November / December 2017

FASHION

BEAUTY

INSPIRATION

DESTINATIONS

HONEYMOONS Inspiration

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017

752 Ideas to

FALL IN

LOVE with Real Life

WEDDINGS

Celebrate

in Style

Rock Candy RINGS

& Luxury SHOES

CLASSICALLY CHIC!

It’s arrived ...

Romance in...

THE PERFECT DRESS

Jamaica, Italy, The Bahamas Croatia, St Lucia, Indonesia, Iceland, Kenya & many more!

£4.99 www.dwha.co.uk

£4.95 www.dwha.co.uk

SASSI HOLFORD LONDON

www.sassiholford.com

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Editor-in-Chief ’s Letter Dear beautiful brides,

St. Lucia Page 116

Wedding themes

Love — there’s no better reason to celebrate! People often say “getting married is the happy ending to a love story”, but I believe it is not an ending, it’s the beginning of a new chapter.

There are only a few occasions when you step in to another stage of love and life, and this is one of them — so celebrate it with your sweetheart in your truly personalised and unforgettably unique way! In anticipation of the engagement parties, romantic dinners, beauty regimes, venue touring and dress shopping, DWHA have put together a fabulous issue of ideas to fall in-love with, including a wedding countdown checklist to assist you from start to finish.

Flick through pages and pages of exquisite dresses to enchant and inspire you.

Swoon over our all-encompassing collection, showcasing sexy-ethereal pieces from Darry Mizrachi, Costarellos’s daring silhouettes and glamorous gowns from one of my all time favourites, Galia Lahav. Dressing up wouldn’t be complete without accompanying gorgeous hair and make-up, so we are bringing you exclusive tips from the award-winning makeup artist Kristina Gasperas. Whether you’re planning a bohemian soiree, a beguiling beach wedding or a glam reception, just follow the expert advice on how to create your own stunning wedding looks.

In preparation of choosing your dream honeymoon destination, runaway with your imagination and our features to tropical treasure troves such as Jamaica, The Bahamas and Saint Lucia, or consider a heavenly hotspot in Italy or Croatia.

Would you like to be the one lucky couple to win a seven-night stay in the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa? Simply turn to page 120 and enter to be in with your chance of enjoying the ultimate honeymoon on the sensational island of Saint Lucia.

Through the stress and joy, through the tears and excitement, the DWHA team and I would like to wish you the very best on your journey ahead of unadulterated romance.

Yours truly,

Omega Love Omega Love Editor-in-Chief

Page 28

ON THE COVER

For him Page 101

I love it !!

Bridesmaids Accessories Page 84 10

DWHA || november / december

Page 82

Accessories

Page 84

Allure Bridals

allurebridals.com

Editor-in-Chief Omega Celeste Love

Victoria Millésime

We love!!

ACCESSORIES page 84

Creative & Fashion Director Ana Sousa Destinations Editor Amber Connolly Fashion and Beauty Editor Brittany Doran

Contributors KRISTINA GASPERAS

Make-up artist

Where is the most romantic place you’ve been?

Natural hot springs near Montepulciano in Tuscany.

It was so serene and the view was outstanding What is your favourite romance movie of all time?

Sunrise: The Song of Two Humans. It’s an overwhelming piece of cinema and one of the best silent movies

Editorial Assistants Sheena Adesilu Abi Jones Tia-Latesa Nicholas Viktoriya Asenova Lilova Catherine Reynolds Content Coordinator Danielle Holt Social Media Adriana Rosé

Advertising & Design Manager Cécile Chabert HOPE GAINER

Journalist

Where is the most romantic place you’ve been?

Most recently, I went to Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives. It’s a breath-taking paradise What is your favourite romance movie of all time?

I’d have to say Pretty Woman — the whole story is just like a fairy-tale come true

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD

Journalist

Where is the most romantic place you’ve been?

Paris although I may be slightly bias as my partner is Parisian. The city has an unforgettable charm What is your favourite romance movie of all time?

It has to be Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

Director of Public Relations Arnica Miakista Marketing Director Brian James Horrocks Special Projects Director Lucy Masterson Account Directors Hilda Cronje Claudia Mason-Ramdeen Sarah Dorsett Commercial Director Anthony Baines Circulation Director Kevin Maloney Chairman Parry Cockwell www.dwha.co.uk

This publication may not be re-produced or transmitted in any form or in part without written permission of the publisher. ISSN 2056-8533. Content is available for syndication please contact the publisher for more details. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is correct, neither the author nor publisher can be held responsible for inadvertent inaccuracies or omissions. DWHA is published by DWHA Limited registered office 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, NI 7GU

12

DWHA || november / december

Contents Inspired 18

22 24 27 28

Editor’s Picks The latest and greatest pieces for him and her accompanied by detox hotels for honeymoon relaxation A Grecian Dream Oozing with glamour and draped in sophistication, this styled shoot is contemporary bliss Garden of Eden Simply picturesque, this Nashville shoot set in a greenhouse is brimming with inspiration Alternative Weddings Fancy something a little different from a traditional ceremony? These ideas are for you!

Wedding Themes Get inspired by the traditions of countries from around the world — ideal for destination weddings!

Real Life Weddings 39

43 47 51 55

Austrian Amour in AUSTRIA Nature meets glamour at this utterly charming wedding in the state of Burgenland A Modern Fairy-tale in PORTUGAL An intimate ceremony that’s simply stunning, fall in love with this idyllic venue Once Upon a Time... in ITALY A magical castle just outside of Rome provided a fairy-tale setting for this couple’s big day Island Romance in GREECE This couple jetted off to Rhodes to celebrate in a location close to their hearts A Beach Elopement in the SEYCHELLES Truly romantic, this couple tied the knot on a picture-perfect beach

Fashion 64 78 82 84

Designer Bridal Collections Showcasing truly gorgeous gowns from the most desired 2018 ranges Sassi Holford An interview with the internationally renowned bridal dress designer, discussing her latest collection Bridesmaids A selection of dresses, accessories and shoes to ensure your girls are looking on point for your day Accessories No bridal outfit is complete without a fabulous pair of shoes, head piece, and of course, a gorgeous ring!

Beauty 92 96

Product Reviews Tried and tested products for radiant skin, enviable hair and flawless makeup Kristina Gasperas The award-winning make-up artist tells us her top tips and favourite products for a flawless look

Galia Lahav

For Him

Page 64 DESIGNER BRIDAL COLLECTIONS

102 The Brogue and the Beautiful Matching accessories make for a perfect look, here’s some inspiration to get you started 104 Shave Time A line-up of some of the greatest grooming products you can buy alongside product reviews 106 The Bluebeards Revenge We talk to the male grooming brand about their quality products and tips for grooms

CONTENTS

Don’t miss!!

FOR HIM

page 102

Destinations 111

Latest and greatest ACCESSORIES

page 84

Page 148 Page 111 JAMAICA

Jamaica Discover the height of unparalleled luxury to be experienced at the couples-only resort Sandals South Coast 116 Saint Lucia A honeymoon haven in a sun-soaked paradise, this Caribbean island is the perfect retreat for newlyweds 120 Competition Win the honeymoon of a lifetime to the stunning all-inclusive resort of Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia 124 The Bahamas Uncover thrilling adventures and utter relaxation across these remarkable Caribbean islands 130 Turks & Caicos Renowned for turquoise seas and soft white sands, these idyllic islands are ideal for romance 132 Saint Vincent & The Grenadines An enchanting gem in the Caribbean, the island of Mustique is brimming with beauty 136 USA Venture to the sunshine state of Florida and discover why Fort Lauderdale is a little-known honeymoon paradise 140 Iceland Dreaming of a winter wonderland wedding? This Nordic island proves that it’s the perfect place for romance 144 Portugal Discover outstanding gastronomy and witness sensational landscapes on the island of Madeira 152 Italy One of the world’s most popular wedding destinations, this country showcases its beauty through city of Bari 154 Croatia If you’re a fan of the TV show Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is home to many stunning on-set locations 159 Indonesia Uncover the magnificent diversity and facinating history across the world’s largest archipelago 164 Kenya From world-famous safari parks to picturesque beaches, this beautiful African country is truly mesmerising 173 Mini-Moons We’ve rounded up some of the world’s greatest locations for a whirlwind honeymoon adventure 178 The Best of British From country manors to city hotels, these wedding venues showcase the beauty of Britain 186 Food for Thought Searching for the best caters across the UK? Look no further, we’ve got you covered 190 Scotland Escape to the countryside and uncover the wedding of your dreams at House of Turin

Planning 194

Page 148 Page 140 ICELAND

Champneys Tring Banish pre-wedding stress and unwind at the spa with a family member or friends 196 Planned to Perfection We’ve rounded up the world’s greatest wedding plannersto ensure your day is that of your dreams 206 Confessions of a Celebrant Discover all you need to know about choosing the right celebrant for you 218 Let the Sunshine in Artist Janice Sylvia Brock, discusses her paintings, inspiration and home of Barbados 221 Know Before You Go Be prepared and check out our definitive guide for every destination bride 225 Inspiration Our swoon-worthy selection of stunning Instagram photographs, Pinterest boards and handy apps

Inspired Newly engaged? Get the ideas flowing with our hand-picked selection of all things wedding-related!

Headpiece, mervebayindir.com // Ring, ekria.com // Wedding dress journal, paperchase.co.uk // Patchouli & cedarwood candle, oliverbonas.com // Eyeshadow palette, toofaced.com // Blusher, clarins.co.uk // Petal confetti, paperchase.co.uk // Nail polishes, nailberry.co.uk

Settle down with a candle, notepad and pen and start jotting the ideas down! Make a scrapbook and start a Pinterest board

In this section 18 22 24 27 28

Editor’s Picks A Grecian Dream Garden of Eden Alternative Style Wedding Themes

Editor’s Picks

Style essentials and ones to watch

WATCH THIS SPACE

Henry London offers personalised his & hers watches, ideal for your special day. You could engrave your initials, wedding date or a meaningful inscription (£POA, henry-london.com)

Top buys

Fall in love with the bespoke stationery

by Lucy Says I Do. We adore the handdrawn pattern on these designs (£POA, lucysaysido.com)

We love!

Ring, £,1750, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk

Dany Mizrachi The Israeli designer’s 2017 fall/winter collection showcases dresses with 3D florals, shiny embroideries and weightless tulle. Each gown is uniquely designed to suit a particular bridal style — but they’re all oozing with enviable glamour 18

DWHA || november / december

Renè Caovilla pumps, £863, luisaviaroma.com

our y t s a r t n o C with black gown heels

INSPIRED

Essentials for her...

1

6 2

Be a queen

3

If a veil or a tiara isn’t a musthave, why not try a bohemian crown or headdress? (£POA, viktorianovak.com.au)

7

Baby love

a Beach brid

Children’s Salon offers a vast selection of fashionable pieces for little ones. This minature 1920’s getup is absolutely adorable! (£25, childrensalon.com)

l 4

5 1 ‘Alice’ sunglasses, £167, blackeyewear.com 2 Roksanda jumpsuit, £1,095, mytheresa.com 3 Sleep mask, £40, violetandwren.co.uk

Ladies conscient

4 Ring, £149, swarovski.com 5 La Reveche petals applique swimsuit, £184, farfetch.com 6 Bionda Castana shoes, £180 vestiairecollective.com 7 Edie Parker clutch bag, £715.16, vestiairecollective.com

Honeymoon fashion

Make sure to pack plenty of formal wear for evenings out and romantic meals on your honeymoon. If you fancy a change from a dress, experiment with a jumpsuit or playsuit

These gorgeous pumps are not only a great choice for your bridesmaids, but each sale helps the charity Women for Women (£POA, josefinas.com)

www.dwha.co.uk

19

Essentials for him...

Start your adventure in style with our round up of this season’s most striking men’s fashion pieces

3

4

2

Ceramic ideas

5 1 5

Bored of standard materials? We adore these ceramic pieces created by Cor Sine Labe Doli 6

7

8

Make a statement

1 Alexander McQueen cotton shirt, £695, harveynichols.com 2 ‘The Cubeline’ watch, £159, newgatewatches.com

Quirky grooms, embrace your style! Match jazzy accessories with monochromes to create an overall edgy look

9

3 Maison Michel Thadee hat, £751, farfetch.com

11

10

4 Tortoiseshell round glasses, £174, luisaviaroma.com

11

5 Bow-tie in grey silk and ceramic, £POA, corsinelabedoli.com 6 Ceramic pochette, £POA, corsinelabedoli.com 7 Leather jacket, £449.90, morato.it 8 Maison Margiela leather trainers, £525, harveynichols.com 9 Skultuna ‘The Hunter Collection’ cufflinks, £59, amara.com

20

DWHA || november / december

10 Louis Vuitton travel bag, £1,156.71, vestiairecollective.com 12

11 Paul Smith shoes, £185, houseoffraser.co.uk 12 Braided cuff, £125, farfetch.com

Detox honeymoons

INSPIRED 1

Ultimate relaxation

2

3

Rest & recuperate

4

After the whirlwind of wedding planning, many couples opt for a relaxing honeymoon to de-stress and enjoy time with their new spouse

1 AMANPURI, THAILAND Translated from Sanskrit as ‘place of peace’, Amanpuri is located on Phuket, where nature and culture harmoniously merge. This timeless retreat is ideal for honeymooners seeking to embrace the inner spirit of Thai culture and rejuvenate their body and mind with daily workouts and healing therapies (aman.com).

2 SANTANI WELLNESS RESORT & SPA, SRI LANKA Meaning ‘in harmony with,’ Santani is an invigorating sanctuary that offers guests the chance to become one with nature.

Beyond the plethora of healthy indulgences, Santani is an exquisite escape for those wanting to awaken to magnificent views of emerald-green forests and pristine fields (santani.lk).

5

3 BORGO EGNAZIA, ITALY

Oozing traditional village charm and exceptional luxury, this castle-like resort is unique. Boasting a championship golf course and beautiful pools, this is a slice of rural romance.

The ‘La Eganzia’ suite features a private pool and exquisite ‘secret garden’, perfect for privacy seekers (borgoegnazia.com).

4 ANANDA, INDIA

Immerse yourself in the serene setting of the Himalayas and begin your meditative journey at this award-winning resort. Pamper yourself with wellness programmes and relax with an authentic Indian massage before getting glammed up for a meal at the treetop restaurant (anandaspa.com).

6

5 COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE, BALI Give your well-being a boost on a detox retreat to this stunning estate. The cleansing treatments and traditional rituals are guaranteed to make you feel anew. Combining holistic wellness with state-of-the-art facilities, here you can enjoy a spiritual enclave in the rainforest (comohotels.com).

6 PUENTE ROMANO RESORT & SPA, SPAIN Set on the sun-soaked Andalusian coast, this resort is stunning. The sleek, award-winning spa is complete with plunge pool, heat and ice experience showers, herbal steam room and hammam. Kick start your honeymoon with the five night yogic detox programme (puenteromano.com).

www.dwha.co.uk

21

A Grecian

dream

Contemporary elegance meets natural beauty at this glamorous photoshoot in the Athens Riviera Photography by Dimitris Giouvris Photography

Grand Resort Lagonissi provided a stunning seafront paradise for the shoot

Sophisticated adornments Black vases surrounded by mosaics were the perfect base for the white roses and hypericum floral arrangements

22

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED The urban look of the stationery is contrasted with touches of gold on the couple’s name cards

Sandy’s gowns were decorated with heart-shaped motifs, applique lace elements and organza volume lace skirts

The wooden table had a unique mirror top that reflected the crystal blue Greek sky and the clouds above it

Notebook // Event Planning / Concept Design Eclectic Events Greece, eclectic.gr Photography Dimitris Giouvris Photography, dimitrisgiouvris.com

Venue Grand Resort Lagonissi. lagonissiresort.gr Video Wed Memories, wedmemories.gr Floral Decoration Harmantas Flower Creations, harmantas.gr Wedding Gowns Kathy Heyndels Haute Couture, kathyheyndels.gr Groom’s Attire Giannetos Handmade, giannetos.gr Shoes Kokos, kokosshoedesign.gr Hair & Make-up Gemini Hairartists, geminihairartists.gr Event Rentals Zazoo Event Rentals, zazoo.gr Invitations Just Invite by Art & Vision, justinvite.com.gr Event & Entertainment Production Party Mobile Services, party.net

www.dwha.co.uk

23

Garden

of Eden A styled shoot inspired by a song, this gorgeous set up in a greenhouse near Nashville, Tennessee will make you swoon Photography by Julie Paisley Photography

The greenhouse setting allowed the garden-feel to come indoors

Botanical beauty Inspiration came from the song ‘Diamonds’ by Raelynn, with the concept that love is real and you know when you find it. Raelynn even got involved with the shoot, and is the lovely model!

24

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED

Details such as the escort card display, gorgeous centrepieces and shades of pink are the perfect finishing touches

Live Painting is a great way to bring fresh entertainment to your wedding, allowing guests to witness the creative process

Notebook

// Concept & Design Heather Benge Events, heatherbenge.com Photography Julie Paisley Photography, juliepaisley.com Venue Long Hollow Gardens, longhollowgardens.com Make-up Brittany Layne, beautybybrittanylayne.com Hair Lauren Edalgo Cake Nashville Sweets, nashvillesweets.com Paper Goods Designs in Paper, designsinpaper.com Florals Colonial House of Flowers, colonialhouse.net Jewellery David Yurman, davidyurman.com Wedding Gown White Dresses Boutique, whitedressesboutique.com Shoes Bella Belle Shoes, bellabelleshoes.com Rentals Southern Events, southerneventsonline.com Live Painter The Honest Brush, thehonestbrush.com Wooden DĂŠcor Ten 23 Designs, ten23designs.com Model RaeLynn, raelynn.com www.dwha.co.uk

25

Tissue paper flower pom pom, £POA, lunabazarre.com

A Grecian

Garden

Dream Kate Spade New York stationery, £1.81, paperlesspost.com

IDEAS TO STEAL

of Eden

Simply sophisticated

Whether you opt for natural tones or monochromes, embrace the elegance with these looks inspired by the styled shoots

Johanna III save the date, £POA, paperlesspost.com Maison Bereto, candle, £437, luisaviaroma.com

Who said that black should be banished from your wedding day?

We adore these pieces contrasted against bridal whites

A by Amara mirror, £200, amara.com

Little Mistress crochet dress, £45, littleblackdress.co.uk

YSL patent leather pumps, £770, luisaviaroma.com

Roger Vivier clutch, £1250, mytheresa.com

rosalindmillercakes.com

Stella McCartney lace dress, £925, mytheresa.com

Wedding guest book, £POA, 4lovepolkadots.com Clutch bag, £ 1,453.72, oscardelarenta.com Jimmy Choo suede pumps, £425, luisaviaroma.com A by Amara candle holder, £50, amara.com Autograph flowers, £50, marksandspencer.com

26

DWHA || november / december

Oscar de la Renta, crystal choker, £379, nuji.com

Pyramid stud cuff bracelet, £POA, alexisbittar.com

‘Dakota’ shoes, £200, harrietwilde.com

Celestial beauty

Add a touch of ethereality to your bridal attire with these extravagantly elegant creations

‘Amore’ silver bag, £150, charlottemills.com

Alternative Style

Michael Cinco

Blue ring, £99, swarovski.com Faceted cocktail ring, £POA, alexisbittar.com

Eternity ring ‘black diamond’, £775, thomassabo.com Double ring, £159, swarovski.com

Elizabeth Fillmore

Contrasting monochrome and edgy, bold fabrics are sure to set you apart from the crowd

Back to black

Channel grace and poise; rebellious and edgy with stormy tulle and grungy leather

Biker jacket, £2,595, christopherkane.com

‘Vera’ shoes, £713, giuseppezanottidesign.com Jean-Michel Basquiat eyeshadow palette, £35, urbandecay.co.uk

Isabel Sanchis

‘Natalia’ feather cape, £120, johnlewis.com

Dainty Dizzy ‘Storm’ tulle dress, £88, childrensalon.com

www.dwha.co.uk

27

3

Alexandra Grecco

1

Something blue

Incorporate the traditional colour into your jewellery to match the backdrop — and for good luck!

4

2

5

12

Fiji

6

7 8

Sun, sea and sand awaits! Bohemian beachwear and plenty of blue accessories make this look 10 11

13

9

Beach spirit

Summer essentials for your honeymoon. Grab a bikini, sunnies and sandals, and you’re ready to go!

1 Delfina Delettrez ring, £POA, delfinadelettrez.com 2 Kayu Jane woven wicker shoulder bag, £162, mytheresa.com 3 20 Wedding invitations, £103, 4lovepolkadots.com 4 Otta woven bamboo lantern, £13.50, notonthehighstreet.com 5 Diamond pave star ring, £POA, linksoflondon.com 6 Wedding guest book, £43, 4lovepolkadots.com 7 Hugo Boss beach towel, £69, amara.com 8 Bracelet, £POA, thomassabo.com 9 ‘Michela’ sandals, £525, giuseppezanottidesign.com 10 ‘Moonlight’ bikini, £POA, azurbikini.com 11 Sunglasses, £187, blackeyewear.com 12 Bower Swimwear ‘Bianca’ wrap dress, £252, mytheresa.com 13 Kayu clutch bag, £108, mytheresa.com

28

DWHA || november / december

3 1

INSPIRED

YolanCris

2

4

5

6

7

Japan

8

9

Embrace a sense of Japanese zen with cherry blossom inspired florals and the lucky colour of red 10 12 13

Honeymoon fashion 11

From the buzz of Tokyo to the beauty of Kyoto, accessorise in style wherever you go

1 Wedding invitations, £POA, lucysaysido.com 2 Ceramic porcelain vase, £55, notonthehighstreet.com 3 Optical elegance earrings, £189, jewlr.co.uk 4 Christian Sirano kimono wrap dress, £2,798, farfetch.com 5 Rose hairpin, £45, victoriamillesime.co.uk 6 Moulin Rouge hand-fan feathers, £41, eventail-duvelleroy.fr 7 Clutch bag, £32, uk.accessorize.com 8 Tealight holder, £10, houseoffraser.co.uk 9 Linear leaf scarf, £28, oliverbonas.com 10 Squiggle sketch top, £59.50, oliverbonas.com 11 Shoe, £425, emmylondon.com 12 Necklace, £POA, alexandrineni.com 13 Floral bag, £32, uk.accessorize.com

www.dwha.co.uk

29

2

1

3

4 6

Isabel Sanchis

5

Portugal

7

8

10

9

Perfect for a fairy-tale wedding to start your happily ever after

11

14

Pretty prints

Include the iconic mosaic patterns into your colour palette for a vibrant ensemble

12 13

1 Roberto Cavalli dessert plate, £77, amara.com 2 Earrings, £POA, jonrichard.com 3 Wedding invitations, £POA, lucysaysido.com 4 ‘Blue Marie Antoinette’ cupcake, £POA, rosalindmillercakes.com 5 Shoes, £595, emmylondon.com 6 ‘Sorcha’ jacket, £169, hobbs.co.uk 7 Bottega Veneta snakeskin clutch, £1,225, mytheresa.com 8 Cake, £POA, elizabethscakeemporium.com 9 Save the dates, £POA, lucysaysido.com 10 Hair slide, £28, jonrichard.com 11 Gucci headband, £215, mytheresa.com 12 Valentino ‘Garavani’ leather sandals, £535, mytheresa.com 13 Dried hydrangea, £16, notonthehighstreet.com 14 Fendi halter dress, £730, mytheresa.com

30

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED

2 Justin Alexander

3 1 4

5

6

7

Finland 13 8

A winter wonderland wedding calls for shades of silver, icy blues and plenty of faux fur!

9

12 11

14 10

Look the part

Ski the slopes, see the Northern Lights or simply look fashionable in your chalet with these best buys

15

1 Ermine bridal chain bag, £70, helenmoore.com 2 Wedding invitations, £POA, lucysaysido.com 3 Chalcedony necklace, £ 1,037.60, Bella Rose Jewelry at etsy.com 4 Venetian glass mirror, £180, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 5 Shoes, £80, dunelondon.com 6 Shoulder wrap, £115, helenmoore.com 7 Maison Michel fur felt hat, £560, luisaviaroma.com 8 Mohair jumper, £69.50, oliverbonas.com 9 Ring, £2,780, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk 10 ‘Imogen’ backpack, £110, oliverbonas.com 11 Ankle boots, £860, luisaviaroma.com 12 Crossbody bag, £39.50, oliverbonas.com 13 ‘Dolly the Stool’, £220, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 14 Glitter stag, £6, paperchase.co.uk 15 Boho fringe cushion, £34, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

31

Grace Loves Lace

3

4

1 2

5

Peru

6

7

Get inspired by a tropical rainbow palette showcasing the colours of South America 8

10 9

11

Intricate details

Peruvian fabrics bring bundles of vibrancy and flair to any outfit or décor

1 Pom pom wreath, £15, paperchase.co.uk 2 Trinket dish, £10, oliverbonas.com 3 Save the dates, £POA, lucysaysido.com 4 Ruffle gown, £695, theiacouture.com 5 ‘Nova’ sandals, £69, uk.monsoon.co.uk 6 ‘Ciara’ embroidered maxi dress, £59, uk.accessorize.com 7 Tropical fruit statement necklace, £25, uk.accessorize.com 8 ‘Chevron’ woven sandals, £29, uk.accessorize.com 9 Footstool, £96, CURREYBAZAAR at etsy.com 10 Home decoration, £POA, Elhummingbird at etsy.com 11 Crystal and suede bracelet, £54, adorejewelry.com

32

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED

Elizabeth Fillmore

1 6

2

3

5 7

4

Kenya 8

9

10

Suede, khaki and dusky tones are the key to recreating the vibe of safari spirit 11

15 16

13 14

Romantic wanderer 12

17

Kick off an African adventure with all the style essentials

1 Julia Knight leaf serving platter, £50, amara.com 2 ‘Faraha’ statement choker, £85, oliverbonas.com 3 Ring, £1,675, london-victorian-ring.com 4 Orla Kiely earrings, £55, amara.com 5 Heels, £198, shoplucychoilondon.com 6 Personalised map wedding guest book, £45, notonthehighstreet.com 7 Dress, £POA, amur.com 8 Melissa Odabash hat, £140, mytheresa.com 9 ‘Ruhel’ ribbon necklace, £32, oliverbonas.com 10 Butterfly wax seal stamp, £14.95, Sophia Victoria Joy at notonthhighstreet.com 11 Wood effect cake, £POA, elizabethscakeemporium.com 12 Gold elephant decorations, £POA, The Blue Door at etsy.com 13 Sunglasses, £177, blackeyewear.com 14 Double cacoon, £269, amara.com 15 ‘Blaze’ sand dress coat, £79.50, oliverbonas.com 16 ‘Nora’ bag, £69.50, oliverbonas.com 17 Spectrum collection ring, £5,206, nikoskoulis.com

www.dwha.co.uk

33

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Real Weddings Headpieces, mervebayindir.com // Thank you card, paperchase.co.uk // Favours bag, paperchase.co.uk // Lipstick, clarins.co.uk // Better than Sex mascara, toofaced.com // Clutch bag, dunelondon.com // Frame, paperchase.co.uk // Foundation, clarins.co.uk // Hairbrush, rockandruddle.co.uk Charm, lolarose.co.uk // Leaf print tie, nooseandmokey.com // Watch, henry-london.com

Get inspired by these real-life couples who got hitched at stunning locations across the globe!

In this section From European hotspots to the tropical havens, these destinations are the perfect start for inspiration

37

DWHA || march / april

39 43 47 51 55

Austria Portugal Italy Greece Seychelles

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN AUSTRIA

Austrian

amour

Daria and Chris celebrated the start of their marriage in the sunny state of Burgenland in Austria Photography by Nikolay Polyakov

www.dwha.co.uk

39

If your bridesmaids are wearing the same colour, opt for different sleeve styles to add variety

n i y l Lovevender la Daria’s top tip for couples is to hire a professional wedding planner! They really help with the organisation both before and during your big day

40

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN AUSTRIA

Take advantage of having a professional photographer with you and get some creative shots. We adore this unique snap of the bride doing her make-up at a dressing table on the marina!

We decided

the wedding should take place in Burgenland, as that is where the groom is from. As we wanted something completely different from our civil wedding at the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow, we looked for a location with lots of greenery and natural settings for the reception. We wanted the venue to have a vintage vibe, but at the same time be both elegant and formal.

We searched for a venue where everything was in one place: the reception, wedding dinner, and accommodation, so that our guests could stay overnight and join us for brunch the next day. Having everything in one place not only made everything simpler, but it also reduced the costs!

Our wedding planner, Angela, and her team realised perfectly what I wanted for the venue decoration, along with the help of my mother-inlaw. I asked Angela for some extra furniture so that our photographer could take photos in different settings. Overall, our colour palette was inspired by stunning schemes that I had previously found on Instagram.

However, most importantly, I wanted to emphasise a monogram with Russian and Australian berries and flowers. I loved how the colour combination turned out in the end.

My dress was designed by Pronovias and came from a store called Brautmode Flossmann in Vienna. I found it with my mother and grandmother in Moscow, but my wedding planner was able to order it from the Vienna store. For my hair and beauty styles, I wanted a natural and beautiful look with no excess of make-up. My choice of hairstyle was reasoned by practicality. I chose the up-do to get my hair in place well into the evening. I also liked how the style opened up my face.

All the guests booked their own flights and arrived at different times. The one challenge was making sure they were all picked up!

Notebook

// Venue Seepark Weiden, seepark.at Photographer Nikolay Polyakov, nikolaypolyakov.ru Bride’s dress and accessories Brautmode Flossmann, flossmann.at/brautmode Groom’s suit and accessories Frack & Co, frack.co.at Hair and make-up Gianni Colores, makeup-schule.at Wedding Planner Angela Lindner, angela-lindner.com Cake Landtmann’s Feine Patisserie, landtmann-patisserie.at

www.dwha.co.uk

41

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN PORTUGAL

A modern

fairy-tale

Rhea and Alden, both 26, celebrated their marriage with an intimate ceremony in a truly picturesque location Photography by Anastasia Ivanichkina

www.dwha.co.uk

43

The blue and white colour scheme was chosen to match the sea views, season, and iconic Portugeuse tiles found throughout the country

Don’t be afraid to keep your bouquet, shoes or accessories bridal white. It can create a clean look that’s elegant and chic

A naturally beautiful venue doesn’t need much decorating — sometimes the simplest details are the most stunning

44

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN PORTUGAL

Rhea’s top tip

Hire a wedding planner and don’t get too caught up in the details. Pick pieces that are within your budget and trust that everything will all come together and be beautiful

We chose Portugal

for our destination wedding because of the stunning coastline, castles, and culture. We love seafood and Portugal has some of the best fresh seafood around. There is also a balance between metropolitan cities and natural allures with lots of activities and sports to do. This was important to us since we wanted to make sure there was something for each of our guests to enjoy doing during their personal time in Portugal!

We picked our venue because it was a unique place that had two beautiful outdoor settings. Also, the restaurant had romantic décor with great service and food, and offered a private area for dinner with amazing ocean views. Our venue was stunning on its own, so luckily it did not need much altering! We decided on a venue that had an ocean view and used a bamboo canopy decorated with flowers. We made an effort to keep costs down by using local vendors, flowers, and food. It was a great way to help control costs whilst also experiencing the local culture. We also kept everything very simple and had only close family there. It created an intimate relaxed atmosphere that was perfect for us!

My dress was from Anthropologie’s wedding line, BHLDN. I was looking for something that was simple, airy, and romantic. I thought the lace and tulle combination was perfect! I wanted make-up that was simple and elegant, but had definition that could be seen in our photos. I achieved that by using nude tones for make-up and accentuating my natural eyebrows and eyelashes. My hair is long so I picked a style that would let me show it off. I used braids to add texture and volume, and the style was loose to keep it soft.

Monseratte Palace provided the perfect place for a photo shoot with its award-winning gardens and landscaping

Notebook

// Venue Senhora da Guia Boutique Hotel, senhoradaguia.com Wedding Reception Monserrate Palace, parquesdesintra.pt Photographer Portugal Wedding Photographer, portugalweddingphotographer.com Bride’s Dress BHLDN, bhldn.com Bride’s Veil David’s Bridal, davidsbridal.co.uk Groom’s Suit Hugo Boss, hugoboss.com Groom’s Shoes The Alden Shop, aldenshop.com Groom’s Watch Omega, omegawatches.com Hair Dorota Santos Make-up Jordana Carraça, jordanacarraca.com Wedding Planner Wedwings, wedwings.pt

www.dwha.co.uk

45

360� ‘Fishing for Compliments’ earring, £POA, delfinadelettrez.com

IDEAS TO STEAL Natural elegance

Get inspired by the blue of the sky and the greens of the land to rock this colour palette Crystal hair pin, £45, victoriamillesime.co.uk

Friendship bracelet, £POA, linksoflondon.com

360� ‘Tesla’ ring, £POA, delfinadelettrez.com

Save the Date, £POA, paperlesspost.com

Adorn a simple cake with flowers to make it extra special

Classic roses, £35, marksandspencer.com

Valentino dress, £2,840, mytheresa.com Stripe cuff shirt, £160, paulsmith.com ‘The Kensington’ slim fit suit, £760, paulsmith.com

Bhatti brogues, £69.99, office.co.uk

Special Tip

Dress, £24, cathkidston.com

46

DWHA || november / december

Before your big day, wear your shoes on carpets around the house to break them in

Jimmy Choo lace pumps, £495, mytheresa.com

For him

Spice up a traditional suit with something blue for the groom!

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN ITALY

Once upon

a time...

Alban, 31 and Erika, 30 declared their love in an elegant ceremony at a fairy-tale castle just outside of Rome Photography by Blackandlight

www.dwha.co.uk

47

From the entrance flowers to dinner centrepieces, every flower setting was meticulously planned to have a soft, elegant and natural feel

Sometimes the little details make the biggest difference. From hand sketches to food tasting, this wedding was impeccably planned

The castle boasts a magical location away from the busy buzz of Rome and overlooking Lake Bracciano

48

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN ITALY

Erika’s top tips

Follow your dreams and remember that nothing can be exactly as you imagined.

Just ensure that the overall “story” is as you have always

dreamed. Relax, enjoy and

cherish each moment and try to not get overwhelmed by the small things

We chose this destination

because the groom’s family is from Albania, near Italy, and my mother loves Rome. We love Rome too and wanted to find a magical romantic small town on the water. The castle was our last visit and we immediately fell in love with it — it was a combination of history, elegance, beauty, nature, warm breezes and romance.

For the colour palette, we used white and cream flowers mixed with light pastel pink and peach to create a garden, summery feel throughout the castle.

The venue was decorated with a combination of soft-coloured lighting and an abundance of white flowers. Hundreds of candles were strewn throughout the castle and a variation of music genres were played to set the mood and create a sophisticated, elegant atmosphere.

I travelled to New York City in search of the perfect wedding gown visiting Bergdorf, Vera Wang and other designer stores only to find the perfect dress at Ever After in Miami, Florida. I was looking for a romantic dress, not overdone, and very fairy-tale like with lace, comfort and style. I wanted a very romantic and feminine vibe with natural makeup for the overall look.

