FASHION AND BEAUTY Q&A

Q&A Beauty

Our experts give their advice to help you look your big-day best

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

I want a glamorous hollywood-style look for my big day. How can I achieve this? Hollywood glamour is a wedding look that suits opulent ceremonies, elegant gowns, glittering décor and lavish locations.

The feature that’s most associated with this style is a bold red or burgundy lip and remember, it’s important to keep the rest of the make-up clean and flawless when you’re wearing a statement lip. The skin should be prepped and primed to create a smooth canvas for the foundation, and any under-eye darkness concealed to brighten and lift the eyes.

Blusher can compete with the lip and therefore, it’s usually kept to a minimum, while bronzer gives a softer and more modern combination.

Eye make-up for this genre tends to be simple and soft while focusing on a defined lashline and lashes. Winged eyeliner can create a more fifties-vintage style if that’s what you’re after. Otherwise, a soft wash of neutral gold or beige shimmer across the lid, a pretty fluffy lash and a naturally defined brow will complete the look. Lyndsey Morgan | Lyndsey Morgan Makeup www.lyndseymorgan-makeup.co.uk

HAIRTASTIC

I need some ideas for a bridal hairstyle that can be worn up for my late-summer wedding, what can you suggest? A relaxed, soft hairstyle is best for a late-summer wedding. Go for what I would describe as a ‘fairy vibe’ by adding some flowers to match the look, gypsophila or a mix of blooms that match the bouquet works well. Keep the front of the hair swept back with loose waves and soft-wispy strands falling around your face. A soft make-up look works great with this hairstyle; natural eyes and sun-kissed skin will look gorgeous in those golden-hour shots!

Depending on the veil, I would keep the back of the hair quite simple and messy rather than having set curls in an up do. The aim is for your locks to looks like it’s been swept up and twisted; any loose waves that fall out will naturally add to the overall look. Amy Tombling | All Dolled Up www.alldolledupamy.co.uk

HOT TOPIC

Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas MAKE A TOAST

My hubby-to-be and I are considering hiring a drinks van for our upcoming nuptials, but we’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of options available. What should we take into consideration before booking? Before you book a supplier, take some time to consider different options and look at what’s available in your area. There are lots of choices out there that are all very different. Think about how many drinks per person you’ll need and whether you want a fizz or a lager option or if you desire multiple choices.

Ensure your venue allows a drinks van and that there’s plenty of space for the vehicle to get in and out of the property easily. Next, consider what kind of van will match your theme and venue.

If you’re looking for a drinks van that will provide fantastic fizz and be a gorgeous addition to your venue and photos, then Fizz on the Tyne is the one for you! Ian Watson | Fizz on the Tyne | www.fizzonthetyne.co.uk

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

We’ve just started wedding planning and I’m slightly confused about what a celebrant does, can you help? When couples get engaged, they often believe having a religious or civil ceremony are their only choices – but there’s actually a third option available. A celebrant-led wedding is becoming more popular because, unlike a registrar, you can choose any celebrant who you feel comfortable around. More importantly, there are no restrictions as to what you can or can’t include. You have the freedom and flexibility to create a ceremony that encapsulate your style and personality perfectly.

Having a celebrant-led ceremony is perfect for couples wanting to tie the knot under the stars, at sunrise/sunset or on a beach. But it’s important to note that this style of ceremony does not include legally binding in England and Wales. For a couple to legalise their marriage, they must book an appointment to visit their local registry office to register their marriage, like you would for a birth or death. I’m happy to explain this process and prices fully to couples before they decide to book. Gemma Jay | North East Celebrant www.northeastcelebrant.com

My fiancé recently proposed, but I don’t know where to start with the planning. What’s the first thing I need to book and what should I consider after that? Planning your wedding is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, so don’t get distracted by others and their opinions. Just take into consideration what you both want and go for it!

Start planning by deciding what type of ceremony and location suits your vision. Do you want a church service, a civil ceremony (legal but non-religious) or a celebrant-led one, which is not legally recognised and would require a registry office service?

Once this decision has been made, the reception venue is easier to choose. It’s reasonable for the venue to be up to 20 minutes away if you’re having a church wedding and this can narrow down the geographical area for your search.

If you have a civil marriage, the local registrars will have lists of approved premises and think about what’s important to you both to make things easier. Do you need accommodation onsite, do you want a classic venue or a rustic barn? There are many options here, so it’s worth investing some time looking at websites and photos from local venues before you start making appointments. Knowing your guest list will help rule out venues that are too small or big.

Once the venue’s booked, you can then begin to look for other suppliers. The best companies from around the region will get booked up years in advance, but many couples don’t realise that they can reserve a supplier’s time without knowing the full details of your day – you just need the basic information. Start with the photographer, florist, cake company and then look for entertainment during the day and for the evening reception.

A good wedding planner can advise couples with local, reliable wedding suppliers to make the planning process as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. Dawn Marie | Dawn Marie Wedding & Event Design | http://dawnmariewed.co.uk

SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIOUS

My wife-to-be and I love strong flavours and want something unusual for our cake. Do you have any suggestions for us? My most unusual flavour is spiced clementine, which was inspired by my lovely friend Suzanne at Cove Cake Design. The fruity sponge is infused with star anise plus cinnamon and it’s a flavour that most people wouldn’t have tried before but are pleasantly surprised when they do.

It’s great to have something a bit different at your wedding rather than your standard Victoria sponge. Make sure to pick flavours that appeal to you and your partner – don’t try and please everyone because it’s your special day.

Some of my couples enquire about a fruit cake, even though they dislike it, to provide for their older crowd. But your loved ones will be just as happy with a delicious sponge cake, especially if it’s something they haven’t tried before. Gabriella Grace Rottiers | Gabriella Grace Cakes https://m.facebook.com/gabriellagracecakes

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

We’re planning our wedding entertainment, but we’re a bit worried about booking someone online that we’ve never met. Do you have any suggestions? Picking your wedding entertainment should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Try to give yourselves a few months before the special day to work out the type of entertainment you want, meet suppliers and make that final decision.

It’s great to meet people in person, but the last few months have highlighted the benefits of virtual catch-ups. It’s often hard to have a decent chat at a busy wedding fair, so it’s always good to catch up on FaceTime, WhatsApp or over Zoom. Here you can ask all the questions you want and get to know the team more. Listen to the advice from the professionals because many entertainers have performed at different venues and have lots of experience. They’ll happily share what might or might not work for your day.

Make sure to ask newlyweds for their recommendations. The entertainment world is ruled by word of mouth and if someone comes highly recommended, they’ll most probably be good! Ask friends, people you know, your venue, other nearlyweds, wedding professionals and of course, use the internet.

Think about whether the company’s appropriate for your setting, audience and the atmosphere you’re after. You might have guests in nappies to their nineties on the day, but the evening may be different.

There are many entertainment options such as music in all forms, magicians, caricaturists, jugglers, balloon artists, children’s entertainers, photo booths and more.

www.rennisonraephotography.com

TOP TIP... Make sure the company you pick has Public Liability Insurance and any electrical equipment is PAT tested. Ray Snowdon | Ray’s Piano | www.rayspiano.co.uk