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8 Pages of Wedding Advice

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Weddings

Clifford Vale Photography www.cliffordvale.com 01473 425220

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5 Ideas for Creative and Unusual Wedding Cakes As the centerpiece of your reception, wedding cakes are a bride's opportunity to make a major style statement. But many brides don't particularly like the taste of wedding cake, and some simply prefer to serve something a little more distinctive for the dessert course. Looking for something different? Browse these ideas for a refreshing spin on the traditional wedding cake.

1. Break the Mold

3. Blinged out Baked Goods

Cupcakes and doughnuts are trendy alternatives to traditional wedding cakes, but good old jelly might be the most creative new option. When molded into cake form with a touch of class and ingredients like tropical fruit, champagne, and lychee, the family picnic favorite can be transformed into an elegant and refreshingly light treat perfect for a summer or outdoor wedding. Plus, it's bound to be an instant conversation starter. Love the idea? Present it to your caterer to recreate it.

When it comes to wedding day bling, bejeweled brides have some competition. Now your cake can don jewellery too! That's right, the latest adornments to hit wedding cakes are hand-made Swarovski Crystal Cake Jewellery. Design a sparkilicious cake bedecked with crystal monograms, hearts, flowers or butterflies.

2. Wedding Cakes Made of Cheese Scattered plates with barely nibbled pieces of wedding cake are an all-too-familiar sight at receptions. If you want to serve a dessert your guests will actually eat, consider a wedding "cake" made of cheese. Literally a cake made of cheese stacked in tiers and decorated to look like a wedding cake.

Adornments like foliage, grapes, berries, nuts, and flowers transform a creamy Lancashire or unpasteurised cheddar into an elaborate wedding cake that can match your decor scheme.

4. Flavourful Fountains Chocolate fountains in lieu of wedding cakes have been done. So put a new spin on the chocolate fountain with a colourful, flowing display of fruit coulis, which is that powerfully tangy syrup made from raspberries, mangoes, or other fruits and often comes drizzled over something like a flourless chocolate cake. In its fountain form, dip brownies, shortbread, and other cakes and cookies for a sweet, fruity treat.

The English Cheesecake Company Ltd www.englishcheesecake.com

5. Cake Fake Out If you like the look of iced tiers, but want something truly surprising, have rich, velvety gourmet cheesecakes stacked and decorated like a traditional wedding cake. Your guests will be none the wiser until it is time to slice up.

— Cori Russell —

From Buttonholes to Bouquets – Emma has it sorted At Emma’s Florist they realise the importance of your "special day" and can provide you with expertise to ensure that your wedding flowers will stand out as much as you do.

The florist, based in Ipswich, can help you with everything from your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids flowers to headdresses and buttonholes, advising you on styles and colours to enhance the theme of your wedding whilst working with you as to your expectations and budget.

Emma and her staff at the shop are

more than happy to discuss your requirements for your big day. The team at Emma’s Florist have a wealth of experience and will listen to your ideas and then guide you though the many flower and colour choices available, so that your wedding flowers are perfect for you.

For more information about the many choices on offer at Emma’s Florist you can visit the shop in nacton Road, Ipswich or their website at www.emmasflorist.com or you can call Emma and her team on 01473 272747.

Top your outfit off with a hat Ladies Hatz provides a personal service to find that perfect hat or fascinator - or even have one made - for your special day whether it be a wedding, christening or the races.

At Ladies Hatz they are able to offer very sensible prices to beat many high street stores. Located just a few miles out of Ipswich with plenty of free parking, Ladies Hatz have a good stock of well known hat makers...Jacques Vert, Diana, Suzanne Bettley, Debenhams, Failsworth, Peter Bettley, Kangol, Philip Treacy, Eastex, Gina Bacconi, Condici, BHS, M & S, John Lewis and many more.

With so many colours and styles available it is hard to list them all but the aim is to match a hat or fascinator to your outfit, with you not having to take out a mortgage to buy it!