When planning a big wedding with people from all over the world, one of the major challenges is organising accommodation in an efficient, streamlined manner. A few guests chose to stay in local hotels in Bracciano and the rest came from Rome on shuttles which we organized from different meeting points in the city. The flow and ease for guests is an essential element to organising a successful party.

The five-tier cake consisted of chantilly cream, vanilla and strawberries.

The fondant was decorated with small rose blossoms

Notebook

// Venue Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano, odescalchi.it Photographer Blackandlight, blackandlight.it Bride’s Dress Carolina Herrera, carolinaherrera. com Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com Groom’s Suit Tom Ford Tuxedo, tomford.com Groom’s Shoes Salvatore Ferragamo, ferragamo.com Bow Tie Brioni, brioni.com Cufflinks Bergdorf Goodman bergdorfgoodman.com Flowers & Decoration Ceccotti Flowers, ceccottiflowers.com Hair & Make-up Stefano Bongarzone, stefanobongarzone.it Wedding Planner Angelo Bucarelli, angelobucarelli.com Lighting & Sound Tecnoservice2000, tecnoservice2000.com Invitations InvitationsbyErin, etsy.com Ceremony Live Music Gerardo Di Lella, gerardodilella.it Legal & Documents Regency, regencysanmarino.com Cocktails and Dinner Alfonso Muzzi, alfonsomuzzi.it Service Le Bonheur, lebonheur.it Open Bars Mercury Events, mercuryevents.it Live Music Olen Cesari, olencesari.com DJ Ben DJ, bendj.it Entertainment Huma Show Entertainment, humashow.it Furniture Preludio, preludionoleggio.it; Cherubini Gup, cherubinigup.it

www.dwha.co.uk

49

Orcia resin necklace, £24, oliverbonas.com Gingerlily cushion, £75, houseoffraser.co.uk

IDEAS TO STEAL Flower ornament, £POA, lauraashley.com

Traditional beauty

Classy and elegant, this theme depicts the fairy-tale wedding that many girls dream of

Alan Hannah drop earrings, £25, jonrichard.com

Wedding invitation, £POA, papier.com Junipa plate, £18, houseoffraser.co.uk

Eichholtz Crawford candle holder, £355, houseology.com

Bottega Veneta leather clutch bag, £669.56, vestiairecollective.com

Dainty Dizzy peach blush dress, £73, childrensalon.com

Tateossian cufflinks, £175, houseoffraser.co.uk Hugo Boss tuxedo, £550, houseoffraser.co.uk

For him

Linea Grey lantern, £20, houseoffraser.co.uk

Special Tip

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, lanterns or fairy lights create a romantic ambience

50

DWHA || november / december

A stellar look is easily created with a handsome tuxedo, polished shoes and sophisticated cufflinks

Valentino dress, £2,840, farfetch.com

Diamond jewel court shoes, £120, dunelondon.com

Leather lace up shoes, £75, johnlewis.com

SASSI HOLFORD LONDON

www.sassiholford.com

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Editor-in-Chief ’s Letter Dear beautiful brides,

St. Lucia Page 116

Wedding themes

Love — there’s no better reason to celebrate! People often say “getting married is the happy ending to a love story”, but I believe it is not an ending, it’s the beginning of a new chapter.

There are only a few occasions when you step in to another stage of love and life, and this is one of them — so celebrate it with your sweetheart in your truly personalised and unforgettably unique way! In anticipation of the engagement parties, romantic dinners, beauty regimes, venue touring and dress shopping, DWHA have put together a fabulous issue of ideas to fall in-love with, including a wedding countdown checklist to assist you from start to finish.

Flick through pages and pages of exquisite dresses to enchant and inspire you.

Swoon over our all-encompassing collection, showcasing sexy-ethereal pieces from Darry Mizrachi, Costarellos’s daring silhouettes and glamorous gowns from one of my all time favourites, Galia Lahav. Dressing up wouldn’t be complete without accompanying gorgeous hair and make-up, so we are bringing you exclusive tips from the award-winning makeup artist Kristina Gasperas. Whether you’re planning a bohemian soiree, a beguiling beach wedding or a glam reception, just follow the expert advice on how to create your own stunning wedding looks.

In preparation of choosing your dream honeymoon destination, runaway with your imagination and our features to tropical treasure troves such as Jamaica, The Bahamas and Saint Lucia, or consider a heavenly hotspot in Italy or Croatia.

Would you like to be the one lucky couple to win a seven-night stay in the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa? Simply turn to page 120 and enter to be in with your chance of enjoying the ultimate honeymoon on the sensational island of Saint Lucia.

Through the stress and joy, through the tears and excitement, the DWHA team and I would like to wish you the very best on your journey ahead of unadulterated romance.

Yours truly,

Omega Love Omega Love Editor-in-Chief

Page 28

ON THE COVER

For him Page 101

I love it !!

Bridesmaids Accessories Page 84 10

DWHA || november / december

Page 82

Accessories

Page 84

Allure Bridals

allurebridals.com

Editor-in-Chief Omega Celeste Love

Victoria Millésime

We love!!

ACCESSORIES page 84

Creative & Fashion Director Ana Sousa Destinations Editor Amber Connolly Fashion and Beauty Editor Brittany Doran

Contributors KRISTINA GASPERAS

Make-up artist

Where is the most romantic place you’ve been?

Natural hot springs near Montepulciano in Tuscany.

It was so serene and the view was outstanding What is your favourite romance movie of all time?

Sunrise: The Song of Two Humans. It’s an overwhelming piece of cinema and one of the best silent movies

Editorial Assistants Sheena Adesilu Abi Jones Tia-Latesa Nicholas Viktoriya Asenova Lilova Catherine Reynolds Content Coordinator Danielle Holt Social Media Adriana Rosé

Advertising & Design Manager Cécile Chabert HOPE GAINER

Journalist

Where is the most romantic place you’ve been?

Most recently, I went to Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives. It’s a breath-taking paradise What is your favourite romance movie of all time?

I’d have to say Pretty Woman — the whole story is just like a fairy-tale come true

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD

Journalist

Where is the most romantic place you’ve been?

Paris although I may be slightly bias as my partner is Parisian. The city has an unforgettable charm What is your favourite romance movie of all time?

It has to be Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

Director of Public Relations Arnica Miakista Marketing Director Brian James Horrocks Special Projects Director Lucy Masterson Account Directors Hilda Cronje Claudia Mason-Ramdeen Sarah Dorsett Commercial Director Anthony Baines Circulation Director Kevin Maloney Chairman Parry Cockwell www.dwha.co.uk

This publication may not be re-produced or transmitted in any form or in part without written permission of the publisher. ISSN 2056-8533. Content is available for syndication please contact the publisher for more details. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is correct, neither the author nor publisher can be held responsible for inadvertent inaccuracies or omissions. DWHA is published by DWHA Limited registered office 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, NI 7GU

12

DWHA || november / december

Contents Inspired 18

22 24 27 28

Editor’s Picks The latest and greatest pieces for him and her accompanied by detox hotels for honeymoon relaxation A Grecian Dream Oozing with glamour and draped in sophistication, this styled shoot is contemporary bliss Garden of Eden Simply picturesque, this Nashville shoot set in a greenhouse is brimming with inspiration Alternative Weddings Fancy something a little different from a traditional ceremony? These ideas are for you!

Wedding Themes Get inspired by the traditions of countries from around the world — ideal for destination weddings!

Real Life Weddings 39

43 47 51 55

Austrian Amour in AUSTRIA Nature meets glamour at this utterly charming wedding in the state of Burgenland A Modern Fairy-tale in PORTUGAL An intimate ceremony that’s simply stunning, fall in love with this idyllic venue Once Upon a Time... in ITALY A magical castle just outside of Rome provided a fairy-tale setting for this couple’s big day Island Romance in GREECE This couple jetted off to Rhodes to celebrate in a location close to their hearts A Beach Elopement in the SEYCHELLES Truly romantic, this couple tied the knot on a picture-perfect beach

Fashion 64 78 82 84

Designer Bridal Collections Showcasing truly gorgeous gowns from the most desired 2018 ranges Sassi Holford An interview with the internationally renowned bridal dress designer, discussing her latest collection Bridesmaids A selection of dresses, accessories and shoes to ensure your girls are looking on point for your day Accessories No bridal outfit is complete without a fabulous pair of shoes, head piece, and of course, a gorgeous ring!

Beauty 92 96

Product Reviews Tried and tested products for radiant skin, enviable hair and flawless makeup Kristina Gasperas The award-winning make-up artist tells us her top tips and favourite products for a flawless look

Galia Lahav

For Him

Page 64 DESIGNER BRIDAL COLLECTIONS

102 The Brogue and the Beautiful Matching accessories make for a perfect look, here’s some inspiration to get you started 104 Shave Time A line-up of some of the greatest grooming products you can buy alongside product reviews 106 The Bluebeards Revenge We talk to the male grooming brand about their quality products and tips for grooms

CONTENTS

Don’t miss!!

FOR HIM

page 102

Destinations 111

Latest and greatest ACCESSORIES

page 84

Page 148 Page 111 JAMAICA

Jamaica Discover the height of unparalleled luxury to be experienced at the couples-only resort Sandals South Coast 116 Saint Lucia A honeymoon haven in a sun-soaked paradise, this Caribbean island is the perfect retreat for newlyweds 120 Competition Win the honeymoon of a lifetime to the stunning all-inclusive resort of Coconut Bay in Saint Lucia 124 The Bahamas Uncover thrilling adventures and utter relaxation across these remarkable Caribbean islands 130 Turks & Caicos Renowned for turquoise seas and soft white sands, these idyllic islands are ideal for romance 132 Saint Vincent & The Grenadines An enchanting gem in the Caribbean, the island of Mustique is brimming with beauty 136 USA Venture to the sunshine state of Florida and discover why Fort Lauderdale is a little-known honeymoon paradise 140 Iceland Dreaming of a winter wonderland wedding? This Nordic island proves that it’s the perfect place for romance 144 Portugal Discover outstanding gastronomy and witness sensational landscapes on the island of Madeira 152 Italy One of the world’s most popular wedding destinations, this country showcases its beauty through city of Bari 154 Croatia If you’re a fan of the TV show Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is home to many stunning on-set locations 159 Indonesia Uncover the magnificent diversity and facinating history across the world’s largest archipelago 164 Kenya From world-famous safari parks to picturesque beaches, this beautiful African country is truly mesmerising 173 Mini-Moons We’ve rounded up some of the world’s greatest locations for a whirlwind honeymoon adventure 178 The Best of British From country manors to city hotels, these wedding venues showcase the beauty of Britain 186 Food for Thought Searching for the best caters across the UK? Look no further, we’ve got you covered 190 Scotland Escape to the countryside and uncover the wedding of your dreams at House of Turin

Planning 194

Page 148 Page 140 ICELAND

Champneys Tring Banish pre-wedding stress and unwind at the spa with a family member or friends 196 Planned to Perfection We’ve rounded up the world’s greatest wedding plannersto ensure your day is that of your dreams 206 Confessions of a Celebrant Discover all you need to know about choosing the right celebrant for you 218 Let the Sunshine in Artist Janice Sylvia Brock, discusses her paintings, inspiration and home of Barbados 221 Know Before You Go Be prepared and check out our definitive guide for every destination bride 225 Inspiration Our swoon-worthy selection of stunning Instagram photographs, Pinterest boards and handy apps

Inspired Newly engaged? Get the ideas flowing with our hand-picked selection of all things wedding-related!

Headpiece, mervebayindir.com // Ring, ekria.com // Wedding dress journal, paperchase.co.uk // Patchouli & cedarwood candle, oliverbonas.com // Eyeshadow palette, toofaced.com // Blusher, clarins.co.uk // Petal confetti, paperchase.co.uk // Nail polishes, nailberry.co.uk

Settle down with a candle, notepad and pen and start jotting the ideas down! Make a scrapbook and start a Pinterest board

In this section 18 22 24 27 28

Editor’s Picks A Grecian Dream Garden of Eden Alternative Style Wedding Themes

Editor’s Picks

Style essentials and ones to watch

WATCH THIS SPACE

Henry London offers personalised his & hers watches, ideal for your special day. You could engrave your initials, wedding date or a meaningful inscription (£POA, henry-london.com)

Top buys

Fall in love with the bespoke stationery

by Lucy Says I Do. We adore the handdrawn pattern on these designs (£POA, lucysaysido.com)

We love!

Ring, £,1750, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk

Dany Mizrachi The Israeli designer’s 2017 fall/winter collection showcases dresses with 3D florals, shiny embroideries and weightless tulle. Each gown is uniquely designed to suit a particular bridal style — but they’re all oozing with enviable glamour 18

DWHA || november / december

Renè Caovilla pumps, £863, luisaviaroma.com

our y t s a r t n o C with black gown heels

INSPIRED

Essentials for her...

1

6 2

Be a queen

3

If a veil or a tiara isn’t a musthave, why not try a bohemian crown or headdress? (£POA, viktorianovak.com.au)

7

Baby love

a Beach brid

Children’s Salon offers a vast selection of fashionable pieces for little ones. This minature 1920’s getup is absolutely adorable! (£25, childrensalon.com)

l 4

5 1 ‘Alice’ sunglasses, £167, blackeyewear.com 2 Roksanda jumpsuit, £1,095, mytheresa.com 3 Sleep mask, £40, violetandwren.co.uk

Ladies conscient

4 Ring, £149, swarovski.com 5 La Reveche petals applique swimsuit, £184, farfetch.com 6 Bionda Castana shoes, £180 vestiairecollective.com 7 Edie Parker clutch bag, £715.16, vestiairecollective.com

Honeymoon fashion

Make sure to pack plenty of formal wear for evenings out and romantic meals on your honeymoon. If you fancy a change from a dress, experiment with a jumpsuit or playsuit

These gorgeous pumps are not only a great choice for your bridesmaids, but each sale helps the charity Women for Women (£POA, josefinas.com)

www.dwha.co.uk

19

Essentials for him...

Start your adventure in style with our round up of this season’s most striking men’s fashion pieces

3

4

2

Ceramic ideas

5 1 5

Bored of standard materials? We adore these ceramic pieces created by Cor Sine Labe Doli 6

7

8

Make a statement

1 Alexander McQueen cotton shirt, £695, harveynichols.com 2 ‘The Cubeline’ watch, £159, newgatewatches.com

Quirky grooms, embrace your style! Match jazzy accessories with monochromes to create an overall edgy look

9

3 Maison Michel Thadee hat, £751, farfetch.com

11

10

4 Tortoiseshell round glasses, £174, luisaviaroma.com

11

5 Bow-tie in grey silk and ceramic, £POA, corsinelabedoli.com 6 Ceramic pochette, £POA, corsinelabedoli.com 7 Leather jacket, £449.90, morato.it 8 Maison Margiela leather trainers, £525, harveynichols.com 9 Skultuna ‘The Hunter Collection’ cufflinks, £59, amara.com

20

DWHA || november / december

10 Louis Vuitton travel bag, £1,156.71, vestiairecollective.com 12

11 Paul Smith shoes, £185, houseoffraser.co.uk 12 Braided cuff, £125, farfetch.com

Detox honeymoons

INSPIRED 1

Ultimate relaxation

2

3

Rest & recuperate

4

After the whirlwind of wedding planning, many couples opt for a relaxing honeymoon to de-stress and enjoy time with their new spouse

1 AMANPURI, THAILAND Translated from Sanskrit as ‘place of peace’, Amanpuri is located on Phuket, where nature and culture harmoniously merge. This timeless retreat is ideal for honeymooners seeking to embrace the inner spirit of Thai culture and rejuvenate their body and mind with daily workouts and healing therapies (aman.com).

2 SANTANI WELLNESS RESORT & SPA, SRI LANKA Meaning ‘in harmony with,’ Santani is an invigorating sanctuary that offers guests the chance to become one with nature.

Beyond the plethora of healthy indulgences, Santani is an exquisite escape for those wanting to awaken to magnificent views of emerald-green forests and pristine fields (santani.lk).

5

3 BORGO EGNAZIA, ITALY

Oozing traditional village charm and exceptional luxury, this castle-like resort is unique. Boasting a championship golf course and beautiful pools, this is a slice of rural romance.

The ‘La Eganzia’ suite features a private pool and exquisite ‘secret garden’, perfect for privacy seekers (borgoegnazia.com).

4 ANANDA, INDIA

Immerse yourself in the serene setting of the Himalayas and begin your meditative journey at this award-winning resort. Pamper yourself with wellness programmes and relax with an authentic Indian massage before getting glammed up for a meal at the treetop restaurant (anandaspa.com).

6

5 COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE, BALI Give your well-being a boost on a detox retreat to this stunning estate. The cleansing treatments and traditional rituals are guaranteed to make you feel anew. Combining holistic wellness with state-of-the-art facilities, here you can enjoy a spiritual enclave in the rainforest (comohotels.com).

6 PUENTE ROMANO RESORT & SPA, SPAIN Set on the sun-soaked Andalusian coast, this resort is stunning. The sleek, award-winning spa is complete with plunge pool, heat and ice experience showers, herbal steam room and hammam. Kick start your honeymoon with the five night yogic detox programme (puenteromano.com).

www.dwha.co.uk

21

A Grecian

dream

Contemporary elegance meets natural beauty at this glamorous photoshoot in the Athens Riviera Photography by Dimitris Giouvris Photography

Grand Resort Lagonissi provided a stunning seafront paradise for the shoot

Sophisticated adornments Black vases surrounded by mosaics were the perfect base for the white roses and hypericum floral arrangements

22

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED The urban look of the stationery is contrasted with touches of gold on the couple’s name cards

Sandy’s gowns were decorated with heart-shaped motifs, applique lace elements and organza volume lace skirts

The wooden table had a unique mirror top that reflected the crystal blue Greek sky and the clouds above it

Notebook // Event Planning / Concept Design Eclectic Events Greece, eclectic.gr Photography Dimitris Giouvris Photography, dimitrisgiouvris.com

Venue Grand Resort Lagonissi. lagonissiresort.gr Video Wed Memories, wedmemories.gr Floral Decoration Harmantas Flower Creations, harmantas.gr Wedding Gowns Kathy Heyndels Haute Couture, kathyheyndels.gr Groom’s Attire Giannetos Handmade, giannetos.gr Shoes Kokos, kokosshoedesign.gr Hair & Make-up Gemini Hairartists, geminihairartists.gr Event Rentals Zazoo Event Rentals, zazoo.gr Invitations Just Invite by Art & Vision, justinvite.com.gr Event & Entertainment Production Party Mobile Services, party.net

www.dwha.co.uk

23

Garden

of Eden A styled shoot inspired by a song, this gorgeous set up in a greenhouse near Nashville, Tennessee will make you swoon Photography by Julie Paisley Photography

The greenhouse setting allowed the garden-feel to come indoors

Botanical beauty Inspiration came from the song ‘Diamonds’ by Raelynn, with the concept that love is real and you know when you find it. Raelynn even got involved with the shoot, and is the lovely model!

24

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED

Details such as the escort card display, gorgeous centrepieces and shades of pink are the perfect finishing touches

Live Painting is a great way to bring fresh entertainment to your wedding, allowing guests to witness the creative process

Notebook

// Concept & Design Heather Benge Events, heatherbenge.com Photography Julie Paisley Photography, juliepaisley.com Venue Long Hollow Gardens, longhollowgardens.com Make-up Brittany Layne, beautybybrittanylayne.com Hair Lauren Edalgo Cake Nashville Sweets, nashvillesweets.com Paper Goods Designs in Paper, designsinpaper.com Florals Colonial House of Flowers, colonialhouse.net Jewellery David Yurman, davidyurman.com Wedding Gown White Dresses Boutique, whitedressesboutique.com Shoes Bella Belle Shoes, bellabelleshoes.com Rentals Southern Events, southerneventsonline.com Live Painter The Honest Brush, thehonestbrush.com Wooden DĂŠcor Ten 23 Designs, ten23designs.com Model RaeLynn, raelynn.com www.dwha.co.uk

25

Tissue paper flower pom pom, £POA, lunabazarre.com

A Grecian

Garden

Dream Kate Spade New York stationery, £1.81, paperlesspost.com

IDEAS TO STEAL

of Eden

Simply sophisticated

Whether you opt for natural tones or monochromes, embrace the elegance with these looks inspired by the styled shoots

Johanna III save the date, £POA, paperlesspost.com Maison Bereto, candle, £437, luisaviaroma.com

Who said that black should be banished from your wedding day?

We adore these pieces contrasted against bridal whites

A by Amara mirror, £200, amara.com

Little Mistress crochet dress, £45, littleblackdress.co.uk

YSL patent leather pumps, £770, luisaviaroma.com

Roger Vivier clutch, £1250, mytheresa.com

rosalindmillercakes.com

Stella McCartney lace dress, £925, mytheresa.com

Wedding guest book, £POA, 4lovepolkadots.com Clutch bag, £ 1,453.72, oscardelarenta.com Jimmy Choo suede pumps, £425, luisaviaroma.com A by Amara candle holder, £50, amara.com Autograph flowers, £50, marksandspencer.com

26

DWHA || november / december

Oscar de la Renta, crystal choker, £379, nuji.com

Pyramid stud cuff bracelet, £POA, alexisbittar.com

‘Dakota’ shoes, £200, harrietwilde.com

Celestial beauty

Add a touch of ethereality to your bridal attire with these extravagantly elegant creations

‘Amore’ silver bag, £150, charlottemills.com

Alternative Style

Michael Cinco

Blue ring, £99, swarovski.com Faceted cocktail ring, £POA, alexisbittar.com

Eternity ring ‘black diamond’, £775, thomassabo.com Double ring, £159, swarovski.com

Elizabeth Fillmore

Contrasting monochrome and edgy, bold fabrics are sure to set you apart from the crowd

Back to black

Channel grace and poise; rebellious and edgy with stormy tulle and grungy leather

Biker jacket, £2,595, christopherkane.com

‘Vera’ shoes, £713, giuseppezanottidesign.com Jean-Michel Basquiat eyeshadow palette, £35, urbandecay.co.uk

Isabel Sanchis

‘Natalia’ feather cape, £120, johnlewis.com

Dainty Dizzy ‘Storm’ tulle dress, £88, childrensalon.com

www.dwha.co.uk

27

3

Alexandra Grecco

1

Something blue

Incorporate the traditional colour into your jewellery to match the backdrop — and for good luck!

4

2

5

12

Fiji

6

7 8

Sun, sea and sand awaits! Bohemian beachwear and plenty of blue accessories make this look 10 11

13

9

Beach spirit

Summer essentials for your honeymoon. Grab a bikini, sunnies and sandals, and you’re ready to go!

1 Delfina Delettrez ring, £POA, delfinadelettrez.com 2 Kayu Jane woven wicker shoulder bag, £162, mytheresa.com 3 20 Wedding invitations, £103, 4lovepolkadots.com 4 Otta woven bamboo lantern, £13.50, notonthehighstreet.com 5 Diamond pave star ring, £POA, linksoflondon.com 6 Wedding guest book, £43, 4lovepolkadots.com 7 Hugo Boss beach towel, £69, amara.com 8 Bracelet, £POA, thomassabo.com 9 ‘Michela’ sandals, £525, giuseppezanottidesign.com 10 ‘Moonlight’ bikini, £POA, azurbikini.com 11 Sunglasses, £187, blackeyewear.com 12 Bower Swimwear ‘Bianca’ wrap dress, £252, mytheresa.com 13 Kayu clutch bag, £108, mytheresa.com

28

DWHA || november / december

3 1

INSPIRED

YolanCris

2

4

5

6

7

Japan

8

9

Embrace a sense of Japanese zen with cherry blossom inspired florals and the lucky colour of red 10 12 13

Honeymoon fashion 11

From the buzz of Tokyo to the beauty of Kyoto, accessorise in style wherever you go

1 Wedding invitations, £POA, lucysaysido.com 2 Ceramic porcelain vase, £55, notonthehighstreet.com 3 Optical elegance earrings, £189, jewlr.co.uk 4 Christian Sirano kimono wrap dress, £2,798, farfetch.com 5 Rose hairpin, £45, victoriamillesime.co.uk 6 Moulin Rouge hand-fan feathers, £41, eventail-duvelleroy.fr 7 Clutch bag, £32, uk.accessorize.com 8 Tealight holder, £10, houseoffraser.co.uk 9 Linear leaf scarf, £28, oliverbonas.com 10 Squiggle sketch top, £59.50, oliverbonas.com 11 Shoe, £425, emmylondon.com 12 Necklace, £POA, alexandrineni.com 13 Floral bag, £32, uk.accessorize.com

www.dwha.co.uk

29

2

1

3

4 6

Isabel Sanchis

5

Portugal

7

8

10

9

Perfect for a fairy-tale wedding to start your happily ever after

11

14

Pretty prints

Include the iconic mosaic patterns into your colour palette for a vibrant ensemble

12 13

1 Roberto Cavalli dessert plate, £77, amara.com 2 Earrings, £POA, jonrichard.com 3 Wedding invitations, £POA, lucysaysido.com 4 ‘Blue Marie Antoinette’ cupcake, £POA, rosalindmillercakes.com 5 Shoes, £595, emmylondon.com 6 ‘Sorcha’ jacket, £169, hobbs.co.uk 7 Bottega Veneta snakeskin clutch, £1,225, mytheresa.com 8 Cake, £POA, elizabethscakeemporium.com 9 Save the dates, £POA, lucysaysido.com 10 Hair slide, £28, jonrichard.com 11 Gucci headband, £215, mytheresa.com 12 Valentino ‘Garavani’ leather sandals, £535, mytheresa.com 13 Dried hydrangea, £16, notonthehighstreet.com 14 Fendi halter dress, £730, mytheresa.com

30

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED

2 Justin Alexander

3 1 4

5

6

7

Finland 13 8

A winter wonderland wedding calls for shades of silver, icy blues and plenty of faux fur!

9

12 11

14 10

Look the part

Ski the slopes, see the Northern Lights or simply look fashionable in your chalet with these best buys

15

1 Ermine bridal chain bag, £70, helenmoore.com 2 Wedding invitations, £POA, lucysaysido.com 3 Chalcedony necklace, £ 1,037.60, Bella Rose Jewelry at etsy.com 4 Venetian glass mirror, £180, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 5 Shoes, £80, dunelondon.com 6 Shoulder wrap, £115, helenmoore.com 7 Maison Michel fur felt hat, £560, luisaviaroma.com 8 Mohair jumper, £69.50, oliverbonas.com 9 Ring, £2,780, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk 10 ‘Imogen’ backpack, £110, oliverbonas.com 11 Ankle boots, £860, luisaviaroma.com 12 Crossbody bag, £39.50, oliverbonas.com 13 ‘Dolly the Stool’, £220, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 14 Glitter stag, £6, paperchase.co.uk 15 Boho fringe cushion, £34, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

31

Grace Loves Lace

3

4

1 2

5

Peru

6

7

Get inspired by a tropical rainbow palette showcasing the colours of South America 8

10 9

11

Intricate details

Peruvian fabrics bring bundles of vibrancy and flair to any outfit or décor

1 Pom pom wreath, £15, paperchase.co.uk 2 Trinket dish, £10, oliverbonas.com 3 Save the dates, £POA, lucysaysido.com 4 Ruffle gown, £695, theiacouture.com 5 ‘Nova’ sandals, £69, uk.monsoon.co.uk 6 ‘Ciara’ embroidered maxi dress, £59, uk.accessorize.com 7 Tropical fruit statement necklace, £25, uk.accessorize.com 8 ‘Chevron’ woven sandals, £29, uk.accessorize.com 9 Footstool, £96, CURREYBAZAAR at etsy.com 10 Home decoration, £POA, Elhummingbird at etsy.com 11 Crystal and suede bracelet, £54, adorejewelry.com

32

DWHA || november / december

INSPIRED

Elizabeth Fillmore

1 6

2

3

5 7

4

Kenya 8

9

10

Suede, khaki and dusky tones are the key to recreating the vibe of safari spirit 11

15 16

13 14

Romantic wanderer 12

17

Kick off an African adventure with all the style essentials

1 Julia Knight leaf serving platter, £50, amara.com 2 ‘Faraha’ statement choker, £85, oliverbonas.com 3 Ring, £1,675, london-victorian-ring.com 4 Orla Kiely earrings, £55, amara.com 5 Heels, £198, shoplucychoilondon.com 6 Personalised map wedding guest book, £45, notonthehighstreet.com 7 Dress, £POA, amur.com 8 Melissa Odabash hat, £140, mytheresa.com 9 ‘Ruhel’ ribbon necklace, £32, oliverbonas.com 10 Butterfly wax seal stamp, £14.95, Sophia Victoria Joy at notonthhighstreet.com 11 Wood effect cake, £POA, elizabethscakeemporium.com 12 Gold elephant decorations, £POA, The Blue Door at etsy.com 13 Sunglasses, £177, blackeyewear.com 14 Double cacoon, £269, amara.com 15 ‘Blaze’ sand dress coat, £79.50, oliverbonas.com 16 ‘Nora’ bag, £69.50, oliverbonas.com 17 Spectrum collection ring, £5,206, nikoskoulis.com

www.dwha.co.uk

33

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Real Weddings Headpieces, mervebayindir.com // Thank you card, paperchase.co.uk // Favours bag, paperchase.co.uk // Lipstick, clarins.co.uk // Better than Sex mascara, toofaced.com // Clutch bag, dunelondon.com // Frame, paperchase.co.uk // Foundation, clarins.co.uk // Hairbrush, rockandruddle.co.uk Charm, lolarose.co.uk // Leaf print tie, nooseandmokey.com // Watch, henry-london.com

Get inspired by these real-life couples who got hitched at stunning locations across the globe!

In this section From European hotspots to the tropical havens, these destinations are the perfect start for inspiration

37

DWHA || march / april

39 43 47 51 55

Austria Portugal Italy Greece Seychelles

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN AUSTRIA

Austrian

amour

Daria and Chris celebrated the start of their marriage in the sunny state of Burgenland in Austria Photography by Nikolay Polyakov

www.dwha.co.uk

39

If your bridesmaids are wearing the same colour, opt for different sleeve styles to add variety

n i y l Lovevender la Daria’s top tip for couples is to hire a professional wedding planner! They really help with the organisation both before and during your big day

40

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN AUSTRIA

Take advantage of having a professional photographer with you and get some creative shots. We adore this unique snap of the bride doing her make-up at a dressing table on the marina!

We decided

the wedding should take place in Burgenland, as that is where the groom is from. As we wanted something completely different from our civil wedding at the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow, we looked for a location with lots of greenery and natural settings for the reception. We wanted the venue to have a vintage vibe, but at the same time be both elegant and formal.

We searched for a venue where everything was in one place: the reception, wedding dinner, and accommodation, so that our guests could stay overnight and join us for brunch the next day. Having everything in one place not only made everything simpler, but it also reduced the costs!

Our wedding planner, Angela, and her team realised perfectly what I wanted for the venue decoration, along with the help of my mother-inlaw. I asked Angela for some extra furniture so that our photographer could take photos in different settings. Overall, our colour palette was inspired by stunning schemes that I had previously found on Instagram.

However, most importantly, I wanted to emphasise a monogram with Russian and Australian berries and flowers. I loved how the colour combination turned out in the end.

My dress was designed by Pronovias and came from a store called Brautmode Flossmann in Vienna. I found it with my mother and grandmother in Moscow, but my wedding planner was able to order it from the Vienna store. For my hair and beauty styles, I wanted a natural and beautiful look with no excess of make-up. My choice of hairstyle was reasoned by practicality. I chose the up-do to get my hair in place well into the evening. I also liked how the style opened up my face.

All the guests booked their own flights and arrived at different times. The one challenge was making sure they were all picked up!

Notebook

// Venue Seepark Weiden, seepark.at Photographer Nikolay Polyakov, nikolaypolyakov.ru Bride’s dress and accessories Brautmode Flossmann, flossmann.at/brautmode Groom’s suit and accessories Frack & Co, frack.co.at Hair and make-up Gianni Colores, makeup-schule.at Wedding Planner Angela Lindner, angela-lindner.com Cake Landtmann’s Feine Patisserie, landtmann-patisserie.at

www.dwha.co.uk

41

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN PORTUGAL

A modern

fairy-tale

Rhea and Alden, both 26, celebrated their marriage with an intimate ceremony in a truly picturesque location Photography by Anastasia Ivanichkina

www.dwha.co.uk

43

The blue and white colour scheme was chosen to match the sea views, season, and iconic Portugeuse tiles found throughout the country

Don’t be afraid to keep your bouquet, shoes or accessories bridal white. It can create a clean look that’s elegant and chic

A naturally beautiful venue doesn’t need much decorating — sometimes the simplest details are the most stunning

44

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN PORTUGAL

Rhea’s top tip

Hire a wedding planner and don’t get too caught up in the details. Pick pieces that are within your budget and trust that everything will all come together and be beautiful

We chose Portugal

for our destination wedding because of the stunning coastline, castles, and culture. We love seafood and Portugal has some of the best fresh seafood around. There is also a balance between metropolitan cities and natural allures with lots of activities and sports to do. This was important to us since we wanted to make sure there was something for each of our guests to enjoy doing during their personal time in Portugal!

We picked our venue because it was a unique place that had two beautiful outdoor settings. Also, the restaurant had romantic décor with great service and food, and offered a private area for dinner with amazing ocean views. Our venue was stunning on its own, so luckily it did not need much altering! We decided on a venue that had an ocean view and used a bamboo canopy decorated with flowers. We made an effort to keep costs down by using local vendors, flowers, and food. It was a great way to help control costs whilst also experiencing the local culture. We also kept everything very simple and had only close family there. It created an intimate relaxed atmosphere that was perfect for us!

My dress was from Anthropologie’s wedding line, BHLDN. I was looking for something that was simple, airy, and romantic. I thought the lace and tulle combination was perfect! I wanted make-up that was simple and elegant, but had definition that could be seen in our photos. I achieved that by using nude tones for make-up and accentuating my natural eyebrows and eyelashes. My hair is long so I picked a style that would let me show it off. I used braids to add texture and volume, and the style was loose to keep it soft.

