Wedding journal Spring/Summer 2017

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THE JOURNAL

WEDDINGS

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

FREE

TRUE ROMANCE Fabulous fairytale venues for your big day

FACE FACTS Deciding whether or not to hire a make-up artist

PLUS SIZE

Gorgeous gowns for curvaceous brides

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THE JOURNAL

Your Perfect Setting...

Discover the Uniqueness of Hallmark at our

Wedding Open Evenings The Last Wednesday of every month!

6pm-8pm Free Glass of Fizz on Arrival

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR JOURNAL READERS

Book, quote ‘The Journal’ and receive £500.00 off your 2017 Wedding Package* Available Dates: Friday 7th April Friday 21st April Friday 19th May Friday 26th May

Saturday 10th June Saturday 12th August Friday 18th August Friday 1st September

Saturday 9th September Friday 29th September Friday 10th November Saturday 11th November

Friday 17th November Wednesday 27th December Thursday 28th December Saturday 30th December

www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk/hotels/hull | yourwedding.hull@hallmarkhotels.co.uk or call 01482 645 212 | Ferriby High Road, North Ferriby, East Yorkshire. HU143LG *T & C's Apply

THE JOURNAL

Discover Hallmark Hotel, Hull, stunning views and our dedication to detail make it THE place to be for YOUR unique day The hotel prides itself on being one of the region’s most sought-after wedding locations, offering quality food, exemplary service and stunning views.

Situated just five minutes from Barton/ Hull and 20 minutes from Scunthorpe, the luxury, hotel sits on the picturesque banks of the Humber. And staff at the hotel are brimming with excitement over recent changes, which they are certain will create an even more memorable experience for happy couples.

Dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator Bridget Wells said: “We have relaunched weddings at the Hallmark Hotel.”

“Giving Hallmark weddings a completely new feel - making the brides and grooms know that it is ‘Your Day…Your Way’.”

“You can relax before your big day and let our beauty team take all the stress of planning away, with our new products from Elemis and OPI.” “There is also the introduction of Lily Lolo make up, a British brand that helps achieve flawless natural beauty.”

“You can also enjoy having your bridal make up expertly done in the comfort of your room”.

Along with the improved services, guests will be able to get a feel for the celebrity lifestyle by landing in style on the Hallmark’s very own helipad.

Situated in the stunning grounds, the helipad overlooks the scenic view of

the Humber Bridge and flies over the estuary before landing.

Bridget said: “We host 75 weddings each year and each and every one is completely unique.”

“We pride ourselves on working with couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams and nothing is too much trouble.”

“We feel blessed to have such a wonderful setting here and the panoramic views of the Humber Bridge and the estuary are the icing on the cake.”

“We’re in the ideal location for couples searching for an elegant, stylish venue with a welcoming ambience and exceptional service.”

“My team and I are always happy to meet with couples who are considering holding their wedding days with us and we look forward to welcoming more couples.”

The ‘Your Day…Your Way’ ethos means the Hallmark team will listen to each and every requirement of the bride and groom - striving to exceed their expectations every step of the way.

With a civil ceremony licence, couples have the option to hold their entire day at the venue, or to arrive after the service for their dream reception.

The all-inclusive wedding packages include a, three-course wedding breakfast, DJ and disco and much more.

Serena says the Hallmark prides itself on the food it offers.

“Food is a crucial part of every wedding day and our chefs pride themselves on using the finest produce to create delicious, beautifully-presented dishes,” she said.

“Our waiting team ensure the high standards continue when it comes to serving your guests and they will go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure everyone has a wonderful experience.”

The Hallmark Hotel Hull decking area has gorgeous bi-folding doors showing off even more our fantastic views of the Humber Bridge and Gardens.

With furniture including “pods” that compliments the decking and new doors.

We are offering exclusive use of the new decking and pod areas for anything such as drinks receptions, private events, lunches etc.

To find out more about weddings at the Hallmark Hotel Hull, call 01482 645212, email: yourwedding.hull@hallmarkhotels.co.uk or visit www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk

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THE JOURNAL

WEDDINGS

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

FREE

TRUE ROMANCE Fabulous fairytale venues for your big day

FACE FACTS Deciding whether or not to hire a make-up artist

PLUS SIZE Gorgeous gowns for curvaceous brides

ALSO INSIDE: Countdown 5 Trends 6 Venues 7-23 Speeches 24 Photography 25 Dresses 26-33 Bridemaids 34 Mother Of The Bride 36-38 Jewellery 40-43 Honeymoons 44-47 Finance 50 CONTENT EDITOR: Emma Mathias FEATURE WRITERS: Nicola Birch, Emma

Contents What’s hot and what’s not in wedding trends for 2017

Page

Ideas to help you choose the most important dress of your life

Page

Now the wedding is over, it’s time to enjoy the honeymoon ...

Page

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Mathias, Calvin Robinson, Karen Bowerman

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jon Corken, David Haber, Silver Boo images on page 43 by The Lincs Wedding Team with photography by Roberta & Chris Lynn Photography

Contact us

The Journal First floor, Heritage House, Fisherman’s Wharf, Grimsby DN31 1SY Tel: 01472 808000 E-mail: thejournal@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk Twitter: @nlincsjournal

Advertising

Peter Taylor Journal advertising co-ordinator Tel: 01472 808000 E-mail: peter.taylor@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the the news room on 01472, by email at newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk or by post at News Editor, Grimsby Telegraph, HFirst Floor, Heritage House, Fisherman’s Wharf, Grimsby DN31 1SY and, once verified, we will correct it as soon as possible. This product is published by Grimsby Telegraph, a subsidiary company of Trinity Mirror PLC, which is a member of IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We adhere to the Editors’ Code Of Practice as enforced by IPSO who are contactable for advice at IPSO Halton House, 20/23 High Holborn, EC1N 2JD. Website www.ipso. co.uk Telephone: 0300 123 2220 email advice@ipso.co.uk If you have a complaint concerning a potential breach of the Code of Practice, we will deal with your complaint directly or IPSO can refer your complaint to us. Please go to www.trinitymirror.com/howtocomplainwhere you can view our Complaints Policy and Procedure. A “How To Complain” pack is also available by writing to the Legal and Compliance Department, Trinity Mirror PLC, One Canada Square, London E14 5AP

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Delivery and subscriptions We publish 10,000 copies of The Wedding Journal, which is available for free pick up from the main supermarkets across Grimsby and Scunthorpe.

To ensure receiving your copy of The Journal every month, why not take out a subscription? For more information about subscriptions call 0844 4068744.

Published by Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media Group, First Floor, Heritage House, Fisherman’s Wharf, Grimsby, DN31 1SY. Printed by Precision Colour Printing Ltd.

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COUNTDOWN

Planning your big day

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o, you’ve got the all-important ring on your finger and you can’t wait to get planning. But where do you actually start?

Whether you’re planning a modest yet elegant affair or a week’s worth of celebrations, every dream wedding needs a plan to transform it from an idea into reality.

The key areas to focus on at the outset are where you want to get married, when and, of course, what your budget will be.

Take time to decide whether you want a religious or civil ceremony, in which location, at what time of year and how many people you will invite. Until you have these key points finalised there’s no point looking at colour schemes, dresses and favours.

Use our handy guide to help you decide what to do when:

JUST ENGAGED Announcing your engagement is a special moment. If you’ve got children from a past relationship, or relatives you rarely see, you don’t want them to find out in the wrong way. As a rule, anyone you are planning to invite should find out you are engaged directly from you or your partner.

Start visiting potential venues and when the best time of year for your nuptials will be.

It’s also worth trying on a whole host of different styles of dresses as often the

design you think you want isn’t the one that suits you best!

Start reading bridal magazines and keep hold of any cuttings that catch your eye and then place them on a mood board to help steer the tone and style for your big day.

If you’re planning to lose weight then put down the chocolate bar now! And if your groom needs to shed a few pounds encourage him to start eating healthily, too.

Start a thorough skincare regime where you cleanse, tone and moisturise.

Choose your bridesmaids, best man, ushers, flowergirls and page boys and tell them the good news.

12-9 MONTHS TO GO Now’s the time to firm up those plans: Set the date, book ceremony and venue(s).

Book key suppliers such as caterers, florists, photographers, transport and stationers.

Compile your guest list.

Book your entertainment.

Reserve suits, purchase bridesmaids’ outfits and select your wedding gown (they can take up to six months to arrive).

9-3 MONTHS It’s now the fun part – designing your perfect wedding. At this stage you should: Taste your menu and don’t be afraid to ask for changes if something isn’t right.

Choose your cake, flowers, readings and music.

Purchase wedding rings.

Register for a gift list.

Order and send out invitations. It’s a good idea to use the same person for all of your stationery so that it looks co-ordinated. You will also get a better deal if you do this.

Research destinations that are appropriate for the months you will be going away and book your honeymoon.

3-1 MONTHS TO GO By now, you’ll hopefully be tying everything together. Don’t forget to: Confirm your menu.

Chase any outstanding RSVPs one month before the big day.

Confirm order of service with the officiant.

Choose your bridal jewellery, underwear and shoes and wear your footwear in!

Order your favours.

Have hair and make-up trials.

Have a dress fitting with your shoes and underwear so that any alterations can be made accurately.

Purchase gifts for your wedding party – to save money, choose items that ushers and bridesmaids can wear on the day, such as shoes, cufflinks or earrings.

THE WEEK BEFORE If you’ve done it right, there shouldn’t be much left to do – apart from staying rested!

Confirm final guest numbers with your venue and caterer.

Finalise seating plan and collect orders of service, menus and place cards from your stationer.

Prepare a wedding day schedule for the wedding party and distribute as required.

Confirm shot list with photographer and make sure an usher knows to round everyone up.

Pack for your honeymoon and arrange any foreign currency.

Arrange for your maid of honour to

have an emergency kit containing make-up, paracetamol and a repair kit for the wedding dress.

Give the rings to the best man.

Practise your hair and make-up.

Try on your dress to make sure no last-minute alterations are needed.

THE DAY BEFORE Have your nails manicured, eyebrows tidied and exfoliate and moisturise from top to toe.

Ensure the groom has his hair tidied up.

Urge him to have a proper shave at the barber’s.

Take any favours/table decorations to the reception venue and meet your florist at the church if they need access the day before.

Eat a healthy evening meal that won’t leave you feeling bloated the following morning.

Try to get an early night!

THE BIG DAY Relax, enjoy yourself and take it all in.

Preparation will ensure your day runs smoothly – whether your dream venue is a beach or a church!

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THE JOURNAL

TRENDS

Bang on trend ...

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nother year brings with it another batch of proposals, another social calender filled with hen parties, evenings of planning and the weddings themselves, as well as the brand new wedding trends for those eagerly starting to plan their special day.

Colour is making a comeback 2016 saw a lot of all-white weddings, and while blush and pale colours are beautiful, they’re slightly overdone. So this year prepare to see more bold and vibrant colours splashed across the wedding parties. From hanging decorations to elaborate light displays, there’ll be a lot to keep your attention...

There will also be more and more props – we know how much you love those photobooth photos – and now’s the chance to really go wild!

Virtual planning With the rise of the ever-popular Pinterest, there’s less need to physically plan the wedding. You can quite easily

As we enter the spring and summer months, a whole new bunch of wedding themes, from natural elements to pops of colour, arrive on the scene.

Here’s our latest roundup ... browse wedding inspirations and carefully select the features that you‘d like to make an appearance at your wedding, right from your sofa.

Neutral tones with bright, shimmering edges There’s lots of greys, creams and gold coupled with multiple textures and shimmering metallics to give them an added wow factor. Many brides are opting for a neutral colour palette with flashes of metallic, copper, rose gold or pewter, these have always been popular colours as they’re versatile and complement lots of other colours. They have a touch of elegance and well really, what more could a bride want?

Never-ending feasts Gone are the days of a sit down

three-course set menu. Embrace the idea of a bohemian buffet, let everyone eat until their heart’s content, right up until the clock strikes twelve.

Also, rising in popularity are late night snacks. Apparently late night snacking is not something we have to hide anymore, we should actually embrace it along with the childish giddiness that comes with doing something we know we aren’t supposed to. So in addition to your formal meal, as a guest you can expect sometime a little more tasty and treat-like (think midnight munchies) as a break from the dancing later on in the night.

Charitable donations It’s true that we’re a generous nation but this is about to go one step further when it comes to wedding gifts.

Instead of registering for gifts and arriving home from your honeymoon to gifts filling your entire living room (as per all the wedding films we’ve seen) people are opting to donate to charity.

Because of this there’s a new found charity registry wave, which allows guests to make a donation in their honour. See folks, it’s not all take, take, take, it’s about giving back.

Industrial themes With the ever-popular industrial, loft-style apartment trend getting bigger and bigger, it’s filtering across into the wedding scene too.

Think exposed brick walls, concrete floor with high ceilings, softened by wooden furnishings and decorated with greenery. Everyone’s seeing their decorations stripped back to the original elements, so think copper, marble and cement. With this trend you no longer have to pick one metal, you can mix and match your silver with your gold and your shiny copper with your matte steel, any metal goes!

Beautiful views

The Humber Royal Hotel has always been synonymous with quality and style and with a wealth of experience from its dedicated wedding coordinator, your big day simply couldn’t be better.

EMMA MATHIAS finds out more ...

