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ISSUE 2

E V E N T S

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P U B L I C AT I O N S

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N O R F O L K

Event caterer | East Anglia & beyond!

nibbles & nosh

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Looking Forward During Challenging Times

irstly, thank you for supporting not just Modern Love Weddings, but all of the wicked wedding creatives we have featured in this crazy, bumper issue. There really are no words for how thankful we are that you’ve chosen to get your wedding fix with us. No wedding creative within this magazine has paid a penny to be included, so your contribution has gone towards our design costs and means we can hopefully keep supporting hundreds of local wedding businesses during these challenging times.

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grazing tables, boards, boxes & cheese GRAZe cakes Charcuterie, savoury & sweet options all available, as well as personalised themed grazes and more! follow us

Get in touch! hello@curiousclub.co.uk

@nibbles_andnosh

Ever the optimists, we are looking forward to a year of so much love, joy and hopefully big celebrations, and as a business we are excited for what 2021 may bring. Once we’ve been given the green light to move forward we have some big plans and can’t wait to start working on them.

We hope you enjoy this mega issue and our slice of wonderfully exuberant weddings from some of the best wedding creatives in the East.

This issue has been a real labour of love and we hope it has inspired you to create equally wonderful designs for your big day. (If you do, please do reach out as we would LOVE to feature your wedding in a future issue).

For your dose of wedding love, don’t forget to head to @modernloveweddingsuk on , find us on  too and pop to our website for news and the latest info: www.modernloveweddings.co.uk Lot of love in these most crazy of times, Alex and Daisy alex@modernloveweddings.co.uk daisy@modernloveweddings.co.uk

FRONT COVER PHOTO CREDITS: Concept + Styling: @auroragreyphoto Florals: @thecountrygardenflorist Hair: @bohobeautybox MUA: @lovemoimakeup Stationary: @ilikepensstudio Cake: @sugarbuttonscakes Film: @brownsfilms Fashion: @pronovias + @asos Boutique: @lacreme_brides Venue: @ceciliasnorwich Models: @georgiehadingham / @karicorn7 / @eveline.vys

PHOTO CRE DITS THIS PAGE : Dresses: White Reflections Bridal Hair & Makeup: Boho Beauty Box Flowers: Valley of Flowers Ltd Styling & Stationary: I Like Pens Model: Katie Speed Photography & Location: Modern Tribe Photography, Modern Tribe Photography Studio Cake: Sugar Button Cakes

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WE’RE BACK IN SPRING 2021

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Crushin’ on cakes.

A look at some of the region’s very best cake creatives.

Photo Credit: Aurora Grey Photography Cake Credit: Sugar Buttons Cakes

Join us at

Hales Hall & The Great Barn for our first fair in nearly a year

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Advice from the experts & real life stories.

Moving your wedding not once, not twice but 7 times.

With Willow Tree Weddings

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Corona Considered

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Support Local A few of our fave up & coming independents.

7th Time Lucky

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Focus on venues

Food, drink & Family & table layouts Friends

Fashion

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Style & The finishing touches

Upcoming events

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Directory

DAT E F O R YO U R D I A R Y

2 8 TH M A R C H * W W W. MODE RNLOVE WE DDINGS .CO.UK *Please note this is provisional due to Covid-19, please keep an eye on our socials for updates.

CREDITS Concept & Styling: Modern Love Weddings Photographer: Thyme Lane Photography Venue & Props: Array Wedding & Event Hire Props & Styling: Smoke & Wildwood Lighting & Neons: Quirk Events Hair: Barberella Bridal Hairstylist MUA: Lucy Anne Makeup Artist Dresses: Adella Bridal Flowers: The Botany House Cake: Love Wedding Cakes Balloons: Deck Above Stationary: Sam Wood Wedding Stationery Models – find them on  : @eveline.vys @clemacus @capclarke @darrel_hemingway

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Get Ahead with your Wedding Planning Tasks

Choosing your Wedding Suppliers

If you can use your time stuck at home to get ahead with your planning then I would highly recommend it.

You would be amazed at just how resourceful us wedding suppliers can be. There are so many ways that you can keep in contact with your suppliers.

Here are some which frequently cause stress and panic and get left to the last minute:

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Planning a wedding in a pandemic

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Writing placecards

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Picking you ceremony readings

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Pick you first dance

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Practice your first dance

Choosing any hymns (if you are having any)

Plan and write your speeches (if you are having any)

Create a playlist for your day or evening – your DJ is bound to ask you if you have any requests

With Emily Andrew Events

H

as this lockdown effected your wedding planning mojo? I can imagine that it all feels a bit distant for the moment. I know it is massively disappointing to not be able to move forwards and get excited about your plans, but I have a few tricks and tips to help you.

Looking at the images that photographers have taken of other weddings at your chosen venues will give you a better idea as well of how weddings run at the venue, the space, layout etc. These are all important things to note down.

Picking your Wedding Venue

Get in touch with your shortlisted venues and check availability first of all. Get a copy of their terms and check there are no nasties in there.

Some venues are offering virtual tours or may already have videos on their websites to give you a better idea of their scale and layout.

If a venue is particularly lovely they may even do you a virtual show round with you live on the phone so you can ask direct questions as you go round.

If you haven’t picked your venue yet then I am sure it’s worrying you. I know that this is such an important step in the planning so you may feel that this is really holding you up. There is no reason not to start your venue searching.

Check out all the venue’s social media, from Facebook, to Instagram and even Pinterest.

Look at the suppliers who’s work gets tagged into the posts and images, see if you then like the look of them, what they do, what they stand for. Again, by looking through social media you will see more into the psyche of the venue and the other suppliers.

Don’t be afraid to explore different options.

Some venues are taking a conditional, time specific, deposit. You would pay your deposit for your wedding date and then once lockdown is over, you can visit the venue in the flesh.

If, at that point, you aren’t happy with the venue they are offering a full refund.

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Really dive deep into what you are actually looking for in your suppliers. I don’t just mean the pretty stuff. Look at their company ethics, their testimonials, the venues they work at, the suppliers they work with. Suppliers will happily take questions via Instagram/ Facebook or email so take the opportunity and chat online. Book discovery calls or no-obligation consultations, either over the phone or via a Skype or zoom call. This will give you the chance to really get to know your suppliers before you book them.

Making sure you gel is super important and vital for ensuring your day runs exactly how you want it to.

Working with your Wedding Suppliers See what your suppliers can do to help you virtually. For example, I know cake makers are posting out sample boxes for taste testing and bands are sending soundcloud links of previous gigs to help clients decide. Sending photos of previous work, drawing sketches, creating mock-ups, creating detailed Pinterest boards etc are all really great ways of effectively communicating at this time.

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DIY your Wedding.

If you are a couple who find yourselves no longer able to go out and so what you love then make the most of this extra time you now have.

It may be that DIY’ing your wedding is something you always wanted to do but never had the time for, or you now feel that saving some money would be a great idea.

Here are some examples of ways you can ‘Do-It-Yourself ’:

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Learn how to make your own stationery or invitations

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Learn how to make you own decor, from paper pom poms through to A-frame blackboard signs there are so many options

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Take an online course in creating flowers.

Making your own buttonholes or bouquets could be a great way to save money

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Learn calligraphy or chalkwriting for your stationery or decor

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Learn how to do your own hair and make-up.

You could even get your hens and mums involved so they learn remotely with you.

I know some florists are offering online tutorials, as are some bakers so you can learn from a pro and get the practice in before your big day.

Some other DIY elements you could get on board with now to get extra prepared are:

Sea & Stone Jewellery Beachy earth goddess inspired jewellery from the Norfolk Coast.

Perfect as gifts for the bridal party.

Norwich, Norfolk www.seaandstonelife.co.uk  @seaandstonejewellery

• Skincare tutorials and blogs • Online haircare advice and blogs • Virtual fitness and wellbeing regimes I hope these ideas help you a little with some inspiration to kick-start your planning mojo and to make you see that wedding planning in lockdown IS possible. I would love to know how you get on and as always I am right at the end of an email or DM. Happy Planning!

Emily Andrews Events www.emilyandrewsevents.co.uk  @emilyandrewsevents

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PHOTO CREDITS Venue: Voewood Photographer: Charlie Campney Photography Planner & Stylist: Emily Andrew Events Florist: Floral Sistas Catering: Florentina Props: Rustic Hire & The Little Lending Company Hair & Make up: Sarah Swain Stretch Marquee: Lunar Stretch Tents Catering Equipment: Banqueting Hire Dress designer: Alyssa Kristin Candles: Ester & Erik

Shop Local

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upporting local businesses is important now more than ever. It really is true that when you buy from independent small businesses, someone does a happy little dance. We are loving these small local retailers, and we hope you will too. #SupportLocal

The Botany House All year round wreaths? Yes please!

Made with love in Norfolk www.thebotanyhouse.co.uk  @thebotanyhouse

Saxon Wellbeing No better way to relax before the big day with these Bomb Cosmetics cruelty free bath bombs.

Beccles, Suffolk www.saxonwellbeing.co.uk  @saxonwellbeing

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Hannah & Perry

Did you have any complications about moving your date?

Yes! The venue had limited availability, and so did some of our suppliers.

Were there any elements you had to change from the wedding you had planned previously?

Real Life Postponement Story

We have been really lucky that most of our suppliers could do our new date. The only thing we've unfortunately had to change is the makeup artist. We are very much hoping that come July 2021 weddings will be able to go back to some normality.

What are you most looking forward to about your new date/wedding?

Becoming a wife to my amazing partner, and having all our special family and friends there to celebrate with us.

How have you found the experience about moving your wedding?

Very stressful! Luckily the majority of suppliers have been really accommodating and have been able to move to our new date. The most stressful part was all the communication between suppliers, the venue, guests, and finding a suitable new date.

Venue:

S E N N OWE PA RK What was your original date to get married this year & where were you getting married?

11th July 2020 at Sennowe Park.

What made you choose that venue?

It had the most magical feel. The house and grounds are breathtakingly beautiful. We loved the fact we could have family stay on-site with us the night before and after the wedding, meaning the party could go over three days instead of just one.

When is your new day?

17th July 2021. It was the only Saturday date we could have the venue and most of our suppliers.

Previously

11 t h JULY 2020

What advice would you couples thinking about moving their wedding?

New date

17 t h JULY 2021

We were very hesitant back in April to move our date and were so hopeful that everything would go ahead in 2020. We moved our date several times... from July to August, to then looking at October, but in the end, to relieve some of the pressure of the unknown, we made the decision to move our date until the following year.

Just keeping everything crossed that we will be able to have our special day on 17th July 2021.

HANNAH & PERRY’S SUPPLIERS Wedding Planner: Sarah Softley Events Photographer: Salsabil Morrison Videographer: Thompson Granger Catering Team: Mackenzie Davis Bar Service: Smoke & Wildwood Makeup Artist: Jemima Chatfield Hair: Tracey Ward Florist: Niche Norwich Music: Malt House String Quartet (Day); SupaTight (Evening)

Photo Credit: Sophie Cass Photography

Modern Love Weddings wishes Hannah & Perry the most amazing day on the 17th July 2021 as well as any other couples who have moved their special day.

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Advice on making your micro-wedding even more special from The Floral Sistas

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micro wedding can be as special as a larger wedding and from our experience this year even more so. Our first wedding after lock down actually brought us all to tears, seeing a real life bride walk into the church, excited to marry her fiance and not letting the covid situation stand in their way of love. It was inspiring to watch and we felt very lucky to be a part of this particular wedding, and the handful of micro weddings we have had this year have all had elements that we will remember forever and are all equally as special if not more magical than their bigger counterparts.

Our advice would be embrace it.

Once you've made the decision to have a micro wedding you have the opportunity to make it really personal, memorable and extra special. We have been very lucky that all our micro weddings have still wanted to use their full flower & styling budget which has meant bigger statement pieces and more florals, which in a larger wedding would have been spread out across a larger space.

