Your Kent Wedding - Issue 98 September/October 2021 by County Wedding Magazines

www.yourkent.wedding

WIN!

GO FIGURE!

A minimoon in Provence

Dress for your shape

FASHION

Gowns fit for a princess

IN BLOOM

15 ways to feature flowers in your wedding

n i y r o Hist the making

£3.55 SEPT/OCT 2021

Fairytale

Kent's period venues

HONEYMOONS, BEAUTY, FASHION, GROOMS, EXPERT ADVICE, FREEBIES AND MORE

NATUR AL PHO T O G R APHY WI T H A F I N E ART F E EL

P HOTOG R APHY BY PET R I NA Web : photogr ap hy-by-p etr ina.co.u k E mai l : pho t ogr ap hybyp etr ir na@gmail.com In st agram : p hotogr ap hy_by_p etr ina Mob ile : 07795 805462

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REGULARS 6 EDITOR’S LETTER

A warm welcome from Kelly

9 NEARLYWED NEWS Catch up on the latest from around the county

13 FREEBIES & OFFERS Great giveaways and discounts up for grabs

75 HOT TOPIC Stellar wedmin advice from those in the know

105 COMPETITION Win a minimoon in Provence, France worth up to £1,500

This issue’s cover image is sponsored by and shot at Hythe Imperial (www.hytheimperial.co.uk). It was beautifully captured by Jeff Oliver Photography (www.jeffoliverphotography.co.uk). Turn to page 55 where you can enjoy more of this stunning styled shoot and learn more about the venue.

FEATURES 55 PRISTINE ELEGANCE

A classic venue like Hythe Imperial calls for a classically-styled shoot. Luckily, photographer Jeff Oliver and team were on hand to oblige

63 VIBRANT AUTUMN VIBES An oh-so chic colour palette in a quintessentially Kentish setting – what’s not to love about this fab styled shoot?

67 FLORAL PARADISE

VENUES

15 creative ways to incorporate flowers into your wedding day

Maidstone and Medway

72 LOVE IS IN THE AIR

27 HISTORY IN THE MAKING

County Wedding Magazines editor Melissa Barker shares her wedding planning journey

19 SPOTLIGHT ON...

Our roundup of Kent’s historical venues

79 GO FIGURE! How to dress for your shape

67 https://luciewatsonphotography.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

CONTENTS

On the cover

www.emmamigdenphotography.com

79 FASHION & BEAUTY

REAL WEDDINGS

Fashion editor Claire Ridley reveals her latest bridal fashion news, buys and launches

Charlotte and Steven’s wedding colour palette was inspired in part by the groom’s military background

85 FASHION FOCUS

86 ONCE UPON A TIME Dress dreams come true with this edit of fairytale-inspired gowns

94 FASHION AND BEAUTY Q&A

36 WEDDING MARCH

43 PRETTY IN PINK Emma and David said “I do” at Howfield Manor on 31st August, 2020

Our local professionals solve your problems

49 A SLICE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

96 BEAUTY BUZZ

When the pandemic interfered with Carly and James’ plans for a destination wedding, the couple brought a touch of Cyprus to Kent

The latest must-haves for the bride-to-be

98 BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOU Emolyne Ramlov, founder of the eponymous make-up brand, talks inclusivity and bringing a colour boost to your bridal beauty

https://trilionproductions.com

101

49 HONEYMOONS 101 HONEYMOON NEWS

Idyllic destinations for when you can hop, skip and jump on to a plane again, along with some UK beauties for the ultimate staycation...

Good times DESIGN 01376 535 616 artwork@county.wedding Graphic Designers | Sarah Hill Stephanie Hodder | Vicky O’Connor Production Assistant | Lorna Butcher Digital Marketing Coordinator Katie Laley Web Development Manager Stuart Weatherley ADVERTISING Sales & Events Director Sarah Ellis | 01376 538 490 sarahm@county.wedding Account Manager Julia Owen | 01376 538 495 juliao@county.wedding Subscriptions 01376 514 000 subscriptions@county.wedding ACCOUNTS 01376 535 616 accounts@county.wedding Accounting Manager | Derrick James

elcome one and all to another issue of Your Kent Wedding. Here we are, my favourite part of the year where it feels like there’s so much to look forward to (will you be cross if I say I’m excited about Christmas already?). I adore the autumn as colours change and the air starts to cool. Mind you, based on the weather as I write this, the temperatures won’t have far to fall this year! What a great time to get married though. September tends to be pretty dependable climate-wise and there’s a wonderfully romantic feel of promise just as the seasons change. I love to see what couples and their suppliers come up with in terms of wedding colour palettes at this time of year. Blush, terracotta and aqua are are all paired with a rich burgundy in our gorgeous styled shoot from page 63, which is a real treat. I’m loving being involved with wedding plans myself as Melissa, my dear friend and editor here at CWM, prepares to tie the knot next July, with yours truly as bridesmaid – I may have mentioned that once or twice... She’s already chosen her gown, in which she looks stunning. But what we learned from this experience is not to panic if you don’t instantly burst in to tears at the knowledge that it’s the one. If that’s just not you, you’re unlikely to change your entire personality the moment you try on a wedding dress. Sometimes, the knowledge that you’ve chosen your dream attire comes from careful deliberation and a process of trying on all silhouettes to know what suits and what doesn’t. Melissa actually chose a dress that’s the complete opposite to anything she thought she’d go for and this is something we as editors hear all the time. Remember: you do you and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I hope you enjoy this splendid issue and keeep planning!

Hayley at Hayley Elizabeth Bridal (www.hayleyelizabeth.co.uk) says, “Tinek by Rosa Clara works beautifully for rectangular-shaped figures.” Find out why in our bridal boutiques feature, Go Figure!

https://florenceberry.com

Kelly x Kelly Andrews, senior editor

@CountyWeddingMagazines @CountyWeddings @cwm_wedding Visit us online at county.wedding and countyweddingevents.com

Your Kent Wedding is solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for advert content, or of the standing of advertisers or by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Your Kent Wedding is published six times a year. Subscription rates are £18.20 per annum (incl. p+p). Cheques should be made out to KD Media Publishing and sent to Your Kent Wedding, c/o KD Media Publishing, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP. ISSN 1746-9384

MEDIA

PUBLISHING

EVENTS

& PUBLISHING

EVENTS & PUBLISHING

cwe C O U N T Y WEDDING E V E N T S

WIN! A honeymoon in Provence, France

How creative is the colour palette chosen for this autumn-themed shoot?

Real bride Charlotte says, “We stayed in Bridgewood Manor Hotel’s bridal suite on our wedding night (www.bridgewoodmanorhotel.com). As romantic as that sounds, we were most excited about ordering the club sandwich on room service – simple pleasures!”

www.abovearcadia.com

EDITORIAL 01376 535 611 Kelly Andrews | Senior Editor and Beauty Editor kellya@county.wedding Danielle Harvey | Managing Editor, Grooms Editor and Travel Editor Claire Ridley | Fashion Editor Melissa Barker | Contributing Editor

EDITOR’S LETTER

www.emmamigdenphotography.com

Why not tie the knot at a super-romantic historical venue such as St Julian’s (www.stjulians.co.uk), an elegant Georgian country house set in the charming Weald of Kent?

Emma arrived at the venue in her dad’s classic Land Rover Defender.

Tom Keane Photography

www.trilionproductions.com

The flowers are my favourite part of any wedding. So, whittling it down to just 15 ideas for featuring them in your big day was a challenge!

I’m obsessed with Carly and James’ colour palette and how they cleverly brought a Mediterranean flavour to the family home in Kent.

https://jeffoliverphotography.com

I fell in love with this dress the moment I laid eyes on it – Remi (7336) by Stella York. Breathtaking and so unusual. It was provided for the shoot by the lovely Victoria’s Bridal Boutique (www.victoriasbridalboutique.co.uk)

If you’re always keen to support local makers, especially on your wedding day, check out Kent-based Ark Jewellery (www.arkjourney.com), which has recently been nominated in the rising star category of the Professional Jeweller’s Power List 2021. 7

Turning dreams into lifelong memories

www.deeluciphotography.co.uk Call Dee on 07733 207272 Packages from £1095

YOUR ESSENTIALS

SUITS YOU

BORN TO SHINE

Kent-based Ark Jewellery’s Kristina Smith, has been nominated in the Rising Star category of the Professional Jeweller’s Power List 2021. This is the latest instalment in a great year for her having also found herself as a finalist in the UK Jewellery Awards Creative Jewellery Design category in June. Kristina says, “Art without a story is meaningless. But like all good art, my pieces give you room to discover your own emotions and connections, weaving them into a story that ultimately makes them part of your life. I’m so pleased to have been awarded these accolades, as they confirm my hard work is paying off.” Ark Jewellery offers bridal consultations, plus bespoke rings and packaging. Head over to www.arkjourney.com to discover more.

SD Home of Menswear by Suit Direct recently opened the doors to its newest store in Bluewater Shopping Centre. SD offers a fantastic range of suiting, accessories and casualwear from leading brands including Ted Baker, Selected Homme, Marc Darcy, Ben Sherman, Jack and Jones, Racing Green, Limehaus, Gibson London and Jeff Banks. From three-piece suits to casual essentials, it aims to be a one-stop-shop for all things men’s fashion. Mark Cotter, CEO of SD Home of Menswear by Suit Direct says, “Our instore teams work tirelessly to make every customer experience enjoyable. We offer one-to-one suiting appointments for those after a little more assistance and the team are always on hand to help whenever possible.” To find our more visit www.suitdirect.co.uk

d e w y l r a e N

NEWS AdamMarkHill/ShutterStock

Catch up on the latest from around the county

MIX IT UP

Mixology Events has re-launched its bridal party cocktail masterclasses. Designed for groups of any size the classes are custom-built, 100 per cent interactive and hands-on. You’ll be treated to a complimentary cocktail before being guided through the background and concepts of mixology, cocktail making and techniques. Then, you’ll each make – and drink – four cocktails at your own workspace, allowing everyone to create simultaneously. Finally, you can indulge in some healthy competition as each bar competes to make an original cocktail using a wide range of liquors, spirits, syrups, fresh fruits, juices and specialised equipment. Tom Cruise, eat your heart out! Mixology Events has several permanent and partnership venues, including one in Maidstone, as well as a mobile cocktail bar hire service, so the team can come to you anywhere, any time. Head over to https://mixologyevents.co.uk to discover more.

#KentishAndProud

Recent research into the most Instagrammable National Trust properties, conducted by www.heatingforce.co.uk, has placed Kent treasure Chartwell near the top. With 28,065 hashtags on Instagram, Chartwell, once home to Winston Churchill came in third place just behind impressive country piles Waddesdon Manor and Cliveden. In 2019 Chartwell welcomed 253,032 visitors, who flocked there to see the property’s main attraction – the largest collection of the late prime minister’s paintings. So, if you’re looking to enjoy a day out together this autumn, check out www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell 9

Scan to view video

COME ON IN

Photography team Jeff and Sarah Oliver have taken to YouTube to create an indispensable video library of Kentish wedding venue tours. Originally aimed at helping couples and venues placed in a difficult position by various lockdowns, the channel is now set to be a useful tool for anyone planning their Kent wedding. Each episode is packed with everything you could possibly need to know about each hotspot from map location, overnight accommodation, outdoor space and all of your indoor celebrationspace options. They’re also inspiringly interspersed with examples of the pair’s spectacular photography work captured at the respective venues, giving you a good idea of where best to pose for your own pics. Check out the tour of Port Lympne Hotel above, and find the channel by popping over to YouTube and searching: The Olivers. Don’t forget to hit subscribe! You can find out more about Jeff Oliver Photography at https://jeffoliverphotography.com

AUTUMN BE-GINS!

