons ahead. Enjoy our highlights from this prestigious event.

If you’re a bride-to-be and you’re getting married in Cornwall anytime soon, then you really need to be following Cornish Brides on Twitter. It’s a guaranteed way to stay informed with what’s happenng on the bridal scene down here in glorious Cornwall as well as keeping abreast with all the latest news, gossip and trends from the world of weddings.

We also love tweeting live from events and we do exactly that from all Cornish Brides Shows and the annual Cornish Brides Awards, so even if you can’t make it to an event, you can follow everything that’s happening - live on the day!

If you haven’t already followed Cornish Brides, do it now, so you don’t miss out on anything.

THE

GRAPEVINE keeping you up-to-date with all the latest bridal chatter

Let Them Eat Cake Vanilla Cake Emporium was founded by cake designers, Suzi and Jess Humphries, the couple behind the Cupcakemama brand, which brought a sense of fun and exurberance to the Cornish wedding scene with their scrumptious cupcake creations. The aim of Vanilla Cake Emporium is to create exquisitely crafted and utterly delicious bespoke cakes to complement your wedding theme. Specialising in elegant detailing and creative designs, their wedding cakes are chic and elegant in appearance whilst being executed to perfection in terms of flavour, taste and style; bringing to Cornwall the latest cake ideas from all over the world. With cake trends ranging from the softer vintage style to a more sophisticated and tailored look, Vanilla Cake Emporium is constantly aiming to bring something different to the table. From beginning to end, they want your experience to be effortless and stress-free by creating something beautiful and delicious for you from pure, simple ingredients. www.vanillacakeemporium.co.uk

Cornish Brides Offer : Vanilla Cake Emporium are offering Cornish Brides readers free delivery and set-up on wedding cake orders placed with them before the end of August.

Designs on You! When Tina Wlkins started her hair accessory business in the barn at her home, she never imagined that in such a short space of time, she would be having to move into retail premises to accommodate the demand for her bridal accesssories. But that is exactly what has happened and Unique Designs by Tina can now be found at 85 Fore Street, Bodmin. So, if you’re looking for something beautiful and bespoke to adorn your hair on your big day or fancy browsing around this Aladdin’s Cave of bridal goodies, then why not call in and treat yourself to something special. www.uniquedesignsbytina.vpweb.co.uk

Have you voted for your favourite bridal business yet in this year’s Cornish Brides Awards? It’s really easy to do and will only take you a couple of minutes. Plus, it’s a great way to say ‘thank you’ to someone in the bridal industry who has really helped you with your wedding plans. Just visit the Cornish Brides website and follow the links. www.cornishbrides.co.uk

Blue Sky Bride Do you dream of an outdoor wedding with (hopefully) blue skies and sunshine and a backdrop to die for? Well, your dreams can come true at the Carlyon Bay Hotel as they have unveiled their new Wedding Gazebo, which is the idyll place to exchange your vows. Situated in the hotel’s landscaped gardens with the sweep of glorious St. Austell Bay in the background, you really could be saying ‘I Do’ anywhere in the world. www.carlyonbay.com

Keepsake Roses We love the new range of wedding favours from luxury rose retailer Only-Roses.

These exquisite mini-flower arrangements are the perfect keepsake for your guests and are made of long-lasting Infinite Roses, which are naturally preserved to last for a month or longer without water or refrigeration. It's a slice of wedding joy guests can take home with them; after all, nobody wants to go home alone after a wedding! www.only-roses.com

From Guernsey with Love A childhood crafting wood in her father’s workshop fuelled a passion that would later see Catherine Best create her world renowned jewellery brand, designing pieces that are the epitome of elegance and the ultimate in craftsmanship. Like many jewellers, Catherine began trading at craft fairs, building up a devoted clientele and eventually moving into the beautiful Old Mill on her home island of Guernsey, whose studio now houses her most stunning creations, as well as being the family home.

Her collections are stunning and we particularly love these beautiful pieces in peach and green - two very ‘on trend’ colours for 2014-15. www.catherinebest.com

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

57

58

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

59

A Decade of Beautiful Wedding Flowers Elaine Reynolds of Flowers from Bruallen will celebrate a decade of running her own stylish florist in June this year. With 17 years in the floristry trade, she has seen many changes in bridal trends and loves the fact that today’s brides are so much more creative and adventurous, which means she can really let her imagination run wild when creating stunning wedding flowers. She told Cornish Brides: ‘Owning and running a business brings new challenges every day and to reach my 10 year milestone is a truly momentous occasion, which I am so thrilled about’.

When Elaine first flung open the doors to her florist shop in 2004, she brought a welcome breath of fresh air to her beloved North Cornwall village of Delabole and despite being a ‘little village shop’ Bruallen is a real trend-setter in terms of floristry. Visitors to the shop are amazed by the innovative and original designs Elaine and her team create on a daily basis whilst realising the importance of providing an excellent, friendly service and offering good value for money.

Wedding flowers are a speciality for the experienced and dedicated team at Bruallen and they love nothing more than creating stylish

60

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

and unique wedding designs that reflect the trends and seasons and which continually delight their brides.

And, of course, being crowned Cornish Brides Wedding Florist of 2014 was the pinnacle of a very special year for Elaine. The award symbolises the hard work and dedication that Elaine and her team put into each and every wedding. They make sure every couple feels completely at ease and nothing is ever too much trouble with extra special touches added to ensure each wedding is unique.

Elaine feels that going the extra mile has really paid off and reading some of the comments that the brides were invited to leave when casting their vote confirms this. ‘It is so heart-warming and emotional to know that we made a bride’s special day even more wonderful’.

So, if you’re looking for a very special florist to create the wedding flowers you have always dreamt of, a trip to Bruallen in Delabole is an absolute must! www.bruallen.co.uk

64

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

66

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Rosewarne Manor

For a wedding that’s as individual as you are

Fantastic Food Unrivalled Menu Choice Superb Location Friendly, Helpful Service Beautiful Bridal Suite

GWINEAR ROAD CONNOR DOWNS NR HAYLE CORNWALL TR27 5JQ

01209 610414

BRIDAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

"Taste of the West" Gold Award Winners

www.rosewarnemanor.co.uk

Beautiful and inspirational flowers to complement and make your wedding day that extra bit special.

Appointments at your home or your chosen wedding venue can be arranged

Please call Elaine or Emma 01840 212555

Celebrating 10 years of creating the most amazing flowers!

74

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

www.bruallen.co.uk

Bride of Paradise Photography: Ron Bushell Photography Hair and Make-up: Bridgette Capel Dresses: The Wedding Company, Bodmin Flowers: Art of Flowers Model: Leanne Ward Location: Carlyon Bay Hotel, St. Austell

“All you need is love” sang The Beatles nearly 50 years ago, but a stunning venue in which to celebrate your love is a definite bonus and as winner of the Cornish Brides Wedding Venue of the Year 2014, The Penventon Park Hotel fis the bill perfectly. A beautiful Georgian building, elegant antiques, a stylish interior, gorgeous grounds and professional staff, it has it all. And with such reasonable prices, this popular hotel really is a worthy winner.

Georgian Grandeur : Situated on the outskirts of Redruth, the hotel is perfectly placed for an inland wedding, easily accessible from all corners of Cornwall.

Built in the 1800s as a family house, the Penventon has retained its extensive gardens and woodland, offering a secluded setting for your reception and photographs. Both inside and out, the mansion oozes Georgian splendour; ionic pillars, ornate cornicing, vintage mirrors and opulent décor abound. Every bride wants to feel like a princess on her wedding day and this venue certainly helps with the illusion of aristocracy!

Do it in Style : There are three reception rooms available to hire for weddings.

The Forum Suite is the largest, seating up to 180 guests with dancing room for 250! With a private bar and stage, couples can arrange their own musicians and the ornate, opulent style of the room is perfect for grand, large scale weddings.