Monseratte Palace provided the perfect place for a photo shoot with its award-winning gardens and landscaping

Notebook

// Venue Senhora da Guia Boutique Hotel, senhoradaguia.com Wedding Reception Monserrate Palace, parquesdesintra.pt Photographer Portugal Wedding Photographer, portugalweddingphotographer.com Bride’s Dress BHLDN, bhldn.com Bride’s Veil David’s Bridal, davidsbridal.co.uk Groom’s Suit Hugo Boss, hugoboss.com Groom’s Shoes The Alden Shop, aldenshop.com Groom’s Watch Omega, omegawatches.com Hair Dorota Santos Make-up Jordana Carraça, jordanacarraca.com Wedding Planner Wedwings, wedwings.pt

www.dwha.co.uk

45

360� ‘Fishing for Compliments’ earring, £POA, delfinadelettrez.com

IDEAS TO STEAL Natural elegance

Get inspired by the blue of the sky and the greens of the land to rock this colour palette Crystal hair pin, £45, victoriamillesime.co.uk

Friendship bracelet, £POA, linksoflondon.com

360� ‘Tesla’ ring, £POA, delfinadelettrez.com

Save the Date, £POA, paperlesspost.com

Adorn a simple cake with flowers to make it extra special

Classic roses, £35, marksandspencer.com

Valentino dress, £2,840, mytheresa.com Stripe cuff shirt, £160, paulsmith.com ‘The Kensington’ slim fit suit, £760, paulsmith.com

Bhatti brogues, £69.99, office.co.uk

Special Tip

Dress, £24, cathkidston.com

46

DWHA || november / december

Before your big day, wear your shoes on carpets around the house to break them in

Jimmy Choo lace pumps, £495, mytheresa.com

For him

Spice up a traditional suit with something blue for the groom!

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN ITALY

Once upon

a time...

Alban, 31 and Erika, 30 declared their love in an elegant ceremony at a fairy-tale castle just outside of Rome Photography by Blackandlight

www.dwha.co.uk

47

From the entrance flowers to dinner centrepieces, every flower setting was meticulously planned to have a soft, elegant and natural feel

Sometimes the little details make the biggest difference. From hand sketches to food tasting, this wedding was impeccably planned

The castle boasts a magical location away from the busy buzz of Rome and overlooking Lake Bracciano

48

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN ITALY

Erika’s top tips

Follow your dreams and remember that nothing can be exactly as you imagined.

Just ensure that the overall “story” is as you have always

dreamed. Relax, enjoy and

cherish each moment and try to not get overwhelmed by the small things

We chose this destination

because the groom’s family is from Albania, near Italy, and my mother loves Rome. We love Rome too and wanted to find a magical romantic small town on the water. The castle was our last visit and we immediately fell in love with it — it was a combination of history, elegance, beauty, nature, warm breezes and romance.

For the colour palette, we used white and cream flowers mixed with light pastel pink and peach to create a garden, summery feel throughout the castle.

The venue was decorated with a combination of soft-coloured lighting and an abundance of white flowers. Hundreds of candles were strewn throughout the castle and a variation of music genres were played to set the mood and create a sophisticated, elegant atmosphere.

I travelled to New York City in search of the perfect wedding gown visiting Bergdorf, Vera Wang and other designer stores only to find the perfect dress at Ever After in Miami, Florida. I was looking for a romantic dress, not overdone, and very fairy-tale like with lace, comfort and style. I wanted a very romantic and feminine vibe with natural makeup for the overall look.

When planning a big wedding with people from all over the world, one of the major challenges is organising accommodation in an efficient, streamlined manner. A few guests chose to stay in local hotels in Bracciano and the rest came from Rome on shuttles which we organized from different meeting points in the city. The flow and ease for guests is an essential element to organising a successful party.

The five-tier cake consisted of chantilly cream, vanilla and strawberries.

The fondant was decorated with small rose blossoms

Notebook

// Venue Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano, odescalchi.it Photographer Blackandlight, blackandlight.it Bride’s Dress Carolina Herrera, carolinaherrera. com Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com Groom’s Suit Tom Ford Tuxedo, tomford.com Groom’s Shoes Salvatore Ferragamo, ferragamo.com Bow Tie Brioni, brioni.com Cufflinks Bergdorf Goodman bergdorfgoodman.com Flowers & Decoration Ceccotti Flowers, ceccottiflowers.com Hair & Make-up Stefano Bongarzone, stefanobongarzone.it Wedding Planner Angelo Bucarelli, angelobucarelli.com Lighting & Sound Tecnoservice2000, tecnoservice2000.com Invitations InvitationsbyErin, etsy.com Ceremony Live Music Gerardo Di Lella, gerardodilella.it Legal & Documents Regency, regencysanmarino.com Cocktails and Dinner Alfonso Muzzi, alfonsomuzzi.it Service Le Bonheur, lebonheur.it Open Bars Mercury Events, mercuryevents.it Live Music Olen Cesari, olencesari.com DJ Ben DJ, bendj.it Entertainment Huma Show Entertainment, humashow.it Furniture Preludio, preludionoleggio.it; Cherubini Gup, cherubinigup.it

www.dwha.co.uk

49

Orcia resin necklace, £24, oliverbonas.com Gingerlily cushion, £75, houseoffraser.co.uk

IDEAS TO STEAL Flower ornament, £POA, lauraashley.com

Traditional beauty

Classy and elegant, this theme depicts the fairy-tale wedding that many girls dream of

Alan Hannah drop earrings, £25, jonrichard.com

Wedding invitation, £POA, papier.com Junipa plate, £18, houseoffraser.co.uk

Eichholtz Crawford candle holder, £355, houseology.com

Bottega Veneta leather clutch bag, £669.56, vestiairecollective.com

Dainty Dizzy peach blush dress, £73, childrensalon.com

Tateossian cufflinks, £175, houseoffraser.co.uk Hugo Boss tuxedo, £550, houseoffraser.co.uk

For him

Linea Grey lantern, £20, houseoffraser.co.uk

Special Tip

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, lanterns or fairy lights create a romantic ambience

50

DWHA || november / december

A stellar look is easily created with a handsome tuxedo, polished shoes and sophisticated cufflinks

Valentino dress, £2,840, farfetch.com

Diamond jewel court shoes, £120, dunelondon.com

Leather lace up shoes, £75, johnlewis.com

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN GREECE

Island

romance

Sammy, 27 and Darren, 28 had a simply stunning wedding in Rhodes, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea Photography by Gina Manning

www.dwha.co.uk

51

Sammy advises that the most important part of your day is to remember to enjoy it!

The beautiful plant of bougainvillea inspired the bridesmaids’ dresses and colour scheme

This stylish Greek venue has access to the main beach of Pefkos and uninterrupted sea and sunset views — so romantic!

52

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN GREECE

Sammy’s top tips

Plan in advance, get a wedding planner, and try to avoid package weddings to make it more personal. Also, take a trip to the venue before your big day

We first went to Pefkos, Rhodes

as a couple in 2013, and spent many evenings at Philosophia. With the amazing views overlooking the sea, mountains and perfect sunsets, there was nowhere else we could imagine spending our special day. We wanted our ceremony and reception to be in the same place, so our guests would not have to travel in the Grecian sun. Philosophia was the perfect destination for this, with an open restaurant, perfect views of the sea and classic contemporary Grecian style, it was like a scene out of Mamma Mia! Philosophia needed no decoration — it is a natural beauty. We simply added a few flowers and ribbons from the colour scheme to match the setting perfectly.

I wore a Benjamin Roberts dress, in keeping with the Grecian style. As I was conscious of the heat, I felt this dress was the ideal material for the temperature, whilst also complementing the setting perfectly. Additionally due to the heat, I wanted my hair and make-up to look natural.

We all stayed at the Ioannidis Hotels, which consists of a trio of hotels to suit all budgets. The staff were on hand to organise a golf buggy to the venue and breakfast in bed the next day! We always wanted a small affair and heard doing it abroad would be cheaper, but we didn’t consciously make any changes because of price. However, we definitely came home with euros to spare!

The organisation for any wedding is difficult, but our amazing wedding planner was on hand to deal with all concerns, and the owners of Philosophia would answer emails within the hour. We were also so lucky to have such a supportive family and a lot of talented friends and family!

Set the mood with stunning fairy lights strung from the ceiling

Notebook

// Venue Philosophia, philosophiarestaurant.com Photographer Gina Manning, ginamanning.co.uk Bride’s Dress Benjamin Roberts, benjaminroberts.co.uk Bridesmaids’ Dresses Mango, mango.com Groom’s Suit and Accessories ASOS, asos.com Flowers Elizabeths the Florists, elizabeths.co.uk Wedding Planner Lindos Weddings, lindosweddings.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

53

IDEAS TO STEAL

Sunglasses, £138, luisaviaroma.com

Deep romance

Scarlet and sapphire look exceedingly sophisticated against white accessories

Wedding paper coaster, £1.20, zazzle.co.uk

‘The Kensington’ slim fit suit, £760, paulsmith.com

Bridal hair vine, £255, notonthehighstreet.com

DSquared2 leather belt, £105, luisaviaroma.com Orchid and rose collection, £175, marksandspencer.com

‘Bella’ dress, £245, ghost.co.uk

Place cards, £6, notonthehighstreet.com

Bionda Castana leather heels, £180, vestiairecollective.com

For him Create your look with contrasting colours, such as this blue and brown combination

Special Tip

If you have an unnamed plus one, perhaps write on their place card “Guest of [insert name]”

54

‘Bertin’ brogues, £295, paulsmith.com DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN THE SEYCHELLES

A beach

elopement

Mira, 32 and Stefan, 38 had an intimate ceremony on the sands of La Digue — a beautiful island in the Seychelles Photography by Monique De Caro

www.dwha.co.uk

55

This stunning resort is nestled in an idyllic tropical garden and possesses an ambience of peace and serenity — perfect for honeymooners!

The colour scheme was designed to look natural and like summer, perfected by the frangipani flowers

Mira’s top tip It is better to leave the planning to an expert.

We had a lot of luck with Weddingmoon Travel as everything was done with a lot of heart. Also, have the wedding in the evening as the beach is much quieter and the light is beautiful. But most importantly, enjoy!

56

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN THE SEYCHELLES

It was always our dream

to get married on the beach and Anse Source d’Argent is so picturesque. It’s also very easy to get married in the Seychelles as you just need your passport and birth certificate. Being German, the beach ceremony is also legally accepted for us. It was decorated by Danny Jeanne, who decorates nearly all the weddings on the islands. Working together with Mason’s Travel, they took care of all the documents. We chose La Digue in the Seychelles as our wedding destination because it is a small and beautiful island where only a few cars drive. You feel like you’ve been transported to another world. To get married on the beach, we were driven by an ox-cart — it was super romantic!

We stayed at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, where you can live in beautiful tree houses in the rocks. It was so perfect for our wedding and honeymoon. Each member of staff congratulated us on the wedding day and made our stay really special. The Seychelles are a slightly more expensive destination, but our hotel gave us a special offer. As a honeymoon couple we got a fruit basket, champagne, romantic dinner, and I had a manicure and pedicure.

When searching for a gown, I was concerned about getting too hot in a full dress on the beach. However, in the end I was happy to have chosen the one I did.

The full dress suited me better and I felt great. For my hair, an up-do was better in the tropical weather. I also needed a lot of hairspray! My make-up look was natural. One of my challenges was that I didn’t have the chance for a hair and make-up trial, so I had to trust that all would be okay in the end.

With no guests, Mira and Stefan were able to enjoy the day completely to themselves

Notebook

// Venue Anse Source d’Argent Reception Venue Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, orangeraie.sc Photographer Monique De Caro, beautiful-weddings.de Flowers/Hair/Make-up/Cake Mason’s Travel, masonstravel.com Wedding Planner Weddingmoon Travel, weddingmoon-travel.com

www.dwha.co.uk

57

Marinette Saint-Tropez cosmetics bag, £25, amara.com

IDEAS TO STEAL Beach babe

Embrace flowing dresses and bright accessories. Grab your flip flops and head to the shore!

Baguette bar necklace, £POA, adorejewelry.com

Lattice disc earrings, £399.26, oscardelarenta.com Vera Wang rose and lily arrangement, £POA, interflora.co.uk

Gold bracelet, £1,700, linksoflondon.com

‘Lola’ satchel, £85, oliverbonas.com

Stemless wine glass, £POA, lunabazaar.com

Sample the local wines or serve a speciality cocktail!

Cotton chinos, £170, harveynichols.com Bionda Castana flats, £150, vestiairecollective.com

Light up hydrangea cake stand door wreath, £57.50, notonthehighstreet.com

‘Just Married’ flip flops, £10.99, confetti.co.uk

Maxi dress, £75, lipsy.co.uk

Special tip

Walk down the beach as husband and wife with these ‘Just Married’ flip flops for a perfect photo opportunity

58

DWHA || november / december

Vivienne Westwood leather sandals, £100, vestiairecollective.com

For him

Keeping it casual is the key to this look. Pair loose chinos with comfortable footwear

A Honeymooner’s

Heaven THE SEYCHELLES

The epitome of a tropical paradise, the Seychelles islands capture a beauty greater than any bride could dream of Vibrant adventures

In the heart of the Indian Ocean, the bijou archipelago of Seychelles is home to 115 islands. When you think of the Seychelles, you picture electric lapis water, verdant jungle, the sun reflecting off white sand, and fiery orange sunsets.

The Seychelles’ largest and main island is Mahé, home to majestic mountains, scores of postcard-perfect beaches, and the rare Jellyfish Tree. In Victoria, Mahé’s capital, visit the clock tower, soaring in its shining silver splendour.

Additionally, no trip here would be complete without meandering through its famous market, where you’ll be tantalised by colourful fruits, exotic seafood, and the scents of spices. Go hand-in-hand to view Victoria’s elegant opalwhite colonnaded cathedral. It was built in 1851 and was one of the first churches in the Seychelles.

Did you know?

The Seychelles’ native coco de mer is the largest seed in the world!

60

Natural beauty

Retreat from the bustle of the city by taking a hike up the Copolia Trail. Traipse through a forest of cinnamon and rubber trees and emerge onto glacis rock to find a breathtaking vista of the Seychelles’ horizon, where azure skies meet turquoise waters. The Morne Blanc walking trail will take you on a tour of tea plantations, where you can observe traditional tea-drying. See if you can spot one of the world’s smallest frogs hidden amongst the ferns as you climb to the top, where you can see Port Launay Marine Park. The National Park shouldn’t be missed either: enter through a horseshoe-shaped beach, surrounded by dense jungle-clad mountains. With reefs lining both sides of the bay, equip your snorkel and dive beneath crystal clear waters. It is also the best place to spot gentle whale sharks, which are most prominent from August to November.

DWHA || november / december

Where to stay Kempinski Seychelles Resort Situated in a secluded bay, directly on the beach, Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare is breath-taking.

After getting sand between your toes, head to the infinity pool or pop to the spa for a treatment to help you unwind. To relax in the evenings, head to Planters Bar for cocktails and live entertainment while you overlook peregrine tropical plants (kempinski.com/seychelles).

Fashion Headpiece, mervebayindir.com // Shoes, dunelondon.com // Necklace, mirabellejewellery.co.uk // Blusher, clarins.co.uk // Highlighter, toofaced.com // Foundation, bobbibrown.co.uk // Lipstick, yslbeauty.co.uk // Clutch bag, dunelondon.com // Ring, mirabellejewellery.co.uk

From the latest and greatest trends to classic bridalwear, explore the styles that work for you

In this section In ancient times, guests would tear off part of the bride’s gown as a token of good luck, leading to the tradition of throwing the bouquet

64 78 82 84

Designer Bridal Sassi Holford Bridesmaids Accessories

Designer

Bridal collections

2018

Showcasing a stunning selection of the latest and greatest bridal dress designers currently on the wedding scene

64

DWHA || july / august

FASHION

Ethereal princess These dashing designers showcase vintage glamour with the vibrations of a new era

Alexandra Grecco first hit the fashion scene in 2010 with her ready to wear collection. A few years later when searching for her own wedding dress, she decided to create a bridal line of her own. Launching in 2014, the line features whimsical dresses for the less traditional bride. Alexandra finds inspiration in the designs of eras past and cinematic landscapes — both real and imagined. From this, dresses are created that while rooted in nostalgia, still achieve a sense of timelessness.

www.dwha.co.uk

65

Utmost glamour Epitomising Berta’s bold designs combined with vintage materials and retro style

Berta Bridal is an Israeli-based fashion house specialising in luxury bridal fashion and eveningwear. The sole designer of the brand is Berta Balilti, a Shenkar College of Design graduate.

Her dresses have avant-garde styles that test the barriers and boundaries of the fashion world. Showcasing glamorous

silhouettes

and

fitted

designs, Berta’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection is set to impress.

Whimsical nymph Truly high-end craftsmanship and applique flower lace details create this bohemian vibe

Costarellos

Bridal

Spring

2018

collection fuses classy with edgy and sexy with pretty to establish a fresh, modern look. The designs are inspired

by Greek spring landscape, portraying tradition and history through intricate lace patterns, floral lace appliques and column silhouettes. However, the most important influence is from the stylish girl that attends music festivals, from Woodstock to Coachella.

FASHION

www.dwha.co.uk

69

Elegant seduction These one-of-a-kind gowns feature an array of exquisitely unique details for flawless designs

Dany Mizrachi’s latest collection consists of a mix of glamorous and romantic looks featuring ethereal accents and appliques in floral motifs. The dresses feature Dany’s signature asymmetrical cuts, three-dimensional designs, and the finest raw materials. These opulent embroidered embellishments and dramatic silhouettes are ideal for brides searching for a sexy-chic gown.

Queen bee

Embrace these extravagant dresses with illusion backs, cascading tulle and Italian ivory lace

Galia

Lahav’s

‘Victorian

Affinity’

collection is inspired by the era of innovation and optimism; dedicated to the designer, Jeanne Margaine Lacroix who changed society’s perception of femininity. Featuring detachable capes and sleeves, delicate laces and careful attention to detail, each dress puts emphasis on volume, creating chimeric

silhouettes

and

endless

trains. Fall in love with the colours of porcelain ivory, dusted silver, washed pinks, smoky blush and cream.

Modern flair From voluminous ballgowns to striking column dresses, this collection has it all

Viktor&Rolf

creates

luxury

bridal

gowns with a fashion edge. Continuing the evolution of their bridal wear, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren create each dress to present an individual character with her own silhouette. Continuing to push the boundaries of modern bridal fashion, the collection features iconic enlarged flowers, bows, bold lines and shapes

Vision in white These light and whimsical dresses create an enchanting look using the finest fabrics

Mira Zwillinger’s 2018 collection ‘Over the Rainbow’ takes inspiration from the optimism of The Wizard of Oz. Using numerous floral appliques, cloud motif embroidering and fluttering feathers, the dresses capture a heavenly vibe.

The mother and daughter team behind the fashion house, uniquely bring to life a detailed process including handmade embroidery, beading and ornamentation. Believe that whatever gown you dream of, dreams of your perfect dress really do come true.

76

DWHA || july / august

FASHION

Sassi Holford

Celebrating her 35th year in bridal, leading designer Sassi Holford, launches her Twenty18 collection, supporting British provenance and redefining classic elegance

I STARTED DESIGNING wedding dresses 37 years ago, when I made a dress for a friend who could neither afford nor find one. I just offered to make it for her and the business has grown organically since then.

I never really planned to become a wedding dress designer, it was just something that I fell into. I love everything about my job. Meeting the clients is fabulous; I love the pattern cutting; I love finding the fabrics. People often say, “You have an amazing job” and I can only reply with, “Yes, I do”. There are elements that aren’t my strengths — finance bores me, and when it comes to planning an advert campaign, I’d rather someone else do it.

What I enjoy most is everything to do with the dress, that’s where my passion lies. For everything to do with the business side of it, I have people doing it for me. Personally I don’t do a lot of social media, the company does it and I involve myself in it, but really it’s the dresses that interest me.

I THINK THAT LIFE IS INSPIRATIONAL when it comes to designing. It sounds a bit cheesy, but it’s true. If you just open your eyes, there are lots of things to encourage you creatively.

But of course, I am spoilt for choice with amazing fabrics from Italy and Paris, so fabric and fashion can also influence me.

However, overall there is nothing more

78

DWHA || november / december

inspiring than meeting a client who wants something very exciting and different. It is amazing to work with someone who is happy to go on a journey with you. I absolutely adored Alexander McQueen’s work when he was alive, and he has influenced me massively. I was really saddened by his passing because he was a genius. He was extraordinarily creative and so out there. His work was art and fashion colliding and it was absolutely beautiful.

FOR BRIDAL, WE DESIGNED AUTUMN PHILLIPS’ dress for her wedding to the Queen’s first grandson. That was big as I went to Windsor Castle and met the Queen.

We’ve also dressed Darcy Bussell, Sharon Osborne, Sophie Skelton, and lots of TV presenters. Overall, I seem to attract really chilled celebrities. With Alex Jones from the One Show, we had such a laugh. I tend to work with celebrities that are lovely people rather than the high-end divas, whoever they may be!

Generally, they are treated the same as every other client, although the only difference would be if they’re really well known, they often come into the shop out of hours to keep it out of the press.

THE RECEPTION FOR THE TWENTY18 collection has been great. For one of the capsule collections, I worked with the last English lace makers in the country and

FASHION

Did you know?

Sassi’s designs have

been worn by Autumn Phillips, Helen Mirren, and Darcy Bussell

I never really “ planned to become

a wedding dress designer, it was just something that I fell into ”

ended up putting this traditional English lace into quite modern, glamorous styles. They were received really well and as they’re cool, breezy, breathable and soft — perfect for a destination wedding. When deciding my favourite gowns from the collection, I could change my mind every five minutes. If you were to say to me, “which is your favourite traditional dress?” I would say a specific one. If you were to say, “which is your favourite dress for a destination?” it would be the same situation. Picking an overall favourite is like trying to pick your favourite child. It is almost like there are three collections put into one, including the Sassi Holford signature pieces, and the capsule collection with the lace that is more bohemian. I have a short attention span so I always like to do a capsule collection. As soon as I saw that fabric I knew I wanted to work with it.

Then there are the really new pieces, like a jumpsuit and slim fit gowns that would work well for a city bride.

Afterwards, I’ll bounce into full on ball gowns. Overall, it depends on your destination.

MY TOP TIP FOR BRIDES currently searching for a dress is to not get overwhelmed by what you see on the internet.

Unfortunately the internet will give you one thousand images of which there is no education. You can’t tell

which ones have been completely airbrushed, which ones are real and which ones aren’t. It’s always good to research but stay true to your own style and yourself. Be the best of yourself, but still be you.

CURRENTLY WE’RE LAUNCHING OUR OCCASIONWEAR RANGE, so we’re concentrating on the mother of the bride. But we want her to not look like the typical mother of the bride stereotype. The range is aimed at the 45-year-old and over woman who wants to look fashionable. It’s about showing that the average

www.dwha.co.uk

79

Stay true to your own style and “yourself.

Be the best version of yourself, but still be you ”

mum still has her finger on the pulse when it comes to trends. This concept has been driven by the fact I would really struggle to find something to wear in this situation. For my bridesmaid dresses, I wanted something easy. There are jerseys and multi-fit options, so if you have lots of bridesmaids, you don’t need to pay huge alteration bills. Also, if they live in different areas, they can buy them in different shops whilst knowing that they all match. Usually what drives us to do the next thing is clients. If people keep asking for something, it’s a great guide that there’s a need. I always enjoy designing a different discipline and like the challenge.

Discover Sassi Holford’s Twenty18 collection at sassiholford.com

What drives us to do the next “ thing is the clients. If people keep asking for something, it’s a great guide that there’s a need ”

80

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Stylish additions Accessorise your girls with delicate jewellery and gorgeous patterned handbags or shoes

Necklace, £85, swarovski.com

Theia

Kelsey Rose

Asos

Theia

Floral embroidered clutch bag, £16, uk.accessorize.com

Bridesmaids Melissa Veniero

Bring on the girls! Ensure your bridal party is looking top-notch on your big day

Special touches

Add a little extra something to the ensemble with multiple pastel-coloured dresses or a parasol!

82

DWHA || november / december

Paper parasol, £POA, lunabazaar.com

FASHION

Statement flower hair clip, £12, monsoon.co.uk

Winter wedding?

‘Antonia’ faux fur stole, £28, joanieclothing.com

Phase Eight

Melissa Veniero

Suzanne Neville

Theia

Melissa Veniero

For frosty destinations, cover ups are a must for keeping away the chill

Bundles of glamour

Dark, sophisticated and femme fatale-inspired alternative bridesmaid dresses are all the rage

Thank you!

Personalise your bridesmaids’ gifts with these adorable bracelets

Carvela ‘Alice’ stiletto heeled court shoes, £130, johnlewis.com

‘Hepburn’ shoes, £215, shoplucychoilondon.com

‘Blond Rose’ shoes, £255, charlottemills.com

Baguette bar bracelet, £37, adorejewelry.com

www.dwha.co.uk

83

Break them in

To ensure maximum comfortability when walking down the aisle, wear your shoes around the house (on carpets) a few weeks before the big day

Something blue

For a pop of pastel, this icy blue pair exudes a soft summer vibe that will be sure to make a statement

Rubelli fabric décolletés, £591, santonishoes.com

‘Delights’, £95, dunelondon.com

Open Shoe Glamour

‘Viola’, £215, shoplucychoilondon.com

Slip into your best summer dress and slip on these stunning shoes! Show off your pedicures or go open back like the glamorous wedding dress ‘Mora’, £610, giuseppezanottidesign.com

‘Sahara’, £150, harrietwilde.com

‘Alessia’, £795, emmylondon.com

‘Cindy’, £270, charlottemills.com

84

DWHA || november / december

FASHION

Cloe Noel Designs

Nature-loving accessories

Viktoria Novak

Victoria Millésime

Quirky & original

Personalise your headgear with subtle touches, such as feathers or sophisticated pearls

Victoria Millésime

Comb, £POA, mariaelenaheadpieces.com

Victoria Millésime

Soft elegance

Embrace the ethereal as you float down the aisle in regal and refined headpieces

Victoria Millésime

Maia leaf wrap around comb, £45, jonrichard.com

If you want a throwback to the Celtics or the roaring 20s, or if you want to embrace a bohemian touch, get it with these unique headpieces

Viktoria Novak

Crown, £POA, mariaelenaheadpieces.com

Ornamental Head Pieces

Swarovski crystals hair comb, £50, jonrichard.com

Longshaw Ward headpiece, £200, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

85

Did you know?

Wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger because people once believed that a vein ran from your fourth finger to your heart.

Known as ‘vena amoris’, it means the vein of love

Heart-warming

Cut into a heart shape, this ring shows the world that your love is as strong as diamond

1

Outside the Box By characterising your rings with a bold design, you will certainly make a statement! Experiment with shapes and sizes to see what suits your hand best

Play with shapes

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1 Diamond button back ring, £2,300, jessicamccormack.com 2 ‘Cleo’, £849.61, 77diamonds.com 3 Halo drop ring, £495, astleyclarke.com 4 ‘Muse’ Trio baguette and lemon engagement ring, £3,250, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk 5 Peridot and diamond ring, £1,500, susannahlovis.com 6 Oui collection ring, £6,898, nikoskoulis.com 7 Sapphire ruby and diamond flip eternity ring, £3,500, susannahlovis.com 8 Oui collection ring, £6,638, nikoskoulis.com

86

DWHA || november / december

- Bridal make up & hair do

- Personal make up course

@ryneetanmakeup

B-05-19 Empire, Soho Empire Subang, Jalan ss16/1, 47500 Suban Jaya Selangor, Malaysia T: 0060 1697 35122 • E: Ryneemakeup88@gmail.com

S&S Beauty Salon & Spa

Where you Relax,Unwind & Replenish!

S&S Beauty Salon & Spa 001 649 332 2121 ssbeautysalonspa@gmail.com Grace Bay | Saltmills Plaza Unit 43 | Providenciales | Turks And Caicos Islands

Beauty

Pamper yourself with this season’s hottest buys to ensure you look truly radiant on your special day

Moisturizer, glamglow.co.uk// Clearing Treatment, glamglow.co.uk // Bronzers & brush, toofaced.com // Lip balm, clarins.co.uk // Mascara, toofaced.com // Eyeshadow palette, toofaced.com // Dark pink lipstick, yslbeauty.co.uk // Rouge Eclat lipstick, clarins.co.uk // Lip tint, bobbibrown.co.uk // Hair cleanser, percyandreed.com // Volumizing Serum, percyandreed.com // Foundation, clarins.co.uk // Foundation, toofaced.com // Foundation, bobbibrown.co.uk // Compact, bobbibrown.co.uk

In this section

92 Products Reviews 96 Kristina Gasperas

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Reviews tried & tested Struggling to find the best products for your pre-wedding beauty regime? Don’t fear, here’s our lowdown on some of this season’s hottest buys and treatments, so you can discover exactly what’s right for you

Britt

Flowers by theallotmentflorist.co.uk

Lash Perfect professional eyelash extensions

Amber

92

It was great to have the chance to experience some Luna Lashes. The technician was friendly, talking me through the process step by step. The treatment was pain-free and the final outcome was fabulous. My lashes have a complete new lease of life, I will definitely will be getting these re-done!

Omega

Britt

Sheena

Urban Decay ‘All Nighter’ liquid foundation

Urban Decay ‘All Nighter’ make-up setting spray

Iconic London illuminator

Iconic London pigment foundation stick

This foundation is lightweight, smooth, and has great coverage. It really does last all night (and day!), and the colour blends well with my skin tone. Not to mention, the bottle is absolutely gorgeous!

Such an amazing product, I can’t go a day without it!

It literally does what it says on the bottle, keeping my makeup set ALL day and night! This has now become an essential item in my make-up bag

After reading numerous reviews, I was ecstatic to try this product! The fluid is creamy and easily absorbed, giving that perfect glow that lasts all day. The pigment gives a high-end look for such an affordable product!

The Iconic foundation provides medium coverage and is light and fluffy on my skin, allowing my skin to breathe and not feel so congested! It works exceedingly well with the brand’s contour palette!

DWHA || november / december

BEAUTY

Gail

Claudia

Origins overnight mask

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins soothing treatment lotion

With the cold weather in the UK, my skin gets really dehydrated and this mask is the perfect solution! When I wake up, my skin feels silky soft and firmer

The toner smelt great and removed all traces of make-up and dirt. Overall, my face felt smooth, moisturised, clean and bright

Adriana

Argan Liquid Gold BB cream I love this BB cream. It’s great for achieving a flawless look, adding a subtle touch of gold to my make-up. It is very natural and blends into my foundation seamlessly

Omega Clo & Flo hair salon Flo was very attentive and gave her suggestions for a style based on what I wanted. She transcended my hair from untamed volume to glamorous! After creating subtle curls, Flo gave me two adorable plaits to complete my summer ethereal look!

Ana

Percy & Reed shampoo and treatment oil Since I started using this oil, I feel my hair more nourished and repaired. It’s difficult keeps my long hair always smooth and healthy.

I prefer using before I dry my hair after a shower, but when I use it before shampoo, the results are really positive

Editor’s top tip

Put a name on it!

Personalise this brush for your bridesmaids to treasure for years to come

Top 5 essentials Searching for some products to complete your bridal look? Here are our recommendations!

Institut Esthederm spray, £35, feelunique.com

Bioderma bronzing oil, £19.50, boots.com

GlamGlow moisturiser, £36, glamglow.co.uk

Clarins lipstick in ‘Candy Rose’, £20, clarins.co.uk

Nailberry nail polish in ‘Star Dust’, £17, nailberry.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

93

tiptoenails.bds@gmail.com

tiptoenail

246.830.9790

tiptoenailsalon

Jennin is passionate about her professsion and is all about helping and making people look and feel good about themselves for their special moment

T: 001 743 533 7892 // E: Traceyj.modeste@gmail.com // Tracey Modeste, Springs Po, St George, Grenada

www.facebook.com/CHIC-By-Jennin

CHIC by Jennin

COLES BUILDING | LOWER BAY STREET | BRIDGETOWN | BARBADOS

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

SOPHISTICATED & STYLISH

“

GET THE LOOK

KRISTINA GASPERAS

For a modern bridal look that makes the eyes sparkle, contrast the whites of the eyes with a deep smoky make-up. This makes the natural eye colour radiant. Keep the rest of the makeup minimal. Sweep a dark long-lasting pencil through the roots of the top and lower lashes and diffuse the line to achieve a smouldering effect with your choice of dark eyeshadow. Choose the darkest waterproof mascara and layer for voluminous dark lashes. Keep lips minimal with a sweep of gloss or a gentle colour stain patted in with a finger.”

Award-winning bridal make-up artist, Kristina Gasperas tells DWHA her top tips and favourite products for achieving flawless make-up on your big day

Kristina Gasperas is an award-winning makeup artist based between London and the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca.

She has an expert team of highly skilled make-up artists, hairstylists and a multiaward-winning photographer — together they are known as the K-Team. They provide the highest standard of beauty and photographic services for weddings, special occasion makeovers, red-carpet events and editorials globally. The looks they create are stylish, sophisticated and showcase effortless beauty. They truly believe that all women can and deserve to look their best with expertly applied makeup and hairstyling — as if they were born this way.

Kristina is also a professional portrait photographer and often captures flattering shots of her clients so that they have some images to remember their makeover by. She is an expert in photographic makeup and has ensured that the K-Team are too, so all of their clients look just as good in photographs as they do in real life. Kristina and the K-Team are available to make you look your most beautiful ever (kristinagasperas.com).

96

DWHA || november / december

‘Perversion’ mascara, £19, urbandecay.co.uk

Laura Mercier ‘Radiance Baked Powder’, £28.50, spacenk.com

Diorshow khôl’ eyeliner pencil, £19.50, dior.com

BEAUTY

Hourglass ambient blush in ‘Luminous Flush’, £32, johnlewis.com

Chantecaille ‘Future Skin’ foundation, £63, spacenk.com

MAC lipstick in ‘Lady Danger’, £16.50, maccosmetics.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL BOLD

“

Red lips are a timeless look and can be a very elegant statement for autumn brides. There is a shade of red for every skin tone, so take your time finding the perfect red for you. To make your lipstick kiss-proof, opt for long-lasting lip colour or line and fill your lips with a waterproof lip pencil before applying the lipstick itself.”

12

NATURAL LOVE

“

A monochrome make-up colour scheme looks modern, super-cool and is relatively easy to achieve. Just choose your favourite colour and apply it to lids, cheeks and lips. Play around with slight variations of the chosen colour. For example, a pop of brighter pink on the lips with a calmer pink on the lids and cheeks works to create a harmonious colour scheme throughout.”

