HOT TOPIC

Local experts on autumn nuptials and all things wedding

AUTUMN GLORY

We want to reflect the season with on-trend styling and decorative details for our autumn wedding and need inspiration. Can you help? Holly says: In the aftermath of the last 18 months, many couples are continuing to opt for outdoor ceremonies and receptions where possible. With this in mind, secret-garden and al fresco boho themes will be popular. To create a wonderful autumnal feel, dried flowers are ideal in seasonal mustard yellow and burnt orange tones. Sustainability and eco-credentials are important considerations and can be incorporated into your wedding by using local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of your day. Hiring props, using recycled materials and sourcing reusable decorative items such as glass jars for the centrepieces and decorations are also options for a greener wedding. Giving packets of wildflower seeds as wedding favours is popular too and a great way of getting your guests involved in the sustainability of your wedding day.

To tie in with the season homemade wooden items, such as log slices, wooden pallets and table plans work well. Pairing dark wood with orange, red and yellow flowers is great for autumn and looks fantastic too. Not forgetting the lighting; think lots of twinkly fairylights to give your outdoor or indoor space a magical feel.

FIRST GLIMPSE

We want to set the tone for our October wedding from the get-go. How can we make sure our stationery gives our guests a taste of what’s to come? Hannah says: As with most aspects of design; be it graphic, interior or fashion, a great way to generate ideas is to look to the season. Nature can be such a strong inspiration, evoking thoughts which all of us can relate to.

For an autumnal invitation, those classic ‘leaf-turning’ colours like amber, dark green and rich burgundy are the perfect choice. Although there’s nothing to say you can’t still have a pop of colour, as long as it complements the other tones. Imagine fuscia or magenta, which can be found in the beautiful sunsets that take place at the changing of the season.

When it comes to textures, an uncoated card stock or brown Kraft paper is great for that earthy tone; think crunchy forest floors or logs stacked in a roaring open fire. Equally, a coloured stock with single colour print could have a similarly stand-out effect if you’re looking for a more modern style to the traditional rustic look.

Metallics are also a great way to reflect the season. Rich bronze foils and digital gold inks would complement an autumnal colour palette perfectly. A vibrant orange invitation with gold text would make for funky, contemporary stationery or a deep burgundy and bronze palette could add a rich and indulgent flavour, like a glass of full-bodied red wine on an October evening!

Finally, don’t forget your envelopes! Let your guests be dazzled from the moment the invitation lands on their doormat. If you’re handwriting the addresses, choose a pen to complement your colour scheme, with a fine tip for accuracy. You could also seal the envelopes with personalised stickers to set a stylish tone for your big day.

Hannah Read | Graphic designer | www.hannahreaddesign.co.uk

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

We’re getting married in the autumn and would love to offer guests a delicious seasonal menu. What would you recommend? Matt says: Autumn is a great time of year for food with lots of possibilities for some fabulous flavour combinations. Locally caught mackerel is available early in the season before they head out to warmer waters for the winter. I like to cure and oak-smoke the fillets and simply serve them with a celeriac and fresh apple remoulade sauce, apple gel and dill.

One of my favourite dishes for this time of year is locally reared, roasted Hampshire pork fillet with an apple cider jus, topped with a crackling crumb and served with apple and sage compote, sautéed New Forest wild mushrooms and savoy cabbage and olive oil mash. Another great combination is sea bass, crab and fennel. This dish is a taste sensation featuring pan-fried, line-caught Lymington sea bass with a Dorset crab and chervil mayonnaise, roasted fennel, orange and a crab and white-wine sauce.

Dessert wise, I love the classic pairing of chocolate and orange – think dark chocolate delice with chocolate soil, chocolate tuille, fresh orange, orange jelly and vanilla cream. The freshness of the orange cuts through the richness of the chocolate beautifully!

Matt Doe | Owner | www.so41catering.co.uk

SWEET DREAMS

How can we make sure our wedding cake looks and tastes great and complements our autumn theme too? Suzanne says: With weddings getting back to normal, big cakes are returning! Naked and semi-naked creations are a popular option and can be tailored to reflect the time of year using different types of seasonal fruits and flowers. Ivy or fern decorations and earthy colours like orange, brown and yellow add an extra autumnal feel.

Cakes made to look like log slices are another favourite, decorated with autumnal leaves, fir and pine cones, forest animal designs or flowers. Couples often like to have their initials or names added to look like a carving on a tree trunk, which adds a lovely personal touch.

As for the taste, classic vanilla is always a winner, along with lemon or salted caramel. Fruit cakes with a twist, including papaya, mango or pineapple pieces is another way to add flavour and pops of autumnal colours to surprise your guests when the cake is cut.

Suzanne Glew | Cakemaker | www.ditsyscakes.uk

MUM’S THE WORD

What looks are on trend for the mother-of-the-bride this season? Debbie says: For autumn the palette is changing to more neutral colours. This is a very safe choice as it will go with everything and never seems to offend. These shades always look sophisticated and exude understated elegance and the one option that is never out of favour for mums is the ever-popular navy and ivory. This also works with practically every colour of the rainbow and remember; a darker colour will give you a slimmer silhouette. Don’t forget the hat either, as this will elevate your chosen outfit to another level, and if the designer makes a specific hat to go with it, you can’t go wrong.

FLOWER POWER

I love fresh flowers and I want our whole day to be filled with them! What creative ideas can you suggest for the venue styling? Nicola says: The sky really is the limit when it comes to adorning your wedding with beautiful blooms. Whether you’ve chosen a very classic venue with a regal feel or a marquee or barn setting, the options are endless.

Freestanding flower arrangements are ideal for a variety of spaces and can be used for the ceremony and then moved to enjoy again at the wedding breakfast and reception. A wonderful way to make the most of your wedding flowers, you can have tall standing pedestals or floral displays in vintage milk churns which not only look beautiful but provide a great talking point for your guests.

When it comes to the styling, think about eye-catching focal areas for your wedding flowers such as fireplaces, staircases and even ceilings for fabulous hanging floral chandeliers to provide the wow factor. Every venue is different, so it’s important to go through all the spaces with your wedding florist so they can design a bespoke package for your special day.

Nicola Waddilove | Florist | www.petalsandposies.co.uk

MIX AND MINGLE

When and how would a magician best fit into our big day? Marcus says: This entirely depends on you and your guests and where you think there may be lulls in the celebration. Having a magician to keep your family and friends entertained takes the pressure off you and is a great way to help people get to know each other. It can also help create a buzz at different times throughout the day including:

❤ The post-vows drinks reception ❤ While the photos are being done ❤At the tables before the wedding breakfast gets underway ❤ To fill the gap while the room is being turned around for the reception ❤ To help engage guests before the evening entertainment kicks off

For me the key thing is to ensure everyone is having a good time, to keep the atmosphere upbeat and also provide the bride and groom with peace of mind so they can relax and enjoy some downtime without having to worry about their guests. My couples also get a personal performance just for them, so they don’t miss out!

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