Newly decorated in a traditional Georgian style, the Lady Edith Suite consists of two rooms joined together by an archway amounting to almost 2,000 square feet of space. The classic tones of the room are enlivened with splashes of gold which add a dash of decadence to this sophisticated space. The room was named after Lady Edith Carkeek, owner of Penventon during the 1920s and you’ll be inspired to release your own Lady Edith (whether Carkeek or Downton Abbey's Crawley) and become a dazzling hostess for a day. The Venetian Room is the smallest of the licensed rooms, suited to more intimate weddings and civil ceremonies, yet still providing a rich and sumptuous interior. Decorated in deep crimson and gold, red glass Venetian chandeliers sparkle from the ceiling and Italian mirrors and masks adorn the walls. The suite can seat up to 40 people for both a ceremony and a wedding breakfast and is a unique and exclusive room for smaller wedding parties.

Budgeting for the Big Day : And so to the cost. Well, we think you’ll be surprised. A civil ceremony costs from just £349 and includes your chosen function room decorated with fresh flowers, a floral bridal arch and antique table and chairs at which to sign the register. A range of packages are available to suit varying budgets, but the really appealing thing is that couples can mix and match from them. So, for example, the newly introduced Traditional wedding four course menu is £25 per head and you could accompany this with the Traditional drinks menu at £11.99 per person and the Traditional evening buffet at £10.99 per person, or mix and match menus, drinks and/or buffet options from the Traditional, Banquet, and Signature Wedding packages. Also included with all of the wedding packages are fresh flower table posies, canapés for guests on arrival, a Master of Ceremonies, red carpet aisle, silver cake stand and overnight accommodation in a Honeymoon Suite followed by a full English breakfast. You really couldn't ask for much more.

See for Yourself : With the opportunity to have your wedding tailored specifically to accommodate personal preferences and depth of pockets, it’s well worth a visit so you can see for yourself what prompted previous brides and grooms to vote for this hotel and why it now holds the esteemed title, Wedding Venue of the Year 2014. If you do, we bet you’ll fall in love with the Penventon Park Hotel, so maybe the Beatles were right afterall! www.penventon.co.uk

Modern vs. Traditional What kind of Mother-of-the-Bride will you be?

o, you precious little girl has just hit you with the news that she is getting married and now the reality is starting to set in. Not only have you and the proud father probably got to stomp up a wad of cash to pay for her ‘big day’ but, perhaps more importantly, you are going to be a Mother-of-the-Bride. That’s a pretty big thing, second only to ‘I’m going to be a Grandmother’ and it takes a bit of getting used to. You’ve probably had a few tears and, more likely than not, a few glasses of wine and now your brain is going into overdrive and it probably won’t take you more than an hour to plan the entire wedding from start to finish.

S

But hold on there; this isn’t your wedding, so you need to back up a little and take stock. You may well have your own ideas on when, where and how the wedding will be, but the decision is not yours to make, so the first thing you do need to decide is what kind of mother-of-the-bride you want to be. Of course, there will be a thousand thoughts rushing through your head: you hope that you will love the dress she chooses, you’ll be thinking about the seating plan and where to place certain guests (must remember to keep Aunt Doreen well away from the bar) and how many times you’ll allow your husband to do the ‘timewarp’ before you drag him off the dancefloor! No doubt you will be making a mental note of your favourite florist and trying to recall the name of the lady who made your neice’s wedding cake last year (you’re sure you’ve got her card somewhere) and then there’s that fabulous band who played at your best friend’s 30th wedding anniversary party ... what were they called?

Any of this sound familiar? If so, don’t worry, it’s all perfectly normal. But - and for some MoB’s, this may be a pretty big but - you are now going to have to exercise a degree of restraint and wait for your daughter to broach the subject with you. Patience not your strong point? It needs to be if you want to get to the other side of this wedding with your sanity and your relationship with your daughter intact.

Now there’s nothing wrong with talking to other people about the wedding; what do you mean you’ve already called everyone in your address book to tell them the news? And no-one is going to blame you in the least if you start to make a few notes and even a few discreet enquiries - afterall, what is the saying: fail to prepare, prepare to fail and you were a Girl Guide afterall and they’re alway prepared, but just keep it to yourself, for now.

One of the first things you will probably notice about your daughter’s wedding is that things have changed, perhaps considerably, since you got married and the whole wedding planning process has become far more

complicated. The choices for couples today are immense, so the chances are your daughter is going to need you there beside her, to hold her hand, dry her tears on occasion and guide her. The role for a mother-of-the-bride has become more versatile and personal to the bride and groom.

Most brides trust their Mum above everyone else and if you have a good relationship with your daughter, planning her wedding with her is just going to bring you closer so look forward to it, savour it and, above all, enjoy it. By the same token, as a mother who has supported and cared for her daughter since those first minutes in the Delivery Room, you will know her best and will know instinctively how much support and assistance she will need to make her wedding dreams come true. You will know when to step in and take control and when to step back and leave them to her and her fiancé.

Of course, this might not come easy for you if you are a real traditionalist and we’ve all seem the pushy MoB’s as portrayed in the Hollywood comedies who simply take over the whole process, assuming control faster than a South American dictator and before the bride can blink, she’s booked the venue, created the seating plan, chosen the menu, sent out the invitations and just about everything else inbetween, leaving the bride, groom and groom’s family completely out in the cold.

6.

Stay Calm

Ultimately, whether you’re a traditional or modern mother-of-the-bride, the golden rule is to stay calm and positive. If you do this while all around you are falling apart, it will not go unnoticed and you may even find that your daughter will rely on you to be the ‘voice of reason’ and her own personal oasis of calm. On the morning of the wedding your role as mother-of-the-bride can really come into its own as your daughter and her bridesmaids start their hair and make up preparations. Get yourself ready early and be on hand to help with any last minute calls or tasks. You could even do a discreet and quick ring-around of the caterer, band, florist and cars to make sure their timings are spot-on and there are no last minute glitches. Although your daughter may think she is in control of everything, you are really the one pulling everything together behind the scenes, like any good General.

7.

But that doesn’t sound like you and as a modern-day MoB, you will be involved as much or as little as your daughter wants. So, don’t think that being a modern MoB means that you won’t have an important role to play; on the contrary, it might mean that you actually get to enjoy the whole process more. You might even want to consider being the one to give your daughter away. Tradition dictates that the role falls to the father-of-thebride, but this is the 21st century and anything goes. You could, for example, give a speech at the reception if you want and your daughter agrees. There are, in fact, seven simple steps to being the perfect Motherof-the-Bride. Follow them and you can’t go wrong:

1.

Be Proud

This is a big day for you, so be proud and enjoy it. This is the girl you gave birth to, who you brought up, you’ve wiped her tears and her nose, you rubbed her knees when she fell and applied more plasters than you care to remember - both to her and every doll and furry toy she’s ever had. You have made her the woman she is today and when everyone compliments her on how beautiful she looks, they are indirectly complimenting you, so be very proud.

Number One Supporter

As a parent, you’ve already experienced the delicate balance between letting your daughter make her own mistakes and guiding her by the hand through each and every decision. Now more than ever, it is important that you resist your natural maternal instinct to protect her. At some point during every wedding, emotions run higher than a Boxing Day sale at Next, so being a pushy and over-powering Mum is definitely not going to help. If your daughter says she wants to take care of everything herself, let her. The best way to ensure you are involved is by supporting her by letting her know you are there to help, if she needs you are chances are, at some point, she will.

2.

Be Honest

If your daughter does ask for your help or advice, give it honestly but without making it sound as thought you are simply disagreeing with her.

Listen to what she has to say, consider it carefully and give an honest opinion, if possible suggesting alternatives for her to consider. But know when to back down and if she remains adamant that she is right, concede gracefully.

3.

Don’t Forget The Other Side

Be aware that your future son-in-law has a family too and they are probably just as happy and excited as you are at the prospect of this marriage. They will want to be involved, so why not suggest that both sets of parents meet for drinks early in the proceedings to discuss your respective roles and avoid any embarrassment or arguments later on.

4.

Dress Accordingly

Whatever you do, don’t try to upstage your daughter on her big day.

Remember, you are the mother-of-the-bride, so dress accordingly. No tight-fitting, revealing or slinky outfits and no white - unless with your daughter’s approval. There is no more sure-fire way to have your daughter spitting feathers at you than if you are flaunting your mature curves across the dance floor. You should look elegant and chic and there are lots of ways you can achieve a fabulous look without hogging the spotlight.