Maybelline ‘Blushed Nudes’ eyeshadow palette, £11.99, boots.com

Blush in ‘Orgasm’, £23, narscosmetics.co.uk

Revlon ultra HD matte lip colour, £8.99, boots.com

www.dwha.co.uk

97

吀栀攀 匀愀氀漀渀 䌀愀礀洀愀渀 栀愀猀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀琀椀猀攀 眀爀愀瀀瀀攀搀 甀瀀 椀渀 椀琀ᤠ猀 琀攀愀洀 漀昀 焀甀愀氀椀昀椀攀搀 猀琀愀昀昀 琀漀 挀漀洀瀀氀椀洀攀渀琀 愀渀礀 眀攀搀搀椀渀最 搀愀礀⸀伀甀爀 栀椀最栀氀礀 瀀爀漀昀攀猀猀椀漀渀愀氀 琀攀愀洀 愀爀攀 栀攀爀攀 琀漀 愀猀猀椀猀琀 眀椀琀栀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 戀爀椀搀攀ᤠ猀 渀攀攀搀猀 昀漀爀 栀攀爀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀 搀愀礀⸀ 吀栀攀 猀琀礀氀椀猀琀猀 愀爀攀 漀渀 栀愀渀搀 琀漀 琀爀愀渀猀昀漀爀洀 礀漀甀 眀栀椀氀攀 漀甀爀 洀愀欀攀 甀瀀 愀爀琀椀猀琀猀 挀愀渀 漀昀昀攀爀 愀椀爀 戀爀甀猀栀 漀爀 渀愀琀甀爀愀氀 洀愀欀攀ⴀ甀瀀 昀漀爀 琀栀愀琀 眀攀搀搀椀渀最 搀愀礀 最氀漀眀⸀ 吀漀 攀渀猀甀爀攀 瀀攀爀昀攀挀琀 渀愀椀氀猀 眀栀礀 渀漀琀 戀漀漀欀 琀栀攀 昀甀氀氀 戀爀椀搀愀氀 瀀愀挀欀愀最攀 眀栀椀挀栀 愀氀氀漀眀猀 琀栀攀 戀爀椀搀攀 琀漀 戀攀 瀀愀洀瀀攀爀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 琀眀漀 漀昀 琀栀攀 猀攀爀瘀椀挀攀猀 挀愀爀爀椀攀搀 漀甀琀 愀琀 琀栀攀 猀愀洀攀 琀椀洀攀⸀ 圀攀 栀愀瘀攀 洀愀猀琀攀爀攀搀 琀栀攀 愀爀琀 漀昀 愀 爀攀氀愀砀攀搀 戀爀椀搀攀 眀椀琀栀 漀甀爀 挀漀洀瀀氀椀洀攀渀琀愀爀礀 戀甀戀戀氀攀猀⸀

㈀㌀ 䜀愀氀攀爀椀愀 倀氀愀稀愀 匀攀瘀攀渀 䴀椀氀攀 䈀攀愀挀栀 䜀爀愀渀搀 䌀愀礀洀愀渀 䤀猀氀愀渀搀

眀眀眀⸀吀栀攀匀愀氀漀渀䌀愀礀洀愀渀⸀挀漀洀

㌀㐀㔀⸀㤀㐀㌀⸀㐀㈀㐀㜀

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

JOHANNESBURG WEDDING HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST

@meltaylorhair +27 (0)71 037 4508 57th Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg, 1753

Sammy advises that the most important part of your day is to remember to enjoy it!

The beautiful plant of bougainvillea inspired the bridesmaids’ dresses and colour scheme

This stylish Greek venue has access to the main beach of Pefkos and uninterrupted sea and sunset views — so romantic!

52

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN GREECE

Sammy’s top tips

Plan in advance, get a wedding planner, and try to avoid package weddings to make it more personal. Also, take a trip to the venue before your big day

We first went to Pefkos, Rhodes

as a couple in 2013, and spent many evenings at Philosophia. With the amazing views overlooking the sea, mountains and perfect sunsets, there was nowhere else we could imagine spending our special day. We wanted our ceremony and reception to be in the same place, so our guests would not have to travel in the Grecian sun. Philosophia was the perfect destination for this, with an open restaurant, perfect views of the sea and classic contemporary Grecian style, it was like a scene out of Mamma Mia! Philosophia needed no decoration — it is a natural beauty. We simply added a few flowers and ribbons from the colour scheme to match the setting perfectly.

I wore a Benjamin Roberts dress, in keeping with the Grecian style. As I was conscious of the heat, I felt this dress was the ideal material for the temperature, whilst also complementing the setting perfectly. Additionally due to the heat, I wanted my hair and make-up to look natural.

We all stayed at the Ioannidis Hotels, which consists of a trio of hotels to suit all budgets. The staff were on hand to organise a golf buggy to the venue and breakfast in bed the next day! We always wanted a small affair and heard doing it abroad would be cheaper, but we didn’t consciously make any changes because of price. However, we definitely came home with euros to spare!

The organisation for any wedding is difficult, but our amazing wedding planner was on hand to deal with all concerns, and the owners of Philosophia would answer emails within the hour. We were also so lucky to have such a supportive family and a lot of talented friends and family!

Set the mood with stunning fairy lights strung from the ceiling

Notebook

// Venue Philosophia, philosophiarestaurant.com Photographer Gina Manning, ginamanning.co.uk Bride’s Dress Benjamin Roberts, benjaminroberts.co.uk Bridesmaids’ Dresses Mango, mango.com Groom’s Suit and Accessories ASOS, asos.com Flowers Elizabeths the Florists, elizabeths.co.uk Wedding Planner Lindos Weddings, lindosweddings.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

53

IDEAS TO STEAL

Sunglasses, £138, luisaviaroma.com

Deep romance

Scarlet and sapphire look exceedingly sophisticated against white accessories

Wedding paper coaster, £1.20, zazzle.co.uk

‘The Kensington’ slim fit suit, £760, paulsmith.com

Bridal hair vine, £255, notonthehighstreet.com

DSquared2 leather belt, £105, luisaviaroma.com Orchid and rose collection, £175, marksandspencer.com

‘Bella’ dress, £245, ghost.co.uk

Place cards, £6, notonthehighstreet.com

Bionda Castana leather heels, £180, vestiairecollective.com

For him Create your look with contrasting colours, such as this blue and brown combination

Special Tip

If you have an unnamed plus one, perhaps write on their place card “Guest of [insert name]”

54

‘Bertin’ brogues, £295, paulsmith.com DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN THE SEYCHELLES

A beach

elopement

Mira, 32 and Stefan, 38 had an intimate ceremony on the sands of La Digue — a beautiful island in the Seychelles Photography by Monique De Caro

www.dwha.co.uk

55

This stunning resort is nestled in an idyllic tropical garden and possesses an ambience of peace and serenity — perfect for honeymooners!

The colour scheme was designed to look natural and like summer, perfected by the frangipani flowers

Mira’s top tip It is better to leave the planning to an expert.

We had a lot of luck with Weddingmoon Travel as everything was done with a lot of heart. Also, have the wedding in the evening as the beach is much quieter and the light is beautiful. But most importantly, enjoy!

56

DWHA || november / december

REAL LIFE WEDDING IN THE SEYCHELLES

It was always our dream

to get married on the beach and Anse Source d’Argent is so picturesque. It’s also very easy to get married in the Seychelles as you just need your passport and birth certificate. Being German, the beach ceremony is also legally accepted for us. It was decorated by Danny Jeanne, who decorates nearly all the weddings on the islands. Working together with Mason’s Travel, they took care of all the documents. We chose La Digue in the Seychelles as our wedding destination because it is a small and beautiful island where only a few cars drive. You feel like you’ve been transported to another world. To get married on the beach, we were driven by an ox-cart — it was super romantic!

We stayed at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, where you can live in beautiful tree houses in the rocks. It was so perfect for our wedding and honeymoon. Each member of staff congratulated us on the wedding day and made our stay really special. The Seychelles are a slightly more expensive destination, but our hotel gave us a special offer. As a honeymoon couple we got a fruit basket, champagne, romantic dinner, and I had a manicure and pedicure.

When searching for a gown, I was concerned about getting too hot in a full dress on the beach. However, in the end I was happy to have chosen the one I did.

The full dress suited me better and I felt great. For my hair, an up-do was better in the tropical weather. I also needed a lot of hairspray! My make-up look was natural. One of my challenges was that I didn’t have the chance for a hair and make-up trial, so I had to trust that all would be okay in the end.

With no guests, Mira and Stefan were able to enjoy the day completely to themselves

Notebook

// Venue Anse Source d’Argent Reception Venue Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, orangeraie.sc Photographer Monique De Caro, beautiful-weddings.de Flowers/Hair/Make-up/Cake Mason’s Travel, masonstravel.com Wedding Planner Weddingmoon Travel, weddingmoon-travel.com

www.dwha.co.uk

57

Marinette Saint-Tropez cosmetics bag, £25, amara.com

IDEAS TO STEAL Beach babe

Embrace flowing dresses and bright accessories. Grab your flip flops and head to the shore!

Baguette bar necklace, £POA, adorejewelry.com

Lattice disc earrings, £399.26, oscardelarenta.com Vera Wang rose and lily arrangement, £POA, interflora.co.uk

Gold bracelet, £1,700, linksoflondon.com

‘Lola’ satchel, £85, oliverbonas.com

Stemless wine glass, £POA, lunabazaar.com

Sample the local wines or serve a speciality cocktail!

Cotton chinos, £170, harveynichols.com Bionda Castana flats, £150, vestiairecollective.com

Light up hydrangea cake stand door wreath, £57.50, notonthehighstreet.com

‘Just Married’ flip flops, £10.99, confetti.co.uk

Maxi dress, £75, lipsy.co.uk

Special tip

Walk down the beach as husband and wife with these ‘Just Married’ flip flops for a perfect photo opportunity

58

DWHA || november / december

Vivienne Westwood leather sandals, £100, vestiairecollective.com

For him

Keeping it casual is the key to this look. Pair loose chinos with comfortable footwear

A Honeymooner’s

Heaven THE SEYCHELLES

The epitome of a tropical paradise, the Seychelles islands capture a beauty greater than any bride could dream of Vibrant adventures

In the heart of the Indian Ocean, the bijou archipelago of Seychelles is home to 115 islands. When you think of the Seychelles, you picture electric lapis water, verdant jungle, the sun reflecting off white sand, and fiery orange sunsets.

The Seychelles’ largest and main island is Mahé, home to majestic mountains, scores of postcard-perfect beaches, and the rare Jellyfish Tree. In Victoria, Mahé’s capital, visit the clock tower, soaring in its shining silver splendour.

Additionally, no trip here would be complete without meandering through its famous market, where you’ll be tantalised by colourful fruits, exotic seafood, and the scents of spices. Go hand-in-hand to view Victoria’s elegant opalwhite colonnaded cathedral. It was built in 1851 and was one of the first churches in the Seychelles.

Did you know?

The Seychelles’ native coco de mer is the largest seed in the world!

60

Natural beauty

Retreat from the bustle of the city by taking a hike up the Copolia Trail. Traipse through a forest of cinnamon and rubber trees and emerge onto glacis rock to find a breathtaking vista of the Seychelles’ horizon, where azure skies meet turquoise waters. The Morne Blanc walking trail will take you on a tour of tea plantations, where you can observe traditional tea-drying. See if you can spot one of the world’s smallest frogs hidden amongst the ferns as you climb to the top, where you can see Port Launay Marine Park. The National Park shouldn’t be missed either: enter through a horseshoe-shaped beach, surrounded by dense jungle-clad mountains. With reefs lining both sides of the bay, equip your snorkel and dive beneath crystal clear waters. It is also the best place to spot gentle whale sharks, which are most prominent from August to November.

DWHA || november / december

Where to stay Kempinski Seychelles Resort Situated in a secluded bay, directly on the beach, Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare is breath-taking.

After getting sand between your toes, head to the infinity pool or pop to the spa for a treatment to help you unwind. To relax in the evenings, head to Planters Bar for cocktails and live entertainment while you overlook peregrine tropical plants (kempinski.com/seychelles).

Fashion Headpiece, mervebayindir.com // Shoes, dunelondon.com // Necklace, mirabellejewellery.co.uk // Blusher, clarins.co.uk // Highlighter, toofaced.com // Foundation, bobbibrown.co.uk // Lipstick, yslbeauty.co.uk // Clutch bag, dunelondon.com // Ring, mirabellejewellery.co.uk

From the latest and greatest trends to classic bridalwear, explore the styles that work for you

In this section In ancient times, guests would tear off part of the bride’s gown as a token of good luck, leading to the tradition of throwing the bouquet

64 78 82 84

Designer Bridal Sassi Holford Bridesmaids Accessories

Designer

Bridal collections

2018

Showcasing a stunning selection of the latest and greatest bridal dress designers currently on the wedding scene

64

DWHA || july / august

FASHION

Ethereal princess These dashing designers showcase vintage glamour with the vibrations of a new era

Alexandra Grecco first hit the fashion scene in 2010 with her ready to wear collection. A few years later when searching for her own wedding dress, she decided to create a bridal line of her own. Launching in 2014, the line features whimsical dresses for the less traditional bride. Alexandra finds inspiration in the designs of eras past and cinematic landscapes — both real and imagined. From this, dresses are created that while rooted in nostalgia, still achieve a sense of timelessness.

www.dwha.co.uk

65

Utmost glamour Epitomising Berta’s bold designs combined with vintage materials and retro style

Berta Bridal is an Israeli-based fashion house specialising in luxury bridal fashion and eveningwear. The sole designer of the brand is Berta Balilti, a Shenkar College of Design graduate.

Her dresses have avant-garde styles that test the barriers and boundaries of the fashion world. Showcasing glamorous

silhouettes

and

fitted

designs, Berta’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection is set to impress.

Whimsical nymph Truly high-end craftsmanship and applique flower lace details create this bohemian vibe

Costarellos

Bridal

Spring

2018

collection fuses classy with edgy and sexy with pretty to establish a fresh, modern look. The designs are inspired

by Greek spring landscape, portraying tradition and history through intricate lace patterns, floral lace appliques and column silhouettes. However, the most important influence is from the stylish girl that attends music festivals, from Woodstock to Coachella.

FASHION

www.dwha.co.uk

69

Elegant seduction These one-of-a-kind gowns feature an array of exquisitely unique details for flawless designs

Dany Mizrachi’s latest collection consists of a mix of glamorous and romantic looks featuring ethereal accents and appliques in floral motifs. The dresses feature Dany’s signature asymmetrical cuts, three-dimensional designs, and the finest raw materials. These opulent embroidered embellishments and dramatic silhouettes are ideal for brides searching for a sexy-chic gown.

Queen bee

Embrace these extravagant dresses with illusion backs, cascading tulle and Italian ivory lace

Galia

Lahav’s

‘Victorian

Affinity’

collection is inspired by the era of innovation and optimism; dedicated to the designer, Jeanne Margaine Lacroix who changed society’s perception of femininity. Featuring detachable capes and sleeves, delicate laces and careful attention to detail, each dress puts emphasis on volume, creating chimeric

silhouettes

and

endless

trains. Fall in love with the colours of porcelain ivory, dusted silver, washed pinks, smoky blush and cream.

Modern flair From voluminous ballgowns to striking column dresses, this collection has it all

Viktor&Rolf

creates

luxury

bridal

gowns with a fashion edge. Continuing the evolution of their bridal wear, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren create each dress to present an individual character with her own silhouette. Continuing to push the boundaries of modern bridal fashion, the collection features iconic enlarged flowers, bows, bold lines and shapes

Vision in white These light and whimsical dresses create an enchanting look using the finest fabrics

Mira Zwillinger’s 2018 collection ‘Over the Rainbow’ takes inspiration from the optimism of The Wizard of Oz. Using numerous floral appliques, cloud motif embroidering and fluttering feathers, the dresses capture a heavenly vibe.

The mother and daughter team behind the fashion house, uniquely bring to life a detailed process including handmade embroidery, beading and ornamentation. Believe that whatever gown you dream of, dreams of your perfect dress really do come true.

76

DWHA || july / august

FASHION

Sassi Holford

Celebrating her 35th year in bridal, leading designer Sassi Holford, launches her Twenty18 collection, supporting British provenance and redefining classic elegance

I STARTED DESIGNING wedding dresses 37 years ago, when I made a dress for a friend who could neither afford nor find one. I just offered to make it for her and the business has grown organically since then.

I never really planned to become a wedding dress designer, it was just something that I fell into. I love everything about my job. Meeting the clients is fabulous; I love the pattern cutting; I love finding the fabrics. People often say, “You have an amazing job” and I can only reply with, “Yes, I do”. There are elements that aren’t my strengths — finance bores me, and when it comes to planning an advert campaign, I’d rather someone else do it.

What I enjoy most is everything to do with the dress, that’s where my passion lies. For everything to do with the business side of it, I have people doing it for me. Personally I don’t do a lot of social media, the company does it and I involve myself in it, but really it’s the dresses that interest me.

I THINK THAT LIFE IS INSPIRATIONAL when it comes to designing. It sounds a bit cheesy, but it’s true. If you just open your eyes, there are lots of things to encourage you creatively.

But of course, I am spoilt for choice with amazing fabrics from Italy and Paris, so fabric and fashion can also influence me.

However, overall there is nothing more

78

DWHA || november / december

inspiring than meeting a client who wants something very exciting and different. It is amazing to work with someone who is happy to go on a journey with you. I absolutely adored Alexander McQueen’s work when he was alive, and he has influenced me massively. I was really saddened by his passing because he was a genius. He was extraordinarily creative and so out there. His work was art and fashion colliding and it was absolutely beautiful.

FOR BRIDAL, WE DESIGNED AUTUMN PHILLIPS’ dress for her wedding to the Queen’s first grandson. That was big as I went to Windsor Castle and met the Queen.

We’ve also dressed Darcy Bussell, Sharon Osborne, Sophie Skelton, and lots of TV presenters. Overall, I seem to attract really chilled celebrities. With Alex Jones from the One Show, we had such a laugh. I tend to work with celebrities that are lovely people rather than the high-end divas, whoever they may be!

Generally, they are treated the same as every other client, although the only difference would be if they’re really well known, they often come into the shop out of hours to keep it out of the press.

THE RECEPTION FOR THE TWENTY18 collection has been great. For one of the capsule collections, I worked with the last English lace makers in the country and

FASHION

Did you know?

Sassi’s designs have

been worn by Autumn Phillips, Helen Mirren, and Darcy Bussell

I never really “ planned to become

a wedding dress designer, it was just something that I fell into ”

ended up putting this traditional English lace into quite modern, glamorous styles. They were received really well and as they’re cool, breezy, breathable and soft — perfect for a destination wedding. When deciding my favourite gowns from the collection, I could change my mind every five minutes. If you were to say to me, “which is your favourite traditional dress?” I would say a specific one. If you were to say, “which is your favourite dress for a destination?” it would be the same situation. Picking an overall favourite is like trying to pick your favourite child. It is almost like there are three collections put into one, including the Sassi Holford signature pieces, and the capsule collection with the lace that is more bohemian. I have a short attention span so I always like to do a capsule collection. As soon as I saw that fabric I knew I wanted to work with it.

Then there are the really new pieces, like a jumpsuit and slim fit gowns that would work well for a city bride.

Afterwards, I’ll bounce into full on ball gowns. Overall, it depends on your destination.

MY TOP TIP FOR BRIDES currently searching for a dress is to not get overwhelmed by what you see on the internet.

Unfortunately the internet will give you one thousand images of which there is no education. You can’t tell

which ones have been completely airbrushed, which ones are real and which ones aren’t. It’s always good to research but stay true to your own style and yourself. Be the best of yourself, but still be you.

CURRENTLY WE’RE LAUNCHING OUR OCCASIONWEAR RANGE, so we’re concentrating on the mother of the bride. But we want her to not look like the typical mother of the bride stereotype. The range is aimed at the 45-year-old and over woman who wants to look fashionable. It’s about showing that the average

www.dwha.co.uk

79

Stay true to your own style and “yourself.

Be the best version of yourself, but still be you ”

mum still has her finger on the pulse when it comes to trends. This concept has been driven by the fact I would really struggle to find something to wear in this situation. For my bridesmaid dresses, I wanted something easy. There are jerseys and multi-fit options, so if you have lots of bridesmaids, you don’t need to pay huge alteration bills. Also, if they live in different areas, they can buy them in different shops whilst knowing that they all match. Usually what drives us to do the next thing is clients. If people keep asking for something, it’s a great guide that there’s a need. I always enjoy designing a different discipline and like the challenge.

Discover Sassi Holford’s Twenty18 collection at sassiholford.com

What drives us to do the next “ thing is the clients. If people keep asking for something, it’s a great guide that there’s a need ”

80

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Stylish additions Accessorise your girls with delicate jewellery and gorgeous patterned handbags or shoes

Necklace, £85, swarovski.com

Theia

Kelsey Rose

Asos

Theia

Floral embroidered clutch bag, £16, uk.accessorize.com

Bridesmaids Melissa Veniero

Bring on the girls! Ensure your bridal party is looking top-notch on your big day

Special touches

Add a little extra something to the ensemble with multiple pastel-coloured dresses or a parasol!

82

DWHA || november / december

Paper parasol, £POA, lunabazaar.com

FASHION

Statement flower hair clip, £12, monsoon.co.uk

Winter wedding?

‘Antonia’ faux fur stole, £28, joanieclothing.com

Phase Eight

Melissa Veniero

Suzanne Neville

Theia

Melissa Veniero

For frosty destinations, cover ups are a must for keeping away the chill

Bundles of glamour

Dark, sophisticated and femme fatale-inspired alternative bridesmaid dresses are all the rage

Thank you!

Personalise your bridesmaids’ gifts with these adorable bracelets

Carvela ‘Alice’ stiletto heeled court shoes, £130, johnlewis.com

‘Hepburn’ shoes, £215, shoplucychoilondon.com

‘Blond Rose’ shoes, £255, charlottemills.com

Baguette bar bracelet, £37, adorejewelry.com

www.dwha.co.uk

83

Break them in

To ensure maximum comfortability when walking down the aisle, wear your shoes around the house (on carpets) a few weeks before the big day

Something blue

For a pop of pastel, this icy blue pair exudes a soft summer vibe that will be sure to make a statement

Rubelli fabric décolletés, £591, santonishoes.com

‘Delights’, £95, dunelondon.com

Open Shoe Glamour

‘Viola’, £215, shoplucychoilondon.com

Slip into your best summer dress and slip on these stunning shoes! Show off your pedicures or go open back like the glamorous wedding dress ‘Mora’, £610, giuseppezanottidesign.com

‘Sahara’, £150, harrietwilde.com

‘Alessia’, £795, emmylondon.com

‘Cindy’, £270, charlottemills.com

84

DWHA || november / december

FASHION

Cloe Noel Designs

Nature-loving accessories

Viktoria Novak

Victoria Millésime

Quirky & original

Personalise your headgear with subtle touches, such as feathers or sophisticated pearls

Victoria Millésime

Comb, £POA, mariaelenaheadpieces.com

Victoria Millésime

Soft elegance

Embrace the ethereal as you float down the aisle in regal and refined headpieces

Victoria Millésime

Maia leaf wrap around comb, £45, jonrichard.com

If you want a throwback to the Celtics or the roaring 20s, or if you want to embrace a bohemian touch, get it with these unique headpieces

Viktoria Novak

Crown, £POA, mariaelenaheadpieces.com

Ornamental Head Pieces

Swarovski crystals hair comb, £50, jonrichard.com

Longshaw Ward headpiece, £200, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

85

Did you know?

Wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger because people once believed that a vein ran from your fourth finger to your heart.

Known as ‘vena amoris’, it means the vein of love

Heart-warming

Cut into a heart shape, this ring shows the world that your love is as strong as diamond

1

Outside the Box By characterising your rings with a bold design, you will certainly make a statement! Experiment with shapes and sizes to see what suits your hand best

Play with shapes

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1 Diamond button back ring, £2,300, jessicamccormack.com 2 ‘Cleo’, £849.61, 77diamonds.com 3 Halo drop ring, £495, astleyclarke.com 4 ‘Muse’ Trio baguette and lemon engagement ring, £3,250, tomfoolerylondon.co.uk 5 Peridot and diamond ring, £1,500, susannahlovis.com 6 Oui collection ring, £6,898, nikoskoulis.com 7 Sapphire ruby and diamond flip eternity ring, £3,500, susannahlovis.com 8 Oui collection ring, £6,638, nikoskoulis.com

86

DWHA || november / december

- Bridal make up & hair do

- Personal make up course

@ryneetanmakeup

B-05-19 Empire, Soho Empire Subang, Jalan ss16/1, 47500 Suban Jaya Selangor, Malaysia T: 0060 1697 35122 • E: Ryneemakeup88@gmail.com

S&S Beauty Salon & Spa

Where you Relax,Unwind & Replenish!

S&S Beauty Salon & Spa 001 649 332 2121 ssbeautysalonspa@gmail.com Grace Bay | Saltmills Plaza Unit 43 | Providenciales | Turks And Caicos Islands

Beauty

Pamper yourself with this season’s hottest buys to ensure you look truly radiant on your special day

Moisturizer, glamglow.co.uk// Clearing Treatment, glamglow.co.uk // Bronzers & brush, toofaced.com // Lip balm, clarins.co.uk // Mascara, toofaced.com // Eyeshadow palette, toofaced.com // Dark pink lipstick, yslbeauty.co.uk // Rouge Eclat lipstick, clarins.co.uk // Lip tint, bobbibrown.co.uk // Hair cleanser, percyandreed.com // Volumizing Serum, percyandreed.com // Foundation, clarins.co.uk // Foundation, toofaced.com // Foundation, bobbibrown.co.uk // Compact, bobbibrown.co.uk

In this section

92 Products Reviews 96 Kristina Gasperas

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Reviews tried & tested Struggling to find the best products for your pre-wedding beauty regime? Don’t fear, here’s our lowdown on some of this season’s hottest buys and treatments, so you can discover exactly what’s right for you

Britt

Flowers by theallotmentflorist.co.uk

Lash Perfect professional eyelash extensions

Amber

92

It was great to have the chance to experience some Luna Lashes. The technician was friendly, talking me through the process step by step. The treatment was pain-free and the final outcome was fabulous. My lashes have a complete new lease of life, I will definitely will be getting these re-done!

Omega

Britt

Sheena

Urban Decay ‘All Nighter’ liquid foundation

Urban Decay ‘All Nighter’ make-up setting spray

Iconic London illuminator

Iconic London pigment foundation stick

This foundation is lightweight, smooth, and has great coverage. It really does last all night (and day!), and the colour blends well with my skin tone. Not to mention, the bottle is absolutely gorgeous!

Such an amazing product, I can’t go a day without it!

It literally does what it says on the bottle, keeping my makeup set ALL day and night! This has now become an essential item in my make-up bag

After reading numerous reviews, I was ecstatic to try this product! The fluid is creamy and easily absorbed, giving that perfect glow that lasts all day. The pigment gives a high-end look for such an affordable product!

The Iconic foundation provides medium coverage and is light and fluffy on my skin, allowing my skin to breathe and not feel so congested! It works exceedingly well with the brand’s contour palette!

DWHA || november / december

BEAUTY

Gail

Claudia

Origins overnight mask

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins soothing treatment lotion

With the cold weather in the UK, my skin gets really dehydrated and this mask is the perfect solution! When I wake up, my skin feels silky soft and firmer

The toner smelt great and removed all traces of make-up and dirt. Overall, my face felt smooth, moisturised, clean and bright

Adriana

Argan Liquid Gold BB cream I love this BB cream. It’s great for achieving a flawless look, adding a subtle touch of gold to my make-up. It is very natural and blends into my foundation seamlessly

Omega Clo & Flo hair salon Flo was very attentive and gave her suggestions for a style based on what I wanted. She transcended my hair from untamed volume to glamorous! After creating subtle curls, Flo gave me two adorable plaits to complete my summer ethereal look!

Ana

Percy & Reed shampoo and treatment oil Since I started using this oil, I feel my hair more nourished and repaired. It’s difficult keeps my long hair always smooth and healthy.

I prefer using before I dry my hair after a shower, but when I use it before shampoo, the results are really positive

Editor’s top tip

Put a name on it!

Personalise this brush for your bridesmaids to treasure for years to come

Top 5 essentials Searching for some products to complete your bridal look? Here are our recommendations!

Institut Esthederm spray, £35, feelunique.com

Bioderma bronzing oil, £19.50, boots.com

GlamGlow moisturiser, £36, glamglow.co.uk

Clarins lipstick in ‘Candy Rose’, £20, clarins.co.uk

Nailberry nail polish in ‘Star Dust’, £17, nailberry.co.uk

www.dwha.co.uk

93

tiptoenails.bds@gmail.com

tiptoenail

246.830.9790

tiptoenailsalon

Jennin is passionate about her professsion and is all about helping and making people look and feel good about themselves for their special moment

T: 001 743 533 7892 // E: Traceyj.modeste@gmail.com // Tracey Modeste, Springs Po, St George, Grenada

www.facebook.com/CHIC-By-Jennin

CHIC by Jennin

COLES BUILDING | LOWER BAY STREET | BRIDGETOWN | BARBADOS

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

SOPHISTICATED & STYLISH

“

GET THE LOOK

KRISTINA GASPERAS

For a modern bridal look that makes the eyes sparkle, contrast the whites of the eyes with a deep smoky make-up. This makes the natural eye colour radiant. Keep the rest of the makeup minimal. Sweep a dark long-lasting pencil through the roots of the top and lower lashes and diffuse the line to achieve a smouldering effect with your choice of dark eyeshadow. Choose the darkest waterproof mascara and layer for voluminous dark lashes. Keep lips minimal with a sweep of gloss or a gentle colour stain patted in with a finger.”

Award-winning bridal make-up artist, Kristina Gasperas tells DWHA her top tips and favourite products for achieving flawless make-up on your big day

Kristina Gasperas is an award-winning makeup artist based between London and the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca.

She has an expert team of highly skilled make-up artists, hairstylists and a multiaward-winning photographer — together they are known as the K-Team. They provide the highest standard of beauty and photographic services for weddings, special occasion makeovers, red-carpet events and editorials globally. The looks they create are stylish, sophisticated and showcase effortless beauty. They truly believe that all women can and deserve to look their best with expertly applied makeup and hairstyling — as if they were born this way.

Kristina is also a professional portrait photographer and often captures flattering shots of her clients so that they have some images to remember their makeover by. She is an expert in photographic makeup and has ensured that the K-Team are too, so all of their clients look just as good in photographs as they do in real life. Kristina and the K-Team are available to make you look your most beautiful ever (kristinagasperas.com).

96

DWHA || november / december

‘Perversion’ mascara, £19, urbandecay.co.uk

Laura Mercier ‘Radiance Baked Powder’, £28.50, spacenk.com

Diorshow khôl’ eyeliner pencil, £19.50, dior.com

BEAUTY

Hourglass ambient blush in ‘Luminous Flush’, £32, johnlewis.com

Chantecaille ‘Future Skin’ foundation, £63, spacenk.com

MAC lipstick in ‘Lady Danger’, £16.50, maccosmetics.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL BOLD

“

Red lips are a timeless look and can be a very elegant statement for autumn brides. There is a shade of red for every skin tone, so take your time finding the perfect red for you. To make your lipstick kiss-proof, opt for long-lasting lip colour or line and fill your lips with a waterproof lip pencil before applying the lipstick itself.”

12

NATURAL LOVE

“

A monochrome make-up colour scheme looks modern, super-cool and is relatively easy to achieve. Just choose your favourite colour and apply it to lids, cheeks and lips. Play around with slight variations of the chosen colour. For example, a pop of brighter pink on the lips with a calmer pink on the lids and cheeks works to create a harmonious colour scheme throughout.”

Maybelline ‘Blushed Nudes’ eyeshadow palette, £11.99, boots.com

Blush in ‘Orgasm’, £23, narscosmetics.co.uk

Revlon ultra HD matte lip colour, £8.99, boots.com

www.dwha.co.uk

97

吀栀攀 匀愀氀漀渀 䌀愀礀洀愀渀 栀愀猀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀琀椀猀攀 眀爀愀瀀瀀攀搀 甀瀀 椀渀 椀琀ᤠ猀 琀攀愀洀 漀昀 焀甀愀氀椀昀椀攀搀 猀琀愀昀昀 琀漀 挀漀洀瀀氀椀洀攀渀琀 愀渀礀 眀攀搀搀椀渀最 搀愀礀⸀伀甀爀 栀椀最栀氀礀 瀀爀漀昀攀猀猀椀漀渀愀氀 琀攀愀洀 愀爀攀 栀攀爀攀 琀漀 愀猀猀椀猀琀 眀椀琀栀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 戀爀椀搀攀ᤠ猀 渀攀攀搀猀 昀漀爀 栀攀爀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀 搀愀礀⸀ 吀栀攀 猀琀礀氀椀猀琀猀 愀爀攀 漀渀 栀愀渀搀 琀漀 琀爀愀渀猀昀漀爀洀 礀漀甀 眀栀椀氀攀 漀甀爀 洀愀欀攀 甀瀀 愀爀琀椀猀琀猀 挀愀渀 漀昀昀攀爀 愀椀爀 戀爀甀猀栀 漀爀 渀愀琀甀爀愀氀 洀愀欀攀ⴀ甀瀀 昀漀爀 琀栀愀琀 眀攀搀搀椀渀最 搀愀礀 最氀漀眀⸀ 吀漀 攀渀猀甀爀攀 瀀攀爀昀攀挀琀 渀愀椀氀猀 眀栀礀 渀漀琀 戀漀漀欀 琀栀攀 昀甀氀氀 戀爀椀搀愀氀 瀀愀挀欀愀最攀 眀栀椀挀栀 愀氀氀漀眀猀 琀栀攀 戀爀椀搀攀 琀漀 戀攀 瀀愀洀瀀攀爀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 琀眀漀 漀昀 琀栀攀 猀攀爀瘀椀挀攀猀 挀愀爀爀椀攀搀 漀甀琀 愀琀 琀栀攀 猀愀洀攀 琀椀洀攀⸀ 圀攀 栀愀瘀攀 洀愀猀琀攀爀攀搀 琀栀攀 愀爀琀 漀昀 愀 爀攀氀愀砀攀搀 戀爀椀搀攀 眀椀琀栀 漀甀爀 挀漀洀瀀氀椀洀攀渀琀愀爀礀 戀甀戀戀氀攀猀⸀

㈀㌀ 䜀愀氀攀爀椀愀 倀氀愀稀愀 匀攀瘀攀渀 䴀椀氀攀 䈀攀愀挀栀 䜀爀愀渀搀 䌀愀礀洀愀渀 䤀猀氀愀渀搀

眀眀眀⸀吀栀攀匀愀氀漀渀䌀愀礀洀愀渀⸀挀漀洀

㌀㐀㔀⸀㤀㐀㌀⸀㐀㈀㐀㜀

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

JOHANNESBURG WEDDING HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST

@meltaylorhair +27 (0)71 037 4508 57th Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg, 1753

For him Watch, loruswatches.com // Sunglasses, blackeyewear.com // Pocket square, nooseandmonkey.com // Bow tie, nooseandmonkeys.com // Shoes, dunelondon.com // After shave balm, fredericmalle.com // Orkley belt, dunelondon.com // Watch, pulsarwatches.com // Swim shorts, mochasalt.com // After sun balm, fredericmalle.com

It’s not just about the bride! Ensure your groom looks top-notch with these suave finds

In this section Did you know that brides traditionally stand on the left of the Groom so that his sword hand is free to defend against suitors?

