STRUT YOUR STUFF

Find out more about local suppliers

With so many different styles and themes to choose from, creating the perfect wedding day look can be stressful! To help, we’ve rounded up some of the best local suppliers and asked them more about their companies.

MEET HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST LUCIA PENMAN

07778 675 419 | www.luciapenman.co.uk | @luciapenmanmua

Q – Tell us about your company. Lucia Penman Hair & Make-up is a wedding service specialising in bridal make-up and hairstyling for relaxed, natural and boho-modern brides.

Q – What services do you offer couples? I offer hair and make-up for the bride and bridal party. An important part of my job is listening to my clients to fi nd out what look they want to achieve and delivering exactly that.

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? Considering the year we’ve just had, I suggest reaching out as soon as you’ve confi rmed your venue as hair and make-up artists are getting booked quite fast.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? My favourite part of the job is when I see the bride dressed, looking all glammed up, and it feels like my work has come to life.

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a hair and make-up artist? On the morning of the wedding, surround yourself with positive vibes and people that are your best cheerleaders.

www.paulplacitelliphotography.com

MEET MELITA GENZIANI FROM MOTHER OFTHEBRIDE BOUTIQUE MELITA

01276 856 308 | www.motherofthebridechobham.co.uk @melitaboutiquechobham

Q – Tell us about your company? Melita is situated in the delightful village of Chobham in Surrey, and we’re proud to say we celebrated 40 years of trading last year.

Despite the deceiving frontage, the shop is extremely large and is spread across two fl oors housing one of the largest selection of occasion wear in Surrey and the surrounding counties.

Q – What services do you offer? We carry collections from all the leading designers and can offer a choice of styles to suit different tastes and sizes from six to 18.

We stock the matching hats and hatinators, again in a variety of designs. We also have a fabulous range of shoes and bags only found in select independents by Lisa Kay and Elegante. These are made to our choice of colours and designed to complement the outfi ts.

As most outfi ts need a slight tweak, we have the added advantage of our own in house seamstress who works on-site six days a week.

Q – How long before the wedding should mother-of-the-brides/ grooms get in touch? It’s important to allow yourself plenty of time to search for your outfi t, fi rstly to avoid a last-minute panic buy but also to allow for alterations.

Stock is pre-ordered twice a year and once sold, often can’t be replaced. I would suggest you start your search a good few months before the wedding, as some people buy as far as a year in advance.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? We love the unpredictability of each day, as every customer is so different and it’s such a personal experience helping them to choose their outfi t for such a special occasion. For some, it can be very emotional seeing their transformation and the relief that they can relax and know they’re going to feel fabulous and make their son or daughter proud.

Q – Do you have any top tips? The most important thing is to choose an outfi t and shoes that you feel comfortable and confi dent wearing. It’s a long day, and you need to be able to relax and not be conscious of what you’re wearing.

If you need an opinion when choosing your outfi t, take the advice of one or two-valued people accompanying you to your appointment. Too many people will cause confusion and confl icting ideas.

Most importantly, always shop with an open mind. It’s often what you would least expect that you will end up purchasing.

Q – Tell us about your company. I trained as a beauty therapist and hairdresser after leaving school. This was a great introduction to make-up, but at 18, I went on to do TV, fi lm and prosthetics at Shepperton Studios. I have always loved make-up and have been passionate about skincare from a very early age. I always felt a pull to anything wedding related. I love the buzz it gave, so it made complete sense to just jump in and become self-employed offering bridal hair and make-up, and that was around 18 years ago. It’s been a wonderful journey, and I’m so pleased I did it. I also love doing my freelance TV and photo shoot work during quieter periods.

Q – What services do you offer couples? I offer bridal hair and make-up for the bride, bridesmaids, mothers, aunties, cousins and a little dash of sparkle and gloss for the fl owergirls. I am there for anyone who wants me to give them that luxury touch! Even the guys have been known to sit in my chair for a quick brow groom and a dab of concealer!

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? Ideally, communication should start around nine months before the date. It’s good to have a chat on the phone to build up a picture of what my bride is wanting and go over any dates that we are available for trials, which would usually take place around three months before the wedding day.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? I adore being part of such a special day. It still excites me and is a real honour. At my favourite wedding we were forecast very heavy snowfall that coming week. It was a last-minute booking so I had not met the bride and wouldn’t be meeting her until the wedding day. Because of the weather that was due, she asked me to come stay at the venue the day before as her fi ancé had hired out the property for three days, so I had my own king size suite! I sat with their friends at the pre-wedding meal the night before and was made to feel so welcome, and the snow was incredible! Thank goodness I arrived the day before as it was a true winter wonderland.