5.

Ladies and Gentleman

In case you didn’t know, mother-of-the-bride speeches are on the up, so there’s never been a better time for you to say a few words about how proud you are of your daughter and how beautiful she looks. If you’d like to make a speech, then suggest it to your daughter but remember not to overstep the boundary if she declines; it’s her party and she’s calling the shots. There’s lots of advice out there for giving the perfect mother-of-thebride speech, so take advantage of it and whatever you do, avoid too many childhood photos, no matter how adorable you think they are.

The world is changing and weddings are becoming more complex, which means your role as mother-of-the-bride is as important as it ever has been, perhaps more so. There is much to do and so many things to think about and your ou nk Y ide Tha the Br daughter will need you, so be there f o r e h t for her and enjoy the experience.

Mo You may even find it brings you closer together and strengthens your relationship. Remember, this is just one day in a lifetime ... there will be so many more Thanks Mum .

I couldn’t experiences that you will have done it without yo u. You’re face in the years ahead, the best. so face them together; Love you xxx as mother and daughter.

82

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Create a Totally Tropical mood for your Cornish wedding by injecting vibrant colours and incorporating some fun and unique ideas that will delight you and your guests.

TOTALLY

l a c i p o Tr

Photographry: Shropshire Petals (top left and right); Kelly Ann’s Flowers; Shatler’s Cocktails

84

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

inspiration

Photographry: Get Knotted (top left and right); Vanilla Cake Emporium (top right) Shropshire Petals (bottom left); Interflora (bottom right)

inspiration

BRIDAL INSIDER We go behind the scenes at Cornish Brides Award Winner, Rosewarne Manor to find out exactly what winning this award means to the team.

Owner Cyril Eustice shares his thoughts with us.

BRIDAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

You were awarded the Bridal Excellence Award at the 2014 Cornish Brides Awards, how did that feel?

Tremendous. Being finalists, against such stiff competition, for two years running was wonderful. However winning such a prestigious award was a fantastic result for the whole team who work so hard to create the perfect wedding experience for couples. To be recognised with this award is obviously a huge honour, but it is also an opportunity for us to look even harder at what we offer and go above and beyond the standard wedding offering. We want to ensure we keep on winning these awards by offering our brides and grooms something truly special.

Why do you feel you received this award and what makes Rosewarne Manor so special?

Our couples often single out the personalised service they receive from Rosewarne Manor and we are thrilled about this as we believe every couple is unique and they should be treated as such. But our speciality is our culinary excellence and we provide more choice and a better standard of catering. This requires a great deal of commitment from the staff and chefs, but it means they really feel part of the experience and they even give tours of the kitchens to couples who are considering Rosewarne Manor for their wedding. Having award-winning chefs dedicating such time and attention is really appreciated by bridal couples and their guests.

Has winning the Bridal Excellence Award had an effect on your business in any way?

Yes, we are receiving greater numbers of wedding enquiries as a result. We are also maintaining and developing our principles of a personalised service and impeccable food. The award has spurred us on to greater things as we never rest on our laurels. Guests demand and deserve the best and we make sure we offer them exactly that.

The Bridal Excellence Award was judged on the feedback and comments from those who voted for you, it must be a great feeling to know you received so much positive feedback?

Absolutely. There is no greater praise than that from our satisfied wedding couples. We have to work harder than others to do this, but the award shows how worthwhile it is. Obviously we love positive feedback at Rosewarne Manor, but we also pay close attention to ways in which we can improve.

We aim to get better with every event so wedding parties are in for a real treat each time.

The Cornish Brides Awards recognises and rewards excellence, how important are they to your business?

Extremely important! The Cornish Brides Awards are a wonderful way of celebrating excellence, something that is absolutely fundamental to our ethos. We make everything from fresh ingredients, use local produce and work with suppliers to get the best quality. Our chefs then do an amazing job in creating meals that are so good and do not compromise on quality even when they are under pressure with larger numbers of guests.

What would you say to any other businesses considering entering the Cornish Brides Awards?

Simple. Do it. If you are committed to quality and believe you can outperform your competitors, then it is great to get recognised for this. It also keeps us all on our toes in an effort to deliver the very best for couples on their wedding day.

88

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

How do you feel Cornwall compares to the rest of the UK bridal industry?

I cannot claim to know the whole industry, but from talking to many wedding couples it is clear that Cornwall offers a wonderful location and offers great value. Cornwall has become a real destination for weddings and it is wonderful that there are so many complementary businesses that have grown up to make it even more special.

In your opinion what makes Cornwall such a special place to get married?

First has to be the friendly people here combined with fantastic country and sea views. There is something magical about the place. I feel it every time I cross the Tamar when returning to Cornwall from trips elsewhere. We have three miles of golden sands within minutes of Rosewarne Manor. The fact that couples can have a wonderful beach photography session before returning for a wonderful feast and party makes the county a truly special place.

Have publications such as Cornish Brides helped your business?

Definitely. We prefer to have relationships with wedding magazines like Cornish Brides that know and reflect just how special Cornwall is. They understand the wedding industry inside out and they know what couples want to see within their magazine - great locations and impressive services.

We know we must be doing something right when we appear in the magazine.

And finally, do you have any plans for the future you can share with Cornish Brides?

We have just completed work on our Summerhouse to create a beautiful ‘Garden Room’. This gives us our fourth room licensed for wedding ceremonies and enables us to host garden ceremonies. It is also a wonderful room for small intimate wedding groups to dine in private right in the garden.

It has already been described as magical and we are thrilled with it and we know our bridal parties will be as well. This is another way we can tailor everyone’s special day and give them that extra level of expertise and choice. www.rosewarnemanor.co.uk

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

91

92

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

THE

GRAPEVINE keeping you up-to-date with all the latest bridal chatter

Be Inspired to Beat the Weather What better symbolises a delightful Cornish summer than enjoying cool refreshing drinks outside with friends and family while enjoying the picturesque countryside or a stunning seascape? If you’ve put your faith in the unpredictable British weather and decided to brave a wedding or reception al fresco in the hope that the weather gods will smile down on your special day, then wedding decorative and styling specialist Inspire Hire have some fabulous finishing touches for an outside bar to delight your guests and add a touch of elegance to the proceedings. www.inspire-hire.co.uk

Cornish Brides Super Girl!

Congratulations to Cornish Brides cover girl Leanne Ward who was recently crowned Miss English Riviera 2014, which gives her automatic qualification for the prestigious Miss England finals in June. Leanne also won Miss Devon Charity, a fantastic achievement which coincides with her successful run in the London Marathon earlier in the year, which saw her raise over £2,000 for charity. Well done, Leanne - we are very proud of you and wish you luck in the Miss England finals.

Tie The Knot in Style Create stationery as individual as your day. Cornish Videographer, Sparry Harbour Films, has expanded its range of wedding services and is now offering a brand new service of bespoke, handmade wedding stationery completely personalised to a couple’s requirements and finished with organza (tie the knot!) ribbon. www.sparryharbourfilms.co.uk

104

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Beautiful Bride The delightful Aqua Spa at Gonwin Manor on the cliffs overlooking Carbis Bay, has opened a fabulous new store in Victoria Square, Truro offering treatments including Hydrafacial and HD Brows as well as an extensive range of facial treatments including chemical peels, lashes, Illamasqua make-up, massage and more. On May 31, Aqua will be hosting renowned cosmetic industry expert Dr Martin James Kinsella from Harley Street skin and body clinic Re-Enhance who will be on hand to provide individual beauty consultations and advice on a wide range of beauty and cosmetic procedures available. Dr Kinsella will host two clinics that day; a morning clinic at Aqua Carbis Bay and an afternoon clinic in the new Truro store. Guests will be able to enjoy live demonstrations and Champagne and take advantage of some special offers before taking home an exclusive Gift Bag. www.aquaskincare.co.uk

Blooming Marvellous Bloom Remedies is a small, family-run organic skincare company, based in the beautiful landscape of West Cornwall. Founder, Marie Hall, is a qualified aromatherapist and draws on her expert knowledge of plant oils and essential oils to create products that are therapeutic, beautiful and effective. Marie and her team were celebrating recently with the announcement that not one, but two of their products have been shortlisted for the acclaimed FreeFrom Skin Care Awards. Being an organic-based business, these awards are of particular importance to Bloom Remedies as they are designed to celebrate and encourage skincare and cosmetics manufacturers who create products that exclude many of the allergens, chemicals, fragrances and artificial additives that are associated with skin and health, as well as ethical and environmental concerns. The two products which have been shortlisted are Beard Treatment Oil in the Men’s Grooming category and Daily Detox Moisturiser with Palmarosa & Tea Tree in the Problem Skin category. Both products will now go forward for a month's in-depth testing of their qualities and efficacy by a select, ten-strong panel of experienced Beauty Bible testers before the winners are announced at the Love Natural Love Organic show at Olympia in London on the July 4. www.bloomremedies.co.uk

It’s a Man Thing!

