FREE
2014
IN CORNWALL
dress THE
timeless vintage to contemporary chic
TOP
10
wedding TIPS
love
REAL LIFE Three historic hotels Three unique locations One special day Tel: 0800 005 2244
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HAIR & BEAUTY
Romantic & unique weddings PHOTOGRAPHY
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contents table decorations
40
Inspiring ideas to help you create beautiful table decorations and centrepieces.
photography
43
04 the dress Elaine Rawlings,
County Cream, tells us what trends are set to be big in 2014. Plus vintage inspiration.
Professional photographer, Simon Burt shares his top ten tips for your day.
hair and beauty
49
Rebecca Madden, the freelance makeup artist and hair-stylist, tells us how to go about those finishing touches.
12 top tips 15 26 34 37
Three historic hotels
The owner of Scorrier House Caroline Williams gives her top ten tips for wedding day bliss.
venues
Castles to country houses, beaches to eco-conscious weddings.
stag and hen
Adrenalin junkies to wild hens, lords and ladies to relaxing retreats.
suited and booted
Check out these popular styles for 2014 to give him a head-start.
wedding cakes
So many options, the wedding cake is the showpiece of the day.
Three unique locations
53
56
cornish campers
The VW camper, the perfect way to arrive at both traditional and vintage weddings.
fitness and nutrition
Alex Lloyd, a personal trainer and fitness specialist, tells us his attainable approach to getting fit and healthy.
real weddings 21 JENNY & CHRIS 29 GEORGIA & OLLIE 60 FERN & JOE
One special day 0800 005 2244
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welcome
IN CORNWALL
to Cornwall’s first ever Love Weddings magazine, full of inspirational ideas and tips on how to make your dream wedding a reality. Surrounded by spectacular coastlines and brimming with history, this county is fast becoming one of the most popular in the country for hosting beautiful weddings throughout the year. Whether you want to be a beach bride, or dream of a fairytale castle fit for a princess, Cornwall has it all and more. The wedding industry is booming here, with so much talent on offer, from photographers to florists, designers to beauticians. Many have come from far and wide to put down roots and be part of the fun. In Love Weddings 2014, we’ve got top tips for all areas of your wedding planning, from choosing the perfect dress to finding the right photographer. We also caught up with
newly-weds who chose to marry in Cornwall simply because they fell in love with the place. Read about one couple who eloped to Land’s End for a winter wedding, and another who went eco-friendly at the Eden Project. If you’d like an alternative wedding, consider hiring a camper van, or say your vows beneath a tipi to turn your special day into a festival with friends and family. Read on to be truly inspired - and good luck with whatever you do. Above all, remember one thing:
it’s your day.
Rebecca Bentley, Editor
Love Weddings in Cornwall is produced by Devon and Cornwall Media, publishers of:
When you have finished with this brochure please recycle.
Editorial Rachel Wilson
If you would like to advertise with us in future publications from our 'Love Cornwall' portfolio or any of our other publications please call 0845 606 0311
Advertising Kerensa Jordan Design Creative Hub
© Devon and Cornwall Media 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers, although conscientious and beleaguered fair users can relax and have a cup of tea. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Devon and Cornwall Media, the contributors, editors, publishers or the authors' mothers. Availability and price of items are correct at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for any rejected items or unfulfilled orders. All information included in this magazine is correct at the time of printing. However events are sometimes subject to change and cancellation.
