Your Herts and Beds Wedding - February/March 2024 (Issue 102)

STYLED TO PERFECTION We’ve just got engaged and are considering different options for our wedding; what should we keep in mind when it comes to venue styling? Small details can make a big difference if you opt for an intimate wedding; think about elements that matter to you and your partner. As you work with a smaller guestlist, your budget can stretch further when planning your décor. Create a feeling of luxe intimacy by layering your tablescapes with beautiful tablecloths, charger plates and textured napkins. Finish with lots of candlelight for warmth and a softening of the atmosphere. Smaller guest numbers can often get lost in spacious venues, so consider making rooms seem smaller and cosier by adding drapes and ceiling installations. Beautiful hand-lettered place names and menus can be bespoke to each person, which will increase the guest experience. Work with the existing elements and surroundings where the wedding will take place. Create lounge areas under statement trees and use the branches as a base for flowers or drapes. Think about the lighting and use this as a feature; string festoon lights over guests’ heads to create a wedding zone and encourage them not to wander too far. Avoid naked flames and keep candles contained to stop them from blowing out. Outdoor ceremonies are magical and unique; I suggest creating a focal point with which to stand in front to frame you as a couple and differentiate you from the background in your photos. Create focal points and installations for a grand wedding. Think about ceiling installations and enhanced table plans to create wow moments as guests enter a room. Grand weddings often occur within large rooms or structures, and a ceiling installation can make a room seem more intimate and separate the space into dining, lounging and dancing. Upspecing the tablecloths and napkins can be a cost-effective way to have an impactful injection of colour and make the setting feel more luxe. Consider adding height to the tables to make the most of the vertical space; this could be through a mix of high and low florals or tapered candles in candlesticks. Gemma Lander | The White Emporium | www.thewhiteemporium.co.uk RAINY DAYS We’re getting married in a marquee. How do we prepare for this and ensure we still get gorgeous images? There’s no need to worry about a bit of rain on your wedding day; it’s considered good luck and forces your guests to mingle together. Come the evening, the dancefloor would be filled, creating an authentic party atmosphere. That said, I would suggest a few things if the forecast was looking a little soggy. •Umbrellas and wellies: Inject fun into your bridal party shots with colourful wellies to match your wedding theme and clear brollies to keep all important hair and make-up perfect all day. You can even dress your umbrella dome with flowers and foliage to match your bridal bouquets. •Golden hour couple shots: After the rain comes a beautiful sunset! Plan time in your day to capture a couple of shots with your photographer during golden hour – I promise you won’t regret it! • Embrace and enjoy: You can’t control the weather, so embrace and enjoy every minute of your special day. If you’re feeling brave, dance in the rain together. It will make for some truly romantic images, and you’ll feel so high on life after! Caroline Acaster | Caroline Acaster Photography www.carolineacasterphotography.co.uk NOW THAT’S MUSIC My wife-to-be and I are looking for entertainment to keep our guests happy throughout the day. Do you have any suggestions? A saxophonist is the perfect addition to any wedding day due to the instrument’s versatile nature! These instruments are typically involved in most different genres without you even knowing, but they can still perform the melody line even if they aren’t a part of your favourite song. As DomPlaysSax, I can perform everything from your walk down the aisle to your drinks reception and wedding breakfast while also bringing the party to your evening reception! Performing everything from classical and jazz to dance, pop and house music, booking me allows you to provide a lovely live music element throughout the wedding. Dominic Chandler | DomPlaysSax https://domplayssax.com www.carolineacasterphotography.co.uk https://thymelanephotography.co.uk 68

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