HOT TOPIC

from Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding - January/February 2022 (Issue 61)

COMPETITION

LUSH CONFETTI £35 (30ml), £85 (100ml) www.lush.com “I was delighted to discover a strong but delicious scent. It lasted all day, and I received several compliments while wearing it. It’s not too sweet, so it'd work well as a unisex scent and as well as making a lovely gift for someone special on their wedding day.” – Melissa Barker MAISON CRIVELLI IRIS MALIKHÂN £75 (30ml), £170 (100ml) www.selfridges.com “It didn’t take me long to completely fall in love with this perfume. A luxurious fragrance that’ll make you feel super-special on your wedding day it’s inspired by flourishing iris fields on the edge of a desert. With incredible staying power it’ll easily see you from ceremony to dancefloor with plenty of compliments along the way!” – Olivia Gibson

HEAVEN SCENT

Team CWM try out the latest big-day fragrances

BARBOUR FOR HER £49 (50ml), £69 (100ml) www.barbour.com “A reliable all-rounder, this scent isn't too sweet and the reassuring musky scent of vanilla and amber shine through, followed by a calming hint of lily and jasmine. The perfume stays true to Barbour’s core values and is reminiscent of a fresh and dewy morning walk in the British countryside.” – Beth Morton

BARBOUR FOR HIM £49 (50ml), £69 (100ml) www.barbour.com “I’d class this as a traditional male fragrance – woody and deep, it’s strong and distinctive. Certainly something I’d consider as a pre-wedding gift for the groom, father-of-the-bride or -groom.” – Stuart Weatherley

VICTOR & ROLF FLOWERBOMB £55.50 (30ml), £77.50 (50ml), £109.50 (100ml) www.thefragranceshop.co.uk “I’d heard rave reviews of Flowerbomb, particularly in the context of it being a perfect bridal scent. Pair this with the fact I adore floral fragrances and I couldn’t wait to try it. With top notes including bergamot and a heart of African orange flower, freesia, rose and orchid, it’s a dream. I’m a total convert. It’s joined my go-to fragrance shelf and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for your wedding day.” – Kelly Andrews CAROLINA HERRERA GOOD GIRL £49 (30ml), £74.50 (50ml), £97.50 (80ml) www.thefragranceshop.co.uk “Sure to turn heads, a little goes a long way as this heady fragrance is longlasting without being too overpowering. Warm and spicy with a touch of sweetness, the subtle nuances developed on my skin and the distinctive aroma lingered throughout the day with no need for top ups.” – Sarah Reeve

KAYALI INVITE ONLY AMBER £79 (50ml) www.feelunique. com “Combining all of my favourite go-to scents: black cherry, honey de provence, tobacco leaf, chocolate hazelnut accord, oud oil, amber resin, sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla – this really is a feast for the senses. It’s a powerful punch of intoxicating fragrance, which softens throughout the day leaving an alluring aroma sure to grab attention. Its warming top and base notes mean it’s an ideal choice for winter nuptials.” – Danielle Harvey

JUSBOX SUIT OF LIGHTS €310 (78ml) www.jusboxperfumes.com “This perfume was inspired by Michael Jackson and if it’s good enough for the King of Pop, it’s good enough for me! There are musky tones of sandalwood and cedarwood yet it feels fresh and funky with top notes of tangerine oil, violet leaves and honeysuckle. You only need a little and it has great staying power.” – Rachel Westall

We’re looking for a wedding photographer, but we’re a bit worried about booking someone online we’ve never met. Do you have any suggestions?

In this day and age, it seems our entire lives can be run online, and indeed over the last two years much of our lives have been forced online. Whether it’s ordering a pizza or shopping for a wedding photographer, it’s often our first port of call in a busy life. When your life is hectic and you haven’t managed to meet photographers at wedding fairs or other weddings, looking at their websites and chatting online can be fitted in any time. What catches your eye first will be the style of images they present. Do they appeal to your own sense of style? Take time to read any recommendations as well as any blogs they may have written as these will give you an idea of their personality. Clearly, you need to be able to communicate easily and comfortably. Ideally, they should respond to your initial enquiry within 24 hours, even if it’s just a, “Thank you and welcome, we’re working at a wedding today but will chat tomorrow.” A helpful, fairly rapid response is always a good indicator.

