With a cherry on top!

Find out how to finish with a flourish with these ideas from the county’s experts

Whenyou’ve got your must-haves planned and sorted, it’s time to think about pulling everything together to make your day all the more personal and really bring that theme to life. So, you’ve reached the part of your budget set aside for the super-fun stuff! You have permission to shop for the wedding equivalent of those checkout impulse buys – you didn't realise you needed it until you saw it! So enjoy yourself, you won’t regret it. Meet the experts who can help, as they share their ideas. We think you’ll be tempted!

EMILY’S MIXING BOWL

https://emilysmixingbowl.co.uk | @emilysmixingbowl

Have you ever thought about how you’ll display your big-day bake?

“Most people book their wedding cake and completely overlook where it’ll go or how it it’ll be shown off,” says wedding cake maker Emily Fitter. “I’ve been to far too many weddings where there’s a beautiful bake that someone has spent hours making, only for it to be presented in a dark corner next to a fire extinguisher. Don’t let that be your cake!”

There are a number of options when it comes to styling your big-day bake’s table and a lot of them don’t require too much effort or expertise, but are nevertheless sure to bring the wow factor. Emily shares her top tips below:

Ask the experts. If you’re using a venue stylist or prop hire company, ask them what ideas they have for your cake. How about a vintage dresser with flowers cascading from the drawers, a Singer sewing machine table, an acrylic plinth or coloured boards to frame it?

Think about decorating the table with matching items from your wedding styling. Perhaps a table runner, candles, flowers or mini dessert table treats to match the main cake.

Display a menu card. Evoke your guests’ interest by having a card next to the cake listing its flavours. You could include a printed card with a sketch of the showstopper on a mini easel or framed. Alternatively, order an engraved acrylic sign where the possibilities are endless.

Raise it up. Ask your venue which stand they include in the package, sometimes they aren’t very fitting, so if it doesn’t suit ask your cake maker if they have something more interesting available to hire, they usually do.

Think outside the box with the cake’s location. Where will it look its best? Is it a 360-degree cake that would look great on the dancefloor or should it be next to a bright and airy window, or perhaps on display as guests enter the room?

Bunting Boutique

www.buntingboutique.co.uk

@bunting.boutique

Down on the sunny South Coast, tucked away on a side street, a mere stone’s throw from the beach, resides Bunting Boutique, where Sue Maullin lovingly hand makes the most exquisite one-off pieces of bunting.

Sue specialises in working with Liberty Tana Lawn and vintage fabrics, but also loves to make bespoke bunting especially for weddings. Sue says, “Bunting is just the ticket if you need to finish off your wedding space and I can make bespoke lengths to guarantee a perfect fit to transform your barn, marquee, dancefloor, top table, cake table and much more. Bunting is a fantastic way of pulling your colour palette together by complementing key accents such as flowers and bridesmaids’ dresses. I can work with you to create those finer details that help to make everything just right.

She continues, “My favourite finishing touches have to be working on my sustainable and personalised ranges. I like to think that all the bunting I make has a long life. It’s made to last and can be used time and time again for future parties and events after the big day. Plus, I love working with couples and using fabrics that mean something to them.

“Looking for something old, something new...? I can transform your loved and cherished old linen into a beautiful garland to decorate your wedding space, and to serve as a long-lasting reminder of your big day. By incorporating things like a crocheted doily, a gorgeous trim detail, or an area of hand embroidery, every piece has its own story, its own history, and we hope, a wonderful future.” www.fabfalconry.co.uk | @fabfalconry

FAB Falconry has a team of trained owl ring bearers who cherish the opportunity to make your special day that little bit more magical. Whether your wedding is being held inside or out, the gorgeous owls will be delighted to fly down the aisle to deliver your rings to the person of your choice.

“We can even keep your beautiful owl ring bearer a secret from your guests until it’s time for the rings to be delivered,” says the team’s Florence Baker. “The owls are sure to make your special day all the more memorable.”

After the ceremony, the team will stay for approximately an hour, depending on your timetable, with a selection of birds that you and your guests can hold and have pictures with. Your new found avian friends certainly make for some incredible photographs, as well as providing a fabulous way to keep your nearest and dearest entertained while you mingle.

Scent My Wedding

www.scentmywedding.co.uk | @scentmywedding

Venue scenting is set to be big for 2023 and beyond, and local lovely Scent My Wedding offers a number of ways to achieve this. Director Sara Martin tells us more.

“For a subtle, atmospheric fragrance that won’t interfere with your wedding breakfast, the use of hand-poured, scented candles or reed diffusers will fill the air with a scent that’ll remain in your memory. With our range of personalised, scented wedding favours for guests to take home including miniature reed diffusers, votives and wax melts, the memory of your big day can linger on even further.

“For a more evocative scent, the use of fragrance oils and air diffusers will ensure your entire venue is fully perfumed covering up to 400,000 cubic metres. You may also wish to consider having your chosen scent filling the air as you walk down the aisle.”

Scent My Wedding has a huge range of premium fragrances to offer you, alternatively the team can match a fragrance that’s particularly sentimental or important to you. So, why not find out more and book a free consultation?

Vp Photography

https://vpphotography.pics | @vp_photography_worthing

With a selection of quirky photo booths including an original horsebox (https://horseboxphotobooth.co.uk), a vintage caravan (https://caravanphotobooth.co.uk) and a homemade indoor version VP Photography has something to offer all wedding vibes with the ultimate fun addition.

Each photo booth includes a guest book, unlimited visits, instant prints and so many props to choose from you and your loved ones won’t be able to stay away! As part of the VP Photography group, the team can meet every photographic need from early to late.