With plenty of packages to suit parties of between 20 and 250 guests, the long-established and renowned, contemporary hotel was also the winner of the Journal Restaurant of the Year Award 2016; an indication of the quality of food and service you will receive if you choose the Humber Royal as your wedding venue.

The hotel’s dedicated wedding co-ordinator, Natalie Salter, is on hand to help each couple with their requirements, assisting with everything from the flowers to the cake and, of course, the menu.

Natalie said: “We have a list of recommended people, which includes tried and tested entertainment, and we are well aware that sometimes a couple need someone they can call upon if they are concerned about a detail on the run-up to their wedding. That is why I am here, so that each person has one point of contact, something which we understand has helped couples to feel much calmer about their plans, ideas and the big day itself.”

With years of experience in the hospitality trade, Natalie relishes the opportunity to ensure the bride, groom and their guests have the best day of their lives.

Natalie said: “My passion is weddings

and each one is different. I love to sit down and talk about what the couple need, show them around and help them to create their perfect day.

It’s good to know that Natalie is at the end of a telephone for any queries or to quash those last minute jitters. No problem is too big or too small.

With only the one wedding each day, couples have Natalie’s undivided attention and the fantastic team of people working alongside the wedding coordinator are known to go above and beyond to exceed expectations and ensure your wedding day is perfect.

The Humber Royal is licensed for civil ceremonies and the beauty of the wedding spaces is that they are extremely flexible and can be changed to accommodate your ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception. The venue is also now offering weddings on New Year’s Eve, should couples require it for their big day.

There are 58 bedrooms which can be used for your wedding guests to stay in, so they can fully enjoy your wedding. Ask about the reduced wedding rate.

Natalie said: “We offer something unique and appreciate that every person is individual, with their own requirements.

And we do our best to fulfil those requirements. We pride ourselves on being as flexible as we can.”

For more information, or to request the re-branded wedding brochure, email: natalie.salter@icon-hotels.co.uk Alternatively, call 01472 240024 or visit www.thehumberroyalhotel.co.uk

H U M B E R ROYA L

W EDDIN GS

Amazing location, stunning backdrop and we only hold one wedding a day

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yours !

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I

f you are looking for the perfect venue where only one wedding is carried out each day, then Grimsby’s Humber Royal is just the place you are looking for.

With stunning views over the nearby Grimsby golf club it is the perfect venue for your ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception.

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4* contemporary hotel Licensed for Civil Ceremonies Flexible wedding spaces Blank canvas for your theme Bespoke wedding packages

01472 240024

www.thehumberroyalhotel.co.uk Littlecoates Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN34 4LX natalie.salter@icon-hotels.com

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Rural charm

VENUES

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et in the picturesque rural village of North Killingholme opposite St Denys church, The Ashbourne is perfectly situated for wedding guests, offering quick and easy access to major routes, whilst at the same time, being tucked away in a tranquil spot.

And it is certainly a luxurious venue for any wedding, whatever style of décor you’re opting for; the ‘Oak Room’ provides an ideal backdrop for any bride’s big day – stunning oak beams, sparkling Swarovski chandeliers and an intimate, private bar. Not only this but with 36 guest bedrooms, ample free car parking, free wifi (for sharing all those gorgeous snaps on social media!) a perfectly designed courtyard to relax in, and a fabulous restaurant serving freshly cooked

seasonal dishes, it’s an ideal place for far-flung relatives to make a weekend of it prior to the wedding. The English Heritage site of Thornton Abbey is also nearby, which is always a popular spot for further wedding photographs.

However, wedding photographs are now well and truly taken care of at The Ashbourne, as the hotel recently introduced another new feature for brides and grooms in the area to enjoy on their special day: the Secret Garden. A heavenly, immaculately landscaped space, tucked away behind the hotel, in a hidden spot previously unseen by guests. This private universe provides a stunning and exclusive backdrop for the happy couple’s wedding photographs, creating beautiful memories to last a lifetime. With various seating areas, beautiful plants and flowers, rustic props and a gorgeous wooden pergola, your photographer will be spoilt

where your

for choice on where to take the next picture! It is also an ideal space for the increasingly popular engagement photoshoots, which would also form part of any couple’s wedding package with the hotel.

With this additional space to utilise, the hotel is a firm favourite in the area for both summer and winter weddings. The Secret Garden and intimate courtyard areas bring droves of wedding couples who fill the space over the warmer months, enjoying fizz and canapés al fresco, whilst the cosy, rustic feel of the barn-style Oak Room ensures a full calendar over the winter months too, when its cosy charm really comes into its own – particularly when including a civil ceremony within the venue too.

Long-standing Wedding Co-ordinator Rob Walton will be on hand throughout all of the planning stages of your wedding;

he can offer advice and assist with the finer details, having 16 years’ worth of experience under his belt handling all kinds of nuptials, including hundreds of civil ceremonies, and same sex marriages.

With wedding packages available to suit all tastes and budgets, along with friendly knowledgeable staff that collectively have decades of experience in running seamless events, a no-obligations visit to view the hotel is always recommended to get a real feel for the place. The hotel also holds frequent wedding open evenings, so check their website for more details – even if you’ve been before, the Secret Garden is certainly worth a fresh visit!

For more details on packages and services provided, visit: www.oakridgehotels.co.uk or call the hotel on 01469 541010.

private universe

awaits...

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A stylish option

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ffectionately known as “the Brack”, The Brackenborough Hotel – a peaceful rural retreat in Louth, Lincolnshire, has a choice of wedding venues, offering versatile options for different wedding styles and budgets.

Each room can hold a large capacity of your friends and loved ones, but the Signature and Minster Suites are also ideal for more intimate gatherings.

The hotel is licensed to hold civil ceremonies not only indoors, but also boasts three beautiful, individually styled outdoor settings for wedding ceremonies too, (weather permitting!) and immaculate private landscaped grounds for photo opportunities. The real difficulty will be which one to choose for your special day, as you really are spoilt for choice.

Aside from the visual aspect, the strong kitchen team at the hotel offer a wide range of menus, perfectly executed and cooked to AA Rosette standard. But if the menus in the packages don’t tempt your tastebuds, don’t despair; being an independent hotel, the Brackenborough

can and frequently do tailor-make packages to suit each couple. It’s your day and should be as unique as you are, after all!

Whatever style of food you opt for, this will be delivered by an experienced team of staff who offer friendly, yet unobtrusive service.

The team, led by General Manager Mark McGrath, will work with you from the initial wedding meeting, right through to the big day itself, even down to providing toastmaster services if required.

This means you can relax and enjoy not only the biggest day of your lives, but also

the entire planning process will be pleasurable and hassle-free.

The Tennyson Suite offers the perfect choice for larger scale celebrations, and is a completely separate venue within the Brackenborough’s carefully landscaped grounds. Now in its fifth wedding season, this stunning and luxurious facility has proved hugely popular so far for large-scale weddings that crave the “exclusivity factor”; the venue, and its grounds are self-contained meaning that you and your guests have sole use of your own private venue for the entire day and night.

your

The tasteful, art deco-inspired interior with its spacious function room and separate, private bar area has been carefully planned in neutral silvers and greys, with spectacular Swarovski chandeliers, and views of the carefully landscaped grounds, including the beautiful bridge over the large, landscaped pond area, as icing on the cake. The venue ultimately offers a stylish blank canvas for brides to bring in any colour scheme, knowing that it will look amazing come the big day – with limitless photo opportunities to create magical memories.

The hotel holds regular open evenings throughout the year, and has a relaxed open-door policy for couples to view the hotel, as well as an appointment system, where they are always keen to stress they don’t rely on the hard-sell, but let the venue shine instead.

This all adds up to the undeniable conclusion that the Brackenborough is certainly worth adding to the shortlist for your perfect venue.

For further details, visit www.oakridgehotels.co.uk or call the team on 01507 609169.

picture perfect

d a y. . .

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Idyllic location

When it comes to the perfect wedding, Stallingborough Grange can offer couples just about anything they want to ensure their big day is utterly fabulous! EMMA MATHIAS takes a look around the countryside venue …

W

hatever you want from your wedding, a dedicated team at the popular Stallingborough Grange can help to make your dreams come true.

For more than 25 years, the venue has been a much sought-after place for couples in North East Lincolnshire and beyond.

Mindful of attention to detail, the Stallingborough Grange staff are on hand to tend to their every need and will endeavour to create the perfect day for the

happy couple and their wedding guests.

The venue can cater for between 20 and 150 guests and offers a number of bespoke wedding packages to suit your requirements. For the ceremony, room for 75, seated guests means there is plenty of space for friends and family to witness the nuptials.

There are several different areas of Stallingborough Grange in which to hold your event, including the main function room and the Garden Room.

The quaint little lake at the side of the building is ideal for romantic wedding photographs while there are plenty of lush,

green areas for pictures to be taken of large, family groups. The lawn can also act as a ‘welcome area’ where drinks can be served to guests as they arrive.

A list of trusted, local businesses is also available for couples, from people who can help with room décor and flowers to photography and entertainment.

Of course, Stallingborough Grange also has 42 bedrooms available for guests, which includes the bridal suite – comfortable and perfect for a good night’s sleep at the end of a busy, happy day.

Stallingborough Grange has a civil partnership licence which means that the

happy couple can enjoy their whole day at the venue, from the marriage ceremony through to the reception and into the evening.

A number of different packages ensures that Stallingborough Grange can cater for all budgets and if you want to drop in to take a look at what the venue has to offer, each member of staff is more than willing to show you around the facilities.

For more information, contact the Stallingborough Grange Hotel on 01469 561302. Alternatively, visit the website at www.stallingboroughgrange.co.uk

Wedding Quality & Tradition

Whatever your event, we have it catered for.

• Thatched country house hotel • Beautiful bridal suite • Licensed for civil marriages • Personal wedding advisor • Catering for up to 150 guests • All inclusive and bespoke packages available Contact our wedding advisor today. events@stallingboroughgrange.co.uk Riby Road, Stallingborough, North East Lincolnshire, DN41 8BU T 01469 561302 F 01469 561338 | E reception@stallingboroughgrange.co.uk | W www.stallingboroughgrange.co.uk

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Lincolnshire EVENTS HIRE

Styling a venue

We can assist with absolutely everything!

Find the perfect prop or backdrop for your wedding day ...

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incolnshire Wedding Prop Hire specialises in a unique collection of props, offering creative and inspiring ideas to style your wedding, special event, photo shoot, shop window display, exhibition stand or book launch.

You can hire these pieces to style a venue yourself or if you need a helping hand, Lincs Wedding Prop Hire can assist with that too.

They currently supply equipment to couples, wedding planners, stylists, corporate clients, photographers and more.

Fabulous light up letters, are all the rage at the moment. Why not hire 4ft x 2ft illuminated letters to add a sparkle to your wedding day or special occasion?

The white, marquee lights can spell anything you desire … the only limit is your imagination!

From the ever popular ‘LOVE’ letters to ‘MR & MRS’ with hearts or even your theme colours, the letter lights can be ordered to your specification.

The business will provide you with the perfect backdrop for your event, which is

sure to excite and amaze your guests! With an amazing collection of prop trees, roses, furniture, his and hers throne chairs, candy carts, children’s candy carts, white arches, light arches, bikes, crystal cake stands, crystal goblets, crystal candelabras and plenty of other accessories, they have an incredible eye for styling a venue in a way that looks elegant and truly stunning.

Owner Pete Skiba was a garden centre owner for 22 years but now, semi-retired, he has set up Lincs Wedding Prop Hire as a sister company to his daughter’s wedding shop. The company helps couples find the ideal props to hire for their big day.

Pete said: “It’s been a very busy start to the year and many bookings for 2017 and 2018 have been coming in. We cover all over Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire and we do many wedding fayres to show off our samples.”

Lots of new products are arriving all of the time so contact 07713 499520 and ask for Dee to book an appointment.

Alternatively, visit the website at www.lincolnshireweddingprophire.co.uk A new showroom will be opening this May in Lincoln.

.

Call Dee or Pete on07713499520 07713499520 for 8)0)4,32) morelincolnshireweddingprophire.co.uk information and details on our new :-7-8 Lincoln Showroom opening in May Visit our website at www.lincolnshireweddingprophire.co.uk

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VENUES

Weddings with guaranteed warmth

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pring has sprung and the manicured course and gardens at Laceby Manor, are prepared for the busy wedding season ahead.

The venue, food, service and all of the elements within our control are ready to start many more couples on their journey into married life, but as always the one element that is out of our control is the weather – a particularly important factor for those brides and grooms dreaming of an outdoor ceremony in our beautifully adorned gazebo.

But, what if there was a way to guarantee warmth on your big day and

make it more likely that our venue would be available for a 2018 wedding?

This year’s wedding diary is full and next summer is already booked up, but we do still have some availability for winter weddings, with the warming glow of candlelight in our ceremony room and a roaring log fire to welcome your reception guests.

Our recently refurbished function room serves high quality food all year round, while wedding guests and, of course, the bride and groom can look forward to the warmth of a hot tub in our luxurious lodges.

There is additional guest accommodation available in our cosy,

private pods for two with a fire pit at the centre of the secret garden for group gatherings.

Added warmth comes from specialist Wedding Co-ordinator, Jackie Crabtree, who strives for perfection in every element of a Laceby Manor wedding and works tirelessly with her team to ensure they deliver.

