Wedding

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YOUR Wedding

BECAUSE YOUR BIG DAY IS ALL ABOUT THE SMALL DETAILS. Be confident your wedding will be just the way you imagined it. From small intimate gatherings to grander celebrations, the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel is picture perfect.

Our fabulous ÂŁ4000 inclusive wedding package includes an arrival drink for your guests, a 3 course wedding breakfast, a two tier wedding cake, a professional toastmaster, two glasses of wine with the breakfast, sparkling wine to toast, evening finger buffet and DJ.

To discuss your bespoke wedding package or our ÂŁ2013 package for 2013 please contact our experienced and dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator on 02392 316126 or email Debbie.anson@marriotthotels.com

Portsmouth Marriott Hotel Southampton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 4SH PortsmouthMarriott.co.uk

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YOUR Wedding

Welcome to Your Wedding Welcome to Your Wedding, the essential News guide which helps you plan one of the biggest and happiest occasions of your life.

Contents: 4-5

Hen nights and stag dos

By the time the day arrives, a lot of planning will have gone into making it an unforgettable one for the happy couple, their families and friends. Organising a wedding can be fun – but only if you do your research, plan ahead and don’t get stressed.

6-7

Wedding dress fashion

8-9

Bridal beauty

The key to a successful wedding is in the preparation. That’s why we’ve put together this magazine, to give you plenty of information, advice and inspiration to help you to decide what will make your dream day.

Everybody’s ideas about their wedding are different, but you need to know what options are available before you decide on everything from the dress to a venue and the all-important honeymoon destination.

A wedding dress is the most important outfit you’ll ever wear, so you want it to be right. We’ve got some beautiful examples of different styles to help you to decide.

We’ve also got some tips on how to look your best, plus deciding on those finishing touches such as hair and make-up.

16-21 Venues 22-23 Fabulous flowers 24

Wedding transport

25

Cakes

26-27 Entertainment

& planning

10-11 Groom fashion 12-13 Bridesmaids &

bridal showers 14-15 Relatives’ fashion

28-29 Honeymoon

heaven 30-31 Wedding

organiser

Your Wedding is not just for brides though. We’ve got fashion suggestions for grooms, bridesmaids and relatives too.

There’s also advice on venues, flowers and transport to get you to and from the wedding in style.

Plus, we’ve got information on how to plan every aspect of your wedding with an organiser that takes you step-by-step through what you should be doing and when.

Simon Toft Features Editor Executive editor: Mark Waldron Editor: Simon Toft Advertising sales: Alexander Merrifield Magazine design: James Lamont Published by Portsmouth Publishing & Printing Ltd (Johnston Press).

Registered office: The News Centre, Hilsea, Portsmouth, PO2 9SX

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Hens & Stags In this hard financial climate, it seems that getting together and letting off a bit of steam with your mates is still the mainstay for survival against a hostile world.

It has been interesting to see how or even whether the current recession has hit the entertainment industry and an analysis at specialist stag do (designaventure.co.uk) organiser DesignaVenture has certainly thrown up some remarkable stats to the contrary.

If you’re planning a girlie or lads trip away, here’s what 2011 indicated in the popularity stakes: Maybe it’s all the celebs that raised its profile, but Rob Brydon, Katherine Jenkins, Rhod Gilbert and

Batchelor Gavin Henson have certainly wooed you to the green green grass of Wales, which was up 32 per cent as a destination in 2011.

Ever popular, stag dos to Bristol are climbing, with a rise of 23 per cent. Who’d have thought that a West Country accent would become so trendy? Did the Royal wedding pull London up a notch last year, or was it all just Made in Chelsea?

Maybe, as visits rose by 17 per cent though Nottingham’s rockin’ party culture also kept it nudging forward and up 16 per cent.

Even with such a dismal summer, Britain’s coastal resorts still remained on the party radar, and benders to Bournemouth leapt up by nine per cent. And what are revellers doing on their mad weekends away?

Most popular daytime activities are the motor sports. We’re talking karting (indoor and outdoor), rage and dirt buggies, quads, rallying and the like. Keen to get your kicks after the daily grind, other outdoor pursuits on the rise are clay pigeon shooting, deep sea fishing and the outer limits of gorge scrambling.

Goodness, the nation is an adventurous lot. Clearly there are still some traditionalists among us though, as steadfastly holding their firm favourites position are the dog and horseracing venues. Plus, proving that gambling is now disconcertingly one of the country’s top occupations, casino nights are hugely popular as part of a party package.

Curiously, you haven’t all lost your heads completely by going on totally liquid nights out, as a spokesperson from DesignaVenture also commented: ‘Night time activities are on the up, with more meals with bars and clubs being pre booked so our clients were not leaving anything to chance.’

If you are thinking about organising a hen weekend, but don’t want to go overboard with the spending, there are a few hints and tips to help you get hen party success on a budget...

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First, find out what the hen wants. This is bound to be the first step to any hen weekend. When you know what she wants you can start looking for the cheapest options and the the sooner you start, the more likely you’ll be to get a better deal.

One of the most important things is finding out how much everyone can afford to spend and bear in mind that some may be able to afford a bit more than others. If you don’t find this out early and build the plans around it then you may get people pulling out near the event date because they can’t afford it.

It might be worth thinking about having a special bank account for your hen weekends. This saves on chasing people up for money – with the account you can add a bit each week.

If you’re working to a budget, you’ll be able to save money depending on where you want to go. Eastern European locations are great value for drinks and if you can get cheap flights then you’re all set. If you’re going for a hen weekend in the UK and most of the group are in the same kind of region then you might want to consider group transport. You could hire a minibus that a group member can drive - make sure there’s at least one person who’s OK to drive at all times.

Each destination will have different options for accommodation and it’s tempting to push the boat out to make it something to remember. But what you should bear in mind is that you won’t be spending very much time there. It’s really just a place to leave your luggage and crash at the end of a long hen night. You can all save a bit more money for drinks or shopping by staying in cheaper accommodation.

Once you start drinking, it’s always very easy to just keep going, but everyone has experienced the feeling the next morning of where did that £20 go? Maybe set a budget by only taking what you know you can afford and leaving the cards at the hotel. You don’t want all the effort of securing a bargain weekend to be all for nothing after a few trips to the cocktail bar.

The earlier you get the weekend sorted the better. You’ll get the best offers and you’ll know how much everyone is looking to spend and everyone has plenty of time to get the money together and less people will drop out.

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YOUR Wedding

18/10/2012 15:38 5

Creatiques Creatiques is a multi awardwinning bridal boutique in the heart of Southsea, offering a unique bridal experience.

Within the store you will find beautiful collections by Justin Alexander, Sincerity, Sincerity plus, Mark Lesley and Mark Lesley bridesmaids’ dresses.

