Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers.
Daniel proposed to George at Epcot in Walt Disney World in May 2022 – Daniel's favourite place. It took place first thing in the morning in the Rose Garden located in the UK Pavilion of Epcot. Dan explains, “I felt it was a perfect location that blended a bit of home and a bit of Disney magic. George said yes and we celebrated with the best engagement holiday, being spoilt by all the amazing cast members at Disney World.” When it came to planning the big day, it was only natural that Disney played a big part in the plans and aesthetic for the wedding. Images were captured by: Pippa Heath Photography
The team at Dart's Farm are celebrating receiving their recent outstanding rating from the Trencherman's guide – congratulations! Read more on page nine of the latest issue available to download for FREE!
How stunning is this shot of Vanessa and Dom on their wedding day at the Royal Berkshire? Everything was expertly captured on camera by Vicky Lewis Photography and revealed on page 39 of the new issue available to download now for FREE!
Samantha and Joseph first met while out with friends when they were 14 years old. “We didn’t say hello to each other, but that evening Joseph added me on Facebook and we spoke for four days before Joseph asked me out,” says Samantha. “I found Joseph to be very handsome and talking to him felt so easy and he always made me laugh.”
Joseph proposed on the couple’s eighth anniversary. “He asked me while we were in Poland,” shares the bride. “I had no idea he was going to propose and I was in complete shock when he asked me to marry him!”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourkent.wedding/free-download
Megan and Simon met in their third year of university. “I was running a social for some of the students and a mutual friend introduced us,” says Megan. “Simon immediately caught my eye, and the three of us ended up getting dinner before the social started. We started out as just friends, but there was a clear connection there from the beginning; we had the same sense of humour, enjoyed the same movies, were both close with our families and loved dogs. A few months later, we had our first official date on Valentine’s Day and the rest is history.”
Simon proposed in February 2022, around six years after they first started dating. “My mom had flown over from the USA, where I’m from, a few months prior and had given Simon my grandmother’s engagement ring, so I knew it was going to happen but wasn’t sure where or when,” shares the bride. “Simon initially intended to propose on a sunset walk in Llanelli while we were visiting his parents, but at the last moment his sister tagged along for the walk, so he wasn’t able to. About a month later, he brought the ring along on another walk with the intention of proposing, but when we got there, it was so muddy that we could hardly walk and were falling over, so he chose to wait again. Finally, it ended up happening at home in our living room, following a conversation about our future that was totally spontaneous. Not the most romantic location, but it didn’t matter to me; I was just happy to finally be engaged and to get to marry my best friend.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download
Gemma and Adrian were instantly attracted to each other. “We have a lot in common, with many of the same interests,” says Gemma. “I liked Adrian because he always had something interesting to talk about. He was also nicely dressed on dates and always made an effort.”
For Gemma, the proposal was a complete surprise. “After having dinner at a restaurant in Brantôme, France, Adrian and I walked to the end of a bridge where we’d often go get ice cream when we went on holiday there,” shares the bride. “He asked me to be his wife and it was wonderful.”
"Woodhall Manor was gorgeous and had plenty of space for our guests," adds Gemma. "The rooms and the grounds were immaculate! We really enjoyed the venue’s menu tasting day, where we tried some of the courses, pre-drinks and wine. The venue manager, Lorraine, and wedding coordinator, Beth, were incredibly helpful and we couldn’t have done it without them! We also really liked that the venue had a separate bar and dancefloor to separate the night and day. Everyone really enjoyed it there and we still talk about it now!"
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download
Lois and Ben met through mutual friends in 2017. “Our relationship blossomed and in August 2022, Ben popped the question,” says Lois. “We were away for the weekend in the Lake District and while on a walk up Loughrigg Fell, he asked me to be his wife. Ben had already secretly asked my dad for his permission the day before.”
"We love walking in the Forest of Bowland, so the Shireburn Arms was the perfect place for our wedding," adds Lois. "It incorporated the beautiful scenery that we love and we adored the intimate feel of the venue. To decorate the space, we chose drapes hanging from the ceiling, an ivory chiffon fairylight background and an ivory skirt hung around the ceremony table. This added to the romantic, soft look that I had hoped to achieve."
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
This stunning Georgian country house offers a wealth of beautiful space to accommodate your dream wedding. On the first floor of the house is the exquisite, newly-renovated honeymoon suite which is available for you to enjoy on the night of your wedding. The beautiful grounds stretch to 22 acres and include the Mulberry tree from which the house gets its present name. There's a Wellingtonia Fir planted to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo as well as many other mature trees including Lime, Ash, Elm, Yew and Chestnut. Within the grounds, there are many photo opportunities for couples, which includes a wishing well, Chippendale bridge and long grass meadows. The back paddock is home to the venue's herd of alpacas, who all enjoy being involved on the day.