We have seen smaller weddings put their budget towards larger backdrops, statement bouquets and memorable designs which in turn has inspired other covid couples to the possibilities available to them for a micro.

Make it personal, it’s all in the detail – this is our advice on every wedding that we do, particularly in our collaborations with The Little Lending Company. Having a smaller guest list means that you can really go to town on smaller details for example personalising the space that your guest will be seated at.

Penny at The Little Lending Company often writes the most beautiful name settings and we have also seen personalised straws, drinks miniatures and plants. It’s great to find something that reflects you as a couple and use this to enhance your guests experience.

Having a smaller wedding might also mean that you have more budget to have luxurious linens & napkins, coloured cutlery, a different choice of chair – all of which make a huge difference in the overall look and styling of a wedding.

The Floral Sistas www.floralsistas.co.uk  @floralsistas

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Photo Credit: Darina Stoda Florals: The Floral Sistas Styling: The Little Lending Company

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Michelle

I

from The Floral Sistas Real Life Supplier Micro-Wedding

am a Covid bride! At the start of the year we were sure that our wedding would go ahead and we left it quite late to make the decision to postpone. We decided to postpone until February 2021 but it became clear that by then we still wouldn't be able to have the wedding we had planned but we really didn't want to compromise on that.

We have an awesome team of wedding supplier friends and we just couldn't cancel on them so we decided to move it to November 2021.

After losing a close family member we decided things can change so quickly and we just wanted to get married.

So with that in mind we decided to go back to our original date of the 31st October of this year and have our 'marriage day' as a smaller celebration, then followed with our ‘wedding day’ celebration party next year.

We chose a different venue for our 'marriage day' which was Pentney Abbey. Jaymi and her team at Unique Norfolk Venues made our day so special and worked so hard to make it all happen for us all in a matter of a few weeks.

We wanted a really simple ceremony as we don't want anything to take away from our big day next year.

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Michelle’s Suppliers I wore a white jumpsuit from ASOS, the amazing Emily at Love Moi Make Up did my make up and my sister Marie did my hair along with Laura (LH Hair) who put up all the bridesmaids hair, my fiance and I walked down the aisle together and had a small drinks reception – the only element that was a bit extra was of course the florals and styling with Penny at The Little Lending Company The incredible Darina Stoda captured the day for us and we can’t thank all our suppliers enough.

Next year we shall have our 'wedding day' at Godwick Great Barn. James and Kerri have been amazing in supporting us and we can’t wait for our celebrations there, it’s such a special venue to me.

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CREDITS Photo Credit: Darina Stoda Florals: The Floral Sistas Styling: The Little Lending Company

We are going to also have the most incredible & personal wedding ceremony led by Natalie Rayboulds - this is something that we would have never thought to do before and are really excited to have a ceremony that will be a little different.

And my original dream dress from White Reflections will finally get the day it deserves.

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Planning a Covid-safe Wedding

Ask an

EXPERT We asked Jan from Belles & Beaus for some advice for couples navigating the Covid chaos.

with Belles & Beaus

Explore Different Types of Wedding MINIMONY A minimony is a mini-ceremony with a small group of loved ones, in person or virtually.

Your minimony will be followed by a wedding at a later date, where you can either have a reception with all your loved ones or have a blessing ceremony too.

MICRO WEDDING A Micro wedding has fewer than 20 guests, and right from the beginning, that’s the number that the couple were always planning to invite. It isn’t about whittling down a guest list; it’s for those who love the idea of a really intimate wedding in the UK or abroad.

M U LT I D AY Wedding Multiday weddings include festivities over the course of three days, with a pre-wedding rehearsal dinner, the wedding day, and a next-day brunch or lunch.

You can invite different groupings of guests to each separate events, meaning those groups don’t overlap at all and you can keep the numbers for each event down while celebrating with your whole large guest list.

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Pick a Date While it might feel daunting to pick a date given the uncertainty of the pandemic, choosing a day far in advance will help ensure that you get the venue and vendors that you want most.

Many of the 2020 weddings that were postponed moved to 2021 so bear in mind peak weekends may already be fully booked for venues and suppliers alike.

Be open to a weekday wedding which increases the likelihood of your venue (and whole supplier team) being available, and ensures you can marry in the season you want if weekend dates are busy.

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Livestream Your Wedding This will be big for 2021.

Elderly relatives or those at-risk may not want to be in a large group, but this way you are allowing them to watch your wedding live on a video platform.

Perhaps you could even send them something to sip and nibble on to help make them feel included.

Take It Outdoors If possible, being outside is much safer than gathering indoors because there's more space and airflow. If possible, see if you can plan an outdoor wedding instead of an indoor event. Or, if your ceremony is inside, try to organize an outdoor reception.

Indoors/outdoors wedding were already rising in popularity so now is a great opportunity to embrace the trend.

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Meet with suppliers virtually In order to finalise your team of wedding suppliers, organise virtual meetings to get to know your potential suppliers. Being able to talk with them will help you make an informed decision on the best team for your wedding day.

Address important questions with your suppliers from the start, that way you'll be on the same page from the beginning. It is recommended that suppliers and couples come to an agreement and commitment with one another while addressing all the possible outcomes, so ask questions like: What if our date comes but we are only allowed X number of guests? What if my guests aren't comfortable attending or flying on that date? What if we have to postpone?

While the future ramifications of coronavirus are unpredictable, it's best to address any possible issues upfront. In turn, having these discussions will help eliminate any miscommunications down the line.

Low quality image advisory Communicate with Your Guests Guests might have a few nerves about group gatherings after a long time away from them.

There are loads of ways to make your guests feel safe without sacrificing the look of your day.

Your guests will be opening doors, picking up glasses, touching chairs and shaking hands so the best way to contain any spread of germs is to have lots of hand sanitiser and wipes available. It’s going to be tricky to keep your guests two metres from anyone outside their household or ‘social bubble’ at your wedding so consider signage placed around the venue as reminders, a clear and humorous sign at the entrance to your venue stating that you’d like everyone to maintain the two metre social distancing rule will make your intentions clear and keep the request light-hearted.

At the end of the day, this is done out of love and respect for the safety of your guests, and they will understand that.

Wear Masks

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Wearing a mask is one small, simple thing you and your partner can do to help keep your guests as safe as possible. We know the idea of rocking a face covering on your wedding day isn't the most exciting, but it does reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

We really love this floral version to match the wedding bouquet, supplied by Charlotte Staff Flowers.

Styling Your Venue

Create clusters of decor, rather than spread everything out around the room leaving the centre of the room empty and potentially void you could create cluster features at the edges of the room as well as through the middle. This could be achieved by incorporating tall trees, plants, grids or frames with foliage etc. You could then position tables between the clusters so each table has it’s own intimate dining zone and is naturally shielded from the next allowing guests to feel safe.

Awaiting Images

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Have you fallen in love with a big venue and not sure what to do now you're only 15 people? There's lots of creative ways to create an intimate atmosphere, even in bigger venues.

Using larger tables with fewer guests around which will automatically increase the amount of floor space you are using up but also allow for larger centrepieces. Opt for tall, oversized centrepieces which make the ceiling appear lower, break up the space and create the wow factor.

Consider your colour palette as white tends to make a space appear more light and airy so using rich dark colours can make large spaces seem smaller and more intimate. Many barns and stately homes have beams and tall ceilings which can add to the feeling of too much space, so ideas for bringing the ceiling down are worth exploring - lighting canopies, drapes, hanging paper lanterns and foliage displays can all be suspended above guests heads to create an enclosed space.

Consider setting up a few bars, buffet or snack stations around the venue so no one area is too busy at once, maybe each area could serve a different style of food or drinks. Self service items such as grazing buffets and sweet tables are currently not allowed but individual bowls of snacks or ready packed bags of sweets or candy floss can be selected from each station, along with ready poured glasses of cocktails on drinks trolleys are a great way of filling space, and giving guests the opportunity to interact when selecting their food or drink before going back to their table.

Creating lounge areas with vintage seating, Persian rugs and greenery is a great way to fill space and encourage people to break away from tables to sit in small groups dotted around.

Wherever possible, use outdoor spaces for the different sections of your day. Find ways to incorporate open-air elements, like an outdoor ceremony, photographs and reception drinks on the lawn, and an outside lounge area with fire pits for guests to mingle in the evening.

So while your wedding day might look a little different from your original plans, the meaning of the union will ensure it will still be one of the best and most memorable days of your life.

It has never been more apparent that the most important thing about a wedding is the love of two people.

Belles&Beaus www.bellesandbeausweddingstyling.co.uk  @bellesandbeausweddingstyling

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7th Time Lucky

By Lois at Willowtree Weddings

M

y partner Matt proposed to me on 9th December 2018 on a surprise trip to Berlin. He had organised for both sets of our parents to be there for the weekend and on our last day, he got down on one knee in front of a MASSIVE Christmas tree and asked me to be his wife. I was obviously elated, we had been together for 6 years and being a wedding planner myself, I was super excited to get going with the organisation (as if I hadn’t been planning it from the moment we met).

Matt went to school in Spain as a child, and I had always wanted a destination wedding, so we quickly decided on Malaga, packed our bags, and headed to Spain in search of our venue.

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It didn’t take us long to choose a gorgeous boutique hotel on the outskirts of a small town called Nerja. It was in the hills overlooking avocado plantations and filled with beautiful citrus fruit and orange blossom.

It was everything we wanted and more, so we excitedly booked our date for 2020 and I got to work planning our dream Spanish fiesta.

Now clearly, the title gives things away a bit here and everything did not go as we originally planned. Over the course of 18 months, we moved our wedding across seven different dates and two different counties, changing our guest list from 120 to only 11. My mum was sadly diagnosed with cancer and 7 months later passed away, COVID-19 hit us, and then when we’d changed all of our plans and embraced an intimate UK wedding, lockdown 2.0 came into action. Now, I’m a very positive person, but it really did feel like the universe was trying to tell us something and ultimately, we had to make a decision – carry on trying or give up.

We were hit with a bit of good news when weddings were permitted to go ahead again in December and our local registry office contacted us with a last-minute cancellation.

We decided to go for it, scaled back, and on the 19th December, we were officially married.

We are planning a big garden party to celebrate in 2021, but for now, we wanted to finish this rubbish year with a bit of happiness.

There was some big ups and downs in our planning journey, and seeing it from the perspective of a bride has ultimately shaped the way I now plan weddings for others.

So, I thought I would share with you all, a few of the lessons I learned from planning, postponing, and cancelling our wedding seven times.

Your fairy-tale is whatever you want it to be.

We were dealt some pretty hard blows, and at times I felt like I’d lost sight of why we were doing this in the first place. It is easy to get sucked into the small details, especially the superficial ones. The most important thing to understand is how do you want to feel on your wedding day?

Our dream was 100s of our family and friends, dancing the night away in the sun-soaked hills of Spain. The reality we were facing was a cold and dark day in December, at the local registry office with 11 guests. Looking at the two side by side, it’s easy to see how we’d be disappointed, however, we wanted our guests to feel happy and we wanted to feel loved and in either scenario those two things would happen. In Malaga or Norwich, we would be surrounded by people who love and care for us, and what could be more magical than that?

It can be really difficult to shift your mindset to a smaller wedding, for some couples they won’t want to and that’s absolutely fine – it is after all, your day. Just be sure that whatever you do, you’re comfortable with the decisions you’re making and don’t feel pressured into anything.

Trust and respect your gut This must be one of the most common pieces of advice given out to anybody, but that is why it has earned a spot here. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t, so you absolutely must speak up. Whether that means to your wedding planner, florist, or family, everybody involved in your wedding wants you to be happy so it is important that when you’re not, you say so.

