HOT TOPIC

Our experts answer your big-day questions STEP OUT IN STYLE

We’re planning our wedding and want to do something for charity, any ideas?

Meet the experts: Cameron Ross Formal Hire is available nationwide with stockists in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire including Chaplins Formal Suit & Kilt Hire in Swindon (https://chaplinsmenswear.co.uk)

Grooms and wedding guests looking to do a good deed can hire a bespoke suit package, with proceeds going towards the country’s leading end of life charity. The Marie Curie Blue Slim Fit Package is based on two core principles – a great fit and cutting-edge contemporary fashion. The outfit comprises a blue slim-fit jacket and waistcoat, a pair of blue slim-fit flat-fronted trousers, a shirt, a pair of cufflinks and a lemon-coloured tie and handkerchief – the charity’s corporate colours. It’s available in adult and child sizes and available to buy online and through more than 250 Cameron Ross Formal Hire stockists across the UK.

With prices starting at £110, £5 of each hire will go to Marie Curie, which provides care and support to terminally ill people and their families across the UK. Georgina Bushell, partnerships manager at Marie Curie tells us, “Now that we’re learning to live with Covid, many people are getting married this year, or next, and looking forward to tying the knot. We’re so grateful to be receiving a portion of the suit hire. Not only is it a beautiful choice, but for guests who are hiring it, they’re helping Marie Curie to continue being there for terminally ill people and their loved ones throughout the country.”

Michael Fallon, business development manager at ACS Clothing, who owns the Cameron Ross Formal Hire brand, says, “Marie Curie is an incredible charity that supports so many families in their time of need and I am delighted that we can support them in our own way. Offering our customers a way to donate to a worthy cause by wearing one of our most popular suits is the next logical step in our partnership. At ACS, we are seeing an increase in suit hire bookings and are proud to be able to offer a donation from every Marie Curie Blue Slim Fit Package. This partnership allows our customers to support Marie Curie by hiring the package online or through any of our partner stockists throughout the UK.

Cameron Ross Formal Hire | www.cameronrossformalhire.co.uk Marie Curie | www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/fundraise-incelebration/weddings

STANDOUT SLEEVES

I’m newly engaged and about to start wedding dress shopping – what styles are trending?

Meet the expert: Christine Kilsby is the director of The Cotswold Frock Shop, a bridal boutique specialising in wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ gowns and outfits for mothers based in Stowon-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.

Christine says: Sleeves are back, with many of our brides requesting dresses with sleeves to try on at their fittings. Our talented seamstress has been adding sleeves to dresses when it’s not an option with the designer.

The Cotswold Frock Shop | 01451 832 309 | https://thecotswoldfrockshop.co.uk | www.facebook.com/CotswoldFrockShop

Meet the expert: Ben Allen is the talent behind Lenscraft Photography capturing weddings in Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath.

Can you give us some tips for booking our big-day photography?

Ben says: Searching for the right wedding photographer can be a bit of a minefield. If you’re reading this, you may have already posted in Facebook bridal groups asking for recommendations, and have no doubt been flooded by countless photographers telling you why you should book them (probably including me!) The right photographer for you is out there...

Whether your main deciding factor is the price, style of photography or personality, take a look at your potential list of photographers’ Instagram feeds and delete any whose work you aren’t a fan of. This will leave you with a list of those whose work you love. Once you’ve got a shortlist, look at their pricing and remove any that fall above or under your budget.

Now comes the most important bit - meet the photographers on your shortlist! If you can’t meet in person, set up a Zoom call. You must get on well with your chosen photographer because they’re going to be spending plenty of time with you on your most important day. Then, just book your favourite. See, it’s easy!

MY LITTLE PONY

We’re both animal lovers and would like to incorporate them into our wedding day – what can you suggest?

Meet the expert: Scott Millman is the owner of Pony Party Experiences based on the outskirts of Cheltenham in the Cotswolds serving the surrounding areas. It’s a premium pony event and party service where Shetland ponies Frankie and Freddie are available to book for interactive experiences all year round. They are transported to each wedding and can be fed, stroked, groomed, and even dressed up!

Scott says: We would like to announce the arrival of our pedigree miniature Shetland ponies Frankie and Freddie who are ready to arrive suited and booted as special guests at your wedding! They are miniature ponies who look very cute, their white coats make heads turn, whether for entertaining children or as the star of the show in the photographs - we’re taking bookings now.

Pony Party Experiences | 07500 057 547 | https://theponyparty.co.uk | www.instagram.com/theponypartyuk

Scan to view video Lenscraft Photography | 07850 400 911 | https://lenscraft-photography.com | www.facebook.com/LenscraftPhotography FROM THE ART

Meet the expert: Caroline J Evans is the founder and artist behind Cheltenham-based Forever Bouquet Fine Art

I'm looking for unique gifts and a permanent memento of our wedding day, what do you suggest?

Caroline says: A stunning, bespoke, oil painting of your bouquet is the unique offering from Forever Bouquet Fine Art. Every bride falls head-over-heels in love with her special flowers and often wants to preserve them for longevity. As a professional artist I offer a timeless, yet contemporary, floral art work which aims to keep the flowers and their associated memories fresh forever. More than just a memento, these heirloom paintings can be commissioned by the bride, her partner, close family or by wedding guests with gift vouchers available. Paintings are made from photographs so are not time sensitive and, therefore, can also make a fabulous anniversary gift!

Forever Bouquet Fine Art | www.foreverbouquet.co.uk | www.instagram.com/foreverbouquet_art/ | https://www.facebook.com/foreverbouquetfineart/

Cruelty Free, Vegan Friendly Bridal & Event Hair Based in & around the Cotswolds, UK

Whether you choose elegant and classic, boho chic or all out wild and wonderful, I’ll ensure that you look and feel fantastic on your special day, whatever your style. Recommending styles that suit your bridal parties needs and creating styles that you will love. Sustainability is really important at SAY YES so all of my products are Vegan & cruelty free, biodegradable and will be recycled where possible after use. Bespoke packages available.

www.sayyesbridalstylist.com

07872435713 | sayyesbridalstylist@gmail.com

Homemade, hand poured Soy Wax candles

LOVE AND CARE IN EVERY SINGLE ONE

SMALL TIN (4OZ) Black, Rose Gold, Gold or Silver with cotton wick

BESPOKE FLORAL TIN (4OZ) Silver with a cotton wick

GLASS JAR (6OZ) with either cotton wick or beautiful crackling wood wick

+44 7939 620273 instagram @woko_wicks www.etsy.com/uk/shop/wokowickscandles woko.enterprise76@gmail.com