“We understand that every couple expects nothing less than perfect for their big day and ideas of what makes a perfect wedding vary greatly from couple to couple,” says Jackie. “We focus on providing a personal service that plans the day around each individual couple and tailors our service to their needs. But, like all wedding venues, the one thing we

can’t guarantee is the weather.

“We find that winter weddings tend to be less popular than summer ones with couples keen to have beautiful outdoor photography to commemorate their day, but some of our winter weddings have been absolutely gorgeous and the pictures equally stunning to their fair weather counterparts.

“Plus, we’ve already accommodated adverse weather conditions so there’s less opportunity to disrupt our carefully-laid plans.”

To enquire about winter wedding availability for 2018 and beyond, please contact Jackie Crabtree at Laceby Manor Golf Resort on 01472 873468.

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Winter Wedding packages available from ÂŁ3,000 Contact our dedicated wedding coordinator for more information and let us help you plan your special day.

lacebymanor.co.uk 01472 873468

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Gastronomic wedding packages... perfection Unrivalled

At Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort, staff are passionate about service. They are there to make sure you have everything you need to create your own special day. Nothing is too much trouble ...

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orest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort is capable of providing everything you need to create your own special day. Their experienced wedding co-ordinator will help to turn your dreams into reality.

tailored especially to you Talk to our wedding coordinator direct, either by calling 01652 650770 or email forestpinesweddings@QHotels.co.uk

Quote Journal before the end of August 2017 to receive complimentary canapés (applicable to the Gold Package only, valid on new enquiries only).

Wedding Fayre – Sunday 24th September 11am - 3pm

Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort Ermine Street, Broughton, Near Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 0AQ

They will be by your side to help you plan every detail of your wedding – so that your day doesn’t just meet your expectations ... it exceeds them.

Co-ordinator Megan is available for all brides and grooms, providing a service that is dedicated and professional yet warm and caring.

The team want it to be the most amazing day of your life with memories to cherish forever, with Megan there to ensure these dreams come true.

Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort is the perfect setting for your wedding. Set in 190 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and mature woodland in the heart of North Lincolnshire, the hotel is the ideal venue for any style of wedding.

With its stunning surroundings, the hotel provides a picturesque backdrop for your big day, with photographs you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

All suites at Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort are tastefully decorated, with plenty of opportunities to make the room your own, with the help of our dedicated wedding planner. There are a number of different-sized suites to choose from, all licensed for civil ceremonies.

From small, intimate weddings to lavish ceremonies of 300, they’re certain to have the perfect suite for your special day.

They can tailor your daytime and evening package to suit your wedding reception needs.

With 188 superb bedrooms at Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort, the venue is perfect for the happy couple, families and friends.

All rooms are designed to ensure a great night’s sleep and are available at a discounted rate to your wedding guests.

What could be better at the end of a magical day than sinking straight into a cosy bed, glass of champagne still in hand?

Everyone staying at Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort can enjoy the fabulous health club, spa and 27-hole championship golf course.

Take some time before or after your wedding to relax, work out or make the most of the great golf course. The resort has a range of leisure facilities to exercise and energise or unwind and indulge either before or after your special day.

Book a spa treatment for you and your guests for the ultimate weddingexperience.

At Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort the chef will create mouthwatering, wholesome food, combining contemporary cuisine with tempting home comforts.

The dedicated team strives to bring you gastronomic perfection, from your delicious canapés right through to your evening buffet. All wedding dishes are made with the best ingredients and locally sourced produce, where possible. The team can create delicious, bespoke menus especially for you and your guests.

They pride themselves on having strong links with the best local wedding suppliers and the wedding coordinator will work with you to bring all arrangements and personal touches together, seamlessly creating a magical day that’s uniquely ‘you’.

Now that you have been introduced to weddings at Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort they’d love to answer your questions.

Get in touch to talk about your dream day and take a look around.

The next wedding fayre at Forest Pines will take place on Sunday, September 24, 2017, from 11am-3pm. A wedding open evening will take place on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Contact the wedding co-ordinator direct, either by calling 01652 650770 or by emailing: forestpinesweddings@QHotels.co.uk Forest Pines can be found at Ermine Street, Broughton, Near Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 0AQ Journal reader offer – Quote Journal before the end of August 2017 to receive complimentary canapés (applicable to the Gold Package only, valid on new enquiries only).

THE JOURNAL

Vintage chic

VENUES

As the price of a wedding continues to go up, people from all walks of life are looking at alternative ideas for their big day. EMMA MATHIAS looks at trinkets for the perfect, vintage, country-style wedding …

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ecoming extremely popular during 2015, a resurgence of home-made crafts has definitely played a part in the continuing and thriving trend of vintage and shabby chic weddings.

With a this style of wedding, you can spend as much or as little as you want.

Table decorations can be simple, hand-picked wild flowers in trendy jam jars or lavish wooden sculptures especially made for the occasion.

And if you are a tad handy, why not try hand-made bunting to festoon around the venue? Unique and full of barn chic, this will add a personal touch to your decorations and you can keep the bunting to brighten up a summer barbecue later on.

How to make your wedding beautiful: Use vintage teapots for your table centre pieces, filled with colourful flowers.

Scour local thrift shops, antique stores and car boot sales for some beautiful, floral pieces. The look works best if the teapots are all a different size, style and pattern to give each table a unique feeling.

Use long, rectangular tables instead of round tables. The layout will provide a less corporate feel and will add a more relaxed vibe to the proceedings.

Use chalk boards with distressed paint around the edges as either table plans or wedding notice boards, for example where to find the guest book.

Get a Ceilidh band for after the meal. A proper shindig is lively, fun and entertaining and will leave you with plenty

of memories of mum and dad flinging themselves around the dance floor! These bands are also a great way to help the families get to know one another.

Find a farm shop with little pots of local honey to leave as favours. Add a piece of vintage bow and voila … one lovely little treat for your guests to enjoy after the wedding …

Use check fabrics to add a more country feel to the theme. This can be incorporated into bunting, tablecloths, napkins and even intertwined with the bridal bouquet.

Find a vintage suitcase, or two, for guests to leave cards and gifts. Fancy, handwritten notes on the cases will tell guests what should go into each case.

Save pine cones to use as place card holders. Hand write the cards and pop into the cone’s gaps.

Buy paper lanterns to hang from the beams and ceiling. Put them at different heights and pop a batter operated light inside.

Either mix them up with fairy lights around the room or use them on their own for stunning, romantic mood lighting.

Different sized jam jars with little lights inside can also be used in the same way.

Hay bales are great for either seating or to place around the room as a backdrop.

Make table crackers, as an alternative to favours, using floral paper and vintage fabric. Put inside a little memento from the day.

A gift from us to you

10 special gifts to enjoy only at Kenwick Park Estate

At Beast Western Kenwick Park, we have much more on offer than just a reception venue. To ensure you make the most of this perfect venue, 10 Special Kenwick Gifts worth £2500 are added to your package* when booking your 2018/2019 Wedding.

• Kenwick Clubspa Membership for 2 months prior to the wedding • Classic Overnight Spa for 2 • Complimentary Accommodation for Bride & Grooms Parents • Bride and Bridesmaids (max 4) Make-up K E N W I C K

• • • •

Beauty Pamper Overnight Break for 8 4 Ball at Kenwick park Galf Club Post Wedding 2 Night Lodge Break Dinner for 2 on your 1st Anniversary • 15% Loyalty Card for the Estate • Choose a FREE 1 Week holiday, worldwide

P A R K

E S T A T E

KENWICK PARK, LOUTH, LINCOLNSHIRE LN11 8NR

For more information or to discuss your perfect day: 01507 608806/ 353003 • www.kenwick-park.co.uk *Terms and condition apply, full detail on website

LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR 2017 WEDDING ASK ABOUT OUR 5 SPECIAL REASONS PACKAGE

15

16 THE JOURNAL

Historic appeal

VENUES

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he Petwood Hotel, with the character and charm of a former country residence, is nestled amongst picture-perfect grounds in the heart of Lincolnshire in Woodhall Spa. Originally built as the home of an Edwardian Baroness, it later served as the Officers Mess for the RAF 617 “Dambusters” Squadron in WWII. The Petwood’s historic appeal as a popular wedding venue is enhanced by delicious food, fabulous wines and excellent service from a friendly, professional and highly experienced team.

A range of elegant entertaining spaces

caters for parties of all sizes, from intimate weddings for 20 to large scale celebrations for 200. Hosting one wedding a day, the Petwood has its own civil ceremony licence which even allows you to marry outside in the beautiful grounds in the summer months. The recently restored gardens are a photographer’s dream offering a stunning backdrop for photographs all year round.

The Petwood Suite: Originally the Ballroom of the house, this elegant room at the heart of the hotel has been host to many a celebration over the years. With its own bar, direct access to the terrace and sweeping views across the grounds, the Petwood Suite can seat 80 people for a formal wedding breakfast and holds up to

120 for your evening reception.

The Woodland Suite: The largest of the rooms, the Woodland Suite can seat up to 140 guests to dine and holds 200 including evening guests. It also has its own private entrance, bar and terrace with access to the grounds.

For smaller gatherings the room can be divided to form two smaller venues, the Cedar Suite and the Elm Suite. Civil ceremonies can take place in either room and can seat between 80 and 140 ceremony guests.

The Garden Room: For more intimate weddings of close family and friends the Garden Room is perfect. Light and airy, it has double doors leading straight onto the stunning gardens, perfect during the

summer months, or with its open fireplace can become warm and cosy during winter.

The Garden Room seats up to 30 people for your wedding breakfast.

Temple Gardens: For a truly fabulous location, you can marry in the Temple Gardens April to September (weather permitting). The extensive grounds at Petwood are well known for their parkland feel and the blooming rhododendron walks are a riot of pinks and purples in May. To book a viewing or for more information on late availability and winter wedding offers, please contact the Events team on 01526 352411 or email events@petwood.co.uk.

Congratulations on your engagement

Phot Ph otog ot ogra raph ra phyy by pat ph atri rick ri ckleverton.c .co. o.uk o. uk

A picture perfect setting with elegant surroundings and stunning grounds Excellent attention to every detail

Licensed for weddings including outdoor ceremonies

Delicious menus & excellent wines

Come and meet the Petwood Team to see how we can create your perfect day For more information or to make an appointment please call the Events team on 01526 352411 Petwood Hotel, Stixwould Road,Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6QG www.petwood.co.uk events@petwood.co.uk

THE JOURNAL

Decorate in style Wedding decorations available online and on the high street ...

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Memorable weddings

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et in an Old Windmill next to the Brewery, the Visitors’ Centre is full of heritage and charm with history dating back to 1874, full of brewing memorabilia and the largest bottle collection in Europe.

The Windmill and Visitors’ Centre are surrounded by extensive gardens with giant games for adjacent to the River Steeping.

Photographic opportunities are all around, with the vintage brewing equipment and an old dray lorry for that extra special photograph.

Adjacent to the gardens there is a fully licensed caravan park with shower

facilities for the guest who would like to stay over.

The gardens are laid to lawn with flower borders and are big enough for a marquee wedding.

The Patricia Room, named after George Bateman III’s wife, has wooden flooring, a large display of beer bottles in cabinets around the walls and a capacity for the service and reception of 80.

The Suzannah Room, named after the founder’s wife, is a carpeted area with original coopers equipment displayed on the walls. Capacity for the service and reception is 30.

All quotes and information are without obligation so give them a call on 01754 880317.

1. Personalised wedding table centrepiece crate, £28, www.notonthehighstreet.co.uk 2. One metre string of crystals, £4.50, www.theweddingofmydreams.co.uk 3. Little faux topiary tree wedding table decoration, £6.99, www.notonthehightstreet.co.uk 4. Freeze dried delphinium petals pack, £7.99, www.confetti.co.uk 5. Butterfly glitter gold pack of 12, £4.43, www.countrybaskets.co.uk 6. Small burnt finish wooden crate, from £4.14, www.gadsby.co.uk 7. Birch wood Slice 25 cm, £3.23, www.countrybaskets.co.uk 8.

Beaded tealight holder, £7, Monsoon 9. Save the date wooden hearts, £1.75 each, www.notonthehightstreet.co.uk 10. Rose & eucalyptus flower bundle, £15, John Lewis 11. Birdcage with glass tealight holders, £22.02, www.countrybaskets.co.uk 12. Wire candle holder, £12, Monsoon 13. Wooden heart LED line lights, £16, John Lewis

18 THE JOURNAL

ADVERTORIAL

Preparing to make yo W hether you’re looking for a traditional church wedding, civil ceremony or a civil partnership the team is there to make sure your wedding day is faultless.

Overlooking the River Eau, the venue offers the perfect setting for couples wanting something that little bit extra special. The new 10-bedroom extension gives your wedding party a total of 28 luxury en-suite bedrooms, including a luxury bridal suite.

Staff at the hotel understand that your wedding is unique and want to work with you to make sure we turn your dream into a reality.

Whatever your aspirations, be it a traditional, fairytale or a fifties themed wedding, they understand this is your day and fully commit to matching or exceeding your expectations.

Matthew Horsefield, general manager said: “Every wedding we do becomes bespoke. We pride ourselves on our flexibility and aim to make the bride and grooms dreams and ambitions become a reality.”