Over the last couple of years we’ve all become accustomed to Zoom calls. They’re a useful tool when you can’t meet in person. They give you a chance to see faces, hear voices, ask questions and look at possible products such as photo albums. They give you the opportunity to see if the photographer is a good match for you both – just don’t judge them by their wallpaper or contents of their shelves! We’ve enjoyed many giggles with clients negotiating the vagaries of video calls.

Never be afraid to ask questions. You might even want to know if they have any previous couples who’d be willing to chat with you. Planning your big day should be a pleasure not a chore, so most of all, enjoy yourselves!

Karen Boyle | Andy Boyle Photography www.andyboylephotography.com

www.andyboylephotography.com

ON PAPER

We’re trying to choose our wedding stationery – what styles and designs are set to be popular in 2022? Are there any big trends we should watch out for? the vogue for foliage, especially in the form of laurels, wreaths and watercolour illustrations, but there are also new directions to look out for. My top three trends for this year are minimal styling, dark florals and all things celestial.

Minimal styling invitations use the bare minimum of words, very simple designs focussing on quality card stock and different coloured or textured inserts for information cards. For example, an invitation with a white card and green text; several different greens used on the insert and a contrasting liner for the envelope. This can be enhanced using foil or letterpress for the print – simple, neat and oh-so stylish.

Gorgeous dramatic, dark floral designs involve deep, rich colours against a complementary background. Jewel tones and detailed fonts with interesting swashes and ligatures bringing the text to life. If you know my work, you’ll know I have a special interest in anything floral, and I love this style! Florals can be illustrative or photographed, either way, the deeper, darker and richer the colours, the better. This for me is the new bohemian direction.

Lastly, there’s a definite trend for all things celestial emerging. Think starry nights, cosmic connections, astrological symbols, the night sky on the day you met – all wonderful ways of creating a fabulously timeless and effortlessly personal design.

There’s so much to choose from! I haven’t even touched on the trend for colouring, which I personally love – splashes of paint, roughly coloured borders, real fun and great for a DIY stationery vibe. Whatever your palette and carefully chosen theme, this season you’re certain to find something that suits.

WeddingWellness Wedding Wellness

"Planning your wedding can be stressful but it' s important to enjoy this special time in your lives!

Planning your wedding can be stressful but it’s important to enjoy this special time in your lives!

I support mainly Brides but also couples through the last few months of their wedding journey by guiding them through what is usually the most critical time to avoid wedding burnout. Using CBT, Hypnotherapy & Mindful coaching techniques I support couples to reduce anxiety, minimize weddingoverwhelm and feel more connected to one another on the run up to their big day. Creating a positive wedding experience in those fi nal few months is vital to get your marriage o to the best possible start!

I support mainly Brides but also couples through the last few months of their wedding journey by guiding them through what is usually the most critical time to avoid wedding burnout. Using CBT, Hypnotherapy & Mindful coaching techni ues I support couples to reduce anxiety, minimize wedding-overwhelm and feel more connected to one another on the run up to their big day. Creating a positive wedding experience in those final few months is vital to get your marriage off to the best possible start!"

MOBILE: +44 (0)7525 083108 MOBILE: +44 (0)7525 0 0 EMAIL: INFO@JWCEREMONIES.COM EMAIL IN O@JWCEREMONIES.COM @THEWEDDINGWELLNESSWOMAN WWW.THEWEDDINGWELLNESSWOMAN.COM

@THEWEDDINGWELLNESSWOMAN

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C C E E L L E E B B R R A A N N T T J J E E N N W W A A L L K K E E R R

J J W W C C E E R R E E M M O O N N I I E E S S

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