We made the decision to postpone our wedding from July 2020 to the following year when we hoped that COVID-19 would be a distant memory. I ignored that niggling feeling in the bottom of my stomach and went full steam ahead with our new plans. It was not until all the arrangements were made, and we had some time to reflect that we started to let the doubts in. At this point, the decision to cancel Spain altogether seemed overwhelming and very difficult to unpick. If we had had listened to our gut instincts and given ourselves some time to process those feelings, we would have saved time, money and a lot of stress.

Spotlight on:

Curds Hall Barn If you’re feeling stressed, ask for help

Do not let expectations overtake your day 22

One of the first things I do with couples is get them to write down all their expectations for their day. It allows me to see immediately where I need to focus more energy, and what elements will have more impact for the couple.

However, there is always one expectation that requires a shift in attitude and that is ‘I want it to be perfect’.

That doesn’t mean you won’t have a perfect day, far from it, it’s about understanding what ‘perfect’ means to you. Our wedding day expectations changed every time our plans changed, and that was totally fine – emotions are different, plans shift and aligning your expectations to these is crucial to enjoying your day. There were some things we were prepared to compromise on, like having a band or DJ and others that we weren’t, like having a free bar for our guests. Once you establish what your non-negotiables are, you can align your expectations to them.

I firmly believe wedding planning should be fun, and that’s the cornerstone of my business so I should have been having the best time of my life planning my own wedding, right? Well, that’s not exactly how I felt. I was in my element the first couple of times, I had the vision clear in my head and knew exactly what I wanted – the colours, the textures, even the fragrances.

However, moving from a Spanish summer wedding to an English winter wedding totally threw me.

I love designing wedding plans, and I’ve done winter weddings before but I just couldn’t get my inspiration right. I was struggling with colours and couldn’t pick florals that were in keeping with my style or time of year.

So I asked for help. I spoke to my wonderful stylist and florist and asked them to send me some ideas. Before you know it I had moodboards and inspiration coming out of my ears and not only did I fall in love with our new wedding plans, but I no longer felt overwhelmed by the prospect of planning it.

Our day was so special to us, we had a selection of important people there to enjoy the day with us and we felt overwhelmed with love all day long. What more could we have asked for?

Just remember, however your day happens, it will be amazing.

PHOTO CREDITS Venue: @urbanjungleuk Concept & Planning: @willowtreewed Photography: @hannahbarnesphotography Film: @helenanderz Styling: @smokeandwildwood Props: @arrayweddingandeventhire Bridalwear: @purebrides Suits: @slatermenswear Hair: @hair_by_duboux MUA: @emilychantal_mua Headpiece: @aureusflos On-the-day Signage @rachaelbdesign Florals: @millierose_floral Cake: @sugarbuttonscakes

Brand new Norfolk wedding venue, Little Fransham, Norfolk We asked Kevin, venue manager of the brand new Norfolk wedding venue Curds Hall Barn, what makes the barn such a special place to get married?

So Kevin, tell us all about Curds Hall Barn?

Please do get in touch if you would like to arrange a viewing.

What’s the story behind the barn?

With its idyllic rural setting, Curds Hall Barn provides a serene and unique country wedding site and our lovely barn acts as a complete blank canvas, allowing couples to create their own individual and bespoke wedding day.

We are minutes off the A47 between Norwich and Kings Lynn too.

So, a little bit of history for you: Curds Hall Barn is the one of the last standing builds of Curds Hall which was demolished between 1935 -1950. Dating from the 17th century,the barn is made up of reused medieval masonry, brick and flint, which has been lovingly cared for over the years to maintain its original structure and the unique chequered brick and flintwork.

We offer intimate weddings from around 30 people and up to 120 guests and whether you book with us during the weekend or midweek, we hire for a three-day hire period which allows ample time to create your perfect wedding.

Curds Hall Barn has had many different uses over the years from a workshop to a grain store, but in 2018 the barn was used for a family wedding, which is where the idea of a wedding venue was born.

We have a choice of three licensed areas where you can get married. These include a fully licensed cart shed, or our intimate woodshed, which is linked to the barn, perfect to be styled however the couples may like.

Despite it being one of the worst years possible for weddings, the family continued with the renovation works on the barn, with the venue officially opening for business in July 2020.

We also boost on-site accommodation, a delightful 5 double bedroomed barn conversion, which is ideal to turn your wedding day into a wedding weekend.

We offer complete flexibility. You can use the space as you wish, have any suppliers you would like and you can provide your own daytime drinks with no corkage. An evening bar is also included by us making sure the party goes with a bang.

Undeterred by Covid, they very bravely employed me and as an experienced venue manager we decided to push forward and launch the business. I was blown away on my first visit and I am excited to represent such a new and fresh venue.

Curds Hall Barn, Little Fransham, Norfolk NR19 2RQ www.curdshallbarn.co.uk   @curdshallbarn info@curdshallbarn.co.uk 07377 138 882

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Catching up about Covid

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We caught up with Vicky from Wellington Wood to talk all things Covid and plans for the future.

As we know Covid has been pretty devastating this year, but in good news, what's new over at Wellington Wood?

and local real couples as models managing to work the photo shoot with Covid rules in place.

We just tried to keep busy and constructive as much as we could and kept couples up to date via Zoom calls and social media.

This year we had time to make a few delightful things to add to our venue. We have built a Shepherd's Hut and installed ladies & gents toilets with a difference. Let's say the ladies have super floral loveliness and the gents include upcycled beer kegs....I'll leave it there.

We also added a refrigeration room to our rustic Noggin Bar next to the Tipis.

What recommendations & advice would you give to couples looking to hold their celebrations with you?

We missed everyone terribly during lockdown so we started Sunday Strolls live on Facebook and kept in touch that way as well as doing both MLW virtual wedding fairs which was amazing to walk round and show everyone live and then chat to Alex from MLW live on the day.

We managed to salvage and rejuvenate some root wood furniture for the lounge out Tipi area.

When possible we managed to have five style shoots here with lovely local wedding suppliers

Fortunately we are an outdoor wedding venue in a private setting with lots of space.

The advice we give to couples is to use local suppliers since it is easier all round for travel here and set up. We also much prefer to work with local businesses.. For a weekend wedding, couples can come and stay here from Thursday giving them an easy time frame to set up.

With the Tipis permanently up and ready for them to add their personal touches,this also means local suppliers can pop in during the week and don't have to all come at the same time, they can stagger times to come and go.

We also recommend that couples think about eco-friendly and sustainable choices here.

Wellington Wood is already an incredibly magical place, however what are your must have additions to really add some extra sparkle to a weekend with you?

It really depends on the couple though and what they want. For us, a lovely addition is to include the fur family – doggies welcome. We also love the idea of thinking about the simple, meaningful little details that don't cost the Earth (in more ways than one).

We have really enjoyed seeing the pop-up Bell Tent village here, the wonderful Confetti Pony appearance is a real hit with the guests and kiddies, a glitter bar will definitely add the extra sparkle, late night brownie mountains and a coffee or tea van arriving the next morning with freshly baked pastries.

Wellington Wood hello@wellingtonwood.co.uk www.wellingtonwood.co.uk   @wellingtonwoodnorfolk

PHOTO CREDITS Venue: @wellingtonwoodnorfolk Photography: @thymelanephoto Styling: @smokeandwildwood Props: @arrayweddingandeventhire Lighting: @quirkevents.uk Flowers: @wildrosamund Macramé: @lovelylittlelotofknots Dress: @cambridgevintagebridal Suit: @duncanjameswalsall Hairpiece: @victorialouiseaccessories HMUA: @ashley_kay_beauty Cake: @onepartlovebakery Stationery: @7_fireflies Signs: @bewilderly Wooden Boards: @jonlemouche Silk Ribbons: @bertieandfred Couple: @ceemeandtea @southofnorfolk

CREDITS This collection of photos are all from our most recent Waxham Barn showcase.

Planning: Natalie Senior @MasonsGreatEventCo Photography: @neilseniorphotographyltd Flowers: @partridgeandpeony Videographer: @glr.visual Dresses: @tattysoriginal Menswear: @marcdarcysuits from @masonsbridalgownsanddappersuit Stationary: @mimaandmax Cakes: @littlemillies Hair & Makeup: @rebeccamorellomua Lighting, Letters & Props: @epic.events.norfolk Wedding Car: @silverline_limousines Bespoke Bar: @smokeandwildwood Wedding Day Dogs: @ohbellaweddingdaydogs Bar Furniture & Props: @arrayweddingandeventhire Dining & Ceremony Furniture: @palletfurniturehire Caterers: @funellskitchen Models: @ellie_nevard; @ callumxheinrich; @eloisehare; @tomhollandhare

Waxham Barn

Venue Chatter:

Waxham Barn Wedding Venue

WE DDIN G S H OWCA S E DAT E S 20 21 21st March | 25th April 3rd October Email your details to the email below to book.

We caught up with Monica, Waxham Barn's Events Manager, for a natter about all things Waxham, Covid and plans for the future.

Covid has wreaked havoc this year, but what work has been going on behind the scenes at Waxham Barn that couples can look forward to?

We’ve also spent time behind the scenes shooting with the very talented George Ryan of GLR Visual and now have a truly fabulous wedding video/drone footage on our website.

Please do check it out.

We have been extremely busy working behind the scenes during Covid. Waxham barn FINALLY has a wedding brochure …yay!

We also ran a very successful Wedding Showcase at the end of September which proved to be a massive hit. Although it was by appointment only due to Covid restrictions, we received amazing feedback from all couples saying how beneficial it was to view the barn styled as if an actual wedding was taking place.

As you know, Waxham Barn is situated incredibly close to the beach and you will see that some of the drone/video footage was from the beach, some could say it could be mistaken for being shot in the Maldives.

Well, we are delighted to be able to finally reveal that we are also now officially licensed for outdoor wedding ceremonies.

The Showcase was planned and arranged by Natalie Senior from Masons Great Events Company, who selected a wonderful selection of suppliers from our Directory. (Well done and big shout out to all our suppliers that day who volunteered their time and services).

Plans are also afoot to have The Dunes Café on site screened off, thus giving weddings even more privacy. We are currently having made rustic partitioning screens by the fantastic couple, Lee and Sandie from Masons Great Events Company. These screens will have planters each side sown with flowers and various

climbing plants and will run the whole length of the Café but curve around the front of the right hand side barn door so that you and your guests can enter and exit the Barn easily.

These new partitions will also elevate the courtyard and could even serve perhaps as a backdrop for your outdoor ceremony or drinks reception. We hope to have these in-situ at the Barn around mid-March.

How has Covid influenced you?

We only managed to have one full wedding this year at the Barn (both reception and ceremony) which took place pre-Covid, on the 4th of January. However, at the end of August and September we managed to hold three wedding ceremonies which, although they were small (couples were limited to 30 in the wedding party), they were incredibly beautiful and intimate and our couples were just so happy that they were able to finally tie the knot.

Covid aside, what advice would you give to couples looking to plan a DIY wedding?

My best advice would be to follow the venue on social media. Check out their reviews and check out their feedback. We’ve had feedback that a lot

of our prospective couples actually reach out to our previous couples who were more than happy to answer questions after seeing their wedding posts on social media.

Check if the venue has a recommended suppliers list. All the suppliers on our Waxham Wedding Directory are known to us and we would not have a supplier on our Directory who we would not thoroughly recommend to our couples.

Go to as many wedding fairs, showcases or even virtual wedding fairs as possible. We personally as a venue have two showcases and a wedding fair coming up in 2021 to inspire couples of what is possible in a DIY venue.

Talk to other couples that may be getting married in the same venue and swap ideas or indeed even share suppliers. Pre-Covid, when couples were at the Barn on set up day, I would ask their permission to have some viewings that evening when they had finished setting up for their big day, so that prospective couples could see what the Barn looked like for a “real” wedding. This has proved extremely popular amongst our couples as it gives them a much clearer idea visually of how the venue can look when styled.