TWINKLE AT TWILIGHT

Situated in the gorgeous Kentish countryside in Upchurch, The BarnYard has recently undergone an exciting new renovation. Totally different to the existing wedding offerings the new Apple Barn and Courtyard can host twilight wedding ceremonies for up to 100 guests and up to 200 for the evening bash. You can host indoor “I dos” in the barn itself or choose to hold an al fresco ceremony in the beautiful Courtyard Gazebo. Decoration is allowed earlier in the day and there’s a stunning dressing room available to book for anyone who wishes to get ready on site, including a fridge full of bubbles and snacks. The barn has also been kitted out with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, which is available to those opting for the DJ inclusive package. To find out more about The BarnYard visit www.the-barnyard.com 10

Kent winemaker, Mereworth Wines has brought together existing winemaking techniques to create a new range of spirits, including two new gins. Mereworth’s fruity pink Harvest Gin is delectably smooth. Made using the fruits and botanicals grown in the fields surrounding the winery, it’s steeped in juniper, homegrown Saltwick Media strawberries, raspberries, orchard apples and meadow flowers. The second addition to the range is the Oak Aged Gin. Having already won medals in the Gin Masters and International Wine & Spirits Competition prior to its release, this gin is steeped in carefully selected botanicals in 100 per cent wheat spirit. It’s then married with some of the finest toasted oak available, imparting deliciously nutty, spicy and citrus flavours. With hints of nutmeg and vanilla, and a long finish full of warming spices, this works perfectly with ginger ale. Check out https://mereworth.co.uk

https://jeffoliverphotography.com

FASHION-FORWARD AND FABULOUS

The recently-refurbished Dress Dreams Boutique in Sevenoaks offers the modern bride a wonderful range of contemporary gowns with wow factor to reflect their spirit and individuality. Its dresses are created by some of the finest fashionforward designers from Israel to Australia. The latter is at the cutting edge of contemporary bridal fashion and Rachel Rose Bridal is right up there leading the charge. The designer’s creations are sexy, feminine and unconventional – luxe yet comfortable. Don’t miss your opportunity to be at Rachel Rose Bridal’s Kent launch at Dress Dreams from 2nd-16th October 2021. Celebrating real women, body confidence and inclusivity, this exciting contemporary bridal brand empowers women everywhere. To secure your slot head over to www.dressdreams.co.uk and book a normal bridal appointment during the event dates. Pssst… there’ll even be a gorgeous bridal giveaway!

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FREEBIES & OFFERS

THE LOOK OF LOVE

Freebies & OFFERS

Claire Aunger, owner of Kent Professional Makeup has been in the industry for almost 20 years. She loves to make brides and their wedding party feel special on the big day, enhancing their natural looks using MAC and Airbase Airbrush Make-up. As a client of Claire’s, you’ll always receive the look you’re after as she’s careful to liaise directly with you all the way. Don’t miss the Kent Professional Makeup YouTube channel, where you’ll find various stories from past clients about their treatments. With more and more weddings taking place as we cautiously return to pre-Covid normality there’ll be lots more content going live as brides will be excited to share their wedding-day looks. Why not subscribe so you don’t miss any? Simply, head over to YouTube and search: Kent Professional Makeup and Therapies. We’ve partnered with this fab local make-up artist to offer readers a 10% discount on full-price wedding make-up for the bride, bridesmaids, and the mothers-ofthe-bride and -groom. To claim get in touch on 01732 222 059 or 07769 208 498 and quote “Your Kent Wedding.” Also check out www.kentprofessionalmakeup.co.uk

Great giveaways and discounts up for grabs

WIN A BUNDLE OF YANKEE CANDLE® FRAGRANCES WORTH NEARLY £140! Scented candles have the power to change the atmosphere in any room, creating a warm, cosy and calming feel at the flick of a match. Yankee Candle®, the leader in home fragrance known and beloved by fans worldwide, is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a bundle of Original Jar Candles in a selection of favourite fragrances. Including the sophisticated Wedding Day, the sparkling All Is Bright and the enchanting Cherry Blossom in the Original Large Jars, alongside the romantic Fresh Cut Roses, the refreshing Midnight Jasmine and the charming Blush Bouquet in the Original Medium Jars, the bundle is a scented candle lover’s dream. Yankee Candle® has been sharing its passion for fragrance with the world since 1969. It is important that every fragrance launched is true-to-life and realistic to the experience that inspired it, whether that be a flower, food, fruit or place. Made by master chandlers, each candle developed is a complex system of custom blend wax, a unique wick and carefully crafted fragrance. Master perfumers develop Yankee Candle® fragrances for consistent and satisfying performance across all products. Every fragrance is rigorously screened, reviewed and tested by the highly experienced team of fragrance experts to achieve a strong scent and

quality experience and maintain high standards, commitment and craftmanship. All Yankee Candle® Original Jar Candles are made at in-house production facilities in the US and Europe, with quality ingredients from around the world. Check out www.yankeecandle.co.uk

ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.YOURKENT.WEDDING Closing date 3rd December, unless otherwise stated. Terms & conditions apply. 13

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Here at County Wedding Magazines and Events HQ we’re looking forward to kickstarting our Autumn wedding show season. From must-visit local fairs in some of the region’s best wedding venues, to our larger Signature Wedding Shows home to more than 100 exhibitors each, we can’t wait to welcome back our couples and help plan their wedding days. Here’s what to expect when attending one of our events... Whether you’re joyous that restrictions have passed, or are still a little hesitant, couples can rest assured our venues are continuing to maintain some of the government guidelines and measures to ensure everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy the day: • • • • • •

Attendees will need to pre-register to attend events There will be allocated time slots for visitors All venues will also have enhanced cleaning procedures, with hand washing and sanitising facilities still available Spaces between exhibition booths will be maintained to ease congestion Optional face masks Anyone with symptoms must refrain from visiting

Each event will boast a huge range of specialists who will be on hand to talk through your planning ideas and requirements; venues, bridal boutiques, photographers, florists, cake makers and more, there’s everything you could need to plan your wedding under one roof. On the day refreshments will be available to purchase from each of the venue’s on-site restaurants, bars and cafés, and attending our exhibitions is free! For more information on our any of our exhibitions visit County Wedding Events’ website. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.

Sarah

Sarah Ellis, Sales and Events Director County Wedding Events. Psst! Our pre-registered Signature Wedding Show visitors will have the chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of Spabreaks.com

ASCOT RACECOURSE, 19

A date for your diary...

SEPTEMBER, 2021

THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE, 24TH OCTOBER, 2021

WEMBLEY STADIUM, 20TH FEBRUARY, 2022

MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, 20TH MARCH, 2022

Pre-register for all of our events at www.countyweddingevents.com

2021 WEDDING SHOWS ALL EVENTS 11AM - 3PM unless otherwise stated

At County Wedding Events each show is professionally and meticulously run to ensure a variety of suppliers are on hand to help you plan your big day and are hosted by some of the loveliest premier venues in your area. All our shows offer you free entry and parking, a goody bag each containing gifts, and useful local information to plan your wedding. You will also have the opportunity to enter prize draw competitions and take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts on the day.

BERKS, BUCKS & OXON

ESSEX (12pm-4pm)

HOUCHINS WEDDING VENUE

RACKLEYS CHILTERN HILLS

Houchin’s Lane, Coggeshall, CO6 1RT

Marlow Road, HP14 3PP

SUN 3 OCT

BRAXTED PARK

EAST ANGLIA

Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EN

SUN 17 OCT

BRESSINGHAM HALL & HIGH BARN Norfolk, IP22 2AA

MARKSHALL ESTATE

SUN 7 NOV

Coggeshall, CO6 1TG

SUN 7 NOV

@CountyWedEvent

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SURREY GUILDFORD MANOR HOTEL & SPA

KENT WEST HEATH Ashgrove Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1SR

SUN 24 OCT HYTHE IMPERIAL HOTEL & SPA Princes Parade, Hythe, CT21 6AE

SUN 31 OCT

LONDON

Newlands Corner, Guildford, GU4 8SE

SUN 7 NOV

SUSSEX CASTLE GORING Arundel Road, Worthing, BN13 3UN

SUN 5 SEP

SELDEN BARNS

Selden Lane, Patching, Worthing, BN13 3UL

MORDEN HALL Morden Hall Road, SM4 5JD

SUN 26 SEP

SUN 3 OCT

GREENTREES ESTATE

High Street, Haywards Heath, RH17 6JZ

SUN 10 OCT

Pre-register at countyweddingevents.com/registration.cfm

WORK WITH US As part of KD Events and Publishing Ltd, County Wedding Events (CWE) is ideally placed to offer you a wealth of experience organising events in the wedding industry. If you would like more information about either holding a wedding show at your venue or exhibiting at any of our shows, please contact us at info@countyweddingevents.com, call 01376 514000 or visit countyweddingevents.com.

Signature WEDDING SHOWS • Free entry • First 100 couples receive a free wedding journal keepsake • Goody bag for each couple • Up to 200 stands • Bridal fashion shows • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Demonstration areas • Competitions • Entertainment • Refreshments • And more...

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20 TH MARCH, 2022, 11.00AM - 3.30PM MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, SURREY •

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of

A date for your diary... Sunday 20th February 2022, 11AM - 4PM Hosted at Wembley Stadium London

Pre-register at countyweddingevents.com/registration.cfm Follow us on:

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WEDDING FAYRE

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd October 2021 10am - 4pm

BLUEWATER

The Village, Dartford, Greenhithe DA9 9SE

Free entry including a goody bag Brides will be automatically entered into a free prize draw to win a £500 Bluewater Shopping Voucher

Pre-register at www.pdeweddingfayres.co.uk and you could win a year’s FREE subscription to Your Kent Wedding Magazine Hosted by

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05/07/2021 11:55

Wedding march Charlotte and Steven’s wedding colour palette was inspired in part by the groom’s military background Images courtesy of Above Arcadia

teven met Charlotte while in Chatham for a course in 2009. Their relationship met with early challenges however, when dance teacher Charlotte became wheelchair-bound after breaking her back; and paratrooper Steven was injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan. “We stayed in contact the whole time and met up again a few years later. The rest is history – he’s my lobster,” Charlotte says. Steven decided to propose on Charlotte’s birthday. She peeled off the wrapping paper of her last present and found a BeaverBrooks box inside. Assuming it was jewellery she turned to thank him, but he was already on one knee. She shares, “I’d love to tell you that I was elegant as I’d always dreamed of this romantic moment, but instead I blurted out: ‘shut up!’” Despite the initial shock, Charlotte of course accepted the proposal and continued to unwrap the all-important ring. Deciding on the ceremony venue was a no brainer for the pair! The Garrison Church is special to them both as Steven has lots of happy memories of it from his military days and Charlotte used to play just outside as a child. They had a few options in mind for the reception location, but ultimately fell in love with The BarnYard. “It was simple, elegant, quiet and spacious. Plus, the staff were lovely, which gave us a great insight into the quality of care we’d get on our big day,” Charlotte explains. At the time the venue was allowing its couples to choose a back-up wedding date as the pandemic began to worsen. This turned out to be invaluable, as the first date they chose in May 2020 fell in the midst of the first lockdown whereas their eventual wedding date on 26th September of that year fortuitously landed just before the government restricted guest list numbers to six. Join us as the bride shares more memories of the big day... 36

