HOT TOPIC

Step into spring with this expert advice

Delicate Florals

Spring’s all about the flowers. What blooms and foliage would you suggest for a gorgeous seasonal bouquet?

Large and trailing bouquets are on their way out in 2023, according to the opinion of industry leaders. This is good news for your budget, and what’s more, you’ll be more comfortable carrying a smaller bouquet. The goal is not to overpower or detract from the design of the gown but to tastefully accent it with delicate florals.

Spring is a wonderful time to get married because you have such a variety of pastel and vibrant blooms to choose from. The pictured pastel-themed bouquet is teaming with a selection of blush, pink and ivory scented Roses with a liberal sprinkling of coral Astilbe, light blue Delphiniums, delicate lemon Green Bells and the ever-versatile true-blue

IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES

This time of the year lends itself to having fun in the fresh air. What do you suggest is a great crowd pleaser for getting our guests together during the afternoon?

Everyone loves to have fun, so why not add games into the mix? It’s great seeing children and adults playing games together and having fun on a beautiful summer’s day.

Our popular choices for weddings have been the giant Connect 4, giant Snakes and Ladders, Space Hoppers (adults and children), giant Jenga, croquet and lawn boules. We’ve also been asked to supply games for younger children such as Mini Golf, Quoits and Mini Skittles.

Another way to bring people together is through food! We have a large metal candy cart, that can be used for drinks, light snacks, and other sweet treats and a sweet stand for all your favourites. Both come decorated with flowers. What stands about the cart is that it’s got a vintage look and it’s made of metal, not the usual wooden carts you generally see.

Emily Moore | Classic Giant Games | www.classicgiantgames.com

Eucalyptus framing the bottom. Always choose seasonal blooms to keep costs down – you have a wide selection to choose from between January and May. Anemones, Peonies, Hyacinths, Tulips, Ranunculi, Lilacs, Sweet Peas, Narcissi, Roses, and the super elegant Lily of the Valley are the flowers of choice for spring bouquets as some come in a variety of colours and are fresh and vibrant in appearance.

Add a sense of drama by being lavish with your ribbons and stem bindings and use accent pearl, diamante, feathers and dried flower accessories for the finishing touch.

If it’s a traditional ivory and green palette you’re looking for, try to use seasonal blooms such as Roses, Gypsophila, Lisianthus and some allyear-available species such as Astilbe, Antirrhinums and Stocks.

Rebecca Paulraj | Becca Blooms | https://beccablooms.com

Al Fresco Settings

We’re just starting our venue search and would love somewhere with outdoor options. What tips can you share for finding the perfect setting?

Firstly, no matter what month you tie the knot in, the weather might not be on your side, so you need to be prepared. Always look for a venue where you love the indoor and outdoor spaces equally. The Rosendale in leafy West Dulwich offers both options, including large and small private rooms and three picturesque gardens.

Ask if you can decorate the outdoor area. We’re very happy for you to decorate our Side Garden at The Rosendale so it’s in-keeping with the rest of your theme. Would you like food cooked outside too? Our hog roasts are always a big hit with guests. Does your outdoor setting have the option of shade? We have large umbrellas as well as plenty of space for sun worshippers. Remember, photos look great with natural light, so look out for lots of great backdrops. Our couples always choose outside our entrance for their pics, which is particularly beautiful. Check whether the outdoor space has any additional entertainment, such as a children’s play area. We benefit from having that along with table tennis and boules to keep guests young and old entertained.

Kate Lester | The Rosendale | www.therosendale.co.uk

A Slice Of Sunshine

We’d love a colourful showstopper for our big-day bake. What designs and flavours are great for a spring wedding?

There are so many ways to bring the season into your cake design. If you’re going for fresh florals, stay local and climate-friendly if you can. Freesias, for example, are non-toxic spring bloomers that come in several colours including pink, lilac and yellow, plus they smell amazing. Pressed edible flowers are another strikingly beautiful, seasonal, and safe choice. For spring months, daisies, and sweet violets (from reputable sources, of course) are both pretty, edible florals with delicate flavours that shouldn’t interfere with the taste of your cake. Sprinkles of colour from dried cornflour petals or pansies can also be used to tie together the elements on a dessert table with elegance.

I love to use non-edible dried coloured florals and foliage such as palm spears, and couple them with decorative dyed wafer paper sails and shards. They’re all vibrant and striking, and it allows me to customise the colours to fit precisely with my clients’ chosen colour scheme at any time of the year. Hand-painted decorations such as white chocolate shards or multicoloured chocolate ‘paint’ splatter are another colourful signature Den Bake Shop style.

Flavour-wise, I like a little classic citrus, some medium spice options and some sunshine inspiring ingredients in the spring. From my menu, I’d go for tiers of carrot and ginger and lemon poppyseed, with cake canapés in pistachio almond mango and chocolate salted caramel.

Maxine Den | Den Bake Shop | www.denbakeshop.com

Timex has released a new addition to its popular Timex Expedition Range. The Expedition North Titanium Automatic features a 21-jewel automatic movement and a quick-release leather strap. It’s made using durable materials, including titanium and scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal and is ideal for everyday wear and adventurous grooms-to-be.

Visit www.timex.co.uk for more information.

On the back of what was Favourbrook’s best year in the brand’s history, the formalwear specialist has announced the launch of its new Spring/Summer 23 Menswear Collection. The collection celebrates the timelessness of tailoring, from the sophisticated elegance of morning dress and glamorous eveningwear, to the refined motifs of relaxed summer options.

New for this season is unstructured linen suits comprising of Favourbrook’s iconic Newport jacket silhouette. Constructed from a beautiful Irish linen, these suits have a relaxed, natural drape and are available in a plethora of soft pastel tones, perfect for casual summer weddings and smart social events.

VRAI, known for creating sleek jewellery with unisex appeal, has revealed the new Brushed Bevel Band, a modern take on the wedding ring that is both substantial and subdued – perfect for grooms-to-be.

Available in platinum or solid gold, the brushed effect gives the band a soft exterior while the modern bevelled edges create a look of durability. The band is 6mm wide and 1.8mm deep and can be engraved to add a personal touch.

Visit https://uk.vrai.com for more info.