Creatiques has a wide range of shoes and accessories to complement your outfit and, to complete your look, has a professional in-house hair salon.

The Dressing Room also offers hairdressing at your chosen venue for total ease on the big day.

Call to arrange a personal appointment today on: (023) 9282 6622.

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YOUR Wedding

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Bridal Beauty Whatever stage you are at in your wedding preparations, you can improve how radiant you look on the big day with your diet, cleansing routine and general lifestyle.

There are also plenty of things you can do on the day itself to maintain that centreof-attention look. A six-month countdown is recommended to make sure you look as radiant and healthy as possible on your wedding day, but brides who only have a few weeks to prepare can still see some stunning results.

Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are an essential part of the preparation. Exercise will give your circulation a major boost and flush away the toxins that cause blemishes in the skin. Aim for 30 minutes of gentle exercise per day.

Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drinking around eight glasses of water a

day, reducing your alcohol consumption and cutting out smoking will help prevent your skin from looking dowdy and dull. Try to make sure you get a good night’s sleep of about eight hours in the weeks or days before the wedding. However, there’s more to looking good on the day than just being healthy.

It’s important to cleanse, tone and moisturise every day to get rid of any impurities. Facials are also recommended as long as you start having them regularly a few months before the wedding. Trying one a few days beforehand is a mistake, as it could lead to a blotchy face.

Getting your hair in shape is also important.

According to the experts you should wash your hair whenever you feel you have to, usually every few days, and make sure it has a deep condition about once a month.

This is where the product is combed through and left on for at least ten minutes.

Massaging your scalp with shampoo while washing will stimulate the blood flow and encourage the growth of healthy hair. And

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YOUR Wedding

when dry, brushing will again stimulate the scalp and also get rid of any dead hair.

Advice from Vidal Sassoon says you should work out well in advance the way you want your hair to look. If you want to have it cut, make sure it’s done about a week before the big day. This will make sure your style keeps its shape, but also has time to settle.

Your feet and hands shouldn’t be forgotten either. Beauticians suggest a manicure and pedicure at a beauty salon every few weeks before the wedding, which normally includes a foot massage to stimulate the skin. At home, you should moisturise your hands daily and soak your feet in warm water for about ten minutes, twice a week.

This basically leaves your feet feeling very refreshed, particularly if you use some essential oils, such as peppermint. When it comes to nails, it’s important to file them two or three times a week and maybe push the cuticles back while you’re in the bath.

When it comes to choosing your make-up for the wedding, caution is advised. The

temptation might be to let a beautician pile on a lot of expensive make-up which may be totally inappropriate, especially for today’s more natural look. It’s also important to know your skin colour. This might seem obvious, but you should check whether your skin is yellow or pink toned.

Make sure your foundation matches your skin tone exactly, and check it in daylight.

If you are going to be applying your own make-up, beauty guru and professional make-up artist John Gustafson, from BBC’s Looking Good Programme, has some sound advice: “Strong, intense shades for lips will be set off by neutral tones on eyes and cheeks.

“Play down eye colours to emphasise your lips. Choose a base eye shade that matches your skin tone and apply all over the eyelid.”

He warns against using eyeliner on the top eyelid - it will look dated. And John suggests adding texture to eyes by applying a metallic lustre to the eyelid over a base shade.

Lips are also important on the day itself because of all that smiling, eating and kissing you are likely to be doing. In order to make your lipstick last longer, apply a layer of foundation and powder to your lips before you put your lipstick on. This will give the lipstick something to grip to.

If you are having a separate evening function, it may be worth reapplying make-

up, but don’t apply more foundation over old foundation.

• Make sure you have your eyebrows shaped by a professional a week before the wedding, and pluck any strays the night before. It’s amazing what a difference a well-shaped eyebrow makes to your face.

Finally, don’t go to bed in your warpaint. If you don’t clean it off at night you’ll end up with stained pillow cases and a bad case of spots, which could well be a blemish on your honeymoon as well.

• Opt for neutral shades of eyemakeup - the darker your skin the deeper the shades can be.

• Even if you don’t normally wear blusher, you should consider it for your wedding day - it will add shape and de?nition to your face, especially in your photographs.

• Roll up a few tissues and hold them directly behind your bouquet, if you do cry during the ceremony you will have tissues to catch your tears.

• Wear waterproof mascara.

• Immediately after the ceremony is a good time to touch up your make-up ready for the photographs. Make sure one of the bridesmaids carries a small bag of touch up make-up.

Beauty Tips • If you are planning on having a spray tan or going on a sun bed before your wedding day, make sure your foundation and powder that are going to wear on the big day are not to light for your tanned complexion.

• If you are planning to apply your own makeup, make sure you have a couple of practice runs a week or so before the wedding, and make sure you leave plenty of time in your schedule in case you make a mistake and have to start again.

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YOUR Wedding

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Men taking more pride in their appearance So you’re getting married?

You’ve bought the engagement ring, you’ve taken your loved one somewhere special and you’ve popped the big question. The wedding plans are all coming together and your stag do was or is going to be great. You’ve even bought or hired a really smart-looking suit and the honeymoon suite is booked. Have you forgotten anything?

Well, it’s pretty safe to say that your partner has bought her lingerie for the big day, the wedding night and for the subsequent honeymoon. What about you?

Today men are increasingly taking more care about their appearance - a large high street store survey revealed that 70 per cent of men care as much about how they look in underwear as much as women.

There are various styles, colours, fabrics and designers to choose from and what better time to refresh a tired underwear drawer than on your wedding day. It’s not all about men’s underwear being a fashion accessory, ranges are now designed using the latest fabric technology such as second skin, seamless, microfibre and modal, although cotton is still a firm favourite accounting for the largest proportion of retail sales.

Fabrics maintain menswear traditions but are interspersed with softness, shine and even transparency. Comfort, good design and being on the cutting edge of men’s fashion defines the new generation of men’s underwear. Designers are revitalising the underwear industry with sophisticated, fun, top quality underwear.

Bringing a new sense of style to what was once a purely functional part of a man’s wardrobe.

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So, when you set out to the church on your wedding day make sure you feel confident and at your best. Don’t disappoint your new wife when you get back to the honeymoon suite and when you go off on that special honeymoon make sure you have packed enough quality underwear to keep your special day alive.

Going shopping can be overwhelming at the best of times, but when it’s for such a big day, you’ll most probably need some help.

Don’t feel bad about it, it’ll be far more fun and will prevent stress-induced bad buys. This is your big moment too and you want to get it right.

Here are 20 essential tips for grooms who want to get it right on the big day: • Don’t rush into anything. Take time to read lots of magazines for inspiration. If you’re still not getting anywhere, consult a professional style councillor and ignore this guide!