Waxham Barn. You can reach Monica at: waxhambarnweddings@nhbt.org.uk www.waxhambarnweddings.com  waxhamgreatbarnweddings : @waxhambarn

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Tell us about Hales Hall & The Great Barn, it’s history and the story behind offering weddings?

And what makes it such a unique wedding venue?

Hales Hall dates back to 1478, built by Sir James Hobart, Attorney General to King Henry VII, this medieval masterpiece is steeped in history and we fell in love with the estate.

You can feel the happiness here, the personal stories and celebrations that are woven into the fabric of Hales.

We loved the idea of sharing this beautiful historic setting with other people and a space like this is just crying out for a big party.

Hales is a private estate that can be taken exclusively by the bride and groom; they can play Lord and Lady of the manor and entertain their family and friends.

The Great Barn is an impressive award-winning thatched country venue. Its vaulted roof and 180 arrow-slit windows, glitter into life when individually lit by candles. With an upstairs Gallery reception, the barn can comfortably host 200+ seated guests and is licenced for Civil Marriages and partnerships.

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Stunning Hales Hall is the ultimate country house. Marry in the elegant Gallery or Music Room, with its piano, and celebrate in the oak-panelled Dining Room and reception rooms. There’s a show-stopping country kitchen and alfresco dining area.

Catch up with the team at Hales Hall & The Great Barn

Our signature three-day celebration wedding package allows couples to enjoy the entire estate and create a magical celebration.

Our guests get to relax and savour every minute. The excitement builds on a Friday when the bridal party arrives to meet all the suppliers, dress the barn and make last-minute preparations. Midweek weddings are also a wonderful option for those who are flexible with dates. You have all the luxury and charm of Hales Hall but for a different budget.

Everyone loves a garden party and the great outdoors, and it’s more important than ever now.

Are you licensed for outdoor ceremonies and tell us about the outdoor spaces?

We are licenced for outdoor ceremonies with plenty of space for a marquee. We have many picture-perfect settings for your ceremony including the walled gardens, under our ‘Triumphal Arch’, in our rustic Cart Lodge or under our vine covered Pergola.

Our extensive lawns are surrounded by clipped topiary with aromatic lavender and old English roses. The gardens are our pride and joy, with floral avenues and acres of wild-flower meadows, woodland and a moat.

The panoramic East Anglian views are amazing. Hales Hall walled gardens and meadows are yours to enjoy with the romantic backdrop of the magnificent thatched barn and heritage Hales Hall.

The Great Barn or the Gallery can also be used for a Duo Ceremony with an outside service taking place on the front lawn an the legalities taking place either before your guests arrive or afterwards during the reception drinks.

What do you see weddings looking like post Coronavirus?

Bigger and better or smaller and more intimate?

We’ve seen a growing trend for couples opting for an intimate ceremony with exceptional cuisine and beautiful personal details for their nearest and dearest; followed by a top-notch big party celebration, with stand-out themes and no expense spared.

Covid or no Covid, Hales Hall offers so many options for couples and it’s a pleasure to help them create such amazing celebrations.

Hales Hall & Great Barn www.haleshall.com  @haleshallgreatbarn

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Western Waves 31

CREDITS Photography: @thymelanephoto Props: @arrayweddingandeventhire Styling, Cocktails & Tipi Lanterns: @smokeandwildwood Flowers: @thatchandroses Dress: @poppyperspective Groomswear: @duncanjameswalsall Accessories: @victorialouiseaccessories Rings: @ecowoodrings Hair: @kateatalaybespokehair Makeup Guidance: @ashley_kay_beauty Stationery: @7_fireflies Cake: @onepartlovebakery Macramé: @lovelylittlelotofknots Wooden Boards: @jonlemouche Silk Ribbons: @bertieandfred Models: @a.d.modelcouple

Graze-y in love We caught up with Nibbles & Nosh to talk about all things graze.

Why are more couples leaning towards grazing over traditional sit down meals?

This year has been so crazy with Covid chaos, but what really has prevailed is being yourself and doing what makes you happy. With grazing it is a lot more informal and you can bring a lot of fun into it, and fun really has been missing this year. Themed grazes have been such a hit as you can really stamp some personality onto them and we are totally vibing this way of dining informally.

What inspiration and advice would you give to couples looking to add grazing into their wedding?

Ideas-wise: search for themed grazes.

These can be as simple as a savoury or a sweet grazing table, or if you have a theme to the day such as a brightly coloured fiesta then you can draw from this to theme your grazing in the same colours, dishes that coincide with your theme and then props that complement the whole look.

There are also lots of types of grazes available too. At Nibbles & Nosh we don’t just do grazing tables but grazing cheese cakes too for those who want an alternative to a traditional wedding cake, and since Covid hit we have started to do individual grazing boxes too. Research all of these and start making notes on how you could personalise these to fit in with your day – Whether that be by working with your florist, stylist etc.

IMAGE CREDITS Chloe Ellis Photography

P E R S O N A L I S AT I O N T O P T I P Style your grazing area with florals, props, signage and more to make it a real focal and talking point, and something your guests will never forget.

Food for Thought We have a little bit of a thing for food over here at MLW.

H

ere are a few of the top foodie creatives that we are totally vibing right now.

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Ginger Lily Catering Street food, canapes, seated meals, Ginger Lily can do it all. Super creative & super fun food. www.gingerlilycatering.co.uk

Nibbles & Nosh

Funnells Kitchen

With cheese grazing cakes, grazing tables & individual graze boxes, our friends over at Nibbles & Nosh are smashing it with the tasty creations and we cannot get enough.

Go crazy for Funnells Kitchen.

Delightful desserts and savoury goodness.

Check them out!

 @nibbles_andnosh

www.funnellskitchen.co.uk Photo Credit: Modern Tribe

Autumn

50ml Bullards London Dry Gin 100ml Prosecco 50ml Soda Water 25ml Elderflower cordial Chill prosecco & soda water overnight.

Pour Bullards London Dry Gin and Elderflower cordial into a clean flute glass and top with soda, serve.

Winter

The Four Seasons

Cocktail recipes from Bullards Gin

Strawberry & Black Pepper Holiday Negroni SERVES FOUR

200ml Bullards Strawberry & Black Pepper Gin 100ml Campari 100ml Martini Vermouth 2 Cinnamon sticks, 4 Star Anise pods & 1 tsp Cloves Toast cinnamon for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant, then transfer to a clean empty jar and pour over Campari. Seal, shake and infuse overnight.

Strain Campari, Vermouth and Bullards Strawberry & Black Pepper Gin over ice, stir and serve over ice.

Old Tom Espresso Martini SERVES ONE

50ml Bullards Old Tom Gin 30ml Espresso or fresh coffee 25ml Coffee Liqueur Pour fresh coffee or espresso over ice to shock chill, top with Bullards Old Tom Gin and Coffee liqueur. Shake well and serve immediately. Garnish with 1-2 roasted coffee beans.

With lots of couples having to move their special days to months they may not have before considered, we got in touch with our friends over at Bullards gin to take the pressure off of pairing a gin cocktail with your wedding’s season.

Spring

Summer 34

Elderflower Fizz

Foraged Bramble SERVES ONE

50ml Bullards Coastal Gin 25ml Sugar Syrup 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice Handful of fresh raspberries Crush blackberries with sugar syrup, pour in fresh lemon juice and Bullards Coastal Gin, shake with ice. Serve with crushed ice and top with bubbly soda.

 @bullardsgin #spiritofnorwich bullardsspirits.co.uk

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Crushin’ on Cakes Here are a few of the cakes MLW is crushing on right now.

BUNS  OF FUN Photo Credit: Richard Jarmy Photography

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SUGAR BUTTONS CAKES 

BETH HA XBY CAKES 

Photo Credit: Modern Tribe Photography

Photo Credit: Gina Manning Photography

LOVE  WEDDING CAKES Photo Credit: Sophie Cass Photography

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Let your tables do the talking Table Talk with Smoke & Wildwood

Napkins & Other Details Napkins break up the vast colour expanse a plain plate creates, and adds an additional dimension to your table.

Remember, they don't always have to colour match your other soft elements. Make napkin folds and gathers a part of your pinterest research when designing your tablescape.

TOP TIP: You can decorate your soft furnishings even further.

For example you can 'garnish' your napkins with brown jute string & rosemary or add in place names. The smaller details are sometimes the most precious.

Get your colours right Colours are everything. Make sure you stay true to your colour scheme and use tones that complement the main colours you are going to use.

Pick the right fabric Fabric quality can really add or detract from your set up.

Rustic tablescapes lend themselves to hessians and muslins, whereas for luxe tables a heavy velvet would work fabulously.

Looking to design your own tablescapes? We caught up with Smoke & Wildwood to talk all things table design.

TOP TIP: Ruffle, gather, 'ruch'. Play around with your fabrics to create interest, texture and fun.

Inject some personality

Table Runners

Ultimately your table is a reflection of you and your style and it should reflect that. Right from the initial images you pick as inspiration, the colours you naturally gravitate towards, to the way you prefer your fabrics to lay and the smaller details you select, your choices will reflect your personality, so let your subconscious guide the process and stay true to yourself.

Table runners create an instant interest and focal point and these can be an understated or as dramatic as you feel like being. Think about texture here. Autumn & Winter lends itself to velvets and colour, and for Spring and Summer pick lighter fabrics – you can also tie foliage into the table runner design. Play around with laying your runner flat, or gathering it in places. At Smoke & Wildwood we typically use the gathered method to create that rustic style.

Table Cloths We love a rustic exposed wooden table, but if that's not possible, a table cloth will also do the job. Keep this within your colour scheme to complement your other elements, and avoid white if you wish to pursue a rustic aesthetic.

TOP TIP: Create height to add more & interest.

Achieve this with candle sticks, flowers, boxes, foliage.

You are only limited by your imagination.

CREDITS All Photos Credit: Chloe Ellis Photography Except Top Right: Thyme Lane Photography

Smoke & Wildwood. Don’t fancy designing & laying your own?

Smoke & Wildwood provide wedding styling services as well as bars, tipis and more. www.smokeandwildwood.co.uk  @smokeandwildwood

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Sugar on Love

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CREDITS Concept + Styling: @auroragreyphoto MUA: @lovemoimakeup Florals: @thecountrygardenflorist Hair: @bohobeautybox Stationary: @ilikepensstudio Cake: @sugarbuttonscakes Film: @brownsfilms Fashion: @pronovias + @asos Boutique - @lacreme_brides Venue: @ceciliasnorwich Models: @georgiehadingham; @karicorn7; @eveline.vys

Why the 2021 trend for Wedding Makeup will be embracing who you really are

By Love Moi Makeup

Cinematic Wedding Films www.filmand.photo gareth@filmand.photo 07456639411

I

guess as a makeup artist I’m more acutely aware of trends that I care to think I am.

I love Instagram and other social media platforms, and I always watch with interest as styles come and go, evolve and change and sometimes fade away. I definitely take time to dip in and out of trying new styles and techniques, as it’s super important to continue to grow when you have a creative job.

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There’s no doubt in the 11 years I’ve been doing this job that there has been a huge evolution in makeup that has definitely spilled over into Wedding makeup. From barely there and simple, to full Kardashian-inspired glam, to makeup looks incorporating elements of the two, the most amazing thing about working with women for their wedding day is how different everyone’s ideas of beauty and confidence are.

It makes no two brides the same, which I love, and confirms my long standing belief that the most important part of any woman’s wedding style is staying true to your own ideas and aesthetic, and doing what makes you feel amazing.

Whilst I have no doubt that classic, soft, feature enhancing makeup will always be a wedding day staple, I’ve also clients who love full glam makeup and for them, there is no reason why they shouldn’t carry this through to their wedding day. If you love a red lip, or a fluffy brow makes you feel amazing, there’s no reason not to embrace your style on your big day.