If you’re looking for a gift to say ‘thank you’ to your best man and ushers, then Devon Hampers have just the thing with a great range of hampers created for the men in your life. Choose from the Devon Beer Hamper with a selection of award-winning ales or Gentleman’s Indulgence which includes pasties, pints and chocolate or Orange Whisky Marmalade, perfect for spreading on toast for your ‘big day’ breakfast. www.devonhampers

Real People ...

Real Weddings ...

Real Memories ...

Nige and Loraine Hoar : 01726 842979 www.ticktockphotos.co.uk @ticktockphotos.co.uk

07921 626934

WHEN TWO

WORLDS COLLIDE

What happens when one of your closest friends tells you she is getting married overseas and you’re not invited?

Cornish Brides ‘best friend’, Carley Wetting, shares one of her less joyful bridal experiences.

Now I don’t think I’ve ever made any secret of the fact that I am not the marrying kind. Of course, I can’t say with absolute certainty that I will never get married, but I have got this far in life (and let’s just say I am no spring chicken) without feeling the need to ‘tie the knot’. I’ve had relationships, of course and I have even been in love once or twice, but never to the extent that I have felt compelled to forego my family surname - even though it is a pretty naff name - and become one part of a couple. It has just never happened to me and it really does not bother me in the least. I do not hanker after a husband; I do not yearn for a oneness or desire domestic bliss.

I have a great job, a beautiful home, a loving family and some wonderful friends (yes, male and female) whom I cherish dearly.

But I have been to enough weddings over the years to be something of an authority on them and I have working in the bridal industry long enough to know a thing or two about the intracacies of marriage. But what I was not prepared for was the day when one of my absolute bestest friends told me that I was not invited to her wedding.

OK, to be fair, that wasn’t exactly the context of the conversation and for the sake of clarity, I should start at the begininng, so here goes: Once upon a time (oh come on, all the best stories start that way), there were two little girls, Carley (that’s me) and Gemma (that’s my friend). Carley and Gemma grew up together in the same street and played together, went 108

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

to school together, started work together, developed a fondness for boys together and an even greater fondness of gin and bitter lemon together.

Now I should digress slightly here and confirm that the fondness for gin and bitter lemon was somewhat short-lived as our taste buds matured; mine towards white wine and Champagne and Gemma’s to rum and coke; come to think of it, I don’t think a progression from gin and bitter lemon to rum and coke actually constitutes a maturing of the tastebuds, but hey-ho, that was and still is Gemma’s tipple of choice.

As with most childhood friends, our paths diversified somewhat in our early 20’s as we pursued our respective careers, but the line of communication between us remained firmly open and by our mid-20’s, we were as inseparable as we had been at junior school (I don’t think it’s actually called that any more, but that is not really relevant to my story).

By this time, we had made our career choices and found ourselves living and working within a mile or two of each other in London, having both left our suburban homes for the bright lights and excitement the capital could offer. We bumped into each other one day on the tube and discovered that my flat in Balham was no more than a stone’s throw from her flat in Clapham (metaphorically speaking, unless that is Fatima Whitbread was throwing the stone) and that we both commuted each day into the west end on the northern line. It was an uncanny coincidence and from that day, our friendship not only resumed, but positively blossomed.

Until, that is, Gemma met Rory. Now I don’t like to cast aspersions on a person, but from the very moment that Gemma introduced me to Rory, I did not like him and, to be honest, he didn’t like me either, which seems fair.

We just did not hit it off. I found him to be quite obnoxious and opinionated and he probably thought much the same about me. It was just one of those things that doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s instant and permanent and I knew right from the beginning that I was never going to like Rory.

Because of our obvious and mutual dislike, we did not see the point of pretending to like each other and Gemma seemed either oblivious or completely unperturbed by the fact that her best friend and her boyfriend all but hated each other.

She seemed more than happy to conduct two entirely separate relationships with us, spending many happy and carefree times with me doing the kind of girly things we girly-girls do (actually I am not in the least a girly-girl and Gemma is only marginally more of one than me), but we loved shopping and going out for long lunches. We loved walking around London for hours, exploring street markets, people-watching in Leicester Square and enjoying the street entertainers in Covent Garden. We did the rounds of the museums and art galleries on wet Sunday afternoons and we took picnics to Battersea Park on sunny Sunday afternoons. We went to concerts to see our favourite bands and we discovered a mutual love of the theatre, which included the ballet and the opera. We spent a fortune on tickets for shows that we didn’t even understand, but we always came out of that theatre on a high, having loved every single second of the performance and the experience. And whilst we never went into it in any great detail, I always felt it was reasonable to assume that Gemma enjoyed the time she spent with Rory just as much. She became hugely adept at keeping the two of us at arm’s length and whilst I did not perhaps realise it at the time, she also went to great lengths to not regale me with stories of the wonderful Rory, so by the same token, I guess she kept mention of me to a minimum when she was with him. If I’m totally honest, I did not think her relationship with Rory would last very long. They seemed very different to each other, although with hindsight, I should perhaps have realised that opposites attract.

Nonethless, I was somewhat taken aback when the two of us were sitting in our favourite Italian café one evening, just off Battersea Park Road, enjoying a carafe of cheap but surprisingly good Pinot Grigio and she told me that Rory had asked her to marry him. “And what did you say?” was my immediate response, to which I remember detecting a slight slump to Gemma’s shoulders. “I told him yes, of course”. She replied somewhat dejectedly as though I should have realised there could not possibly have been a different response. “Oh”. I said and drained the last of my wine.

That evening was, I think, a turning point in my relationship with Gemma. I was invited to the engagement party but fortunately, it coincided with a long-planned and hugely important business trip. Secretly, I think Gemma, who knew about my trip, purposely arranged her party for that particular weekend knowing that I would not be able to attend. Neither of us ever mentioned it, but I think we both knew what happened and I think it was for the best.

Their engagement was relatively short and within 6 months, they were sending out the invitations for the wedding which I must admit I was dreading receiving. It had been on the cards for a while, so I’d had time to think about it and I had decided that my friendship was Gemma was more important than my dislike for Rory and that I would be gracious in my acceptance. I even considered the possibility that she might ask me to be her chief bridesmaid; we had, afterall, been friends for over 20 years. I can honestly say that it did not even occur to me that Gemma would be looking at ways to keep me and Rory apart on her big day or the extraordinary lengths she would go to in order to achieve this. I know that I had not wanted to attend their engagement party and had been fortunate enough to have a good excuse not to, but a wedding was different, wasn’t it? Even I could see that my dislike for the groom needed to take a back seat on such an important occasion. So, I resolved to be absolutely delighted for the happy couple, to smile and engage in animated conversation and act the perfect ‘best friend’ of the bride throughout. No-one, I decided, would have even the slightest inkling that I felt anything other than love and happiness for both Gemma and Rory.

However, the days became weeks and I became a little concerned because my invitation had not arrived. I knew Gemma had sent them out because I had bumped into one evening as she was on her way to collect them from the printers and she’d told me she was planning on getting them in the post the following weekend. With hindsight, I remember that she was a little off with me that evening, almost as though she would have preferred not to have bumped into me. I had invited her to join me for a drink, but she had declined, saying that she had a lot to do. We’d parted amicably enough with our usual peck on the cheek and she’d dashed across the road before the traffic lights changed and disappeared up Forfar Road.

