ADRENALIN JUNKIES My wife-to-be and I are looking for a wow factor honeymoon destination with lots of fun activities. Do you have any suggestions? If you’re looking for a fun and exciting honeymoon, why not fly over to Bali? Bali comes with the best of both worlds; jungle and beach, swim up rooms and jungle tree houses, jam-packed fun and total bliss. With the best time to visit between May and September, Bali is an amazing and iconic getaway after a summer wedding. The best things to do include, discovering waterfalls and temples, hike up Mount Batur to watch the sunrise or brave the famous Bali Swing. Another great recommendation for a winter wedding would be the Caribbean. Here at Hays Travel Colchester, we have lots of personal experiences travelling to the Caribbean, there’s also plenty to choose from when it comes to finding the perfect Caribbean Island. Have you tried swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas or braved swimming with sharks? Rent a car and explore the islands, you never know what you might find. Hays Travel Colchester takes the stress out of planning, so you can look forward to your big day and the adventure that awaits. Emma Cater | Hays Travel Colchester www.haystravel.co.uk DECOR DETAILS The chairs in the ceremony room at my venue are wooden and drab. How can I freshen the room up? If your venue has the popular Chiavari, Cheltenham or cross back style chairs, there are so many options to give them that extra special touch adding soft chiffon hoods or drapes which can be styled in so many ways including elegant vertical drops, stylish Grecian shawl designs or the beautiful weave all in a multitude of colours or keeping it simple with classic white or ivory. Additional decor including brooches, ribbon ties or flowers can add that extra finishing touch. Jane MacDonell | Exquisite Wedding & Event Services https://exquisiteweddingandeventservices.co.uk PERSONAL TOUCHES I’d like a celebrant-led wedding, however, would love to make it even more personal by involving my family and friends in some way. Any ideas of what may be acceptable and appropriate? The joy of a celebrant-led wedding is that you can fully personalise it from venue to the music, wording and people you involve. Consider the following... Ask guests to be a part of your story – Have guests share a story about how you all met or what they love about your relationship instead of traditional readings. Get their blessing with a Ring Warming – This is where your wedding rings are passed around your guests so they can hold them and bless them with positive vibes and best wishes for your years ahead. Group vows – Get your guests to promise to be there for you in good times and bad or take a turn with the babysitting so you can have a date night, make it lighthearted but get them involved. Unity Ceremonies – How about a canvas with everyone’s hand or fingerprints on or thoughts on married life instead of a guest book? Perhaps they can use fabric pens to draw or write on fabric squares that can be stitched together to make a giant marital quilt. Remember that bit in Love Actually when the congregants play All You Need Is Love at Keira Knightley’s wedding? Perhaps you could have a sing song or persuade some talented poetic guests to write a poem just for you. Plant a tree and ask guests to add the soil to help it grow strong and true, just like the love in your marriage. Ask guests to bring a single flower and stem from their garden or a nearby field and then turn that into your wedding bouquet or decoration for your wedding breakfast table. Have a group picnic instead of a formal wedding breakfast. Everyone brings a plate of food and guests sit at long trestle tables so they get to get to know each other and complement each other on their creations. Invite guests to offer a toast at the reception – Though you might want to pick some trusted individuals rather than risk a drunk cousin offending grandma! Have a cocktail blending as part of your ceremony (to represent ingredients working together in harmony) and then have a glass of the cocktail waiting for your guests or in shots on their chairs for a giant ‘Cheers’ at the end of the ceremony. Your celebrant will be more than happy to help you pull together some ideas and coordinate the activity as part of your ceremony or after. Shelley Bell | Independent Family Celebrant www.shelleybell.co.uk Christopher Alvarenga via unsplash Kat Hill Photography 78
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