HOT TOPIC Stellar wedmin advice from those in the know HEY BABY! We have a gorgeous young baby and are quite concerned about looking after her on the wedding morning and during the day. It’s not a responsibility we want to put on our wedding party. What can we do? Consider having your normal sitter to come and look after your baby or if that’s not possible look for a childcare service that offers an all-day and evening nanny service. By employing a nanny for the day and evening, you can keep your gorgeous little one in their normal routine without relying on family and friends who would be missing out on your special day. When you find a nanny, ask to meet with them to see how they engage with you and your child as you need to be comfortable leaving them with that person. Discuss their routine during that initial meeting and write everything down to give to the nanny to follow throughout the day. Carole Cassidy, https://carouselcreche.co.uk Autumn special DELICIOUS LOCAL FARE Can you suggest a mouthwatering autumnal menu to reflect the best of Kent? Autumn is one of my favourite foodie times, when our best heritage and native vegetables are at their peak. So, I’d suggest the 12-hour potroasted whole beef brisket. We season our locally-sourced beef for 24 hours in my own stonehouse seasoning, then slow roast it, before pulling it in its own cooking juices. It’s served with my homemade mild horseradish mayonnaise and our very own beef dripping root vegetable crisps in a brioche bun. To accompany this, I’d recommend our toasted broccoli, red apple, and almond slaw alongside mini roasted potato, wholegrain mustard and dill mayo salad, topped with rocket salad. We can bring our airstream-style catering trailer to your wedding venue and lay our feasting, graze tables to coordinate with your wedding theme or palette. Vicky Kemp, www.seasaltandrelish.com BEST OF THE SEASON How can we give our venue styling an autumnal twist? Start with your base when planning your reception tables, and you can create an autumnal style simply by using textured linens, coloured fabric runners or accent with a coloured napkins in burnt oranges, rich reds, and browns. There are many fantastic autumn-hued florals, foliage and dried flowers available for centrepieces. Consider using amber-coloured glass, lanterns or hurricane vases with candles for an inviting glow. Include natural elements such as wood, leaves and pinecones – you can forage or source these easily and they’ll store in advance of your wedding. Use seasonal produce such as gourds and munchkins as accents, and scatter nuts, leaves and red apples around your centrepieces to add texture and interest. Recycled and seed paper stationery has an amazing colour and texture. Alternatively, you can write your guests’ names on dried leaves or tie them to pinecones to greet them as they take their seats. Your loved ones will adore seasonal favours too. Source or have fun making your own red toffee apples, or honeycomb pieces for a fun seasonal twist. Kylie Christie, www.theoldkentbarn.co.uk www.michellecordnerphotography.com 77 EXPERT ADVICE
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