• With the information gleaned from your research, set a realistic budget for your wedding outfit taking everthing into account and stick to it, rigidly.

• Start your shopping process well in advance of the wedding (preferably several months), particularly if you’re having something such as a waistcoat, frockcoat or Star Trek suit made, as your tailor will require lots of warning.

The same applies if you are hiring an outfit – you might need to make alterations which take time.

• Get yourself accuratley measured for everything from waistcoats to suits • Don’t buy anything tight fitting. It may give you bulges in all the right places but it is guaranteed to become devilishly uncomfortable after all that nuptial nosh and those bottles of bubbly.

• Buy your wedding shoes at least a month before your wedding and wear them in as you don’t want to be begging the chief bridesmaid for plasters at the reception.

Not very manly.

• Co-ordinate your outfi t to your Bride’s by asking her for small details about her own dress. Whatever you do, don’t force information out of her or make her

spill the beans if she really doesn’t want to.

• An ivory shirt looks better than a white one which can often look like something you would wear to the office.

• Make sure you wash and iron your shirt the day before so that you don’t end up with unsightly, unironable fold marks.

• Morning Suit wearers (Grooms, Best Men and Fathers of the Bride, traditionally) should remember that cravats are worn by the Groom and Best Man only. its ties for everyone else.

Sorry Dad. • Morning Suit wearers should remember that traditionally, their coat should be black in the morning and grey in the afternoon.

• Dinner Suits and black tie suits are generally reserved for formal evening do’s, although they are popular for Weddings in the U.S and abroad.

• Always leave the bottom button of your waistcoat undone.

• If you’re wearing a kilt, don’t be a true Scotsman. No undies in the presence of ladies and offi cers is very bad form.

• Your buttonhole should be made of the same fl owers as your bride’s bouquet.

• Never have a waistcoat matching your tie and handkerchief. Instead, choose a colour from the waistcoat and select your tie accordingly.

• If you’re wearing a cravat, ensure you wear a high-necked waistcoat so that the cravat can be tucked in neatly with minimal fear of escape.

• Make sure your trousers are the right length, neither too long or too short and that the sleeves of your jacket allow for an inch of the shirt cuff to be seen.

• Morning wear is not the only suit. Take on board every style of jacket available – from a lounge suit to a frockcoat or Nehru-style jacket but, above all, wear something you will feel comfortable in.

• On the morning of the ceremony, don’t go to the pub to get some dutch coarage, go have a professional shave and manicure instead. That way you’ll be just as relaxed as if you’d downed a couple of pints, you don’t risk blood on your collar and your hands will look simply lovely when you exchange rings.

YOUR Wedding

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Bridesmaids & Bridal Showers Bridesmaids’ dresses must be chosen with special care, because they will probably be the key to your whole colour scheme.

For example, if you choose a subtle mauve for the bridesmaids, you will probably end up with toning pink, mauve and purple

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bouquets and floral decorations. Men’s ties and waistcoats are likely to follow the same colour code, and even details such as candles and napkins at the reception often co-ordinate with the bridesmaids.

Little girls usually love to take part as bridesmaids or flower girls. They can wear white or ivory to match the bride’s dress, or they may wear a mini version of the older girls’ dresses.

There are many rich colours available, from purple to teal blue, providing a strong contrast with the bridal gown. Pale blue, pastel pink, cream and champagne shades offer a more subtle combination.

You may find that mums and bridesmaids can contribute their own good ideas – but always remember that the wedding is the bride’s big day, so the final decision is yours.

Historically, bridal showers started when women wanted to marry unsuitable husbands and thus their families refused to provide a dowry. Friends of the couple gathered to pitch in and make up for the lack of a dowry by helping them set up house

and crudite to an elaborate spread with a theme related to the couple. As the bride open presents, have some nice music playing in the background. Make thank-you note writing easier by picking someone to write down the gifts and their giver.

A bridesmaid is first and foremost someone who the bride wants to be a part of her wedding. Perhaps she is a sister, or a very close friend. Her friendship and support of the marriage is meaningful.

More than that, a bridesmaid and/or maid-of-honor serves a practical purpose.

During the hectic time of planning a wedding, she is a confidant, advice giver, doer of menial tasks, errand runner and more.

Today, they are a time to share stories, eat great food, and pay special attention to the bride. The shower should take place anywhere from six months before to the week of the wedding. If many guests are travelling from out of town, it may make sense to have it close to the wedding, so they can attend. Otherwise, it can be nice to have it four months or more before the wedding, so that it will add to anticipation, without adding to a bride’s last minute stress.

As for time of day, the traditional time is Sunday afternoon, but really any time day or night is fine. You’ll find that most of the party will be spent eating, laughing, telling stories and opening presents.

Food can be as simple as picnic staples

you might need advice on. Did you know the wedding party not only helps advise the bride and groom on the wedding, but also throws showers and the bachelorette party? You might also not know that you’ll have duties during the wedding itself.

If you’re having the party at home, you may want to have some bridal shower games to keep the party moving.

Being a good bridesmaid is more than just standing and looking pretty. It’s a job that has several important responsibilities that

A bride should have at least one bridesmaid (preferably the maid-ofhonor) who is reliable, cheerfully helpful, organised, and who lives close to the bride.

Bridal showers can be fun and fabulous or dull and disastrous. The difference is in the details. Spend some time thinking about themes, games, and invitations, and you’ll be guaranteed to be crowned best bridesmaids ever!

A bridal shower is a fun way for a woman’s friends and family to celebrate her, prior to the wedding. As they shower her with gifts, they prepare her to start her own household.

YOUR Wedding

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Davina’s Based in Fareham on the High Street, Davina’s has an entire room dedicated to dressing the mother of the bride or groom.

As well as outfits, the store stocks every accessory you might need to make your outfit look its absolute best. Having been part of the fashion industry for over 13 years, Davina Nunn knows exactly what can make or break an outfit. What’s more, so do her staff.

The team is built on offering fantastic customer service, it’s their watchword.

No-one is ever pressurised into buying something, but should you need any help or assistance the staff will be there to ensure you leave feeling you look absolutely stunning.

Condici and John Charles are the fastest sellers combining classical lines in jewel or pastel colours with ruched slightly younger outfits. Husbands/partners are always welcome and encouraged to participate.

With over 250 different outifts to choose from, Davina’s are confident they will help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Davina’s has the largest up-to-date selection of high quality designer wear and ladies’ fashion clothing in Hampshire.

If you are looking for a wedding outfit or special occasion wear for a day at Ascot or Henley, an investiture or royal garden party then Davina’s is for you. From cruisewear to casual designer wear, the choices are extensive with over 200 outfits to choose from by designers such as Medici, Condici Lucia Basler John Charles and Joseph Ribkoff you will be spoilt for choice.