It was a good fortnight later that I had a call from another friend of ours, Hazel, who I hadn’t seen for a while but who, I knew, was in regular touch with Gemma. To this day, I am not entirely sure why Hazel called me but during the course of what turned out to be a rather mundane conversation, she happened to mention the wedding and asked outright how I felt about it.

Not being completely sure what ‘it’ was, I hedged my bets as any good journalist can do and by the time I put the ‘phone down, I was in no doubt whatsoever that I was most definitely not on the wedding guess list. To be fair, neither was Hazel, but then she was not really what one would class a good friend, more of a casual acquaintance. Even so, there were one or two people who had been invited to the wedding who were not as close to Gemma as I was and I was left feeling somewhat deflated after Hazel’s call.

For once in my life, I really didn’t know what to do, but after a couple of days pondering the matter, I decided to face it head on and confront Gemma.

The upshot of all this is that Gemma and Rory had decided not to get married in London, as I had imagined they would. She never did go into the whys and wherefores, but somewhere along the line, they came to the conclusion that they quite fancied the idea of getting married abroad on a sun-kissed beach with just a few very close friends and family members invited. The fact that I was no longer considered a ‘close friend’ rankled far more than I let on and I am convinced that Gemma finally arrived at the decision of her ‘Totally Tropical’ wedding in order to avoid any embarrassment or upset either before or during the wedding. I was hurt that she felt I might actually set out to spoil her big day, whether intentionally or otherwise or that I would allow my feelings for Rory to overshadow my feelings for Gemma, but for better or worse, the decision had been made and I was not invited to the celebrations, which took place in St. Lucia the following summer.

I don’t see very much of Gemma these days. She and Rory celebrated their third wedding anniversary a short while ago and I hear that she is now pregnant with their first child. I never heard much about the wedding and did not even see a photograph of the happy couple and if I am being totally honest, it does upset me. But I am philosophical enough to realise that if Gemma ever had to make a choice between me, her friend and Rory, the man she loved, I was always going to come in second. And that is entirely how it should be. I never intentionally set out to dislike Rory, probably no more than he set out to dislike me; it was just one of those things and perhaps we should both have made more of an effort to get on, for Gemma’s sake. But that’s all water under the bridge now.

Gemma and I may no longer be close, but the experience has taught me quite a lot about people and about love and I am, I hope, a better person for it. Gemma and Rory seem happy together and I am happy for them and at the end of the day, that really is all that matters. But if there is any advice I would pass on to other ‘friends’ who may find themselves in a similar position it is that you should never have to choose between two people who mean a lot to you and no-one should ever put you in that situation, even if it is completely unintentional. If there is any conflict between your friends and your fiancé, then talk it through and do not ignore it in the hope that it will go away because invariably it won’t. Most things can be resolved or, at the very least, they can be lived with, so confront it, deal with it and then you can all live happily ever after.

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

109

Bodmin Jail For a wedding with a unique twist!

La Scala Function Suite The stunningly restored former prison chapel Complete privacy is ensured in this beautiful setting; restored for special occasions, complete with its own bar, brasserie-style kitchen and all modern facilities.

This bespoke venue can accommodate 140 for a traditionally themed sit-down wedding and reception and up to 250 for more informal gatherings.

Set wedding packages with tailored features are available depending on budgets and tastes - please come in and discuss your requirements with our wedding co-ordinator.

With our Civil Ceremony Licence, why not choose from one of our seven onsite locations to make those special commitments?

We look forward to planning your special day with us!

Tel: 01208 76292 www.bodminjail.org 110

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

FOR THE SAKE OF CAKE

Tina’s Celebration Cakes

cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cakecake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake Photographs : Tina’s Celebration Cakes (top left); Caroline’s Cakes Cornwall (top right and bottom left); Kevina’s Cakes (bottom right) cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cakecake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cakecake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cakecake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake cake

So, you’ve just enjoyed the most wonderful day of your life with your soulmate and now it’s time to head off to the perfect location for that idyllic honeymoon you’ve always dreamed about. But what is the perfect honeymoon? Touring the vineyards of France, perhaps or admiring jaw-dropping sunsets from a Greek island or maybe lazing in coral splendour in The Maldives rocks your boat. The choices are endless, but your honeymoon is the perfect excuse to spend your hard-earned savings and treat yourselves to the absolute best, so splash out and visit one of these exquisite destinations and enjoy the true meaning of a honeymoon. From oceanside to mountainside post-wedding getaways, there should be something that appeals to all newlyweds looking for

Honeymoon Heaven!

France

Perfect for a short-haul honeymoon, the Bay of Arcachon is absolutely beautiful and the contemporary Le Saint-James hotel - just 10km outside Bordeaux - is the most romantic setting, nestled within the vineyards overlooking the wonderful lights of Bordeaux. New for 2014, Le Saint-James hotel has launched a new two-night getaway, offering guests a chance to experience the finest of south-west France. The luxurious package combines a two night stay at Le Saint James where guests can enjoy a day out on a typical ‘pinasse’ boat in the bay of Arcachon with oyster tasting and a delightful picnic on the picturesque Arguin sandbank with breathtaking views of the bright blue waters. The rest of the day can be spent taking in the wonderful sights and soaking up the sun on the magnificent sandy beach or perhaps even climbing the Dune du Pilat - the highest sand dune in Europe. During their stay, guests will be invited to enjoy a five course gastronomic meal for two created by Michelin starred chef, Nicholas Magie, in the hotel’s restaurant which is widely regarded to be one of the best in the region. Feeling inspired, a lesson in the hotel's own cookery school Côté Cours - is included and guests can be shown how to prepare simple, yet colourful and creative dishes to be enjoyed in the cookery school with a glass of wine from the hotel's vineyard. www.saintjames-bouliac.com

Malta & Gozo If you like a bit of history in the sun, the Maltese islands offer a honeymoon-with-a-difference where you can combine both beach and historic city. The stunning Phoenicia Hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Valletta has teamed up with the Kempinski San Lawrenz on Gozo; Malta’s idyllic little sister island which is home to some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, to give newlyweds the best of both worlds. Malta appeals to honeymooners as it boasts incredible beaches and great weather, with 300 days of sunshine a year, but also plenty of cultural attractions and historic sights. This delightful package on the Maltese islands includes three nights in a deluxe harbour view room or executive harbour view suite at the Phoenicia Hotel, with private airport transfer, glass of champagne on arrival, petit fours and sparkling wine in your room, daily breakfast and a romantic dinner for two, with wine, in the Phoenix restaurant. Then there’s a transfer to the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz on Gozo for four nights, with a bouquet of flowers on arrival, Champagne and petit fours in your room, dinner in the Ortolan restaurant with wine, plus a couple’s massage and a transfer back to Malta International Airport. This honeymoon package guarantees to leave your camera finger aching! Bookings for the twin-centre honeymoon must be made directly with the hotel. www.phoeniciamalta.com

114

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Greece The Greek Ionian island of Lefkada is the perfect location for couples to relax and delve in to a romantic world of bliss, with long memories to treasure forever. One of the most unspoiled of the Ionian islands with a sophisticated capital, the ultramarine crystalline waters of the Ionian melt into the cove-riddled coasts, plunging mountains and hidden beaches; a haven for seafaring romantics. Set in the Katouna hills overlooking the Ionian Sea, Thea Resort Villas offer everything you could ever dream of. Just five minutes from Lefkas town, the two private villas at Thea Resort offer spectacular views of the sea and the beautiful green hills of Lefkas Island. Both villas have their own private infinity swimming pools overlooking the stunning coastline and luxury sun beds to relax you while the soft breeze invigorates you - ideal to watch the sun go down.

With the villas able to accommodate up to 24 guests and host up to 75 guests (seated) you can even hold your Wedding Reception at this stunning location. There is a beautiful veranda and seating outdoors overlooking the Ionian Sea giving you the perfect setting for your Wedding Ceremony. wwwbookonin-lefkada.com

The Maldives If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate, secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives fits the bill exactly and not surprisingly, is one of the top wedding destinations of choice for many couples. Cornish Brides have selected two resorts on these magical islands which, we believe, will provide you with the trip of a lifetime.

