NEARLYWED NEWS

The winners of the South West Wedding Awards were announced recently and the recipient of the accolade for ‘Something Different’ was Somerton-based The Flower Preservation Workshop. We asked business owner Rachel Ruddle how she felt about receiving such recognition, she told us, “We won! I’m absolutely blown away to even be a finalist for this award, but to win... I’m lost for words, possibly a first! Despite knowing how amazing my team is, each time I send out an order I still worry that it might not meet our clients’ expectations. We’ve completed thousands of orders and I still have this feeling. We’re so passionate about our work and to be recognised for an award is just amazing. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, we couldn’t have achieved this without your support.”

The South West Wedding Awards recognise businesses within the industry that exceed their customers’ expectations and deliver outstanding customer service. They are voted for by the public, rather than a team of panellists, so to receive one is quite the honour.

Flower Preservation Workshop specialises in designing handmade floral paperweights, which perfectly preserve clients’ wedding flowers allowing them to be treasured forever. To find out more check out www.flowerpreservationworkshop.co.uk

FASHION FORWARD

Located in the beautiful city of Bath, Krystle Brides offers an extensive range of gowns by some of the most soughtafter designers in the industry, the latest of which is the 2022 Blue by Enzoani collection. These modern and sexy wedding dresses range in price from £1,500 to £2,200 and showcase all the latest trends from sleeves to cape veils in the shape of form-fitting silhouettes and A-lines. Whether you’re looking for something embellished and showstopping or sleek and simple, there’s something here for everyone. You can check out all the dresses at www.enzoani.com/en/collections/blue-by-enzoani

Krystle Brides recommends an appointment to ensure a fitting room is available for you, but it does also accept walkins. During your appointment, you and your entourage will be accompanied by a stylist who’ll get to know more about you and your wedding day, in order to assist in finding your dream dress.

Head over to www.krystlebrides.co.uk to find out more.

NEWS Nearlywed

Catch up on the latest from around the region

SHOP SUSTAINABLY

Bristol-based independent business Prior Shop has been awarded Best High Street Shop in Holly & Co.’s National Independent Awards. This is a game-changer for the team who are hugely proud of their achievement. The shop brings locallymade sustainable products from 150 independent businesses to the high street. Founder Beck says, “We’re a haven for artists and designers and in being so, a haven for customers. When local artists, designers and makers are supported, given opportunities and their voices championed, the whole community wins.” All products are vetted for their sustainable credentials and circular economy. So, if you’re aiming to keep your big-day, as well as your future, environmentallyconscious while shopping local check out the website www.priorshop.uk. You’ll find gorgeous meaningful gift-list ideas, ideal wedding party gifts, big-day beauty, chic finishing touches, furnishings for your together home and more.

SUPER SATURDAY

Traditionally, Super Saturday is the last one before Christmas when the less organised among us rush out to buy those allimportant gifts. But this year, Rookery Bridal have decided to rewrite the rules and host their very own version on 19th February 2022. The idea behind the event is that all those with a wedding fast approaching who haven’t yet found their dream dress can make an appointment to see the team and they’ll do their best to ensure they can get the one in time.

What’s more, if you book an appointment for this event and end up ordering a gown, you’ll be given a 10 per cent discount. This offer is for the day only, so don’t miss out!

Find out more and book an appointment at https://rookerybridal.co.uk SPEND A PENNY

Toilets might not be the most glamorous part of your wedding planning, but if you’re hosting an al fresco event they’re pretty much the most important. And this is something that owners of Wight Event Toilets understand well. After years of attending music festivals and events Sam and Ollie Haines discovered a need in the market for high-end luxury toilet hire, allowing customers to experience some home-from-home comforts. The business has gone from strength to strength over the years and the significant expansion of the past couple in particular has brought it to a point where the vast majority of its work is wedding based.

The company now has 32 luxury toilet trailers and four luxury shower trailers and operates within a 50-mile radius of Bath. Its new trailers, available now, are super-stylish and wrapped in a wood-style effect – the perfect fit for rustic nuptials with a festival-vibe. Plus, the team can cater for any size of wedding from 20 guests up to 3,000.

