Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Surrey Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yoursurrey.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Regal beauty
Q. My hubby-to-be and I are having a Bridgerton-inspired wedding and would like to incorporate it into our styling. Do you have any ideas of how we can do this?
A. Colleen Stevenson says: All your style elements must work together when considering the theme for your wedding. To create a Bridgerton-style wedding, you need to ensure that you use only pastel colours such as regency blue, pale pink, gold and jewel.
For the entrance to the venue, I would use a metal frame as an archway intertwined with foliage, roses, spray roses, larkspur, hydrangeas and trailing jasmine to create a stunning and sophisticated look.
The wedding breakfast would benefit from large floral arrangements. Incorporate long tables with chiffon and silk table runners cascading onto the floor. Chiavari chairs with chiffon drapes would be an ideal choice that would create a graceful movement that would contrast well with silver candelabras with pastel colour floral arrangements. It's important that you use only one of the solid pastel colours mentioned above for your linens at the venue and that the crockery is of the regency period style and in a harmonious hue.
If this sounds like too much work, then search for a local wedding venue stylist. Not only will they be able to offer advice, but they can set up the venue for you.
Colleen Stevenson, Distinctive Elegance
www.distinctiveelegance.co.uk
A romantic setting
Q. A few of my friends got married recently, and I'm worried my wedding isn't going to stand out. How can I add something special to my big day?
A. Demi Merchant says: Your day will always be special and unique to you, but here are some tips to make your wedding stand out:
- Personalise your day with gentle touches that represent you as a couple such as a personalised guest book and card box.
- Keen travellers? Include some special memories recreated in the form of centrepieces. You could also have the background photos in the photo booth as places you have visited together.
- Does your other half have a preferred flower they buy you for birthdays, Valentine's Day or anniversaries? If so, use this as the main bloom in your arrangements.
- A good band always makes a wedding stand out, but it isn't always a cost-effective option. A great alternative is to ask all guests to request a specific song for the evening reception.
- Sweet carts can be found at lots of celebrations nowadays. Work with your decorations supplier and venue to create a drink or dessert cart with specialised signs surrounding it.
- Lots of children at the wedding? Hire a soft play area to give the kids a chance to burn off some steam. I'm sure the parents will appreciate it.
- Work with your venue and decorations supplier to make sure your wedding reflects you as a couple. You only get one special day, so make it count.
Demi Merchant, DM Event Decor
www.facebook.com/dmeventdecor
Decorated with love
Q. How we can incorporate flowers into our wedding décor?
A. Caroline Bates says: There are so many ways that you can incorporate flowers beyond the traditional bridal party bouquets and buttonholes. Blooms can bring the whole theme together and provide beautiful accents to your wedding. Many couples choose to have a statement piece at the entrance to their venue, such as a floral arch or milk churns filled with flowers. You could also think about decorating any signage you're using with garlands to tie in with your colour scheme.
During the ceremony, a statement piece like a moongate or floral columns positioned behind where you say your vows look spectacular in photos, as do flowers down the aisle. Even on a small budget, you can use pew or chair ends to add a decorative element. Remember to also consider the registry table, as you will want this to look nice in the photographs.
At your reception, table flowers instantly bring the room together and provide some interest for guests. You could also use blooms to tie in with other elements of your decor, such as on the cake table or bar. Depending on your venue, a fabulous hanging arrangement over the top table can add that wow factor to your big day.
Your florist will be able to help you with all these things and give suggestions on what will work best in the space. If there's something you love, don't be scared to ask for it as we want you to have your dream day.
Caroline Bates, Hayloft Floral
www.hayloftfloral.co.uk
All in the detail
Q. What are the latest trends in wedding styling?
A. Gabriella Olukoya says: Wedding trends come and go, but certain elements are timeless. Your wedding is about expressing your personality and style. One of the fastest-growing trends we've seen and embraced ourselves is the bohemian style, which can also be called rustic-chic or dusty hues. It's very laidback and dreamy with strong use of warm earthy tones, colours, pampas grass, dried plants, natural materials and wood or rattan furniture. This growing trend normally features rich colour combinations to bring some boldness to the wedding style. This type of styling creates a soft look and tone, giving the wedding a dreamy aura.
Another trend is the application of statement lighting. This comes in different styles such as hanging lanterns, glass pendants, giant multi-sized chandeliers, exposed bulbs or clustered candle garlands. These can be placed indoors or outdoors, and when the lights are switched on, it's a glorious scene that sets the tone of your wedding. If you want your wedding styling to be different, opt for something your guests haven't seen before.
Gabriella Olukoya, A Flair to Remember
www.aflairtoremember.co.uk
