HOT TOPIC

Those in-the-know solve your wedding dilemmas

SHE’S GOT THE LOOK

I want a classic wedding dress that won’t date. We’re getting married in a manor house – do you have any suggestions? Creating a timeless look for a manor house wedding is a wonderful idea and will really add to the look of your wedding images when you look back in the future. I would recommend going with something that has some good construction in the bodice and has some real flounce-appeal in the skirt. That way you get the most drama and it will also ensure you stand out against the regal and dramatic backdrop of your venue. You could really go to town with the fabric and sleeves, too, as long as you stay with a shorter or off-the-shoulder sleeve design. I would suggest Peony by DAMA Couture, which also has the added benefit of having printed peonies in the fabric of the dress, so will also make your look really memorable to your guests.

Melanie Fox, The Case Of The Curious Bride | www.thecaseofthecuriousbride.com

Always In Bloom

I’m so excited about my wedding bouquet – it’s going to be incredible! But I’m also sad about the thought of it only being remembered in photos. What else can I do?

Made by Mannie specialises in flower and memorial preservation, helping you keep those memories alive forever. We can dry your fresh flowers, then set them into any of our resin pieces or dry frames on our website. If you want to keep your flowers whole we recommend a deeper piece such as a block or sphere. Our prices start from as little as £20 and we have no minimum spend. We can even arrange for your flowers to be hand delivered or posted, then we do all the rest! We understand wedding flowers can be really expensive and then it’s such a shame to see them go to waste after your big day! Let us create an exquisite keepsake that you can enjoy over and over again.

Samantha Sanderson, Made By Mannie https://madebymannie.co.uk

Music To My Ears

My best friend hired a DJ based on a recommendation – and they failed to show on the day! What should we look for to make sure we hire the best – and how can we prevent this happening to us?

While it’s always good to get a recommendation from someone you know regarding a DJ you should always do your own research, as getting the right DJ for your wedding can literally make or break your day. Take a look at their website and social media and get a good feel for the work they’ve done, in particular what experience they have in playing at weddings. Always check their reviews on Facebook and Google and see what their previous clients have said, too. Most reputable wedding DJs will have lots of five star reviews available for you to read through. If they don’t have a website and or very few reviews, move swiftly on! When you find one that looks and sounds good ask for a quotation, as well as finding out about their experience. Don’t be afraid to ask to see pictures of their set up and their approach to meeting your music requirements. Some companies hire in DJs, so while their website and social media can look really professional this may not be the case for the DJ! So always make sure you know who is going to be the DJ at your wedding.

Ian Conway, Icon Entertainments https://icon-entertainments.co.uk

Seaside Affair

We want to wed by the sea for some summer beach pictures; but are struggling to find a head turning venue to accommodate 100 guests. Help!

With the best views in Tynemouth, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better venue than The Grand Hotel Tynemouth! Set upon a clifftop with magnificent views of Longsands Beach, the hotel was built in the nineteenth century and epitomises the grandeur and luxury of this era. We hold ceremonies in two rooms within the hotel, the Pearl for up to 100 or the Orchid for 120; with your wedding breakfast held on the first floor in our Orchid Suite. You can even enhance your experience in our newly refurbished roof terrace giving you everything you want from a seaside venue. Just picture it: the North Sea in the background, cocktail from the outdoor bar in hand, while keeping warm by the firepits. Gavin Turner-Groombridge, Grand Hotel Tynemouth | www.grandhoteltynemouth.co.uk