Cover Image: Simon Burt Photography - www.simonburtphotography.co.uk
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The Dress
THE ONE &
only
Most brides would agree that choosing the dress is the most important part of wedding planning, and you just know when you’ve found the one. Elaine Rawlings, of County Cream, in Truro, tells us what trends are set to be big in 2014. One of this year’s popular trends is fitted fishtail lace dresses, which hug the body and create a perfect womanly silhouette. This style carries over from last year and the elegant stylish lace fits with most themed weddings, especially vintage inspired days. At the other end of the scale is the beautiful full princess dress for every girl who has always dreamed of a fairytale wedding. Fitted corset bodices that billow out into layers of full netted or tulle skirts will make your wish come true and it’s the perfect style to accompany a church or castle venue. Nowadays, ‘vintage’ is a word that pops up in nearly every bride’s description of their perfect dress. It was a huge trend throughout last year and is set to continue
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into 2014. Vintage and its definition can be interpreted in many ways from the roaring 20’s, oozing a Great Gatsby look to the more subdued and classic Downton Abbey feel. It also inspires 50’s themes with a tea length dress, ivory gloves and a birdcage veil - all set off with bunting and ginger beer. Vintage is the bride’s personal interpretation of how it fits with their day and it’s a style that’s definitely here to stay. Accessories play a major role in the bride’s look and there’s much more to it than just a tiara. There are lace side combs, side headpieces, and a multitude of veils to name just a few of the options available. Pastel-coloured flower hair accessories are also making a comeback at country weddings and bright blooms are perfect for tropical beach weddings or ones right here in Cornwall. Once you’ve got your look sorted, you’ll need to make sure your bridesmaids look stunning too and it’s crucial that they complement your chosen theme with the colour scheme you’ve gone for and of course the wedding dress too. Chiffons and lace are popular fabrics that are now taking over from brightly coloured satins. More subtle shades of pale green, duck egg blue, and baby pinks are all going to be big this year. For something different and versatile for your maids, why not check out Twobirds Bridemaid whose multifunctional dresses can be altered to suit the wearer – and the colours are divine too. There are over 15 looks to create, from strapless, halter neck and sleeved, long, short or mid-length, so your bridesmaids can be harmonious but individual. Images : County Cream www.countycreambridalhouse.co.uk
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THE
vintage
REVIVAL
The word ‘vintage’ has been on the tip of our tongues for the last five years with the style filling our homes, wardrobes and gardens, and, most importantly, it’s been taking more and more of us down the aisle too. Here’s how to wear it well. Images : Ellis Bridals www.ellisbridals.co.uk
The vintage trend for 2013 was fuelled by the release of Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby that saw bridal catwalks shimmering with drop-waist dresses draped in beads and sequins. This year the 1920s flapper girl look is even bigger, so brides have a swell time shimmying and swaying the night away. The drop-waist dress is a great way to take on this year’s knee-length trend and, for the more daring bride, thigh-skimming numbers are also creating quite a storm on the wedding scene. Shorter dresses are lots of fun on the dance floor and more
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hassle-free than long dragging trains. Shoe lovers can flaunt their passion for footwear too – the perfect excuse to fork out on a new designer pair. Newquay-based Cathy Thomas has seen a rise in commissions for her vintage inspired wedding dresses that she creates under the name of The Curious Tinker using patterns and fabrics from the 40s to 70s. “Cornwall’s vintage community is thriving and it’s only natural that it would become intertwined with the county’s booming wedding industry,” she says.
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Flattering options such as the figure-hugging pencil dress with a nipped-in waist really show off curves and recall the sophistication of Audrey Hepburn mixed with the sexiness of Madmen’s Joan Harris. Cathy says: “I love making dresses in the 1950s silhouette style as they define and flatter all body shapes. They can be adapted effortlessly for brides and bridesmaids too.” Tea length dresses are another way to get a 50s fix and they’re much more playful too. Wear them with a splash of bold colour or funky patterns, such as polka dot or sumptuous roses. They’re also a good back flaunter, though covered-up versions with shoulders or three-quarter length sleeves look just as classic and will keep you warmer at autumn and winter weddings. Some brides might feel that a full-on vintage look deviates too far from classic styles, but you can add a hint of vintage without going the whole hog. Art Deco jewellery, a sparkling bridal headband or something as small as a crystal encrusted hair pin or pearl necklace can create a subtle nod to vintage glam. Cathy sums up our modern day love affair with the styles of yesteryear perfectly: “A bride in a vintage style gown doesn’t just buy a dress; she invests in the dream to feel like a silver screen movie star at the greatest event of her life.”
“A bride in a vintage style gown doesn’t just buy a dress; she invests in the dream to feel like a silver screen movie star at the greatest event of her life.”
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Wedding Tips
10 WEDDING caroline williams’
TOP
TIPS 01 02 03
Once you’ve got engaged and have a wedding date in mind, start looking around for a venue. Good ones often get booked up months in advance so don’t leave it too late. The same applies to the church and the caterers. Being flexible and thinking ahead are key. You want your wedding to be as memorable as possible so consider making it a weekend event. The day itself can pass in a flash – having an extra day for an informal barbecue with close family and friends can make it extra special. Don’t worry about the weather. Rain creates an atmosphere of its own so expect it. Sun, if it appears, is a bonus.
04 05
Keep wedding speeches short. Long ones can kill momentum and cause all sorts of problems for your schedule. Make sure you’ve got a good team of friends to help out. Give them a list so they know what’s happening and don’t be afraid to delegate.
06
Get as much prepared as possible the day before the wedding but don’t work late. Give yourselves a cut-off time and stick to it.