I’ve seen how confident women who stick to their own aesthetic are. Whilst Pinterest weddings are great to spend a few idle hours perusing, when it comes to your own style it’s all about finding what makes you feel your best, and drowning out the noise of opinions and socials.

Even more importantly than ever now – after such a life and perspective changing year, I’d love to think that for so many who had to make such heart breaking decisions about their 2020 weddings, its been a great chance to re-evaluate what’s important. A wedding should always be your day, done your way, and that can definitely be reflected in a bride's style too.

It’s been amazing to see this even in micro-weddings (maybe even more so with more limited external influence from extended family and friendship groups). I’ve heard from so many brides over the years that one of the biggest stresses of their wedding is worrying about what everyone attending will think, but the more you listen to what you want, I promise the more confident you’ll feel, and that definitely applies to your makeup too.

www.lovemoimakeup.com  @lovemoimakeup

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Finding the one in a global Ask an pandemic… EXPERT We asked Victoria from S Bottom Drawer Bridal aying yes to the dress can be tough at the best of times but throw a global pandemic into the about finding mix and ‘tricky’ doesn’t even begin to cover it, that being said, ensuring the perfect dress you have done your homework and in a pandemic more research than the Vaccine Scientists and finding the dress you will remember forever will still be just as magical as it always has been, if not even more.

Now that you know what you are looking for and you have found a boutique that’s giving you all the feels in all the right places…

Choosing who comes with you is of utmost importance.

To start: when & where will you be getting married?

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I know this seems obvious, but I promise you, you would not believe the amount of brides that have booked an appointment with me not knowing this vital piece of information.

Until you know when and where you are getting married, you are not going to be able to make a decision on your wedding dress, or at least it’s not going to be an easy decision to make.

Again, I know this sounds completely obvious but as with our every day wardrobes, different times of the year are going to dictate what you want to wear… a high neck gown with long sleeves may not be what you want for a wedding at the height of summer and the same applies to your venue, beautiful outdoor ceremonies aren’t perhaps going to be the easiest event to pull off if you are wanting a gorgeous winter wedding.

Research hard Once you have made that decision, it’s then time to get some serious research going.

I honestly can’t stress this enough and tell you how important this is. You need to think long and hard about your everyday style, think about what works for you and your body, how that could translate into a wedding dress and more importantly (and very often overlooked) how YOU want to look on your wedding day.

If you find a designer you love they will nearly always have a stockists directory on their website for you to be able to find your nearest boutique, or if not get in touch with them. If there happens to be a particular dress you have fallen in love with, please check with the boutique to see if they have it or can at least loan it from the designer for you, I cannot tell you how many times a bride has told me about a dress she loves, almost exactly halfway through an appointment, only to discover I could of got it in for her.

You need people with you that will:

1.

2.

Be supportive of your decisions Add fun to the experience, not take it away.

Now, bearing in mind that you may not have the luxury of having more than one guest in the room with you, this advice still rings true for all of those you may wish to have with you virtually.

CREDITS Photographer: @sophiecassweddings Stationary: @little_pea_designs Cake: @loveweddingcakes HMUA: @stephaniealexandrabridal Styling: @smokeandwildwood Props: @arrayweddingandeventhire Florist: @valley.of.flowers.ltd Dresses: @thebottomdrawerbridal Models: @mayandtea @beingchichi Jewellery: @louclarkestudio Venue: @thefirepitcamp Accessories: @melissamorgandesigns

More than 2 or 3 people giving a whole variety of different opinions can more often than not be massively overwhelming. I mean, controversial but, it is absolutely, 100% OK not to tell anyone that you are shopping for your wedding dress.

Shopping for your wedding dress by yourself, completely on your own is perfectly acceptable and don’t forget, that is what I am here for.

Next up, underwear. I cannot tell you how important it is, to come to your appointment in perfectly fitting underwear. I’ve said it a million times, the right knickers can solve a whole host of problems.

You are going to want something that:

1.

Fits perfectly (which will often mean going up a size or maybe 2)

2.

Should be nude, seam free and high waisted: that will give you a really lovely smooth silhouette and anything other than a nude colour is going to be visible through some gowns.

Sample dresses NEVER fit 100% and an awkward pair of pants on show is sometimes very hard to overlook especially if the dress isn’t in the right size. A strapless bra can sometimes also be helpful, but to be perfectly honest, depending on the dress, chances are it’s going to get in the way and we’ll end up whipping it off at some point.

Finally, if there was only one thing I could say about finding your wedding dress, regardless of pandemics, is to be open minded, trust your gut and more importantly trust your stylist.

I am never going to let you buy a dress from me that is going to make you feel anything less than perfect on your wedding day.

I need to know that when you walk down that aisle to your future, you look like the most beautiful, confident version of you. wLet’s not forget, this is THE dress.

The Dress you will remember forever.

Bottom Drawer Bridal 3 High Street, Kings Lynn, Norfolk www.thebotomdrawerbridal.com  @thebottomdrawerbridal

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Why choose Airbrush Makeup for your big day?

With Stephanie Alexandra Bridal Hair & Makeup Artist

O

n your big day you want to ensure you look, and most importantly FEEL like, in the words of one of my brides, ‘the most perfectly polished version of yourself’. It is one of the biggest and most important days of your life, right? So, it is understandable that you will want to achieve a beautifully flawless complexion.

Opting for an airbrush application is one way to guarantee this, and when done correctly, the finish you achieve can really provide you with dreamy skin that we all swoon over on the red-carpet.

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How do you decide if airbrush is right for you?

Well, let me tell you exactly why this little magic wand is the answer to all your makeup needs.

CREDITS Workshop: @amoreworkshops Photographer, Workshop Organiser: @sammytaylor.weddingphotography Venue: @thewindinghouse Floral Stylist: @xyrisbotanicals Furniture/Props/Stylist: @the_w_collection Dress Designer: @suzanneneville Shoes & Earrings: @freyaroselondon Hair & MUA: @off.duty.weddinghmua Bespoke Headwear: @saintbethofficial2 Stationery & Signage: @whitecottageweddings Cake: @cbcakery Vows & Details: @caboodleweddings Ceramic Table Vases: @homefolkceramics Pocket Watches: @brelsen_pocketwatches Pearl Hair Pins: @thebobbypinuk Helicopter charter: @polarhelicopters Real Model Couple 1: @char_rene & @patrick_muyot Real Model Couple 2: @samanthachaplin & @rupert.23

But let’s first start by diving into what airbrush makeup is… Because although growing in popularity, you are not alone if you don’t know much about it. To answer simply, airbrushing is a tool that uses the power of compressed air to mist liquid foundation, contour, highlight and blush gently onto your skin by decanting the product into the applicator that sprays the product. There are a variety of brands used for this including Airbase, MAC and Temptu to name a few, and there are many formulas to choose from to suit every preference.

Whether you love a gorgeous glow, immaculate matte or prefer to use vegan products, there is a product for you.

So now you know exactly what airbrushing is, I want to share with you the benefits of choosing airbrush makeup over a standard application (by that I mean liquid products applied with a brush or sponge). Firstly, airbrush makeup lasts ALL DAY. Yes, you read that right…on your wedding day you most certainly do not want to waste your precious time being stuck in the bathroom touching up your base where foundation has gradually worn. Most brands promise up to an 18h wear because usually they are silicone-based, meaning not only do they last longer, but they are more water-resistant allowing for the tears and kissing that inevitably come as part of your big day.

Airbrush makeup gives your skin an airbrushed appearance – it’s as simple as that. The product leaves the applicator in micro-fine pieces which sit on top of the skin like a veil, meaning it tends not to cling to dryness and blemishes and allows for a more even and smoother application.

The artist will have complete control of how much product they apply so if you are someone who prefers a no-makeup makeup or if there are certain areas of the face that require a fuller coverage, the artist can apply to those specific areas of need rather than causing unnecessary wastage of the product. That being said, it is also super simple to layer the product as it dries quite quickly, so if you would prefer to opt for a fuller coverage this can be done without creating an uncomfortable, cakey finish. Overall, this means that whilst you’re in the spotlight all day, you are going to look fabulous in person and on camera.

Airbrush makeup is ideal for those brides who want to ensure their makeup is going to last without needing touching up throughout the day. A great idea is to test run at your makeup trial, as this is the perfect opportunity to know how it works, experience how it feels and see how it looks. Your makeup artist will be able to provide you with advice and answer any questions you may have. Ultimately, your wedding day is a very special occasion and you deserve to feel incredible.

Stephanie Alexandra Hair & Makeup Artist www.stephaniealexandrabridal.com  @stephaniealexandrabridal

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It’s All About The Glitter

A day in the life of

Ashley Kay Hair & Makeup Artist

With Face ‘n’ Glitz Photo Credit: Becky Telford

I

’m Ashley Kay – I’m an international makeup & hair artist based in Norfolk, born in the US. I’ve had the pleasure of working on hundreds of weddings over the last 12 years in the UK, Europe and USA. I still feel so lucky to be able to call this my job.

I am known within the industry for my natural approach to hair and makeup. I have, from a young age, always found the beauty in natural makeup and hairstyles and I definitely stick to the ‘Less is more.’ ideal. My end game for you as my bride is to walk down the aisle feeling amazing and confident.

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The first steps of your Hair & Makeup journey The first step in our hair and makeup journey, for me, is getting to know you as my bride and then your everyday hair and makeup personality.

This is the part that allows me to understand your goals, concerns and needs and of course, your ultimate dream look.

Part Two: The Trial Day On our trial day, I am always happy to see moodboards and images that you’ve compiled and will equally offer my personal advice on what would work best for you and your final look. You know yourself best and it is so important that I ensure you look like yourself but on the best day possible.

Ashley Kay Beauty International Hair and Makeup Artist www.ashleykaybeauty.com 

Part Three: The Wedding Day On the morning of your wedding, I start with hair prep. I feel this is a great time to sit you down, allow you to ease yourself into the morning and start the day feeling relaxed while I play with your hair. Who doesn’t love having their hair played with?

My techniques for hair are similar to that of makeup. I work with a style that suits you, that has a natural feel to it and a soft finish, while lasting the day and well into the evening.

Your style will be designed to suit you.

There are no set rules for bridal hair.

It’s important to me that your final hair design makes you feel like yourself, whether it’s up or down.

After I’ve completed hair for everyone, I work my way through to makeup. By this point, the buzz of the morning has taken hold and there’s been laughter and love floating around the room.

When I sit you down for your makeup, I always start with skin prep. I refresh your skin, apply skincare and then spend time gently massaging it into the skin. This step releases tension and any puffiness there may be, while boosting circulation and creating that lovely glow, not to mention it being relaxing.

Every look I design is flawless and lightweight, but entirely bespoke to you, whether you’re going bold or keeping it delicate. The final look will last the day and night and leave you feeling like the best version of yourself. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a bride shine bright when I’ve completed her look, her dress is on and she’s ready to walk down the aisle.

Emily, can you tell us a little about yourself and your lovely business?

I’m Emily Jo – the ‘Glitter Boss’ behind Face 'n' Glitz, which aims to bring a touch of ‘glitz’ to number of events including weddings, hen parties, baby showers and corporate events all over East Anglia and beyond.

I started face painting back in 2012 whilst working at Center Parcs but it was one particularly sparkly episode of ITV's Love Island in 2017 caught my eye and inspired me to mix things up. Following a business relaunch in 2018, Face 'n' Glitz was born, and we have gone from strength-to-strength, even showcasing our glitter skills in two episodes of ITV Be's The Only Way Is Essex. The rest is history – I just went for it and I am loving it.

For those who have maybe never considered getting glittery at a wedding, how does it work?

Our glitz is great fun for everyone, both children and adults alike. We have been booked for several weddings, sometimes it’s more for the children but more often or not it is for the adults. Many couples have booked us whilst the speeches are taking place as an entertainment for the children. However, I would say the start of the wedding reception is our most popular time for us to be booked from where we transform guests to get them into the party mood for the night ahead.