But don’t just take their word for it; the following testimonial is from The White Swan’s first wedding of 2017: “Wow, what can we say. We had a fantastic wedding day from start to finish, this was because of the excellent help we had from you, Matthew, and all the staff at The White Swan.

“Compliments to the chef; we had lots of good comments about the food.

“The room looked amazing with the expert help of Leigh and your kind patience with my dad was much appreciated by us both.

“All our friends and family commented

on the homely, cosy feel The White Swan gave and this is how we felt from the very first time we looked around the venue.

“We will most definitely recommend you and The White Swan to family and friends in the future as the perfect venue for a wedding or any other occasions.

“We were also very lucky with the weather and should have some lovely photos as a constant reminder of our special day.”

The team at The White Swan want you to treasure the memories of your wedding reception at the venue.

Wedding co-ordinator, Louise Ellin, has

THE JOURNAL

You are about to embark on such an exciting journey as you start to plan this very special day and there’s no better destination than The White Swan Hotel ...

VENUES

our dreams come true the experience to help you plan your big day. She can assist in arranging your needs whether you chose to use the recommended suppliers or chose to recruit your preferred supplier.

Louise said: “I love being able to see the whole process from start to finish and to help make my couples’ days so special and memorable.”

Call in and meet the team at one of the 2017 wedding events. See for yourself and imagine holding your special day at The White Swan.

Our open days are April 8 and July 8, from 11am to 4pm.

In addition, the venue will be holding a wedding fayre on October 14 between 11am and 4pm.

See The White Swan set up for dream wedding and the bridal suite will also be available for viewing.

Couples will also have the opportunity to meet wedding coordinator Louise as well as other exhibitors from the area.

A variery of packages are available.

For a full wedding brochure please visit www.whiteswanscotter.com or email: weddings@whiteswanscotter.com Alternatively, telephone The White Swan team on 01724 763061.

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20 THE JOURNAL

Simply magical For the perfect wedding at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, EMMA MATHIAS takes a look at Hall Farm Hotel And Restaurant ...

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estled at the foot of the Wolds, Ashby-cum-Fenby’s Hall Farm is a truly magical place for your wedding day.

With a licence for civil ceremonies, recent years have seen couples with a choice of venues in which to be married.

Owners Matthew and Angela Durrant have a good relationship with the Rector of nearby St Peter’s Church, where couples can be wed before taking a stroll across the road to Hall Farm for the celebration. Or, couples can choose the

Ashby Room for a short, intimate service.

And it is probably the intimate nature of Hall Farm that makes it so special.

In The Fenby Room, 100 people can be seated for a delicious, sit-down meal while 150 can be catered for at an evening reception.

And the food at Hall Farm is equally personal with the happy couple given plenty of locally-sourced options prior to the big day.

Angela said: “Hall Farm is perfect for people wanting a rustic, barn-style wedding out in the countryside.

“We have everything a couple could

need, all under one roof, and we have eight hotel rooms for the nearest and dearest.

“Weddings at Hall Farm are a truly personal experience so come and visit us, get a feel for the place and soak up the charm of the location.”

Angela, Matthew and their staff like to

encourage couples to tailor the whole event to their needs and with plenty of options, this really is a fantastic venue in which to create some magical memories.

An online brochure can be seen at www.hallfarmhotelandrestaurant.co.uk.

Alternatively, telephone 01472 220666 to arrange a visit to the venue.

WEDDING PACKAGES START FROM £2,780 Ashby Lane, Ashby cum Fenby, Grimsby DN37 0RT Tel: ř ZZZ KDOOIDUPKRWHODQGUHVWDXUDQW FR XN ©LW

THE JOURNAL

H U L L

C I T Y

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22 THE JOURNAL

EMMA MATHIAS shares behind-the-scenes secrets of her own wedding and shares her top tips for how to choose the perfect venue ...

VENUES

Choosin

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hen it comes to choosing a venue for your big day, what are the main things you should be

considering?

Affordable Wedding Packages age

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AT THE COUNTY HOTEL IMMINGHAM EVENING WEDDING PACK

From Only

Includes room hire, buffet for 50 guests with disco.

£599

All numbers can be catered for.

Table linens and dressings can be supplied for an extra small cost.

★ WEDDING PACKAGE 1

Three course daytime “sitdown” From Only meal and evening reception buffet, plus table linen, chair covers and table decorations for 50 guests, plus disco.

Can Cater for up to 80 guests on daytime reception.

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WEDDING PACKAGE 2 Three course daytime “sitdown” From Only meal for 60 guests and an evening reception with buffet for 100 guests, disco, chair covers, table linen and decorations.

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SPECIAL OCCASION PACKAGE Buffet Disco Table Decorations Table Linen Chair Covers

from £5.50 per person £100 £3.50 per table from £2.50 per person from £2.50 per person

Pelham Road, Immingham DN40 1AD

Tel: 01469 575805

www.the-county-hotel.co.uk

Wed din

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First and foremost – and yes, this is the most difficult part – think of yourselves.

Where do you want to get married? Do you want a small wedding or a large wedding? How many do you want there?

Weddings are well known for, in some cases, causing family controversy but don’t be swayed by what the mother-in-law wants or be forced into inviting Great Aunt Betty from the Outer Hebrides, who you haven’t since you were in reception class at school.

I recently heard about a wedding in the first stages of planning and a meeting between mother and daughter to decide on the guests. The bride-to-be had been through things with the groom while the mother was doing a back-up list to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anyone.

The bride and groom’s list contained the names of just 80 guests for their small, romantic wedding. The mother, however, had very different ideas. When a list of over 150 people, in addition the 80 on the bride’s list, was produced, storm clouds gathered in the living room!

For my wedding, my husband and I had all sorts of ideas as to where we should marry. Mine was the Ice Hotel, in Sweden, while his, well I don’t think he had much of an idea, actually ... except that he didn’t want to spend the first night of married life in a minus 12 degree ice cube!

Looking at a little hamlet we could rent in Italy, we realised that our budget would have meant spending the entire honeymoon with our families which, while we love them very much, was not our idea of a romantic getaway.

Discussing it over a drink in the local pub, we came to the conclusion that we didn’t want a huge wedding and my husband wanted a civil ceremony.

With this in mind, we ventured around every venue available in the area – there are many more venues offering civil ceremonies now, compared to eight years ago – and, although many were lovely, the ones we liked were too far for some of our elderly guests to get to, without hiring a bus and that would mean that everyone had to go home at the same time.

We also concluded that we wanted a venue that had only one wedding that day as I didn’t fancy the idea of running into a 22-year-old, size eight bride looking like something from a magazine cover – particularly as I wasn’t 22 and I most

THE JOURNAL

23

ng the right venue definitely wasn’t a slim size eight!

So that led us back to where we had been a few weeks previously ... precisely nowhere.

That said, we at least knew that we wanted the venue to be closer to town and churches were now an option for our ceremony.

Now, as much as we liked the area in which we lived, we didn’t go a lot on the local church so we ventured a little further from our parish – by a few hundred metres, going on the parish border – to be met with a resounding “no” from the vicar and his assistant. We were told we would have to be married in our local church and that was final.

A little despondent, with abandoning everything and just the two of us eloping to a Caribbean island looking like a plan, we struck gold when I contacted the vicar of the church in which I was Christened. Not only was he very helpful, telling us he would gladly marry us in his church, he also told us that the quaint and very beautiful 13th century church close to one of our favoured reception venues could be made available to us. With seating for just 70 people inside, this was all looking very promising.

Going through our guest list one last time, we concluded that inviting only my aunts and uncles, as opposed to the hordes of cousins and their children that I have on

one side of my family, was the best way forward. My husband’s family is small so it would have looked a little one-sided had we invited the paternal masses.

The bottom line when considering your wedding venue, without letting things get too complicated, is to make sure you are doing predominantly what you want, as a couple, while allowing a couple of guests and ideas to flow in from the rest of the family, or people helping to foot the bill!

In short a nutshell: ■ Think about what sort of wedding you want. You might want a festival vibe, so you will need a venue that has outdoor space and possibly a marquee, or you might want a small, intimate wedding, in which case you need to look for venues that cater for a minimum of 20 people. Or, you might want to go abroad to marry and head back for an evening wedding reception in which case you will need a venue available for the evening only.

■ Civil ceremony or church wedding?

Most major venues have marriage licences now, so you should have your pick of the bunch. And don’t be put off if you want to marry in a church outside of your parish ... it is possible we just met with a grumpy vicar! You won’t know unless you try.

■ Think about how many people you want at your wedding. This is key to finding the right venue. And don’t feel pressured into inviting every available

family member. Not only will this make your wedding day less special, looking out at faces you don’t even recognise, it can also become very costly. Your big day is about you and your partner.

■ Does your venue need to be close to home or can it be further afield? There are some lovely options around the county, many of which have a good number of rooms for guests. When choosing a faraway option, do think of the expense, though, as some people might not be able to afford the cost of a hotel room, unless you are footing the bill entirely.

■ Do you want a venue that only has one wedding each day? There are plenty of choices locally.

■ Finally, don’t get too bogged down in all of the above. Keep it simple and try to make definite decisions. Then stick to them. If you are the sort of person that has never had a dream wedding in mind, rule out the things you both don’t want and focus on the things you do. If you are uncertain about anything, revisit it as you don’t want to have any regrets ... this should be the most fabulous day of your lives ...

Your Wedding Day should be one of the most important days of your life We offer you and your wedding guests 27 newly refurbished en-suite bedrooms, including our Rafters Suite perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your wedding day.

We are licenced to hold Civil Ceremonies and we have the facilities to accommodate up to 70 guests seated for a daytime function and up to 150 for your disco/buffet in the evening.

Wedding packages start from £2,500.

For more information or to book an appointment with our wedding co-ordinators

please call 01472 356068

53, Bargate, Grimsby, N.E.Lincolnshire DN34 5AD

Tel: 01472 356068

info@millfieldshotel.co.uk • www.millfieldshotel.co.uk

24 THE JOURNAL

SPEECHES

Figures of speech A h, the groom’s speech.

The source of anxiety and sweaty palms for many men, especially if you’re not used to speaking in public.

Traditionally the brief for the groom’s speech is quite simple: thank the bridesmaids, thank your partner, your families and anyone else who helped to put the day together, express your joy at marrying the love of your life and then introduce the best man. You can stick to this basic structure or, as with any element of a wedding, change it up to suit you, but whatever your choose to include, take heed of our top tips to help you make a speech that your guests will love, not cringe at.

■ Don’t make it too long. Although those guests who placed a monetary bet on a long set of speeches will be looking at their watches with glee and internally thanking you, no-one else will. There’s nothing worse than seeing people getting restless as a speech goes on, and on… and on. Around ten minutes is an ideal length of time for your speech.

Get your marriage off to an excellent start by making a speech your guests will remember for all the right reasons ...

■ Starting with “my wife and I …” will always get a great reaction. Yes, it’s a cliché but it’s the first time you’ll get to say it, so enjoy it!

■ If your wife isn’t going to make her own speech, remember that you’re speaking for the two of you so use ‘we’ where appropriate. Also make sure to ask her in advance for where and how she’d like to be mentioned, and if there’s anything in particular she’d like you to reference on her behalf.

■ If your bride is making her own speech, go over them together to make sure your material doesn’t overlap.

■ Remember that there will be older family members in the room, so keep the smut out of your speech. Watching Aunt Doris wince as you tell the story of the debauched stag night will stay with you for all the wrong reasons. (And chances are your best man will include enough for

the both of you anyway.)

■ Everyone loves hearing about how a couple met, so a humorous yet sincere telling of how it happened is always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

■ Avoid just turning your speech into reading out a list of thank you. Inject a little personality into what you’re saying.

Anecdotes always go down well and make what you’re saying more interesting.

When selecting these, however, refrain from making them into an in-joke that’s relevant to just a handful of people in the room, as this will alienate the other guests and make them mentally switch them off from listening to the rest of what you are saying.

■ Your wedding speech is your chance to tell your guests, and your new wife, just how you feel so make sure you use the opportunity to say some sincere and heartfelt things.

■ Although you don’t need to learn your speech off by heart, it will sound better if you don’t just read it off a piece of paper.

Familiarise yourself with it before the big day, and then make note cards with bullet points as helpful prompts that you can just glance down at as a reminder.

10 If you do fumble or lose your way, it doesn’t matter. Your guests are the people who care most about you in the world, so they won’t care if it’s not a professional speech. Speaking from the heart will always be better than being slick.

■ Your best man will be taking the opportunity of his speech to make fun of you, so get a little jibe in where you can!

■ And finally, if the thought of giving a speech really is too hideous to contemplate, then why not hand over duties entirely to your new wife, or give one together?

If she’s more comfortable with public speaking then play to the strengths in your relationship – after all, marriage is the ultimate in teamwork.

Making memories

THE JOURNAL

PHOTOGRAPHY

Now that we are well and truly in the digital age, wedding photography has become very different in recent years. EMMA MATHIAS looks at memory making in the modern age ‌

E

ven at the turn of this century, which is only a mere 16 years ago, the photographer played a massive part at a wedding.

Now, with camera phones and social media, there are a million different ways to save the memories for another day.

Of course, even with instant access to the internet and digital snapshots, you can't guarantee a great photograph so it is still more than worth paying a photographer to be sure of the perfect image to keep on your wall for years to come.

