HOT TOPIC

Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas

SPRING FEVER

We’re getting married next spring and would like some shots that reflect the season. Do you have any suggestions?

Spring is a fantastic time of year for weddings as it represents the rebirth of new beginnings – perfect to symbolise the start of your married life together.

There are many options where the photoshoot location can take place, and you’ll get the opportunity to have some fantastic background colours from the early blooming flowers, including pansies, daffodils and tulips.

You can pick from a local park, the grounds of a castle or even a botanical garden. Just remember, the space should have plenty of bright colours such as greens, purples and whites to complement your photographs.

Remember, it’s important to have a backup plan as the weather in the UK during this time of year can be very unpredictable. Have a chat with your photographer to make sure they know your preferred location; they might also have suggestions for other spots if the weather does decide to misbehave.

Derek McAllister | Derek McAllister Photography www.derekmcallisterphotography.co.uk

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

We’re planning to have an outdoor celebration, but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas?

It’s important to establish where you want to get married when planning an outdoor wedding, whether that’s on a farm, field, beach or other location. Consider the time of year that the wedding’s taking place as seasonal weather might influence your day – getting married on a beach in January might prove a challenge.

Once you’ve settled on a location, set yourself a budget for the wedding and research local venues that can host an outdoor wedding on their private land or allow you to use their facilities in conjunction with your preferred destination. The team will know the terrain plus climate and should provide some great advice, which can be particularly useful for an outdoor reception or a winter wedding as you’ll want to protect your guests from inclement weather.

Always check the weather forecasts in advance, and try to plan a backup location if a sudden change rules out your preferred destination.

It’s never too early to start getting your locks in tip-top condition for your wedding; the earlier you start, the better. Firstly, you can’t repair hair that’s already split or broken. Instead, book an appointment with a trusted stylist for a trim to take off any dead ends. Book regular sessions every 10 to 12 weeks to keep your hair healthy.

Try and minimise the amount of heat-styling tools you use, and always use heat-protection spray when you do. It’s also important to use a goodquality shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type and include a hair treatment weekly or every other week. Wash and towel dry your hair before applying a hair mask and brushing it through. Then wrap your locks in a warm towel for an hour before rinsing with cool water.

Another game-changer is to use a leave-in treatment spray or oil. Apply the product to the ends of damp hair after every wash to protect the strands from everyday wear and tear.

Finally, hair supplements are an excellent long-term way to get your hair to grow faster and stronger.

Robyn Wood | Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing www.perfectsilhouettehairdressing.com

https://natalielaurenphotography.co.uk

STORYBOOK SETTINGS

We’re having a fairytale-themed wedding outside in a marquee, and we want everything to look magical. Do you have any suggestions of how we can decorate the space?

Start by choosing your desired colour palette. To give the day a feminine fairytale style, opt for traditional hues of white and gold with touches of blush pink. Using gold cutlery, glass charger plates and gold-rimmed glassware will add a refined and elegant style to the tables, along with tall-gold candelabras filled with trailing foliage and blousy flowers. Lighting is an essential aspect to consider when creating the décor for a reception in a marquee. Adding an abundance of fairylights to the ceiling and outdoor spaces will create a magical atmosphere throughout the evening. Follow your theme through every element of your styling to create a cohesive look. Using a fairytale-style font on the wedding stationery with wording such as ‘once upon a time’ and ‘happily ever after’ will add to your magical theme. BLOOMIN’ BEAUTIFUL

I’m so excited about our winter wedding, but I hate the thought of parting with my flowers. Is there anything you can suggest to help?

Flowers play an integral role in celebrating your special day, and it would be lovely to treasure your precious blooms forever. One way to achieve this is to turn the florals into artwork using a botanical plaster cast. Using a special technique, you can capture and preserve the intricate detail of each flower to create a keepsake to decorate your home. Whether you choose to cast a single stem or a whole bouquet to assemble a large statement wall panel, couples can tailor this bespoke service to match any style in a choice of different shapes and sizes. By taking careful impressions from each flower, I can show all the beautiful textures of every petal and leaf. The final neutral-coloured piece can be left or hand-painted to match any colour scheme or interior décor.

Clare Towers | The Foxglove Tree www.thefoxglovetree.co.uk