Davina’s is located at 71 High Street, Fareham. Please call 01329 826123 to speak to a member of staff. You can also visit davinasladiesfashion.co.uk to find out more information.

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The Tithe Barn The Tithe Barn is ideally situated in 300 acres of farm land at Old Ditcham Farm.

The hamlet of Ditcham dates back to Saxon times. The lands were given to the Abbey of Durford by the Lord of the Manor of Harting in 1273. The Barn appears and disappears from maps over the centuries and the origin of the present building is shrouded in mystery. The Barn was originally of cruciate form and it has been returned to this condition.

The Tithe Barn, now listed Grade II, has had many uses over the years. Now restored to its near original state, the impressive building is offered for hire, capturing an age gone by but with modern conveniences discreetly at hand. The interior is a delight.

It is unusually grand with six huge stone arches, half hammer beams and a flagstone fl oor. The old grain bins have been opened into a balcony with the kitchen area below and cloakroom facilities in the adjoining

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stables. The barn is also fully insulated and has underfloor heating for those cooler days. The adjacent meadow is available for use in conjunction with the building. There is ample tarmac car parking available for more than 80 cars and is located close to the Barn, as well as disabled access. When hiring the Barn, a variety of suppliers can be recommended, from caterers to vintage cars, florists to entertainers.

The Barn is within easy reach of London, Guildford, Portsmouth, Winchester and Chichester.You will find it hard to find another venue that can offer you the charm and uniqueness of the Tithe Barn.

There is a stunning space in which to entertain your guests, the Barn and the adjacent meadow is exclusively yours for your special day, with access from 8am. The Tithe Barn can accommodate up to 250 guests for a seated dinner and dance.

For further information, please contact 01730 825562 or log onto tithe-barn.co.uk.

Solent Hotel

Stansted Park for excellence and quality is second to none. Everyone’s dreams and bank balances are different, so we have a selection of wedding packages, including fixed price packages to suit a variety of budgets.

You can’t wait for married life to begin - but with us you won’t want your wedding day to end.

Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or grand celebration, our reputation

With so much to think about and prepare for, organising your big day can sometimes sweep you off your feet. But here at Solent Hotel & Spa we promise to wrap your wedding up in celebratory style for you and all your guests. You’re welcome to call in to the hotel at any time but we recommend you give us a call so we can make sure there’ll be an event specialist on hand.

Erin Jordan Wedding Co-ordinator Call: 01489 880000 Email: solent.events@ shirehotels.com

At Stansted Park, the team can advise on all the arrangements at this special venue.

It is private, friendly and welcoming and you can instantly imagine your photos in this gorgeous setting. For your ceremony, the elegant Music Room looks across farreaching views into Sussex.

You can even bring in your own framed family photos to personalise the room. After a civil ceremony some couples choose a service of Blessing in

the beautiful private chapel.

Your guests are welcomed in the Main Hall. The sparkling Drawing Room is ideal for a formal wedding breakfast and the marquee lawn for evening parties is beside the terrace, with wonderful views, and dramatic sunsets. At Stansted Park, you will receive exclusive use, so you will feel relaxed and at home in this glamorous yet friendly venue.

Call (023) 9241 2265 to arrange a private wedding view, the team there would love to hear from you to help make your big day special in every way.

Weddings with a Difference Wedding packages tailored to your needs for up to 150 guests • £1500.00 worth of discount vouchers for all weddings booked • Licensed for civil ceremonies • Alfresco terrace, grounds and stunning interiors - perfect for photographs • 115 luxurious air-conditioned bedrooms and extensive Spa Treatment facilities, including outdoor hot tub ideal for pre-wedding celebrations

Fixed Price Packages

£6,000 for up to 80 day guests and 100 evening guests £4,000 for up to 50 day guests and 65 evening guests

For more information please telephone Erin Jordan, Wedding Coordinator on 01489 880000 Rookery Avenue, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 7AJ Visit our website solenthotel.com

YOUR Wedding

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Chichester Cathedral If you are looking for a venue with elegance, character and ambience, set within a unique location – then we have a choice for you to consider.

From small, intimate wedding breakfasts to receptions for up to 120, we have the perfect location to match your requirements.

The Vicars’ Hall is a medieval banqueting hall that can accommodate up to 120 guests for a wedding breakfast. Its historic ambience, medieval architecture and unique location make this venue one your guests will never forget.

George Bell House is a stunning property situated in the Cathedral precincts.

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Available for exclusive hire, the house can seat up to 32 guests in one room with an area for a disco and a bar. Alternatively the secluded, walled garden can accommodate up to 150 guests for a marquee reception.

At Chichester Cathedral we fully understand the need for careful coordination and attention to detail. You can be confident that every aspect of your reception will be taken care of by our professional team, leaving you free to enjoy every moment of your special day.

Our menus are designed to offer you a range of choices throughout the season, or if you prefer, we can tailor-make bespoke menus to suit your specifications and budget.

If you are looking for a venue with a difference, then please contact us on 01243 813586 and we will be delighted to help you create your perfect day.

I Do Venue Decor

In 2011 I Do Venue Decor was asked to provide its fantastic deluxe package for a couple after meeting them at a local Portsmouth wedding fayre.

The couple later informed them that they had in fact been selected to take part in TV’s Four Weddings, a show where four brides compete against each other and secretly score each other’s weddings on various aspects of the day.

your budget won’t stretch to an ornate stately home, I Do Venue Décor can still ensure your venue provides the wow factor.

I Do Venue Décor certainly managed to give Holly and Kieran’s wedding the wow factor as the couple’s wedding scored the highest number of points and the couple won their dream honeymoon.

Contact I Do Venue Décor on 07921354099 or visit the website at idovenuedecor.co.uk for further information about this impressive company.

I Do Venue Décor strongly believe that the decor is an extremely important part of day. Whether you have a big budget or are on a shoe string, I Do Venue Decor believes that every couple should love their venue.

Finishing touches like chair covers and beautiful centrepieces really can make the difference and even if

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Weddings on a shoestring Top tips for weddings on a budget With the average wedding now costing £17,000, many couples are now looking or ways to have a ‘celebrity’ stylish wedding, without the celebrity price tag. Here are some top tips to help you create your dream wedding on a shoestring budget: 1. Choosing The Wedding Venue: Your venue is probably going to be the single biggest wedding expense that you’ll have to pay, with many of the more popular venues charging £2,000 upwards. But you don’t need to spend this sort of money to have a fabulous venue.

Wedding Venue Cost Saving Tip: Many village halls, golf and rugby clubs have suitable rooms available for a fraction of the price. The trick is to see past the existing décor and imagine it sprinkled with hundreds of fairy lights or candles – think of Ross’s wedding on the hit show Friends that Rachel ruined!