Ladies Hatz works on an appointment basis - so they have time to give you personal service to find that perfect hat or fascinator. At Ladies Hatz they can advise you and help you choose - but feel free to bring a friend too as that sometimes helps you make a decision. Try Ladies Hatz first...save on hunting around and parking in town... You will not be disappointed! Call for an appointment today!

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Choosing a Wedding Dress to Suit Your Body Shape For any bride, their wedding dress is perhaps the most important part of their wedding day. The dress has to be elegant, sophisticated and utterly unforgettable. So it’s no surprise that choosing the right outfit can be an incredibly stressful experience.

As a colour, white can be tricky to pull off. That’s why choosing a dress that suits your body shape is essential. You need to know how to show off your best bits on your special day. But how does a bride identify what shape their body is? And once armed with this knowledge, how should they dress for the occasion?

styles tend to flatter. An empire-style dress that pinches in at the hips before flowing outwards in an A-line shape is a good choice, as long as the skirt isn’t overly long. Examples of things to avoid are; halternecks, straight cut dresses and also gathered or pleated skirts, as you should avoid adding any unneeded excess around the hips.

Triangle Shaped This shape is typical amongst taller women, with their shoulders wider than the hips and a fairly flat chest.

Although some triangle shaped women fear their broader shoulders somehow lack femininity, this is actually an incredibly desirable shape. The majority of supermodels are this shape, meaning almost any catwalk or high street fashion is suited to this body type.

Straight cut dresses can give a very sophisticated look, and extravagant ball gown styles can look spectacular.

A higher cut neckline balances shoulders and hips, flattering a smaller chest. Details around the hips can add shapeliness, but do avoid overly intricate sleeves, and wide or low cut necklines can broaden the shoulders too much

Hourglass Figure Apple Shaped If you carry your weight around the waist, but are blessed with great legs and/or boobs, you are the owner of an apple shaped body. Fortunately, there are lots of options to get you looking and feeling great on your wedding day.

Look for a dress that draws attention your best features. For bigger bust sizes, a plunging neckline will accentuate the cleavage, whilst lengthening the neck. Choosing a plunging neckline is an even more effective tactic if you decide to go strapless. An aline skirt can look great if you’ve got the legs for it, but you should avoid high neck lines, and any boxy jackets.

If your shoulders and hips are roughly the same width, but you benefit from a defined waist, you have the fabled hourglass figure. According to convention, this is often considered the most desirable body shape, and one of the most easy to dress. But it can be very easy to get wrong when choosing a dress.

Choose any type of low, wide or plunging neckline, as this will show off a defined waist well. If you’ve got any wobbly bits your not comfortable having on show, look for a dress that will disguise any insecurities you may have. Don’t waste your curves with a straight cut dress, and an empire style in particular will waste your best features, choose something that nips in at the waist to show off your smallest part.

Square/Rectangular A rectangular shape is defined by shoulders and hips being roughly the same width, but without much waist definition. There is a surprising amount of scope for different styles with this body shape, as the only real issue is with adding hip definition.

A v-shape leading down to the waist is useful in that it creates the illusion of a smaller waist. A fairly full skirt with a structured bodice can also add extra definition. Empire line styles can work particularly well. Keep necklines wide and use detailing either above or below the waist, not both.

There are some rules that are pretty much set in stone when choosing a flattering dress. But on the whole, these are guidelines, not gospel. It is possible to find a dress that breaks convention and still looks fantastic. But using the above rules of thumb should speed up the process of finding the perfect dress for your big day.

Gemma Halliwell • All dresses from the Mori Lee 2013 Collection available from Jewellery Box Felixstowe

Pear Shaped If you’re skinny on top and heavier on the bottom, with a J-Lo bum and larger thighs, you are the proud owner of a pear shaped body. Most women consider this shape undesirable, and the most difficult to dress. However, many men would beg to differ.

