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www.parrotandpineapple.com EXPERT ADVICE

Stellar wedmin advice from those in the know

FORWARD THINKING

What are the latest trends in wedding venue styling?

The pandemic made us all re-evaluate weddings. Couples are now more conscious of how precious shared time with family and friends is. To this end, 2022 celebrations are likely to be more personal, creative and fun, using statement colour palettes, thoughtful décor, bold style and unique entertainment.

There’ll be an increased focus on the environment and nature, with more outdoor weddings or venue dressing bringing the outside in. Florals will either be huge floor-to-ceiling installations or run along the full-length of the tables and be more waste mindful. With the focus on sustainability, rented flowers and leafy plants in terracotta pots are likely to be huge.

In terms of colour there’ll be something for everyone. The traditional pastel pinks and whites will be replaced with earthy, natural hues – think soft pinks, coffee, honey, caramels and ivories with a touch of rust or amber for those wanting something warmer. Couples will be embracing non-traditional palettes too.

Media and fashion trends always influence décor and design, so I expect to see the obsession with the Regency era (thanks to Netflix’s Bridgerton) find its way into weddings. Whether this be through pastel colour palettes featuring soft blues, stationery details and signage in calligraphy; or floral arrangements of roses and trailing wisteria, with dining details using vintage china.

Sally Gallis | www.lunaandthelane.co.uk

THIS IS US

How can we tell the story of us through our wedding cake?

I love working with couples who want to use their cake to show their story! It often leads to some fun designs and always a unique bake for their day. A popular style I’ve create many times over the years and one that never goes out of fashion, is my hand-painted story cake. This depicts when or how you met, something you love and where you are now. It can also be personalised further to match the colour scheme of your day and allow you to add lots of fun, quirky detail.

Show your personalities through the cake’s flavours too – I always suggest a selection and recommend choosing the ones you love. After all, making sure the cake is beautiful inside as well as out makes for a talking point for all the right reasons.

UNITED BY LOVE

We’ve heard about rituals we can have during a celebrantled ceremony, but how do we know which is right for us?

Hand-fasting and unity candles are just two of the symbolic rituals that many couples are now choosing to include in their www.kelsiescullyphotography.com wedding ceremony, and each can be adapted to suit your own style.

Hand-fasting is a beautiful ancient ritual said to be where the phrase “tying the knot” comes from. Put simply, it’s when a couple joins hands and ribbons or cords are used to tie a symbolic knot. You can use several different ribbons or plaited cord made up of different colours, or anything else you like. Couples often choose colours to match their palette. Using multiple lengths can also be a way to include family and friends.

A unity candle is a lovely symbolic joining together or two families. Two taper candles are lit individually, before both are used to light a larger central candle. This can be a great way to include both mothers in the ceremony and also works well for blended families.

If you’re thinking of including a symbolic element in your ceremony, then simply talk to your celebrant. They’ll be able to advise you on how they can incorporate it in a way that’s completely right for you.

We’re looking for a super-fun and memorable catering idea for our wedding. What can you suggest?

What’s a wedding without ice cream? Whatever your wedding style, from festival-themed with tipis to a rustic barn setting and everything in between, it’s a great catering option. Be it a post-ceremony celebration, an interactive wedding dessert or an evening sugar boost to keep the party going, serving delicious artisan gelato from a super-cool pink vintage caravan could be just the element of fun you’re looking for.

With us, you’ll have the opportunity to select your favourite ice cream flavours to be served to you and your guests in either a waffle cone or tub. From classics such as rum and raisin and mint choc chip to something more unusual like Biscoff or gin and elderflower, we can offer gelato, vegan gelato and sorbets in more than 50 flavours. What’s more, our topping station is filled with everyone’s favourite sprinkles and sauces, allowing guests to completely customise their ice cream and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

Charlotte Way | www.caravents.co.uk

BLOOMIN’ DELICIOUS!

We love flowers and want to incorporate them into our cake design. What would you suggest?

LET’S START AT THE VERY BEGINNING

We got engaged over Christmas – so excited! But where do we start with the wedding planning?

Flowers are a wonderful way to feature colour, form and detail in your wedding cake. Fresh flowers are the most budget-friendly option and can exactly match your other floral arrangements. There are however a few restrictions as some popular choices are toxic and cannot be placed near food. Your hands are also a bit tied by what’s available at the right time of year. Your florist can give you the best advice.

Sugarcrafted flowers are much more versatile, offering any bloom, any colour, and even metallic elements. Sugarcraft is a specialised skill and many flowers are very time consuming to make as they’re made petal by petal, so the cost of these will inevitably be higher than the fresh option. However, done well, they provide a very classy finish with an added touch of luxury.

Given the increased demand for rustic-style cakes using dried flowers, foliage and grasses are on trend. They lend a boho vibe and pair well with fresh and sugar blooms. Hand-painted flowers or those created using buttercream add an arty element. Again, these involve specialist skills, so be sure to find a cake maker who has the capability to create the look you love. Congratulations! Christmas is also when my fab wife Helen and I got engaged. I have a few suggestions based on my experience of around 50 weddings per year... ❤ Set a date for the wedding. Do you want a long or short engagement? Think about the time of year you’d both love to get married. Every season has its own benefits. ❤ Book the venue. Think about the type of venue you want and set a budget. Have a think about the ceremony too – you may wish to have a religious service in a church, a civil ceremony at a venue or Register

Office, or exchange vows in a stunning woodland setting, beach or field for a personalised ceremony conducted by a celebrant. ❤ Book the high priority vendors. The very best suppliers who offer a bespoke service are usually booked well over a year in advance so it’s important to prioritise. This is true now more than ever with the

Covid crisis causing a backlog, so don’t wait. ❤ Open days and wedding fairs. January, February and March traditionally have a lot of wedding events running. Venue open days usually feature trusted, high-quality suppliers so it’s essential to visit these.