Just a 40-minute seaplane journey from Malé International Airport, Angsana Velavaru (known as ‘Turtle Island’ in the local Dhivehi language) offers 79 beach villas, all with direct sea access and a cluster of 34 inocean villas, the first stand alone collection of water villas in the Maldives, perched one kilometre from the main island. Situated in the South Nilandhe Atolls, this stylish and contemporary resort is offering engaged couples a complimentary dream wedding to be celebrated in its beachfront pavilion with sweeping views of the ocean. The only commitment required from each couple for the complimentary wedding service is a five night booking at the resort! The Wedding Experience offers the assistance of Angsana Velavaru’s wedding planner to design a carefully crafted Maldivian wedding celebration, with the traditional drummers (bodhu beru) being a popular favourite. The groom and the bride are presented with flowers, a wedding cake, a selection of canapés for the ceremony and a bottle of Champagne. Memories are captured forever on a CD of photographs and a framed symbolic wedding certificate, whilst a coconut tree planting ceremony leaves an everlasting memory of the day with the resort. Additional extras are available for couples looking to enhance the experience, including a romantic four course honeymoon dinner on the beach, professional photography and videography, spa treatments and even a change in location for a wedding on a nearby castaway island. www.angsana.com

Secluded and serene, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is an ideal destination for a honeymoon vacation to get away from it all. Located 400 kilometres south of the Malé International Airport, this private haven is a true island fantasy and offers some of the best diving opportunities in the world.

Picturesque coral reefs boasting colourful marine wildlife can be found just minutes away from the champagne coloured sands that wrap around the island’s periphery. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is home to 50 elegant and contemporary villas with private decks, spacious bedrooms and living areas veiled by lush, natural vegetation. Fourteen of the resort’s 50 villas are Park Water Villas, which are elevated over the Indian Ocean with an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking Maldivian horizon; a private enclave for guests who desire tranquility. The other 36 Park Island villas (16 Park Villas and 20 Park Pool Villas) are designed with intimate gardens featuring outdoor rain showers and baths and private beach access. Individual plunge pools are outstanding features in Park Pool villas and less than 30 steps from the azure water, they provide complete privacy and serenity to discerning travellers. Diving enthusiasts will enjoy experiencing the rich and diverse abundance of marine life among undisturbed reefs and sites in this untouched atoll. The resort features a beach-front bar and two specialty restaurants, 24-hour in-villa dining and a selection of intimate private dining experiences showcasing the elements of the island. Boasting a jaw-dropping view of the ocean, The Dining Room is an intimate two-story restaurant serving an international a-la-carte menu. The openair lounge-style Bar is perched between the ocean and an infinity swimming pool with glorious ocean views making it the picture perfect venue to relax and unwind whilst watching a Hadahaa sunset at the end of the day. www.maldives.hadahaa.park.hyatt.com

The One-Stop Wedding Shop in St. Ives

CHAIR COVER HIRE • STAR CLOTH HIRE TABLE DÉCOR CENTREPIECES • TABLE LINEN HIRE Please call us for more information: Rachel - 07715 687 662 rachel@aday2remember.co.uk

Gail - 07557 877 001 gail@aday2remember.co.uk

www.aday2remember.co.uk

All engraved with the unique wording and design of your choice Special Gifts for Special People Pannier Market, Lemon Quay, Truro TR1 2LL 01872 223757 www.glass-engravers-cornwall.co.uk 116 Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

117

Atlantic Hotel

Carbis Bay Hotel

A stunning location with glorious views. Our

civil venue listings So, you know you’re definitely getting married, but have you decided where you want to say ‘I Do’ yet?

If you have your heart set on a civil venue - as opposed to a church or register office - then Cornwall has a number of amazing licensed venues for your civil wedding or partnership. There is an evergrowing list of hotels, castles, manor houses and stately homes which are now licensed to perform civil ceremonies. Many have stunning views across lush countryside or dramatic seascape vistas providing the perfect romantic backdrop for your big day and all are more than capable of helping you arrange the wedding of your dreams.

turn dreams into realities.

With our unique setting, offering uninterrupted views across the golden sands of Carbis Bay, combined with many years of catering experience and the highest standards of service, you have the ideal location to make this special day a success.

Whatever the occasion, a dinner party for 6 or a wedding for 150, the Carbis Bay Hotel can be tailored to meet your precise needs.

Dane Road • Newquay Tel: 01637 872244 www.atlantichotelnewquay.co.uk

Carbis Bay Tel: 01736 795311 www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk

Carlyon Bay Hotel

Carnglaze Caverns

Carn Marth

A completely unique venue offering a choice of four licensed locations including the Rum Store which is licensed for up to 400 guests and has one of the longest aisles in Cornwall (almost 80m). For smaller weddings, our Underground Lake, Enchanted Dell and Vine Conservatory are ideal.

Weddings haven’t gone out of style, they’ve just gone underground!

A cool and contemporary family-run hotel

Perched high on the cliffs overlooking picturesque St Austell Bay, the Carlyon Bay Hotel is a truly idyllic place to celebrate your special day.

And with over 25 years experience, we are experts at making your dreams come true.

Carlyon Bay, St.Austell 01726 812304 www.brend-hotels.co.uk

Edgcumbe Arms

superb service, excellent food and attention to detail will ensure that your wedding day is a day you will remember all your life and for all the right reasons. Come and see for yourself what we have to offer - you won’t be disappointed because we know how to

St. Neot, Liskeard Tel: 01579 320251 www.carnglaze.com

Falmouth Hotel

offering panoramic views, a south-facing terrace, excellent service and a laid-back vibe with super sleek style and service.

Catering for up to 200 guests

Headland Road • Fistral Beach Newquay Tel: 01637 872519 www.carnmarth.com

Fowey Hall Hotel, Restaurant & Spa

As one of Cornwall’s oldest and grandest hotels, there really is no better place to hold your civil ceremony and reception.

An outstanding 15th century pub with views across the River Tamar. Also known as ‘The Inn in the Park and the ‘Ancient Gateway to Cornwall’, we are located within the Estate of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, set amongst 800 acres of coastal walks and beautiful unspoilt countryside.

Cremyll, Torpoint, Cornwall 01752 822294 www.edgcumbearms.co.uk

Our beautiful landscaped gardens are fabulous for photographs and our views across Falmouth Bay are simply unbeatable!

Combine this with our excellent food and first class service and you have the perfect venue for your wedding.

Castle Beach, Falmouth 01326 312671 www.falmouthhotel.com

Cornwall is one of the most magical places to be married and Fowey Hall is a truly beautiful venue in a superb location with glorious views. Whether you’re looking for an intimate celebration for close friends and family or an exclusive setting to host a house party, Fowey Hall is the perfect place for your special day.

Tel: 01726 833866 www.foweyhallhotel.co.uk

Fowey Hotel

Greenbank Hotel

A romantic and stylish venue for weddings

Something Unique. Something Romantic.

Something Boutique. Something Beautiful.

of up to 70 guests.

If you are planning an intimate occasion, our Piano Lounge is ideal for up to 24 people seated or 30 for an informal buffet and our lovely gardens are perfect for welcome drinks and canapés.

Feel free to call in anytime or contact our Wedding Co-ordinator.

Nestled into the harbourside overlooking Falmouth, the Greenbank combines centuries of tradition with contemporary styling for a timeless elegant feel. With sunlit waters and stunning vistas at every turn, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic setting for your special occasion. We have spaces to suit every need whether you’re having a civil ceremony, civil partnership or wedding reception.

Headland Hotel

Two people in love make a marriage, but a stunning location makes for a special wedding. Could there be a more romantic setting for your vows than a luxury hotel overlooking wild, rugged cliff tops hugging a sandy cove? Perched in view of the Atlantic rollers lashing Cornwall’s north coast, The Headland boasts a breathtaking location for a fairytale wedding.

Telephone: 01726 832551 www.thefoweyhotel.co.uk

Harbourside, Falmouth Tel: 01326 312440 www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk

Tel: 01637 872211 www.headlandhotel.co.uk

Heartlands

Hotel Victoria

Metropole Hotel

A unique and evocative setting for your special day. We offer a bespoke wedding service in inspiring surroundings, making your special day an experience to remember. Set in 19 acres of stunning landscaped gardens and parkland, with the striking backdrop of a traditional Cornish Engine House, there is something to capture the delight of every imagination at Heartlands.