Before we even get to the wedding tips, many prospective grooms are now paying for a photographer to sneak around in order to capture the proposal. A beautiful moment, which could invoke tears of joy and happiness, often becomes a distant memory but with an image to keep it in your mind forever, this is a great idea.

Bridal shoots are becoming more popular than ever as it gives the bride a chance to look pristine and perfect. While we all start the day as perfect brides, as soon as we are exposed to the elements the hair is not quite as good as it was in the mirror, the bottom of the dress may be swished around on a muddy floor and the lipstick left on the cheek of many a well wisher.

A bridal shoot means great lighting, perfect hair and make-up, a carefully kept dress and an excited bride in the days before the wedding. The perfect addition to any wedding album.

The father and daughter moment – you know, the one where dad walks into the room and cries his eyes out before you have even left the building? - is also a great moment to catch on camera. A dedicated photographer will be looking out for these special times while other members of the bridal party are busy rustling up flowers or organising the bridesmaids.

At the reception, a very popular addition to the proceedings is the photo booth. With silly props, wigs, moustaches on sticks and more, a photo booth is a great ice breaker and will give you a great indication, after the event, as to how much your friends and

family have been drinking during the day!

Many photo booth companies are linked to Facebook, and other social media, with images uploaded within hours of the happy event.

Using a hash tag for Instagram is a way of creating instant memories as your guests take pictures throughout the day and immediately upload them onto the internet.

As any bride and groom will know, a great wedding day will be a bit of a blur so it is lovely to have plenty of happy snapshots to look at while you wait for the official wedding photos. Snapshots will also let you know what was going on at your wedding when you are busy cutting the cake or looking in another direction!

For a funky photo style, ask your wedding photographer to take individual pictures of the people at your wedding.

Using the same chair and backdrop, the images create a great, and often relaxed, collage in your wedding album.

There is nothing like a little bit of nostalgia on your wedding day. Images of a young bride and groom on a well-designed display are sure to have the guests chuckling at the perfectly manicured happy couple with a dodgy eighties or nineties haircut and a hand-knitted cardigan covered in mud!

And for those with a little bit of patience and a more traditional style, it is still possible to buy disposable cameras for tables at the reception which can be developed after the honeymoon.

Sometimes, the instant world we live in can be a little bit too fast and it is nice to have something to look forward to once the celebrations are over and the newlyweds are settling into a long and happy married life together.

Weddings Events Formal and Informal www.snapzphotography.net info@snapzphotography.net 01472 459092

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Stunning designs

WEDDING DRESSES

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he Ivory Room Bridal Boutique in Woodhall Spa provides the ideal setting for your search to find the perfect wedding dress. The boutique is calm and relaxing and is filled with beautiful dresses from designers Justin Alexander, Allure Bridals and Ivory & Co Couture.

The service provided by Victoria is tailored to your requirements. When you arrive for your appointment the blinds are drawn, the door locked and the boutique is yours.

Victoria says “I have chosen my designers with great thought, they are unique to the area and provide stunning designs tailored with gorgeous fabrics, created with care. The dress is one of the most important elements of your wedding and I want to help you find the perfect one and ensure that it will be one of the most enjoyable parts of planning your special day.”

Bridesmaid dresses by Sorella Vita and multiway dresses from Eliza & Ethan complete the range available and The Ivory Room also showcases a range of beautiful veils from Elizabeth Dickens along with stunning tiaras, hair combs and jewellery from Ivory & Co. Justin Alexander is a designer known for vintage wedding dresses and bridal couture styling. Justin Alexander’s couture

Stunning Bridal Boutique in Woodhall Spa 2017 Stockists of Justin Alexander, Allure, Ivory & Co and more To book an appointment call 01526 268030 or go to www.theivoryroombridal.co.uk Goodyear House, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincs, LN10 6Q J ©LW

bridal collection has modern twists to make them perfect for contemporary brides.

The highest quality materials, details, and exquisite styling make each Justin Alexander Bridal wedding gown a true work of art. The designer explores new silhouettes and textures including tulle tiered ball gowns, sultry delicate lace mermaids, and elegant silk chiffon A-lines.

Allure combines gorgeous fabrics to create a truly unique, superbly crafted gown. Captivate your audience wearing Allure Bridals latest creations.

Having set the industry standard time and time again quality and craftsmanship is never compromised. Intricate beading, brilliant colors and award winning styles are all part of the vision Allure puts into their work.

Each gown is hand sewn with attention and detail throughout. Allure’s style features include everything from slinky slip gowns to regal ball gowns to classic A-line gowns.

Many Allure gowns feature beading, embroidery, appliqué, dramatic backs and other details to make their gowns special.

British designer Sarah Bussey of Ivory & Co Couture is also featured with a small selection of luxury silk dresses.

Please call 01526268030 or email victoria@theivoryroombridal.co.uk to make an appointment and Victoria will make sure you have a wonderful time and hopefully find the dress of your dreams.

THE JOURNAL

Every bride is different ...

S

o many plus size brides put off wedding gown shopping until the very last minute, but each and every one of the brides at Belle & Bouquet thank the staff for the wonderful experience they have given them, and if they’d known they were actually going to enjoy it they would have visited months ago!

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life and the day to really show off your feminine curves and be proud of who you are – remember he is marrying you because he loves you and because of the way you are.

Belle & Bouquet offers a personal service dedicated to making all brides look and feel beautiful. For that reason, they look very closely at the internal structure of all of their styles to make sure each wedding dress is enhanced with superb structure and support for the perfect fit, and to give an amazing silhouette regardless of a brides shape and size.

Attention to detail is the key; whether it is flattering a waistline by adding a beautiful, sparkly belt or adding an illusion coverlet to a strapless dress so it remains sexy but also practical. The staff simply don’t stop until their brides are 100 per cent happy with their final choice.

It is not only the bride they think of; they also stock bridesmaid samples up to a size 28 with them being available to order up to a size 30/32.

Belle & Bouquet fully understand how

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Our aim is a simple one... ... To offer you Lincolnshire’s widest choice of the finest gowns, at the best possible prices in the most beautiful and friendly surroundings. important it is to be able to try on wedding gowns that you can actually fit into, and more importantly feel good in.

Staff always try their best to meet a customer’s demands and the plus size brides are just as important a consideration when we are buying their samples!

You can also have full confidence in their alteration service as all of the fittings and alterations are carried out on the premises at Wellingore Hall and stored free of charge. Gowns are pressed for the bride so everything is perfect for your wedding day.

Belle & Bouquet invite you to experience their impeccable styling and incomparable service.

■ Wedding gowns and bridesmaid samples for all start at a size 8 and are available to order in a size 4.

BRIDAL GOWNS BRIDESMAID DRESSES VEILS, TIARAS, SHOES & JEWELLERY SIZES 6-32

STOCKISTS OF:

01522 811122

MAGGIE SOTTERO, MORI LEE, RONALD JOYCE, BLUE BY ENZOANI, EBONY ROSE & DESSY

www.belleandbouquet-wellingore.co.uk The Bridal Suite, Wellingore Hall, Wellingore, Lincoln LN5 0HX Appointments preferred but not always necessary.

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Choosing the perfect gown When looking for the dress of your dreams, there are many things to take into consideration beforehand. EMMA MATHIAS finds out more ...

I

f you ask a lot of brides about their experience when shopping for a wedding dress, many will say things such as: “I wish I had looked at more” and “I was surprised at the style that suited me”.

Rule number one: Don’t get fixated on the one dress you might have seen in a magazine. Yes, it might be beautiful, but nine times out of ten, you’ll be disappointed at how it looks when you finally try it on!

That said, it might look fabulous, so make sure you do actually try it first!

It is possible that you might have your heart set on a big, frothy dress or perhaps something more simple. Again, don’t be surprised if you end up with it completely the opposite way around.

There is probably a style of dress that may suit you more than others, when it comes to everyday wear. That all changes when you are wearing a dress with a fitted corset in a light colour. You will be pulled in at the waist, your chest will perhaps be more prominent and there may be a focus on any detail the dress might have. And speaking of chests, make absolutely sure you have the right underwear if you have a larger bust. You may be told that the bone in your dress is sufficient, but that simply isn’t the case if you have a slim chest size with a large bust – putting the dress on incorrectly could result in an ‘overspill’, which will give the vicar or registrar an eyeful when you are kneeling at the altar, never mind your almost-husband or wife!

Make sure you visit plenty of shops.

Yes, you will probably get sick of taking your clothes off in front of people, but it is well worth it as the perfect dress could well be waiting in a shop that’s 40 miles away. Don’t settle, just because you can’t be bothered to try more on.

Take plenty of pictures of yourself in each dress, so that you can see exactly what they look like when you get home. Note that some boutiques do not allow pictures, so be sure to ask first.

Don’t pay any attention to the size of the dress as many of them run at least two sizes bigger than your usual size.

Ignore the label completely, just look in the mirror and be happy with how lovely you look!

Finally, if you don’t feel comfortable in a dress, walk away from it. It might be the height of fashion but you have to spend a very long day in that dress, and want to feel relaxed and utterly fabulous for the whole event.

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Enchanting and elegant Beautiful gowns available at Jayne’s Bridal Wear of Doncaster ...

In our beautiful four storey Edwardian building we house some of the most stunning bridal gowns in the area, from leading designers such as Pronovias, Aire by Barcelona, Demetrios, Sottero & Midgley, Stella York And the beautiful Haute Couture Atelier range designed by Pronovias.

Contact us today to make your ďŹ rst appointment.

3 Thorne Road, Doncaster, DN1 2HJ Telephone: 01302 365601 Email: enquiries@jaynesbridalwear.co.uk

www.jaynesbridalwear.co.uk

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WEDDING DRESSES

Dream dresses Feel like a Goddess on your wedding day with beautiful bridal wear by designer Mark Lesley ...

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Pure Sophistication Reporter NICOLA BIRCH visits the region’s newest wedding boutique, Lily’s Bridal ...

T

he sophistication and charm of a new bridal shop in Scunthorpe is clear to see before you’ve even stepped over the threshold. The beautiful colours and tasteful decoration at Lily’s Bridal stand out on Oswald Road, reflecting the care and dedication that has gone into creating a business that ensures an exciting personal experience that the bride, her family and friends will always remember.

The pictures, flowers and relaxing atmosphere of Lily’s Bridal, opened by Tracy Fordham and named after her granddaughter, show that the shop is more than just a business for her.

She said: “I want the bride to feel that she is not just a princess on the day of her wedding, but a princess throughout the whole journey.

“It is a massive privilege to be involved in such an important time in a family’s life. My aim is to provide choice and if I don’t have something, I will search for it and find it.”

She explained that she has a range of bridal wear – including mother of the bride, bridesmaids, bridal underwear and flower girl outfits – evening, prom wear and accessories in a range of colours and sizes.

Tracy also offers a bespoke alteration service and provides gowns in a range of sizes.

“It is all about how the person feels and looks, no matter their size or shape,” Tracy said.

She also prides herself on the reasonable price of her items.

She said: “There are some girls who can’t go to prom because it is too expensive. One lady saw the quality of my gowns and thought they would be £150 or £200 more expensive.

“That was really important for me. It’s about understanding the quality as well as the price point.”

Lily’s Bridal is the area’s only stockist of items by Chloe and Tracy also has a beautiful range of bridal wear and accessories by Gino Cerruti, Shades Shoes, Little People shoes, Warren York International, Ruby Prom and the Perfect Bridal Company, which offers a shoe and bag dying service.

To find out more, go to lilysbridal.co.uk or contact Tracy on 01724 330068.

Owner of Lily’s Bridal, Tracy Fordham.

Only area stockist of gowns Stunning Collection of Bridal gowns, Bridesmaids dresses, Flower Girl dresses, Mother of the Bride attire and Sparkling Accessories.

Mark Lesley, Warren York, Gino Cerruti, Shade Shoes, Ruby Prom, Little People and many more 01724 330068

38, Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7PQ tracy@lilysbridal.co.uk www.lilysbridal.co.uk Tel: 01724 330068

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WEDDING DRESSES

Sensational dre Gorgeous gowns by designer Maggie Sottero ...

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esses for a fairytale day

Stunning designs by Ronald Joyce ...

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BRIDESMAIDS

Bridesmaids nee Dresses by designer Mark Lesley ...

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ed to look fabulous too ...

Bridesmaids gowns Morilee by Madeline Gardener ...

36 THE JOURNAL

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

One in a million Make sure mum feels her best on your wedding day by wearing one of these fabulous outfits by Gino Cerruti ...

Mum’s Jalousie the word

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Mother of the Bride & Groom OutďŹ ts

Your mum is going to want to look her best on your big too, but getting her outfit sorted needn’t be a chore ...

T

he first step to finding the perfect outfit is a visit to Grimsby’s exclusive special occasion wear specialist, Jalousie Boutique. They can provide all the help and advice you will need, along with mother of the bride and mother of the groom outfits by some of the best designers to inspire you.

Jalousie Boutique is a light and spacious shop, giving a minimalist look with carefully chosen collections to suit petite to curvaceous ladies with sizes starting from size 8 to 30.

Enjoy a personal, bespoke hat service for that extra special touch and shoes and handbags dyed for the perfect colour match.

Jalousie is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5.30pm and Sunday from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Relax in comfortable surroundings. No appointment necessary.