07
Make sure you get your seating plan organised well in advance. It’s rarely easy but don’t put it off.
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08
Don’t over-complicate your menu. Plain food is often the best.
09
Remember to bring a change of clothes for the next day. With everything else going on, practicalities like that often get overlooked.
10
Keep things simple - remember you’re getting married, not appearing in a West End production.
Caroline Williams is the owner of Scorrier House, an exclusive wedding venue in West Cornwall. For more information, visit
www.scorrierhouse.co.uk
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Venues
LOCATION LOCATION
location W
here you decide to have your wedding is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make as your choice will influence pretty much every other aspect of your big day and it should be somewhere that feels just right for you. In Cornwall we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding venues and nowadays there are so many alternatives to the traditional church venue with great package deals available, that you can hold the whole event in one stunning location. Here’s what’s on offer.
A CASTLE FIT FOR A PRINCESS
THE ELOPEMENT
Cornwall is teaming with ancient castles that will make your fairytale wishes come true. Steeped in history, the breathtaking structures of Pendennis, St Mawes and Tregenna Castle offer stunning coastal views and expansive grounds to roam that create great photo ops too. Tregenna Castle Hotel offers the full package, with its own beauty and hair salon, pre-wedding golf sessions for the lads, catering and photographers that will take the pressure right off.
For couples who desire an intimate wedding that’s free from the strains of lengthy planning, look no further than BoHo Cornwall. Their retreat provides beautiful romantic elopements at Boscean Country House near the iconic location of Land’s End where you can combine your wedding and honeymoon. Think candle-lit ceremony beside an open fire followed by a scenic coastal drive in a vintage camper van – perfect.
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venues A HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY The Cornish landscape is dotted with manor houses perfect for traditional, elegant weddings that keep stress to a minimum on your special day. There are simply too many to list, but places such as Boconnoc House, near Lostwithiel, and the National Trust’s spectacular Trereife House and Lanhydrock invoke scenes of Pride and Prejudice that will spark heaps of inspiration for your wedding theme.
SCORRIER HOUSE
TREGENNA CASTLE
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Venues
ATLANTIC HOTEL
THE ECO WEDDING
THE BEACH BABE
Eco-conscious weddings are on the rise and venues such as the Eden Project are pathing the way for sustainable alternatives. For couples who want to say their vows surrounded by woodlands and lakes, where you and your guests can sleep in the great outdoors, Cornish Tipi Weddings is the answer. Get the festival feel with a big barbeque cooked with friends and family or head to the beach for a surf in true Cornish style.
With luxury hotels at practically every beach in the county, there’s no need to fork out on flights to some distant destination. Provided the weather plays ball, you can have your dream beach wedding right here. Feel the sand in your toes and the sea breeze blowing through your hair at venues such as the award-winning Atlantic Hotel, in Newquay, whose much-loved receptions offer high end catering with the beach just a stone’s throw away.
SCORRIER HOUSE
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real weddings
JENNY &CHRIS
Saturday September 21 2013 Carbis Bay Hotel, St Ives
STUDY BUDDIES Jenny and her husband Chris Rogers met whilst studying on the same MA course at Oxford Brookes University nearly five and a half years ago. “We felt comfortable with each other right away so we started dating and have been inseparable ever since,” says Jenny.
THE VENUE “Chris grew up in Cornwall and I’m from New England so I’ve always lived by the Atlantic Ocean, and getting married on the Atlantic - albeit the other side of it – just felt special.”
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Real Weddings
THE THEME
THE MOMENT
The couple agreed early on that they wanted a 1920s inspired theme as this would suit their beach location perfectly. “I pictured jazz music playing, lawn games, and lots of Pimms,” Jenny explains.
“Walking down the aisle to Chris had to be my favourite part of the whole day. His eyes were just starting to well up as I came towards him. We wrote our own vows, which was really important to us and so hearing them for the first time was amazing. We just kept grinning at each other the whole time,” she laughs.
QUIRKY LITTLE EXTRAS Since Chris and Jenny both come from a publishing background they decided to incorporate their love of books into the decorations and got very crafty with it too. “My dad made us a library catalogue seating plan, whilst Jenny and I made the table names using postcards of Penguin book covers and an aisle runner out of book pages,” says Chris.