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a make-up artist? Look at their work and ask as many questions as you can. Recommendations are vital. I have done lots of weddings where the bridesmaid at a previous wedding has loved my work and booked me for their big day, which is really lovely for me as an artist.

MEET LORRAINE LANGRIDGE FROM BRIDAL BOUTIQUE BRIDES VISITED

01372 272 300 | www.bridesvisited.co.uk | @bridesvisited

Q – Tell us about your company? We are an independent and friendly bridal studio in Ashtead, Surrey, with more than 25 years of experience and expertise. We’re here to help, listen and use our wealth of knowledge to make your dreams come true. We have a wide selection of styles and designs here, meaning we have your wedding dress, we just need to help you fi nd it.

Q – What services do you offer brides? Our Surrey bridal shop has more than 200 wedding dresses by some of the leading designs, including Mon Cheri, Enzoani, Sophia Tolli, Martin Thornburg, Romantica, Blue by Enzoani, Beautiful, House of Nicholas and many more.

We have a beautiful mother-of-the-bride/groom collection and a range of tiaras, veils, jewellery, hats and fascinators to show you along with stunning prom and evening gowns.

We have an extensive collection of gowns for our more curvaceous brides to enjoy, including Silhouette by Romantica.

Q – How long before the wedding should brides get in touch? We suggest you start your wedding dress journey about a year before your special day, so we can help you work out which shapes and styles best suit you.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? Our favourite part has to be when we have suggested a dress for a bride to try and they would often say that they would never have considered it and yet it’s the one! It’s such a great feeling.

Q – Do you have any top tips for brides? Our top tip is to have an idea of what you like but keep an open mind. We tell our brides to be brave when choosing their dress, think slightly outside the box as you want the wow factor but don’t need to change who you are to get it.

MEET HAIR AND MAKE-UP ARTIST GEMMA WARBURTON FROM GEMMA LOUISE BRIDAL

07983 349 384 | www.gemmalouisebridal.com | @gemmalouisebridal

Q – Tell us about your company. We specialise in weddings but aim to provide top quality hair and make-up for everyone. Although I, as well as the artists I work with, are trained in all aspects of hair and make-up, the thing I love the most is enhancement. It’s amazing how a few tweaks and clever tricks can make someone feel the most incredible and beautiful version of themselves. Everyone deserves to feel special on their big day, and that’s my goal!

Q – What services do you offer couples? I offer brides and their parties all aspects of hair and make-up as well as being there in the run-up to the day if they need any advice. I’m also a hairdresser working out of a salon in Cranleigh, so I can assist with any cuts and colours.

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? Get in touch as soon as you have a date if you know you want to book me for your big day as my diary fills up fast. I also recommend brides having a trial three to six months before the wedding.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? I honestly don’t have a favourite part. People ask me all the time if I prefer hair or make-up, and the answer is that I love both. Although having said that, once the bride puts her dress on and sees herself for the first time, it’s pretty amazing. It never fails to make me well up and is such a magical moment.

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a make-up artist? Decide what matters most to you and set your budget accordingly. Sometimes it’s very easy to get lost in the vast options and forget that it’s all about you. There are no right or wrong decisions because it will be the most incredible day of your lives, come what may.

MEET DEE BRAIN FROM MOTHER-OF-THEBRIDE BOUTIQUE SERENDIPITY FASHIONS

01483 577 475 | www.serendipityfashions.co.uk @serendipitychilworth

Q – Tell us about your company? Serendipity Fashions began in 1988 with a sell-out fashion show at the Ben Travers Theatre, Charterhouse, with all proceeds going to CRC. The shop opened in Chilworth, and three years later, we bought out the bridal shop next door as we needed the extra space. For many years the Serendipity Charity Fashion Show was a big event, always selling out and raising large amounts for charity, and I was awarded The Mayors Award for services to the community.

Q – What services do you offer? We specialise in occasion wear for mother-of-the-bride/groom, guests and social events such as Ascot and visits to the Palace but also offer a full range of separates for everyday wear.

71015 by Condici 991656 by Veni Infantino

Q – How long before the wedding should mother-of-the-brides/ grooms get in touch? In a normal year, they should shop months ahead to get the best choice of sizes and styles. For a summer wedding, this would be straight after Christmas. Mums often get caught out by waiting for the causal wear to arrive in stores.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? My favourite part of the job is in helping women to look their best. Especially for such an important occasion as their son or daughter’s wedding.