HOT TOPIC

Local experts on all things wedding

www.dominicwhitenweddings.co.uk

TIPI MAGIC

What are the key things to consider when planning a tipi wedding and are they suitable for winter weddings too? Jenna says: Tipis are spectacular and add wow factor to the big day, especially for boho and festival-style celebrations. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, there’s always a bit more organising involved, which a reputable company will help you with, such as sorting out a generator, power, toilets and catering tents. Unlike a traditional wedding venue, you can choose your own interiors, everything from the lighting to the type of tables and chairs. So, if it’s all about the detail, then this kind of wedding could be for you.

If you don’t have a big enough garden space, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is where to pitch the tents. Fortunately, there are some awesome local venues in the region that are ideal for tipi weddings. Alternatively, think outside the box and find a local farmer’s field, campsite, pub, woodland, sports ground or private school, all of which can work brilliantly as magical big-day backdrops.

Tipis are great in winter too, especially around the festive season, filled with Christmas trees and twinkling fairylights. Real fires and ducted heating create a cosy, warm enclosed space and the tents can easily withstand rain and snow. We usually also provide a solid flooring base in winter to keep it dry underfoot. Jenna Ackerley | Managing director www.eventsundercanvas.co.uk FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

We’re having a relaxed, informal wedding and want to keep our guests well fed throughout the day and evening. What would you suggest that’s a bit different and that looks and tastes delicious too? Amy says: We would recommend a chef’s choice selection of canapés as a budget-friendly option using produce which is plentiful to save you money or you can choose your own. Antipasti family service is a great way to help guests mix and mingle and it provides a wow-factor centrepiece. Filled with colour and different flavours, the tables look great dressed with platters of cured meats, cheeses, olives, flavoured breads and salad.

Staying with the family service option, for the main course something like our pomegranate lamb with garlic roasted new potatoes, green bean and rocket salad is a favourite.

Keeping dessert simple, how about your wedding cake, served with berries and cream or a brownie stack decorated with edible flowers from Norfolk, fresh fruits or garnish of your choice? We’re well known for our brownies and have created many delicious stacks for weddings. Amy Rogers | Owner | www.stourvalleycatering.com

We want our summer wedding to reflect the season throughout the styling. What colours and designs would work well for the stationery? Sarah says: Peonies, sunflowers and soft blush pink tones are perennial favourites for summer weddings. Think blush painted Perspex signage with gold vinyl detailing for an on-trend look. Vellum paper is very popular for the invitations and on-the-day stationery and passport designs are increasingly in demand, especially since travel restrictions have been lifted. Sarah Gibbs | Graphic designer | www.topsdesigns.co.uk

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

As two brides, we both want to make a grand entrance in our beautiful gowns on our wedding day and enjoy that magical first-look moment but we can’t decide who should walk up the aisle and who should wait at the end. Any ideas? Rob says: The most important thing to remember is that this is your day and there are many ways you can have that magical first-look experience. You may like to share this special time in private with only your photographer for company to capture your reactions. It could be arranged for you both to be either backto-back or behind closed doors, so you can’t see each other, and then have the big reveal. Alternatively, you could walk up the aisle together, blindfolded so all your family and friends get to witness and share the happiness and delight with you when the blindfolds are removed. If you have your hearts set on tradition, each of you can still have your moment being walked up the aisle and have two photographers at either end to capture it all. There are no rules on how you should enter the ceremony and it is entirely up to you how you do it. Rob Head | Independent civil celebrant | www.oaktreeceremonies.co.uk 72