2. Food At The Wedding: Deciding what kind of menu you want to offer for your wedding can be difficult enough without having to see the price tag that goes along with it!

Food Budget Cost Saving Tip: There are lots of ways to cut back on your food budget, and still have a memorable day. Selecting a venue where you can bring in your own caterers is often a much better value than using the existing venue catering.

You can even go as far as preparing all the food yourself, though be careful of taking too much.

3. Drinks At The Wedding: To have a free bar, or cash bar? Such a difficult question to answer. Of course, it would be fantastic to offer a free bar to all your guests, all day, but with limited funds, it’s not a realistic option for most people.

Booze Budget Cost Saving Tip: The ideal in this instance is to use a venue where you can bring your own booze.

I was lucky enough to be able to do this

Boxed Bridal - Your Memories Preserved Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life and your wedding dress is likely to be one of the most special dresses you will ever wear.

delicacy of the fabrics and the sentimental value, but the staining that can occur.

‘It doesn’t matter what the weather was like, no dress escapes unscathed. Stains can range from champagne, make up (including fake tan), mud, grass, food even rose petal confetti on the inside of the bodice and may only be minor marks but all need prompt attention.’

Recall how you felt when you were transformed into a bride with perfect hair, make up, nails and then your dress.

All the planning has resulted in the best day you have ever experienced and now the celebrations are over and thoughts turn to preserving the memories. Boxed Bridal is a specialist in wedding dress cleaning, preservation and boxing for travel.

The Boxed Bridal preservation boxes are available in four exclusive designs and a range of sizes to accommodate various dress styles. Also available are accessory boxes in matching designs suitable for your tiara, your shoes, or other wedding keepsakes.

Emma Collett, part of the Boxed Bridal team explained: ‘The main importance is to enjoy your day without worrying about your gown. Wedding dress cleaning is a real challenge. Not just because of the 20

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The boxes are manufactured from a strong sturdy pH neutral board, the perfect environment to store your dress. This offers protection from light and dust and allows for changes in humidity, all to avoid long term damage.

Find out more at boxedbridal.co.uk

at our wedding and managed to pop across to France and buy 180 bottles of wine and 240 beers, plus Pimms and cassis for under 500.

4. The Wedding Photography: Many couples feel that photography is a major part of the day and are prepared to pay upwards of 2,000 for a beautifully presented wedding album. Photographers have confirmed that it isn’t the actual photography, which is the major part of this expense, but printing and preparation of the formal wedding albums.

Photography Cost Saving Tip: Many photographers are prepared to attend your wedding day and then provide you with a DVD of your photos for around 600. With the DVD, you can then use some of the fantastic online services to prepare your own ‘Photo Book’ - costing much less. Or, as many guests will no doubt have digital cameras with them, combine place cards with little notes asking them to share their wedding photos on your online directory.

The Hit Squad If you are looking for a professional DJ with music from the ‘50s to the present day - then maybe you should hire the Hit Squad!

A top quality professional DJ or a quality wedding band will make your wedding party a big success. The entertainment is as important as having icing on the wedding cake - it is something that guests will speak about long after the event, so it is essential you hire someone who can do not just a reliable and professional job, but also a memorable one.

The Hit Squad only uses top quality professional DJs and performers. Jezz Baker set up the business in 1999, having

The One Stop Party Shop worked as a DJ for nearly 20 years. He said: ‘Some people try to cut costs by employing a cheap DJ but when the evening comes, they are often let down by the DJ not having the music people want.

‘We at the Hit Squad believe every wedding is different.

‘We cater individually for each party to ensure we play the music that the people at the party, especially the bride and groom, want played.’

The shows provided by the Hit Squad are supplied with quality performers, sound and lighting equipment and a quality selection of music from the 1950s to current chart hits. For that perfect day, don’t ask the amateurs - hire The Hit Squad!

For further information, visit its website at www.the-hit-squad.co.uk or call (023) 9283 3299.

Are you getting married and wondering where to start? The One Stop Party Shop has the answer.

It is able to supply everything from magical photo-booths right the way through to the finer details including stationery and table decoration.

All its colleagues are fully conversant with the wedding market and can provide good honest advice on everything from cars to venues.

Working closely with the cottage industries, it is able to showcase a broad spectrum of the best providers on the south coast and can advise on any number of services to

meet any budget.

The exceptionally talented team can create stunning balloon arches and scintillating floral displays created to your exact specification.

With in-house entertainment and photographers, The One Stop Party Shop can create fantastic value packages for a complete stress free day, all you have to provide is your clothes!

Anything that you may desire for your wedding The One Stop Party Shop can transform you dreams to reality.

The specialist photographers will capture that magic for you with prices from as little as £99.

Call (023) 9247 7966 or 08456 424242 for further information.

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Fabulous Flowers What would a wedding be like without the riot of colour and the fabulous fragrances?

Top tips for fabulous flowers

Organising the flowers is an integral part of wedding planning and, given the wide choice, it can be one of the most challenging.

• Take a drawing or photograph of your dress with you to show the florist.

Different styles of bouquet work better with different styles of dress.

As well as the huge variety of blooms, there are various styles of bouquet to select from. Hand-tied short stemmed flowers are popular and many brides decide to have loose-tied long stem arrangments.

• Also take a swatch of fabric from the bridesmaid dresses so that the florist can make sure the colours of the flowers they buy complement your overall wedding’s colour scheme.

For those who wish to have a more traditional style the teardrop and formal posy are good options.

• If you are on a budget try to use flowers that are in season, as these will cost less.

• Make sure you like the fragrance of the flowers you choose as well as the way they look. Your venue will be fi lled with their scent. Lilies are a great choice in this respect.

• Decide on your budget before you order your flowers. Flowers can be more expensive than you think, so try to get a rough idea of how much you will need to spend on each area.

• If you are adventurous mix bold colours like hot pink and lime green. Your fl orist will be able to give you advice on what will look best.

• Young bridesmaids could carry baskets, or have wrist bands or fl oral head bands with the same flowers you have in your bouquet.

• You could consider using plants in attractive pots as centre pieces for the tables. Not only are these better value, you could give them out as gifts to people who have helped your big day to be special.

• If you want to throw a bouquet to your single guests during the evening ceremony, it’s worth considering ordering a ‘throwing bouquet’. This will be a smaller and cheaper version of your flowers. It will also be lighter to avoid anyone getting hurt. Alternatively, you could throw one of the bridesmaid’s bouquets.

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Bridal Flowers Direct A perfect wedding day is every bride’s dream but tighter financial constraints have meant that they are looking to reduce costs by sourcing better value.

wholesale prices and then simply pay an additional makeup fee for any arrangements you wish to be professionally put together.

