Your London Wedding - March/April 2021 (Issue 76)

CHANGE OF THE SEASON Q Our winter wedding has been postponed to summer. How can I adapt my heavy, long-sleeved dress? With so many weddings rescheduled during the pandemic, many brides are finding themselves with a dress that they think won’t work for a different time of year. Don’t panic, as bridalwear specialists there are a number of ways we can alter your dress to suit the season… ❤ If your sleeves are lined, we can remove the lining to make them lighter. ❤ We could change the style of the sleeve. For example, making them shorter or removing them altogether. ❤ If long sleeves are an integral part of the design, then we could remake them using a lighter fabric such as chiffon or soft lace. ❤ A more creative idea would be to make the sleeves detachable. You can then remove them completely and reattach them in the evening when it gets colder. ❤ The fabric used to make most wedding dresses is not heavy, but there can be many layers contributing to the overall weight. Ask your seamstress to remove a few layers to make the gown more breathable. Irina Merkulova | Lace and Button | www.laceandbutton.co.uk RAISE A TOAST Q We’re planning a large wedding with lots of guests when it’s safe to do so, but we’re worried about how to ensure it runs smoothly on the day. My friend recommended a toastmaster, but what services do they provide? I can add value and support in many ways, here is a list of services a toastmaster can offer… ❤ We can make all announcements at your wedding, including making sure you and your partner are ready before announcing you in. ❤ We work with your suppliers to ensure everything is running to time, and if there are any delays, we will manage them. We ensure everything front-of-house is running to plan and any last-minute requests are managed. ❤ We make sure all your speakers are ready with their scripts and check if they want to sit or stand before announcing them. ❤ We add gravitas to an event with our splendid outfit, personality and engaging interaction throughout. ❤ We’re on-hand to guide guests to where they should be. If possible, we can explain in other languages to help your guests understand what’s happening. ❤ We allow you and your loved ones to enjoy the event without stress. ❤ A toastmaster is not a member of the bridal party, a friend or relative, we have undergone training and mentoring to ensure we provide the best service for your wedding. We’re a safe pair of hands to ensure you have the special wedding you’ve planned for. Sonal Dave | Sonal Dave www.sonaldave.com DREAM THEMES Q How do we start to narrow down the choice of wedding themes and find what’s right for us? My advice to couples who are looking to unlock and refine their style is this: follow your heart and listen to what you are drawn to, but also keep an open mind about adapting the things you love to your wedding. Pinterest is a melting pot of ideas that can help you colour in your celebration, but it shouldn’t be a source of pressure or expectation. Your day should reflect your own priorities, personalities, passions and the investment you are comfortable making. There are no rules. Every single wedding is beautiful because it’s unique to the couple; your love story isn’t like anybody else’s, so why should your wedding be? Certain looks and details can turn into trends, and by all means embrace them if you love them, but try to let go of the idea of what’s in . Ask yourself what your definition of beauty and luxury is. What do you surround yourself with in your home and in your holidays that makes you happy? Decades from now, you’ll look back and remember choosing all the things you loved the most while telling your story, and that’s the most special thing there is. Valentina Ring | The Stars Inside | https://thestarsinside.com www.tino antoniou.co.uk https://reb eccacarpenterphotography.com EXPERT ADVICE 95