“we felt comfortable with each other right away”
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THE MUSIC OF LOVE Keeping to the jazzy theme, Jenny entered the church to Etta James’ “At Last”, followed by hits from Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong and Dean Martin. “Our theme song was Earth, Wind and Fire’s “21st Night of September” – which is the day we got married,” says Jenny. “My highlight was doing a big group sing-along at the end of the night to Meatloaf’s “Bat out of Hell”, with everyone belting it out, including Jenny,” Chris laughs.
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THE WEATHER “I was so nervous about the weather and kept checking the forecast constantly. We were very lucky in the end because it stayed dry and warm all day, despite being overcast. Thank goodness too, because I had forgotten to bring brollies or jackets for myself and the bridesmaids,” exclaims Jenny.
HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT “After the ceremony itself, my favourite memory was walking into the reception room for the meal. Everyone stood and cheered – I’ve never felt so loved. We sat on our own table holding court over the room like king and queen for a day,” says Chris. “The food was amazing; I ate so much I had just one mouthful of cake afterwards.”
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ADRENALIN JUNKIES
thrill
THE
OF IT ALL
When it comes to action-packed weekends, relaxed spa days with the girls or leisurely sports, there’s no question that Cornwall has it all. Why not make your stag or hen do a chance to try something new.
As the country’s surfing capital, water sports are aplenty down here where you can enjoy wind surfing, raft building and coasteering on some of the finest beaches in the country, and there’s kayaking and canoeing along the beautiful Helford River too. But there’s as much on offer for thrill-seeking types on the mainland. Why not try a spot of zorbing in Bude – that’s basically rolling down a hill in a huge plastic ball or how about swinging off a cliff in Liskeard? Adrenalin Quarry offer a great range of alternative activities that will get your blood pumping from quarry coasteering to flying on a zip wire at 40mph.
ladies
LORDS AND
Outdoorsy gentlemen who prefer to take a more leisurely approach to the occasion may find clay pigeon shooting, archery and even a spot of golf to be just their thing. These activities make a great excuse to dress up as country gents or crazy golfers and can easily be followed by a few drinks (or many more) afterwards. And for hens who want to keep themselves in check before the big day, a spa and pamper will give them some muchneeded time out from the stresses of wedding planning and do their bodies a huge favour too. Of course, some cheeky vinos can still be had between treatments.
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The Retallack Resort and Spa near St Columb Major offers hen packages that can be tailored to your individual needs to include spa treatments, gourmet dinners cooked by MasterChef winner James Nathan and water sports at nearby beaches. To top it off you’ll stay in the lap of luxury at one of their five-star lakeside houses complete with hot tub. The Fistral Beach Hotel and The Headland Hotel, near Newquay, are also worth considering if you want a relaxing girly weekend with stunning beaches right on your doorstep.
spa retreat
wildHENS
The hen do is a great opportunity to do something different and pick up some new skills in the process. Pole dancing or burlesque sessions are becoming more and more popular and will certainly teach you some tricks that your new hubby will love. What’s more, they’re a great way to burn off a few extra calories before that all important day and who knows, you could get a new hobby out of it too. Another great hen idea is the cocktail master class that not only teaches all about mixology and how to make delicious drinks to impress, but it also doubles up as a pre-drinks session on a night out so it’s a win-win situation.
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Real Weddings
match MADE IN heaven
real weddings
GEORGIA & OLLIE Saturday May 11 2013 The Eden Project
DESTINY Oliver Juggins, 27, is an equity analyst and his wife Georgia, 28, is a business consultant. The couple live together in London, but it’s Cornwall that stole their hearts.
and we went our separate ways. But as fate would have it we met again when we were both working in London and the rest is history,” says Georgia.
“I first met Ollie in my living room at university one day visiting a housemate - who he was actually hitting on at the time. We saw each for a while but it didn’t come to anything
Ollie adds cheekily, “She was only wearing a towel the first time we met, so maybe I should’ve guessed it would come to something good in the end.”
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Real Weddings
THE VENUE The beauty and fun of the Eden Project as a wedding venue made it simply irresistible to Georgia and Ollie. “It manages to bring out a child-like glee in visitors, and teaches people about the environment without taking itself too seriously. Once we’d seen it, we had to have it,” Georgia explains.
THE WEATHER
“The weather was typically English. It was a pretty dull day, but the dome kept everyone really warm. The only point at which the sun came out, unbelievably, was for the minute or so it took us to read our vows and be declared husband and wife. It was almost better than if the whole day had been sunny,” says Ollie.
“She was only wearing a towel the first time we met, so maybe I should’ve guessed it would come to something good in the end.” Images : Kevern Photography
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Real Weddings
THE SOUNDS
THE FIRST DANCE
The couple kicked off with some swing jazz while everyone was taking their seats. To keep things light-hearted, Georgia walked down the aisle to “Wouldn’t it be Nice” by the Beach Boys.