REAL WEDDINGS

SETTING THE SCENE Charlotte’s favourite colour is pink and Steven’s is maroon (thanks to the paratroopers), so they incorporated both in their venue styling using lots of beautiful blooms. Steven is a romantic and often bought his bride-to-be flowers, so Charlotte was keen to use all of her favourite varieties including roses and peonies, as well as poppies for the bouquet and groom’s buttonhole. “My bouquet was wrapped in ivory ribbon with a charm of my grandad’s photograph so that he could walk down the aisle with me,” the bride tells us. Plus, the mother-of-the-bride and -groom were treated to a beautiful hand-tied corsage each. The Royal British Legion holds a special place in the hearts of this couple so they chose the charity’s poppy enamel pins, which were attached to place cards, as their wedding favours. Younger guests had their own favours made by the bride, which included word searches and other weddingthemed activities. Each table was named in honour of a loved one there in spirit. For the newlyweds it was a way of including some very dear people and pets: Charlotte’s nan, Ethel and grandad William; Steven’s grandad, Donald; their beloved dog, Gunner; and the groom’s childhood friend Stephen, who was killed in action in Iraq. “It was extremely important that our day was about the joining of two families and therefore we wanted to remember those we wished could have been there,” Charlotte explains. The centrepieces were round vases nestled in palette-fitting floral wreaths. The vases were filled with pebbles collected from Whitstable beach along with a single blush rose, all submerged in water and topped with a floating candle. The table decorations were finished with a scattering of maroon and blush rose petals, along with tiny wooden Mr & Mrs love hearts. Amanda’s Vintage Car Hire provided the transport for the day, an Austin Sheerline and an Austin Princess. Charlotte tells us, “Amanda was wonderful to deal with. I had to reschedule twice and was really indecisive with my bridesmaids’ cars – she was so understanding and fantastic!” The venue catered the event and the food received rave reviews all round. The canapés were served at the tables in line with Covid restrictions and a barbecue was the main course. “My husband is a big foodie and loves barbecue food. So, he was really pleased when we were called up to be served first,” Charlotte says.

Stress over money and ideas just isn’t worth it. It’s about you and your soulmate joining together forever. That’s the main focus.

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invictafooddesign

Two Kentish chef’s with experience cooking for the Michelin guide, celebrities, gentry and Royals. Serving Kent’s ﬁnest food with passion and excellence. We offer a selection of Kent Wedding Venues and we have a range of exciting packages for ease of choice for any event, but they are all fully bespoke and we are happy to tailor these to suit your requirements.

REAL WEDDINGS LOOKING THE PART The bride chose a beautiful blush pink Ronald Joyce gown, Nora. “It was so delicate and everything I’d pictured. I felt like it’d been designed just for me,” she says. She’d actually seen it online before heading to Christina K Bridal in Maidstone to try it on, so was super-excited. It was a worrying time when the dress was held up due to the pandemic, but the boutique managed to get it in time and combined with a heroic effort from the in-house seamstress all was well in the end. Charlotte completed the look with a cathedral-length veil, droplet cubic zirconia earrings, a matching necklace, and her nan’s bracelet (her something old). Steven wore a navy three-piece suit with a subtle tan check. He paired it with tan brogues and a paratrooper-maroon bow tie. The groomsmen wore matching navy suits, which they each accessorised with a maroon tie given to them by the bride and groom. The couple’s son, Vinny, looked super-smart in his matching suit, which he loved wearing. The bridesmaids wore beautifully flattering maroon dresses. Charlotte had bought each of the ladies a pair of sandals and blush pink flowers for their hair, which were included in their thank-you gifts given to them the night before.

TIME TO CELEBRATE Celebrations had to be scaled back due to Covid restrictions, but the couple are in the process of planning a one-year anniversary reception disco, lovingly referred to as their happily-ever-after party. But all assembled on the wedding day still had a great time safely! After the wedding breakfast and speeches everyone took part in a Mr and Mrs quiz. The family had been staying in touch during lockdown with Zoom quizzes, so this seemed like the perfect activity. The winning table was awarded a bottle of wine, which the champs didn’t hesitate to crack open then and there! After they’d cut the cake the newlyweds made their way to their hotel while guests stayed on chatting, singing and generally having the best time. “What a beautiful way to introduce our families to each other. I genuinely couldn’t ask for more. My family are my world,” Charlotte shares.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS Charlotte remembers, “We both thought we’d be nervous, but I’d waited a long time to marry my soulmate and couldn’t wait. Once the walk down the aisle had happened, I was relaxed all day. “I was so pleased with all of our suppliers. Everyone was incredibly understanding at such a difficult time for the industry. I’m particularly grateful to our photographer Nandi. She made us feel so comfortable while she was taking the getting-ready shots. She just felt like one of my bridesmaids and I think the pictures turned out better for it.”

When people were losing their loved ones and livelihoods, however disappointing it was to cut things down, or worry about ‘what if,’ it felt miniscule in comparison to what others were dealing with. 39

ROLL CREDITS Venue and catering, The BarnYard, www.the-barnyard.com | Photographer, Above Arcadia, www.abovearcadia.com Dress and veil, Christina:K Bridal Boutique, www.christinak.co.uk | Hair stylist, Natasha Peto Hairdressing, www.instagram.com/natashapetohairdressing | Groom’s suit, Marc Darcy, https://marcdarcy.co.uk | Groomsmen’s suits, Primark, www.primark.com | Transport, Amanda’s Vintage Car Hire, www.vintagecarhirekent.co.uk | Stationery, Sugar Crush Weddings, www.sugarcrushweddings.com | Bridal suite, Bridgewood Manor Hotel, www.bridgewoodmanorhotel.com

Welcome to our new wedding area...

The

Apple Barn

A brand new rustic wedding area within the grounds of The BarnYard. With its own CourtYard, it is simply gorgeous - it will be love at first sight! • Rustic barn, with fairylit oak rafters • Licensed for civil ceremonies • Choice of Apple Barn or courtyard gazebo to be married in • Capacity up to 200 evening guests

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‘Twilight’ wedding available A stunning new dressing room State of the art DJ with lighting Flexible, experienced & friendly wedding team

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Natasha has trained for over 10 years in all aspects of bridal hair and styling. As a freelance stylist I offer free pre-wedding consultations discussing hair type, hair condition and a hair care plan for each bride to follow. We also discuss if your perfect bridal hair will be a statement ‘Up Do’ or a delicate ‘Down Do’. 07728 469 839 NATA S H A P E T R O H A I R D R E S S I N G @ O U T L O O K . C O M NATA S H A P E T R O H A I R D R E S S I N G

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Natural, relaxed and fun photography Documenting the story of friendship and love, the story of challenge and adventure. Leaving you with lasting memories to look back on whilst you write the next chapter of your story together. smileyhphotography@gmail.com 07718077728 www.smileyhuseyinphotography.com Instagram smileyhuseyin_portraits Facebook smileyhuseyin

in pink

REAL WEDDINGS

PRETTY Emma and David said “I do” at Howfield Manor on 31st August, 2020 Images courtesy of Emma Migden Photography

mma and David met through work and became firm friends. Just before Emma was due to set off travelling around the world for a year, the pair started dating. They stayed in touch and eventually David flew out to Vietnam to join Emma in her adventures across Asia and Australia. In May 2019 David arranged a surprise picnic at Sandwich Bay and while they were getting ready to leave he got down on one knee and asked Emma to marry him. She was so taken aback it took her a few moments to give her answer, which of course was “yes.” On discovering Howfield Manor the couple were seduced by the venue’s fascinating history. “There were plenty of places for guests to explore, as well as pretty gardens and a relaxed vibe. It was perfect for us,” Emma tells us. Read on as the bride shares her treasured memories of the wedding day...

If you’re going to have a big celebration, plan in advance. Don’t leave it all to the last minute. Try and tick things off one month at a time.

Our florist decorated the ceremony gazebo with garlands and olive trees.

We were served canapés after the ceremony along with cocktails and beer. Then, for the wedding breakfast we enjoyed a barbecue with tartlets for starter and lemon curd tart or sticky toffee pudding for dessert. The bridesmaids wore mink maxi dresses, hand-embellished with pearls and diamantés around the neckline. Although our colour palette was pink and white, it was nice to incorporate other hues that complemented this main theme.

The groom and his groomsmen wore the same navy suits with white shirts and dark-blue check waistcoats. These really reflected David’s style. 44

I wore a crepe fit and flare dress with illusion lace sides by Justin Alexander. I travelled all over Kent with my mum searching for the one, and finally settled on this, the fuss-free white gown I was looking for with just a touch of lace.

REAL WEDDINGS

Our centrepieces were small white lilies and light pink roses in vases, which sat atop log slices. We also decorated with candle lanterns, a sprinkle of loveheart glitter, and silver and pink heart-shaped foil balloons.

We had two cakes! One was a semi-naked white chocolate and raspberry bake made by Little Cake Box in Canterbury, and the other was a traditional iced fruit cake made by David’s mum.

We didn’t even know that we’d be allowed a wedding reception until two weeks before the big day, as the restrictions were changing all the time. So, when Boris announced that celebrations were allowed again we quickly bought some blank place cards and used an alphabet stamp kit to add the names with a rustic look.

We ordered a bride and groom topper to match our wedding attire – the figures were even wearing face masks!

We added balloons to each table with Just Married balloon letters for the top table.

Unfortunately we weren’t able to have a DJ due to restrictions, so instead we used our own sound system and playlist. Guests were able to request their favourite tunes.

We had to change pretty much everything when the pandemic struck. The guest list had to be scaled back from 100, but in the end having a smaller day did feel more relaxed. After months of uncertainty we were happy to just go for it though, what will be will be. It was a great day. 45

We’re planning to host our own barbecue with all the friends and family who should have been at the wedding once rules permit.

We used the money we saved on reducing the guest list to go on honeymoon to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. We spent four nights there and did a lot of hiking – the landscape was spectacular.

We both felt nervous at the outset, but once the ceremony was over everything seemed perfect in our English garden setting. It was nice that all of our guests were able to stay over at Howfield too, so we were able to see them again for breakfast together the following morning.

With other people giving their opinion on every aspect of the wedding planning it’s easy to get swept up in it all. Don’t forget why you’re really getting married – it’s just you and your partner, plan the day you want, not the one you think you should have.

DESIGNER WEDDING DRESS SHOP IN KENT

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REAL WEDDINGS

A SLICE OF THE

Mediterranean

When the pandemic interfered with Carly and James’ plans for a destination wedding surrounded by loved ones, the couple brought a touch of Cyprus to Kent Images courtesy of Trilion Productions

arly met James through a mutual friend in the pub where she worked. “We always have so much fun together and spent most of our first meeting hysterically laughing,” she tells us. So, it didn’t take either of them long to realise they’d met their respective match. Friday 13th turned out to be a lucky day for the couple as that’s when they got engaged. James had planned a romantic proposal in a London park on a weekend away, but the British weather was running true to form and it rained all day, so instead he decided to pop the question at their hotel. He set up the room with lights in the shape of a heart and had the bubbly at the ready. Carly had no idea what was coming: “I was in such shock I can’t even remember his speech,” she says. The pair had dreamed of saying “I do” overseas surrounded by their

nearest and dearest, and had booked Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus, but when the pandemic struck it became clear that everything they’d been planning for the past two years couldn’t happen. Carly and James did make the best of the situation though and flew out, just the two of them, on 14th August 2020 to tie the knot and enjoy a two-week honeymoon. When they returned, Carly’s lovely parents offered up their house as a wedding venue allowing them to celebrate their nuptials the way they’d dreamed. So, they spent the next eight weeks planning the perfect big-day, recreating the Cypriot courtyard wedding they’d envisioned, in Kent. Happily, by this time the government had relaxed its Covid guidelines meaning all 30 loved ones on the original guest list were able to join them for the UK wedding on 12th September, 2020. Read on as the bride tells us more... 49

Our favours were small glass bottles filled with sand that we collected from the beach in Cyprus.

