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Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas

Once Upon A Time

We’re having a fairytale-themed wedding in a marquee and want everything to look magical. Do you have any suggestions on how we can decorate the space? Pay attention to all the little details for a fairytale-themed wedding to add a magical atmosphere to your day. You’ll need to tie together the decoration, bridal attire, wedding stationery, catering options and the cake to create a statement theme. Think soft lighting, pastel shades, lots of florals, some vintage touches and soft fairylighs to make the room feel magical. A floral archway will set the mood and give your guests a great photo opportunity too.

Long wooden banquet tables create a more secret garden style, while round tables with linen give a more elegant and fairytale vibe. Adding vintage candelabra or lantern centrepieces will create extra impact.

If the budget allows, details such as antique picture frames and hurricane vases with candles on tree stumps will complete the look. Think about glass chandeliers hanging in the marquee if you want to go all out.

Nicole Crossfield | Sincerity Wedding Styling www.sinceritystyle.com

Setting The Scene

Our wedding day is approaching, and I want everything to be perfect on the day. What advice can you share when it comes to creating a stress-free day?

The days leading up to your wedding should be an exciting and stressfree time – it’s all in the planning. At The Dower House Hotel, we share our event orders with couples to ensure we’re all on the same page regarding the big day. That way, our clients can relax knowing all the details are being taken care of. I usually attend weddings, meaning couples have a familiar face on-hand throughout the day.

Creating a calming atmosphere for fun morning preparations is key, something we can offer thanks to our beautiful Wedding Dressing Room. Assign your wedding party with tasks that need sorting, like final touches or essential information to remember. They’re there to support you during the entire wedding and not just the vows, so put them to work. You both need to be calm and stress-free on the day, so ensure your entire day is focused on celebrating your commitment to each other!

Carolyn Hutchison | The Dower House Hotel www.dowerhousehotel.co.uk

Happily Ever After

We’re having an outdoor wedding and looking for the perfect blooms to match our fairytale style – what would you suggest? There isn’t a better colour scheme to match a fairytale wedding than a rainbow of pastel colours.

Go for pale pink and ivory preserved roses, pink preserved gypsophila to make gorgeous floral clouds along with touches of lilac and pale-yellow dried flowers.

What fairytale would be complete without piling on the drama? Include lashings of pale pink pampas grass that flutter in the breeze outside.

Focus on large-preserved flower heads for bouquets, such as roses, achillea and fluffy pastel hydrangeas. Add some pampas grass, bunny tails and ruscus leaves for the ultimate look – all finished with pastel satin ribbons.

Use pampas grass and gypsophila clouds for the venue styling. Opt for a stunning floral backdrop with a pastel rainbow of dried flowers. With dried and preserved flowers, there are no seasonal limitations. Plus, you’ll be able to keep the blooms long after the wedding!

Sarah Ogden | Horseshoe Flowers www.horseshoeflowers.com

FASHION-FORWARD

I’m looking for attire for my spring wedding; what advice can you share with me?

Spring is such an exciting season for weddings. Floral and fauna choices always heavily dictate colour palettes this time of year. Choose fresh pastels and tints rather than stronger shades to capture the crisp spring light. As the weather can vary, you’ll want to keep that brightness.

I strongly recommend three-piece attire with a waistcoat for an extra layer of warmth for those outdoor moments. The Peter Posh range carries a variety of options that work with spring colours and checks that continue to be popular.

The left Hadley suit in this picture is perfect if you’re working with a lemon or yellow colour palette. The floral print tie from Heirloom complements the subtle royal blue check. Or you can break up a solid colour block with a checked waistcoat from the Mulberry range, here shown with the silver Knighton suit. Cravats also move a plain suit away from feeling like work or business attire. If you’re leaning towards a lilac or pink palette, the Alveley suit on the right is perfect as it carries an amethyst tone. Helen Kirk | Sanders Hirewear www.sandershirewear.co.uk

Capturing Memories

We’re both camera-shy and anxious about our photo being taken, but we also want a lovely album to look back on. Can you offer us some advice?

I had a bride who was very nervous about having her photo taken because she thought it was impossible to take a good photograph of her. So as part of their wedding photography package, we booked an engagement shoot to help her feel more comfortable in front of the camera. The shoot allowed the client to get to know me and see how things would work on the day. Spending some time on a pre-wedding shoot just going through the motions of being photographed will boost your confidence, and you’ll hopefully have fun.

Getting to know your photographer is essential, as they’ll be with you for most of the day. Pick a supplier whose work you like, as this will build your confidence from the get-go.

Russell Croucher | RFC Photography

https://russellcroucherphotography.shootproof.com