102 The Brogue and the Beautiful 104 Shave Time 106 The Bluebeards Revenge

1 Papillon ceramic bow tie, £POA, corsinelabedoli.com 2 The Drumline watch, £159, newgatewatches.com 3 Lalique cufflinks, £330, amara.com 4 Carter Hi Shine brogue, £74.99, baselondon.com

The

Papillon ceramic bow tie, £POA, corsinelabedoli.com

Brogue and

1

the Beautiful

Keep it sharp and keep it sleek with shiny oxfords to match your accessories. Stay classic or dare to be bold and show your soul with bright and vibrant colours

2

3

Magnetic monochrome

4

Be bold

5

Spice it up while staying fashion-forward and unconventional in intrepid red

Simply sophisticated, stand out with contrasting black and white tones, and metallic additions

12 6

8

13

9 7

14 10 5 ‘Earl’ bow tie, £70, roryhutton.co.uk 6 ‘Royal Ascot’ square cufflinks, £150, linksoflondon.com 7 Leather trainers, £98, jigsaw-online.co.uk 8 Tie, £POA, silviofiorello.com 9 Belt, £59, dubarryboots.com 10 Cufflinks, £POA, penrose-london.com 11 Page washed shoe, £69.99, baselondon.com

Earthy tones

Nothing quite shouts suave like brown accessories. Match with a quirky tie for a unique finish 11

102

DWHA || november / december

15

12 Cufflinks, £150, linksoflondon.com 13 ‘Manchuria’ pocket square, £45, roryhutton.co.uk 14 Suede loafers, £69, johnlewis.com 15 Bow tie, £POA, silviofiorello.com

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Shave Time

Quick, easy, no fuss – these men’s skincare must-haves will keep grooms polished and proper on the big day

Aveda body and hair oil, £24, debenhams.com

Eye see

Rid yourself of dark circles by revitalising and hydrating tired eyes to regenerate radiance

Skin deep

Moisturise and exfoliate, these products are both efficient and nourishing to help you achieve your best shave

Rituals ‘Samurai Magic Shave’, £19.50, debenhams.com

Armani regenerating cream, £62, debenhams.com

Clinique For Men sonic system deep cleansing brush, £79, debenhams.com

Kiehl’s scrub soap, £14, debenhams.com

ELEMIS ‘AntiFatigue’ eye gel, £25, debenhams.com

Antony Morato Antony Morato embodies Italian tradition and cosmopolitan clothing, striving for innovative pieces that are good value for money. DWHA’s Brittany Doran had the pleasure to review a few luxury pieces from the Antony Morato collection. Brittany was ecstatic to discover the sheer designs, rich materials and high quality structures of the outfits. She especially loved the blue velour suit jacket, which is perfect for grooms wishing to stand out and rock a statement piece (morato.it).

104

DWHA || november / december

L’Homme Yves Saint Laurent

Tony: “I tried a sample of this scent and loved it! I find it great to wear for elegant occasions, such as formal dinners, but also the spicy notes make it fantastic for nights out.

L’Homme is a classy and masculine fragrance, perfect for both summer and winter.”

(Eau de toilette, £43, theperfumeshop.com)

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

The

Bluebeards Revenge

Nick Gibbens of the male grooming brand discusses the barbershop quality products and his top styling tips for grooms

Top tip

Don’t leave your hair cuts for too long — aim to get a trim every four weeks or so

Scrub up

As the largest organ, skin is exposed to a lot of damage. Aim to use a face scrub no more than two or three times a week

I STARTED IN THE MALE GROOMING INDUSTRY at The Shaving Shack back in 2009 — a retailer of traditional shaving products. From here, we spotted a gap in the market for a premium quality-grooming brand that looked and took a very different approach to marketing.

The Bluebeards Revenge ticked all the right boxes.

FROM A MALE GROOMING/FASHION PERSPECTIVE I would say that David Beckham and David Gandy are my inspirations. They look great, have aged well and are always on trend. For my own grooming products, I personally like Ted Baker, Davidoff fragrances and of course, The Bluebeards Revenge. From a brand perspective, we’d love to collaborate with Jack Daniels or a premium rum brand.

OUR SHAVING CREAM REMAINS THE BESTSELLING product in the Bluebeards range. This is a heavy duty product that is designed to combat tough stubble

106

DWHA || november / december

and reduce common shaving issues such as razor rash and burn. We work very closely with barbers to ensure our products meet the standards you would find in a premium barbershop. Using the best possible ingredients is key and developing products that are on trend is another major factor in creation.

FOR GROOMS, I’D RECOMMEND a decent quality preshave oil, shaving cream, shave brush, safety razor (with sharp, clean blades), and a post shave balm. Preparation is the key to a decent quality shave. I would suggest showering before a shave and then using a pre shave oil before lathering up your shave cream. This helps to add an extra layer of protection as well as improve razor glide and in the process eliminate painful nicks and cuts.

FOR YOUR HAIR, USE A BARBERSHOP QUALITY shampoo and conditioner, hair dryer, and a quality styling product like a matt paste or matt clay (although this would depend on the hair style and length of hair).

Use a hairdryer to set the hair into shape and only use a small amount of product to provide hold. An Eau de Toilette would also not go a miss, of course!

OUR PRODUCTS ARE IDEAL for a destination wedding.

The body kit, in particular, would be a good choice for those travelling abroad. All of our products have been designed to perform in even the hottest of climates (bluebeards-revenge.co.uk).

WEDDING DJ

Perfect Tone Music has a formidable Team of passionate and experienced DJ’s and only supplies Top Quality Equipment, Sound & Service to all our clients

Phone : 0729216969 / 0824594096 E-mail : enquiries@perfecttonemusic.co.za Website : http://perfecttonemusic.co.za/

Exclusive Wedding Lighting Company

British Virgin Islands 1-284-442-5460 ambiancelightingbvi@gmail.com

Destinations Trainers, lipsy.co.uk // Tassel banner, paperchase.co.uk // Straw hat, lipsy.co.uk // Sunglasses, blackeyewear.com // Eye shadow palette, bobbibrown.co.uk // Watch, orlakiely.com // Bikini top, lipsy.co.uk // Clearing treatment, glamglow.co.uk // Hydrating treatment, glamglow.co.uk

Don’t forget your honeymoon essentials!

Pack multiple bikinis and sunglasses to sunny destinations

In this section From idyllic islands to mountainous winter wonderlands, check out some of the world’s most romantic locations

109

DWHA || march / april

111 116 120 124 130 132 136 140 144 152 154 159 164 173 178 186 190

Jamaica St Lucia Competition The Bahamas Turks & Caicos Mustique USA Iceland Portugal Italy Croatia Indonesia Kenya Mini-Moons Best of British Food for Thought Scotland

Step into

Luxury

JAMAICA

Boasting an enchanting beachfront location, unrivalled high standards and enviable backdrops throughout, Sandals South Coast resort is a couple’s paradise Words by Amber Connolly 111

DWHA || november / december

A

ll-inclusive resorts often conjure up images of mass-produced buffets, watered-down beverages and an overcrowded poolside. Catering to those who prefer quantity over quality, resorts are frequently perceived to forfeit culture for mainstream holiday requirements and desires. Sandals however, prove these judgments wrong. The term ‘luxury included’ is used to describe Sandals’ all-inclusive package, and luxury is inevitably the key word. Food is served to a high-quality, five-star standard, premium drinks are included and bonuses such as scuba diving and water sports come at no extra cost. The staff are attentive, friendly, and always on hand to assist.

I am visiting Sandals South Coast, formerly named Sandals Whitehouse, a thriving all-beachfront oasis on Jamaica’s little-known coastline. Set within a 500-acre nature reserve, the resort provides the perfect setting in which to experience unrivalled luxury. Its enviable location on the secluded shore, removes the resort from the hustle-and-bustle of the island’s largest cities, allowing guests to experience a tranquil and virtually untouched taste of the Jamaica that captivated Columbus. From the two-mile stretch of pristine white sand to glorious sunrises and sunsets, the resort is the epitome of a romantic retreat.

First class facilities

Our transfer from Montego Bay Airport takes me through rural Jamaica, past brightly coloured shacks in small villages and miles of verdant rainforests. The contrast of this adventure to arriving at Sandals South Coast is quite striking. Upon arrival, it is difficult not to be overwhelmed by the magnificence and beauty of the resort. Walking through the main reception, the doors open to a spectacular pool — the largest in Jamaica — and its appearance is only magnified by the structure that indicates the swimup bar. Perhaps due to its perfectly positioned beachfront

112

DWHA || november / december

location, the resort puts significant emphasis on water. In total, there are three large pools, four whirlpools and two swim-up bars — not including the separate scuba pool.

The sea is merely a stones throw away and watersports include sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, and much more.

What fascinates me about Sandals South Coast is that despite its size — currently at a grand total of 372 rooms — there are many times that it seems as if we’ve got the resort all to ourselves. Perhaps it is due to the 50 acres of space, or the numerous beach and poolside locations spread across the resort. Either way, the ambience is ideal for couples that want to bask in each other’s company.

Gastronomic delights

Sandals South Coast spoils its guests with choices for dining that line both the piazza and down the beach. All go above and beyond. There are nine restaurants in total, and each serves its own tantalising dishes to satisfy everybody’s tastebuds. Indulge in Japanese cuisine at beachfront Sushi on the Sand, sample Italian gastronomy at Giuseppe’s or savour spicy dishes at the quintessentially Caribbean Jerk Shack.

The food is of a particularly high standard and I imagine that I could be sampling dishes from some of London’s finest establishments — but with the treat of a beach backdrop.

In addition to the numerous eateries, the resort is also home to seven bars, where premium spirits, local Red Stripe beer and a seemingly endless list of cocktails are available. My personal favourite of the bars is the newly built Latitudes.

Walking up the deck at dusk, I pass pristine white seats set

DESTINATIONS

Island Routes

Did you know?

This authentic excursion

There are 16 Sandals

company offer 500 of the best and most unique

resorts across the

tours in the Caribbean

Caribbean, including seven in Jamaica!

around elegant fire pits. Situated over the water, Latitudes boasts panoramic sea views in an unrivalled location. I witness a spectacular sunset, enjoy refreshing cocktails and lounge on a hammock over the sea — pure bliss.

A honeymooners haven

As a couples-only resort, Sandals South Coast is the epitome of a romantic paradise. Many of the couples we meet around the resort are honeymooners or celebrating milestone anniversaries. Not only does the stunning backdrop and vast selection of restaurants provide an amorous setting, but also additional touches can be included to turn up the romance.

Butler service is included in top-tier room categories and photo shoots on the beach can be arranged with the sunset as your backdrop.

Perhaps the most romantic way to spend your evening is with a private candlelit dinner underneath the stars. A stunning set up is presented with elegant decoration and tropical flowers. With a multitude of locations to choose from, you can gaze out across the sea, from charming gazebos perched on a pier, or from the seclusion of your suite’s terrace. A

private waiter serves your four-course gourmet meal, whilst you indulge on exquisite sparkling wines.

Tie the knot

From a luscious garden ceremony to walking down the aisle with sand between your toes, Sandals South Coast is the optimal venue for celebrating your big day, and those after! Declare your vows in an overwater chapel; rejoice at a cocktail reception beside the pool; delve into a banquet dinner on the beach beneath the stars — all this is possible.

Stress-free planning is also achievable with the help of the wedding concierge team, pre-travel wedding planner and resort wedding planner, who ensure that the whole process runs smoothly. The ‘Beautiful Beginnings’ package is free for couples that stay three nights or longer, or alternatively you

www.dwha.co.uk

113

Photo Credit: David Churchill

can create your own bespoke design. Wedding couples are also spoilt with inclusions to make their stay extra special, this can consist of a romantic honeymoon dinner, breakfastin-bed with mimosas and a treatment in the Red Lane spa.

Out & about

Overwater bungalows Due to open in December 2017, the Overwater bungalows at Sandals South Coast are set to be the pinnacle of luxury living at the resort. An unrivalled connection to the Caribbean Sea allows complete immersion with the turquoise waters, just off the shore from the main resort. All bungalows boast Butler Elite service, meaning that there is no need to leave your suite if you desire. Lounge on the sundeck, admire the ocean from the hammocks, or dip your toes in the azure waters — the overwater bungalows are truly the ultimate romantic escape

Photo Credit: TVB St. Anton am Arlberg

Where to stay

Local excursions can be organised with Island Routes to take you beyond the resort and experience the true spirit of Jamaica. Adventure-seekers can zip-line through the rainforest, climb waterfalls, or ride the river currents in a kayak. Alternatively, swim with dolphins, or learn about local wildlife on a jeep safari tour. One of our evening adventures leads us on a Catamaran ride with Island Routes. We set off from the dock at Sandals South Coast and enjoy refreshing rum punches as we pass down the verdant coastline on the sea. We stop at a secluded beach for a swim in the sea and a starfish catches the attention of all in the water. After the breather, we venture back to the resort with music playing, drinks flowing and a spectacular sunset occurs behind us (islandroutes.co.uk).

Sandals Royal Caribbean These photos show the overwater

accommodations already built at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay

114

DWHA || november / december

Where Heaven meets

Earth

SAINT LUCIA

From champagne sunsets to the sapphire Caribbean Sea, surrender to the ultimate honeymoon haven on the sensational island of Saint Lucia

116

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

Things to do

T

reat yourself to the romantic escape of a lifetime, with a visit to Saint Lucia, a dazzling gem on the Eastern side of the Caribbean. The Atlantic Ocean kisses its sandy shores, while the dramatically tapered mountains stand proudly alongside the volcanic coves, which are kept quiet by the lulling waves of the calm Caribbean Sea. If you have set your heart on a tropical beach wedding with lush natural beauty, Saint Lucia is well-worth consideration. Verdant natural surroundings and a seductive Creole heritage has garnered this jewel as a fabulous honeymoon hotspot, with plenty of opportunities for intimate moments and action-packed adventures. Saint Lucia is quite simply a backdrop of splendour, for your wedding or honeymoon, whenever you decide to tie the knot.

Sugar & spice

Step into a beautiful blend of cultures found in Saint Lucia and experience the vibrant influences from Africa, France, and England. This melting pot provides a colourful fusion that draws visitors into its arms. When it comes to tasting the culture, dive straight into the wondrous dishes on offer. A delectable blend derived from the island’s various cultures will have you in a mouth-watering trance. If you’re intending to tie the not in Saint Lucia and are in need of a caterer, look no further than Orlando’s Restaurant & Bar. Orlando uses only the freshest local fish and meat to create influential and flavourful dishes (orlandosrestaurantstl.com).

Rhythm of passion

Part of the pleasure of visiting the Caribbean is the chance to hear the distinctive calypso music played on traditional steel drums. However, Saint Lucia’s music scene expands much wider, encompassing everything from classical music, orchestra and jazz to harmonious choir singing.

Wherever you hear music on the island, whether it’s a formal concert or street party, you’ll find people swaying their hips, stamping their feet and jamming to the vibes.

Music is part of Saint Lucia’s social fabric and the natives love to dance the merengue, samba, reggae, bomba and conga. Don’t hold back when invited to a jivin’ street party!

Worthy of a stop is the capital city — Castries, offering the vibrant Caribbean flair of authentic restaurants and bars, this palm-fringed port is a treasure trove. One of its best features is the soaring Morne Fortune, or the ‘Hill of Good Luck’, once a key battle ground and fortress built by the French and British. Hand-in-hand with your spouse, explore the heart of the city and its culture as your meander through the bustling Castries market where the stalls creak under the weight of the island’s exotic produce!

Jump into Saint Lucia’s incredibly rich past with a visit to Pigeon Island National Park which can be reached by water taxi, a romantic boat trip or idyllic stroll over the sandy causeway. This isle was home to the French buccaneer François Le Clerc, also known as ‘Peg Leg’. The island was later fortified by the British and today you and your true love can explore the remains of Fort Rodney while enjoying panoramic vistas of the spectacular coastlines and rolling hills. Whether you want to explore the island’s museum, historic relics, stroll through the winding paths, or enjoy a picnic on a sandy cove, it all awaits you in splendid Saint Lucia.

Awe-inspiring wonders

The real jewels of this magical island are found on the south west shore towering over the town of Soufrière (French for Sulfur), home to the only drive-in volcano in the world! The majestic Pitons are the most photographed landmark on the island and attracts thousands of visitors as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rising dramatically from the coastline and dense forest that surrounds, this is a nature trail for avid adventurers. Petit Piton is the smaller of the two and a fantastic climb, but a glance at its steep slopes will tell you it’s no walk in the park, especially in the tropical heat.

However, if you’re an experienced hiker, your ascent to the 2461 ft (739m) summit will reward you with magnificent views of the turquoise sea and emerald coastline.

For an exciting and memorable day trip with your sweetheart, head to the Sulphur Springs. There is a stream running through the crater, and hot springs bubbling and belching with sulphur-laden steam. These bathing pools are blessed with volcanic minerals and reputed to have therapeutic properties, making it the perfect spot for a bathing detox. You may not like the smell coming from the spring, or stand the heat for long, but your skin will thank you after a quick dip!

www.dwha.co.uk

117

Where to stay Calabash Cove From the moment you arrive, prepare to be blown away by panoramic views. Experience an unconditional all-inclusive experience, offering premium brand liquors and a wine list of more than 20 international bottles. Enjoy the tranquillity and expert concierge service

Take the chance to indulge in an intimate and detoxifying experience with a must-do mud bath. The medicinal waters and boiling mud are rumoured to revitalise and restore your body and mind, leaving you looking younger and healthier.

Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture those funloving, treasurable moments! After wallowing in a messy mud bath, refresh and wash off in the Diamond Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Caribbean with mineral-laced water that gives it a rainbow-like appearance.

A visit to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens is an excellent way to enjoy the beauty and sultry warmth of the tropics as you marvel at the diversity of exotic flowers and plant life. This is a wonderful chance to soak up the peaceful romance as you take in the alluring and abounding natural beauty around you.

to uncover local hidden gems (calabashcove.com).

Ti Kaye Resort & Spa This ethereal paradise is situated on the cliffside of a secluded clove. Relax in the tranquil cottage residences overlooking the ocean. After a swim in your personal plunge pool, recline in the double hammock while watching a blissful sunset (tikaye.com).

Did you know?

Saint Lucia is the world’s only country to be named after a woman

East Winds A breath-taking garden by the sea, East Winds is planted on a secluded storybook beach.

This Caribbean hideaway is the island’s original boutique resort, featuring 30 cottage-style suites tucked away amongst lush plants and a kaleidoscope of bird life. The resort offers couples a picture-perfect backdrop for their special day (eastwinds.com).

Wedding Planner

By Charlie Ltd

Begin the next chapter of your journey on the legendary island of Saint Lucia by celebrating your dream ceremony with the help of By Charlie Ltd. This elite planning service delivers seamless soirees that will be cherished for a lifetime (bycharlieltd.com).

118

DWHA || november / december

Share the love WEDDING CATERER Restaurant and bar

Website: www.orlandosrestaurantstl.com Telephone: 1 (758) 459 5955 or 1 (758) 489 6211 or 1 (301) 576 2288 Email: islandsignatureweddings@gmail.com

MyCaribbeanVacations Mobile Concierge APP

MYSTLUCIAVACATIONS Mobile Concierge APP

KAI KOKO

TI KAYE

RESORT & SPA

SPA

TI KAVE THE WINE CELLAR

TI KAYE

KAI KOKO

TI KAVE

RESORT & SPA

SPA

THE WINE CELLAR

1

AN EXCLUSIVELY ADULT HONEYMOON RESORT IN SAINT LUCIA Phone: + (758) 456-8101

General Information: info@tikaye.com

Anse Cochon nat ural

Anse La Raye

elegance ,

Saint Lucia

Website: www.tikaye.com

West Indies

u n der st at ed sop hist icat ion

WIN

a honeymoon to

St. Lucia

Bookings will not be requested for peak travel times (Christmas, New Year, Valentines day, Easter, School Holidays, Thanksgiving etc). Complimentary stays are only valid for travel between 27th April – 21st July 2017 & 3rd September – 15th December 2017 & 24th March – 20th July 2018. Stays must be completed by 27/04/2018. Based on 2 people sharing a room, additional adult/child rates available upon request, but subject to availability. Extra night and child prices are available on request. Transfers to/from Hewanorra International airport are included. Spa treatments, paintballing, motorised water sports, gift shop purchases or any off-site excursions are not included. The prize-winner must be one of the people travelling. The prize winner and travelling companion(s) are responsible for their own passports and any visa’s required, personal travel insurance and spending money. The prize has no cash value and cannot be exchanged for a cash alternative, refund or any other holiday. The prize excludes spending money. The prize excludes flights. Cancelling the booking negates the prize.

www.coconutbayresort.co.uk

HOW TO ENTER Caribbean sunshine awaits one lucky couple, just answer the following question!

How many bars are there at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa? A Three

The Prize

B Five

A seven night honeymoon at 4* Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa St Lucia, all inclusive. The prize is for two adults. Flights not included.

C Seven

Weddings & Honeymoons at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa are an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

The natural beauty of St. Lucia is the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding whether you have a beach wedding, say your vows in Coconut Bay’s romantic ocean-front gazebo or marry amidst lush greenery in the tropical gardens. Say your vows in a tropical paradise and let our expert wedding coordinators take care of the rest.

Couples who choose Coconut Bay for their nuptials can choose one of a number of all-inclusive weddings and bask in the bliss of a stress-free ceremony. Coconut Bay weddings & Honeymoons make it easy to create magical memories on any budget.

Enjoy spa treatments, beautiful decor and signature turndown service as part of every package. Other all-inclusive weddings include a sunset sail on a catamaran, private island tours and a luxurious reception for you and your guests. Our planning team is devoted to creating your dream wedding, taking care of every detail and letting you enjoy the most romantic time of your life.

For your all-inclusive wedding & Honeymoon St Lucia is the ideal tropical setting, and Coconut Bay’s creative coordinators make it an affair to remember.

Head to www.coconutbayresort.co.uk to find the answer!

Send your answer to competition@dwha.co.uk using Coconut Bay Honeymoon Prize Competition as the subject field then provide us with your name, address, preferred email address and contact number.

Submissions deadline 31st October 2017

With over a decade of international events experience, ‘By Charlie’ seamlessly combines a sleek & chic city standard of service with the laid back luxury of island living to provide you with an elite event planning & coordination service in St Lucia,Caribbean.

www.bycharlieltd.com

Email : bycharlieltd@gmail.com Tel : 001 758 285 2685

Rest. Reflect. Dream.

RESORT & SPA

Create wedding and honeymoon memories to cherish for a lifetime. www.CalabashCove.com | CalabashCove@CaribReps.com

As the premier event décor company of the Bahamas, Wildflowers Events & Occasions specialises in dynamically producing unforgettable events for each of our clients.

We take pride in our imaginative floral works, large variety of quality décor, and incomparable client service. By showcasing limitless creativity and innovation in the event and décor industries, we are known for transforming our clients’ dreams into an imaginative and exceptional reality.

www.wildflowersbahamas.com +1 305 648 4705 USA +1 242 325 1675 Bahamas +1 242 325 1678 Fax info@wildflowersbahamas.com Farrington Road Nassau, Bahamas

Elegant Dining • Weddings • Parties • Corporate Events

Wedding Events

Private Rooms Available For Special Events

www.lucianosnassau.com

T: (242) 323-7770/1

E: lucianos@restaurantsbs.com

The Epitome of

Paradise THE BAHAMAS

Idyllic islands of adventure, relaxation, and pure beauty, The Bahamas are the definition of honeymoon bliss

W

elcome to a world of sun, sea and sand…and more sea! This Caribbean gem is an archipelago of thriving ecological wonders, boasting some of the clearest sea on the planet. The waters range from hues of blue and green, and the sands are a rainbow of sherbet whites and pale pinks. Fall in love with the exotic hideaways, spectacular sunsets and world-class adventures. From the designer shops in Nassau to uninhabited cays in the Exumas, find your perfect island or island-hop to get the best of it all.

Discover thrills at…

New Providence

It isn’t the largest Bahamian island, but what New Providence lacks in size, it makes up for in spirit. Referred to as the nation’s heart, the island holds the country’s largest population and is a playground for activities. The capital, Nassau, is a bustling metropolitan of culture and amenities.

Plummet down waterslides, try your luck at casinos and choose from a plethora of restaurants and bars. However, behind the touristic front, Nassau is home to fascinating museums, locally-owned restaurants and crowd-free areas.

Nassau’s population consisted mainly of pirates until 1718, so there’s plenty of maritime history to uncover.

Just offshore is Paradise Island and frankly, everything you need to know about the island is in its name. Fine-dining, high-rise hotels, elegant casinos, and some of the best Bahamian beaches can be found here. It’s here you can find Furze Entertainment, who can offer you talented live musicians, fun bands and dancers, or exciting DJs. Enjoy the beats of steel drums and percussions as you dance the night away beneath a Bahamian sunset (furzeentertainment.com).

124

DWHA || november / december

Swim with the pigs in…

The Exumas

Sapphire-blue dominates the scenery across this archipelago of 365 cays and islands — one for each day of the year! Dotted across the islands are footprint-free beaches, ultra-exclusive resorts and luscious clusters of greenery. Nature outnumbers man in this tropical paradise, making it an idyllic honeymoon escape. Additionally, the Exumas have captivated the hearts of many famous names, including film producers of James Bond movies, Jay Z and Beyoncé, and David Copperfield.

Hollywood actor, Johnny Depp fell in love with the islands during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean and purchased his own cay to escape the paparazzi.

With so many beaches to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. The longest beach — and frequently depicted as the prettiest — in the Exuma chain is the Tropic Of Cancer Beach. Named for it’s geographical coordinate, this coastline boasts an exquisite crescent of powder-white sand bordering translucent waters that need no filter to showcase their beauty. However, if you want to uncover a truly oneof-a-kind experience, head to Major’s Spot Cay. It’s the home of domesticated pigs, although no one particularly knows how they got there.

Whenever a boat arrives, they swim out and expect to be fed, a tradition that’s been occurring for years.

DESTINATIONS

Dolphin Encounters

Take a scenic boat ride through the aquamarine waters to Blue Lagoon Island with Dolphin Encounters. Here, you’ll swim with the beautiful creatures for an authentic Bahamian experience (dolphinencounters.com)

Unwind at…

Acklins and Crooked Island

If your perception of honeymoon bliss involves escaping from civilization and basking in seclusion with your new spouse, then these islands could be for you. Explore seemingly endless miles of sandy beaches and countless coral gardens in these remote islands, almost as natural as they were when The Bahamas were first discovered.

As Acklins and Crooked Island are not well-known tourist destinations, they are perfect for couples who wish to avoid bustling destinations on the beaten path. Although renowned for their natural surroundings, the islands are not lacking in activities. Snorkeling and diving opportunities are aplenty, and many limestone caves and magnificent cliffs are just waiting to be explored.

Acklins itself is one of the least known and most well preserved islands in The Bahamas. The island encompasses a shallow lagoon named the Bight of Acklins, which proves itself to be a hotspot for bonefishing and snorkelling. On the other hand, Crooked Island is one of The Bahamas’ best-kept secrets and a trip to the island is like stepping back in time. The sparsely populated settlements are reminiscent of early plantation life. You can also visit Long Cay, Acklins and Crooked Island’s sister.

Originally called Fortune Island and once a major trading post, today it is simply a sleepy town with few residents.

Where to stay Marley Resort & Spa Formerly a private holiday home for the Marley family, this resort is a true haven for travellers. The music, history and way of life celebrated by the Marley family are woven into every aspect, blending the warmth of their home with the ultimate comfort and convenience. Unwind at this luxurious boutique resort and spa and experience the unparalleled service (marleyresort.com).

Highbourne Cay

Exuma Cays is sprawling cerulean seas on a sunset sky canvas and it is here that you will find Highbourne Cay, where beaches are often quiet and your footsteps could be the only ones in the sand. Partake in snorkelling, diving, nature trails, and many other activities including an over-water swing (highbournecaybahamas.com).

www.dwha.co.uk

125

Experience an Amazing & Memorable Wedding in The Bahamas Together is a beautiful place to be and Marley Resort and Spa is the perfect location for your Bahamas destination wedding. With breathtaking views of turquoise waters and a lush tropical garden, Our 16 room Oceanfront Resort, the former vacation home of music legend Bob Marley, is the ideal place for your dream island wedding.

Marley Resort & Spa - Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas www.marleyresort.com

Address: West Bay Street | P.O. Box SP-62637 | Nassau, Bahamas Tel: US Direct: +1 407-545-6384 | Tollfree: 866-440-8011

T H E BA H A M A S W E D D I N G P H OTO G R A P H E R S E E T H E W E D D I N G P H OTO S T H AT W I L L M A K E YO U WA N T TO FA L L I N LOV E A L L OV E R AGA I N. V I S I T M A R K W I N D E R P H OTOG R A P H Y.CO M T : 001 242 3956563 • E : Forever@MarkWinderPhotography.com • A : Miami, Florida & Nassau, Bahamas S E R V I N G C L I E N T S I N T H E U S A & T H E BA H A M A S

Dr Andy EZ Bahamas Weddings STANLO PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE BAHAMAS

Celebrate With your Celebrant

Telephone 1-754-202-8558 Email stanlophotography@ gmail.com Address Nassau Bahamas •

South Florida

stanlophotography @stanlophotos Stanlo Photography

Shirlea Rd

Carmichael Road, Nassau, N8821 Bahamas

Tél : 001 242 428 0131 / E-mail : Ahuyler703@hotmail.com

P.O Box SS5523 Nassau, Bahamas

A wedding wouldn’t be the same without flowers, they are a personal signature of love.

Flowers can turn an already beautiful setting into one that is truly breathtaking.

Web: www.wildseeddesigns.com • Tel: 242-393-1042 • Email: wildseeddesigns@yahoo.com

DJ / LIVE MUSICIANS IN THE BAHAMAS

We absolutely love weddings! Let us help create the wedding party of your dreams, from your grand entrance to your first dance to your guests having the time of their lives on the dance floor.

Make your wedding the event of the year with all that Furze Entertainment has to offer – professional DJs who are dynamic MCs – talented Live Musicians, Bands and Dancers – leading Party Lighting and Equipment– all to create your ideal wedding fantasy.

www.furzeentertainment.com

Tel: (242) 376-5059 | skype: kirkfurze E-mail: kirk@furzeentertainment.com Nassau, Bahamas

Islands of

Paradise TURKS AND CAICOS Traversing rocky shores, wading through turquoise seas, and discovering jungle-buried ruins – that’s what the islands of Turks and Caicos are all about Cerulean seas and humpback whales

A cluster of islands, southeast of the Bahamas and northwest of Puerto Rico, dappled by mangroves, limestone cliffs, and turquoise sea. These are the islands of Turks and Caicos, and they have sun 350 days a year. Sparsely populated, the islands boast a ring of coral reef; some of the most magnificent in the world. All the islands offer unique, varied experiences.

Providenciales is the bustling kernel, the heart of the islands, with luxury resorts ready to pamper you with the most beautiful cerulean sea views and spa treatments — or simply a beachside massage. Beyond that, ruins hide in the jungle waiting to be discovered and local festivals spill onto the beach with music and dance. During whale-watching season, catch sight of the glorious humpback whales passing from the shores of Grand Turk.

In Providenciales, you’ll find the hub of water sports nestled on the white sand beach of Grace Bay, where quaint restaurants sit beneath the shade of palm trees overlooking the waves.

Go snorkelling to witness the sights of Smith’s Reef and Bight Reef, and then visit the ethereal turquoise lagoon of Chalk Sound National Park, framed by smatterings of cays atop reefs. It’s the perfect place for a wedding or a honeymoon with its searing climate and expansive views of the horizon. A short boat ride from here is Little Water Clay nature reserve, home to rock iguanas. Cakes to Di For are based in Providenciales, and they create artisanal bespoke cakes tailored to your personal style. Whatever idiosyncrasies you may have, have a cake crafted to fit you perfectly — and then enjoy the sun-baked beaches with a slice of cake and a glass of wine.

130

DWHA || november / december

The only real way to experience the islands is to adventure through the entire constellation of them. Grand Turk is the capital island and is the historical heart. It was here that Christopher Columbus set foot on land during his initial voyage to the New World in 1492. Astronaut John Glenn’s spacecraft, Friendship 7, landed just off Grand Turk’s southeast shoreline. Also, there’s a NASA exhibit to showcase the Mercury Program. As well as its remarkable history, Grand Turk is home to a state of the art luxury cruise ship centre. This is where you’ll find one of the Caribbean’s largest swimming pools, where you can take a dip before strolling along the postcard-perfect beach, then go and recline in a chaise lounge — unless you’re renting a poolside cabana.

Enjoy exotic flavours as you dig into coconut shrimp, cracked conch, and island seafood chowder and enjoy frozen cocktails in the nautical open air Beached Whale Bar and Grill.

A real secluded hideaway

For some much-needed privacy and tranquillity with your partner, venture into the more secluded islands with deserted beaches on North Caicos. While being close to the luxury resorts of Providenciales, North Caicos is like stepping back in time to an older, quieter era. Settlements sprinkle some of the island but disappear as shallow rivers and mangrove mazes take over the land towards the south. Flamingos perch over the shallow waterways and even have a designated Flamingo Pond. A hilltop vantage point is close by, where

DESTINATIONS

Did you know?

More than half of the coastlines on the islands of Turks and Caicos have power-white soft sands, meaning that there are plenty of picture-perfect beaches to choose from you can birdwatch the day away with a picnic. Pumpkin Bluff is an otherworldly beach that you’ll hardly believe is real.

Cerulean waves lap at the shore and roll out onto the blue sky horizon.

Connected by causeway to North Caicos is Middle Caicos, the real getaway locale. Striking, glittering Atlantic waters meet glowing coastline, and the only sounds you’ll hear for miles will be gentle waves, soft breezes through the mangroves, and birds singing above. Conch Bar Caves are the largest caves above-land in the Bahamian Archipelago, where some chambers are home to little tidal lagoons and colonies of bats. Home to some scenic caves is East Caicos, where you can venture into the Indian Cave with some skylights in its ‘ceiling’ and papaya trees crane towards the light filtering through. Barn owls, yellow crowned night herons, and giant blue land crabs all reside within this open cave where many fossils of extinct tortoises, giant iguanas, and other reptiles have been discovered along with evidence of human habitation of Taíno people.

Flamingos, coral reefs, and sands

Much of the islands are uninhabited, but still accessible and home to flora and fauna. It’s worth camping out underneath the stars amidst exotic trees and animals for a night or two.

East Caicos is the only island of the region that has no modern development as it’s been uninhabited for over a hundred years.

A small passageway allows little vessels to traverse between the island and Middle Caicos. Blue holes pepper the land and barracudas drift along the current in the sea. It’s here you’ll find Flamingo Hill, where you can also take in the sights of miles upon miles of barrier reef encompassing the island.

When you’ve had your fill of each other and your serenity, head back into the populated islands for excursions in kiteboarding, kayaking, and diving in South Caicos.

Nicknamed The Big South, it was once the most populous

of all the islands until Providenciales overtook it in the 80's. Now a backwater with few visitors, you and your partner will feel like you have the island to yourself. The coastal limestone cliffs that tower over hidden coves and quiet beaches provide the most awe-inspiring hiking and photographic opportunities. Explore the ruins of Highland Estate and breathe in the pure nature that surrounds you.

Hurricane season is June to November, but rates and crowds are lower during this time and rain is manageable. It’s really a year-round destination; the islands are never too packed.