Bridal Flowers Direct can supply wedding flowers at wholesale prices, ensuring you do not have to compromise on quality or quantity.

Employing formally-trained florists, they are able to design and create stunning bouquets, buttonholes and table arrangements as well as church and venue decorations.

Bridal Flowers Direct is based in Horndean.

Nursery Fresh, the parent company, is well-known for providing flowers to prestigious events both locally and nationally, having been sole suppliers to festivals in Westminster Abbey, Chichester, Guildford, Portsmouth and Salisbury Cathedrals and appointed sole suppliers to Hampton Court Palace in 2012.

The costs are transparent as you buy all the flowers at

For brides wishing to arrange their own flowers, Bridal Flowers Direct can supply all the flowers, foliage and floral sundries needed to create stunning venue, church and bridal party displays.

Call (023) 9259 1422 or see bridalflowersdirect. com

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Hitch A Lift

Lawnswood Limousines

How you arrive and leave your wedding is just as important and memorable as your cake or wedding dress.

Sovereign is a very popular choice and is longer than the standard Jaguar and equipped with a leather interior.

Or you could arrive like royalty, in a 1964 Rolls Royce Silvercloud III. The bodywork was built by James Young and is thought to be one of only 12 vehicles he built.

So arrive in style - whether it be in a 1930’s Austin Taxi, a 1955 Citroen Traction Avant or a 1961 Ford Zephyr.

These are just a few of the classic cars available for his through Farlington-based Hitch A Lift.

See the full range at hitchalift.info or call (023) 9237 5611 for a quote.

It also has a 1980 Checker Cab for hire. This bright yellow New York taxi was in fact never used in the USA as it was built for a film producer, but could ‘taxi’ you to your wedding!

Looking like something out of a Bond movie, the 1989 Jaguar

Lawnswood Limousines, established in 1967, has supplied luxury wedding and chauffeur-driven cars to the people of the Portsmouth area for over 40 years.

The company boasts Portsmouth’s largest operator-owned fleet of cars including vintage and classic Rolls Royce, Daimlers, Jaguars, Mercedes and American stretched limousines.

Most cars are available in pairs or with matching colour ways, so the whole groups can arrive in colour co-ordinated style!

As well as weddings Lawnswood can supply luxury chauffeured cars and stretched limousines for hen and stag nights, London trips for shows/theatre, concerts or shopping, anniversaries, birthdays, proms and graduations, meal returns, VIP and corporate travel, airport/ cruise liner transfers, children’s parties, sporting events (such as horse races, rugby and football matches, Wimbledon) - for all special events!

It is a family-owned business, now based in Cornaway Lane

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in Portchester and has its own showroom, workshop and garaging facilities to keep the cars pristine. And you are very welcome to view the fleet.

The management takes pride in their attention to detail, with smart and courteous, fully-uniformed chauffeurs driving impeccably clean cars, featuring deep pile rugs, silk floral decorations and with white or coloured ribbons of your choice. Chilled champagne can be arranged on request (at an extra cost).

It is the little details which makes this caring company stand out, such as making two trips to the church, at no extra cost, if required providing the church is within five minutes of the pick-up address, so everyone can arrive in style.

And all cars carry large white umbrellas should the weather try to dampen your day. In unlikely event of a car problem on the day, due to the size of the fleet an emergency back up car service is available and all drivers carry mobile phones.

So you see, by choosing Lawnswood you can be sure your wedding day transport arrangements will run without a hitch.

Log onto www.llcars.co.uk or call (013) 2951 5515 for further information.

Cakes One of the main events of your wedding day will be when you get to cut your wedding cake in front of all your friends and family.

Your wedding cake will sit beautifully throughout your wedding reception and will be gazed upon by everyone as you cut that very first slice as husband and wife. It is common when choosing a wedding cake to match it up with your wedding colour theme or wedding style.

Some couples opt for the traditional tiered wedding cake, where as others are a little more adventurous and go for a unique wedding cake or even cupcake wedding cakes which are easy to distribute.

Wedding cakes vary in price and should be ordered well in advance of your big day.

Normally the wedding cake designer would bring the wedding cake to the wedding venue on the day of your wedding to set

it up appropriately. Alternatively if you are buying your wedding cake from a supermarket or baking your wedding cake yourself you can arrange to have it brought to your venue the day before or morning of your wedding so the staff can set it up for you. Not only will you need to consider what style of wedding cake to choose, but you will also need to decide on what to have as a filling. For variety, some couples have the different tiers of their wedding cake created in different flavours.

Wedding cake fillings can consist of sponge, chocolate, vanilla, carrot, cheesecake or even chocolate fudge cake. Having different fillings in your wedding cake is great for giving your wedding guest a choice on your reception buffet, or if you are serving your wedding cake as dessert.

Traditionally the wedding cake was cut up during the reception and then sent home with guests in cake boxes or bags at the end of the evening, but nowadays wedding cake is served throughout the evening reception buffet for guests to enjoy.

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Entertainment & Planning The first rule for a successful choice of wedding music must be to choose music which fits in with the atmosphere you want for the ceremony, but only have music that you would enjoy listening to in your own home.

So, if you only ever listen to popular music, don’t feel that you must have classical music on your big day just because you think it is the ‘done thing’. If you are getting married in a church, bear in mind that most churches use hymns written in popular styles, so ministers are unlikely to refuse anything as long as the words are suitable.

Musicians enjoy being challenged to play unfamiliar items, and given the huge repertoire of songs to be found on the

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internet as MIDI files, they should be able to find the items you want and even create their own scores to play from. Whatever pieces you choose, unless you already know them well, try to listen to them a few times before the wedding so that when the day comes they really mean something to you.

The second rule is to take your time and do your homework. If you go to your musician expecting to make a choice within a single session, the chances are you will go for the first items played to you that you happen to like. If you hear several pieces you like, you will find it hard to choose between them on the spot. Of course, you can never make the perfect choice.

There are thousands of pieces you might like if you had the chance to hear them, but that you have not yet heard because you don’t have the CD, or your musician either does not know them or has not had time to play them.

The first music you are likely to need is for

when the guests assemble, in church or other ceremony location. For this it is best to let the musician(s) choose something to suit the atmosphere. For a civil ceremony, discreet improvised `hotel foyer-type` music works well, as it can be played for as long as needed, and adapted to the background noise level from the number of people present at any time. However, set pieces may be included if desired, perhaps just before the bride is scheduled to enter - but remember that if the bride arrives late the musicians will have a gap to fill and the continuity may be spoilt.

Music for the bride’s entrance should always put over its message in a short time - unless you are getting married in a cathedral, it will not take long for the bride to get from the door to the altar, or to the registrar’s table. When choosing hymns for a church wedding, try to find ones that really mean something to you.