How have you adapted your business to suit the current guidelines?

We are looking forward to bringing our ‘glitz’ to weddings and events again next year. Moving forwards, we have added extra safety precautions to ensure the safety of both our Glitter Artists and the clients. We have additional PPE and extra measures in place such as using more hand sanitiser. We now use one mini pot of glitter and one brush per person to avoid any cross-contamination.

In terms of our Glitter Artists, we wear our visors (all glitzed up of course) and sparkly masks. We usually have loads of spectators, eagerly awaiting their turn at the glitter bar, however we have put in a socially distanced barrier now, so people will come to us one by one, then go off and show their glitz to their friends and family afterwards.

What are consistent themes in glitter, designs or styles that our readers may not have heard of or thought about?

We can adapt our glitz to any theme, whether it is seasonal, specific colours we use etc. We find that the most popular designs for the spring tend to be more pastel designs, summer is more bright and colourful designs and the most popular designs for winter are icy colours I would say.

Face ‘n’ Glitz info@facenglitz.co.uk   @facenglitz

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Naya Bridal New Kid On The Block About Naya My name is Evie, the founder of Naya, and I decided it was finally time to make bridalwear sustainable. Naya is a new eco-conscious bridal wear brand based in Norfolk, where our dresses are crafted by hand in a small studio.

New dresses

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I source pre-loved dresses and fabrics, and re-make them into contemporary styles, sewing every piece myself. Doing this means I can create modern wedding dresses at affordable prices, but most importantly, each dress has a story. Every gown is a one-off style that has been thoughtfully developed throughout a long process of de-constructing and rebuilding.

This process takes into account where the fabrics come from and how much waste is accumulated along the way.

Our zero-waste bridesmaids dress I decided it was time to start seriously reducing waste. Popular styles are often are often manufactured in bulk which can be wasteful and inefficient with resources. The Tilda dress is our first ever zero-waste AND multi-way bridesmaid’s dress. This style uses every inch of the fabric so that no off-cuts are thrown away.

We’ve created a bridesmaid’s dress that eliminates waste completely.

Tilda is not only zero-waste, but also a multi-way style. Can you believe it?

Your bridesmaids will be in the same dress with the same fabric, but each of your girls can wear this dress in a way that suits their personality and flatters their individual body shape, whatever suits them.

Every dress is made to order to your bridesmaids’ measurements.

Sustainability A wedding dress can arguably be one of the most unsustainable purchases you can make. You can spend a lot of money on a gown that has been intricately created, usually imported from other countries; the whole process taking months, only to wear it once. Then it’s kept in an unseen space not to be touched, or even looked at, for years.

The word ‘sustainable’ used to come with connotations of beige, itchy and ugly.

That’s totally not the case anymore.

As society is increasingly becoming more eco-conscious, sustainability is becoming key.

Why can’t we have a show-stopping AND sustainable wedding dress? Oh wait, we can!

Our approach in reducing the use of the earth’s natural resources, ensures you are wearing a more eco-conscious material with a much lower carbon footprint. There are so many new ways to look into celebrating marriage in a greener way.

For example, wearing a pre-loved gown, making the dresses from natural and organic fabrics, manufacturing locally, and having a no-waste approach.

Naya Bridal www.nayabridal.com evie@nayabridal.com   

At Naya this is the way we roll. Since I can remember, I have always been nervous to throw away scraps. I constantly have boxes of old fabrics that I can’t bring myself to throw away.

Because it’ll just end up in a landfill, right?

So now, creating gowns that use as little waste as possible is a huge deal.

The idea of re-creating wedding dresses from pre-loved gowns is so exciting. This beautiful fabric with a story, some history and memories make re-made dresses even more special.

1940s

Something Old?

During WW2, ‘costumes’ became the most popular type of wedding attire, with brides wearing a tailored suit cut of a military uniform to show respect to the war effort. Designs were kept simple and practical so they could be dyed and worn afterwards as daywear. Look out for long sleeve and broad, padded shoulders.

Once The War ended designs drastically changed, and in 1947 a new silhouette was introduced by Dior known as The New Look.

Designs centered on femininity with nipped in waists, broad shoulders and flared skirts.

The introduction of this look was set to take off drastically in the 1950s with numerous variations being created.

1950s GET SEARCHING….

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W

hen Royalty chooses to wear a vintage wedding dress you know it is a good idea – Princess Beatrice wore a vintage Norman Hartnell dress borrowed from her grandmother, The Queen for her wedding last year to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and it was beautiful.

Plenty of modern brides are exploring vintage wedding dresses, particularly those looking to make sustainable choices. When photographs from Princess Beatrice’s low-key ceremony were released to the public, there was a surge in internet searches for the term “vintage wedding dress” – a 297 per cent spike was reported in the 48 hours that followed. Vintage fashion is enjoying a renaissance right now, and finding a bride-worthy pre-loved gown has never been so easy. Brides have woken up to the sustainability aspect of vintage, wanting not only something that’s unique, but a guilt-free way to buy something super special.

TOP TIP: Be brave and step out of your comfort zone as you never know what gem you might stumble across – a dress that looks plain on the hanger can look epic on, so try to different looks to figure out what shapes suit your figure and what details look flattering. Start by flicking through magazines or costume books and maybe watch a few old films, Pinterest or bridal magazines – anything that gets you inspired.

Once you have visuals running through your mind, it will help narrow down the search and you can be more direct once you start shopping.

Whether you are planning an era-specific themed wedding or just wanting something a bit different it may help to know a little more about the style available from the various decades:

1930s Think bias-cut wedding dresses featuring long sweeping lines and glamorous, uncluttered designs. Rayon and satin were popular fabric choices and designs with geometric trims, ruching and diamanté jewellery or dress clips being favourable finishing touches. Long narrow sleeves were ever-present and the silhouette reflected the wonderfully chic tea dress.

Think lace, full skirts, corseted waists, sweetheart necklines, halter-necks, asymmetry, brocade fabric, ballerina length hems. Designs were flirty, fun and perfectly celebrated the hourglass figure.

This is possibly the most popular style wedding dress around at the moment, so why not get an original?

1960s The Mini finally hits the world. Oh yes, short hemlines were rife in the 60s, and wedding dresses were no exception. Peter Pan collars were popular additions and designs took on futuristic styling details – think Space Age. On the other end of the spectrum was the maxi dress. This was a hugely popular wedding dress style in the 60s, that often included an empire line and kaftan or smock top designs.

1970s Wedding dresses took on a more ethnic, medieval, romantic and natural feel – think hippy. Trouser suits were also popular, and Punk was also a strong influence – the idea being that anything goes.

1980s Think full on frill and Lady Diana, full skirts, puff sleeves and lots of lace trims.

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TIPS FOR MAKING IT MODERN & CONTEMPORARY

1

Pick garments that look like current trends.

Lots of modern designers and fashion houses have massive archives of vintage garments that they are constantly adding to and from which they draw inspiration. In fact, most contemporary fashion is really a reinterpretation of styles from the past, and you would be surprised how close a lot of modern designer clothing comes to replicating older garments.

Finding and wearing one such garment is an easy way of avoiding a costume-y look and the same is true of wedding dresses and styles

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Contemporary hair and make-up.

3

Modern accessories. Pairing vintage clothing with

Winter Whites

Simplicity in hair and make-up is a tried and true way of grounding a vintage outfit, such as wearing a 1950's dress with a slicked back ballerina bun or pairing an Edwardian blouse with a subtly smoky eye. Even contemporary versions of classic hairstyles will update a look while still giving a nod to the appropriate era; modernized 1940's loose waves which have been a favourite style for the past couple of years are a great example. modern shoes, bags and jewellery is an easy way to dramatically ground an otherwise whimsical garment. It is easy to keep the overall look streamlined by picking a wearing contemporary accessories. Pops of vibrant colour paired with a white or cream dress is also a quick way to modernise a classic vintage garment.

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4

Mixing vintage and new separates.

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Mixing eras.

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Wearing a white Edwardian blouse with a modern skirt or even trousers could work for a contemporary look.

Mix-n-matching vintage and new separates is probably the easiest way of beginning to work vintage into your wedding day outfit as well as a simple way of taking a very special, fancier vintage piece and making it more wearable for day.

Even when wearing head-to-toe vintage, accessories included, it is possible to accessorise in ways that make your outfit seem more relevant. Mixing eras can, surprisingly, have the same effect as blending new and vintage pieces.

Unexpected pops of vibrant colour, surprising combinations of textiles and silhouettes and layers of contrasting patterns always serve to make an outfit appear both uniquely modern and totally timeless. In fact, mixing eras may just be the most fun and exciting way to wear vintage.

CREDITS Karen James Welton aka Fabulous Miss Kis a vintage fashion stylist she offers a vintage wedding dress sourcing and styling service www.fabulousmissk.co.uk

Photographer: Camilla J Hards Photography Florals: The Botany House Venue: Baddow Park House Jumper: ASOS Skirt: Botias Accessories Hair & Makeup: Botias Hair & Makeup Model: Holly Carr

Contemporary Bridal Romance Amongst Ruins

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CREDITS CREDITS Concept, Styling & Cocktails: @smokeandwildwood Concept & Florals: @thebotanyhouse Photographer: @thymelanephoto Props: @arrayweddingandeventhire Drapeologists: @boomtingbunting Hair Artist: @ashley_kay_beauty Suits: @slatermenswear Dress: @poppyperspective Jewellery: @victorialouiseaccessories Rings: @ecowoodrings Cake: @loveweddingcakes Stationery: @7_fireflies Silk Ribbons: @bertieandfred Cinematographer/Videographer: @scott.moyse Models: @clemacus & @tomcpage

Planning & Photography: Salsabil Morrison Dresses: Bud and Boe Bridal, Charlie Brear, Edwina Arya Make up: Lauren English Jewellery: Studio Adorn Flowers: Wildfolk Florist Models: Annabella King; Lauren English

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love destination weddings. I’ve planned them in Italy, Greece and Spain – in fact, I planned my own Spanish wedding this year, before the dreaded COVID-19 reared its ugly head. July 2020 was marked out in my calendar as ‘Party of the year’, but the world changed and so did our plans.

When I planned my wedding in Nerja, Malaga, I knew the colours and textures of my décor, the fragrances I wanted to fill the air and the

atmosphere for my guests. My head was bursting with ideas, and even my Pinterest board was getting out of control, so I put this to good use and designed a Spanish Fiesta shoot.

I have since had several enquires from couples looking to recreate a similar look without the additional uncertainty of travel at the moment.

Here are my top tips for destination wedding vibes in your UK wedding

Language

Tradition

Using the language of your destination in signage or stationery throughout your day can add a subtle romantic touch. A wedding I planned last year was for a couple who got engaged in Italy. They wanted to bring the Italian Riviera vibe to their day, so they had their wedding stationary printed in Italian. It looked absolutely beautiful and created a talking point for their guests.

Every country has their own traditions, and that is no different when it comes to weddings.

Find out if your destination country marks weddings in a special way, or has traditions dating back over the years. In Spain, they use las arras matrimoniales (wedding coins in English) in the ceremony.

They are 13 coins often gifted from the couples parents, which are blessed and presented to the bride as a symbol of the grooms commitment to care for her and their home. In Italy, it is considered bad luck to wear any form of gold jewellery except from your wedding band, and many brides also wear green the night before their wedding for good luck.

Missed out on that destination wedding?

Whatever the tradition, it’s important you understand the history and meaning behind it, so do your research and make sure that if you want to include a tradition, it is done so in a respectful and meaningful way.

We asked Willow Tree Weddings how to create a destination wedding at home.

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Lois Langford Willow Tree Weddings

Colour When you think of your dream wedding destination, what colours immediately pop into your head?

For Spain, I think terracotta, pinks and oranges with lots of olive green.

For Italy I think creamy whites and Sicilian yellows, and France is romantic pinks and creams.