By choosing the Hotel Victoria - one of Newquay's best wedding venues - you are assured of a friendly but professional service and we will promise to do everything in our power to make your special day a memorable one.

Call now for a viewing and a friendly, informal meeting with our Wedding Planner.

East Street, Newquay Tel: 08451 664 280

You can now exchange your vows in one of the most beautiful locations in Cornwall and we can offer a truly bespoke event to ensure your every expectation is exceeded.

Our truly professional service guarantees you the Wedding Day of your Dreams.

The Metropole - Padstow

Tel: 01209 722320 www.heartlandscornwall.com

www.hotel-victoria.co.uk

Tel: 01841 532486 www.the-metropole.co.uk

National Maritime Museum

Penmorvah Manor

Penventon Park Hotel

With over 25 years experience in hosting

A beautiful Georgian House set in

If you’re holding out for that perfect setting for your wedding, then look no further.

Our unique and imaginative venue may be exactly what you’re looking for ... and then some!

Whatever your requirements, we’re happy to discuss ideas with you and we’ll pull out all the stops to achieve the perfect day!

Dayna Pope, Conference Manager Telephone: 01326 214557 www.nmmc.co.uk

weddings, the Victorian Penmorvah Manor

woodlands in West Cornwall.

House, set in 6 acres of private woodland

Licensed for Civil Ceremonies for up

and mature gardens with views across the

to 150 guests.

valley leading to the sea, creates the

Spa and pre-Wedding Beauty.

perfect backdrop for your special day.

Fantastic reputation for excellent food.

Budock Water, Falmouth 01326 250277 www.penmorvah.co.uk

West End, Redruth Tel: 01209 203000 www.penventon.com

Polurrian Hotel

Porth Veor Manor

Rosewarne Manor

In a stunning coastal location, The Polurrian

For a truly romantic venue that can be exclusively yours, look no further than Porth Veor Manor, the Country House on the Coast. For a wedding that is as truly individual as you are, book an appointment with our dedicated wedding team.

A family-run venue set in delightful countryside location offering a very personal service and truly superb food. Our beautiful function facilities and landscaped gardens will provide the perfect location for your special day. Our friendly staff will tailor every aspect to your requirements.

Bay Hotel provides a flexible approach to special events, allowing you to create a truly magical experience for you, your family and friends. Our dedicated team will work with you to ensure your special day is a great success and memorable for all the right reasons.

Mullion Tel: 01326 240421 www.polurrianhotel.com

Porth Way, Newquay Tel: 01637 873274 www.porthveormanor.com

Rosewarne Manor Connor Downs, Hayle Tel: 01209 610414 www.rosewarnemanor.co.uk

The Cardinals Hatt

The Old Vicarage

Tregenna Castle

A highly stylish and recently refurbished family run hotel set in the beautiful Cornish countryside.

Two luxurious function suites

For a truly enchanting wedding, the

can seat up to 60

Tregenna Castle Hotel is located in a

Old Vicarage is hard to beat. This beautiful

people and 140 for

magnificent 72 acre estate with stunning

secluded house set within extensive

a more informal

views over St Ives.

landscaped gardens is available

We are licensed for weddings and civil

occasion.

for exclusive use and is perfect for intimate

partnerships with a choice of ceremony

weddings or grander celebrations. We offer

rooms, including our beautiful outdoor

To see what we can offer you for your big day, drop in or call our wedding co-ordinator.

bespoke packages to ensure your wedding is

Pavilion - a truly unique venue.

Hatt, Saltash 01752 845888 www.thecardinals-hatt.co.uk

Treleigh, Redruth 01209 891615 www.theoldvicaragecornwallweddings.co.uk

Tregenna Castle, St. Ives Tel: 01736 795254 www.tregenna-castle.co.uk

Trenython Manor

Trethorne Golf Club & Hotel

Civil Wedding Venues

An elegant and historic 19th century

We feel it in our fingers, we feel it in our toes!

Manor House set in the heart of natural

Set in the beautiful Cornish countryside Trethorne offers romance and opportunities to create those perfect pictures of your special day. Excellent food and superior accommodation coupled with our skill in meticulous planning and you have all of the ingredients for your special day.

For more details on Civil Wedding Venues in Cornwall, visit the Cornish Brides website:

woodlands and boasting breathtaking views over St Austell Bay. The perfect venue for an intimate ceremony or larger wedding for up to 70 guests.

Trenython ... more than you realised.

completely unique and special.

www.cornishbrides.co.uk

If you would like to promote your Civil Venue on these pages, call us now on

Love Trethorne, where the feeling just grows ‌

01872 270169

Trenython Manor 01726 814797 www.trenython.co.uk

Kennards House, Launceston 01566 86903 www.trethornegolfclub.com

It’s the only way to ensure that brides-to-be know about your venue!

e d i u G ’s e _ _ d i _ r _ B _ _ e _ h _ T _______ A quick and easy page reference guide to find your favourite suppliers

116

A Day To Remember

75

Fowey Hall Hotel

123

Angela’s Post Box Hire

40

Frocks & Frills

117

Ann’s Pasties

124

GIG 9569

58

Art of Flowers

82

Greenbank Hotel

IFC

Atlantic Hotel

86

Headland Hotel

122

Be Beautiful

119

Heartlands

46

Bella Bella Bridal

111

Hotel Victoria

123

Benny’s Organic Ice Cream

116

Inscriptions

58

Big Fat Cake Company

47

Jane Louise Fashions

30

Bliss Bridal Gowns

46

Jon Richard

124

Blue Skyes Photography

124

Joss White

110

Bodmin Jail

125

Lisa Gee Designs

47

Bridal Studio

122

Manor Fashions

30

Brides-to-Be

117

Maureen Webber’s Cake Emporium

47

Budeiful Brides

2

Metropole Hotel

87

Carbis Bay Hotel

124

Momentos Wedding Photography

120

Cardinals Hatt

110

Mount Edgcumbe House

OBC

Carlyon Bay Hotel

82

National Maritime Museum Cornwall

106

Carn Marth Hotel

123

Occasions Covered

118

Carnglaze Caverns

83

Old Vicarage

123

Cars With Style

122

Patcessories

124

Celebration Pyrotechnics

110

Penmorvah Manor

59

Children’s Hospice South West

79

Penventon Park Hotel

59

Christian Michael Photography

75

Polurrian Hotel

125

Cornovi Cornish Tartan

120

Porth Veor Manor

116

Cornwall Laser Therapy

117

Ron Bushell Photography

124

Cornwall Wedding Photographer

125

Rosemary Jane Flowers

123

Distinctive Wedding Cars

74

Rosewarne Manor

116

Duchy Hospital

58

Scorrier House

118

Edgcumbe Arms

122

Stephanie Stevens Jewellery

30

Elegant Bridal

124

The Guest Factor

122

Emilie’s Professional Hair

107

Tick Tock Photos

124

Emma Griffin Photography

55

Tregenna Castle

123

English Rose Wedding Stationery

IBC

Trenython Manor

125

Escential Blooms

120

Trethorne Golf Club & Hotel

125

Falcon Hotel

123

Truffles Catering

2

Falmouth Hotel

122

Unique Designs by Tina

40

Fantasia Bridal

123

Vanilla Cake Emporium

74

Flowers from Bruallen

31

Wedding Company

2

Fowey Hotel

41

White Room Bridal

Cornish Brides 01872 270169 www.cornishbrides.co.uk

Be Beautiful

THE

BRIDAL DIRECTORY Beautiful Bridal Hair and Make-up Be Beautiful Hair & Make-up

by Bridgette Caple

01822 611096

Beautiful Hairstyles on your Wedding Day Mobile service to your home or venue Call: 07876345708

www.bridalhairandmakeup.webs.com

emiliesprohair@live.com

Unique Designs by Tina BESPOKE, HANDMADE HAIR ACCESSORIES, JEWELLERY, FAVOURS, VENUE DECORATIONS AND MORE ...

Beautiful and exclusively designed hair fascinators, corsage, bag and shoe accessories.