As with Apple shaped bodies, v-necks and strapless

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Free Wedding Disc Package 10 things to think Top Tips for One Lucky Couple about for your Wedding Clifford Vale Photography is offering a free Wedding Disc Package to the couple who submit the most deserving story as to why they should receive this fantastic prize.

Stories must be submitted to info@cliffordvale.com by 14th February 2013.

After the initial few weeks of feeling on top of the world after you have decided to get married, it is then time to get down to the real hard work and actually start planning your big day. There is so much to organise, book, sort and decide that it can all get a little bit overwhelming, especially when you look at the financial costs as well.

The Wedding Disc Package includes coverage from the bridal preparations through to the wedding breakfast, ensuring every moment of this special day is captured.

location that everyone, including yourself, is happy with is going to be a nightmare.

Many people will either get married in their home town or go back to a place they used to live, with thousands of possibilities and locations for you to choose from. The amount of people getting married abroad has risen in the past ten years, with travel and accommodation getting cheaper, but this is something that might not suit all of your guests.

Carl Clifford, of Clifford Vale Photography, is flexible in his approach, and will take photos in the style/s you choose.

‘You may prefer natural as it happens shots, classic images, modern moments, or a combination of all three!’

To complement this package, Clifford Vale Photography provides hand-crafted albums or stunning storybooks that keep the memories alive each time you turn a page. Prices start from £279.

Carl has over 20 years’ experience of wedding photography at locations throughout East Anglia, and is a Licentiate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (LSWPP).

• For more information and a free consultation call 01473 425220 / 07920 114474, or email info@cliffordvale.com. To view an online portfolio of work visit www.cliffordvale.com.

Below, we take a look at our top ten things to think about when planning your wedding, taking a look at the things you really need to get straight in your mind to make your big day a massive success.

LOCATION – If you have family spread out over the country then choosing a

VENUE – From Churches to Football Stadiums, you can literally get married anywhere these days so you will not have a problem when it comes to finding a venue, unless you leave it too late of course. Although churches are still one of the most popular places to get married, many more people get married in hotels, marquees and other readily available places these days.

ACCOMMODATION – If you are going to hang around before shooting off on your honeymoon then you will need accommodation and so will your guests, so you need to try and sort out a range of options for everyone to stay. If you go for a luxury hotel then you have to bear in mind that some of your guests might not be able to afford this, so it’s well worth offering a range of options that everyone can afford to stay over should they want to.

CATERING

– With so many medical conditions, allergies and fussy eaters, catering for all of your guests has never been harder, so this aspect of your wedding might involve you having to really spend some time thinking about it. You also need to think about whether you will have a sit down and served meal or whether a self service buffet might fit your requirements better and with so many options to choose from this could take some time!

INSURANCE – Many people over look wedding insurance and yet it is crucial you at least consider having this kind of insurance and have a look at some quotes. A good insurance product can help to protect many things with regards to your wedding, including cancellation costs, any damage that occurs and also if any of your third parties should go bust before your big day.

GUESTS – When you have decided how many people you will be inviting, you then need to sit and down and work out who is coming, where they are going to sit, what they are going to eat and all the other minor decisions you have to make when holding any kind of event like this. Many people will invite a selection of people to the wedding and then more people to their evening party, as this helps to keep the cost down and means you do not have to have a huge venue for your actual wedding.

PRESENTS – Most weddings have a “wish list” where the guests can go along and choose a present that the bride and groom actually want, which can stop them ending up with ten toasters and three cushions. Most leading department stores offer a wedding list service which allows guests to buy a present and when that present is purchased it is removed from the list, meaning the happy couple only get what they really want.

WEDDING APPAREL – The brides dress and the groom’s suit needs to be purchased and the bridesmaids all need to be dressed in clothing that you want for your big day, so this is something else that needs to be organised. Gone are the days when you need to spend thousands on a wedding dress, with many of the supermarkets and department stores now offering cheaper alternatives that still look amazing.

