A LANDMARK YEAR As Bristol marks its 650th anniversary of becoming a city and county in 2023 with major celebrations in the pipeline, this year sees a whole host of vibrant, world-renowned festivals and events. Here are some of our highlights to look out for: We the Curious is reopening We the Curious science museum and wedding venue was forced to close in April 2022 following a devastating fire on its roof. Repairs to resulting water damage are under way and the plan is to reopen in 2023. Brimming with exhibits to inspire and home to the UK’s only 3D planetarium, this is the place to ask questions and get creative. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, 10th-13th August Europe’s largest hot air balloon event will once again stun visitors with its mass ascents when more than 100 hot air balloons take off and fly over the city at dawn and dusk. The free-to-visit fiesta also has daytime aerial displays, fairground rides, entertainment, music and food stalls. 200 years of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Another iconic city-centre wedding venue makes waves this year as it celebrates its the bi-centenary of its forerunner, The Bristol Institution for the Advancement of Science, Literature and the Arts. BI200 will bring together amazing objects and stories from the museum’s collections through a series of themed seasons taking place throughout the year. To discover more about the myriad of events happening in Bristol to mark its 650th year as a city visit https://visitbristol.co.uk PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES Easton Social Dancing offers a free, zero obligation, 45-minute wedding dance consultation. Keen to know more, we chatted to experienced teacher Tannith Perry... What can couples expect from their free consultation? We’ll discuss the various things you need to consider: music, style of dance, how your dress could impact your dance, the venue and more. Then, based on these factors we’ll start learning one or more styles of dance. What do you teach your couples? There are many different approaches to the first dance. Some of my past clients wanted to wow their guests by performing a choreographed routine, others wanted the ability to dance to their favourite song with a simple grace and ease. Learning some basic patterns and lead and follow techniques takes a huge amount of stress off of both partners so you can enjoy your special moment without anxiety as well as leaving a lasting impression on your family and friends. What do couples need to think about when preparing their dream dance? Firstly, the music. There are a couple of approaches. One is to pick a song you love. The upside to this is you get your favourite tune, but the downside is that it might not work with many, or indeed any, dance styles meaning you’re limited in choice. The second option is to choose a couple of songs you really like and bring them to your dance teacher, who can then advise you on the dances that’ll work for each. The broader your tutor’s experience, the more likely you are to find something that works. The other important consideration is your attire. The dress can have a huge impact on how much you can move and your ability to move without stepping on it. The higher the hem the easier it is. You can always have the dress tailored to barely kiss the floor, have it bustled or have a wrist loop. The latter will limit your ability to lift your arm beyond a certain point, but that’s still easier to accommodate than a very long gown. Another option is to have a second dress specifically for the dance. Whatever you choose, it’s important to practice the dance in a dress and shoes that are as similar to the wedding gown as possible. Discover more at https://eastonsocialdancing.com and for an exclusive dicsount on wedding packages, turn to page 13. NEW VENUE ALERT! Located in the heart of Somerset, just 30 minutes from Bath, The Holcombe is a beautiful new wedding reception venue, overlooking rolling countryside. The 17th-century restaurant with 11 contemporary guest rooms is set on the highest point of a small parish in the north east of the Mendip Hills with views across to Downside Abbey. Hiring The Holcombe for a wedding celebration includes exclusive use of all 11 bedrooms, the bar, restaurant, snug and grounds – including the gorgeous new Mediterranean garden. The venue is now taking bookings for 2023 and offers a blank canvas for couples looking to tailor their special day from scratch. To find out more, head over to https://theholcombe.com https://atkinsonphotography.co.uk Scan to view video 5 MINUTES WITH... 10
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