The ceremony really stood out as a highlight as it was personally written for us by our celebrant Natalie from Rose & Grace Ceremonies. She is amazing at her job. It was so special.

The centrepieces were fishbowls filled with flowers, some of which sat atop a mirrored plate surrounded by crystals. 50

Floral displays featured roses, astilbe, ranunculus, dahlia, veronica, hydrangea, hypericum berries and eucalyptus. Leah from The Naked Florist did the most beautiful arrangements for us.

REAL WEDDINGS

Little log card holders held our place names, which were embellished with olive tree branches.

We also made a welcome sign and covered the venue in 80,000 fairylights.

Our lemon-flavoured wedding cake was decorated with rustic icing and foliage.

We all enjoyed an afternoon tea as our wedding breakfast, and we served Jamaican street food at the evening reception.

I wore a lace champagne-coloured dress by Justin Alexander and paired it with a fulllength veil. I accessorised with a Pandora necklace that James had given me at Christmas a few years earlier, a Swarovski bracelet from my maid-of-honour and my mum’s engagement ring.

James was dressed in a blue suit and grey tie. His pocket watch was a gift from me. The best man and groom’s father wore the same suits as the groom. 51

My bridesmaids all wore light grey, full-length, chiffon dresses. All three chose their own.

With the help of friends, family and our brilliant suppliers we managed to pull off our dream wedding and had the best day ever. We think it actually turned out for the best, looking back we wouldn’t change a thing.

We had a bar and created a wedding playlist for the day and evening. We also hired a magic mirror photo booth.

We both felt grateful that we’d managed to achieve what we did in such a short space of time. We were very blessed to have our friends and family around us.

Nik, our photographer from Trilion Productions, was fantastic and made everybody feel at ease. I’d recommend all of our suppliers in a heartbeat.

CARLY AND JAMES’ WEDDING SUPPLIERS Photographer, Trilion Productions, www.trilionproductions.com | Dress, Perfection Bridal & Menswear Maidstone, www.perfectionbridalmaidstone.co.uk | Hair and make-up, Stacey Grix at Pinkys Beauty, https://pinkysbeauty.co.uk | Suits, Moss Bros, www.moss.co.uk | Cake, Rebakers Cakes, www.rebakerscakes.com | Flowers, The Naked Florist, www.instagram.com/leahledwich_ Catering, Nutmegs, www.nutmegspatisserie.co.uk | Tina’s Tucker, www.instagram.com/tinas_tucker | Celebrant, Rose & Grace Ceremonies, www.roseandgrace.net | Props, Love Letters Kent, www.loveletterskent.co.uk

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KENT

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LOCAL SHOOT

elegance PRISTINE

A classic venue like Hythe Imperial calls for a classically-styled shoot. Luckily, photographer Jeff Oliver and team were on hand to oblige Images courtesy of Jeff Oliver Photography

“

he stunning ballroom at Hythe Imperial is one of the highlights of this seaside venue, so we wanted to showcase this beautiful space in particular,” photographer Jeff Oliver explains. While this room would carry off any colour palette to perfection, the team settled on elegant white with a touch of silver to complement the existing chandeliers and mirrors. On the subject of chandeliers it will no doubt interest you to know that Hythe Imperial boasts Europe’s largest, magnificently suspended in pride of place at the centre of the main staircase. It would have been remiss not to feature this showstopper, and we know that Jeff never misses a beat! As well as a glorious interior, let’s not forget the venue’s enviable position on Hythe’s seafront and its fabulous outdoor spaces, there to enjoy on your big day. So here, the team deftly shows us how to extend the interior wedding styling out into the open too. We’re in love with the romantic gazebo located in the grounds. So enjoy, as with wedspiration aplenty this shoot will leave you wanting to say “I do” right away. 55

LOCAL SHOOT

THE DREAM TEAM Venue, Hythe Imperial Hotel, www.hytheimperial.co.uk | Photographer, Jeff Oliver Photographer, www.jeffoliverphotography.com Dresses and accessories, Victoria’s Bridal Boutique, www.victoriasbridalboutique.co.uk | Hair and make-up, Hannah Monk Hair & Makeup, www.hannahmakeup.co.uk | Suits, Well Suited for Men Ltd, www.suited-well.co.uk | Cake, Iced Gemms, www.facebook.com/Icedgemms Flowers and styling, Chic Weddings and Events, www.chicweddings.co.uk | Stationery, By Blossom, www.byblossomweddingstationery.co.uk Wedding rings, Coo Jewellers, http://coojewellers.com | Models, Dionne and Ali, www.instagram.com/a.d.modelcouple 58

BESPOKE CUPCAKES FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND EVENTS brownies

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Wedding Memories Beautifully Captured

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Jewellery�Studio Creating Individual Jewellery

Creating�Individual�Jewellery

Work directly with an award winning designer jeweller on a one-to-one basis to create a piece of jewellery that will be both personal and unique.

Make your own wedding rings ONE-DAY WORKSHOP

Classic & Bespoke Wedding Rings Precious Jewellery - Design and Bespoke Remodelling of sentimental or old jewellery Work4 directly with an award winning designer jeweller Merchant, Evegate Artisan & Business Park on Station a one-to-one to create a piece of jewellery Road,basis Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SXthat will be both personal and unique.

www.navettejewellery.co.uk Classic & Bespoke Wedding Rings 228755 info@navettejewellery.co.uk | 01233 Precious Jewellery Design and Bespoke navettejewellerystudio Remodelling of sentimental or old jewellery Video consultations also available One-day workshop

CONTEMPORARY WEDDING CAKE DESIGN By Chelsea Prior

info@chelseabuns.co.uk

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4 Merchant, EvegateArtisan & Business Park Station Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX info@nave� ejewellery.co.uk 01233 228755

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Vibrant AUTUMN VIBES LOCAL SHOOT

An oh-so chic colour palette in a quintessentially Kentish setting – what’s not to love about this fab styled shoot? Images courtesy of Florence Berry Photography

e adore an autumn wedding here at Your Kent Wedding, so when this beauty popped into the inbox we knew it would be selfish to keep it to ourselves! At this time of year the colours naturally found in the Kent countryside begin to get richer, with an almost opulent feel and it’s wonderful to reflect this change of season in a wedding palette. The team who put this gorgeous local shoot together have been particularly creative with the seasonal hues they’ve worked with including on-trend burgundy, terracotta, blush and aqua. Even the handfasting cords and confetti matches – now that’s what we call attention to detail!

LOCAL SHOOT

THE DREAM TEAM Venue, Oak Tree Barn, www.oaktreebarnweddings.com | Concept and photography, Florence Berry Photography, https://florenceberry.com Videography, Rix Weddings, https://rixweddings.co.uk | Flowers, Bizzy Lizzy Flowers, https://bizzylizzyflowers.co.uk | Cake and dessert table, Bake To The Future, www.baketothefuture.net | Catering, Home Gurr’own, www.homegurrown.co.uk | Props, Locate To Create, www.locatetocreate.com | Tableware, Harriet’s Table, https://harrietstable.co.uk | Make-up artist, Makeup By Emma Jane, www.instagram.com/mua_emmajane | Hair stylist, Pretty Please By Katie, https://prettypleasebykatie.co.uk | Dress, Go Bridal, https://gobridal.com | Groom’s suit, asos, www.asos.com | Confetti, The Confetti Cone Company, www.biodegradable-confetti.co.uk Jewellery, Navette Jewellery Studio, www.navettejewellery.co.uk | Stationery, Gable and Grain, https://gableandgrain.com | Retro mirror, Temptation Towers, www.temptationtowers.co.uk | Celebrant, True Blue Ceremonies, www.trueblueceremonies.co.uk Models, www.instagram.com/lunajimofficial 65

...LOVE FLOWERS

Your dream day. Our beautiful flowers. 8-10 Church Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1SE 01303 252626 www.stembystemflowers.co.uk Follow us on Facebook

ACCESSORIZE

Booking an Independent Celebrant allows you all the flexibility to have your wedding, wherever you choose, whatever time you want, and will reflect your personal beliefs and lifestyles Weddings - Renewal of vows - Baby naming - Hand fasting Contact Karina O'Donnell, Independent Celebrant to book a free consultation quote NAl Simply Ceremonies UK® - 07970513715 karina@celebrant-uk.co.uk

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floral paradise FLOWERS

UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

Ceremony arches and moon gates are growing in popularity, symbolising the home you’ll create together. Sam Reynolds from Emily&Me says, “These are incredibly versatile and can be moved around the venue. Starting as a ceremony backdrop, they can later be used as a photo booth for guests’ selfies. We dress each one differently according to our couples’ theme.”

Tom Keane Photography for Patina & Petal

https://luciewatsonphotography.com for Emily&Me

15 showstopping and creative ways to feature flowers in your wedding

www.pennyyoungphotography.com for Patina & Petal

CROWNING GLORY

BUTTONHOLES Don’t forget the gents when planning your flowers. Buttonholes are a great way to tie the wedding party together thematically. “Ensure the groom stands out from his groomsmen by adding that little bit extra,” Hannah says.

Given their whimsical feel, flower crowns are the staple of bohemian weddings with dried flowers now making a splash. If your style is more traditional though, ask your hair stylist to tuck a few blooms into your up do. “Adding this extra touch to your bridemaids’ hair with fresh flowers is simply stunning too,” Hannah Withington from Patina & Petal says.

BLOOMIN’ BACKDROP Flower walls offer a breathtaking focal point for the top table and a background for the speeches. 67

https://luciewatsonphotography.com for Emily&Me

Emily&Me

ON A CLOUD

Sam says, “Gypsophila is no longer the stuff of the 1970s. There are so many ways to use this tiny flower. Here, we’ve created a cloud at the front of a sweetheart table, but it could also be hung from above.”

Emily&Me

Decorating your big-day bake with blooms to match your arrangements ties it together nicely with the rest of your styling. If you’re nervous about using fresh flowers, why not ask your cake-maker to replicate them in sugar paste or adorn the cake table with an arrangement transferred from the ceremony?

FULLY DRESSED

Fireplaces often provide a great focal point for stately-home vows, but can look conspicuously bare if left untouched by styling magic. This gorgeous arrangement by Emily&Me shows how a mantelpiece becomes a feature backdrop when properly dressed. 68

NEAT PETITE For a rustic vibe, jars or mini-crates filled with flowers are a super-cute way to go, check out this creation by Patina & Petal.

PEW COMPLETE ME Sweet little posies of flowers tied to pew ends in a church or aisle ends in your venue’s ceremony space are a lovely finishing touch.

Tom Keane Photography for Patina & Petal

SELF-RAISING FLOWER

CHIT CHAT Hannah explains, “Table centres bring the whole wedding look together. Think about style, but height is equally important. You always want to be able to see over the display so that your guests can still talk to each other unimpeded.” Alternatively, if your heart is set on towering arrangements, make sure guests can see through the stands.

www.katehennessyweddings.com for Patina & Petal

www.emmamigdenphotography.com for Patina & Petal

BOUQUETS Probably the first thing that springs to mind when we think of wedding flowers, and the most traditional. Your bouquet is a way to reflect your personality by choosing your favourite blooms and those that hold special meaning to you. Hannah says, “Your bouquet will be cherished, living on via your photos and memories. They also tie the whole wedding theme together beautifully.”