“We cheated and had two! Our photographers grabbed us before anyone else went to the party room and played our first song just for the two of us, which was a real privilege. Then of course we had our first dance in public, which was terrifying as everyone was circled around us with their cameras pointed at us,” says Georgia.
“We went green and used electronic invitations, which also allowed us to collect song requests so we had everything from Blink 182 to Mozart for the pre-dinner party. There was a whole Panic at the Disco album in there too,” laughs Ollie.
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PICTURE PERFECT “My favourite part of the day was when we went off to have our photos taken and it was just the two of us. I really dislike having my photo taken, but our amazing photographers just made it enjoyable and somehow made us feel like we were alone together. Ollie pretending to rescue me from a giant spider generated a pretty spectacular photo.” laughs Georgia.
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Suited and Booted
SUITED BOOTED
and
If there’s one part of the wedding planning your groom will want to have a say in, it’ll be his suit. Check out these popular styles for 2014 to give him a head start.
THE LUX TUX
Get the classic Bond look by opting for a fitted three-piece suit and you can really show you mean business by going for pinstripe. If you want to look even classier and make a statement, a black tux, bowtie and white pocket handkerchief should do the job. You can easily give the style a vintage twist by switching the bowtie for a thin black tie. However you fix it, the groom and his men turning up in tuxedos will certainly make a lasting impression.
THE SILVER FOX The grey suit is simply a great all-rounder. It’s smooth and sophisticated, and looks great when tailored to match the best men and ushers. Team it with hot pink, purple and blue accessories that are popular choices on the wedding scene right now. And keep an eye out for this year’s big colour, radiant orchid, as these two make a killer combo.
THE TRENDY GEEK Besides being bang on trend, this look is both fun and versatile too. We saw Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who make geek chic cool in 2013 and it’s a style that’s going to be even bigger this year. Think fitted suits, check shirts and quirky bowties with quiff hair and polished brogues to boot. This look is a winner at rustic weddings and its versatility means the other gents can create their own version of the look whilst keeping in harmony with the groom. You might want to throw in a pair of black-rimmed specs too, just to add a little Woody Allen charm.
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DAPPER IN VINTAGE Similar to geek chic in some ways, a vintage inspired groom will look effortlessly cool in a waistcoat or tweed blazer, fitted trousers and maybe even his favourite pair of Converse on too. Again, best men and ushers can create their own individual versions so that they’re unique but still in unison. A beard or moustache (if you’ll let him) can really pull this look off and you can give it a bit of a country twist by combining retro with rustic. Tweed and layers of rich browns and tactile textures will turn a vintage vulture into a country gent in no time. Images by: www.simonburtphotography.co.uk 01872321221
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wedding CAKE
The wedding cake is the showpiece of the day, so choosing the right one to suit your wedding is crucial. But with so many options, where do you begin? Vanessa Richardson, of Couture Cakes, helps us out. www.couturecakes.info
MONOCHROME MADNESS This design is very popular now and usually consists of a white or ivory cake decorated in a pattern, such as lacework, geometric lines and dots all in just one other colour. Black and white designs are certainly a favourite but other colour combinations look just as, or even more, striking – why not try combining radiant orchid with one of its complementary colours for a bold and beautiful effect?
OMBRE The vibrant and exciting ombre style (a popular hair trend too) that is created by a graduation of colour from a darker to lighter hue, or vice versa really gives a cake the wow-factor and is ideal for sugarpaste covered cake designs with ruffles, shapes and pleats. Ombre can also be incorporated into the internal sponge layers of a cake or you can use it on each icing tier with different shades of a chosen colour.
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FRILLS AND FROLICS
VINTAGE CHIC
If you would like a cake designed with your wedding dress in mind, using ruffles, rosettes, pleats and folds can really create a fabulous fabric feel to your wedding cake. Usually one of the larger tiers in the cake will have this design applied with the other tiers being simpler in design. With chocolate wedding cakes, fans are a great way of creating a real showpiece by decorating it with small folded chocolate fans and sugar flowers covering the tiered cake to create an Impressive chocolate tower.
Vintage lovers can easily incorporate the vintage trend into a wedding cake with elements such as lace, sugar roses and flowers, bows, pearls, jewels and crystals. The classic birdcage on the top tier is also very popular now and oozes vintage chic. Why not incorporate some of the bride’s jewels into this design and even elements of the wedding dress to enhance the harmony of your wedding theme.
