Your South Wales Wedding - November/December 2020 (Issue 76)

Our experts solve your problems HOT TOPIC: WEDDING WORRIES THE SWEET STUFF Q – What flavours and decorations should we choose for our festive- themed cake? There are several ways of incorporating a winter theme into your cake. A traditional white cake will give you a great base to build upon. Evergreen foliage in greens and greys mixed with winter berries, fir cones and flowers would make a great addition. Choose between white for the berries and flowers, or winter hues such as reds and golds. Your cake maker will advise you on whether fresh or sugar versions would be better, as some plants are toxic and cannot be used. Lavender, for instance, is both hardy through winter and non-toxic, which makes it safe to put directly onto the cake. Fruits, nuts and edible berries are great alternatives. They can add colour, style and warmth to a festive cake, grouped with or without some evergreen foliage. Figs, strawberries and blackberries not only look good but also edible. Sugar dipping some of the fruit will also add a frosted look to your design. Build more on the snow and ice theme by adding silver and blue icicles and snowflakes. If you’re going to add flowers, stick to the white and blue theme. Traditional fruit cakes were the go-to winter cake for centuries in this country. It’s spicy and steeped in warming brandy or sherry. Alternatively, you could opt for a ginger cake or passionfruit and orange if you want something a bit different. Jenny Leeb-du Toit Cake specialist www.cakesespecially.com FLORAL FANTASY Q – We’re having a Christmas wedding and want to incorporate some festive cheer into our flowers. Do you have any suggestions? There are lots of colour combinations available at this time of year, such as traditional reds, greens, whites, metallics golds, silvers and colourful pinks, purples and blues. Wine red is a popular shade for a classic Christmas wedding. Partnered with ivory rose, gypsophila, berries, pine and a mixture of greenery, you can create a natural and elegant bouquet. Add a touch of gold and champagne to your venue’s lights, centrepieces, table runners or display pedestals to create a cosy and merry atmosphere. White tends to be romantic, and by using a variety of flowers, you can create the texture you desire. Look for white roses, anemones and astilbes, gypsophila, seeded eucalyptus and a light blue astrantia spray or forget me nots to complement the bridal bouquet. If you’re looking for a more trendy theme, opt for a combination of red, mauve and blush-toned roses, peonies and dahlias. Alternatively, look for blush pink and ivory flora, silver frosted foliage and finish with rose gold ribbons to accentuate the shade of your bouquet. You can also incorporate rose gold into your bows on the chairs, napkins and cake decorations. By choosing the best quality artificial flowers, you avoid the issue of seasonal availability. They create beautiful keepsakes, avoid any allergy issues, but most importantly, you can keep them as a lovely keepsake. Elisa Hsiao Artificial wedding florist www.elynboutique.com  www.oliv erreesphotography.com EXPERT ADVICE 47

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