You might have been on holiday there and remember the colours in the street at your favourite restaurant, or simply seen pictures online that you love. You can incorporate colour into your day in so many ways – from table linen to florals, glassware to clothing.

One of my favourite trends at the moment are ribbons, brides are adding them to their bouquets and table decorations, and I think they can add amazing colour and texture to your décor.

 @willowtreewed

Flowers This might not be the easiest one to do, depending on the season and how easily they can be obtained, but florals can carry so much impact. You could include the national flower, or a traditional wedding flower. In Spain they use red carnations and orange blossom, and in France it’s the Iris. It's these subtle undertones that others may not initially notice that give a nod to your destination country.

Not only can you include colours and textures here, but also tradition and fragrance. Fragrance often gets forgotten about, but it is such an important aspect to your wedding day. One whiff of oranges and in my head I’m sipping chilled Sangria in a little tapas bar on the beach.

Style

H

ere are a few creatives that MLW is loving right now…

DECK ABOVE. Balloon installations don’t have to be boring. Our friends over at DECK ABOVE will blow you away with their out of this world designs.  deck_above

All in one lighting, furniture, prop hire & styling package.

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Three of our superstar suppliers from our wedding fairs have teamed up together to provide a full wedding styling package that includes all things creative lighting from Quirk, furniture & prop hire from Array & a PDF styling planner & venue style from Smoke & Wildwood. www.smokeandwildwood.co.uk

NICHE Flowers If you’re looking for creative florals that are going to make an impact, get in touch with Libby to talk all things flowers & foliage.  nichenorwich

The Bubble Crew Even your drinks can be styled.

Prosecco topped with candy floss?

Yes please! www.bubblecrew.co.uk

Looking for some styling inspo and help to make your venue look incredible and to add those finishing and personal touches?

Lovely Little Lot of Knots Macramé backdrops, lanterns and more, all handmade with love.  lovelylittlelotofknots

Cocktail Toppers We are totally vibing the personalised cocktail toppers & our friends over at East Coast Bars can help you to personalise your very own cocktails. www.eastcoastbars.co.uk

Sam Wood Stationary Bespoke stationery that’s totally not boring. Wedding signage, custom designs & even hand lettering too.  samwoodstationary

Array Wedding & Event Hire Located in Aldeby near Beccles, Array has a warehouse of wonders just waiting to be explored & hired out for your big day.

Go get creative at their hire hub & have gorgeous props delivered straight to your venue.  arrayweddingandeventhire

Hand Drawn Keepsakes What better way to document your day with your family & friends by hand drawn wedding illustrations by the marvellous Owen Mathers. www.owenmathers.co.uk  @owenmathers

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DIY Wedding Advice from Wedding Blogger Something Blue Bride

D

IY weddings are a perfect choice for couples who want to have more control when planning their wedding and can also be a great way to achieve your dream day on a smaller budget. Doing things yourself does require a lot of time and energy, but it is also very rewarding when you see your ideas all come together for your special day. We had a big guest list, but not a very big budget, so we chose to have a DIY wedding to help keep our costs down whilst still having the massive party we'd always dreamed of.

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Before you start planning, decide just how 'DIY' you want your day to be and find a venue that will accommodate how you want to do things.

Some venues are completely dry hire - you have the freedom to choose all of your own suppliers but you are also responsible for all staffing, furniture and even hiring toilets. Other venues may provide all these things, but this will be reflected in the price and there can be other costs and limitations to consider. For example, you may not be allowed to provide your own alcohol, or they might charge corkage. DIY doesn't necessarily mean putting together every single little detail yourselves, but having the freedom to choose what you want to do yourself and what suppliers you book for everything else.

When thinking about what you can make yourself, consider what your skills and strengths are, and whether or not you have friends and family who are willing to help you out.

Planning and making things for a wedding is a big task for just two people, so having people you can rely on to share the workload is very important.

We had A LOT of help; Tom's mum made hundreds of metres of bunting, my godmother arranged our flowers, one of my friends did

@SomethingBlueBride (also known as Eloise) is a DIY wedding blogger from Norfolk.

After getting married to her love Tom at Waxham Barn in 2019, she now blogs tonnes of advice on doing it yourself, all whilst managing a budget.

everyones' make up, other friends helped out with various crafts, people baked cakes for the dessert table and we had friends providing music and entertainment throughout the day.

We also did a fair amount of the work ourselves, including invitations, signage, stationery, choreographing dances and lots more.

We were very lucky that we have loads of creative friends and family who really wanted to help us out, but we were also aware that it would have been impossible for us to do absolutely everything without the help of some amazing suppliers. If there is a job you know you can't do yourselves, and haven't got friends and family who can help with it either, make sure you prioritise that thing when it comes to budgeting. For example, if you don't feel confident doing your own hair and make up - set aside some money to get a HMUA. If you're saving money in certain areas by going DIY, put the extra money towards something that's really important to you, whether that be the photographer, entertainment, food or something else. Lots of our music entertainment was provided by friends, which meant we were able to spend a bit more on other entertainment that we really wanted, including petting animals and a glitter bar.

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Low quality image advisory

ELOISE’S TOP TIPS FOR DIY CRAFTS: Don't stress yourselves out by trying to make something that is beyond your capabilities.

2.

Manage your time effectively, making and writing 175 place names takes longer than you'd think.

3.

Consider whether or not it is genuinely cheaper to make it yourselves before you start buying expensive craft equipment.

4.

5.

Often simpler is better.

Be realistic about how the finished product will look – the lovingly homemade vibe can be just as nice as the impressively professional look.

Low quality image advisory Low quality image advisory ELOISE’S DIYS: Flower Crowns | Make Up/Hair Signage & Stationary | Bunting Props & Styling | Flower arrangements Denim Jacket Applique | Cake

ELOISE & TOM’S SUPPLIERS: Venue: Waxham Barn Photographer: Winston Sanders Videographer - Lee Allison Catering: Pie Central Glitter Bar: Face 'n' Glitz Bar: ELM bar hire Furniture: Gas and Air Studios Petting Animals: Scratby Donkeys

PHOTO CREDITS Venue: Voewood Photographer: Charlie Campney Photography Planner & Stylist: Emily Andrew Events Florist: Floral Sistas Catering: Florentina Props: Rustic Hire & The Little Lending Company Hair & Make up: Sarah Swain Stretch Marquee: Lunar Stretch Tents Catering Equipment: Banqueting Hire Dress designer: Alyssa Kristin Candles: Ester & Erik

Re-thinking flowers With Sirrah Flowers

D

reading that huge cost on bridal blooms that only last a day? Go to waste, or just didn’t stay beautiful for long enough?

Then dried flowers, or part dried, might well be the alternative of your dreams...

Why dried?

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Perfect for whimsical, rustic or bohemian weddings. Dried flowers give you more for your money. Not only are they less waste, but they provide you with something special to take home as a keepsake of your big day.

Dried flowers are becoming more and more popular as a wedding floral alternative, and it’s not surprising why.

CREDITS Photographer: @fayeamarephotography Venue: @theredbarnnorfolk Flowers: @sirrahflowers Macramé: @lovelylittlelotofknots Hair & Makeup: @louisasarah.uk Dress: @shadesofwhitestives Suit: @slatermenswear Models (Real Couple): @shelby_aubrie22

Everlasting blooms Put together the pieces from your wedding bouquets into a home arrangement for you.

Small wedding? No worries.

Dried flowers can be posted out to you weeks in advance.

Less Waste = more planet loving.

A second lease of life with our blooms.

Locally & home grown blooms. And limiting artificial preservatives as much as we can too.

TOP TIP: DIY Styling – Alternating heights: To give that rustic feel on more of a budget, you can display rustic amber glass vases at alternating heights (and fill them with dried flower stems). It’s super effective and cost effective too. Then take them home to display afterwards. WIN WIN.

SIRRAH See our website for more details about our Complimentary Pinterest Planning service.

07736 727 348 sirrahflowers@gmail.com  @sirrahflowers

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Taking a look at stationary with Rachael Bull

A

wedding is so much more than just the big day itself; it’s a chance to connect all of the finer details you love, to make it personal to you and your partner and the initial way of introducing this to your guests is through their invitation.

The modern couple are increasingly equally drawn to ‘out of season’ weddings as much as they are those in peak and with so many invitation designs available to compliment seasonal dates, it can be challenging to pick which one is best for your wedding theme when so many of the designs cross over. We’ve curated a collection of our timeless designs to help you choose a stationery set that will compliment your special day and you as a couple whilst touching on the seasonal date you have chosen to tie the knot in.

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Spring always reminds us of new beginnings and the use of gorgeous blooms in soft pastel colours, watercolour brushstrokes, trailing blossom and cascading foliage evoke the beauty of this to create stunning, elegant announcements.

Whether you opt for a minimalistic design in contrasting colours or an intricate focal piece of lush blooms, the softer shapes and colours in your design will mimic the freshness of a spring themed wedding.

Our ‘White Blossom’ and ‘Blush Rose’ invitation sets are perfect for softer shades, pretty florals and fresh foliage.

Summer The ultimate summer wedding stationery sets scream bold colour choices, gorgeous fruits and blooms in pretty detailing, along with contrasting patterns and Moroccan styled prints.

The increasingly popular choice for summer wedding stationery are exquisite styles such as the concertina style invitation or fiesta fan shaped invitation we have available at Rachael Bull Design which are available in many vibrant floral and geometric patterns.

They make fun additions to any suite, designed to enhance colour palettes or shapes and capture the outdoor element of warmer nights and beautiful weather.

Autumn Heading into autumn, the days are cooler but glorious sunshine lingers and the fall of leaves as shades change colour, set the mood for darker nights that are coming.

Influences of deeper, burnt colour accents and subtle hints of blush tones which you find in our Blush Linear Flora design really capture the autumnal colour palette in a warm and cosy way. Dashes of golds and foils make for pretty additions to your wedding suite to enhance the luxe layer of rich tones. Illustrations of rustic woodland themes from our Woodland stationery set, wild floral arrangements or geometric patterns are the perfect choice for charming autumnal stationery.

Winter Cooler tones, sparkly styles and wintery floral features depict the wonders of a winter invitation set. Our modern calligraphy styled design with gold detailing or frosty, wintery blooms like our White Rose Foliage design make any seasonal set a stylish and sophisticated one without hinting too much festivity that occurs around the winter months.

If a festive vibe is the look you’re after, lush berries in reds and whites, starry night wonders in darker tones and gold shimmers, are both designs that create a bright but luxurious ambience.

Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse into your special day and from the moment your guests touch the envelope, they’ll be captured by the design and overall effect your wedding stationery has. Your suite can feature different types of card stocks, envelope choices and types of information you wish to present to your guests. Most couples will opt for a wedding set which compacts the main ceremony, RSVP and details information onto two or three separate cards within the suite. Every couple is different when it comes to their wedding invitations, from the design, choice of cardstocks, right down to the number of cards and quantities in the set. I always advise to talk to your wedding stationery designer when planning your invitation sets to get the best out of what and how much you wish to communicate with your guests.

Rachael Bull Design. Award Winning Bespoke Wedding Stationery & Personalised Gifts rachael-bull@hotmail.co.uk  @rachaelbdesign  Rachael Bull Design www.rachael-bull.wix.com/rachaelbdesign

EXCLUSIVE TO RACHAEL BULL DESIGN HAND PAINTED FLORAL FLUTES At Rachael Bull Design, we don’t just specialise in wedding stationery, but exquisite hand painted gifts too. Our gorgeous hand painted floral flutes remain our best seller when it comes to personalised bridal gifts.

They feature a pretty rose design, tailor made to your colour schemes and personalisation details. There is even the option to choose bespoke florals to tie together all of those special elements of your day or flowers from your bouquet in the finer details.

They make wonderful bridal party gifts for your bridesmaids, mother of the bride and groom, maid of honour, right through to aunts that have supported you in all aspects of your life.