Mulberry House | https://mulberry-house.com
Styled by Lulabelles Berkshire based in Reading is a wedding styling company. Stylist Emma Trevenna tells us: "We handle every detail with precision and care. Our comprehensive services include elegant floral arrangements, bespoke table settings, and enchanting decor that harmonises seamlessly with your theme. We pride ourselves on delivering high-end looks without the price tag, making luxury accessible for every couple." Read more in the latest issue available to download now for FREE!
How cute are these alpacas from Lakemoor Alpacas: A Dartmoor Alpaca Farm in South Devon? They can be guests at your wedding! Read more on page 57 of the new issue available to download now for FREE!
Image courtesy of Katie Goff Photography
You said ‘yes’; the ring is on your finger, so what’s next? The dress, of course! For many brides-to-be, it’s one of the most exciting parts of the wedding journey and it’s tempting to rush out to the shops right away and start trying on gorgeous gowns. After all, it’s not every day you get the chance, right? Not wanting to sound like a killjoy, but taking the time to do your homework first can help you avoid costly mistakes. There are many factors to take into account to make sure your dress is not only the right fit for you but also ties in with the style and feel of your day. The time of year, type of ceremony and venue are all key considerations, as well as the kind of entertainment that you’re planning.
To help give you some inspiration, we've asked Beautiful in Curves to share their favourite winter dress. The dress is called MG168 by Millie Grace and is a long-sleeved A-line crepe dress with a plain yet refined silhouette that embodies effortless grace.
See more beautiful dresses in our Bridal Boutiques feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourkent.wedding/free-download
Sarah Louise from Sarah Louise Wedding Planner tells us her top tips for planning a small wedding.
"Some people dream of a grand, fairytale wedding while others dream of a smaller, intimate affair, with the latter gaining more popularity moving into 2025. In our Instagram-driven world, it’s easy to get carried away during the planning process. Regardless of the size of your guest list, a wedding planner can be instrumental in keeping you on track, ensuring your vision aligns with your budget and holding you accountable to plan the day you both want.
"Planning a wedding typically takes around 400 hours, ideally starting 18 to 12 months out, as suppliers tend to book up quickly. I sit with my couples and create a comprehensive list of everything they might want at their wedding; we then categorise each item as either essential or desirable. I source the essentials first and revisit the desirable later. My advice is to prioritise securing your venue, registrar/celebrant, photographer, videographer and florist. Once these are confirmed, you can move on to the design elements, always keeping your budget in mind. It’s important not to get too attached to a particular trend when looking at the ‘vision’ for your day. For example, bows and pastels are in for 2024. When considering a trend, I recommend evaluating whether you genuinely love it or if you’re drawn to it simply because it’s all over your Instagram and Pinterest feeds. Ask yourself how you’ll feel when you look back on your wedding day in 10 years, and if you still love it, go for it, but ideally, be original and authentically you!"
See more tips for planning an intimate wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download
This multicoloured festival-inspired shoot was organised by the team at Minstrel Court and Amber Cox from Ambers Bakes and Cakes. Amber tells us: “The aim of this shoot was to pull together all of my favourite local suppliers and create a fun, festival wedding. Using disco balls and an array of bright colours, we used Minstrel Court as our blank canvas to bring our vision to life. It was the perfect collaboration, with all of the suppliers bringing their strengths to the table and showcasing what they do best. I wanted to emphasise that not all weddings have to be white and formal; you can add colour, flare and personalisation and have an exciting, jam-packed day! Real couple, Saskia and Ben, were our models and the images show the true spark between this gorgeous couple.”
See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download
Belinda from Flower B Florist worked with a team of local suppliers to create this beautiful shoot. “The aim was to create an elegant, summery floral vibe,” says Belinda. “I wanted to show couples how flowers can transform any room, even a classically beautiful hall, turning it into a floral sensation! For the flowers, we used a selection of pastel shades with soft meadow-style textures to create a look that was in keeping with the surroundings, using coral peonies, peach and white daisies, tall pale blue delphiniums and many more seasonal florals and foliage.
