Fashion 32

27 – meandem.com - blouse 28 – meandem.com – tweed jacket 29 – meandem.com – wide leg trouser 30 – zara.com – shoulder bag 31 - russellandbromley.co.uk - sneaker 32 – marksandspencer.com – twill coat 33 - marksandspencer.com – rib cardigan

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rEd alErt

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Block colour is one of my favourite trends & this season you can’t go wrong with red, The red twill coat from M&S is fabulous, I recently tried it on in our local store & it’s a great shape, make sure you look at M&S for sports luxe pieces. Me and Em are one of my favourite brands, they layer outfits really well & create interesting separates in fabulous colours, trainer are still key, add these chunky sneakers from Russell & Bromley.

I hope you have enjoyed my Fashion Edit, make sure you dress to impress!

Happy Shopping! Sally x www.shecanstyle.co.uk

WintEr WEddingS

There is nothing more romantic than a winter wedding. Snow on the ground, frost in the air and tree bowers dripping with frozen crystals while inside is warm and cosy with glowing open fires, twinkling candlelight and fulsome winter foliage.

It used to be that winter was considered the “off season” but venues have now wised up to the fact that it is a popular time of year to marry so the prices can be the same as peak season especially, the week between Christmas and New Year. So if you are planning a winter wedding then it is best to embrace the season and use what is readily available to you.

Make sure your venue works in the winter Obviously if you are planning a winter wedding then you should view the venue in the winter to see if it works well in the colder months. If you are attracted to venues that offer open fires with large ornate fireplaces to enhance the wintery theme, do ask then venue manager when you are viewing if the fires are working and can be lit. It is also worth checking whether you can have candles as many venue will not allow a naked flame (if not, don’t worry, you can use storm lanterns which when wreathed in winter foliage look just the part).

When booking the venue take care to avoid any cold-weather mishaps. Make sure that people can actually get to the venue and that there is sufficient parking. If your wedding or reception is in a remote area do leave enough time in the agenda for people to get to the destination in case of bad weather that might slow them down. It might be worth considering having your ceremony and reception at the same venue, saving your guests any travel trouble if there is bad weather.

Check with the venue to make sure that there is sufficient matting at the entrance point so that guests can wipe their shoes and not tread slushy footprints into the venue. Look for a venue that has plenty of space between the main entrance and the access to the reception room. That way, you’ll keep the indoor environment toasty and warm.

In the cold then guests will have coats and scarves so make sure that the venue has a cloakroom (and if possible a cloak room attendant) so that guests can leave they belongings safely.

Hotels will have sufficient heating but it might be worth checking that other venues such as marquees or church halls have heating in place. Conversely when the disco starts up it can get rather hot and sticky, check with the venue manager to see if the heating can be reduced in that particular area.

Decoration

There are plenty of ways to decorate your venue to create a warm and cosy atmosphere. With the sun setting early in the winter months, candles and crystals will add to wintery romance to any venue setting. To add to the ambience, consider bringing in lush, soft textures. Deep red velvety roses set amongst dark green foliage such a holly (especially with the red berries) will add a touch of luxury to the setting. Enhance this with wide velvet ribbon which you can tie around napkins or candles centrepieces. You could even tie the ribbon to the chairs and hang themed decorations such a wooden hearts of crystal snowflakes.

What to wear

If ever there was an excuse to use vibrant colours such as forest greens, deep crimsons and brilliant whites then certainly winter is the season to do so. You can also use heavier fabrics such a velvet or sensual silk satins. If you want lace look for the heavier variety like Battenberg lace which is more substantial and will keep you warmer. The best part of winter wedding fashion is that you can indulge in luxurious full skirts without the fear of getting too hot or weighed down with the extra fabric. Choose a style of dress that has sleeves for extra protection and warmth. ¾ sleeves in particular can look very feminine.

Accessories

If you still want to wear shoulder-baring strapless gowns or slinky sheaths you will need to think carefully about your accessories so that you can keep warm and avoid shivering your way through your photography session while still looking fabulous in your dress. Envelop yourself in a stole or find a warm shawl or cashmere wrap for a look that exudes a charming winter style and essentially, keeps you warm. Look to the more substantial fabrics such as velvet or faux fur to complement your gown and embellish your winter wonderland look.

For shoes, go for a close-toed style (strappy heels could be hazardous in snow) as there might be ice or even worse slush on the ground. Why not have a pair of white boots which will peep out from under you dress but keep you sure footed. You could always change into the heels once you are safely at the reception venue. It may be an idea to have a pair of white snow boots that you can change in and out of to travel between venues - fun for the photographs too!

Add gloves for a touch of Hollywood glamour. Choose a colour that complements your flowers or theme. Perhaps dress your groom in a slick suit and add a scarf in the same colour as your gloves to match the wedding colour theme.

Our Weddings

Winter Treats

Winter weddings give you the opportunity to serve your guests something quite different and very seasonal. Serve an alternative reception drink such a mulled wine served with mini mince pie or Winter Pimms with gingerbread men decorated in white piped icing to resemble the bride or groom. For sheer decadence, serve a white hot chocolate with marshmallow dips.

For the favours you could have pots of homemade hedgerow jam for the girls and jars of chutney or pickle for the boys. Or bag up snowflake shortbread biscuits piped in white icing and tied with ribbon your wedding colours.

With careful planning you can enjoy all the usual wedding traditions bundled up in a festive winter theme with unique elements to set your wedding apart from the norm. You and your guests will be rosy cheeked, them from the mulled wine and you from the flush of love...