Imagine gifting your bridal party on the morning of your wedding day, with our personalised, unique glassware. Pop the champagne and toast to your special and most memorable day in style. They make wonderful favours and can be treasured for a lifetime, even after your wedding day.

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STAY WITH US ON THE NORTH NORFOLK COAST Sleeps 4 (or 6 with the sofa bed) On site pool, jacuzzi, sauna/steam room, pub 0 shop Up to 2 dogs welcome Parking by lodge A private & peaceful setting Enclosed private decking within Kelling Heath Holiday Park, a 5* luxury woodland park just 4 minutes to the beach and local towns Holt and Sheringham.

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The lodge overlooks a woodland valley, meaning you can sit, relax and watch the squirrels in their natural playground.

Perfect for families, couples (& dogs) looking for a woodland retreat!

www.twohootsnorfolk.co.uk

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Happily ever after with your dog by your side.

W

ould you love to have your dog be part of the most wonderful and exciting day of your life, ensuring all your friends and family members don’t miss out on any part of your wedding day?

Emma & Ade talk all things wedding day dogs and the advantages of hiring a professional and experienced wedding dog chaperone for a stress free dog friendly day.

Precious Pets Weddings Help and Advice 1.

2.

Ensure that all guests will be aware that a dog is attending the wedding, in case of allergies.

A lovely idea is to send out a ‘save the date’ card featuring a photo of your dog.

3.

You may wish your dog to simply be a guest of honour at your wedding but if you would like them to play a specific role in the ceremony, think carefully about how this will work.

Popular choices are a dog ring bearer or a dog flower girl but ensure that your pet has the right temperament to cope with all the attention.

“We’d love to involve our beloved pooch in our nuptials

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but how do we go about this and

4.

Rehearse as much as you can with your dog before the big day and leave ample time to practice during the actual rehearsal

5.

If you are considering a special dog wedding collar or accessory, make sure that it is safe and comfortable for your dog. Certain flowers or foliage can be poisonous to dogs so it is vital to check

6.

Let your wedding photographer know that you are planning on bringing your dog to your wedding.

This will ensure that they are ready to capture your adorable pet in action and come up with some great fun ideas for wedding photos

7.

At busy times our wedding pet chaperoning service is very much in demand. To avoid disappointment we would advise getting in touch as soon as possible. We would love to chat with you about your exciting plans and how we can help you have a real furrytail wedding.

what do we need to consider?”

Photo Credit: October James Photography

If you wish to include your fur baby, ensure that you book a dog friendly wedding venue or one with an outside area for photographs.

ABOUT PRECIOUS PETS WEDDINGS We plan, co-ordinate and take all the stresses away so your dog can be a big part of your wedding day.

The animal-loving husband and wife team (who delivered 40+ wedding dog chaperones to date) can chaperone your dog to your wedding in style, assist with ring bearer duties so your dog bears the rings beautifully, plus work with your photographer to get the most amazing pictures you will treasure forever.

They also offer the opportunity for your dog to be a best man, a bridesmaid and even a meet & greeter as the wedding party arrives. There chaperone package is tailored made to each couples wedding requirements and can include full day pet care so you can you relax and enjoy your magical wedding day.

Precious Pets Weddings has also recently won National Winner status in The Wedding Business Awards, so you can be rest assured your dog is in amazing hands.

Precious Pets Weddings service covers Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire, West Midlands, North West, East of England. Nationwide cover is also available upon request.

Emma & Adrian Cartlich: 07768 917 150 / 07818 890 497 preciouspets.wedding   @preciouspetsweddings

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Furry friends for hire

An absolute delight for both children and adults alike.

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75

Jack Brock

Joey Confetti Pony

Alpaca A Day Norfolk

www.jackbrock.co.uk  @mrjackbrock

www.confettipony.co.uk  @joey_confettipony

www.norfolkalpacas.co.uk  @alpaca_a_day

2021 Upcoming Events MARCH

10th

21st

Modern Love Weddings

Waxham Barn Wedding Showcase

Content Creation & Networking Day

APRIL

10th

18th

An immersive wedding set-up showcase

at The Fire Pit

Wellington Wood Wedding Show

Most Curious Wedding Fair

25th

Wellington Wood: The Ethical Wedding Show

25th

Waxham Barn Wedding Showcase

with Magpie Wedding

Modern | Whimsical | Luxe Wedding Fairs Perfect for fun loving, free thinking couples

76 M A Y

5th

Modern Love Weddings Content Creation & Networking Day

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

3rd

Waxham Barn Wedding Showcase

20th

17th

Content Creation & Networking Day

Content Creation & Networking Day

Modern Love Weddings

77 HALES HALL & T H E G R E AT B A R N S U N DAY 2 8 TH *

Modern Love Weddings

M O R E 2 02 1 DATE S W I LL BE ANNOUNCED DURING JANUARY & FEBRUARY

Exhibitor bookings are OP EN

alex@modernloveweddings.co.uk

Nothing average here. Expect pretty bubbles on arrival, catwalks and flash mobs, masterclass programmes, photo-booths, glitter bars, grazing boards and culinary delights, design installations, venue tours, exclusive offers and the very best Norfolk wedding creatives. Wildly whimsical and modern events like no other.

Photo Credit: Salsibil Morrison Photography Florals: Bracken & Twine

Image Credit: @thymelanephoto

*Provisional date due to Covid-19.

Directory Here is a little directory of everyone who has contributed to this magazine as well as our wider Modern Love Weddings family. Give them a little follow on  & show them some love.

VENUES Curds Hall Barn

@curdshallbarn

Hales Hall & Great Barn

@haleshallgreatbarn

Holkham Hall

@holkhamweddings

Waxham Barn

@waxhambarn

Wellington Wood

@wellingtonwoodnorfolk

Thurning Hall

@thurninghall

Ha Ha Farm

@thehahafarm

ACCO M M O DAT I O N Bumble Bell Tents Norfolk Glampovers Glamp & Tipple

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Poppy Perspective White Reflections Bridal

Janie Richardson Jeremy James October James Richard Jarmy Salsabil Morrison

@ilikepensstudio @melmadestationary

Rachael Bull Design Sam Wood Stationary

@rachaelbdesign @samwoodstationary

Silk & Ink Designs

@silkandinkdesigns

7 Fireflies

@7_fireflies

CAKE MAKERS Buns of Fun Cakes

@bunsoffunemma

@poppyperspective

Dust with Cocoa

@thenorfolkbride

@auroragreyphoto

@charliecampeyphotography @chloeellisphotography @filmand.photo @ginamanning_photography @valentinestudio @jeremyjamesweddings @octoberjamesphotography @richardjarmy @salsabilmorrisonphotography

Sophie Cass

@sophiecassweddings

Tim Stephenson

@timstephensonphoto

Thyme Lane

I Like Pens Studio

@lejourbridalstudio

@barkersphotofun

Gina Manning

@forkeepsuk

@beth_haxby_cakes

@camillajhardsphotography

Gareth Gabriel

For Keeps

Beth Haxby Cakes

Camilla J Hards Chloe Ellis

S TAT I O N E R S & I L LU S T R AT O R S

@nayabridal

Barkers Photos Charlie Campey

@mrjackbrock

@kghillustrates

PHOTOGR APHERS & PHOTO BOOTHS Aurora Grey

Jack Brock

KGH Illustrates

@whitereflectionsbridal

The Norfolk Bride

@preciouspetsweddings

@norfolkglampovers

@thebottomdrawerbridal

Le Jour Bridal

Precious Pets

@alpaca_a_day_norfolk

@owenmathers

@budandboe_bridal

Naya Bridal

Norfolk Alpacas

Owen Mathers

@adella_bridal

Bottom Drawer Bridal

Carrie event pianist

@bumblebelltents

WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUES Bud and Boe Bridal

M U S I C & DJ S

@joey_confettipony

Mel Made

@glampandtipple

Adella Bridal

PET GUESTS & CHAPERONES Joey Confetti Pony

@thymelanephoto

@dustwithcocoa

Love Wedding Cakes

@loveweddingcakes

One Part Love

@onepartlovebakery

Sugar Buttons Cakes

@sugarbuttonscakes

Staceys Cakey Bakes

@staceyscakeybakes

Paul Allen Wedding & Party DJ Quirk Events

Bracken & Twine: @brackenandtwineflowers Charlotte Staff: @charlottestaffflowers

@paulallenevents @quirkevents.uk

Emily Andrews

@emilyandrewsevents

Willow Tree Weddings

@willowtreewed

P R O P H I R E & I N S TA L L AT I O N S Array Hire

@arrayweddingandeventhire

Bertie & Fred

@bertieandfred

Boomting Bunting

@boomtingbunting

DECK ABOVE Balloons

@deck_above

Endless Story

@endless_story

Norfolk Props Hire

@norfolkpropshire

Lovely Little Lot of Knots

@lovelylittlelotofknots

Posh Plants

@posh_plants

Samphire Vintage Props

@samphirevintageprops

LIGHTING Quirk Event Lighting

@quirkevents.uk

ST YLISTS @bellesandbeausweddingstyling

The Little Lending Company Smoke & Wildwood

@thelittlelendingco @smokeandwildwood

Ultimately Driven

CELEBR ANTS Dawn Rees White Rose Ceremonies

@dawnthecelebrant @whiteroseceremonies

Bullards

@bullardsgin

Chet Vineyard

@chetvineyard

East Coast Bars

@eastcoastbars

Smoke & Wildwood

@smokeandwildwood

The Bubble Crew

@bubblecrewofficial

J E W E L L E RY Bombino Studio

@bombinostudio

Moko & Molten

@mokoandmolten

Sea & Stone

@seaandstonejewellery @victorialouiseaccessories

Ashley Kay:

@ashley_kay_beauty

Boho Beauty Box:

@bohobeautybox

Brunetti Artistry:

@brunettiartistry

Face N Glitz

Myrtle & the Bee: @myrtleandthebee

The Wildfolk Florist: @thewildfolkflorist

BARS & DRINKS

H A I R , M A K E U P, CO S M E T I C S & SELF CARE

@pretty.cactus.plants

Helen Youngman Travel @helen_youngman_travel

The Botany House: @thebotanyhouse

@cmahire @gricefoster

Pretty Cactus Plants

T R AV E L

Thatch & Roses: @thatchandroses

@banquetinghire

CMA Hire

Victoria Louise

Ivy Floral Eents: @ivyfloralevents

Sirrah Flowers: @sirrahflowers

Banqueting Hire

Love Knot Wedding Hire @loveknot_weddinghire

Floral Sistas: @floralsistas

NICHE Flowers: @nichenorwich

TA B L E WA R E & INFR ASTRUCTURE

Grice Foster

PL ANNERS

Belles & Beaus

FLORISTS

@carrieeventpianist

@ultimatelydrivenuk

C AT E R I N G Funnells Catering Ginger Lily Catering

@funnellskitchen @ginger_lily_catering

Gringos Nacho Factory

@gringosnachofactory

MOCO Kitchen

@mocokitchencatering

Nibbles & Nosh Grazing

@nibbles_andnosh

Oystercatcher Catering

@oystercatchercatering

@facenglitz

Flamingo Amy

@flamingoamy

Love Moi

@lovemoimakeup

Saxon Wellbeing Stephanie Alexandra

@saxonwellbeing @stephaniealexandrabridal

BLOGGERS Elizabeth / Mama Cates

@mamacates

Eloise / Something Blue

@somethingbluebride

Karen / Fabulous Miss K

@fabulousmissk

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A DV E R TI S E W ITH M LW FA N C Y G I V I N G TA I LO R E D , N I C H E A N D TA R G E T E D A D V E R T I S I N G TO C R E AT I V E AND FUN LOVING COUPLE S A GO? ALEX@MODERNLOVEWEDDINGS.CO.UK DAISY@MODE RNLOVE WE DDINGS .CO.UK

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