“When I first visited Wyreside Leisure Hotel, I was blown away by the opulent building. A private long driveway through the English countryside reveals this hidden gem, a Grade II-listed hall, which has been lovingly restored by the current owners to provide an exclusive hotel wedding venue. For the styling of the lovely real model couple, we wanted to again complement the surroundings, going for an elegant classic look with the groom in a black tuxedo and the bride in two statement dresses with natural make-up and a classic relaxed up do for her hair.”
See more from this styled shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Calling all brides-to-be - say I do to effortless wedding planning! Reading-based The Ink Pot introduces its latest must-have: a personalised wedding notebook. It's the ultimate stress-buster available in nine vibrant colours - a tool to turn wedding planning chaos into seamless organisation. Read more in the latest issue available to download for FREE now!
How stunning is this image of Christina and Aaron taken on their wedding day by photographer Toby Lidstone? Read their real-life love story on page 40 of the new issue available to download now for FREE!
A horse drawn carriage is such a special addition to your day. You needn't be worried about the weather as these convertible carriages have glass tops or hoods that can be raised in an instant if need be. The Ostler Horse & Carriage Co.
For further information, visit: www.horseandcarriagehire.co.uk
The latest issue has plenty of W-Day transport ideas - and is available now. Read An Essex Wedding magazine for free!
Make-up artist Adriana Herran shares her top looks for an autumnal wedding.
"Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. The weather is just right – not too cold or too hot – making it the perfect season for styling. The colours of autumn are mainly earthy tones and are absolutely gorgeous. To embrace the season, I suggest opting for one of the season’s colours. You could choose a latte smoky eyes and warm tones to complement your cheeks and lips. Alternatively, go for a minimalist look and enhance your lips with a red wine lipstick to make them the focal point of your look.
"The key is to enhance your natural beauty by incorporating warm, seasonal colours that complement your autumnal theme.
"Remember to schedule a make-up trial before the big day to ensure you achieve the perfect look!"
See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourkent.wedding/free-download
Make-up artist Phillipa R.C.Hughes shares how to get flawless-looking skin in the run-up to your wedding.
"Step one to a flawless face is a good skin regime to balance, nourish and hydrate. If your skin isn’t hydrated, it will absorb moisture from the foundation, leaving you looking cakey and patchy. Take time to really massage skincare in to boost blood circulation and get the ‘inner glow’ in photographs. I adore the award-winning Tropic Smoothing Cleanser for this, plus the citrus scent enlivens tired skin and smells delish.
"Remember, less is more! The better the skin, the less product is required, ensuring a beautiful, natural and radiant finish. My bridal clients benefit from a ‘beauty concierge’ service to get ‘skin fit’ following a trial to ensure I am working on balanced, hydrated skin on the big day. Build up using thin layers of product; you can always add, but going in too heavy too soon won’t be flattering. Work from the centre of the face outwards. About five to ten minutes after your skin care, apply a primer for your skin type: textured or oilier skins need mattifying primers; wide pores use a silicone-based pore-minimising primer (such as YSL Blur Refining Primer); smoother or dull skins opt for illuminating and brightening ones, respectively, such as Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Under Makeup. Next is foundation: for drier skin choose a serum or hydrating foundation, and for oilier or textured skin, opt for a mattifying foundation. Follow with concealer and set lightly with translucent colourless powder (such as Laura Mercier) for a long-lasting radiant finish."
See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download
To help make your wedding stand out for all the right reasons, it pays to get the entertainment right. For the happy couple, the big day may go by in a flash, but for family and friends, especially travel-weary guests or those with young children, any lulls in the proceedings can dampen the feel-good factor. Nothing brings people together more than laughter and shared experiences, so it’s essential that you hire a supplier who will keep your guests smiling throughout the day. To help give you heaps of inspiration, we’ve interviewed Bertie Anderson, also known as Bertie Bow, to find out more about her business.
Bertie Anderson, also known as Bertie Bow, is a musician with more than 20 years of experience. “I know exactly how to provide that magical musical sparkle to your day,” says Bertie. “I have curated an ever-expanding programme of violin repertoire, especially for weddings. Inspired by Bridgerton, I love playing pop and rock covers on violin with high-quality piano and guitar backing tracks, creating a sophisticated, contemporary atmosphere for a ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast. I can provide my repertoire list on request, which also includes a varied selection of classical, film, music theatre and jazz music.
“I’m based in Cromer, Norfolk, but am happy to travel around East Anglia. I’m always keen to perform specific requests during the ceremony, for the bride or groom’s entrance, signing of the register and exit, to create your perfect soundtrack.”
Head over to our Music and Entertainment feature in the current issue to see more. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download