For more information, visit www.jalousiegems.co.uk or telephone (01472) 500818.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter

Wedding Outfits | Wedding Hats Fascinators |Shoes |Bags ;MXLMR +VMQWF] +EVHIR 'IRXVI +VMQWF] 6SEH 0EGIF] (2 (=

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MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

The perfect parent T

he relationship between the bride and her mother is inevitably a close one, so she will be a VIP at the wedding and a very excitable one at that. She should be involved from everything from planning right through to helping to make sure the big day goes smoothly.

Officially, the duties of the MOTB include announcing the engagement, drawing up a guest list, sending out the invites – and monitoring replies – organising the seating plan, ordering the cake, and helping the bride get ready on the morning of the big day...just to name a few.

But there are some things that no-one tells you about becoming a MOTB, which may surprise you along the way.

The three of you Think about who’s wedding it really is?

When they announced their engagement it may have felt that this was your time to

Your daughter’s just got engaged, and you’ve been upped from ‘Mum’ to ‘Mother of the Bride’ ... what’s next and what should you expect? shine, but it’s actually when you need to realise that there are now three people to consider (and that may feel like a crowd).

When you and your daughter begin your wedding planning its important to remember that the groom is as much as part of this wedding as you two are, and that you need to make sure he is happy with any decisions you’re making.

It’s also key to remember their family, his parents are probably just as excited as you are and so it’s good to involve them from the start so that everyone gets along swimmingly.

Accept her style ... and say yes to the dress she chooses The dress you picked out may have been stylish back in the day, but this is her

wedding and you need to understand that styles and trends may have changed.

Respect her opinion, and accept the dress she chooses, ultimately it’s her decision and she needs to feel comfortable on the day. Plus, you get to choose your outfit and as MOTB you can be as extravagant as you want.

Know your duties It’s inevitable that in the run-up to the big day everyones emotions will be running high, trying to get everything organised ahead of time to make sure nothing goes wrong and the day is perfect.

And your daughter will most likely feel this stress more than anyone, here’s where your motherly wisdom and calmness will come into it’s own.

Help her out when she’s struggling, helping to ease the pressure so that she can focus on looking forward to the wedding, and she can enjoy the process and run-up.

How can a bride help the MOTB? ■ Remember, she's working super hard for you behind the scenes so as overwhelming as the planning can get, take a moment to appreciate her effort.

■ During the speeches at the wedding, call her out for helping out, maybe even give her a bouquet too.

■ Invite her along to your dress fittings (especially the one where you think you'll find the one!) as this can be the most exciting bit for a MOTB. ■ Try not to exclude her and involve her on the day and she'll be longing to be useful to help make your day that extra bit special.

■ Encourage her to meet up with your fiancées mum – mainly to make sure they don't clash outfits on the big day!

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39

Flawless make-up for your wedding day

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or my column for this edition of the Wedding Journal, I thought it would be a lovely idea to do a beautiful, step by step bridal make-up lesson to share with you.

With this in mind I took myself down to the Bobbi Brown counter in Lincoln, at House of Fraser, and booked in for a bridal make-up lesson.

Nina, my make-up artist, was incredibly knowledgeable and really helpful.

Firstly, she began by cleansing and moisturising my skin using Soothing Cleansing Oil (£32) for a fresh and clean base on which to work her magic.

She then massaged a couple of drops of a new product, Skin Moisture Solution Remedies (£29.50), to add extra hydration to my skin as it was very dehydrated in certain areas of my face.

Hydrating Face Tonic (£22) was then applied on a cotton pad all over my face.

This was followed by moisturising my whole face using Hydrating Gel Cream (£42). A dab of Hydrating Eye Cream

Former soap star and beauty guru CINDY MARSHALL-DAY tries a bridal make-up lesson at the Lincoln branch of House of Fraser ...

BEAUTY: MORE THAN JUST SKIN DEEP (£33) was dabbed very sparingly under my eyes and brow bone. My face was now ready for the magic to begin.

Nina started the make-up process by applying Skin Smoothing Pore Perfecto (£27) to even out my skin and lessen the appearance of my pores. To brighten the under eye area she used Bisque Creamy Corrector in light to medium (£19.50) to counteract the appearance of any under-eye darkness. This was followed by the Warm Beige Creamy Concealer Kit (26) to bring the colour back to the correct skin tone.

Nina then applied Long Wear Even Finish Compact in Warm beige (£36) as my base, using the Full Coverage Face Brush (£32). I absolutely loved the flawless full coverage – my skin looked amazingly dewy.

To add a natural sun-kissed glow, Bronzing Powder in Medium (£30) was brushed onto the skin in a ‘three’ shape, starting at the forehead and brushing into the hairline before moving to the cheek and jaw line.

To keep a natural glow in the cheeks the Cheek Glow Palette in Bare Desert

Rose (£35) was applied to the apples of the cheeks and brushed up to accentuate my cheekbones.

It was time now for my base to be set using Nude Finish Illuminating Powder in Buff (£40). This gorgeous powder glides onto the complexion resulting in a sheer but illuminating glow that every bride wants on her wedding day.

Next up, a small amount of brow shadow in mahogany (£18) was applied to my brows to add definition and frame the face.

To ensure eye make-up stays in place and flawless all day, Long Wear Eye Base (£20) in medium was then applied to my lids before the powder shadows.

To brighten the eyes, ‘shell’ eyeshadow (£18) was swept all over the lid.

Long Wear Gel eyeliner in Black Mauve Shimmer Ink (£19) was then applied from corner to corner on the upper lid and right into my lower lashes, using Bobbi’s Ultra Fine Liner Brush (£23). This gives the illusion of thicker lashes.

Nina then blended these lines using Rich Brown eyeshadow (£18) for a subtle smoked eye. To add a touch of sparkle to this look, Nina pressed very lightly, using her fingers, Sparkle Eye Shadow in Ballet Pink (£25) on top of this. I adore this sparkly pink shadow!

To complement the eye make-up, lashes were made to look longer and were separated using Lash Glamour Extreme Mascara (£22) and ‘rain coated’ with the no smudge mascara (£22), giving it a waterproof finish.

The final touch was added to the lips with a lipstick in Sand Wash Pink (£23) – this was the iconic colour used by Kate Middleton for her wedding – followed by a lip liner in Ballet Pink (£17.50) to perfect this really pretty bridal look.

Bobbi Brown recommends that you apply the lip liner after the lip colour as there’s nothing worse than when your lipstick wears off and you’re left with just your liner!

Voila – a perfect bridal make-up!

Call the Bobbi Brown counter for a free bridal make up lesson on 01522 533865.

Making your mind up Deciding on whether or not to hire a professional make-up artist for your wedding is a big part of your plans, particularly as you want to look your absolute best for the big day.

The first thing to do is to try out a couple of local artists, to see what they can do for you. Any make-up professional worth their salt will ask how much make-up you normally wear. If you are more of a slap it on and leave the house kind of girl, too much make-up could end up with you feeling uncomfortable, whereas women who take their time with their 'daily face' will be happy to let their artist pile it on to ensure every wrinkle and spot is taken care of.

Ask around your friends and family for recommendations, as someone may already have used a make-up artist for an event or their own wedding. Book an appointment and give them a try, and make sure it is well in advance of your wedding. Different

products can have varying effects on your skin and you don't want to be left with masses of pimples for your big day.

Be sure to tell the artist what you normally wear and use, as putting bright colours on a face that us used to more natural tones could result in you becoming a little scared when confronted by a clown-like reflection.

The key is to look like an enhanced version of you, not an entirely different person.

Of course, you know your own face well, and applying your own make-up can often be the best course of action.

For those looking at a DIY approach, buy a few magazines, scour the internet for ideas and buy a few new products to add to your make-up bag. Perhaps a lip colour that matches or complements your bridesmaids outfits, or the flowers?

Top tips from professionals include: ■ Invest in a translucent powder for your

forehead, chin and nose to keep the shine at bay. Your photographs will look much nicer if these areas aren't glowing like a lighthouse and instead have a lovely, matt finish.

■ Try out lip stain rather than lipstick or gloss. Think of how many people you have to kiss during the day and how any times you will, hopefully, be smooching with your new husband or wife.

■ Using an eyeshadow base and a foundation primer will help your make-up to stay on longer, avoiding fade during the course of the day.

■ Get your eyebrows done! Having a wax treatment before the day will give your eyebrows a lovely shape, enhancing your features on the photographs. And don't forget to gently use an eyebrow pencil after covering them in foundation. A little bit of pencil and the sweep of the pencil's brush will make all the difference.

■ Buy a good, waterproof mascara. You

might not think that you are an emotional type but weddings can do strange things to people! A few tears can easily wipe out all of your hard work and the 'panda look' is not particularly attractive for a wedding day.

■ Try a bit of eyeliner to make your eyes stand out. If you are not used to it, opt for a brown shade as it tends to suit most skin tones and eye colours.

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JEWELLERY

Beautiful jewellery to When looking for that special piece of jewellery, you can guarantee that you will find exactly what your are looking for at Guest & Philips. EMMA MATHIAS finds out more ...

A

t Guest & Philips, the friendly, trained staff specialise in helping each couple to choose rings that suit them and match their needs.

Years ago a wedding ring was merely a plain band, but today there is an endless choice of styles.

The width, weight, profile and pattern all have to be considered.

Many brides and some grooms now opt for diamonds in their rings, some for a full band of diamonds, which can be brilliant, princess or baguette cuts.

All rings are available in platinum, white or yellow gold or palladium and the stone quality, carat or purity of the metal can be tailored to suit any budget.

Getting the right size is also important.

Philip Guest with his sister, Karen Guest.

Co-owner Philip Guest said: “A lot of people need a little bit of help, when it comes to choosing a wedding or engagement ring. Many have never bought a diamond before and the last thing they need is to be baffled by science, nor some sort of lecture on where the diamond was from and how it was made.

“People need help and options. They might have some idea of what they are looking for, but there are so many choices, it can get very confusing.

“We try to make things as easy as possible, in a relaxed environment. We often tell people to go and have a coffee to think about it as they need to be making the right decision, particularly if they are spending a lot of money.

“It is also important to get something to suit their hand and their style; something that suits their lifestyle.

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o cherish forever ...

“We aim to make choosing a ring as pleasant an experience and as much fun as possible.”

After 50 years serving the community, Guest & Philips can offer a truly bespoke service.

In July 2016, the business celebrated 50 years since it was founded by Michael and Anne Guest in Beverley’s Saturday Market Place, with a party at Beverley Racecourse.

Since 1966 the business has expanded to Cottingham and to Pocklington and just over a year ago, they opened a new boutique in The Flemingate Shopping Centre, Beverley.

The flagship store in Beverley concentrates on diamonds, precious stones and Swiss wristwatches.

The antique and pre-owned department, now under the stewardship of Philip’s sister, co-owner Karen Guest, specialises in period jewellery and in particular large solitaire diamonds from one to six carats.

The watch rooms have time pieces by Cartier, Omega, Longines, Hamilton, Frederick Constant and many others.

The new boutique in Flemingate has a double height ceiling and contemporary design featuring a Swatch shop-in shop , exciting jewellery by Spanish company Uno De50, Thai jewellery by Banyan and Shinola watches from The USA. As a family-run business, the service

you will receive from Guest & Philips is second-to-none. So if you are looking for a welcoming, no-pressure environment in which to make your first, sparkly purchase as a couple, head across the river to see exactly what’s available in store. You won’t be disappointed.

Find Guest & Philips at: ■ 23-25 Saturday Market, Beverley, HU17 8BB. Call 01482 882599.

■ 23a Flemingate Centre, Chantry Lane, Beverley, HU17 0PW. Call 01482 881001.

■ 22 Finkle Street, Cottingham, HU16 4AZ. Call 01482 841279.

■ 3 Market Place, Pocklington, YO42 2AP. Call 01759 303362.

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JEWELLERY

Sparkle from the start ...

You’ve found the perfect person, now it’s time start dropping hints about what ring you’d like, or you’ve found the idealpartner and you want to find a ring they simply cannot say no to ...

F

inding the perfect ring sounds like quite a daunting task as your future husband or wife will be rocking that accessory for the rest of their lives. But if you have an idea in mind when you head out shopping then they’ll stand a good chance of loving that sparkley addition more and more every morning.

There is every style of engagement and wedding ring imaginable out there, so we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch to help you decide on what style you’d prefer.

Stuck at the first hurdle?

You want something to match you partner’s personality, lifestyle and style, but also your budget. Think about their daily activities and personal style, and these answers should guide you towards a selection or style of ring.

■ Traditional and elegant The classic solitaire ring is truly timeless and showcases the diamond at the centre without any distractions around the side.

These are often the most popular engagement rings as they tend to have a plain metal band and a low-set diamond showcased in the middle. If you’d like to bling it up a bit, then think about looking at a band with encrusted diamonds rather than the plain.

■ Out-there If your partner a bit out there with their fashion and sense of style, then perhaps consider something that will dazzle everyone they meet, oozing glamour.

Look at rings that elevate the central diamond or maybe is surrounded by smaller diamonds, a halo – if you will.

■ Modern and minimal If they appreciates a modern and sleek style then perhaps look at sculptural rings.

Once that experiment with non-traditional shapes, such as a bezel setting or you could even abandon the central diamond idea altogether, and go for a a banded ring with lovely detail and sparkle all the way across.