TRANSPORT – You need to decide how the bride and family will be getting to the place where you are due to be married. Will you be going for a traditional limousine or are you going to have a full blown horse and cart solution? No matter what kind of transport you opt for, it is vital that you book it early to get the best choice and also try to get an early booking discount.

RINGS – Don’t forget to buy the rings! To symbolise the joining together of two people, it is traditional to swap rings at a wedding, which is normally at the closing end of the wedding ceremony. There are hundreds of shops that you can buy jewellery from, but do go and make sure they fit perfectly first else it could be a tight squeeze when it comes to placing them on the fingers on your wedding day.

— Ian Spencer —

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The Perfect Wedding Gift A wedding celebration is one of the finest celebrations that any one can experience.

If you're invited to a wedding you'll want to arrive with a wedding gift that is sure to bring a smile to the face of the bride and groom.

There are many types of wedding gifts that you can choose from but you'll want to take your time deciding before you make your final choice. Take some time to ask yourself what the bride and groom might like. If you know them well enough you can buy them a more personal gift, such as framed pictures that mean something to them. If you're don't know much about the personal tastes of the newly married couple you'll want to stick with wedding gifts that are more wide in range, such as small appliances, bottles of wine, or bedding.

Make sure that you find out if there is a gift list and where it is, since this is a great way to get the bride and groom something that they really want.

You'll want to wrap wedding gifts as creatively as you can to make an added impression for the couple. You can have the wrapping done professionally or you can buy fancy wrapping paper and do it yourself, adding bows and ribbons as adornment.

Take the gift to the reception, where someone will be on hand to take the gift from you and add it to the other presents.

Wedding gifts are a big part of the wedding celebration and you can do your part by bringing along a gift that the new couple will remember for a life-time.

Bus is just the ticket!

Planning THE Wedding of YOUR Dreams?

THE Wedding Fayre....! has been running inspirational quality wedding exhibitions for over 12 years and aims to present vibrant, well organised fayres at some of the very best wedding venues in the region. Because your BIG DAY is all about the small details. Event organiser Sharon Donaldson says, “I am thrilled to be working with such an excellent venue and superb wedding suppliers this Spring” On Sunday 17th March The Barrandov Opera at Needham Market is the truly unique venue where THE Wedding Fayre...! will be showcasing up to 30 wedding experts to help you plan YOUR perfect day.

This beautiful restored barn, which is home to one of the only private operas in the country, is set in acres of rolling countryside and has tranquil bridal and guest suites, wonderful rose gardens and a lake with black swans. Perfect for the wedding of your dreams.

There will be live music with both an internationally renowned harpist and a wonderful string quartet to keep you beautifully entertained.

Sharon says, “We always try to have a selection of everything YOU need for YOUR big day from bridalwear to mother of the bride outfits, hats, tiaras, shoes, menswear, caterers, florists, photographers, cake makers, musicians, discos, wedding transport, jewellers, videographers, stationery, favours, venue decoration and much more.

“We always try and make our bride and grooms feel extra special when they visit our fayres, after all, they are planning what should be one of the most memorable days of their lives” Bridal tours throughout the day will give everyone the chance to explore this truly stunning venue.

With delicious catering available plus FREE Wedding magazines on arrival and FREE bottles of Bucks Fizz to be given to the first 20 brides THE Wedding Fayre...! has all the ingredients for a truly romantic and memorable wedding Come and be inspired!

For all your wedding travel needs, why not choose Carters Heritage Bus Services. The company offers a 1963 Bristol Lodekka double decker bus or a 1972 Bristol RE single deck bus to transport the wedding party and/or guests to locations and venues in the Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk areas.

Late night return journeys can also be arranged prior to booking and Carters Heritage Bus Services can also accommodate birthdays, retirements, anniversaries, etc.

The Heritage Bus Service has been in operation for the last four years and all vehicles are fully maintained to the highest standard with a professional, reliable and friendly service being offered by the bus crew.

