Your North West Wedding - February/March (Issue 78)

HOW TO PLAN AN AMAZING HEN AND STAG DO Get an idea of the number of participants who are committed to doing an activity as early as possible. Bank holidays are often very busy, consequently, accommodation can become booked up very quickly, so make sure you book far in advance. Likewise, most hen and stag activity sessions happen in spring and summer, so it’s best to plan and book early to get your preferred date and activity. Choose activities that suit everyone’s ability and comfort zone, so that everyone feels happy and confident. Decide on the location that you want to go to for your accommodation and activities. Most of our activities at Adventure North West are in the Coniston area of the South Lakes. Have a plan for how you and your group will travel to and from your accommodation and activity locations, as public transport and taxi services can be limited within rural areas. Be sure to budget for travel, activity costs and food and make sure everyone is on the same page money-wise. Keep in mind that the weather can be very changeable, so it’s best to come prepared with the appropriate clothing and footwear. Private group activity sessions work well for hen and stag parties, as the activity can be delivered in a bespoke way just for your group. The team at Adventure North West www.adventurenorthwest.co.uk OUR TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE PERFECT CAKE Do some research before setting a budget as some embellishments and flavours will cost more than others. Once you’ve found a supplier, work with them to create a bespoke design for your big day. Tell them about your likes and dislikes and show them photos of other creations that have caught your attention. Remember, a bespoke option will cost more than a standard design, so factor this into your budget. Flowers are a wonderful way of decorating your bake. Blooms can be carefully painted to look like a watercolour masterpiece, made using sugar or even sculpted out of icing. Chocolate can be used to decorate your bake. Whether you choose a modern drip effect or a quirky half-and-half creation, your guests are sure to be delighted. If you’ve decided against a traditional white bake, then ruffles are a fun alternative. Not only will it make the cake stand out, but it’s also a great way of incorporating your colour scheme. Cake freezes perfectly, so if you have any leftover and it wasn’t frozen previously (check with your supplier), freeze it and enjoy it for months to come. You could even keep some for your first anniversary. Cake-toppers are an opportunity for you and your partner to show off your personalities – have some fun with it, and don’t be afraid to go against tradition! Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images PLANNING SOS 59

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