Top three things to know before you go ■ Have a look online Browse the web as this is a great place to get an idea of what styles and designs you are initially drawn to. Gather together

a few ideas and see if there’s any common patterns, then when you head out to the shops you’ll have some real life examples to guide you and the sales assistant.

Not only this but have a look at people’s rings around you, are there any that you could take some inspiration from?

■ The three C’s Familiarise yourself with the three C’s; colour, cut and clarity. When it comes to choosing a diamond these are your ABCs. Grade D is the best as it is defined as ‘colourless’ then.

Cut is about the shape and positioning of the stone’s facets, carat is really about how much the stone weighs and finally clarity is how jewellers describe any flaws in the stone.

■ The shapes and sizes There’s quite a few different shapes of diamond to take your pick from, with round and princess stones, cushion, emerald, square, oval, pear and heart ... phew!

The most sparkley are the round and princess cut as they have the most facets, so reflect the most light. The others are slightly more unique cuts, and not as common as the top two.

If in doubt, go digital Finally, if you’re still unsure, there’s some fab apps out there for you to have a play with which might inspire you.

The Tiffany & Co Engagement Ring Finder is brilliant if you want to picture the ring on your hand without having to leave the house. There’s also a handy ring sizer and galleries of other users with the ring.

Blue Nile – this is essentially a crash course on diamonds, so if you’re a rookie, download this. There’s over 70,000 different cuts for you to browse through, until you find one that catches your eye.

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Shining example

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fter more than two years in business, Tracey Walsh is fast becoming one of the go-to jewellery designers and creators in the region. With both one-off and regular customers coveting a piece of her lovingly-created jewellery, Tracey is very much looking forward to what the future holds for her and her business.

She said: “I started making jewellery as a hobby and went to a local evening class.

I actually went to join a photography class but it was full so someone suggested the jewellery course. After the first night I was hooked and had so many ideas buzzing around my head; there was a world of things to create.”

When Tracey decided to set up Silver Boo, she approached local organisation E-factor which specialises in helping people to fulfil their business ambitions.

She said: “They have been absolutely fabulous and were brilliant helping me to set up and have backed me all the way. I can highly recommend them.”

Since then, Silver Boo has come on in leaps and bounds with Tracey using trusted UK suppliers and making useful contacts in order to supply loyal customers and the large number of new ones she is gaining each week.

“I work with silver, rose gold, gold, precious and semi-precious stones; anything the customer wants really, as I do bespoke pieces in addition to regular lines,” Tracey said. “If someone is looking for an engagement ring, matching items such as earrings, bangles and necklaces, I can make them. Or, if they want something special for the bridesmaids or Mother of the Bride.”

Tracey prides herself in having a sixth sense for what her customer’s what. She said: “A gentleman came in to see me whose partner was really into penguins.

He met me, gave me a pebble that meant something to them and told me to do

If you’re the sort of person who likes to shop locally and support new business, in addition to purchasing something unique and beautiful, look no further than North East Lincolnshire’s Silver Boo. emma mathias finds out more ... something with it! When he came to collect the finished item, he said that he had no idea what he had wanted but the end result was exactly what he wanted.

This is a really nice and fun part of what I do.”

Another lady, who had recently lost her grandmother, popped in for a piece to remember her by. In tears, she told

Tracey: “I would never trust anyone to do this but you.” A huge compliment for a very creative lady who only began her journey a couple of years ago. Tracey believes that she is a romantic at heart, which makes this sort of commission extra special and a big plus for anyone looking for something special on their wedding day.

Some orders from Silver Boo will be quicker than others, depending on whether it is an item of jewellery that needs to be reworked into a new piece or something that has to be designed and made from scratch. And because everything is hand made, each piece is unique and also hallmarked.

“As a rule, my jewellery costs from £40 upwards depending on the stone and materials used, that is, silver, rose gold or gold and including everything from earrings – some for as little as £15-£20 – or a simple wedding band to necklaces, rings or cufflinks.

As for her current workspace, Tracey is still working from home, which makes the experience all the more personal when you pop in for a chat.

She said: “I am based in Scartho, Grimsby, spending a lot of time building relationships with other local businesses while expanding my own.

“I’m looking forward to the future and expanding locally in a sustainable way.”

Tracey’s work can be seen at Louth Bridal, Cleethorpes Discovery Centre, Lolly Couture and Cycle Mode in Grimsby. She is currently working on a new website, though her Facebook page is working overtime to keep up with the number of ‘likes’ she has been clocking up over the last year.

She finished: “I am looking forward to pushing the wedding side of things in the future and I am also working on a new collection. I am also on the wedding suppliers list for the Oaklands Hall Hotel, which is exciting.”

Silver Boo is certainly one to watch in the future as it seems like there is no stopping Tracey now that the ball is well and truly rolling. To find out more, or to discuss a commission with Tracey, visit www.facebook.com/silverboojewellery or telephone 07973 552011.

See contents page for image credits.

44 THE JOURNAL

HONEYMOONS

A royal w Crossing the Atlantic is one of the most dramatic ways to reach New York. KAREN BOWERMAN experiences the golden age of cruise travel on the remastered QM2 ...

O

ut on deck, below the bright red funnel of the Queen Mary 2, Coco, dressed in a white waistcoat, is hosting a champagne reception. I’m here as his VIP guest, at a rather unusual party.

Coco is a coffee-coloured Maltese Yorkie, travelling in ludicrous luxury with his canine companions Jack, Molly, and Buster, plus Ali Bey, a mystical, green-eyed cat. They’ve all embarked on a cruise from Southampton to New York.

The whippet, chihuahua and bulldog are returning to the US to live. Coco is simply on holiday; the QM2 is his favourite ship, and this is his 25th crossing.

“He’s happier here than at home. He sleeps well, eats well and never gets bored,” his Croatian owner, Ivana, wearing an off-the-shoulder playsuit and golden boots, says.

The Yorkie has two attentive kennel masters, a playroom and a 19th century lamp post from outside the Cunard building in Liverpool; his American friends enjoy the familiarity of a fire hydrant.

These are dogs, and a cat, that know how to sail in style.

Of course, Coco’s not alone in hosting champagne receptions during our seven-day voyage. The captain does too, and since this the first voyage since the QM2 enjoyed a multi-million pound refit, there’s lots to celebrate.

I arrive in Southampton to be welcomed by a brass band and bellboys in scarlet tunics with bright gold buttons. There’s a sense of excitement, although many passengers have travelled before.

“She’s just so gloriously English! So super nice!” A Texan enthuses. He tells me he “sails with the Queen” every year, preferring “the wild winds of the Atlantic” to the summer heat at home.

“Frankly, I just come for the music,” his friend confides. “You get rock ‘n’ roll on American cruise ships. Cunard has classical, and it’s lovely!“ Guests hanker, it seems, to recreate cruising’s glory days: to dine on lobster served by waiters with red roses in their button holes; to stare at the ocean from wooden sun loungers stamped with the Cunard crest, and to withdraw to the walnut-shelved library to whisper over heavy books of maps and ancient art.

I step into a world of art deco grandeur, where staircases have whimsical banisters and mirrored lifts are engraved with fronds.

Lalique-style vases, embossed with twirling mermaids, adorn the Veuve Clicquot lounge, and elfin statues – with neat fringes and lean limbs – strike exotic poses ‘round the pool.

By day, it’s country-club casual, but everyone dresses up at night: “After 6pm, blue denim is not considered appropriate,” the ship’s programme advises.

One evening, I find myself scurrying into a lift after mistaking the time. A fellow passenger jumps in too. It’s 6.05 and couples in cocktail dresses and dinner jackets are gathering in the grand lobby.

As the lift doors close, I catch the crunch of ice in a cocktail shaker, a burst of laughter and, through a large port hole, the swell of the sea. It’s very Great Gatsby, although for us renegades in shorts, it’s more like Cinderella at midnight, only in reverse.

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way to sail At first, I wonder how I’m going to fill my days. I’m on a voyage not a cruise, so there are no ports for sightseeing along the way.

I spend my first morning compulsively circling activities in the daily programme. I toy with fencing. Beneath heraldic banners in the Queens Room, her majesty looks down on a motley group with mesh-covered faces and quivering foils.

“Come on, lunge! Lunge!” Neil, the instructor, exhorts.

It seems far too energetic for me. I consider flower arranging, but I allow myself to be convinced by a stranger, as is the way here, that what I‘d really enjoy is Beginners’ Cha Cha. Our teachers, Dan and Olena, have lithe bodies and plenty of poise; we, their pupils, have neither. I chant “one, two, cha, cha, cha” for the next half hour and succeed in linking four basic moves together. Then the ship rolls and I trip over my feet.

For entertainment of a more sedate kind, I head to the planetarium – the only one at sea. I watch Cosmic Collisions on a big screen, tilting my chair back as if I’m an astronaut shooting, very comfortably, into space.

A burning, bubbling sun spins overhead.

Hot on its heels is a meteorite which Robert Redford advises is heading to earth.

He warns of impending incineration but his voice is so smooth and sultry that no one seems that bothered.

The next day, at noon, another voice addresses us from the bridge.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is our fourth day in the middle of nowhere,” the captain says.

It’s drizzling, but I feel the need to experience that Atlantic breeze the Texan spoke about. I cross a deserted deck, spattered with sea spray, to a hot tub of my own. Stewards are wiping down sun loungers and folding away towels.

The Jacuzzi emits a bubbly snore and the grey Atlantic whooshes in reply. For the first time in my life, confronted by the

vastness of the ocean, I no longer see the horizon as the edge of the world as I know it. I accept that the sea stretches far beyond.

On day five, the sun comes out. Bright blue waves wash against the hull as if it’s a massive, brilliantly white shore.

As I enjoy breakfast on my balcony, I pick up the daily programme. It advises, once again, that our location is simply “At Sea”. There is something reassuringly familiar about it.

Later, I spot a plane, the only one, and imagine it landing in New York in hours. I realise I’m content not to be doing the same. I return the daily bulletin to my tray without circling a thing.

On deck, I pass a couple I regularly meet. He’s immersed in another hardback; she’s finishing her cross-stitch. It covers her lap and is transforming into a beautiful tapestry. We exchange customary smiles.

On the last evening, I bid farewell to Coco. As I chat to Ivana, I spot, with quiet excitement, a bird, swooping over the sea. I think of Noah, and the dove that brought him the olive branch; land can’t be far away.

At dawn the next morning, the top deck’s crowded. Beyond the QM2’s colourful flags, a woman is raising a torch.

Beyond her is a mass of sky scrapers; the sun glints playfully in between.

As we dock in New York, I remember how methodically I packed for this trip; there was the diary to write, magazines to flick through and novels to read.

In the end, I sought none of these. It’s as if seven empty days have been swallowed up, gently and gloriously, by the sea.

■ Cunard (www.cunard.co.uk; 0843 374 2224) offers a seven-night crossing from Southampton to New York in a Britannia balcony stateroom, departing 21 July 2017, from for £1,449pp including flights, all meals and transfers. Voyage number M727.

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46 THE JOURNAL

HONEYMOONS

Fly me to the moon, honey!

S

o the wedding’s eventually drawn to a close, and you’re both feeling a little deflated.

The build-up has been intense, the day was even more so, but now what?

If you make sure to plan a killer honeymoon, you can certainly banish these feelings for a while. Literally jet away for a while and bask in your blissful, newlywed feelings.

We’ve rounded up some lovely romantic ideas for you to choose from, no matter what your timeline, budget or style.

Enjoy!

Gaze up in wonder at the Arctic sky First up, why not channel royalty for your honeymoon and try out where Harry took Meghan; far north Norway.

For the little more adventurous couples out there, you can both sleep in a glass-roofed Crystal Lavvo – perfect for star gazing into the night and watching the Northern Lights fly by right from your bed.

What’s Crystal Lavvo I hear you ask?

Well it’s a ‘glamping’ experience which gives the excitement of camping but with an added layer of comfort. They are located within the snowy forests of Norway and are made out of wood but with a glass roof, meaning you’ll be able to simply lie back and enjoy the wonders of the Arctic Sky, and with any luck, the Aurora itself.

Then once you’re up for a little more activity, there’s dog-sleds, snowmobiles and whale watching ... to name but a few!

Check out www.theaurorazone.com for more information on what these holidays entail.

Fancy something slightly less strenuous?

Then why not experience ultimate relaxation in the Maldives?

Celebrating its one year anniversary is the Amari Havodda. It was unveiled just

The confetti has settled and now it’s time to jet away from it all with your new betrothed ... last year and is located in one of the most preserved atolls in the archipelago.

Offering guests a modern and peaceful environment to relax and recharge with both ‘overwater’ and beach room options.

The island is also brimming with a host of culinary choices including international and Asian flavours on top of many activities for guests to choose from including exploring the colourful underwater world in the islands house reef.

For full details contact Kenwood Travel on 020 7749 9282 or visit amari.com/havodda-maldives Find your heavenly hideaway at Falcon Manor ...

For any newlyweds looking for a touch of class not too far from home, Yorkshire’s very own Falcon Manor will be happy to welcome you into their country-house style, boutique hotel.

UK honeymoons are becoming more and more popular this year, says hotel marketing manager Heidi Kettle, as people welcome the high standards and beautiful landscapes we often don’t appreciate.

Think of the Yorkshire Dales like the Lake District, but minus the large crowds.