The signing of the register and photographs usually takes around five minutes, and may take longer at civil weddings, where

guests are often invited to come up and take photos after the official photographer has finished. The music chosen should therefore collectively be capable of covering this period. If in doubt, choose music that might be too long, and ask the musicians to cut it short if needed.

Music for the exit of bride and groom should be long enough to also cover the exit of most of the guests. Tastes vary greatly on this - some couples may like something `light and bright’, similar to the music the bride might enter to, others may like something grand and stirring, and yet others might like something romantic.

This is usually the hardest music to choose, and where the church organ comes into its own. If you are having other instruments playing, avoid anything that forces them to play at maximum volume to create enough noise. Otherwise, if you are just having piano, you might end up with something that sounds like the accompaniment to a silent film!

This year’s Top 30 songs for your wedding reception (as suggested by www.hitched.co.uk): 1.

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Abba - Dancing Queen Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head

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Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive Dexy’s Midnight Runners Come on Eileen Madonna - Holiday Dee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart S Club 7 - Don’t Stop Moving Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Robbie Williams - Rock DJ Village People - YMCA Bee Gees/Steps - Tragedy Sophie Ellis Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor B52’s - Love Shack Bee Gees - Staying Alive Ce Ce Penniston - Finally Nelly - Hot In Here Donna Summer - I Feel Love Modjo - Lady Hear Me Tonight What - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Underworld - Born Slippy Spiller (featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor) - Groovejet House of Pain - Jump Around Madonna - Vogue Gap Band - Oops Upside You Head Fatboy Slim - Rockerfella Skank Sister Sledge - We Are Family Michael Jackson - Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough Stardust - Music Sounds Better Blondie - Heart of Glass Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Portsmouth Marriott Hotel Be confident your wedding will be everything you imagined. From small intimate gatherings to grander celebrations, the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel is picture perfect. Walk down the aisle in style, the hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies and can host weddings on any day of the week.

We can host your entire day from start to finish, with beautiful ballrooms, worldclass cuisine, an extensive leisure club and spa, and a garden area for photographs and drinks, your day will be a memorable occasion.

Our experienced and dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator is always on hand to help with your special day. With the emphasis on careful planning and attention to detail,

all weddings at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel are individually planned. We offer bespoke wedding breakfast and evening reception packages offering great value food and drink options.

Take some time out ahead of your big day and pamper yourself with divine beauty therapies, including soothing massages, nourishing facials, aromatic body wraps and rejuvenating treatments.

Your perfect day ends in total luxury with a deluxe bedroom. For the ultimate extravagance, upgrade to the elegant Bridal Suite, with spectacular views over Portchester Castle, spacious lounge area, spa bath and contemporary four poster bed, make a truly memorable start to your new life together.

Wedding packages are available from £2013, for more information please contact our experienced and dedicated Wedding Coordinator, Emily on 02392 316 126 who will be happy to help.

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Honeymoon Heaven Newlywed Sarah O’Meara returns to earth with a gentle bump and plenty of sighs on the tropical island of St Lucia.

Lying flat on my back in the nose of a plane, my stomach full of bubbles, I soared towards St Lucia. Still fizzing with postwedding excitement and a little tipsy from drinking champagne at altitude in Virgin’s Upper Class, I noted this current state of stressed euphoria had become rather too normal during the last 18 months of wedding planning. It was definitely time to come down to earth and thankfully the Caribbean island I’d chosen for my honeymoon was just eight hours away.

Waking with the sun – it’s hard not to when a room has no fourth wall – we spent our first hours watching the morning light warm the pink clouds, and then fl ood the Pitons, two beautiful points of 250,000-year-old volcanic rock that are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the focal point of tourism on the southern coast of St Lucia.

Orlando and his family, it turns out, live just fi ve miles from our south London home, and he’s back four times a year.

After three days of dawdling in our exotic treehouse-style room, two stunning meals and one Anti Stress Massage treatment at the Ti Kai Pose Spa (Little House of Rest) later, we were off to Anse Chastanet.

Over dinner the following night, with the hotel owner’s daughter, we discovered the original developer of the site (American yachtsman and architect John DiPol) sailed into port during the Sixties and spent a year-and-a-half walking along the densely forested ridge, overlooking the Pitons, looking for ways to design buildings with a glass-fronted view. As he cut down plants

Just 20 minutes along the bumpy, winding main road of St Lucia, is a resort entirely different in tone, stretching from the beach up the mountain. Vividly painted walls, bold local artwork and staff with dazzling smiles follow you around this beach-side, feelgood hotel where you only have to poke your head in the water to see a village of cartoon-like fi shes going about their business on a pink coral reef. Or a blur of saltwater if you forget to put on your complimentary snorkelling gear.

As soon as my husband-to-be had proposed, I just knew I wanted to go back to the lush tropical island of St Lucia. So much so that I booked the flights before the wedding venue. A trip years earlier had left a lasting impression and I wanted to revel in that warm air, with the hint of an approaching storm, those glorious beaches and that palm-tree fringed vista again.

But as the kind of neurotic who asks her dinner companion to order a dish she wants on the menu so she doesn’t miss out, I couldn’t decide on just the one hotel for our 10-day stay. Was it to be the luxuriously vegetative and vertiginous retreat of Ladera, nestled in the St Lucian hills overlooking the island’s famous volcanic rock peaks, the Pitons; the ethnic, beach-based bliss of the colourful Anse Chastanet resort, or time at Jade Mountain hotel, a floating collection of walkways, infi nity pools and pristine views, held together in an space station-style vision of architectural glamour? Of course I couldn’t choose. So I opted for all three.

There was a scent of Disney magic in the air as my husband and I entered the Ladera resort. Making our way up to our Hillside Dream Suite, 1,100ft above the Caribbean sea, through groggy eyes we noted yellowbellied fi nches hopping along mahogany wood banisters, before collapsing on to a huge four-poster bed.

Like slugging deeply on a gin and tonic, the room had a medicinal effect. We succumbed our to the cool water of the room’s pool (oh, yes) and then sank even deeper into unconsciousness. It was just 5.30pm St Lucian time.

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Our cottage-like, whitewashed room with original painted canvases and an 180-degree open-air view curving from the Pitons round to a sunset-ready horizon, was a subtle work of art. Spacious with wooden louvred windows and low, colourful, comfortable furniture, it fi lled with a yellow, sunny warmth every morning and was an ideal pad from which to launch ourselves towards a slightly more active section of the honeymoon. St Lucia is one of the world’s premier dive sites and somehow my husband and I had both picked up the art of scuba diving during our busy lives.

with a machete, he realised the winds blew exclusively east to west, meaning no rogue gust would ever upset a room’s contents and consequently built them without windows.