For excursions to the other islands, charter a boat or find operators such as Silver Deep. The islands of Turks and Caicos are rural dirt paths leading to untrodden wildlands.

They are tranquil beaches concealed by cliffs. They’re expansive gleaming seas clustered with coral reefs, where seafood is plentiful and fresh and you’ll recline in spas and beaches alike. Total relaxation, the islands of Turks and Caicos are truly the ultimate romantic getaway.

www.dwha.co.uk

131

Tropicalbliss

The island enjoys a balmy climate

The Mystique of

all year round, with an average temperature of 240C to 290C

Mustique ST. VINCENT AND GRENADINES

This tiny Caribbean island has always been a draw for royals and rock stars. Discover why the discreet charm of this A-list enclave could be perfect for you

F

ancy a beach wedding where you might spot Mick Jagger sauntering by to the local bar in his shades?

Or a honeymoon where you sip cocktails with the rich and famous, and may even rub shoulders with royalty?

The little island of Mustique could be your ideal destination.

Natural wonders

Mustique is all about privacy, discretion, and unspoilt beauty. The jaws of even the most seasoned travellers drop as they fly into the airport, peering out the plane window and spying the lush, tropical landscape unfolding. If you’ve ever had a daydream about an island, this is definitely it. There are no concrete jungles of skyscraping hotels. No cars to clog up the island’s roads — they are simply not allowed. Getting around is done on golf buggies known as mules or “putputs”.

Out & about

Ever since Mustique first appeared on the radar, it has been associated with the rich and famous. The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, had a place here, and rumours of her ginquaffing hedonism lent the island a louche charm. That vibe continues at Basil’s Bar, where models and moguls party alongside everyone else. But Mustique is never crowded.

Honeymooners can idle along white-sands, or swim in the sun-baked ocean. Alternatively, sail on a catamaran to the adjacent island of Bequia.

Getting Hitched

Getting married isn’t complicated. You only need to be on the island for 24 hours before the ceremony. You can get married almost anywhere: on the beach, by your pool, or in Mustique’s tiny bamboo church.

132

DWHA || november / december

Where to stay Cotton House Hotel Do as you wish in the privacy of your villa and soak up sun as you lounge over translucent waters. Cotton House Hotel has diverse suites and cottages, all surrounded by tropical gardens. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, and yet a myriad of restaurants and the beach are only a short walk away.

Seaview rooms offer private pools that hang over the expanse of the Caribbean Sea and have their own elevated bathtubs. Spend all day on the sea scuba diving beneath the waves, windsurfing with your loved one, or boarding a glass bottom kayak. Private boats can take you to visit nearby islands, including the one where Johnny Depp was stranded on during Pirates of the Caribbean (cottonhouse.net).

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

133

Palm-Fringed Paradise USA Fort Lauderdale boasts over 23 miles of golden sandy beaches and basks in around 3,000 hours of wall to wall sunshine… It’s not hard to see why this sun-kissed South Florida city ticks all of our dream honeymoon boxes Words by Claire Bloomfield

Y

ou have probably been dreaming about a lush tropical setting where the sunsets are romantic and the beaches are beautiful. Fort Lauderdale has got it covered. Although it’s still vying for Miami’s crown as the coolest city in South Florida, this is a destination undoubtedly competing with the Caribbean in beach appeal, and is likely to be less expensive and easier for your guests to travel to. Fort Lauderdale lends itself to idyllic barefoot weddings on the 23-mile stretch of unforgettable white sandy beaches and can offer honeymooners a blend of activity, relaxation and luxury. Another reason you might want to tie the knot here is that you’re already halfway to many magnificent palm lined exotic hotspots, if you’re looking for a multi-centre honeymoon.

Relax and play

Casa D’Angelo is the upscale flagship Italian restaurant of famed restaurateur Angelo Elia — one of the best Italian chefs in the whole of South Florida. The exquisite wine cellar is arguably one of the finest collections in the area and is well worth a short guided-tour between your main course and dessert. The Tuscan-style menu is adorned with glowing reviews from locals, experts and celebrities — and the service is faultless. Be sure to ask your concierge to reserve a

136

DWHA || november / december

romantic table for two in advance (casa-d-angelo.com). Nisi, Monkitail and Point Royal — all in the Broward area — have also been listed as some of the best new additions to the Fort Lauderdale culinary scene this summer.

Fort Lauderdale adopted the nickname ‘The Venice of America’ back in the 1900s, and with around 500 miles of waterways and over 160 bridges, it’s not difficult to see why. In honour of the Venetian theme, private evening gondola rides are unsurprisingly one of the most popular activities for honeymooners. You’ll explore the city’s scenic canals and spot jaw dropping multi-million dollar homes and yachts belonging to the rich and famous as you cruise silently into Fort Lauderdale’s striking sunsets (gondolaswest.com).

Wild adventures through the expansive Everglades National Park is sure to result in some incredible pictures for your honeymoon scrapbook. The crazy 60-minute airboat ride tours through the mysterious Everglades is your once in a lifetime chance to seek out Florida’s legendary reptile, the

DESTINATIONS

Did you know?

Fort Lauderdale has over 100 marinas and 50,000 registered yachts

Where to stay The Atlantic Hotel & Spa

American Alligator. Experience the thrill at night if you dare (evergladetours.com).

You won’t be able to resist hitting the shops before you head home so you would be advised to travel light, no matter how tough it may seem when you’re cramming in those last minute sun dresses. Sawgrass Mills, just a 40-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale beach, is one of the largest shopping outlets in the United States with more than 350 stores. This retail palace includes American high street favourites and an adjacent Rodeo Drive-esque street lined with the likes of Jimmy Choo, Prada and Saint-Laurent (simon.com).

Out of town

The neon lights of Miami’s trendy South Beach are just a 45-minute drive away so you would be crazy not to extend your stay and visit Fort Lauderdale’s most fashionable neighbours. Often branded the American Riviera and also known as SoBe, Miami is an Art Deco Playground you simply must experience during your trip.

But, you will tend to find Fort Lauderdale’s swanky restaurants a little cheaper and probably less intimidating. If you fancy venturing further afield, it’s about a four-hour drive to either Orlando or Key West.

Nestled in the heart of Florida’s Gold Coast, this hotel is just 30-minutes away from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and three miles from the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This landmark beachside hotel, with 124 contemporary rooms, has a fifth floor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness centre and bar offering a captivating outdoor setting for those lazy sun-seeking days.

If you want to add a touch of glamour to your honeymoon, splash out on the 16th floor twobedroom Oceanfront Penthouse. This elegant 2,200 sq. ft. suite complete with Jacuzzi tubs and chic décor also has spacious terraces overlooking the spectacular sweeping beaches.

The hotel’s sea-and-citrus-inspired day spa is the perfect retreat for you and your loved one to kick back after your big day. With couples’ treats ranging from Deep Tissue, Swe-Thai and a signature BoomaGlam massage using pure luxurious Macadamia nut oil, your prewedding tension will melt away at Spa Atlantic (atlantichotelfl.com).

www.dwha.co.uk

137

Aviva Samuel’s Top Tips for Getting Married in Florida 1) Prepare for the heat In Florida, you can count on heat and humidity. Wear a lightweight gown, and advise guests to wear loose, light-coloured clothing 2) Consider the rain factor Especially in summer, it can be a beautiful day and then suddenly, the skies open up and rain comes down. It’s warm, but plentiful 3) Anticipate strong winds If you intend to get married on a beach, you might want to consider wearing your hair up and veil-free. Securely-fasten all décor items, including paper fans and programs 4) Keep your guests cool and comfortable Sunscreen and bug spray work wonders. Pack them in your hotel welcome bags and make sure a drink station is provided

Celebrity spotting

5) Ensure your venue has a back-up space Heat, wind, rain?…backup plan! If you are set on getting married in an outdoor area, a tent may be something to consider

Look out for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson,

6) Choose the region accordingly

David Cassidy, and Marilyn Manson who

Each area has a different vibe. Miami is a highenergy town, while Palm Beach is pristine, and the Florida Keys are casual and chill

all live in the area

7) Pick a venue that best suits your needs Florida offers all types of venues but due to the long distance between them, have an idea of what you are looking for before you arrive 8) Consider your guest’s budgets Find a location that has more than one price point for hotels. Not everyone can afford luxury, yet some wouldn’t think of staying in anything less than the finest of hotels 9) Plan activities for your guests Organise activities such as a trip to the aquarium, beach volleyball, or watersports.

A dinner cruise aboard a yacht charter is a popular choice for a welcome reception 10) Find someone who specialises in the area Without guidance, choosing the best vendors can be a challenge. Hiring a planner can save you time, money and heartache (kisstheplanner.com)

138

DWHA || november / december

Blue Orchid Events & Design

This premium wedding planning service will deliver your dream ceremony. These experts design weddings with luxury details, sophisticated touches and tailor it to suit your big day desires

MIAMI & FORT LAUDERDALE WEDDING PLANNING - OFFERING FREE CONSULTATIONS TO INQUIRIES

BLUE-ORCHID-EVENTS.COM CALL TODAY: +1 (248)840-4204

Fish Tails Bar, Grill & Sushi Bar Fish Tails is a casual dockside seafood restaurant located in Red Hook, adjacent to the ferry terminal.

Serving the freshest local seafood on St. Thomas.

www.fishtailsvi.com

Daily selections of fresh fish, caribbean lobster, oysters, mussels, clams & Alaskan king crab are just some of the items you will always find available on our menu.

There are quite a few options for our land lovers as well, burgers, chicken, steak & pasta.

A : 6501 Red Hook Road, Red Hook, ST Thomas, 00802, USVI

Tel : 001 340 714 3188

Email : Kwaterfall10@yahoo.com

The Land of

Fire and Ice ICELAND Delve into the depths of a volcano, unwind in the geothermal waters of a hot spring, gaze in awe at the Northern lights, or ski down the magnificent landscape. Discover beauty and adventure on a romantic trip to Iceland

N

ot every couple craves a white sand beach beside turquoise waters for their honeymoon.

Some desire kick-starting married life with the adventures of a lifetime, exploring surreal landscapes and experiencing breath-taking natural wonders. If this sounds like you and your spouse-to-be, Iceland could be the perfect destination for you. As one of the happiest nations in the world, Iceland is becoming increasingly popular and ranks highly on many travel-lovers bucket lists. Embrace the land of fire and ice, and uncover what makes this mystical yearround destination so special.

Natural wonders

140

Perhaps the most popular draw to Iceland is the potential to witness the astounding Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) phenomenon. Whilst the sky displays a plethora of multi-coloured lights, watch in awe of one of the world’s most astonishing attractions. They provide not only an incredible backdrop for gazing upon this spectacular sight, but also a uniquely romantic landscape for one of your first photographs as newlyweds. Guaranteed darkness is necessary for viewing, therefore from September to midApril is the best season to visit. If spectating the lights is a must for your honeymoon, then make sure to plan your trip between these months.

midnight, meaning that there are only a few hours of darkness. It’s the perfect time for sightseeing, without having to worry about getting home before dark. Also, the further north you go, the longer the day gets! There are many festivals and activities that take place during these months to celebrate these extended hours of light, so be sure to check out the local scene.

Alternatively, if you visit from May to August, you also have the opportunity to witness another natural sensation.

During this time, the Midnight Sun phenomenon occurs, when the sun rises just after 3am and shines until just before

Perfect for honeymooners looking to relax, Iceland is home to one of the world’s most famous geothermal spas. The Blue Lagoon is a manmade wonder situated on a lava field, providing an oasis of relaxation and tranquility. Its electric

DWHA || november / december

Time to unwind

DESTINATIONS

Where to stay Hotel Ranga This luxury countryside hotel is located just off the main road in the heart of South Iceland’s panoramic scenery. Built in a log-cabin style, the hotel has acquired an excellent reputation for its gourmet food, accommodation and service. Opt for a romantic room setting and arrive to red roses, chocolate covered fruits, rose petals and two glasses of sparkling wine (hotelranga.is). blue waters, encompassed by nature, ensure that a visit leads to perhaps the most visually incredible bathing experience you’re likely to ever have. Additionally, if you’re visiting Iceland before your wedding, the lagoon is certainly worth a visit. The waters are warm and mineralrich, ensuring that your skin is left smooth and refreshed.

You’re guaranteed to walk down the aisle glowing after a trip to the Blue Lagoon.

Journey of a lifetime

Alternatively, couples that visit Iceland may want to experience more action and adventure than simply unwinding and de-stressing in a geothermic spa.

Fortunately, the country caters exceedingly well to thrill-seekers’ needs, and much of this is due to Iceland’s spectacular landscape. In total, Iceland boasts a colossal 130 volcanoes and it’s the only place in the entire world where you can take a lift into the magma chamber of one — but not for the faint-hearted!

Did you know?

If you’re not keen on the idea of your spouse-to-be visiting strip clubs, then Iceland may be the place for you. The country put a ban on strip clubs back in 2010

Scuba diving is also a popular attraction for tourism, as the Silfra fissure is known as one of the top dive sites in the world. The transparency of the water is astounding, offering an underwater visibility of over 100 metres.

Additionally, the Silfra fissure is actually a crack between the North American and Eurasian continents.

This means that you can dive where the continental plates meet and essentially be in two continents at the same time!

www.dwha.co.uk

141

www.husavikadventures.is

Moggubra flower shop in Iceland

Photographers - Lárus Sigurðarson & Rúnar Ásbergsson

Promo Code “DWHA15” - for 15% readers discount T: +354 853 4205

E: whales@husavikadventures.is

Hafnarstett 11, 640 Husavik, Iceland

Möggubrá T: +354 690 3915 • E: moggubra@gmail.com

Borealis Hotel Rustic Icelandic country wedding

www.hotelborealis.is T: +354-561-3661 E: Booking@hotelborealis.is

#borealishotel

In the Northern Lights Deluxe Tour and dinner at the Cowshed Restaurant. you start with a relaxing dip into the Nature Baths. Amazing North offers Snowmobile Tours and Private Super Jeep Tours with local guides in North Iceland.

YOUR HOLIDAY, OUR PASSION!

T: 00354 858-0020 E: info@amazingnorth.is W: www.amazingnorth.is Amazing North, Birkihraun 6

Magnificence in

Madeira PORTUGAL The beauty of this Portuguese region draws tourists of nearly three times its population every year. With outstanding gastronomy, sensational landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Madeira provides the perfect honeymoon alternative to mainstream destinations

H

enry Nelson Coleridge, the nephew of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, once declared, “I should think the situation of Madeira the most enviable on the whole earth. It ensures every European comfort with almost every tropical luxury.” Even today, Coleridge’s statement resonates. Gastronomical wonders are prevalent, the wine is superb, and the landscape is spectacular. An autonomous region of Portugal, Madeira is an archipelago consisting of four islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Due to this outstanding location, Madeira’s climate is subtropical, making the destination suitable for all year round romantic excursions.

Culinary delights

One of Madeira’s greatest draws is the cuisine. Inevitably, there’s no lack of seafood, and one of the popular choices is the local black scabbard.

Although it may seem unusual, the fish is often paired with bananas to create a specialty dish.

The people of Madeira hold a sense of pride in their bananas as they don’t match EU standards and cannot be exported out of Portugal. Their small size makes them sweeter than those found in the supermarkets of other

144

DWHA || november / december

European countries. In addition, there are plenty of exotic fruits to be discovered, so live like a local and sample a nearby market. If you’d like to host your reception in a Madeiran restaurant, look no further than Restaurante do Forte. A rare encounter between history and gastronomy, the restaurant combines international cuisine with local ingredients. From intimate receptions to glamorous affairs, Restaurante do Forte caters to all your wedding needs (en.forte.restaurant).

Of course, the food isn’t the only thing you should sample in Madeira. The famous eponymous wine is a must-try for lovers of the beverage.

The islands have a winemaking history, dating back to when Madeira was a port of call for ships heading to the New World or East Indies. Today, the wine is noted for its unique winemaking process, which involves heating the drink. Because of this process, Madeira is a very robust wine that can last a long while, even after being opened. Although most associate the wine with Madeira, the traditional drink of the islands is Poncha — an alcoholic drink made with aguardente de cana (distilled alcohol made from sugar cane juice), honey, sugar, lemon rind and lemon juice.

Stunning scenery

Rugged, wind-swept beaches, luscious mountains and beautiful botanical gardens define the landscape of Madeira.

DESTINATIONS

Did you know?

Madeira’s geographical location means that it’s much closer to Africa than it is to Europe!

Overall, it provides a refreshing alternative to mainstream honeymoon destinations. Numerous photo opportunities are waiting at every corner you turn, while thrill-seekers will revel at the adventures the landscape provides. From mountain biking to paragliding, adventurous couples have plenty of chances for an adrenaline boost. If you plan to explore Madeira’s capital, Funchal, hop on the cable car that ascends to the Botanical Garden or the Monte Palace.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a unique way down the hill — in a wicker toboggan!

For couples that would rather appreciate the landscape at their own paces, there are numerous scenic walks to explore. Particularly popular routes can be found running alongside the levadas (irrigation channels or man-made rivers). Consisting of over 1,000 kilometres of footpaths with various levels of difficulty, the levadas curl through the countryside, leading you to unparalleled picturesque views.

Where to stay Hotel Quinta da Serra Located in an exquisite setting encompassed by nature and raised 820-metres above sea level, this five-star hotel boasts flawless views.

Perfect for a quiet and relaxing honeymoon, Hotel Quinta da Serra allows you to bask in the company of your new spouse. Swim in the heated pool, relax in the Jacuzzi and enjoy a massage in the Spa (hotelquintadaserra.com).

www.dwha.co.uk

145

REDISCOVER INNER SELF The luxury facilities of Hotel Quinta da Serra, located in the town of Jardim da Serra, in the highlands of Câmara de Lobos have a strong historical, social and botanical component. The ambition of the current Administration is to preserve and enhance natural resources and characteristics of Madeira which is why we make use of our organic farming and organic kitchen.

www.hotelquintadaserra.com Estrada do Chote NÂş 4 - Jardim da Serra - 9325-140 Camara de Lobos Madeira - Portugal | +351291640120 | info@hotelquintadaserra.com

‘’ You dream, we make it happen ‘’ Restaurante do Forte in Madeira Island The Restaurant do Forte team has 15 years of experience and success in Madeira and has the best partners in the areas of decoration, floral services, cake design, infantile animation and baby sitter service, musical animation, sound system and lights, fireworks, balloons with and without led, specialised and everything you could wish for!

www.forte.restaurant Address: Rua Do Portão de São Tiago, Fortaleza de São Tiago, 9060-250 – Funchal Tel: (+351) 291 21 55 81 / (+351) 93 43 868 98 E-mail: comercial@forte.restaurant

Quinta Terreiro da Luta

Quinta Terreiro da Luta presents an alliance between an exquisite cuisine and a service of excellency in a dream and mystic place, providing unforgettable moments and unique experiences

Info and reservations reservas@grupomle.pt

Phone (+351) 965 734 265

Facebook page QUINTA-TERREIRO-DA-LUTA

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

A HOLIDAY ON A SAIL BOAT...

THE TRIP BECOMES PART OF THE DREAM!

www.plaghiacharter.it

Italy - Amalfi Coast - Via Praia n°8 - 84010 Praiano (SA) | +39 089813051 | info@plaghiacharter.it

Bliss in Bari ITALY Nicknamed the ‘California of the South’, discover Bari’s grand theatres, breath-taking churches, stunning castles and thriving modern cafés!

F

or the ultimate rustic and picturesque wedding destination, why not choose Bari, Italy? Stylish couples with a penchant for culture will adore this large seaside capital city on the Adriatic coast in the Puglia region of Italy! Prepare to be captivated by the quaint and enchanting Bari, where couples can feel the romanticism of Italian history.

Italian allure

Discover the ancient district of Old Bari, and explore the many Romanesque-Pugliese structures, medieval monuments and streets. You and your love can relive history in the Cathedral of San Sabino or unwind in the quirky and serene shopping district of Via Sparano. With panoramic views of vineyards, endearing villages and charming promenade shopping, newlyweds can create enchanting memories to treasure amongst the delightful backdrop of Bari.

Picturesque Puglia

As the second largest city of southern Italy, Bari provides couples with an endless bounty of activities.

Marvel at the Basilica di San Nicola church, which boasts impressive architecture and a stunning artwork collection. Enjoy the wondrous Teatro Margherita (performance art theatre) with its enamoring aesthetic

152

DWHA || november / december

and historical setting. Castello Svevo is a Norman-Swabian castle in Bari, which is perfect for couples fascinated by the past. It features a working drawbridge, moat and numerous ramparts. It also contains a Museum of Gypsum Works, sculptures, artifacts of Puglian history and a breath-taking exhibition space full of temporary art exhibits.

Honeymooners can fall in love with each other all over again while strolling hand in hand along the dazzling Pane e Pomodoro Beach, which is the closest stretch of sand to the town centre. This seaport city includes the Old and New Ports on the harbour, for couples who want to arrive on a cruise ship, emerging from the azure sea. This harbour is a stop for many cruise ships and a launching point for ferries to countries such as Greece and Croatia.

Flavours of Bari

Indulge in local Mediterranean cuisine such as burrata cheese, seafood and pasta dishes. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes including turnip tops with orecchiette pasta or cavatelli. Why not dine on some world-famous Italian pizza, with plenty of pizzerias to choose from! For dessert, enjoy the famous gelato ice cream.

Bari’s dishes are as creative and colourful as the city itself. A speciality dish is a red-yellow pepper stuffed with meat or rice and baked in the oven. Seafood such as bass, clams, cuttlefish and mussels are also very popular.

Foodie couples can enjoy baked goods such as the divine Altamara bread, spicy taralli or focaccia.

DESTINATIONS

Coastal romance Decadent weddings

The Grande Albergo Delle Nazioni is a spectacular hotel located on the Bari seafront. This five-star marvel blends tradition with modernity, making it the perfect wedding venue! With its mix of historical and luxury décor overlooking the azure sea, this hotel will make for a truly magical wedding. Complete with a stunning sea view terrace, heated outdoor swimming pool and gourmet restaurant, the Grande Albergo Delle Nazioni is the ideal setting for an unforgettable day. A wedding planner is provided with the hotel to ensure that your special day is elegant and spectacular.

Wedding sites include banquet spaces for a classic and timeless or a state-of-the-art, contemporary theme.

Couples hoping for a fairy tale wedding can get married in the Nazioni hall, with its elegant and regal décor, as well as historic dome. Chic couples may want to choose the modern and spacious hall to tie the knot with sophistication. With gorgeous rooms fitted with parquet flooring and light blue marine decor, couples are sure to get hitched in style (grandealbergodellenazioni.com).

Why not explore the charming villages and alluring beaches along the pebbled Adriatic coast?

Italy’s east coast runs along the Adriatic Sea, from the border of Slovenia to the Salento Peninsula. Popular seaside resort towns along the coast include Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Not surprisingly, the most well known city on Italy’s east coast is Venice. Honeymooners can enjoy guided tours of the Adriatic coast, such as the ‘Dreamy Venice & Croatia’ tour by Adriatic Luxury Journeys. Rich in the culture, history and gourmet food, couples are sure to feel a romantic ambience. From touring the Doge’s Palace in Venice to the beautiful town of Rovinj in Croatia, couples can embark on an unforgettable adventure.

Bari is the peaceful hidden gem of Italy, blending distinct history with a vibrant business centre. This is the perfect city for couples looking to get married in a location with sun, sea, authentic Italian culture, delicious cuisine and a buzzing atmosphere.

Did you know?

There is a saying in Bari that translates to mean, “If Paris had a sea, it would be a little Bari.”

www.dwha.co.uk

153

Weddings are CROATIA

Coming

Check out Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones-related wedding and honeymoon hotspots (warning, possible spoiler alerts…)

Words by Rose Dykins

T

he sun is setting. Orange outbursts of sunlight are piercing through lavender clouds, forming vast shadows on the stretch of Adriatic Sea. To my right, I see ruinous mansions lining the abrupt cliff edge, punctuated by pointy cypress trees, and pine trees bowing towards the water. To my left, the thick sandstone walls of Dubrovnik’s Medieval city are glowing in the persistent light.

It’s far more captivating actually being here than watching it all through my TV screen.

Dubrovnik has been a mecca for filming for more than 100 years, but its role as the setting for several Game of Thrones (GoT) filming sites has made the masses pay attention. Since snippets of Season 2 were first filmed, people have wanted to know more about the sundrenched scenery where they’ve seen Daenerys Targaryen take on the cunning leaders of Qarth, and King’s Landing, where the Lannister family lives and plots their despicable schemes. Tourism to the city has rocketed with people wanting to walk in the footsteps of the GoT characters — so much so

154

DWHA || november / december

that, apparently, the famous “Walk of Shame” scene from Season 5 is being regularly recreated by naked, intoxicated tourists after they’ve been to a few bars.

If you and your partner are die-hard GoT fans, and would love to incorporate the HBO series’ breath-taking settings into your special day, here are some locations where you can live the GoT wedding fantasy. That is, of course, without the duplicity, betrayal and bloodshed…

GAME OF THRONES -THEMED WEDDING VENUES Rector’s Palace

Right in the heart of Old Town, this former governor’s palace dating back to the 14th-century is built in a GothicRenaissance style, and was used as a set for GoT — it served as the Spice King’s house in the city of Qarth (Season 2). The stunning atrium with a grand staircase is regularly used for chamber concerts in the summer, and features a 15thcentury fountain and towering columns topped off with arches. Rector’s Palace would work well for intimate candlelit or afternoon sunlit weddings ceremonies, and, although the building is located within the city walls, it’s possible to get a special permit for arrival in a luxury car (unless you can to convince your bridesmaids to carry you in a palanquin, like Lannister lady).

DESTINATIONS

Ancient allure

Croatia is home to Europe’s oldest city: Vinkovci, which has been inhabited for 8,000 years

Fort Lovrijenac

Perched on a 40-metre-high cliff west from the City Walls and Pile Bay, this dramatic fortress cuts an angular silhouette.

Snippets from various seasons of GoT were filmed here, as its arched corridors, canons and walkable walls facing the sea create the perfect architectural elements for King’s Landing — if you watch a scene involving Cersei Lannister storming off after an argument with one of her family members, chances are it was shot here. Comprising of three levels, the fort has a chapel, a courtyard that is often used for open-air theatre performances, and two drawbridges, and is ideal if you have a castle wedding in mind. If your guest list is likely to be on the large size, this might be the location for you, as it can cater to a couple of hundred guests.

Pile Bay

Though it’s filled with reams of tourists sea kayaking in the summer, the way this famous rocky inlet is flanked by precipitous cliffs that frame the open sea really sets the tone for daydreaming, or pensive moments in GoT’s storyline.

It was used for filming key scenes, such as when Princess Marcella’s body was returned by ship in Season 6, and where Sansa and Shae stare out to the horizon guessing where ships are travelling to in Season 3. If you’re able to wed outside of high season, Pile Bay’s long, narrow quay would make a suitable wedding aisle for a small ceremony surrounded by water at sunset, before moving on to a reception elsewhere.

Lokrum

A 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik brings you to this uninhabited island. Exploring on foot takes you through secluded forest trails, where the warm air mingles with the scent of pine, adorable wild rabbits, and tame families of peacocks hoping for food. As well as being home to a nature reserve, botanical garden, rugged cliffs, and a ‘dead lake’ linked to the sea it’s Lokrum’s abandoned Benedictine monastery that was used to film scenes from Qarth in Season 2 of GoT. You may remember watching Daenerys stroll amid the tropical gardens complete with a winding maze, and the peach sandstone remains of the monastery, consulting Jorah Mormont about her next move.

As a wedding location, there’s plenty to love about Lokrum, particularly if you have your heart set on a natural setting. It’s possible to set up chairs for a congregation on several spots, though it would be a shame not to make use of the monastery and its exotic gardens, which would make a beautiful backdrop for your photo album.

For more inspiration for Game of Thrones-themed weddings in Dubrovnik, visit doyouwed.me

www.dwha.co.uk

155

Photography by: FotoAdria

Literary links

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was set in Dalmatia, which is also where Dalmatian dogs trace back to

Did you know?

Game of Thrones character names are growing in popularity for newborns. Arya and Khalessi are noteable examples to have climbed baby name lists

WHERE TO STAY VILLA DUBROVNIK Built into the cliff-edge, a ten-minute drive from Old Town Dubrovnik, this sleek five-star boutique hotel has a private feel, with only 56 rooms. Its minimalist spaces and high design are impressive, and its honeymoon package includes a five-course dinner, daily in-room breakfast, a special couple’s spa treatment and “Evening Romance Forever” décor in your room (villadubrovnik.com).

Romantic dinner:

Restaurant Pjerin offers panoramic west-facing sea views and elegant, modern décor, with contemporary all-white chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Its informative menu takes you on a journey throughout Croatia — I can recommend the “Dirty Macaroni”, a dish native to Dubrovnik, with perfectly al dente pasta and succulent strips of beef in a complex tomato sauce.

156

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

RADISSON BLU RESORT & SPA HOTEL DUBROVNIK SUN GARDENS

Romantic dinner:

Sipping limoncello on the terrace of Tartufo, enjoying the warm sea breeze and the serenades of an acoustic guitar duo all make for a memorable, rather classy evening. The menu comprises of dishes with excellent flavour, and the maître d’ is charming.

LAFODIA RESORT A one-hour ferry ride from Dubrovnik (about 30 minutes by speedboat) the laid-back island of Lopud is the ideal escape from the city’s crowds. It’s refreshingly undeveloped, with no cars allowed, and a strip of sandstone cottages and tavernas blooming with hydrangeas.

Lafodia Resort provides the desired amount of comfort and luxury for a special occasion. Its rooms and suites are airy and inviting, and its facilities include a beach with jet ski hire, two outdoor pools, a concierge, three restaurants, and a stunning spa with sea views. The resort’s serene atmosphere compels you to relax with a cocktail and let the scenery wash over you (lafodiahotel.com).

Set 15 minutes from Old Town, the sprawling resort has plenty to keep you occupied, including seven restaurants, five bars, three pools, a spa, a beach and a diving centre. The resort’s “Hassle-free Honeymoon Package” includes five nights in a junior suite, daily inroom breakfast, a couple’s spa treatment, and a two-hour chauffeur drive to see the city’s sights (radissonblu.com).

LAFODIA RESORT

Romantic dinner:

Dalmar’s sophisticated French-inspired menu is a real treat. My starter of scallops came served in shells, doused in black pepper, white wine, garlic and covered in satisfying coating of melted cheese. Service is charismatic, and the wine list is excellent.

Honeymoon Highlights

Experience a Private Game of Thrones walking tour with Ivan Vuko. He’s one of the original GoT tour operators, with excellent historical knowledge and a collection of his own photography from the filming of the HBO series. His tours book up fast, so reserve a place well in advance (dubrovnik-tourist-guides.com).

1. Elafiti Islands cruise: Hop on and off boats to picnic on their peaceful, sun-soaked shorelines of Lopud, Sipan and Kolocep

2. Sunj Beach on Lopud island:

Sunj’s sandy stretch is the place to head to with a loved one and watch the sun go down

3. Mljet National Park: The

natural salt lakes are ideal for kayaking and taking in the coastal views

4. Day trip to Montenegro: The beautiful Bay of Kotor features a fjord flanked by mountains and is ridiculously romantic

www.dwha.co.uk

157

DESTINATIONS

Islands of Bliss INDONESIA With its abundance of diversity and magnificent history, this tropical oasis offers endless thrills and an amorous ambience!

T

his South East Asian country is known as the largest archipelago in the world. The Republic of Indonesia comprises of more than 17,000 tropical islands. With so many islets, it’s no wonder that some are still undiscovered!

From the fertile rice lands of Java to the luxuriant rainforests of Kalimantan, Indonesia has a diverse and luscious landscape. Indonesia’s beaches, volcanoes, Komodo dragons, jungles sheltering elephants, orang-utans and tigers make for the perfect setting for adventure-seeking couples.

Heavenly Indonesia

Indonesia’s most well known islands include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands, and the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo named Kalimantan. The romantic island of Bali is world famous for its reputation as a top wedding and honeymoon destination, with its blissful beaches, impeccable dining and accommodation, as well as truly alluring vistas.

Nevertheless, Indonesia’s plethora of islands offer many idyllic settings to tie the knot.

Indonesia boasts stunning marine life, such as Sunfish and Reef Manta Ray, as well as delicious cuisine, including Nasi goring, which is Asian fried rice

with soy sauce and Bakso, a meatball noodle soup. The art and culture sites not to miss are the grand Istiqlal Mosque, as well as shopping centres such as Plaza Indonesia and festivals such as Ramadan in the cosmopolitan, bustling cities. Finally, couples can take part in water sports in the vast beaches or hike to the top of majestic mountains amongst the spectacular wildlife. Exploring museums and temples will immerse lovers in tradition and history.

Couples can choose to get married in extravagant banquet halls and intimate villas, or on lush lawns and blissful beaches. With luxurious retreats, crystal waters, marine life, cultural lures and the famous Komodo dragons on the island of Komodo, Indonesia is the epitome of a wild and wonderful getaway. A destination wedding or honeymoon in Indonesia will be sure to create unforgettable, joyful and spontaneous memories — it’s the perfect place to begin a romantic happy ever after!

www.dwha.co.uk

159

Where to stay Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort, Bali Truly luxurious and distinctly contemporary, this elegant upscale resort is situated in a prime beachfront location at Seminyak.

Awaken to the rustle of a sea breeze through coconut palms, indulge in glorious cuisine at a rooftop restaurant and swim in the stunning infinity edge pool. It’s the perfect hotel for a romantic getaway or a blissful honeymoon with your true love (bali.anantara.com).

The Joys of Java

The heart of Indonesia and its most populous island, Java is brimming with cultural treasures and iconic landscapes.

Couples can marvel at Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist monument or The Prambanan Temple Complex, a magnificent Hindu temple. Alternatively, enjoy the stunning traditional performances at the Prambanan Temple Complex by live dancers, singers and talented musicians. Performed in a romantic setting, the spectacular show can be marvelled at by guests, making it popular entertainment for couples.

For a taste of history, visit the National Museum. Located in the capital of Jakarta, the museum boasts an enormous collection of cultural objects from Indonesia’s various ethnic groups. It is a facinating experience that allows honeymooners to really uncover how the island country became the way it is at the present day. The building itself is also incredible, so make sure to get plenty of honemoon snaps!

The Romance of Kalimantan

Borneo is the world’s second largest island, with the North and north-western parts of the island being the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. The rest of the island is part of Indonesia and is divided into East, West, Central and South Kalimantan.

Couples can enjoy the Derawan Islands, and participate in water-sports such as scuba and pearl diving, fishing or swimming. Discover the rare green, scarlet, and star fruit turtles, as well as sea cows. Marvel at the irresistibly cute orang-utans and sun bears in East Kalimantan.

Trek through the Meratus Mountains in the Kalimantan jungle. Declare your love amongst breath-taking views of the jungle in an ethereal setting above the clouds.

160

DWHA || november / december

Did you know?