There’s miles of footpaths to explore, where you can discover the cascades and crags of limestone scenery at its best, from the iconic Three Peaks of Ingleborough to Malham Cave.

Falcon Manor also has a licence to perform civil ceremonies on top of a

wealth of wedding experience.

Find out more at www.falconmanor.co.uk Adventure up into the Highlands If you’d rather explore the Highlands of Scotland, then Cameron House Resort may be the place for you.

Just on the edge of Loch Lomond, right where the highlands meet the lowlands, lies Scotland’s finest five-star, luxury resort, hidden from everyday life, exclusive yet accessible.

Not only will you get to experience the barnial mansion house hotel, but the resort also offers a choice of four restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Martin Wilshart, an award-winning spa complete with a rooftop infinity pool, an 18-hole championship golf course and a range of outdoor pursuits.

All rooms enjoy views across the loch and Trossachs national park, so with the cosy interiors and warm Scottish hospitality you’ll feel right at home.

If you want to step it up a notch, why not take a seaplane trip on the Loch Lomond Seaplane or even a 60-minute champagne cruise on board the luxury motor cruiser, the Celtic Warrior.

See www.cameronhouse.co.uk for details.

Fancy something a little more private?

On the Caldera of Santorini lies a unique apartment just 350m above sea level. Originally built back in the 1790s,

the luxurious villa offers guests a tranquil space complete with a cool breeze from the Aegean sea.

Honeymooners can take in the panoramic views from the spacious deck, dive into the unique cave pool or simply sit back and relax, enjoying everything the villa has to offer.

If you decide it’s time to leave the comfy cave, then you can take a stroll down the small path to explore the town of Fira, which offers shopping and romantic dining.

Also close by are the black beaches if you fancy trying out a different scene, or visit the town historic town of Oia. Choose the Senior Honeymoon Suite from the TripAdvisor vacation rentals at www.tripadvisor.co.uk/rentals.

Sail away to somewhere exotic and unique ...

If a traditional honeymoon doesn’t really take your fancy and you’d rather sail off in to the sunset (quite literally) and channel a trip slightly more Pirates of the Caribbean-esque, then why not check out Sunsail? It is the world’s largest sailing holiday company and gives guests a new way to discover the British Virgin Islands.

Sailors can stop off at the Carribean’s finest rum hotspots and, with the guidance of the Sunsail experts, gain in-depth insight into the history and traditions of rum-making in the BVI. As you sail down the coast, you’ll notice that many of the area’s harbours are named after the rum distilleries that they once housed and most of the local bars serve their very own, homemade rums to match their delicious cuisine.

The flotilla cruises past Cane Garden Bay, giving you the chance to your Callwood rum distillery, the oldest continuously-operating rum distillery in the Carribean, then you can swing by the famous Foxy’s beach bar and snorkel past the dazzling coral reef at Monkey point.

Go to www.sunsail.co.uk for full details and departure dates or call 0844 417 2110.

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Desirable destinations

T

he Brigg Travel Company is an independent travel company who offers outstanding customer service which meets all your holiday needs with that personal touch.

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding or honeymoon then look no further than The Brigg Travel Company. Reporter CALVIN ROBINSON finds out more ...

The staff understand that choosing the right Wedding or Honeymoon may seem a little overwhelming.

So if you need help to find the perfect destination and package to suit your needs then The Brigg Travel Company is the travel agency to book with.

Your wedding or honeymoon will be one of the most important holidays you will take, so it’s important to find a travel agent that understands how much planning and hard work will be put in to make it perfect.

The Brigg Travel Company will find the right holiday that suits you.

The staff at The Brigg Travel Company are dedicated to ensuring that the planning runs smoothly and will assist with all the extras that you may not have thought of.

They are happy to offer the facility of giving your friends and family the option of making payments on your wedding or honeymoon as a gift to your wedding.

Whether you are looking for an over water bungalow in the Maldives to a weekend in Paris, you can be safe in the

knowledge you and your wedding or honeymoon is their priority.

The Brigg Travel Company is Abta and Atol bonded, so you can be confident that your wedding or honeymoon is fully protected.

However, that is not the only packages that Brigg Travel Company offer.

The company also offers fantastic ventures abroad to cities, beach holidays, cruises, coach holidays, ski destinations or can tailor a tour to suit your requirements.

They can also offer deals to glorious locations and many more vacation destinations.

Do not miss out on advanced registering for summer 2018 holidays where you will benefit from low deposits, free child places, early booking discounts, group offers and where you can spread the cost over a longer of period time.

You can also benefit from 10 and 11 night durations.

If you would like to book your perfect wedding or honeymoon take a look at what else The Brigg Travel Company has to offer then call in the branch or enquire via telephone.

■ The Brigg Travel Company is based at 56 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire. You can call the branch on 01652 659767 or e-mail enquiries@briggtravelcompany.co.uk

Weddings abroad can provide the dream wedding setting, often without the hassle getting married in the U.K can bring.

The Brigg Travel Company will organise your Wedding/ Honeymoon in a relaxed, stress free environment.

We are an Independent Travel Agency, and not owned by a Tour Operator so you are safe in the knowledge your perfect wedding is our priority.

We offer the facility for anyone who would like to contribute towards the cost of your Wedding or Honeymoon.

• Highly Experienced Staff • Fully Abta and Atol Bonded • Affordable Luxury from a local independent Travel Agency Tel: 01652 659767 • enquiries@briggtravelcompany.co.uk • www.briggtravelcompany.co.uk 56 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8JE

48 THE JOURNAL

Picture your perfect wedding

Jalousie

Mother of the Bride & Groom Outfits c/o Grimsby Garden Centre, Grimsby Road, Laceby, DN37 7DY. Tel: 01472 500818 www.jalousiegems.co.uk

CHLOE bridal dress Lily’s Bridal

Lincolnshire Wedding Prophire

Tel: 07713499520 DEE Tel: 07715105660 PETER www.lincolnshireweddingprophire.co.uk/shire Event Hire

38 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 7PQ Contact Lily’s Bridal Tel: 01724 330068 lilysbridal.co.ukFollow Lily’s

The County Hotel Pelham Road, Immingham, N E Lincs, DN40 1AD Tel: 01469 575805 the-county-hotel.co.uk

The Ivory Room Bridal Wear & Accessories

Snapz Photography

Goodyear House, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6QJ Tel: 01526 268030 www.theivoryroombridal.co.uk

Tel: 01472 459092 E-Mail: photoboothsnapz@gmail.com www.snapzphotobooth.co.uk

Millfields Hotel

The Ashbourne Hotel

53 Bargate, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN34 5AD Tel: 01472 356068 www.millfieldshotel.co.uk

Vicarage Lane, N. Killingholme, DN40 3JL Tel: 01469 541010 www.oakridgehotels.co.uk George Bateman and Son Ltd

Salem Bridge Brewery, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire PE24 4JE Tel: 01754 880317 E-mail: jphillips@bateman.co.uk www.bateman.co.uk

Guest & Philips Jewellers

23-25 Saturday Market, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 8BB Tel: 01482 882599 or 882334 www.guestandphilips.co.uk

Hall Farm Hotel & Restaurant

Ashby cum Fenby, N E Lincs DN37 0RT Call: 01472 220666 www.hallfarmhotelandrestaurant.co.uk

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53 Bargate, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN34 5AD Tel: 01472 356068 www.millfieldshotel.co.uk

The Ivory Room Bridal Wear & Accessories

Goodyear House, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6QJ Tel: 01526 268030 www.theivoryroombridal.co.uk

Guest & Philips Jewellers

23-25 Saturday Market, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 8BB Tel: 01482 882599 or 882334 www.guestandphilips.co.uk

missing pix

The County Hotel

Pelham Road, Immingham, N E Lincs, DN40 1AD Tel: 01469 575805 the-county-hotel.co.uk

Jalousie

Mother of the Bride & Groom Outfits c/o Grimsby Garden Centre, Grimsby Road, Laceby, DN37 7DY Tel: 01472 500818 www.jalousiegems.co.uk

George Bateman and Son Ltd

Salem Bridge Brewery, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire PE24 4JE Tel: 01754 880317 E-mail: jphillips@bateman.co.uk www.bateman.co.uk

Snapz Photography

Tel: 01472 459092 E-Mail photoboothsnapz@gmail.com www.snapzphotobooth.co.uk

Lincolnshire Wedding Prophire The Brackenborough Hotel

Cordeaux Corner, Louth, LN11 0SZ Tel: 01507 609169 www.oakridgehotels.co.uk

Tel: 07713499520 DEE Tel: 07715105660 PETER www.lincolnshireweddingprophire.co.uk/shire Event Hire

CHLOE bridal dress Lily’s Bridal

Hall Farm Hotel & Restaurant

Ashby cum Fenby, N E Lincs, DN37 0RT Call: 01472 220666 www.hallfarmhotelandrestaurant.co.uk

38 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 7PQ Contact Lily’s Bridal Tel: 01724 330068 lilysbridal.co.uk Follow Lily’s

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50 THE JOURNAL

Planning your wedding? Plan for your future too

Second time around

Emma Bell, Solicitor in the Wills, Estates, Tax and Trusts team at Wilkin Chapman Solicitors

Life planning is not one of the things that springs to mind when buying your dress, hiring a venue or booking a photographer, but if you are getting married, then it is something that you should certainly add to your ‘to do’ list.

Making a Will, powers of attorney or tax planning are all important considerations when planning your future together.

If either of you already has a Will in place, you must be aware that, unless it states specifically that it was prepared with your marriage (to each other!) in mind, then it will automatically be revoked when the wedding takes place. Making a Will is particularly important if you already have children or if you own assets together, and even more so if there are children from previous relationships to be considered. If you have adventurous activities on the agenda for the honeymoon, it is well worth making your Wills ‘in contemplation of marriage’ before the big day.

Whilst your Wills address what should happen when either of you dies, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) will be extremely valuable documents in the event that either of you loses capacity to make financial decisions, or decisions about your health and welfare, during your lifetime. Putting

LPAs in place while you are both fit and well will ensure that if you suffer mental or physical incapacity in the future, people you trust to act in your best interests, will be able to take care of these matters on your behalf if the need arises.

Furthermore, while your bank balance may be feeling bruised as a result of the preparations for your wedding, you can relax in the knowledge that some tax advantages remain in place for married couples. In particular, transfers of assets between married couples take effect at ‘no gain, no loss’ which can be advantageous for Capital Gains Tax planning, and on death assets passing to the surviving spouse do so free of Inheritance Tax (IHT). The tax free allowances for IHT (both the standard nil-rate allowance, and the additional allowance for property which is being introduced gradually between now and April 2020) are also transferable between spouses, which gives married couples greater flexibility in planning their financial affairs to make best use of the tax-free allowances available.

So, before you jet off on your honeymoon of a lifetime, remember to take professional legal advice to help plan for your future.

For further information, contact Emma Bell on 01472 262626, email emma.bell@wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit www.wilkinchapman.co.uk

EMMA MATHIAS finds some handy tips for the perfect planning of a second wedding ...

H

owever you found yourself in a single situation, finding love for a second time is a wonderful thing. For some, it may be a leap of faith after a turbulent first marriage while for others, the impending nuptials are a welcome fresh start after the sad passing of a previous husband or wife.

Whatever your reasons for a second marriage, you may be wondering how to do it, what to wear and where to go?

Take a look at our hints and tips for the second time around: ■ Whatever you want to wear, as the bride or groom, is up to you. You may have had a more formal affair at your first wedding, wanting to spice things up with a bit of colour or something completely crazy! Or maybe you want to opt for a smart skirt suit in a lovely cream colour, adding a colourful button hole to freshen the look?

Most brides at a second wedding, particularly after the age of 60, won’t entertain a white, flowing gown.

For some, having already had children and taken a trip down the aisle previously, a full-blown wedding dress could feel a little foolish.

That said, many will buy one and take the opportunity to go ‘all out’ to impress.

One thing most tend to opt out of is the veil, as this is normally reserved for first-time brides. A symbol of purity, most second time brides are a little beyond that!

■ Young or old, many second-timers will fancy the idea of dashing to a far away place for their wedding.

Marriages abroad have never been so

popular so even if you want to take children or parents, there are plenty of options available.

And gone are the days of second marriages being in a register office. The Church of England is willing to marry couples who have previously been married and with so many places now offering civil services, the choices can be mind-blowing.

The simplest idea is to work out your cash, decide how many people you want at your nuptials and take it from there.

Locally, several venues take parties as small as 20 people so there is no excuse for a bit of a do!

■ Don’t forget to try and include your new spouse’s family, as well as your own.

Try to split the jobs, if there is plenty to do, but make sure everything is as stress-free as possible.

While including family in preparations is a good thing, be sure to hire people to help on the day. Your children and parents will want to enjoy it as much as you do so don’t have them running around until the early hours of the next morning.

■ For most people, the second marriage is the one that will last forever. See the first one as a bit of a trial for the real thing which begs the question, “Do we go completely over the top with our wedding?”

And, why not?

There are far less rules for a second wedding than a first. Nobody will be expecting you to do things certain way, in a certain place, with invites and the whole shebang. Do your second wedding your way, stooping for no man – or woman – and have an absolute ball.

Hopefully, this will be the first day of your very happy lives together!

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51

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52 THE JOURNAL

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