Each item is hand-created to colour co-ordinate and complement your special outfit.

Tel:

01209 211578

www.patcessories.co.uk

Ideal for all those special occasions in your life Weddings, Parties and Proms.

Make your day extra special with our bespoke hairpieces for your whole wedding party.

Whatever it is you're celebrating, we’re sure we have everything you will need to add those extra finishing touches.

Choose the colours and styles you like and let us do the rest.

85 Fore Street • Bodmin Tel: 07866 586070

www.uniquedesignsbytina.com

Manor Fashions www.manorfashions.co.uk

The outfit experts situated near Helston Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom Creating beautiful jewellery for beautiful brides

www.stephaniestevensjewellery.co.uk

07817 239 895 122

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

outfits, hats, fascinators, shoes and bags Ring Ann for your appointment 01326 561455

Occasions Covered Let us create a magical venue for your wedding.

Chair Covers, Sashes, Wishing Wells, Centre Pieces, Room Decoration and Accessories.

No job too small. Prices to suit all budgets For more information and an informal chat call Julie on

0752 688 6175 We are a small family run business seeking to provide a personal and friendly service for our Cornish Community.

CARS WITH STYLE!

Distinctive Wedding Cars for your special occasion

01288 341371

Fabulous Cars Competitive Rates Contact Les on 07799 666209 email: les.farrow@sky.com

www.distinctiveweddingcars.co.uk

English Rose Wedding Stationery ‘The attention to detail makes all the difference ...’

Award winning English Rose Wedding Stationery specialise in creating hand-made, quality wedding stationery with a simple, yet distinctive, elegance.

Take a look at the website and see the stunning ranges available. www.englishroseweddingstationery.com POST BOXES FOR HIRE FOR WEDDINGS AND CELEBRATIONS

Tel: 01208 813033

From just £30 for up to 4 days hire Call Angela on 07791 973 458 or email amdcrafts@hotmail.co.uk

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

123

GIG 9569 Wedding Specialist DJ Bespoke Entertainment for all Occasions

01726 883880 / 07876 524320 andy@gig9569.co.uk

124

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

Rosemary Jane Flowers Specialising in creating beautiful, unique wedding flowers just for you.

www.escentialblooms.co.uk

www.rosemaryjane-flowers.co.uk

07751 034354 A personalised florist service for your very special day

ARTIST

Illustrator for Cornish Brides magazine Unique, hand-drawn designs for personalising your wedding stationery or creating the perfect gift.

Wedding Venues Portraits Cartoons Animals ALL MEDIUMS

-

ALL PRICES

-

ALL YOURS!

Lisa Grenfell tel: 01736 368709 email: elemgee@hotmail.co.uk

Bold, traditional & individual Fabulous Cornish kilts by Cornovi Simon Burt Photography

T: 01209 860702

www.cornish-tartans.co.uk email: cornovi@btinternet.com

RECOGNISING AND REWARDING TALENT, QUALITY AND DEDICATION

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE BRIDAL BUSINESS Voting Now Open!

www.cornishbridesawards.co.uk

Cornish Brides : Summer 2014

125

Can you Keep it Together?

I sometimes think that if you believed everything you read about getting married, you would seriously think twice about putting that ring on your finger. So many companies seem to love undertaking research on every aspect of marriage and their statistics don’t always make for positive or inspiring reading. They would have us believe that planning a wedding is fraught with problems that will test not only your love for each other, but your relationship with just about everyone else you know and even your own sanity!

For example, did you know that one survey claims that up to one in three brides will fall out with their bridesmaids at some point before, during or after their wedding and as many as 40% of brides expect to lose contact altogether with their bridesmaids once the confetti has settled. The most common cause of disagreements between a bride and her maids seems to be dress style and colour, hairstyles and arrangements over hen parties, although it seems hard to believe that such petty issues would have any long-standing consequences.

Other reasons for fall outs between brides and bridesmaids is jealousy, with 38% of brides feeling that one or more of their bridesmaids are jealous of them and 26% saying that their bridesmaids’ insecurities about their appearance led to problems between them. Money also seems to be issue with some brides asking their bridesmaids to pay for their dresses which doesn’t always go down well and, it would appear, some bridesmaids seem to forget themselves completely and have far too much to drink at the reception and end up flirting with the groom which, perhaps surprisingly, does not go down well with brides!

And what about the survey that claims that an astonishing one fifth of newlyweds and engaged couples expect to divorce in the future. Yes, that’s right ... 20% of you don’t even think your marriage will last the distance. Apparently, when asked if they thought their marriage would last, 22% said they accepted this might not be the case and 21% said ‘no’ they truly did not expect to stay with their partner forever. So much for ‘til death us do part’. Maybe that section of the marriage service should be changed to ‘til someone better comes along’.

Best men seem to come in for a bit of criticism as well as one in ten brides disapprove of their partner’s choice of best man, according to yet another poll. When asked what they thought about the best man, 32% of brides confessed to exerting influence on their partner with many suggesting alternatives to their partner’s choice. 10% said they had refused point blank to allow their partner to have his first choice of best man, fearing that it could ruin their day; clearly a risk they weren’t prepared to take. And this is before we look at the statistics for family fallouts and the abundance of arguments we are told a bride and groom will have before they even make it up the aisle. So what is going on? Are things really that bad?

We don’t think so, although we appreciate that a lot of couples feel a massive amount of pressure when they are in the process of organising their wedding. There are lots of people around who have an opinion - and let’s face it, some people are not exactly adept at keeping their opinions to themselves!

So, is there a secret to organising the perfect wedding without losing your friends, your mind and your sanity? Not really. You just need to remember that this is just one day in your life, albeit a very important one. Keep things in perspective and try to bear in mind that this day is about the two of you and whilst it would be lovely to please everyone else, it doesn’t really matter if you don’t. As long you both enjoy the day and are happy with the way it goes, that is all that really matters.

But if that doesn’t work for you, then just be ready for when that pollster stops you in the street sometime and says: ‘Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your wedding day?’

Cornish

s w o sh

if you’re serious about getting married, there is no other place to go kingsley village JULY 6

SEPTEMBER 7

NOVEMBER 2

www.cornishbrides.co.uk

and finally ...

You’ve heard of the Candy Buffet? Well, let us introduce you to the Confetti Bar from our friends at Shropshire Petals. Brides can choose from a range of petals and colours which are then set out in jars for guests to literally ‘grab and throw’ (the confetti, that is, not the jar!)

So, here we are at the end of another issue of Cornish Brides. As usual, it’s been great fun putting it together and we really hope you enjoy it and find oodles of ideas and inspiration for your own wedding. By the time this issue reaches you, the 2014 wedding season will be well and truly underway and there will be happy couples tying the knot all over Cornwall and, of course, it will be your turn soon!

As you’re reading this, we are already working on our next issue, which will be out at the end of July. It’s going to be a very special commemorative issue and we are so looking forward to it. As you will know, 2014 marks the 100 year anniversary since the outbreak of World War I and also the 70 year anniversary of D-Day, which has special significance for Cornwall as D-Day Loving this beautiful bridal bouquet that is so on trend for 2014 with gorgeous bold and vibrant colours that just shout ‘summer’. Make a real statement with your bouquet this year.

embarkation points were cited at Mount Edgcumbe and Falmouth and thousands of troops were stationed here and left from here. We will be looking back at these very important times and comparing weddings that took place both in 1914 and

Photography: www.interflora. co.uk

1944 with those taking place in 2014. If your parents, grandparents or great grandparents got married during either the first or second world war, we would love to hear from you and if you have any photographs of their weddings, please get in touch.

But before then, we have TWO Cornish Brides Shows to bring you, so we hope to see many of you at Kingsley Village on May 11 and/or July 6.

In the meantime, we are being promised a scorching hot summer (now where have we heard that before?) but fingers crossed, they’ve got it right this year and we hope that all you brides getting married over the coming months have a truly fabulous day. May the sun shine down on you!

Brides are still loving vintage crockery. It’s a great way to create a truly nostalgic feel and the beauty is, it doesn’t have to match. You can hire it for the day and ask around amongst friends and relatives; you’ll be amazed at what you find lurking at the back of the cupboard.

Photography: www.get-knotted.net