Check out the full range of toilet and shower trailers on the website at www.wethire.co.uk

Editor loves

HONEYMOON HEAVEN

At time of writing the news is full of reports that Covid will likely be downgraded to endemic status before too long. And as we emerge from the roller coaster of the last couple of years resigned to the fact that it’s here to stay, we hope to see international travel back onto an even keel, and this issue’s couples have a terrific tip when it comes to a honeymoon hotspot: Venice.

While the pandemic has thus far prevented Ruby and Adam jumping on a plane, the groom is in the process of planning a honeymoon trip to Venice this year for them both. Kayley and George meanwhile, managed to get away to The Floating City and had this to say about their romantic break: “We decided to book Venice as a very last minute mini-moon after the wedding. We were unsure how things how things would go due to Covid, hence the late decision! We booked through British Airways and off we went. My mum looked after the children and it was so lovely to have some time, just the two of us, to relax after a stressful couple of years planning a wedding during a pandemic. Venice was stunning. We stayed for three nights, which was the perfect amount of time to make sure we managed to see it all without rushing.”

Spring is almost upon us, so it’s time to head out to the region’s wedding fairs and meet a wealth of fabulous local suppliers, primed and ready to help make your big-day dreams come true.

CHOSEN WEDDING FAIR BRISTOL Sunday 20th February 2022 | 11am-4pm Paintworks Event Space, The Airstream Main Courtyards, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3EH Admission is £3 each when pre-booked online, or £4 each on the day. www.chosenwedding.com

LOVE ACTUALLY M SHED WEDDING FAYRE Sunday 6th March 2022 | 11am-3pm Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN Free admission. www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk

TAUNTON SCHOOL WEDDING FAIR Sunday 27th March 2022 | 11am-3pm Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AD www.tauntonschool.co.uk

WINNING WAYS

The Wedding Industry Awards are the only regional and national accolades voted for by customers rather than a panel. They were set up to recognise excellence within our beloved industry and the hard work suppliers put into bringing their couples’ big-day visions come to life, very often going above and beyond the call of duty. There are a whole host of Bristol- and Somerset-based businesses making the finals of the South West region awards, which makes us super-proud. Check out our roundup below and keep your eyes peeled for the winners who’ll be announced on www.the-wedding-industry-awards.co.uk

BRIDAL RETAILER Bridal Reloved Street, https://bridalreloved.co.uk/shops/street Curve Bridal, https://curvebridal.co.uk | Somerset Bridal, www.somersetbridal.co.uk | The White Collection, www.thewhitecollectionbridal.co.uk | White Lace & Promises, http://whitelaceandpromises.co.uk

CAKE DESIGNER Cake Celebrations, www.cakecelebrations.co.uk

CELEBRANT and NEWCOMER Amanda-Louise Knight Celebrant and Wedding Planner, www.alkcelebrant.co.uk

DJ Encore Vision & Sound, https://encorevision.co.uk

MAKE-UP ARTIST Aldona Francis Makeup Artist, www.aldonafrancis-makeupartist.co.uk Celfie Hair and Makeup, www.celfiehairandmakeup.co.uk | Jessica Mills Make-up, www.jessicamillsmakeup.co.uk | Rose Forrest Hair and Makeup, www.roseforrestmakeupartist.co.uk

MUSICAL ACT (SOLO, DUO OR STRING QUARTET) Cotswold Wedding Guitarist, www.cotswoldweddingguitarist.co.uk John P Vocal, www.johnprescottvocalist.co.uk | Tip Top Singing Waiters, https://tiptopsingingwaiters.com PHOTOGRAPHER Albert Palmer Photography, https://albertpalmerphotography.com Jodie Hurd Photography, https://jodiehurdphotography.com

PLANNER Radhika & You, https://radhikaandyou.com

SPECIAL TOUCH Abigail Westrup Bridal, https://abigailwestrupbridal.com | Flower Preservation Workshop, www.flowerpreservationworkshop.co.uk Rebecca Anne Designs, www.rebeccaannedesigns.co.uk

VENUE (OTHER) Aldwick Estate, www.aldwickestate.co.uk | Crowcombe Court, www.crowcombecourt.co.uk