For more information about how Carters Heritage Bus Services can get you friends and family to your wedding in style you can contact them on 01473 313188.

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Making sure you are sitting Wedding Day Top Tips pretty on the big day Advice and Checklist

ExtravOrganza are the leading supplier and hire specialist of handmade wedding and party chair covers in Suffolk, Norfolk and North Essex. The local company pride themselves with an attention to details, as they know how important this special day is to you both.

At ExtravOrganza they will help you create a stunning venue with handmade chair covers made from different material ranging from cotton, to silks to the newest lycra/stretch.

Each cover is complemented by beautiful sashes available in crystal organza, taffeta, and silk. These can be complemented by many accessories like diamonte brooches, flowers and many other ideas they have.

ExtravOrganza will bring to you the latest trends and they have the design and flair to make your chair covers different and unique.

Owner of ExtravOrganza, Miranda Pont, is passionate about her chair covers, “I just love what I do,” she says, “My cotton chair covers are made to measure and are complimented by organza, taffata and lace sashes available in hoods and narrow sashes. I have been established for many years

and have an abundance of knowledge in the wedding industry. I work with lots of professional people who also love what they do and I am happy to recommend and help you.”

ExtravOrganza is recommended solely by over 47 venues through out Suffolk for their chair covers, so you know that you are in good hands if you choose them to add the Wow factor to your wedding!

So if you’re looking to add that something special to your wedding reception, then let Extravorganza help fulfill your dreams and create an unforgettable room. Their professional chair cover hire service, design, flair and personal touch will ensure you and your guests will be stunned by how their chair covers can transform a dull room into an exciting one.

ExtravOrganza Wedding Chair Cover Hire, dress your chairs with flair, seat your guest with style, the latest designs in made to measure cotton and lycra chair covers available at competitive prices. For more information about how ExtravOrganza can transform your wedding you can visit them at their unit in Martlesham Heath.

Telephone 01473 614052 or email covers@extravorganza.co.uk.

Weddings can be a stressful event as things may happen on the day that are completely out of your control but with enough preparation and support from your friends and relatives it can be the most memorable and joyous event you’ll remember for a long time to come. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind to ensure that your special day goes as smoothly as possible: 1. Be aware of time: at the start of your day time moves slower than normal (“It’s only 10am, I’ve been up hours”), but once you’re an hour away from the start of proceedings time goes into overdrive; and make sure you take time out to be together during the day – it will be over before you realise.

2. Allow plenty of time for marks from bra straps and socks to fade before your big day.

3. If you’re getting ready in a hotel, make sure you have a pair of scissors for cutting the tags off new items.

4. Leave plenty of time for doing up the dress if it has lacing at the back. It looks easy in the shop when they show you how to do it, but on the day it can add to the stress levels if you’re short of time!

5. Have an emergency kit: (sewing kit for the groom to repair his trousers?), scissors, hair grips, rubber bands, plasters etc. Make sure that the groom has cuff links if his shirt needs them.

6. Plan the day and then hand over the detail to someone else. If necessary, hire a professional wedding coordinator for the day so that you don’t have to worry about anything. And if things don’t go to plan, don’t worry, your guests will probably not even notice.

7. Don’t ask your photographer for too many posed family shots as you will get tired/bored/fidgety and miss the chance to be with your guests – and prevent your photographer from getting those special informal images.

8. Ladies hats: make sure that there is an understanding that hats will or won’t be worn during the wedding breakfast; and if not that there is somewhere for them to be kept; photographers, incidentally, prefer it without hats!

9. Timing: a one and a half hour interval between the start of the reception and the wedding breakfast is usually good; this will allow plenty of time to mingle with guests as well as for photographing the couple and the family shots. But see next point.

10. Receiving lines: the irony here is that if you have a lot of guests and want to make sure that you meet all of them, then a receiving line will do that for you, but will also take a considerable time (an hour for 125 guests at a recent wedding). It may be better to wander around the tables between courses.