The world’s biggest flower, the corpse flower, is found in the Indonesian jungles

Enchanting

Savannah KENYA Let your love flourish in the Great Rift Valleys, chalk-white beaches, wild Mara plains and mesmerising wildness of Kenya

S

ynonymous with the word ‘safari’, Kenya is a dazzling haven for adventure and romance. This gem can be admired with a trip to the Eastern coast of Africa, ideal for sun seekers and beach lovers! Kenya is an inspirational land of arid plains, vibrant cities and idyllic beach resorts where there’s always something new to discover. Home to over 40 national parks and game reserves, Kenya also boasts a picturesque coastline lapped by the azure Indian Ocean. Celebrate your big day dream or escape to this fascinating country for a truly memorable honeymoon.

Cosmopolitan capital

East Africa’s most bustling city, Nairobi is the gateway to one of the world’s most exciting upcoming destinations and is the beating heart of Kenya. A distinctive mix of wildlife and nightlife, Nairobi is a concrete jungle amidst unparalleled natural beauty. Such polarising character

makes for a memorable location and sets the backdrop for Nairobi’s National Park. With parkland offset by towering skyscrapers, you can admire the home of cheetahs, buffaloes, and the endangered black rhino for unforgettable honeymoon moments.

Only ten minutes from Nairobi’s City Centre is its National Museum. Within its walls lies an art gallery as well as several exhibitions that take you on a journey through Kenya’s bountiful history. You will learn about Kenya’s rich history and hear talks on the history of migrations, the fight for independence, and rites of passage among tribes. Step out of history and back into the present with a peaceful, romance-filled stroll through the legendary Nairobi Botanical Gardens. Hand in hand, walk the trail under the shade and enjoy a quiet respite together.

If nightlife captures your fancy, sundown transforms Nairobi city into a partying hub. The late night scene is vibrant and exciting, as the Swahili name promises: Mombasa Raha meaning ‘Mombasa Fun’. Clubbing here is a heart-pumping way to spend evenings after relaxing in the sun. From the National Park, head along to the Central Business District. Don’t let its name fool you, once the sun sets, the area comes alive. The parallel Kaunda and Mama Ngina Streets are a good place to start if you’re hungry, or head to the Skylux Lounge for delicious cocktails.

164

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

Tongue-tied

The two official languages of Kenya are

Did you know?

English and Swahili, but there are dozens of indigenous languages throughout the country

Kenya shares Lake

Victoria, the world’s second largest fresh water lake, with Tanzania and Uganda

Cultural roots

Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and ingrained traditions are prevalent in the Maasai people, a population that are wellknown for their distinctive customs and dress. Shúkà is the Maa word for sheets draped around the body. Typically red, they are adorned with patterns and handmade jewellery which the Maasai women often weave. Eunoto, the coming of age ceremony of warriors, can involve ten or more days of dancing, singing, and ritual. The warriors perform the adumu, meaning ‘to jump up and down in a dance’, but there are traditionally no barriers between dancers and onlookers. Often there is time for spectators to take part in the passionate performances. Swear your love before a gathering of Maasai people dressed in their finest beadwork, and drift away in a hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara.

Coastal treasures

Beyond the world famous safari parks and sun-soaked savannahs, Kenya has beautiful stretches of pearly beaches and sapphire shores to cater for water-sport aficionados.

For a peaceful, romantic experience, Vipingo Beach is the optimal setting. Bordered by the lush vegetation of coconut

palms, it is an isolated beach with little crowds. Near Kilifi and Swahili villages, you will find the most picturesque vistas and dreamy skies over the crystal clear sea.

With a flawless stretch of a white-sand beach hugged by forest, you will never be short on things to do in the sparkling white jewel known as Diani Beach. Camel rides, bike tours, and safaris are just a handful of things in the area that you can put on your itinerary. Renowned for its coral reefs, underwater sandbars, and intense vegetation, Diani would make for a perfect pit stop to relax, have fun, and make memories.

www.dwha.co.uk

165

Diversity

Over 40 ethnic groups are registered as living in Kenya

Where to stay Medina Palms

Did you know?

Dowries are still traditional in Kenya. The groom's parents must pay the bride's family, and bidding often starts at ten cows

A spectacular retreat on one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Kenyan coast of Watamu, Medina Palms offers chic luxury residences in a stunning Swahili style. From elegant suites with extended views across tropical gardens to tree-top penthouses with inner courtyards and high-vaulted ceilings, this resort has something for everyone (medinapalms.com).

dusitD2 A vibrant city hotel retreat where style, entertainment and art converge, dusitD2 Nairobi provides the perfect start to your Kenyan honeymoon safari. Cocooned away from the hustle and bustle, this modern hotel is the definition of contemporary chic. Indulge in world-class cuisine, spacious guestrooms and a striking red swimming pool (d2nairobi.com).

Manda Bay Manda Bay is a small boutique lodge on the tip of an unspoiled, idyllic island. Kick off your shoes and enjoy simplistic beauty amongst safe waters, an empty beach and exceptional water sports. For couples wanting both a bush and beach honeymoon, Manda Bay is perfect (mandabay.com)

Lewa Wilderness As Lewa’s original safari lodge, Lewa Wilderness has been running since 1972. This stand-alone, family operated lodge is a hub of activities from camel riding to Big 5 game drives.

As the home to the only commercial WACO biplane and a pioneering rhino conservancy, Lewa Wilderness is ideal for a true out of Africa experience (lewawilderness.com).

166

DWHA || november / december

THE MOST ROMANTIC HOLIDAY DESTINATION... ...UNDER THE SUN Experience the romance of Medina Palms. Set on the coral white shores of the Indian Ocean, lose yourself in the luxury and tranquillity of our villas and penthouses with private rooftop plunge pools, or our luxury and deluxe suites, offering the space to breathe and the freedom to relax! With award winning service, and a choice of delicious dining options, Medina Palms is the ideal destination for the perfect romantic getaway.

Enjoy the serenity of our Sakina Spa, float in the warm Indian Ocean waters, snorkelling or deep sea diving, or for the more adventurous try your hand at paddle boarding or kite-surfing.

Special Honeymoon Packages available.

To book your dream honeymoon Take a tour : www.medinapalms.com

Email : reservations@medinapalms.com

LEWA WILDERNESS

Call : +254 (0) 718 152999

Situated near the base of Mt. Kenya, Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya’s oldest and most private safari ventures.

The Craig family has passed down from one generation to the next a distinct passion for wildlife, conservation and tourism, and they proudly continue to run Lewa Wilderness lodge and Walking Wild camel safaris. This place is as much a home as it is a truly unique and personal safari experience.

http://lewawilderness.com/

Telephone: +254 (0)796-035-177 â—? Email: reservations@lewawilderness.com Address: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy | Private Bag | Isiolo 60300 | KENYA

A Real Life Wedding

Manda Bay is part of the Safari & Conservation Company Portfolio

Gemma and Sean chose this enticing venue in Kenya for their special day. Discover the adventure, culture and romance to be found in a A small family run resort wedding in Africa! situated on Manda Island, Manda Bay is where bush meets beach. It offers a destination as unfussy as it is alluring. The resort has 25 rooms, plus the groom (a safari operator) brought in a whole mobile camp to accommodate another 40 people for the wedding itself. There is so much space to roam, walk, swim or read a book away from everyone as well, as join in on all the activities. We had a magical sundowner with a camp fire after a drive through the parkland immediately behind the lodge. We saw a herd of Cape Buffalo enjoying a free meal offered by the lodge owners, as well as bushbuck and baboons drinking from the water trough.

The wedding ceremony was set against a back drop of an enormous 300-year old Baobab tree in the Manda ruins. Guests were transported to the site in lodge range rovers and umbrellas made of palm fronds were handed to shade them.

As the sun began to set, guests returned to the hotel grounds for champagne, canapés and Tusker beer to watch the sun settle down over the calm waters of the bay. The boats bobbed on their anchors and the palms shifted in the cool breeze of the evening. Beautiful lanterns and candles lit up the palms and a massive banquet awaited in the main dining hall. Tables decorated with driftwood, succulents, roses and fairy lights illuminated from the rafters. Candles were only more resplendent when platters of succulent seafood — lobsters, crab, fish and calamari — along with delicious Ottelengi style salads and sauces. Dessert was a shot glass of homemade ice cream, followed by a homemade wedding cake of cheese that was assembled on site.

Once the guests departed in the following days, Manda Bay returned to its tranquil heavenly rhythm of unhurried activity. There is plenty to do if you need to be active, but equally you can lounge by the swimming pool or on a swinging bed with a Piña Colada in hand just as easily — perfect for a honeymoon!

With straw bales as benches, and woven palm matting sewn to make an aisle, the venue couldn’t have been more picturesque

168

DWHA || november / december

Wedding Photography by Mia Collis

at Manda Bay

Aura Events An interview with

Fatema Bhaiji of Aura Events discusses the beauty of getting married in Kenya, their A-list selection of vendors and the importance of communicating with your planner AURA WAS ENTIRELY DERIVED from my personal drive and interest in event management from a young age. Having followed global leaders in the industry throughout my life, I started to want to challenge myself with their standards and get to their level. Within the first year, I found that this could grow into far more than a hobby. I realised I was making an enormously positive impact on the happiest day of the couples’ lives and giving memories to carry with them forever.

AS AN EVENT PLANNER IN KENYA, we cover every related service from A to Z, including guest management, vendor selection, and of course décor and the event itself. However, it is difficult to really pinpoint a particular aspect when it comes to detail, simply because everything we work on is ‘detail’ for us. From selecting venues and themes, down to perfecting floral and table arrangements, we consider every step, whether small or big, a crucial attribute to the success of the event. On average, I would say we organise between 25 to 30 weddings a year. We certainly keep busy though,

170

DWHA || november / december

because we also do private parties and celebrations, and have recently ventured into corporate events too.

KENYA IS A GORGEOUS COUNTRY with a variety of landscapes to offer. We have worked on weddings for couples all over the country, including bush weddings at the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo and Naivasha; beach weddings in Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu; and the latest trend, which is going upcountry to Nanyuki and Samburu to capture the beautiful Mount Kenya and the highlands.

Additionally, Kenya’s selection of venues, indoor and outdoor, is growing tremendously, especially in Nairobi. We are enjoying this because it gives us a bigger and better range of venues to work with.

However, venue selection is dependent on a number of factors that involve the client, such as their vision and theme, the look and feel they would like to accomplish, and what their budget holds. So far, there isn’t a particular favourite venue that comes to mind.

Although, I adore those that make use of their exterior surroundings.

DESTINATIONS

“ I realised I was making an

enormously positive impact on the happiest day of couples’ lives ”

“ The natural landscape and weather have so much to offer ”

BEING AT THE EQUATOR, Kenya does not have extreme weather or seasons, so often we recommend outdoor venues, or those that offer both indoor and exterior options. The natural landscape and weather have so much to showcase that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. As I mentioned, the current venue trends are leaning towards upcountry near Nanyuki, Samburu, and the various conservancies. This area offers the snow capped Mount Kenya, natural highlands and tea farms as well as bush scenery. There are also a number of new intimate and affordable boutique hotels coming up that allow for the real experience of a ‘destination wedding’, even if the couple are from Kenya.

IN MOST CASES, ONE WOULD HAVE TO tailor the venues to the theme. As much as Kenya has in terms of venues, it’s always likely that it still requires transformation. The client’s budget is also a factor to consider. The outcome and success of the event is important to us, so we try to ensure that we are able to transform venues to look the part. Also, we’ve been triumphant in building strong relationships with a range of venues in Kenya, so we are able to provide alternatives to our clients if needed.

AS A GROWING COMPANY, we have tried and tested several vendors in the industry, including photographers, florists and caterers, and this has brought us to our ‘A-List’ (first choice) vendors. Our recommendations do depend on clients’ needs, of course. For example, we may have an Indian wedding with catering requirements for multiple vegetarian cuisines. We have worked on intimate weddings with 20 guests at their private home or a quiet church.

On the other hand, we have also worked on grand weddings with 2,000 guests.

www.dwha.co.uk

171

“ I was always obsessed with weddings and the silhouettes of the gowns”

I am proud to say “ that we are leaders in the events industry in Kenya and East Africa ”

WE WORK HAND-IN-HAND with clients and are in constant communications with them from the very beginning. We create and build a casual and comfortable relationship whereby clients are able to call, email or WhatsApp ideas or concerns at any time. We also encourage our clients to meet with us as often as possible. This ensures a one-to-one approach and builds an element of trust. After all, we work on luxurious high-end events, and they are entrusting us with their money and our ability to execute their vision. Further to that, we have a close-knit team, so clients are never tossed from one team member to another during the process, as they may be in larger event planning companies.

Most couples want a balanced involvement in their wedding planning. But at the same time, I have also had brides that leave the entire event in our hands. It’s important that we stay in constant communication with them throughout the process, and we encourage them to be open with us. We also conduct mock set-ups and face-to-face meetings so that they are able to air their opinions and vision to us.

SOMETHING WE TRULY TAKE PRIDE in is how much time we spend with our clients. Tailoring a wedding to its couple is key. We develop moodboards that are tweaked and changed to perfection, as well as keeping an eye out for trends and inspiration to always push our décor, design and planning skills and methods further. We have partners across the supplier markets in Kenya and internationally who we are in constant communication with about new trends, materials and equipment. For these reasons,

172

DWHA || november / december

I am proud to say that we are leaders in the events industry in Kenya and East Africa. Once we have understood the client’s needs and vision for their photoshoots, we introduce them to photographers that we feel fits the part well. The three parties work towards building a more detailed vision of the shoot, which also helps us in designing creative photo spaces for the client.

WE RECORD ALL OF THE WEDDINGS WE PLAN and have a professional photographer capture the event upon set up to completion. On occasion, we also have video and drone footage. It’s important for us to continuously update our portfolio, and of course, use it as marketing collateral. These images speak a thousand words to our potential clients out in the market, and are what sells our service the best (aura.co.ke.).

Email info@aura.co.ke or call +254 734 446655 to plan the Kenyan wedding of your dreams.

“ We have a close-knit team, so clients

are never tossed from one team member to another during the process ”

Mini-Moons

DESTINATIONS

Do you have a busy schedule but still want to experience the holiday of a lifetime as a newlywed? Don’t fear, we’ve rounded up some of the top romantic resorts from around the world that are perfect for a magnificent mini-moon break

GRAND PALLADIUM LADY HAMILTON RESORT & SPA

Jamaica Located beachfront on the breath-taking northern Jamaica coast, this resort is ideal for a Caribbean getaway. Stay in a Villa Suite and unwind in the adults-only pool. Witness spectacular sunsets, sample international cuisine, and swim in one of the largest pools in Jamaica. Only 40 minutes from the airport, you’ll be sipping on rum punches in no time (palladiumhotelgroup.com).

PARADISUS CANCÚN,

Mexico A luxurious all-inclusive resort with the exquisite backdrop of the Caribbean Sea, this hotel is located just 15 minutes from the airport, making it a perfect choice for a mini-moon to Mexico. Amenities include a pristine beach, four lagoon-inspired pools, nine restaurants and seven bars, so guests are truly spoilt. In addition, the Expert Romance Team are on-hand to cater to your every need, ensuring you receive a truly memorable and personalised experience (paradisus.com).

ALBION HOTEL

USA Situated on one of the most glamorous zip codes in the states, Albion Hotel oozes comfort and style in the heart of South Beach.

The minimalist décor and nautical-inspired rooms resonate with the class of the area. Lap up the sun in the elevated pool, or head on an adventure to Ocean Drive and downtown Miami. Return to the hotel for an evening cocktail, toasting to your future with your new spouse (rubellhotels.com).

BOUTIQUE-HOTEL SCHLÜSSEL

Switzerland Embrace tranquility in this idyllic landscape at the heart of Switzerland. The rooms of Boutique-Hotel Schlüssel are modern, spacious, and individually decorated. They all impress through creative style, lovely details and a unique atmosphere. The restaurant has a simple and straightforward philosophy to create uncomplicated food from the neighbouring Alps. Enjoy the romantic views of Lake Lucerne and the magnificent mountains (schluessel-beckenried.ch).

GRAND HOTEL VIA VENTO

Italy The epitome of romantic destinations, Italy is the perfect stopover for a whirlwind adventure. If your heart is drawn to romance in Rome, kick off married life at Grand Hotel via Vento. A masterpiece of contemporary elegance, the hotel presents the beauty of Italian Art Deco style, readapted to modern taste. Fall in love with the art, indulge on the cuisine and unwind at the spa. This hotel showcases luxury at its finest (ghvv.it).

MANGOBAY

Barbados This casual yet sophisticated hotel is situated on the sought-after beachfront setting in St. James, on the famous west coast of Barbados.

It’s the ideal location for couples seeking the ease of an all-inclusive holiday, combined with the personality and friendliness of a small resort. Adventure-seekers will rejoice at the numerous watersports on offer, whilst those looking to simply relax can treat themselves to a massage at the spa (mangobaybarbados.com).

www.dwha.co.uk

173

Uncomplicated, Unencumbered, Unforgettable...

B A R B A D O S

www.mangobaybarbados.com Mango Bay Hotel • Second Street • Holetown • St James • Barbados• 1(246) 626-1384

WHERE YOU WANT TO BE IN LOVE

Lujo Todo Incluido I Amplias Suites I Gastronomía 5 estrellas | Servicio de Mayordomo | Royal Service Exclusivo para Adultos | Yhi Spa | Experiencias Life Enriching | Paquetes de Boda de Destino | Wedding Planner Personal | Lunas de miel y Aniversarios Mayor información contacte romance.paradisus.cancun@melia.com o +529988811695 | ROMANCEBYPARADISUS.COM

Italian Masterpiece and dĂŠco elegance

www.ghvv.it

Tel. +39 06 48 78 81 E-mail: reservations@ghvv.it via Vittorio Veneto, 155 | 00187 Roma, Italy

ALBION HOTEL Miami Beach

USE THE CODE DWHA17 And have 10% discount on our best available room rate and Complimentary breakfast for 2 daily

The Albion is the quintessential romantic boutique hotel. This charming Art Deco masterpiece offers elegant guest accommodations and wonderful service.

Located one block from beautiful sand beaches, and situated on world famous Lincoln Road with the finest restaurant’s, nightlife and shopping South Beach has to offer. www.rubellhotels.com - Tel: 001 305-913-1005 - Email: reservations@rubellhotels.com Address: 1650 James Ave, Miami Beach, FL, 33139, United States of America,

the destination for your lifetime memory www.schluessel-beckenried.ch Oberdorfstrasse 26, 6375 Beckenried/Lucerne, Switzerland | T +41 41 622 03 33 | info@schluessel-beckenried.ch

FONAB CASTLE HOTEL & SPA

Highland Perthshire, Scotland This five-star hotel offers a magical highland setting, contemporary interiors and unrivalled loch-side views — wedding photographs are sure to be nothing short of striking. Weddings can be held in the grand and decadent Fonab Suite with neutral décor. This unique and special castle was so alluring that the owner’s daughter made sure that she was the first to be wed there!

TEN SQUARE HOTEL

Belfast, Northern Ireland “A building rich in history and adorned with period features, not to mention a perfectly central location in the very heart of bustling Belfast, Ten Square is a fantastically unique venue to host your special day. Blending contemporary chic and traditional elegance, we offer a selection of bespoke packages to suit every couple looking to make their wedding the ultimate day for all to remember, in this exciting and beautiful city.” — Matthew Grainger

WINSTANLEY HOUSE

Leicestershire, English Midlands Set within 160 acres of parkland just two miles from the centre of Leicester, Winstanley House boasts both a convenient location and seclusion.

It has been expertly restored to include modern conveniences, whilst retaining charm and class.

It’s the ideal venue for your wedding with two magnificent ballrooms, numerous reception areas and a quirky courtyard.

THE MARYLEBONE HOTEL

Central London, England “Our new Marylebone Rooms are perfect for weddings! The unique indoor-outdoor design of the Courtyard, along with our intimate and personalised service ensures a memory-filled day for everyone.”— Rohini Chaudhary

CHAPEL HOUSE

Cornwall, South West England Located in Penzance, this Georgian building offers tranquil sea views. With the maritime colour palette, a notable venue is the elegant double drawing room with views over the harbour. This Cornish treasure is perfect for a simple, relaxed and bohemian wedding.

178

DWHA || november / december

The Best of British

Whether you desire a country house wedding or boutique reception, these venues will set your heart racing for an elegant British affair

DESTINATIONS

LLANGOED HALL

Powys, Wales The winner of Sky TV’s ‘Best British Wedding Venue’, this country house hotel is situated in the beautiful Wye Valley. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and mountains, it is a perfect setting for wedding photos.

DWHA’s Chairman, Parry Cockwell, attended a wedding here and was astounded at the character and history of the venue, along with the delicious local cuisine.

SWINTON PARK

North Yorkshire, Northern England Set in lush, extensive grounds, this luxurious castle boasts fine dining, a cookery school, and country club and spa. Providing an authentic and romantic experience, rooms are furnished with antiques and family portraits.

Wedding venues include the wide range of lavish function rooms, and a private island on one of the lakes with a spectacular Georgian summerhouse.

GILPIN HOTEL AND LAKE HOUSE

The Lake District, North West England This Georgian house is perfect for a regal wedding. With a stunning four-acre lake, private decking and cedarwood hot tubs, the Gilpin Hotel is sure to provide an unforgettable wedding venue. Ceremonies can be held in the three-storey Lake House overlooking the lake, in the conservatory, or outside in a marquee or tepee.

CHEWTON GLEN HOTEL & SPA

IT'S THE IDEAL “ VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING ”

Hampshire, South East England Located in the centre of the rolling Hampshire countryside, Chewton is sure to make for an idyllic and intimate wedding.

Why not stay at Chewton’s brand new and private treehouse, nestled in the peaceful New Forest. Features include a wood burner, beautiful earthy hues of green and grey, and deluxe balconies.

NAILCOTE HALL

Warwickshire, West Midlands Old-world charm in the form of a postcard-perfect view of some of England’s oldest yew trees is what awaits you from Nailcote's classic suites. The marquee makes the perfect setting for your wedding: on the lawn surrounded by woodland, you’ll enjoy a peaceful, beautiful ceremony within the heart of nature. www.dwha.co.uk

179

COMING SOON...A SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL EVENT VENUE IN THE HEART OF LEICESTERSHIRE. Situated in amidst the leafy grounds of Braunstone Park, Winstanley House is the most perfect backdrop to the most special of days.

The rolling parkland which cushions the House combined with its proximity to historic Leicester’s City Centre makes Winstanley House accessible whilst retaining an ambience of serenity that usually comes only with the seclusion of country venues.

www.winstanleyhouse.co.uk HINCKLEY ROAD, LEICESTER, LE3 1HX UK T: 0116 3665642 | EMAIL: INFO@WINSTANLEYHOUSE.CO.UK

Our promise to you is complete perfection from ‘yes’ to ‘I do’...

New Forest | Hampshire | BH25 6QS 01425 275341 | mywedding@chewtonglen.com www.chewtonglen.com

Destination Weddings July 2017.indd 1

24/07/2017 10:03:26

Reputed as one of Britain’s most romantic hotels, Nailcote Hall is also one of England’s most beautiful Country House Hotels, set in 15 acres of Warwickshire & Solihull Countryside.

Guests can relax in this idyllic setting and enjoy the beauty of the gardens and mature trees that surround the hotel including some of the oldest yews in England.

www.nailcotehall.co.uk ▪ Phone: 02476 466174 ▪ E-mail: weddings@nailcotehall.co.uk

,, ,, Say I do

in the heart of the city

Offering boutique-style luxury set in a uniquely historical listed building, Ten Square Hotel is the perfect venue for your unforgettable big day. An idyllic backdrop to create lasting memories, capture the first moments of your new life with photographs taken among the gardens of the majestic City Hall, or around the historic Belfast landmarks on our doorstep. http://www.tensquare.co.uk Téléphone: +44(0) 28 9024 1001 | Email: reservations@tensquare.co.uk Address: Ten Square Hôtel | 10 Donegall Square South | Belfast | Irlande du Nord | BT1 5JD

onab ★★★★★

Exclusive Use Weddings and Mini-moons

Dreaming of a fairytale castle in the Scottish Highlands?

www.chapelhousepz.co.uk

Situated in tranquil Perthshire countryside with spectacular views, Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa is a hidden gem. From the 42 luxurious bedrooms to the award-winning chef, it's a magical place that you can call your very own.

Tying the knot, but not enough time to take a full-blown honeymoon right away? Then consider a mini-moon break - a short romantic getaway taken just after your wedding . You can relax and enjoy your first few days of married life.

For more details on our Exclusive Use packages and Mini-moon Breaks, call us now on +44 (0) 1796 470140 Email : events@fonabcastlehotel.com Web site : www.fonabcastlehotel.com

An impressive Georgian townhouse with extensive sea views across Mounts Bay to St Michael’s Mount, Chapel House sits in a prominent position on historic Chapel Street.

E: hello@chapelhousepz.co.uk

T: 01736362024

Chapel House, Chapel Street, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4AQ

Yorkshire’s Finest Wedding Caterer wedding

planner

If you have a dream to make only an experienced professional can give you the right solutions.

Domenica De Leonardis SposiAmoOstuni

T: +39 329 2171 574 E: ostuni@sposiamo.com

GFS Catering

Weddings ∙ Fine Dining ∙ Corporate Events Across Yorkshire

www.gfscatering.co.uk 01756 797697 ∙ info@gfscatering.co.uk

Food for Thought

From mouth-watering canapés to fine dining sit down meals, the food at your wedding is often the most anticipated and talked-about aspect. We've rounded up some of the best caters from across the UK to get you started

PAUL’S THE CATERING COMPANY

“We pride ourselves on being a flexible caterer that can offer a full bespoke service for your wedding day. We can help you to create your own menu, or edit one of ours to your tastes. Our friendly event coordinators are happy to help in any way they can.”

— Iain Ebbage

ADMIRABLE CRICHTON

“The AC are renowned and well-established bespoke wedding planners and caterers, creating stunning celebrations in London, around the UK and the world. Decadently extravagant, or simply elegant, our weddings are always stylish and flawless, and our food is unforgettable. For boutique celebrations, buffets and street food we have deWintons by The AC, and Maia by The AC, for Asian wedding catering, design and event management.”

— Lynn Asghar

GHK CATERING

“The team within GHK will work tirelessly to ensure that your day is as you want it to be. Our talented chefs only use Wiltshire produce to create stunning food and the service staff attend to every wish. We will only be happy once we know that you’re happy!”

— Gradyn Runyeard-Hunt

THE YELLOW DOOR

“The multi-award winning Yellow Door is a true artisan food company. All the food we serve is prepared from scratch, meaning that we smoke, bake, cure and churn all our own food from the finest quality raw Irish produce. We grow our own herbs, salads leaves, vegetables and fruits in our extensive kitchen garden, and we even have our own bees for honey production.”

— Simon Dougan

186

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

GFS CATERING

“A Yorkshire wedding is something remarkable and your guest's expectations can be very high. Our award-winning hospitality ensures expectations are always exceeded, marrying incredible talent, the freshest of local Yorkshire produce and perfectly rehearsed service. You'll find us at beautiful settings all across Yorkshire creating the most wonderful weddings.”

— Steve Mayo

THE ORDE FOOD COMPANY

“We’re a family business and that means we understand that creating something special takes time. My Mother started her career with one dream, to cook for her Majesty the Queen and she achieved this on a number of occasions. For over 30 years my family has been helping our wonderful clientele bring their foodie dreams alive too!”

— Justin Orde

MORGAN’S CATERING

“Absolutely stunning food and service. All of our guests commented on how delicious the food was and how perfect the service was. The food arrived and was removed promptly, glasses were refilled and nothing was too much trouble.

It was fabulous to have the evening food and cake circulated, meaning no one’s evening was disrupted by queuing for a buffet.”

— Mrs Hodgetts (Bride)

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

“To not compromise, teamwork and to understand that your trust in us matters: these are the principles that guide our business and our daily life. We love our food and we love it most of all when other people love it too. That is what makes us tick as people.”

— Kirsty and Scott

GARDEN GROVE PIZZERIA

“Garden Grove is an award-winning catering company, specializing in wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. It is set within a mobile magical garden environment, using both a mobile truck and pop up restaurant. Backed by the Prince’s Trust and with five years of experience in the festival and private sector, we use only quality sourced ingredients and traditional recipes for our dough.”

— Stefano Karapatis

www.dwha.co.uk

187

AWARD WINNING CATERER IN NORTHERN IRELAND Exclusive Caterer for the West Midlands

YOUR PERFECT DAY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THE YELLOW DOOR

www.morgans-catering.co.uk For all enquiries please call 01527 579210 or email enquiries@morgans-catering.co.uk Assuring total quality and service at all times

Weddings catering

www.yellowdoordeli.co.uk 74 WOODHOUSE STREET, PORTADOWN, COUNTY ARMAGH, BT62 1JL T: (0)28 38353528 or E: info@yellowdoordeli.co.uk

Strawberry Shortcake The bespoke catering company

Strawberry Shortcake is not just about fantastic food!

We are an imaginative Midlands based catering company who specialise in wedding catering with well over 1000 weddings catered.

www.strawberryshortcakedining.com www.paulscatering.company Pauls Kitchen, 60 London Road, Oadby, LE2 5DH 0116 210 8036

T: 01269 833 703 / 07801 823 870 E: info@strawberryshortcakedining.com @ShortcakeDining @StrawberryShortcakeDining strawberryshortcakedining

At GHK we know you want your wedding to go as smoothly as possible, the food at a wedding is important so why not cater with GHK and never have to worry about the catering going wrong.

Mobile Pizzeria for Tailored Events Welcome to the Home of the Travelling Pizzaioli Garden Grove Pizzeria travels the UK & Europe as a mobile pizzeria, catering for festivals, weddings, crew, private parties, and corporate events. We are an infusion of creativity and traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a twist for the taste buds of today, set within a magical garden.

www.ghkcatering.co.uk 01225 800449 Carlton Business Centre, Maundrell Road, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PU

The Orde Food Company invite you to taste the best and feel the warmth of Scottish hospitality. Contact us for luxury private catering and feel at home when booking one of our venues.

Visit us at www.ordefood.com or call +44 1573 229150 and quote #DWHMScotland for complimentary signature canapé and welcome drink with your booking.

Web: www.thegardengrove.co.uk • Phone: +44 777 297 9199 • Email: info@thegardengrove.co.uk

The AC are renowned, well established bespoke wedding planners and caterers, creating stunning celebrations in London, around the UK and exciting destinations around the world. Decadently extravagant, or simply elegant, our weddings are always stylish and flawless and our food is unforgettable.

www.admirable-crichton.co.uk

5 Camberwell Trading Estate | Denmark Road | London SE5 9LB

Phone: +44 (0)20 7326 3800 parties@admirable-crichton.co.uk

House of Turin Escape to the Scottish countryside and discover the wedding of your dreams at this enchanting exclusive-use mansion

S

ituated in the heart of Scotland, midway between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, is the luxurious House of Turin. A five-star beauty encompassed by the Angus Glens, this majestic mansion provides the perfect place to surrender to lush, unspoiled countryside. Stand in awe of the twenty acres of sweeping lawns and fall in love with the picturesque views. A truly romantic setting, House of Turin has all you need for an incredibly unique and personal wedding.

An interview with

Yvonne Corbett PRIMARILY, I BELIEVE what makes House of Turin stand out is that we’re a very different kind of venue.

We’re personal in approach and very flexible, there’s not a lot that we can’t do. As every bride is different, no wedding we plan is the same as another. We’re constantly thinking outside the box and creating new ideas. I couldn’t possibly choose a favourite wedding that we’ve had here — they’ve all been so unique!

MY INSPIRATION for creating bespoke weddings comes from my history. I lived overseas for 23 years and I like to bring my own experiences to the weddings we host. In fact, many of the weddings we host are from overseas, featuring brides and grooms that seek a traditional Scottish experience.

These couples like to incorporate tartan, falconry, and other local traditions. Wecan arrange kilt rental including full Highland dress if necessary. Couples have come from all over the world, including Australia and Dubai. A group of Chinese brides and grooms intended to get married here together, but it couldn’t be decided who would have the master suite!

190

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

“ We’re personal in approach and very flexible, there’s not a lot that we can’t do”

“ Venues across House of Turin

are numerous, meaning that there are multiple options to choose from ” ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE WEDDINGS we’ve hosted was for an American couple, and the turn around was in just 24 hours! It was a renewal of vows for their 50th wedding anniversary that was postponed due to upset in the previous year. It was incredibly emotional and although we had such a short turn around to organise everything, it all worked out perfectly in the end.

HOUSE OF TURIN IS STEEPED IN HISTORY, being built back in 1659. However, it was originally called Turing with the extra ‘”g” on the end, and constructed beside the loch. The date of 1907 written on the current wall states when House of Turin was relocated stone by stone from the lochside to its current site. There are plenty of stories to discover upon your visit, including the house’s gifting to Clan Oliphant as a thank you for fighting the battle of Stirling, and its ownership to Sir Frank Noel Mason-Macfarlane. MasonMacfarlane was the owner during the First World War and was the military attache in Berlin, Germany for the British Government.

HOUSE OF TURIN SEAMLESSLY merges this history with contemporary elements and we cater to many weddings that have a modern edge. The New Wedding Room is a particularly popular reception venue with its stunning vaulted pine ceiling, seating up to 100 people for dining and dancing. Venues across House of Turin are numerous, meaning that there are multiple options to choose from to make your day perfect for you. There are two outdoor courtyards and one indoor. The Indoor Courtyard is adorned with tartan carpet, but can be transformed into a pure white venue if preferred.

The Glass Conservatory can hold 60 people for a wedding and an additional 120 in the Glass Structure for dinner, so there’s no need for a marquee. For a glamorous outdoor wedding, guests can choose the stone circle to declare their vows. A red

www.dwha.co.uk

191

“ I was always obsessed with weddings and the silhouettes of the gowns”

We love to create “ lasting memories for the

couple and their guests ” carpet is placed down a long aisle and guests are seated on the infinity lawn overlooking the glen.

The lawn can cater to a seemingly endless number of guests, making it perfect for larger extravaganzas and celebrations. Overall, we cater to all sorts of weddings, from rustic to glamorous. Some couples opt for simple décor, enhanced with strings of fairy lights. The place is a blank canvas, so whatever a bride’s dream, we can accommodate accordingly.

WE TYPICALLY HOST JUST 12 WEDDINGS A YEAR, one each month. We like to keep this number small, as we’re not a wedding factory who churns out the same commercialised weddings on a weekly basis.

Between the times that there are no weddings, the venue is available for private hire and corporate events. However, despite limiting the number of weddings we organise, we had three weddings this August, which is a lot more than we are used to!

Overall it depends of the bride’s circumstances as often things pop up and dates have to be moved.

We’re the venue that typically says, “yes” if something is important to the couple. Ultimately, we don’t book further than four years in advance, so I’d recommend booking between one to two years in advance in order to secure your dream date.