Emma Migden Photography

Winner UKs Best Wedding Flor ist 3 x Winner Kent’s Wedding Flor ist of the Year www.emilyandme.co.uk Tel: 07581 294387 Winner

Creating your dream Florals is my Passion Available to discuss your Dream Florals suited to your style, theme and budget contact - liz@bizzylizzyflowers.co.uk 01303 766390 | www.bizzylizzyflowers.co.uk

Bizzy Lizzy Flowers

Bizzylizzyflowers

Bizzylizzy.flowers

Designing beautiful wedding flowers makes us happy Chilston Park In-House Florist and Winters Barns Florist We provide a bespoke floristry service for weddings and our senior florists have built up many years of experience. They are all award winning - both nationally and internationally - with Gold Medals at the Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court. We offer an experienced and fully professional service from start to finish having built our reputation on providing flowers known for their quality and unique style. We would be delighted to assist you on your special day.

Your dream wedding... our personal touch... Flowerart, Willow Farm, Hansletts Lane, Ospringe, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0RS Tel: 01795 539759 www.flowerartflorist.co.uk

For further wed-spiration and to keep up to date with the latest news and trends check out our County Wedding Magazines’ Facebook page

What’s more, our editors are on hand to help brides-to-be with all their planning problems: • Ask us anything, whether you’re on the hunt for a local venue or simply looking for ideas and advice • Find local suppliers • Top planning tips from the pros • Tell us about your big day for your chance to appear in the magazine • Special subscription offers • Win wedding essentials with our exclusive giveaways and competitions

Oh and don’t forget... Follow us on Instagram: @cwm_wedding County Wedding Magazines

FLOWERS CORSAGE YOU CAN Corsages offer a great bouquet alternative for your bridesmaids, bringing a little something different. They’re also a great way to make mum feel more involved in the bridal party, with a design to complement your bouquet.

HANG ABOUT

Flowerart

www.katehennessyweddings.com for Patina & Petal

Flowerart

If you don’t have room for table centres or need to fill a vast overhead space consider a hanging floral installation. Totally on trend and a fabulous focal point.

GAZEBO BLOOMS If you’re tying the knot al fresco and your venue has a gorgeous gazebo, pergoda or pavilion, make the most of the opportunity to dress it. A showstopping central arrangement designed to fit your palette, such as these beauties by Flowerart, focuses the eye ensuring the two of you are the centre of attention as you exchange your vows.

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS Emily&Me | www.emilyandme.co.uk Flowerart | www.flowerartflorist.co.uk Patina & Petal | www.patinapetal.co.uk

PERFECTLY PLANNED

Hannah says, “Flowers trailed over the table plan is a lovely finishing touch, highlighting it as a feature and making something functional beautiful.” 71

Love is in the air

County Wedding Magazines editor Melissa Barker shares her wedding planning journey

can’t quite believe that my wedding is only 10 months away! The time is going by so fast, and it still feels like we have so much left to plan! As some of you may know, within the first few months of being engaged we’d booked our venue, photographer and caterer and were on the lookout for the rest of our suppliers. With the pandemic pushing most weddings back in to 2022, we found that a lot of companies we were interested in booking weren’t available. Not to be defeated, we carried on searching knowing it was best to get everything sorted as early as possible. My fiancé, Dave, and I are enjoying the process, but it can feel slightly overwhelming at times. With such a big family and many coming from abroad, we’ve found it difficult trying to keep everyone happy while also maintaining our original budget, but we’re still super excited to see what the day will look like.

FLORAL WONDERS I love flowers and fully believe they can transform any venue into a beautiful space, so choosing the perfect florist was really important to me. I wanted something to tie in with our blush and sage green colour scheme but also complement our barn venue. Despite working in the wedding industry for more than five years, I’m ashamed to admit my knowledge of flowers isn’t great, so I needed a supplier who would

be able to make suggestions and help us bring our vision to life. Whilst looking through social media, I happened to come across a stunning, oversized bouquet that was exactly what I wanted. I looked up the company and found they were based just five minutes from our wedding venue – I thought it was fate! The florist had a range of pre-made packages that suited our needs perfectly. We checked the company’s reviews online, confirmed availability for our day and discussed our needs. The team were fantastic and even suggested ways of helping us save money, which we really appreciated. We booked bouquets, buttonholes, pew ends, centrepieces and an arrangement for the top table, which we’re excited to see. As we were in lockdown at the time, we were unable to meet our florist in person, so when restrictions lifted slightly we travelled to meet them at a wedding fair. Being able to discuss our vision in person made us feel confident about our decision, and I’d definitely recommend meeting face-to-face if possible.

DRESSED TO IMPRESS After being engaged for a few months, I decided to give in to my mum’s nagging and go dress shopping. I’m short, curvy and very selfconscious, so I was dreading trying on gowns! We visited our local boutique, and since I had no idea of what style I wanted, I must admit I felt quite overwhelmed. I started with a fishtail, which I liked the look of, but it just didn’t feel like me; I also felt like I couldn’t sit down without bursting out of it! I quickly moved onto an A-line silhouette. The second gown I tried on was one I’d seen online and loved. It had three-quarterlength sleeves, a detailed bodice, a plunging neckline and lots of lace. On paper, this sounds like everything I didn’t want in a dress, but strangely enough, it turned out to be the one. I tried on a few different options afterwards (mainly for fun), but I found fault in all of them

and always came back to my dress. It needs some alterations as it’s slightly too big, but I purchased it there and then. I would share a picture with you all, but Dave reads this and is (annoyingly) traditional so is against seeing the dress before the big day! One thing I didn’t anticipate was how I would feel after purchasing it. I always thought I’d feel over the moon, but instead, I felt quite panicked. Not because I didn’t love the dress, but after years of writing about weddings, I felt so much pressure to have this overcome-withemotion moment when wearing the one for the first time, that I started to question if I’d made the right decision. I’ve since come to realise that everyone is different, and I absolutely adore my dress whether I cried or not. I’ve spoken to a few of my married friends, and some had similar experiences, which was reassuring to hear! My advice to any bride-to-be is to go with your gut, don’t panic about how you should be feeling or what you should be wearing, do what makes you happy! Make sure you check in next issue to hear all about our engagement shoot and my search for a hair and make-up artist.

Melissa. x

Here’s my moodboard to help give you heaps of inspiration.

BRIDE’S DIARY

We haven’t decided on a table plan yet, but we like the idea of names hanging from string surrounded by gorgeous flowers.

I love confetti pictures, and it’s something I really want our photographer to capture on the big day. We’re currently looking into eco-friendly options and trying to decide which colour to use.

Our photographer has suggested taking pictures of my dress in different parts of the venue, and I’m excited to see what he comes up with.

Seeing as this July it rained, a lot, we’ve purchased some white umbrellas just in case the weather turns bad for our July wedding next year.

How stunning is this flower arch?! I’d love to incorporate something like this into our day.

Our colour scheme is blush and sage green, so we’re going to incorporate both hues into our table decorations.

The chalkboard signage trend is here to stay! I, for one, adore it and am thinking of using one as our welcome sign.

To decorate our wedding chairs, we’re thinking of acquiring wooden bride and groom signs.

To keep the rings safe, we’re planning to buy an engraved box that we can keep for years to come. 73

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EXPERT ADVICE

HOT TOPIC Stellar autumnal wedmin advice from those in the know

A TASTE OF AUTUMN

We’re getting married in October and would love to offer guests a delicious seasonal menu. What would you suggest? As apples ripen in the orchard and acorns turn a mellow yellow, a seasonal change is marked in our ingredients and our menu takes on an exciting autumnal feel. For this most naturally beautiful time of year we recommend starting your wedding day with just-out-of-the-oven, warming, savoury bar nibbles such as cheese straws, hot nuts, soup shots, potato skins and mini roast beef Yorkshires. For your main course, why not opt for a duo of meat with sides of cauliflower cheese, roasted butternut squash and pumpkin topped with

toasted pine nuts, along with roasted root vegetables? For those with dietary requirements, a pan-fried assorted mushroom medley flavoured with garlic and herbs should go down a treat. We can smell them cooking now! Let’s get the speeches in, then move onto a decadent and indulgent board of mini desserts including gooseberry and plum crumble, berry mess, sticky toffee pudding, and for those with dietary needs, autumnal fruits with a dusting of sugar. Finally, turn on the fairylights for the evening and enjoy some delicious chilli pots with nachos and tacos. Clare Smith | www.touchays.com

AGE OF INNOCENCE

What jewellery would you recommend I pair with my simple and elegant wedding dress? For a modern classic look, accent with pearl jewellery to complement the white and ivory tones of your wedding dress. Pearls are more readily available to us today than ever before and bring a sense of history reserved for the most special of occasions. With the pearl being one of the oldest gemstones, it has held various connotations for different cultures throughout the ages. For some they represent tears, but for ancient cultures they symbolise purity, much like the present-day tradition of the white wedding dress, and are associated with everlasting love, loyalty and innocence. Cascading earrings will lend a graceful romantic line to the neck and, by combining a modern look with ancient empire design inspirations, emphasise a true sense of elegance. Natalie Towell | www.navettejewellery.co.uk 75

https://jpphotographic.zenfolio.com

A SEASONAL SLICE

What flavours and style of wedding cake would you recommend for an autumnal wedding?

Autumn is a great time of year to showcase warmth, combining the outdoors and in by incorporating seasonal leaves in all shades of brown and orange. Popular flavours for your big-day bake will be chocolate – not just plain but boozy, spiked with your favourite tipple! Other autumnal favourites include orange sponge cake, spiced apple, salted caramel, red velvet and spiced pumpkin. For the finishing touch, opt for a rustic look with a naked bake stacked or spread out on a table. Decorate with seasonal fresh fruits and flowers, and adorn the cake table in pumpkins filled with flowers. Alternatively, have a tiered iced showstopper, embellished in brown and burnt orange trimmings. If you’re keen for your sweet centrepiece to stand out, why not try some crown cakes? These are individual iced treats that can serve as favours as well. They’re great piled high in a tower topped with a single cutting cake.

COME RAIN OR SHINE

We’re getting married in the autumn and our only concern is the unpredictability of the weather. How can we prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best, when it comes to our photographs? You can prepare and plan your wedding down to the last detail, but you can never count on the good old British weather and no time is more unpredictable than the autumn. As professional photographers though, we’ll always prepare for the worst so you don’t have to and look at the venues with inclement conditions in mind. If you’re worried look for a photographer with studio experience and equipment. For example, we have an extensive range of professional studio lighting, soft boxes and backdrops to cover every situation. So, less favourable conditions don’t scare us! When booking your wedding venue have a look at the size of the space and ask if there are any spare rooms where your photographer can set up a bespoke studio to capture those magic moments if you can’t be outside. Pete Lerpiniere https://jpphotographic.zenfolio.com

FRUI TS O F THE FOREST

We’d like a stationery suite to complement our autumn theme, but are keen to avoid the orange-led colour palette one might traditionally associate with the season. What would you suggest? Autumn is such a beautiful season, full of so many vibrant colours and tones. Typically, you’d think of fiery orange colours, but you’re right, you certainly don’t need to. There are so many other strong hues that can be used to make up your colour palette. Earthy tones will play a key role, but don’t stop there. Try utilising some bold, dark colours as a base with bright, shimmering details to make the most of the early-setting sun and the warm lighting at your venue. For example, a dusky navy base complemented by rose gold accents can create a really classic look. Alternatively, a deep forest green accented with modern calligraphy in white ink is a beautifully elegant yet natural look. Lastly, use your paper to contribute some soft, subtle tones to your palette. Handmade or off-white stock will complement any dark or earthy colours you use in the details. Michela Moriello | www.thedandelion.art

www.facebook.com/irenetodarophotographer

Blessing Enakimio | www.blecouturecakes.com

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Robert James is an award-winning jewellers with a design studio and workshop on the premises this allows us to work in a very different way to most other jewellers, it may sound unusual, but we hand over control of the design and manufacturing process to you. Removing that immense pressure of instantly choosing the ring you will have for the rest of your life. Making the rings in stages allows you to change and adapt the rings at any point. Working in this way makes the whole wedding ring experience much more enjoyable and stress free allowing us to offer you more exciting options than you may have thought possible.