LESS IS MORE But for those with a minimal theme in mind, there is of course the naked option. Don’t’ blush, this simply means a tiered wedding cake without the usual icing on the outside. This cake is usually filled with fresh cream, buttercream, fruits and fresh flowers and simply dusted with a bit of icing sugar.
remember
your wedding cake is not just a nice dessert to give to your guests at the end of the wedding; it is a work of sugary art and the central showpiece of your wedding day, so consider it carefully.
Images: Simon Burt Photography www.simonburtphotography.co.uk
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TABLE DECORATION Dressing the tables is a great way to have fun with your wedding planning as it allows you to get creative. The table shows off your chosen theme and with so many different decorations available it’s important that the overall effect is perfectly balanced. Here are some ways to create this year’s big styles. Images by Inspire-Hire www.inspire-hire.co.uk
A MODERN TRADITION Classic table decor will never let you down, but why not make it much more memorable by giving it a bit of a modern twist. Elle Windsor Grime of Inspire-Hire says: “For a traditional wedding style, think simple and elegant. Pretty pastels and country garden flowers such as roses and peonies displayed in simple glassware with lots of candlelight and ornate cutlery really perfect the look.” Ghost furniture and table accessories are taking the wedding scene by storm and create the perfect contemporary backdrop for a traditional theme. Adorn the table with love signs, clean white crockery and table runners, bringing in your chosen colour through the flowers and additional decorations, such as candle holders and cake stands. Clear glass vases ooze elegance and are perfect for displaying sweets, candles or flower arrangements. This modern take on the classic look really brings it right up to date and you can make it your own with your personal touches.
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THE RUSTIC ROMANTIC Barn weddings set with long tables and folding wooden chairs allow so much scope for creativity when it comes to table decor. You can even have a go at creating your own jar candle holders decorated with lace and flowers to adorn the table or hang from trees. Hanging lanterns outside also adds atmosphere in the evening and is perfect for summer weddings outdoors. To perfect the look, display treats in bell jars, drape the tables in burlap table runners and fill glass vases with cascades of roses or hydrangeas in pastel shades. Adding hints of lace here and there can give the look a little boost of femininity and beyond the table, old glass bottles, tin buckets and wooden crates filled with wild flowers are great ways to complete the rustic look.
GOING BACK IN TIME There’s no end of fun you can have creating a vintage wedding inspired by styles from the roaring 20s to the swinging 60s. Set the scene with vintage china cups and saucers, plates and cake stands in pretty floral patterns that you can either hire or hunt for in antique shops. Elle says: “The Deco and Gatsby era will influence vintage trends in wedding decor this year, so think vintage cut glass, crystal chandeliers and metallic flourishes.” Tiered cake stands make cupcakes, macaroons and canapés look irresistible and vintage tea cups can also be used as candle holders. To get the look right on trend, make your centre piece a decadent birdcage filled with candles or weave a flower arrangement through it. For a more retro wedding, decorate the table with old radios, vintage cameras for guests to snap with and use bright and funky fabrics.
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TOP TEN
wedding TIPS
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W
ith so many wonderful wedding photographers to choose from, picking the right one to suit you can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Professional photographer Simon Burt gives us his top ten tips to bear in mind.
important to remember that the right 01 It’s photographer for one couple may not be the right photographer for another.
there is an element of mistrust 02 Sadly, surrounding wedding photographers
these days, but this isn’t the case among the reputable ones so go for established photographers who are reliable, trustworthy and, of course, very skilled.
photographer’s artistic style will 03 Aimmediately grab you when it feels right.
You don’t need to understand the technical aspects of photography to appreciate great work as you’ll simply be drawn to it.
Images : www.simonburtphotography.co.uk 01872321221 anna@simonburtphotography.co.uk
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talking to a prospective 04 When photographer, notice whether or not
you feel important to them. The time it takes for a photographer to respond in the early stages will reflect on the service you’ll receive later on.
checking their availability, 05 When ask to see the photographer’s most
recent wedding snaps. Professional photographers will happily provide you with a link to their latest work so you can view their complete portfolio, rather than making a decision based on website images alone.
sure to meet a handful of 06 Be photographers at their place of work
as it will tell you a lot about their professionalism and attention to detail. If you feel they’re going to photograph your wedding in exactly the same way as they shot the last 50, don’t part with your cash. Your photographer should be excited about capturing your special day and be happy to do it your way.
photographers will want to spend 07 Most time with you before the wedding day itself and engagement shoots are a great way to establish a rapport and get used to having your picture taken professionally. You’ll feel more comfortable on your big day, which will show in your images.
want your photographer to spend 08 You time on your images, so securing some
added value is never a bad thing. This can be as simple as capturing both you and your partner’s preparations or staying until they’ve captured a full portfolio for you without clock-watching.
is important to you, then 09 Ifhirephotography the best photographer you can afford. If not, then one of the top five priorities on your wedding list should be to commission a photographer that you trust to meet your expectations.
of mouth recommendations are 10 Word often the best.