Dinner at Ladera’s restaurant, Dasheene, was also where we enjoyed our fi rst taste of authentic Caribbean food and heard the story of chef Orlando Satchell. The Birmingham-born cook, of Caribbean parents, came to the island 12 years ago (when he heard they had no decent local food) and set about turning this restaurant into a must-eat destination.

After a meal of blackened mahi mahi served on a sweet potato cake with pineapple relish, and grilled rack of lamb seasoned with island spices served with a rum barbecue sauce, eaten in the company of loud local frogs, we had discovered a new respect for his food and vowed to eat more on returning home.

Producing professional-looking certifi cation cards at the scuba centre on our fi rst morning, we looked at each other warily. It seemed odd our fi rst ‘activity’ together as a married couple should be something we’d never done together before.

Heading out with the instructor for a quick refresher session, I decided that if my new hubbie did turn out to be an extreme sports fantasist, we would still have the memories of Ladera. Luckily the happy couple were still happy while giggling over a silky smooth goat curry later that day. In fact you can substitute happy for smug. After we’d been diving (very successfully and often holding hands), we’d snorkelled the afternoon away above Anse Chastanet’s mesmerising off-shore reef and were now basking in the glow of a well-spent honeymoon day at our candlelit beach dinner – complete with personal waiter.

After three more days of snorkelling, swimming and drinking gin at the beach

(not a combination recommended by the resort), we were ready for our final adventure: Jade Mountain.

About a decade ago the architect behind Anse Chastanet, Nick Trobetzsky, decided to extend - but he didn’t just add a room or two. Excavating tonnes of earth out of the side of the hill just metres away from the still working resort, he planned an expression of retro luxury. On our first night floating in our infinity pool, eyes wide, drinking in the spectacle above us, we thanked our lucky stars.

‘If the Jetsons built a hotel, it would be like this,’ my partner offered, referring to Jade Mountain’s bold, Frank Lloyd Wright-style curving, layered structure and its distinctly retro-futuristic vibe.

‘Or Charlie Sheen,’ I add, referring to my constant need to drink gin while holidaying in such a decadent playpen.

Almost all the Jade Mountain rooms are reached by personal walkways, often tens of metres high above the ground. In the fashion of a grounded Caribbean space station, we could see fellow inhabitants following similar paths to their own rooms (sorry, sanctuaries) like tourists reporting for their daily swim, cocktail and sunset missions.

Jade Mountain has no lobby or real reception. You are simply introduced to your major-domo who becomes your front desk and best friend. Whether you need a shuttle to the beach, fl ight times checked or restaurant reservation confirmed (it’s amazing how many little jobs crop up while doing ostensibly nothing), they’re on hand.

And while Jade Mountain really needs no cherry, the fact that chef Jonathan Dearden is creating some truly perfect fusion food in the intimate restaurant which sits on top doesn’t damage your experience.

I now know how I count the ways I love my husband. It starts with Coconut Spiced King Fish and is shortly followed by Pina Colada Shrimp, Dorade Ceviche and a Local Conche curry. If all of that was always on the menu, my love would remain very strong indeed.

KEY FACTS - ST LUCIA BEST FOR: Romantic, chilled holidays with fun watersports.

TIME TO GO: Year-round, although June to November are wetter months and temperature rises.

DON’T MISS: Romantic dinner at Jade Mountain.

NEED TO KNOW: There isn’t much going on outside of the resorts.

DON’T FORGET: High-factor sun screen and a great bikini.

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Wedding Organiser 18 months to go...

 Book a hotel for the wedding night

1 month to go...

 Check out wedding gift list services  Choose the wedding venue and book a date  Choose and book the venue for the reception  Approach the best man and the bridesmaids and make sure they can keep the date free  Set your budget  Compile your guest list  Check out and ideally book photographers, caterers, florists and car hire

 Shop for groom and best man’s outfits

3 months to go...  Arrange vaccinations for your honeymoon  Apply for your post-dated passport and visa if you need one  If you are marrying in a register office, confirm your booking

 Look into arranging wedding insurance

 If you are marrying in a church, arrange a rehearsal ceremony

 Book the entertainment

 Shop for your going-away outfit and honeymoon clothes  Order your flowers

12 months to go...  Start shopping for your bridale gown and lingerie. Also look at bridesmaids’ dresses

 Consult with the hairdresser and beautician and book your appointments for the day  Place your wedding gift list with the store of your choice

 Chase up invitation which have not been returned  Work out the seating plan and write place cards  Arrange stag night and hen party  Finalise transport arrangements and time a dummy run to the wedding venue  Book a manicure for the day before your wedding. Have your final dress fitting

2 weeks to go  Confirm number of guests with your caterer  Confirm bookings with florist, photographer/video operator, cars, cake, church, reception etc  Order your travellers cheques and foreign currency

 Book your honeymoon. You can travel under your married name without amending your passport if you take your marriage certificate with you or you can apply for a postdated passport up to three months in advance. These options may cause problems when applying for visas for some countries, so check with the relevant consulates before you decide which name to book the tickets in

 Book hired outfits

 ‘Wear-in’ your wedding shoes at home

 Choose and order wedding favours

 Have stag night and hen party

2 months to go

1 week to go

 Send out your invitations

 Make sure the best man has money to pay the church minister, keys

 Order the wedding cake

 Arrange local overnight accommodation for the guests that need it

 Order the invitations and other stationary (service sheets, thank-you cards, place cards etc)  Order your wedding flowers and book your wedding date with the florist

 Buy the wedding rings

 Send details of your wedding list to those who request it  Write thank-you cards as gifts begin to arrive

 Start shopping for wedding rings

 Buy presents for the bridesmaids, ushers and the best man

6 months to go...

 Buy your wedding shoes and underwear for the first dress fitting

 If you’re making your own fruit cake, bake it now  Arrange your order of service and choose hymns if you’re getting married in a church 30

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 Have your first dress fitting  Book any beauty treatments you want before your big day  Finalise food and drink menus with your caterers

 Have your wedding rehearsal  Pack for your honeymoon  Make sure morning suits have been collected  Wrap gifts for the bridesmaids, ushers and best man  Arrange for someone to take the bridal gown home after the wedding.

The best man should be responsible for the groom’s clothes and return them if hired

On the day  Honeymoon luggage needs to be taken to your first night hotel  Wedding gifts should be carefully packed and taken to your home  Make sure enough wedding cake is saved and sent to those who couldn’t attend  Most importantly - enjoy yourself!

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Saturday 15th June

visit jpsouthevents.co.uk or call 02392 622206 for details of how to enter or sponsor these awards.

Gala dinner where our winners and runners-up will be revealed.

&

HAIR BEAUTY

jpsouthevents.co.uk

AWARDS2013