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Go figure!

FASHION ADVICE

Hayley at Hayley Elizabeth Bridal says, “The fitted bodice of Beau paired with the flowing skirt beautifully enhances this shape, accentuating the upper body while softly complementing the lower half.”

How to dress for your big day whatever your beautiful shape

nowing your body shape is a great place to start when thinking about your wedding dress. Your everyday wardrobe might already be screaming clues at you as it’ll be full of styles and shapes that you naturally gravitate towards. Have a look at other dresses you’ve worn to formal occasions or even to the office and see if they follow a general shape. If they do, this is a great guide to what silhouette of wedding dress to try on first. The golden rules really though are simply to keep an open mind, trust your consultant and embrace your figure. We caught up with some of the county’s bridal boutique owners to find out more.

Pear

You’re likely to be boasting a pear or triangle body shape if you’d consider your hips and bottom to be wider than your shoulders and bust. Hayley suggests Beau by Ellis Bridals

Victoria at Victoria Elaine Bridal says, “A ballgown works wonders with this shape, especially if you’re looking for the fullest of skirts. If you’re broader at the hips a gown that cinches in your waist is perfect for you.” Victoria suggests Nash by Hayley Paige

Megan of Vicki’s Bridal Boutique says, “An A-line gown is a great way of balancing your shape and covering the areas you may be more conscious of. We find that even brides who view their hips as a sticking point see only what they love most in this silhouette.”

Megan suggests Demi by Nieve Couture

Vicky suggests Antonia by Sincerity

Vicky of Victoria’s Bridal Boutique says, “Nip in your waist with a well structured A-line dress and let a full skirt glide over your hips. Balance with a V-neck strap then choose whether you prefer simple and elegant details or more jazz.” 79

Hourglass

Hayley says, “Nothing enhances an hourglass figure like a fishtail; this silhouette will enhance your curves and accentuate your waist for maximum impact!”

If you’d describe your body as “curvy” and your bust and hip measurements are roughly equal, you most likely have a hourglass figure.

Victoria suggests Jasmine from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection

Vicky suggests Grace by Stella York

Megan says, “Why not opt for a fit and flare to show off your shape. Remember though, just because you have the curves we all dream of, doesn’t mean you have to go for a figurehugging number. Don’t be scared to wear something unexpected!” Hayley suggests Narine by Enzoani Megan suggests Ellen by Nieve Couture

Apple

Your body shape is likely to be described as apple if your shoulders, bust, waist and hips are fairly similar in measurement, with slightly narrower shoulders and hips.

Vicky suggests Maive by Stella York

Victoria suggests Cora by Jennifer Wren Bridal.

Victoria says, “We always suggest one of the following: A tea-length dress to show off your legs, a corset back to create a fabulous waistline or our favourite: a dropped waist.” 80

Vicky says, “Steer clear from anything that’ll cut your shape in half. Keep the detail flowing down the dress or go for something simple and elegant.”

Megan says, “An empire waistline creates a defined shape, while drawing the eye upwards with some gorgeous top detail. What’s more, a beautiful chiffon skirt skims over the tummy area nicely. You’ll always be your harshest critic, but as long as you feel fabulous, that’s all that really matters.” Megan suggests Aurora by Kelsey Rose.

FASHION ADVICE

Inverted triangle

If you deem your shoulders to be the widest part of your body and you find your measurements narrow as you move down to your hips and waist, you can call your body shape an inverted triangle.

Vicky says, “Define your waist with a soft A-line skirt (nothing too full) and you’ll balance out your overall shape.”

Hayley suggests Lennox by Blue by Enzoani

Hayley says, “A deep-plunge V-neck and straps one to two inches in width will work wonders for this body shape. The straps will flatter a broader shoulder while the neck will show off the upper body.” Victoria says, “If you’d rather avoid bringing attention to your shoulders, an on trend off-the-shoulder look is ideal.” Victoria suggests Belle from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection

Vicky suggests Marisol by Rebecca Ingram

Megan says, “A shorter A-line skirt adds volume to the lower half creating a beautiful shape and showing off all your best bits!”

Megan suggests Edith by House of Mooshki

Rectangle

You’re most likely sporting a rectangle figure if you have straight hips and a straight body line. Don’t be deceived, you can still have a rectangle shape whether you’re size 8 or size 28.

Hayley says, “An A-Line with a deep V-neck coming to a point at the waist will give the illusion of being cinched, while a flowing skirt brings subtle volume to the lower body.”

Victoria says, “The trick is to create the illusion of curves so opt for a sheath gown. Something with lace detail at the hips that moves inwards will be super-flattering.” Victoria suggests Tiana from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection

Hayley suggests Tinek by Rosa Clara

Vicky says, “We’d suggest using detail to accentuate your shape. Look for a defined waist band or illusion sides.”

Vicky suggests Sienna by Stella York

Megan suggests Ruth by Nieve Couture

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS Hayley Elizabeth Bridal | www.hayleyelizabeth.co.uk Vicki’s Bridal Boutique | www.vickisbride.co.uk Victoria Elaine Bridal Boutique | www.victoriaelainebridal.co.uk Victoria’s Bridal Boutique | www.victoriasbridalboutique.co.uk 82

Megan says, “Show off a slender shape with a halter-neck column dress. This is a simple silhouette that can be dressed with accessories and looks great with a cathedral-length veil.”

546

5 0PN Felicity Rose 01622 820546 Fox Pitt Farm, Shingle Barn 01622 Ln, West Farleigh ME15 0PN Felicity Rose 820546

Fox Pitt Farm,www.felicityrose.co.uk Shingle Barn Ln, West Farleigh ME15 0PN

FASHION

SECOND SKIN The new Sakura bridal lingerie collection from Wacoal offers a variety of styles decorated with pale pink and lilac cherry blossom available in sizes 34B to 38E, www.wacoal-europe.com

The latest wedding lingerie and nightwear offering from Ann Summers includes pretty lace bras, thongs, robes and babydolls in sizes up to 38G, www.annsummers.com

Lovehoney’s latest Wild Anticipation collection boasts chic white and blush-pink bridal bodies, suspender sets and bras with matching briefs, www.lovehoney.co.uk

In good hands

Carry your big-day essentials in this stylish quilted leather tassel clutch, £298, www.anyahindmarch.com

EDITOR’S FAVOURITE

EDITOR’S PICK

These silk eye masks, £44 each, are a wedding night essential! To shop, visit www.gigiandolive.com

focus

FASHION Fashion editor Claire Ridley reveals the latest bridal news, buys and launches

Something new

Bespoke bridal brand Alonuko has launched the Freedom collection of ten dresses and one suit. The styles have been hand-crafted by founder and creative director Gbemi Okunlola and her team using top-quality materials such as silk Mikado and Japanese and Swarovski crystals. There’s a design to suit every personality, from a grand princess gown to a fitted fishtail shape, all inspired by the designer’s London upbringing and Nigerian heritage. To book an appointment, visit www.alonuko.co.uk

Little lovelies

Online children’s formalwear brand ROCO has collaborated with TV personality, radio DJ and model Vogue Williams on a hand-picked edit of traditional yet contemporary cotton and linen-mix pieces ideal for junior bridesmaids and pageboys. The stunning collection consists of 15 looks ranging from £35 to £60 for ages three months to 14 years, and hero items have been named after Vogue’s children with a pink Gigi one-piece and a charming Theodore two-piece. To shop, visit www.rococlothing.co.uk

In other news for pageboys, the new childrenswear range from Oliver Brown includes dapper black dinner jackets, trousers and grey waistcoats, www.oliverbrown.org.uk

How cool are these statement Love earrings from Abbott Lyon? They’re purse-friendly too at just £39, www.abbottlyon.com 85

Once upon a time Dress dreams come true with this edit of fairytale-inspired gowns

www.elbethgillis.com 86

FASHION

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Savin London at www.mayandgracebridal.com

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FASHION

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info@quexweddingsandevents.co.uk

choosing, whether you choose to use a venue stylist or want to do it yourself, we are on-hand to help. We are happy for you to have access to the venue the day before your wedding to bring anything you may need for the set-up of your day. At Weddings at Quex we pride ourselves in providing a personalized wedding service designed to ensure that you can relax and enjoy your most special day, confident in the knowledge that you are in the safest and most professional hands. Our dedicated event coordinator's Alice, Molly and Laura are there for you for anything you may need. Family means everything to us which is why it is so important to us that you and your loved ones have the most memorable wedding day together.

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Bliss Rings_FPA_YKW72.indd 1

30/03/2017 09:20

Jem by Jennifer Wren Bridal

ty u a e b d n a n o i h s a F

Q&A

Look and feel your big-day best with advice from our local professionals HAIRCARE HEROES

How can I prepare my locks to make sure they’re in the best condition for my hair stylist on my wedding day? Georgia says: I suggest taking one day a week to focus on your hair and beauty regimes – try to make it the same day each time to get yourself into a good routine. I’d then advise the following: ♥ Use a hair mask weekly. My favourite two products are Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and from my own haircare range, The Luxe Range by Georgia, Intense Damage Repair. Remember to read the instructions before using any products, as these two for instance are used very differently. ♥ Applying hair oil after every wash is important. My argan oil from The Luxe Range by Georgia is rich in vitamin E, which is vital for the hair. Oil has a great many benefits, not least among them, protecting those ends and avoiding straggly-looking locks on your wedding day. ♥ Regular haircuts are a must. I don’t mean having a big chop every six to eight weeks, but simply nipping the ends off will keep your tresses tidy and looking healthy. Let your hair do the talking!

NEAT PETITE

I’m just over 5ft and am concerned about looking swamped in a wedding dress. What do you suggest I look out for? Victoria says: When you’re 5ft 4 or less, it’s important you find a dress that doesn’t overwhelm you. Often an A-line silhouette is a better solution over a ballgown if you’re looking for a fuller skirt. Did you know some dress designers produce their gowns in a shorter length? So, if you’re keen on the fishtail look, be sure to search for a label that offers either a customisation service or a shorter version. Otherwise, you’ll risk having that gorgeously dramatic tail taken off when the dress goes through alterations. Any trained stylist will be able to advise you on the different lengths available to be ordered, so this is something well worth checking before you give the go-ahead. Having said that, we find a fit and flare style suits petite brides much better. A dress such as Jem by Jennifer Wren Bridal in a lightweight crepe fabric with a simple skirt would be perfect as it won’t swamp the smaller frame. It boasts delicate and gentle detail, but you still get the benefit of a showstopping train.

OUR EXPERTS Hair | Hair by Georg | www.hairbygeorg.com Fashion | Victoria Elaine Bridal | www.victoriaelainebridal.co.uk 94

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#BROWGOALS

ANYONE FOR TEA?

