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Our menswear experts answer your big-day questions ACCESSORIZE ALL AREAS

Please can you give us some ideas for styling the groomsmen’s suits?

Meet the expert: Helen King is the owner of Blue Eyes Bow Ties, an independent business based in Melksham, Wiltshire. Helen creates luxury men’s accessories including bow ties, pocket squares and cufflinks featuring unique and striking limited-edition designs using high-quality materials. There are more than 250 styles to choose from and Helen can provide a custom design service. Blue Eyes Bow Ties won the coveted Small Business Sunday award from Theo Paphitis, renowned entrepreneur and ‘dragon’ from the hit BBC TV show Dragons’ Den.

Helen says: I place a strong focus on wedding bow ties that are a trendy way to incorporate the latest looks into your day and also tie in the outfits with your chosen theme. For weddings this year, my silver silk bow tie is very popular because silver adds a dash of sparkle. Nature is another big influence for weddings in 2022 and my wildflowers-printed bow tie adds a natural, whimsical feel.

My stunning lilac silk bow tie is inspired by Pantone’s 2022 colour of the year, Very Peri. It’s rich and decadent and makes the perfect accent colour. The spring floral bow tie featuring dusty pink florals against vibrant blues also incorporates hints of Very Peri. Alternatively, the blue floral bow tie that I have added to the collection is inspired by the colour schemes of Bridgerton boasting regency blue tones. The traditional black silk bow tie is ideal for an elegant formal black-tie wedding and will always be in style.

Meet the expert: Libby Clark is a wedding, family and boudoir photographer based in Devizes, Wiltshire offering intimate and emotive documentary-style photography.

Libby says: Your wedding day is a story and, like every story, there are two sides to it. It’s common for me, as the photographer, to focus on the bride’s story; having her hair and make-up done, putting on her dress and capturing the reactions to her finished look but what about the groom? It’s his day too! Whilst it may not take as long, the groom is still busily preparing for his upcoming nuptials. He and his groomsmen can usually be found sorting out the suits, working out how to attach a buttonhole and adding final details to the speeches, often while whisky is being passed around to calm the nerves and there’s always one groomsman who is still in bed less than one hour before they need to leave! To tell the entire story of your day, I would advise getting the groom preparations photographed - they’re just as much fun for the bride to look through as the bridal prep is for the groom.

Sometimes the groom is happy to suggest you get on with booking suppliers by yourself. For some things that’s fine, but for booking for your wedding photographer I would suggest you both meet them together because they are the one supplier you’re going to spend much of your day with. They’ll be with you whilst you’re getting ready, throughout the ceremony and for the couple portraits so it’s really important that you like them. You need to make sure that you gel with them before the day so arrange to meet them in person or over a zoom call. We all have different personality types, and if you love their work but one of you finds them hard to get on with, it’s ok to keep looking for the right photographer for you both. Does your groom hate having his photo taken and was quite happy to not have a photographer at all? Book a pre-wedding shoot so that you can both learn how your photographer works ahead of the big day. It’s helpful for the photographer too because every couple is different. What might work for one couple doesn’t necessarily work for the next and the pre-wedding shoot means that can all be worked out beforehand.

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We want celebrity-inspired, Insta-worthy wedding suits, what can you suggest?

Meet the experts: Slater Menswear is a gentlemen’s outfitter offering a large selection of men’s wedding suits and accessories with a store on The Promenade in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

The suit experts at Slater Menswear took a list of the top 100 richest male celebrities in the world and ran their names through Google to establish which suited iconic celebrities people wanted to dress like the most. Conor McGregor’s suits came in at number one with 17,000 searches. In second and third place were Chris Evans and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 2,100 searches respectively.

By far the most-searched-for male style icon, you can achieve the modern look synonymous with the Irish Mixed Martial Arts fighter Conor McGregor by combining the ONESIX5IVE skinny-fit, navy pinstripe three-piece suit by Slater Menswear with their textured pink silk tie. The deep hues of navy contrasted against the pop of colour from the tie will ensure true McGregor style. Keep the waistcoat on for a more formal look, or opt for something a bit more casual with a twopiece suit.

Nothing says well dressed like a classic black suit and tie combo. A nod to the true gentleman, get this classic suited look inspired by Captain America himself, Chris Evans. Slater Menswear’s sleek Fellini Traveller regular-fit, two-piece suit works best when teamed with a plain woven black tie for an effortlessly elegant look.

Style up a sleek and modern look inspired by football legend Christiano Ronaldo with a slick black tuxedo. By matching the Ventura slim-fit, two-piece dinner suit with a boxed black bow tie from Slater Menswear, you’re sure to stand out in classic style. Finish the look with a pair of Charles Southwell black patent square-toe dress shoes that are bold enough to make a statement.

HERE’S THE TOP 10: 1.Conor McGregor - 17,000 searches 2.Chris Evans - 2,100 searches 3.Cristiano Ronaldo - 2,100 searches 4.Chris Hemsworth - 1,900 searches 5.Drake - 1,800 searches 6.BTS - 1,800 searches 7.Brad Pitt - 1,300 searches 8.Ryan Reynolds - 1,100 searches 9.Leonardo Dicaprio - 1,100 searches 10.Lebron James - 1,000 searches

Libby Clark Photography | 07835 936 885 www.libbyclarkphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/libbyclarkphotography www.libbyclarkphotography