MOST GUESTS tend to stay for three days or longer, especially if they have travelled from overseas. We love to create lasting memories for the couple and their guests and call these “Turin Moments.”

It’s important to give the bride and groom a chance during the

192

DWHA || november / december

celebrations to have a moment to themselves. So many venues just get caught up in managing their experience, but at House of Turin, we make it more personal. It isn’t just about the big day here, it’s also about the before and after. There are lots of activities that you can experience before, including a hot air balloon ride and archery. We like to create these memories for the whole family and don’t want the experience to fly past with little to take away from the stay. Particularly if guests have come from all over world, it’s nice for them to experience the beauty that Scotland has to offer.

WE WORK WITH an array of food suppliers, each one tailored to the style of the wedding. We encourage our brides to create their own dreams without the limitations that many venues put on them. Allow House of Turin to create a wedding full of memories and surprises for your guests! Gin and whisky tasting are popular activities and we have a wine cellar and whisky room on site. On the morning of the wedding, the groom is taken to the whisky room with his groomsmen and a photographer. Here, the groom is able to have a kilted photo and a small shot of the national liqueur.

OVERALL, THE MAIN AIM of House of Turin is that we want guests to feel at home. It’s not just a venue, but somewhere that you can experience some of the greatest memories of your life and relive for years to come (houseofturin.com).

Planning Headpiece, mervebayindir.com // Story book, paperchase.co.uk // Bust lift gel, clarins.co.uk // Song request cards, paperchase.co.uk // Shoes, asos.com // Pen, paperchase.co.uk// Finishing powder, wunder2.co.uk // Watch, tedbaker.com // Watch ‘Grand Atlantic’, paul-hewitt.com

All you need to know, from the world’s best wedding planners to important info about marrying abroad

In this section 194 Champneys 196 Planned to Perfection 207 Confessions of a Celebrant 218 Let the Sunshine in 218 Wedding Countdown 221 Know Before You Go 225 Inspiration

Champneys

Lie back in the “ sauna, take a dip in

Tring

Leave behind the daily grind; treat yourself and your loved one to a well-deserved spa day

their 25-metre pool, or request a unique Lava Shell Massage ”

R

elaxation begins at Champneys Tring — and never ends. With four health spa resorts encompassing four key locations throughout the UK, Champneys boasts a deep-rooted tradition as Britain’s original health spa. It’s a perfect treat to calm the pre-wedding nerves. Since 1925, it has been a bastion of healthcare, but it has evolved over time and become known for its innovative, refreshing spa treatments. If you’re feeling stressed out, Champneys offer holistic therapies that will detox your worries out of you and leave you re-energised.

Champneys Tring rests within a striking 170 acres of sprawling parkland that amplifies the aura of relaxation, so lie back in the sauna, take a dip in their 25-metre pool, or request a unique Lava Shell Massage that uses warm shells to relax your muscles. Wherever you invest your time in Tring, you will be left glowing by the end of it all. Rest assured that you’re in good hands Champneys has seen patrons like Naomi Campbell, Kylie Minogue, and Brad Pitt in their idyllic hideaway retreats. If it’s a Mother-Daughter break you seek to bond before your big day, Champneys offers just that in a perfect girly getaway package.

Personal spa treatments aren’t the only thing you can anticipate from Champneys — they also offer internationally-influenced menus filled with healthy, indulgent dishes that their chefs and nutritionists create to leave you feeling empowered and rejuvenated. “We want guests to enjoy a little indulgence but at the same time take reassurance that every ingredient has been nutritionally considered,” says Becki Douglas, Senior Nutritionist for Champneys. Beauty on a plate, they also craft delectable dishes catered to you, no matter your dietary requirements.

There are no compromises on flavour, however, so you can indulge in their decadent showstopper chocolate dessert guilt-free (champneys.com).

Champneys offer “holistic therapies that will detox your worries out of you ”

194

DWHA || november / december

from Italy

Planned to

Perfection A destination wedding may seem like a challenge, but don’t fear, we’re here to help! We’ve rounded up the best wedding planners from around the globe to ensure that your big day is flawless from start to finish

from the USA (Florida)

Casie Caldwell

SPARKLEIGH PRODUCTIONS, LLC

Gwen Courtman LAKE GARDA WEDDINGS

“

As Lake Garda’s leading wedding planner, we arrange weddings to suit all budgets and tastes on the shores of Italy’s largest lake. Our passion is organising a stunning wedding from start to finish, in one of our many stunning venues, to create the perfect day!”

“

Your wedding day should reflect the beauty and elegance you idealise. Our design team customises every decorating element to suit your grandest visions.

From the overall theme to the tiniest detail, we ensure you sparkle on the happiest day of your life. Innovative concepts, creative design, flawless execution.”

Ornella Naccari from The Netherlands

ITALY WEDDING PACKAGES

“

We specialise in bespoke weddings and honeymoons across all of Italy. We take care of all the necessary arrangements, including accommodation, exclusive venue flowers, photos, and much more. We organise Civil, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Symbolic ceremonies, renewal of vows and LGBT weddings. Our professional wedding planners speak English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese.”

196

DWHA || november / december

Astrid Blaauw-Thoonsen ASTRID BLAAUW WEDDINGS & EVENTS

from Italy

“

A personal approach is very important for me.

Involvement, consultation and reliability, that’s what we stand for. We have lots of knowledge and experience and are up to date on the latest trends and developments for weddings. From planning to the day of, I will make every part of the process easy, enjoyable and memorable!”

PLANNING

from Italy

Maria Laura Piva BELLS & CANDLES

“

I’ve always been fascinated by the world of weddings and the magic behind the creation of a special day for marriage. As I always say to my brides and grooms, as your wedding planner, I will be on hand for many months and have the honour of sharing the journey with you.”

from Puerto Rico

from the USA

Madeline Valentine

(New York)

Colin Cowie

MADELINE VALENTINE DESTINATION WEDDINGS

“

COLIN COWIE CELEBRATIONS

We have over 15 years of experience, so you can rest assured of being in capable hands. We offer only the highest level of creative, personalised service, using the most reliable vendors in the industry. We design weddings with a personal touch and creative eye, guiding our Brides and Grooms graciously throughout the planning process, from innovative concept to flawless execution.”

“

Colin Cowie Celebrations is more than just a full-service event design and production company — we partner with you to turn your dreams into reality. We hear. We listen. We respond. We have our finger on the pulse of the latest trends, always focusing on the personalised details that make your event one-of-a-kind.”

Tariq & Obaida YQ ART

“ from Bahrain

No vision is too grand and no detail is too small. We at YQ Art take great pride in our unique ability to design and create glamorous and unforgettable moments that when combined, create an exclusive experience. We have mastered that very ability through decades of designing experiences with a keen eye for detail and beautiful aesthetics.”

Ravi Bakhru

Lela Design Team

WARLOCK WEDDINGS

“

Our expertise lies in destination weddings and we cater to clients from all over the globe. Our customised services and management includes identifying a location, complete décor, and hospitality. Our forte consists of creating large-scale weddings, with an impressive client portfolio that includes celebrities, industrialists and CEO’s.”

from Croatia

LELA DESIGN

“ from India

Lela Design wedding planning offers you a full service in organising and planning your wedding day. We choose the ideal location, create memorable designs, look for professional performers and handle coordination throughout the whole process, including the day of your wedding, regardless of the conditions.” www.dwha.co.uk

197

Italy Wedding Packages

WEDDING PLANNER IN CROATIA

We turn your vision into reality

Lela Design wedding planning offers you a full service in organising and planning your wedding day. We choose the ideal location, create memorable designs, look for professional performers and handle coordination throughout the whole process, including the day of your wedding, regardless of the conditions.

We specialize in bespoke Weddings and Honeymoons all over Italy.

We aim to help you find the most romantic place for you to get married in Italy and to coordinate a well-planned Italian wedding, reception and honeymoon.

We are YOUR Wedding Planner in Italy!

https://leladesign.hr/en lela@leladesign.hr | +385 1 3832 848 address: ÄŒrnomerec 41 | Zagreb 10000 | Croatia https://www.facebook.com/LelaDesign https://www.instagram.com/lela.design/

A wedding planner is there for you! Your personal assistant who will guide you on your way to an unforgettable day.

Through the extensive network that we have built up over the last 10 years, we help you find the right suppliers and locations for your wedding.

We already helped a lot of wedding couples from abroad. Astrid Blaauw Weddings & Events is able to make a bridal couple’s wishes and ideas come true in a personal manner.

E: info@astridblaauw.nl w w w. a s t r i d b l a a u w. n l

WEDDING PLANNING

WEDDING CONSULTATION

WEDDING DESIGN

WEDDING DAY COORDINATION

Over 15 years of experience nurtured by our passion in the process of designing and developing each event you can rest assured of being in capable hands that will guide you quickly and efficiently to what you are looking for and save you much time and energy in the process.

Start your wedding planning here…

Website

www.mvdestinationweddings.com

Tel/Fax

001 787 587 8581

E-Mail

Madeline@mvdestinationweddings.com

Colin Cowie Celebrations Wedding Design | Planning and Production | Destination Services PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION DESTINATIONS@COLINCOWIE.COM WWW.COLINCOWIE.COM N e w Yo r k

|

Los Angeles

|

San Francisco

|

Wo r l d w i d e

A Passion For Perfection

YQ ART has drawn on decades of design experience with a keen eye for details and aesthetics to bring your event to life exactly as you envisioned it and more.

www.yqart.com Address: P.O. Box 33070 | Bahrain • Tel: +973 17774030 • Mob: +973 39440343 | +973 33363836 • E-Mail: info@yqart.com

When planning your perfect wedding, we suggest that you take inspiration from novels, movies and romantic far off lands. Most of all, we invite you to bring in your heartfelt dreams and make them come true. Traditional or whimsical, luxuriously formal or elegantly casual, every detail and desire will be brought to life

CIRANGAN PALACE • ISTANBUL premium destination

We expertise in «Destination - Indian weddings « and have executed some magnificent weddings in Europe thailand Middle East and usa . Our offices in Mumbai, Dubai, Thailand, USA, & Turkey cover a wide span of wedding destinations .

•

Our customised services and management includes, identifying a location, liaison with the hotel, decor sound and lights, special effects, artist management, logistics and hospitality

Web site : warlockweddingplanners.com

•

Tel : +91 9821011456

•

Email : ravi@warlockweddingplanners.com

DESTINATIONS

www.dwha.co.uk

5

Confessions of

from the USA

Celebrant

(Chicago)

A wedding celebrant gives you the freedom to customise the process of declaring your vows all over the globe. Here’s a round-up of some officiants detailing their services

Marian Hale ALL CEREMONIES BEAUTIFULLY DONE

Jacqueline Soares

“

“

Over the years I’ve had the honor of cocreating the perfect ceremony for couples and partners of all faiths and individuality. The greatest gift I can give couples is my ability to listen to them and their desires for the wedding vow ceremony. Your day, your way!”

from Spain

from the USA (California)

Allan Davies ALLAN DAVIES CELEBRANT SERVICES

“

During my initial interviews with couples, I try to encourage them to involve as many people as possible, including guest readers, children and pets! One couple enlisted the help of their black labrador, who ran into the sea when delivering the rings! He was retrieved, along with the rings, but it certainly resulted in a lot of laughs and photos.”

Do you want a wedding that will keep your guests interested and involved? For 20 years, I have been assisting couples with interfaith, same sex, nondenominational, spiritual, non-religious weddings and elopements. Let’s get together soon to discuss your plans!”

from Austria

Claire Mountain Susan Parth-Blackman

MOUNTAIN CELEBRATIONS

“

Our team of diploma Qualified Celebrants can individually design your bespoke ceremony.

All will be created and delivered with professionalism, warmth and feeling. We embrace love, laughter, and happiness, so share your memories with Mountain Celebrations and make your dreams come true. ”

206

DWHA || november / december

HOCHZEITSREDNER TIROL

“ from the UK (Wales)

Say “I do” on top of a mountain! I have married many couples in beautiful Austrian locations, such as castles, gardens, mountains, and even on ski-slopes. Let us transform your dream into a memorable, heart-warming and personal ceremony. Say “yes” and let your dream wedding by the first step in your life together.”

“Come celebrate your love in beautiful Montréal”.

Sylvain L’Heureux Rated 5* on WeddingWire.ca T: 1-514-718-6337 E: lhsylvain@gmail.com E: s.lheureux@fsev.ca w w w. c e l e b r a n t s m a r i a g e . c a / e n / .

Weddings By Design YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAPE COD WEDDING OFFICIATE

May You Love Deeply, Laugh Out Loud Everyday, And See Many Sunrises and Sunsets www.weddingsbydesign.info Office: 508-896-8121 | Cell: 508-737-4027 Email: brwstr@verizon.net 142 Brier Lane | Brewster, MA 02631

I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (similar to Presbyterian or Methodist churches but a little more progressive).

Tel/Fax: 001 843 801 1041 //

E-Mail: revkristenbarner@gmail.com

Website:www.charlestonweddingbellerev.com

Congratulations!… I hear you’re getting married!

Website: www.affinityfair.com Mob: 00971 50257 6127 E-Mail: zu.gatward@affinityfair.com

Wedding Celebrant in Australia It’s all about that special day..

Website: www.victoriawheeler.com.au Tel:

+61 (0)404 063 348 •

E-Mail: victoriawheeler@optusnet.com.au

UK celebrant performing ceremonies in the UAE. Contact Zu for a meeting at no cost/ obligation for that celebrant who “gets you” and your wedding ideas!

AffinityFair

@affinityfair_celebrant

I create 100% original bespoke ceremony scripts and vows based on your love story and beliefs. With a professional sound system, and high-end Wireless Microphones, your guests are fully immersed in the experience – hearing every word and cherishing the memory forever. Your ceremony will be unlike any other!

Serving South Florida, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach County, New York and all Destinations!

WWW.ceremonieswithcynthia.com T: (786) 925-5891 | E: Cynthia@ceremonieswithcynthia.com

Mountain Celebrations Ltd AOIC Certified

Mountain Celebrations Ltd AOIC Certified Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Ltd AOIC Certified Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. International Celebrant Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. International Celebrant Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. International Celebrant Spiritual and Humanism Spiritual and and Humanism Humanism

Spiritual and Humanism Member of The Association Member of of The TheAssociation Association Member of The Association of Independent Celebrants Independent Celebrants of Independent Celebrants of Independent Celebrants

Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Ltd

Mountain Celebrations MountainCelebrations Celebrations Ltd Mountain Ltd Mountain Celebrations Mountain Celebrations Ltd Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C.Ltd Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Ltd Certified Civil Celebrant A.O Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Mountain Celebrations Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Spiritual and Ltd Humanism Spiritual and Humanism Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Ltd Spiritual and Hum Spiritual and Humanism Mountain Celebrations Ltd and Humanism Spiritual and Humanism Mountain Celebrations Ltd Wedding Blessings, Hand Fasting, Spiritual and Humanism Mountain Celebrations Ltd Member of The Association Certified Civil A.O.I.C. Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Member ofSpiritual The Association Spiritual and Humanism Spiritual and Humanism Certified CivilCelebrant Celebrant A.O.I.C. Mountain Celebrations Mountain Celebrations Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Mountain Celebrations Ltd Mountain Celebrations Ltd Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Jumping the Broom, Unity Candles Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C.

Wedding Blessings, Han Member of The As Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Spiritual and Humanism Member of The Association of Independent Celebrants Wedding Blessings, Hand Fasting, of Independent Celebrants Member ofCeremonies.

The Association Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Spiritual andSand Humanism Spiritual and Humanism Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Member of The Association Member ofCelebrations The Association Member of The Association Member of The Association Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Spiritual and Humanism Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Spiritual and Humanism Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Mountain Ltd Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Jumping the Broom, Un Spiritual and Humanism Jumping the Broom, Unity Candles Member of The Spiritual and Humanism of Independent Celebrants of Independent Ce of Independent Celebrants Member of The Association and Humanism of Independent Celebrants of Celebrants Spiritual and Humanism ofSpiritual Independent Celebrants Spiritual and Humanism Member ofIndependent The Association Sand Ceremoni Spiritual and Humanism Certified Civil Celebrant A.O.I.C. Member ofAssociation The Association Sand Ceremonies. of Independent Celebrants Member of The Association Spiritual and Humanism Spiritual and Humanism Member of The Association of Independent Celebrants of Independent Celebrants Spiritual and Humanism ofAssociation The Association Member of The Member of The of Celebrants of Independent Celebrants Member ofIndependent TheAssociation Association Member of The Association ofMember Independent Celebrants of Independent Celebrants Member of The Association Member of The Association Member of The Association of Independent CelebrantsCelebrants ofofIndependent Celebrants ofof Independent Independent Celebrants Independent Celebrants of Independent Celebrants of Independent Celebrants

of Independent Celebrants

“it’s your wedding, your special day” * Non-denominational *Christian services *Civil services *Civil Union services 5

rated Marriage Officer

Based in South Africa - Cape Town & surroundings

WANT A WEDDING THAT’S AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE? I offer heartfelt and personally tailored ceremonies, written and conducted with integrity, to make your wedding...or renewal of vows...as unique as you are.

Karen Abi-Karam Holistic Therapist, Birth Doula and Independent Celebrant

SERVICE INCLUDES • Planning meeting • Creative ideas • Freedom to choose religious ideas, or not • Rehearsal • Commemorative certificate

CONTACT KAREN 07736 809 264 karen@hartholisticsupport.co.uk www.hartholisticsupport.co.uk

HONOUR · ACCEPT · RELEASE · TRUST Hart_Advert_200x138_Gold_final.indd 3

2017/04/26 2:53 PM

Weddings by Marsha Traditional, Interfaith, Same Sex Weddings in beautiful Southern California.

Your Wedding is one of the most important events in your life.

My promise is to capture your wishes, your personality, your magic in a custom wedding ceremony you will cherish for a lifetime.

I’ve been voted Best in Weddings for years and have earned the trust of hundreds of happy couples.

This is a joyous work for me.

Just call 818.427.5680 or e-mail me: customweddingceremony@gmail.com to take the first step in creating a wedding ceremony that reflects your love, your way.

At Dream a Little Dream Weddings of OBX VA & NC, I take care to provide my clients high quality services personalized for their unique needs. I am available to take talk with you, 7 days a week. I am professional, courteous and efficient. I have done well over a thousand weddings ceremonies in Virginia and in North Carolina. I am highly professional, but also very light hearted and offer a fun touch to your ceremony!

www.dreamalittledreamwedding.com T: 001 434260 4048

E: dreamadreamwedding@gmail.com

Your dream wedding starts with a unique ceremony telling your unique love story. Indoors or out, sunrise or sunset, joining spirits and cultures, Lynn will work with you to plan, write and deliver that perfect ceremony.

Tel/Fax: 01993 771 460 E-Mail: lynntierneyceremonies@gmail.com

Website: www.lynntierneyceremonies.co.uk

multilingual wedding celebrant based in Barcelona; available worldwide

www.theweddingman.eu

theweddingman theweddingman.eu

“Perfection! Light-hearted, sincere and also sweet. Our guests all raved about how amazing the ceremony was!�

The Wedding Man is an extremely experienced multilingual wedding celebrant based in Barcelona who provides personalised ceremonies for couples from all over the world. In his hands your ceremony will be as truly memorable as your love story is truly unique.

James Humber Tel/Fax - (00 34) 652119248 E-Mail - hello@theweddingman.eu

High Country Ceremonies Cottonwood,AZ Serving Northern Arizona, Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, and surrounding areas!

Pastor ANN Minister & Officiant

Phone (928) 963-0742 Fax 888-417-6123 highcountryceremonies@hotmail.com

www.highcountryceremonies.com

Independent

Yorkshi re Weddi ng Celebrant

T

E

07881944827

starrgazing.ceremonies@gmail.com

W

www.starrgazingceremonies.com

My name is Louisa Starr. I am a Professional Independent Celebrant based in York and I cover Yorkshire, all UK areas as well as international destinations. I write, create and perform unique, tailor-made personalised ceremonies.

Rev Bonnie (Connor) McKinstry

Glenn S. Ferguson

An ordained minister joyfully performing nonjudgemental, personal weddings since 1994. I would be delighted to perform yours!

Bahamas Wedding Officiant & Planner Creating Amazing, Memorable & Fun Weddings in the Bahamas Website: www.bahamasdestinationwedding.org

T: 512-791-2668 | E: revbonnie@gmail.com revbonnie.com

Tel or WhatsApp:1-(242)-395-8495 E-Mail: glenn@bahamasdestinationwedding.org

Mrs Joy Basdeo, MBE, JP - Civil Registrar of Marriages Beach weddings • Registry Office Weddings Historic Sites Weddings • Hotel & Condo Weddings Wedding Blessings & Wedding Vow Renewals Joy is owner of Simply Weddings and its primary wedding celebrant.

She has more than 20 years of experience as a Wedding Celebrant and has been a Civil Registrar of Marriages since 2007. She has officiated over 2,102 weddings and hundreds of wedding vow renewals.

www.simplyweddingscayman.com +1 (345) 949-9933 502-233-4521 215 North Church St | George Town, Grand Cayman

Visit us on Facebook : www.Facebook.com/SimplyWeddingsCayman

all you got to do is call

Mr Damion Austin is rated as one of the best and most flexible Officiants in Western Jamaica. For over 10 years Mr Austin has also been giving exceptional entertainment and Mc services to couples in Western Jamaica. www.oncallweddingsja.com Tel/Fax: 001 876 428 61999 • E-Mail: Damion.austin@gmail.com

You are unique - your wedding should be too. Beautiful bespoke nonreligious ceremonies, written just for you.

Email: jcroft@ethicalstl.org • Tel: 617.543.8769

Renewal of Vows Wedding/Civil Ceremony

Introduction

L

ynda is a certified Celebrant and trained in Marriage & Family Celebrancy with The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.

Wedding/Civil Ceremony

Y

ou will need to have a short legal ceremony first at your Local Registry Office.

The Legal Wedding or Civil Partnership

T

his legal part can be done early the same day, or even a day previous with just the two of you and two witnesses in infomal dress if you want!

Your Wedding Day is a day to be remembered and your ceremony will be created with a personal and professional service.

Y

ou may want to have your wedding ceremony ..........

at home .......... in a Marquee an Evening Sunset Reception/Ceremony on the beach in your local pub, hotel or restaurant The chosen venue does not have to be licensed for marriages.

Renewal of Vows

T

hese ceremonies are also ideal for couples who get married abroad and want to share their special day with family and friends when they return.

Y

The rest of the service can continue our Wedding Day is a day to be at the venue of your remembered and your will be created choice where you ceremony will withchosen a personal say the vows you have to say to and each professional service.

Renewal of Vows other. You can include or exclude anything you t is now popular to renew your vows. want including religious pieces, verses or poems www.ceremoniesbylynda.co.uk ceremony for couples who are already m and singing by family members or friends.

Tel/Fax: 07980 185 946 but want to re-affirm their vows to each E-Mail: lynda.williams15@yahoo.com for whatever reason. It could be a ings can be Special Anniversary, or after a particu exchanged and so on. difficult time. Again these ceremonies c These are all purely however and wherever you want ceremonical and

I

R

can therefore be performed at

A copy of the marriage certificate will

The Art of Janice Sylvia Brock

Let the Sunshine in

Internationally acclaimed artist, Janice Sylvia Brock discusses her work, inspiration, and what Barbados means to her

J

Shell Seeker

A N I C E S Y LV I A B R O C K is a painter with passion — passion for her art but most of all, for life itself. Born in England, Janice started painting when very young as an antidote to an illness-filled adolescence, spent largely in and out of hospital. Today Janice’s canvases are steeped in vibrant colours and life-giving sunshine. Her trademark colourful and lively paintings have a universality of human experience that appeals to all who see them. Her island home in Barbados, where she resides for half the year, is not simply a retreat from cold climes, rather it is an essential part of her being. This provides not only an ever-changing variety of subjects but it infuses all her work, wherever it is set, with a timeless quality that speaks to the humanity in us all. Children’s laughter along a white sand beach, juicy fruits ready on the breakfast table, the chatter of women, the stillness of a hot afternoon, her subjects make us smile and remind us of an ideal place where peace and warmth reign. Here we can enjoy an artist who revels in romance, harmony and lustrous paintwork.

Using oils on canvas, the artist’s preferred subjects are time-

218

DWHA || november / december

“ Enjoy an artist who revels in romance, harmony and lustrous paintwork ”

honoured and classic ones in the History of Art. Each composition has her unique interpretation. Whether painting a sensual nude, a quiet still-life, a bustling scene of everyday life, or a calming seascape, Janice allows her imagination full reign. Exotic women, carnival, dancing, landscapes full of sugarcane and of course the sand, sea and shells of the blue ocean appear in a tremendous variety of works. She became famous in Barbados for her signature pictures of big bottoms, but her Caribbean work encompasses so much more than that. Shell Seeker, which has become a famous piece, has a nostalgic aspect as though inhabited by a woman from an earlier era. While works such as Long Bay, a sunny scene enhanced by bright colours, is a distillation of all things good about tropical living.

Her vivid colours and strong brush work is evocative of early Matisse. Her work also reminds us of Raul Dufy’s sun-drenched pictures of the South of France, with their lively depictions of people, places and events. Whatever her influences, Janice gives each and every picture her

Long Bay

PLANNING

“ Janice is inspired by movement, colour and the luminous light of the Caribbean ”

Island of Shells

Midnight Fruit

Silk Wraps

“ Her work [...] has a timeless quality

that speaks to the humanity in us all ” own memorable twist. For example, Madam Bleu, is a fun bright nude with its curvaceous form.

As Janice also uses the act of painting to work through the various issues in her life, some works (such as Floral Prayer), are almost self-portraits. The female form has been a recurring motif in her work, which she continues to explore. Her recent ‘oval faces’ female figures (such as The Sleeping Cat) have a dream-like quality which is reminiscent of Picasso and his abbreviated facial features or the simple, pure line of a Modigliani nude.

These contemplative oval headed figures invite us to pause for a moment in our busy lives and experience a moment of quiet beauty.

The artist divides her time between Barbados and the UK with studios in both. The Barbados studio and gallery, open to visitors, is a light airy space with many works on show and is the realisation of a dream for Janice. The

gallery has been open for 12 years and has welcomed collectors from many parts of the world. She has a large international following with paintings in collections throughout Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Janice says, “One of the biggest thrills of my career so far was exhibiting my work at Charles Saatchi’s gallery in Chelsea. It definitely had the wow factor!”

Works of art can be shipped to any location, crated and fully insured. She also undertakes commissions, including nudes.

Also recommended is Janice’s recently-published book — My Life on Canvas, a celebration of an artist at the

www.dwha.co.uk

219

Floral Prayer

“ Gain an insight into the

Bon Voyage

often secret world inside an artist’s head ” height of her powers. Here she shares the fascinating story of how she became the internationally successful painter she is today. Gain an insight into the often secret world inside an artist’s head and learn what it means to be truly driven by art. This impressive hardback book is fully illustrated with two hundred pictures from all decades of Janice’s career and makes a wonderful gift.

Meet Janice and view her art at her Exclusive Studio exhibition in Cheshire, England in September 2017.

Email the studio for your personal invitation: janice@ brock-gallery.com. Contact Janice to visit her amazing gallery in Barbados, overlooking the beautiful West Coast: 246 432 6061. Or visit her website: janicesylviabrock.com.

The Sleeping Cat

“ Whatever

her influences, Janice gives each and every picture her own memorable twist ”

220

DWHA || november / december

DESTINATIONS

KNOW

BEFORE YOU GO! A smart guide to some of our featured destinations.

For a full list please check out dwha.co.uk

D ON’T .

FORGE T.. � Return tickets � Passports with at least six months validity � Birth certificates � Deed poll (if name changed) � Death certificate (if widowed) � Four additional passport photos � Apostille stamp on appropriate documents (for certification) � Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or Affidavit of Single Status � Certified translation of all documents (if applicable) The above should be treated as a guide, rather than definitive advice. Marriage laws are subject to change. For the avoidance of doubt please seek further advice from the embassy or local registry office of your destination.

WWW.DWHA.CO.UK

235

Know Before You Go

CAYMAN ISLANDS • FLIGHT TIME: 9 ½ hours • DOCUMENTS: Birth certificate, passport, decree absolute (if divorced), death certificate (if widowed), Cayman Islands Immigration Department card, a non-residents marriage license, and a letter from the authorized Marriage Officer who is to officiate • RESIDENCY: None required • WAITING PERIOD: None • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Typhoid (to consider) • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 16 (with the consent of a parent or guardian) • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: 020 7491 7772 embassypages.com/missions/embassy19646/ • TOURIST INFO: caymanluxe.co.uk

FALKLAND ISLANDS • FLIGHT TIME: 16 hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport, birth certificate, photo ID, decree absolute (if divorced), death certificate (if widowed), deed poll (if name changed), affidavit of civil status, marriage licence obtained in the Falkland Islands • RESIDENCY: None required • WAITING PERIOD: None required • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: None required • AGE REQUIREMENT: 18 • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: Yes • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: 020 7222 2542, falklands.gov.fk • TOURIST INFO: falklandislands.com or falklandislands.travel

GIBRALTAR • FLIGHT TIME: 3 hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport or National Identity card, birth certificate, previous marriage cartificate and death certificate (if widowed) or decree absolute (if divorced), deed poll (if name changed), affidavit of civil status signed before a Commissioner of Oaths or a Notary Public in Gibraltar, documentary evidence of Gibraltar residence at least 1 night immediately before or after the ceremony, check with registrar about additional documents required • RESIDENCY: 1 night’s stay before or after ceremony required with proof • WAITING PERIODe: 1 day with special licence • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: None required • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 18 • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No (civil partnership possible) • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: gibraltar.gov.uk • TOURIST INFO: visitgibraltar.gi

81

J a n u a r y / Fe b r u a r y

Know Before You Go

GREECE (CRETE)

GLAMEVENTS Weddings in Crete

www.glamevents.gr Kidonias 164 str | Chania, Crete, Greece Tel. +302821181798 | Mob. +306946684384 Email: info@glamevents.gr

• FLIGHT TIME: 4 hours • DOCUMENTS: Birth certificate, passport, CNI, Apostille stamps (on all required documents), decree absolute (if divorced), death certificate (if widowed), deed poll (if name changed). Application must be sent to Consular Office, marriage licence (can only be obtained from where the ceremony takes place). All documents need to be translated into Greek, then forwarded to the Greek Consulate • RESIDENCY: None required • WAITING PERIOD: 7 Days • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: None Required • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 18 • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: 0207 313 5600, greekembassy.org.uk • TOURIST INFO: incrediblecrete.gr

ISRAEL • FLIGHT TIME: 5 ½ hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (obtained from Israeli embassy in London), confirmation of Jewishness from their home synagogue, Certificate of Bachelorhood, decree absolute (if divorced), death certificate (if widowed) • RESIDENCY: 3 days • WAITING PERIOD: 30 days • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid (recommended), Hepatitis A and B (to consider), Rabies, measlesmumps-rubella (MMR) • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 18 or 16 with parental consent • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN THE UK: 020 7957 9500, embassies.gov.il/london • TOURIST INFO: goisrael.com

PAPUA NEW GUINEA • FLIGHT TIME: 18 hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport, photo ID, tourist visa, itinerary, death certificate (if widowed), decree absolute (if divorced), birth certificate • RESIDENCY: 7 days • WAITING PERIOD: None required • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Tetanus, Typhoid (recommended), Diphtheria, Rabies (to consider) • AGE REQUIREMENTS: If under 21, written parental consent is needed • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: 0207 930 0922, pnghighcomm.org.uk • TOURIST INFO: papuanewguinea.travel

w w w. d w h a . co . u k

267

Know Before You Go

PHILIPPINES • FLIGHT TIME: 14 hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport, Certificate of No Impediment, return ticket, driver’s licence, affidavit, decree absolute (if divorced), death certificate (if widowed), deed poll (if name changed) • RESIDENCY: None required if a Certificate of No Impediment is obtained from the Manila embassy.

• WAITING PERIOD: 10 days to obtain marriage licence • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, your yearly flu shot, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B (recommended), Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies, Yellow fever (to consider) • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 18 • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: 020 7451 1780, londonpe.dfa.gov. ph • TOURIST INFO: itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk

SPAIN (IBIZA) • FLIGHT TIME: 2 hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, return ticket, Certificate of No Impediment, decree absolute (if divorced), death certificate (if widowed) • RESIDENCY: 2 years • WAITING PERIOD: None • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid (recommended), Hepatitis A and B (to consider) • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 16 • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: Yes • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN THE UK: 020 7235 5555, spain.embassyhomepage.com • TOURIST INFO: tourism.eivissa.es

TANZANIA • FLIGHT TIME: 9 hours • DOCUMENTS: Passport, photo ID, tourist visa, flight itinerary, birth certificate, return ticket, passports, death certificated (if widowed), decree absolute (if divorced), deed poll (if name changed), Certificate of No Impediment • RESIDENCY: None required • WAITING PERIOD: 21 days • MEDICAL VACCINATIONS: Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, your yearly flu shot, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Malaria, Cholera, Yellow fever (recommended) • AGE REQUIREMENTS: 18 • SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: No • EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN UK: 0207 569 1470, tanzaniahighcomm.co.uk • TOURIST INFO: tanzaniatourism.com/en

81

J a n u a r y / Fe b r u a r y

Don’t miss!!

Inspiration

BALANCE ME

Made with naturally occurring oils, this Plumping Mist protects your skin throughout the day, from dryness in hot and cold climates, and will keep your skin hydrated (£16, balanceme.co.uk)

It’s the little things that can make your special day even more magical. Personal touches, wedding planning, and inspiration on a budget can be achieved through these helpful apps and boards

#Useful Apps weddingwire.com

From budget to guest lists, keep organised and tick things off your personalised to-do list all the way up to your big day

withjoy.com

Show guests your wedding itinerary with a personalised website all about you, your partner, and your story

#Pinterest

pingg.com

WeatherPro

Guides

If you want perfect save-the- Be prepared and check the Lonely Planet doesn’t only dates, you can find flawless weather on one of the most make travel guides. They also designs that match the theme important days of your life have offline maps to ensure a of your wedding here (and buy a pretty brolly in case) stress-free route to your venue

FILL UP YOUR OWN BOARD WITH DREAM IDEAS

Y QUIRKY DI

Bespoke Bride | Wedding Inspiration + DIY

Wedding Chicks

Get creative with fun favours such as customised matches

We adore a wedding that features a furry friend!

Katrina Otter Weddings

Infuse a rustic wedding with a vintage car and plenty of greenery

Ginger Ray

Spice up your hen party with these fabulous accesories

#Instagram ENVIABLE

Get social Love your copy of

DWHA? Don’t forget to take a pic of it and tag us @DWHAmagazine

PIECES

@cupcakeproject

Add delicate rose details to your dessert for a classy twist

@rvhfloraldesign

Extravagant floral arrangements can make a venue glow with glamour

@ernestjonesjewellers

This stylish necklace will delicately complete any elegant bridal look

@gypseacollection

Go for a rustic, beachy boho look with macramé wall hangings

www.dwha.co.uk

225