Toner, often the forgotten skincare routine step, is actually hugely beneficial. It can help with breakouts, remove the last traces of make-up, eliminate excess oil, help balance the skin’s pH levels, soothe and refresh. So, check out the new Q+A Green Tea Daily Toner (£8). Ideal for everyone, especially those with stressed-out skin, it’s packed full of antioxidants that protect from environmental damage. One in particular, EGCG, can even rejuvenate dying skin cells to restore and repair skin. Green Tea itself is rich in vitamin E, a moisturising ingredient known to minimise signs of ageing, amongst myriad other benefits. Check out www.qandaskin.com

Look a-brow-zing on your big day with the help of Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Duo. Your eyes are the window to the soul that your partner fell in love with so why not frame them with the perfect brow? This dualended make-up marker helps to shape and set for a flattering and natural look. At one end you’ll find a precision brush tip that allows you to create hair-like strokes and fill in sparse areas, while blending in seamlessly. At the other end is an invisible gel infused with mung bean and red clover extract, a formula that aids healthy hair growth while providing a flexible hold. Priced at £22 Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Duo is available at www.spacenk.com

Beauty

Beauty editor Kelly Andrews shares her latest beauty must-haves for the bride to be

BUZZ ZEST FOR LIFE

In need of a wake-up call? Inspired by the revitalising energy of waterfalls on the southern hills of the Isle of Arran, ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s Glenashdale fragrance combines an invigorating blend of rasped lemons, grapefruit and vetiver to create a truly tropical experience. Kickstart your wedding morn with a refreshing shower using Glenashdale Bath & Shower Gel followed by the matching body lotion. Infused with essential oils, extracts of vitamin E, aloe vera and shea butter they’ll uplift, refresh and revitalise both skin and spirits. The Glenashdale Body Care Gift Set is £30 at https://arran.com

ONE ENCHANTED EVENING

The highly-anticipated new fragrance from Ghost, Orb of Night Eau de Parfum, is the perfect scent to transport you to a warm, romantic summer evening. It’s described as a woody floriential with top notes of mandarin, cherry almond and bergamot, with a heart of freesia, orange blossom, ylang ylang and jasmine. So, if you’re looking for your signature big-day fragrance head to Superdrug, Boots, The Fragrance Shop or The Perfume Shop and see if it’s the one. Ghost Orb of Night is available in three sizes: 30ml (£27), 50ml (£38) and 75ml (£48).

THAT’S A WRAP

The Copper Sure Rapid Dry Hair Wrap is the latest innovation from cult hair health brand AQUIS. Made from a naturally antimicrobial performance fabric it allows the hair to dry without force or heat and eliminates the frizz, damage and breakage caused by harsh terry towels. Hair is at its weakest when wet so protecting it from such harsh treatment means it’ll be smoother and stronger. What’s more, since it’s woven with copper, which boasts antimicrobial and antibacterial properties proven to repel bacteria the wrap stays fresher longer, and is great for travel. I absolutely love mine – it’s taken the stress out of washing my hair in more ways than one. Check out www.aquishair.co.uk where the AQUIS Copper Sure Rapid Dry Hair Wrap is priced at £30. 96

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

With more than 2,300 five-star reviews to its name GLOSSYBOX Skincare’s Eye Boost Cream is a cult favourite. Designed to combat the look of tired eyes, this fragrance-free formula is packed with anti-inflammatory botanicals and absorbs effortlessly into the skin. Thanks to its elderflower extract infusion it also helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles. So if wedding planning has been keeping you up at night, why not try staving off the effects with this little beauty? Priced at £16, it’s available at www.glossybox.co.uk

BEAUTY NEWS

KISS ME QUICK

When you’re lost for words, let your lips do the talking with the newest member of Glow Hub’s core essentials range, pep talk_. The petrochemical-free formula is bursting with nourishing avocado, rosehip and almond oils, rich in vitamin E and B to softly plump lips while giving them a hit of hydration. Finished with a team of peptides to help smooth creases, define contours and boost fullness it leaves you with a beautiful pillowy pout. Totally kissable lips on your wedding day! pep talk_ Plump Peptide Rescue Balm is £8 at https://glowhub.com

SILKY SMOOTH

Silk is by far the best material to use in a cleansing routine as the natural amino acids leave skin noticeably radiant and delay the ageing process. Cotton is, in fact, abrasive on a cellular level so, cleansing with a flannel causes friction leading to fine lines. This Is Silk’s 100 per cent silk face cloths boast a weave that gently exfoliates, conditions and smooths skin, leaving it glowing. What’s more, they’ve been naturally dyed black to avoid unsightly make-up marks, which can blight their white counterparts even after a thorough wash. This Is Silk Cleansing Cloths in Noir are £21.99 for three at https://thisissilk.com

PERFECT PREP

Award-winning and cruelty-free make-up brand Milani Cosmetics has introduced the Rose Prep + Prime range to Boots and Beauty Bay. It’s all about nourishing and replenishing your skin for a radiant complexion and dewy glow. I’m a fan of the lip treatment products in particular, which were game-changers for me! The Rose Sugar Lip Scrub (£13.75) comes first in the pamper session, polishing dry and chapped areas for an ultra-soft and smooth pout. Follow with The Rose Butter Lip Mask (£13.75), which contains hyaluronic acid to plump and replenish moisture. Your lipstick will look perfect on the day and your bridal make-up artist will love you for doing all the prep for them! These little heroes are available at www.milanimakeup.co.uk

NATURAL BEAUTY

#LIFEPROOF

Clarins’ new everlasting foundation and concealer are the perfect duo for your complexion, combining the very best of the brand’s skincare expertise with make-up that boasts 24-hour wear with high coverage and a matte finish. The two products contain a special hold polymer using organic oat sugars, known for their ability to increase the adherence of colour pigments to the skin, meaning you’ll stay looking flawless from vows to dancefloor. The Everlasting Foundation is priced at £31 (30ml) and the Everlasting Concealer at £23 (15ml). Find out more at www.clarins.co.uk

Add some awardwinning colour to your bridal beauty kit with Pure Anada’s allnatural mineral makeup Dreamy Compact Palette. It features a carefully curated collection of a pressed highlighter and four eye colours in the brand’s most popular neutral shades, ideal for creating that naturally glowing big-day look. Pure Anada products are handcrafted in the Canadian prairies from fresh ingredients incorporating the goodness of nature into each one. The Dreamy Compact Palette is available exclusively in the UK for £29.95 at www.liveinthelight.co.uk 97

Be beautiful

BE YOU

Emolyne Ramlov, founder of the eponymous make-up brand, talks inclusivity and bringing a colour boost to your bridal beauty

Tim McBaj

It’s our first anniversary soon and there’s been so much to learn over that time. Covid made things difficult as we actually went into lockdown around two weeks before launch. But we’d worked so hard for two-and-a-half years and I didn’t want to delay. It was a risk, but luckily it went crazy. Black Lives Matter came along and as an inclusive brand headed up by a black woman there was a lot of interest in what we had to offer. Everything happens for a reason.

orn in Uganda and raised in Denmark Emolyne Ramlov discovered a passion for make-up upon entering her teenage years. Until the age of 13 when she moved to Europe she hadn’t been permitted to wear make-up, which in Africa was seen as a distraction from studying and an unwelcome beginning to a flirtation with the opposite sex. So, it was a complete culture shock for her as she sat alongside her new classmates to find them in full beat and looking glam. “I went home and said to my mum: ‘We need to talk!’ She took me shopping and I filled my basket with as much make-up as I could. I needed to catch up and I haven’t stopped since,” she tells us. County Wedding Magazines’ beauty editor, Kelly Andrews, met up with Emolyne to discover more about her journey from passionate teenager to creating her very own make-up brand. What was the inspiration behind Emolyne? As my love for make-up grew I visited plenty of big stores looking for products to suit my skin tone, but couldn’t find the right ones. They had two to three reds perhaps, but none that I 98

liked or were complementary. As I grew older I realised that this was a problem across a lot of different product ranges. There was no single brand offering a matching lipstick, liner and nail polish, so I thought: “Well, I’m just going to do this then!” I use a lot of reds and nudes myself, so it made sense to start there, making sure that no matter the skin tone someone would be able to get at least one of each. I created 15 reds and 15 nude shades and even then I wasn’t sure if I should stop! The range has five colours for light, five for medium and five for dark skin tones. It allows people to pick a different colour for different seasons, as our skin tone changes throughout the year. I also created a kit to save my customers time, meaning once they discover their perfect shade they can easily find the matching products. When it came to naming this huge range of shades I wanted to be able to tell a story while keeping the brand personal, so I immediately thought of Africa. It was a way of honouring my place of birth and bringing the whole story together. Plus, I knew I could never run out of names if I looked there for inspiration!

Tell us more about the ideas, ethics and beliefs the company is founded on. I wanted this brand to be for everyone, no matter their gender or race – if you’re into make-up this is the place for you. The selection is big enough that everyone can feel included, which was the key. How do we achieve that perfect marriage between skin tone and make-up shades? The easiest way for us was to put models on our website covering as many different skin tones as

BEAUTY INTERVIEW

we could. That way customers can see whose is the closest to their own and how each shade looks on her. Tell us about your own beauty regime. I keep it simple. I wash my face every morning and evening, as well as steaming to open the pores, which allows serums to absorb more effectively. I use serum everywhere – hands, face, neck. These are the areas that start to show signs of age once you reach 40, so it’s important to look after them. A dermatologist once told me to use serum on my dry hands, and up to then I’d always thought it was just for the face, but I’ve never looked back. Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum is my favourite, and not just because he’s a fellow Dane! What are your make-up bag must-haves? Uganda, Casablanca and Abuja are my favourite Emolyne shades. But it’s like being asked about my favourite child – they’re all my babies! I mainly wear a nude during the day for meetings, and in the evening I prefer reds. I’m particularly into red oranges at the moment. I always carry a nail polish with me too – Cameroon is versatile and works for all skin tones. And tissues... a mum can’t work without a tissue! What’s your top wedding-day make-up look? I’d go for something light depending on hair colour and skin tone. Keep it simple, elegant

and clean to keep focus on the eyes. You want your new spouse to see you sparkle. For light skin tones I’d recommend Luxor, Eritrea or Ciaro. For medium tones Tanzania, Kampala or Uganda work beautifully. And for darker tones Nairobi, Asmara or Marrakech are all perfect. Begin by using your favourite moisturiser, I’m a fan of a thick formulation in the winter. That serves as a base for the foundation and concealer. Then, keep building the look until you’re happy. Don’t start too strong as it’s hard to take anything back once you’ve gone too far.

“Enjoy and play with colour. Rule your shade and don’t be afraid to try something you haven’t tried before, they’re there to be explored.” What advice would you offer a bride who might not be used to wearing make-up but who wants to step it up for the wedding? I’d tone it down, don’t use too much. A little colour makes the lips pop, and match that to the eyeshadow for an on trend monochromatic look. What’s the one make-up secret you wish everyone knew? Moisturise properly before you do anything else. That’ll give you that all-important glow and

sets your make-up for long-lasting perfection. It was essential to me that our lipsticks last so you don’t have to keep topping it up throughout the day and that’s particularly important for a bride. What’s your proudest achievement so far? Definitely having the brand recognised for inclusivity. I love to see people go on the website and realise just how much choice there is, and hearing them say they just don’t know which to choose. The other thing for me was being able to make the products vegan and cruelty-free. I wanted to educate people to care about what they put on their skin, so this makes me really happy. Is there anything you’d still like to achieve? So much! Every day we listen to our consumers and what they want. So, the next phase for Emolyne Cosmetics is incorporating more skin tones for them, as well as including more models they can identify with. I also want to grow the product categories while staying within the 15 reds and 15 nudes concept. Look out for our pop ups too. Our original plans for these had to be cancelled due to Covid, but I still want somewhere for people to experience the range in real life, so they’ll be coming soon.