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HAIR and BEAUTY Once you’ve got the venue booked, the dress picked and the little extras wrapped up, it’s time to start thinking about you. Rebecca Madden, the freelance make-up artist and hair stylist behind the Cornwall-based salon, Mirror Mirror, tells us how to go about those finishing touches. www.mirrormirrormakeupartist.com
THE
hair
It’s crucial that brides choose a hairstyle to suit their wedding theme and consider possible weather conditions. If it’s an outdoor rustic-style wedding you may want to wear your hair looser or undone, whereas a sleek style will give a polished look at more formal venues. If your wedding is outside in summer heat then it’s best to go for a style that’s kept off the neck to prevent it from frizzing. Autumn weddings can often be windy, so keep hair pinned back. Washing your hair the night before your wedding rather than on the day really makes it easier to style. You can still use a dry shampoo in the morning to add texture.
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Hair and Beauty
THE
makeup
If you’re hiring a make-up artist, have a trial before the wedding day to determine what looks best. I usually spend a couple of hours with my brides to really get to know what look they want. But if you’re applying your own make-up make sure you practice beforehand, as experimenting on the day can get stressful and irritate your skin. I recommend all my brides have semi permanent individual eyelash extensions as these add heaps of length and volume, and they don’t smudge or run like mascara. The lashes last for a good few weeks too so you can keep them on throughout your honeymoon. Remember, you don’t have to match your make-up to the colours of your theme just because your flowers are fuscia pink doesn’t mean your eye shadow should be. The shades should complement your skin tone but you can of course be more daring with the nails.
THE
skin
Make sure you up your water intake many months before to keep your skin hydrated and blemish free. A healthy balanced diet will not only make your skin look better but it will also help keep those pounds down, so it’s worth cutting down on junk food too. Having regular facials ahead of the big day will help clear up congested skin and a gentle exfoliator 2-3 times a week at home can really make a difference if you want to save money. But try not to have one a few days before the wedding as you could have a bad reaction. If you decide to have a spray tan I always recommend a trial session quite some time before the wedding as everyone can achieve different colours with different percentages of tan and don’t forget to exfoliate beforehand to ensure long-lasting and even coverage.
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28/02/2014 12:40:20
THE
CORNISH
bride CAMPER
I
f there’s one place in the country where you can expect to see many vintage VW campers, it’s definitely Cornwall. They’ve seen a huge revival in recent years and many brides are getting on board with the trend. Say hello to Lulu, Lola and Lily - three campers run by Strawberry Leisure, who are giving Cornwall’s brides the ride of their life. Country lanes are teeming with vintage campers all year round, with happy travellers marvelling at Cornwall’s coastal views through their big glass windows and staring up at the stars through their sun roofs. There are simply dozens of places to hire them out down here, with most companies offering wedding hire packages. Some also include adventure activities with the hire so you can keep the van for longer and have yourself a fun-filled honeymoon touring the Duchy. The VW camper look is classic meets retro, so they’re the perfect way to arrive at both traditional and vintage weddings, and they are without a doubt a must-have for beach do’s. Let’s face it, they’re bags of fun and make the ride to the church feel like a mini road trip. Bob Amos, who runs the awardwinning camper company Strawberry Leisure, in Hayle, says: “The presence they command out and about and at wedding shows is truly phenomenal. Unquestionably, people just love to travel in them because they are cool, classy and fun. Not forgetting they are immensely practical as well as being flirtatiously gorgeous.” Not only do campers look great, but they’re incredibly roomy so you won’t have to worry about squeezing in the dress and you
can pack more people in with you. Bob’s campers were all made around the 60s and have been brought over from America. Lily and Lola are the only two cream and white models with open sun-roofs in Cornwall, and most likely the whole country for that matter. As Split Buses they’ve been specially decked out with brides in mind, even coming equipped with their own cocktail cabinets. Bob says: “They’re fully suited and booted and our fun loving chauffeurs put a big emphasis on playing the perfect music for the occasion. We even have our own bottles of champagne specially labelled, which couples usually want to keep as a memento after drinking the contents.” Lulu is the answer to any girl’s dreams of a more wild and wacky arrival. She’s red and white and her bespoke camping interior makes her perfect for honeymooning. What’s great is that you can add embellishments to the vehicles, such as flowers and bows that tie in with your chosen wedding theme. Strawberry Leisure has coined a phrase that sums up the showmanship and practicality of these beauties in one word; Transportainment!