11. If you have guests joining you later in the day, designate someone to meet and greet – nothing worse than turning up to a party in full swing and not knowing where to go, or what to do if the speeches are still going on because things are running late.

12. Confetti: if there’s going to be confetti thrown, get the ushers to organise a couple of lines. If it is just handed out to the guests without a plan, they will eventually wander up to you and throw some – usually against the wind!

13. The weather: a nice day is a great bonus – but if it rains, just smile and enjoy. And as far as photographs are concerned, if you want to go outside, make sure that it’s the photographer that gets wet, not you!

14. A lipstick tip from makeup artists: to avoid leaving some of it on your glass, wet the lip of the glass before bringing it to your lips – how you do this is up to you!

And remember, this checklist is only a guide. It’s you who will be living out the day with your friends and family. Do your best to prepare as much as you can beforehand and when the big day finally arrives relax in the knowledge that you’ve done everything possible to make it a success. After all the hard work is done, your job is now to have fun and enjoy each memorable moment that happens on your wedding day.

Richard Galloway

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A Great Wedding Day Gift or Special Keep-sake If you are looking for a unique gift for the Bride and Groom or you wish to give your Bridesmaids and Best Man a personalised keepsake, then commissioning a piece is ideal, and, at Jar’s of Clay, doesn’t cost the earth. Unique plates are available to order for weddings and engagements as well as christenings and special occasions.

Why not remember your wedding with

a "signing plate". Everyone who attends your wedding signs a plate and Jars of Clay then fire it as a permanent reminder of your special day.

Jars of Clay is also a great place to have your Hen Night. Get the girls together for a creative night, when you can create your own special pieces to remember your special night.

Jars of Clay can be found in the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge and is open Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm and Saturdays from 9.30am until 5.30pm, for more information contact 01394 380123

Looking after the smaller guests Whether to invite Children is one of the most talked about questions when planning a wedding and that’s where Kidzone step in with their unique service so that the question doesn’t have to be asked.

Kidzone are delighted to offer a professional, fully insured crèche service for your special day. The company caters for children from three months up to 12 years of age and they are fully flexible, which means they can be hired from just two hours to the whole day.

Let Kidzone transform a space at your wedding venue into an exciting, fun-filled play area meaning parents can relax safe in the knowledge that the children are enjoying their day too. A huge variety of toys and activities available including crafts, games, face painting, role play, group games, small world play, pool table, air hockey, bouncy castle, soft play and much much more!

In accordance with Ofsted’s

guidelines, Kidzone ensure that children are adequately staffed at all times.

The team is fully qualified, CRB checked and trained in first aid.

Kidzone provides all toys and equipment, which are routinely checked and cleaned prior to any event; they can even provide a bouncy castle free of charge for crèche services at your wedding.

Kidzone provide a range of services not just for weddings but parties, conferences, christenings or any social event. Full crèches, open crèches, personal assistant service and evening sitter at your venue/hotel. Kidzone offer a fantastic children’s party package, themed crafts, cooking activities, soft play, bouncy castle, party games, face painting, hair braiding and much more…

If you would like to find out more about Kidzone you can visit the team at various Wedding Fairs in Ipswich in the coming months. Why not visit and chat to them about all

your crèche and party requirements at the following fairs: Sunday 27th January at Issacs Sunday 3rd February at Hintlesham Hall Sunday 10th February at All Manor of Events Sunday 17th February at Belstead Brook Hotel, Sunday 17th March at Wherstead Park, Le Talbooth, Dedham and The Barrandov Opera at Needham Market Sunday 14th April at Kesgrave Hall Sunday 21st April at Stoke by Nayland Golf and Spa Hotel

Let Kidzone help make your wedding, birthday or any social event special – because when the kids are smiling you are smiling too!

For further information call Natasha on 07756 535059 or Samantha on 07724 114794

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