Find your perfect match at www.emolyne.com 99

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A CLICK AWAY FROM YOUR PERFECT DAY

CWM_WEDDING Get your mood-board in the mood with some picture-perfect inspiration

HONEYMOON NEWS

News

HONEYMOON Idyllic destinations for when you can hop, skip and jump on to a plane again, along with some UK beauties for the ultimate staycation...

HOME SCOTTISH BORDERS

A stunning rural hideaway set in Minto in the Scottish Borders, Lilylaw, newly launched with Crabtree & Crabtree, provides the most idyllic location for a romantic honeymoon. It boasts spectacular views and staying guests also get unique access to Fatlips Castle, an iconic Pele tower situated on the estate at the top of Minto Crags. Located on a private track, this former gamekeeper’s cottage is in an undisturbed and completely serene spot, ideal for those looking to escape to the countryside. The charming period property has been fully renovated into a gorgeous, romantic one-bedroom bijoux bolthole comprising an open-plan bedroom and living area and feature roll top bath with woodland views. Based on a self-catering basis, seven nights in summer available through Crabtree & Crabtree is from £950. To book, visit www.crabtreeandcrabtree.com or call 01573 226 711.

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

The Torridon invites newlyweds to reconnect during a minimoon experience in the Scottish Highlands. During the Winter Minimoon experience, newlyweds can enjoy the snowcapped landscapes and starry night skies of the Highlands, feasting on the best seasonal produce and rejoicing in two nights of rejuvenating sleep. Led by the Torridon Outdoors experts, a crisp full day guided walk along the munros and woodlands surrounding the hotel, is followed by drinks in front of the crackling fire and a private whisky tasting led by the dedicated team in The Torridon’s Whisky Bar. Couples can indulge in a four-course set menu crafted by head chef Paul Green. Set in the 1887 Restaurant it will pair dishes sourced from the region’s best winter ingredients and local game from The Torridon Estate with exquisite wines. Lovebirds can add a bespoke star-gazing experience to their minimoon package, and join astronomer Stephen Mackintosh for a three-course meal and an excursion across the Highlands, revealing a once-in-a-lifetime view of the Arcturus constellation. A Winter Minimoon complete with: two-night B&B in a Deluxe room, tasting menu, whisky tasting, full day guided walk, champagne, chocolates and flowers is £1,520. Add the Star-gazing Experience between Nov-Mar for an additional £530, including a three-course dinner with astronomer Stephen Mackintosh. Find out more about The Torridon at www.thetorridon.com or call on 01445 791 242.

CHANNEL ISLANDS

The Blonde Hedgehog, located in Alderney, is a collection of 18th-century buildings lovingly restored to be a petite boutique Georgian retreat. Renovated from a local pub and an elegant townhouse, it’s understated luxury at its best; the modern interior design complements the original Georgian features. With just a small number of rooms and suites, it’s intimate and sophisticated without losing any of its charm. Alderney is perfect for honeymooners looking for relaxation, romance and adventure; an island for exploring and seeing nature’s wonders, couples can experience sea kayaking, boat trips, rockpooling and fishing. It’s easily walked or cycled around in a day – definitely one of the best ways to see the entire island. Available through Fish&Pips from £230 per night on a B&B basis, visit www.fishandpips.co.uk or call 01306 264 005.

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AWAY GREECE

Costa Navarino, the ultimate five-star sustainability-led travel destination in Messinia on the under-the-radar Peloponnese peninsula in Greece, is an idyllic location for honeymoons. Perched on the unspoiled and breathtaking coastline, overlooking the Ionian Sea, it provides newlyweds with the perfect romantic short-haul destination post-vows. A sophisticated setting, surrounded by verdant land and a sparkling seascape, Messinia has quaint town halls, beautiful beaches and offers hilltop exploration. Costa Navarino is one of the few beachfront mixed-use developments in the Mediterranean and includes: luxury hotels, freehold residences, a world-famous Anazoe spa, 21 restaurants and bars, sports facilities and two signature golf courses ‒ meaning guests and newlyweds never have to leave! For more information visit www.costanavarino.com

MAJORCA

Perfect for pre- or post-wedding getaways, Es Racó d’Artà is a wellness retreat that’s recently joined the TemptingPlaces hotel label. A real gem in the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean, this new holistic retreat is located next to the historic town of Artà, on the eastern part of the island. Outstretched in the valley, its nearly 200 acres encompass an authentic 13th-century stone farmhouse, several buildings, almond, fig and olive trees, local fruit trees as well as 14 acres of grapevines. It’s here, within this peaceful environment, that this newly-opened property invites its guests to connect with nature and lift themselves beyond their well-being. Seamless swimming pools, jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, relaxation and meditation areas offer newlyweds a unique experience, where the notion of time and space disappears. Make sure to try a Watsu treatment, performed in the original treatment pool – this aquatic massage creates optimal conditions to enter a state of deep relaxation through the union of water and shiatsu, aiming to release the everyday tensions ‒ bliss! Visit www.temptingplaces.com

ITALY

AMERICA

Hotel Bel-Air, possibly one of the most romantic hotels in the world, has launched an outdoor dining experience, Bel-Air Under the Stars. Guests can cosy up beside their own private firepit while sipping wine, toasting marshmallows and tucking into Wolfgang Puck snacks. Many Hollywood love stories have played out at this iconic hotel in its 75-year history, and it’s easy to see why stars including Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly have fallen for its romantic allure. Set within the blissful Canyon landscape, and away from the LA noise, this private and elegant hotel is a haven in Bel-Air and renowned for its 12 acres of winding, tropical greenery surrounding the beloved Swan Lake, filled with flowers that bloom all year round and home to a 100-year-old sycamore tree. It has witnessed some of the most incredible, star-studded and wildly romantic weddings imaginable, all watched over with loving grace by its swans. What’s more, one of the hotel’s most famous guests, Grace Kelly, penned a number of love letters to her then partner Oleg Cassani during her time staying there while she was filming Country Girl. What better honeymoon destination truly epitomises love and romance? Rooms start from $695, visit www.dorchestercollection.com

Room Mate Hotels, the international hotel chain, has opened Hotel Room Mate Filippo and Gran Filippo Apartments in Rome. Located 500 metres from the emblematic Spanish Steps and a ten-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, the hotel and the apartments are designed by interior designer Tomas Alía, who was inspired by the refined aesthetics of the 1940s. The hotel has 30 rooms divided into three categories: superior, deluxe and executive, its imposing façade stands out with elegant and subtle flat pilasters and striking lighting that creates a chandelier effect throughout the street acting as a magnet to passers-by. The lobby features a forest of sculptural, three-dimensional palm trees, complete with a dome supported by granite columns. The two interior courtyards - the two lungs of the building - are arranged with sienna- and celadon-colored lattices while the rest of the common areas are divided into a large meeting room with a library effect and the breakfast room, decorated with modulations in marble, gilded metals and geometric shapes. The rooms, several of which have terraces, have surprising decorations, all inspired by the refined, well-travelled and cultured aesthetics of the 1940s Check out https://room-matehotels.com/gb/ 102

Professional Firework Displays We work with venues across the country to offer spectacular displays that please the happy couple, their guests and the venues. We offer a range of quiet packages for venues where noise may be a problem. With options from set budget packages to bespoke events and pyromusicals; there is a display for everyone. We also offer ‘lancework’, which is ﬁrework writing, held on posts about 3m off the ground. We can draw logos, hearts, initials of the couple, popping champagne bottles and much more...

Stunning wedding packages & bespoke displays Personalised to your theme. www.phoenixfireworks.co.uk T: 01732 822788 E: info@phoenixﬁreworks.co.uk

Your happy ever after is waiting… At Mercure Tunbridge Wells

Celebrate your special day at our stunning 4-star hotel in the idyllic Kent countryside! Hold your perfect wedding with us and enjoy: – – –

All-inclusive wedding packages for up to 150 guests, including BBQ or afternoon tea options Scenic outdoor spaces for your wedding photography Comfortable hotel rooms and on-site parking

To start planning your dream wedding, contact our friendly team! +44 (0)1892 628 298 weddings@mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk

For further wed-spiration and to keep up to date with the latest news and trends check out our County Wedding Magazines’ Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages

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@CountyWeddings

County Wedding Magazines

COMPETITION

WIN

A MINIMOON IN PROVENCE, FRANCE WORTH UP TO £1,500

rillon Le Brave is nestled within a village eponymous of the Vaucluse region, and offers guests the chance to explore the picture-perfect Provençal countryside, historical nearby towns, and is just a stone’s throw away from some of the most sought-after vineyards in France. The hotel boasts 34 newly refurbished rooms and suites, an inviting reception area, gorgeous public spaces and idyllic outdoor pool overlooking surrounding vineyards and countryside. The hotel has been exquisitely presented with the help of French designer and decorator Charles Zana. Since it’s reopening in May 2021, the hotel has introduced a number of new experiences, a new yoga retreat as well as a refreshed culinary offering from new head chef Adrien Brunet ‒ who will be presenting new menus with locally sourced delicacies. The Spa des Ecuries is positioned

PRIZE: County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with Maisons Pariente to offer two nights at Crillon Le Brave, Provence. The prize includes breakfasts, an aperitif at the bar and an in-room VIP welcome.

under imposing arches of the former vaulted stone stables from the 18th century. With three treatment rooms, including one double, the spa combines gentle and effective approaches dedicated to enhancing overall wellbeing. Guests can take advantage of the holistic treatment techniques of Bamford which are completely tailored to each guest’s needs. Crillon le Brave encourages guests to switch off and enjoy the art of taking things slow: amble around the village, lounge by the pool, rejuvenate in the spa and indulge in exquisite food. For those looking to explore the region’s rich culture and enjoy a quiet French escape, this five-star hotel is the perfect destination for a postpandemic home away from home holiday and honeymoon. Visit www.crillonlebrave.com, email reservations@crillonlebrave.com or call + 33 4 90 65 61 61.

HOW TO ENTER: For your chance to win, simply answer the following question: What is the name of the new head chef? Enter online at yourkent.wedding

Closing date 3rd December 2021, unless otherwise stated. Terms and Conditions apply. Please see our website for details. 105

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E V E n t S t E a m o f t h E y E a r - K En t W E d d i n g a Wa r d S 2 0 2 0 The Old Kent Barn is one of the most beautiful and romantic wedding venues in Kent. No expense was spared in its design and creation. From the beautiful gazebo where spring and summer ceremonies are held, to the chandeliers, state-of-the-art bar and starlight ceiling in its magnificent new oak-framed barn, this truly is the perfect setting for ceremonies and receptions all year round.

Use of the venue and grounds on the day of your wedding Complimentary night in the Newlywed Suite of our 200-year-old oak-framed barn Glamorous dressing room available from the morning of your wedding Gazebo or New Barn for ceremony Wedding co-ordination service

Master of Ceremonies New Barn with starlight ceiling, dance floor, tables, chairs, linen, glassware Fully serviced bar Venue capacity day: 150 Venue capacity evening: 250 Landscaped gardens Ample guest parking

We are a family run business and pride ourselves on the quality and warmth of the service we offer. We work tirelessly to ensure that your wedding is perfect in every way for you, your family and your guests.

w: theoldkentbarn.co.uk t: 01303 844270 e: events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk The Old Kent Barn @theoldkentbarn The Old Kent Barn, Swingfield, Kent CT15 7HF

Your Kent Wedding - Issue 98 September/October 2021

Articles inside

COMPETITION

HONEYMOON NEWS

FASHION FOCUS

HOT TOPIC

ONCE UPON A TIME

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

GO FIGURE

EDITOR’S LETTER

NEARLYWED NEWS