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Advertisement Feature REAL LIFE : LIGHTER LIFE
YOU’LL MARRY the woman you met When Sarah Ward’s fiancé Chris got down on one knee on Christmas Eve 2009, her heart sank. It was the happiest moment of her life, but the thought of walking down the aisle terrified her...
H
er once slender figure, the one her fiancé had fallen in love with ten years earlier, had fallen victim to emotional eating – too many cakes and sweets, and one-too-many pub lunches. ‘Before I even said yes to marrying Chris, I told him he’d be marrying the woman he met all those years ago,’ says Sarah. ‘Of course, he said he’d marry me just the way I was, but I knew then that I wouldn’t be a fat bride, absolutely no way… and I meant it!’ In March 2010, Sarah went wedding dress shopping. ‘I was trying on all these dresses, and at one point the shop lady had to pull the cord of the dress so hard to do it up that one of the hooks on the dress pinged off. I was so embarrassed and disgusted with myself; it was the final kick I needed to do something about my weight.’
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Lighter Life : Real Life
Determination Sarah joined LighterLife in April 2010. In her first group meeting, her counsellor asked her to draw a picture of what she wanted to look like in a year’s time. ‘I had an image of me in my wedding dress, standing at the gates of the castle venue we had booked, and lying on the beach in my bikini on our honeymoon. I just knew how proud my family and husband would be. It was a real monumental moment in time when I just knew how I wanted to look. The group work really helped me to visualise my weight-loss goal and keep me on track.’
Happy ever after... On the day of the wedding, Sarah was living her weight-loss goal and feeling amazing. ‘I’ve never felt so good about myself and I had so many compliments from guests; it made me feel that all my hard work had paid off. LighterLife even got a mention in my husband’s speech as he said how proud he was of me and how beautiful I looked. It was the dream wedding I hoped for.’ After their wedding, Sarah and Chris went to the Maldives for their honeymoon and had an incredible time. ‘I remember being on the beach and thinking back to the drawing I’d done in week one of my LighterLife group – the fairytale wedding and me on my honeymoon on the beach in my bikini – I’d achieved both and it felt great!’ To find out how LighterLife can help you achieve your dream, please call Jan Badger on 01872 223700 or take a look at our website www.lighterlife.com
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Fitness and Nutrition
GETTING INtip-top SHAPE In midst of all the planning, you’re also going to be thinking about getting in shape for the big day, but sometimes it can get left to the last minute. Alex Lloyd, a personal trainer and fitness specialist, tells us his attainable approach to getting fit and healthy. www.primalfitnesscornwall.co.uk
Images : Rebecca Bentley
FITNESS Planning for a wedding brings a huge amount of added stress, so managing that stress is going to be key and of course, the fitter and healthier you are to start with the less work you will need to do. If you have a long way to go then the sooner you start the better. There are no secret pills, no magic potions and if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you. Set yourself short and long-term goals. The more precise you can be as to what you want to achieve the easier it will be to map out a plan to get there. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable and realistic. You could also create a fitness program as a couple, or with your hens. If you train hard enough and get your nutrition right a good body will come as a result. Work out what motivates you. Can you self motivate or do you need to better motivated by others? If so, you might be best off with a personal trainer who can provide you with an individualised exercise and nutrition program and of course keep you motivated.
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FITNESS&
nutrition
NUTRITION If you want to reduce fat and feel amazing then what you eat is the most important element to focus on. Most people know that abs are made in the gym and revealed in the kitchen. It’s 70-80% nutrition and the rest is recovery and exercise, in that order. There are many different diets out there, all claiming to be the best. A diet is simply the food you eat, getting the nutrients you need to function optimally – so there’s no need to deprive yourself. The best thing to do is eat real food that doesn’t have a sell by date. I am personally a fan of the paleo/primal diet, which is basically eating unprocessed food that’s as close as possible to its source. It’s important to remember that we all have individual needs and like different things. I try to keep it simple and encourage my clients to eat locally sourced and nutrient dense foods in the correct macro and micro nutrient percentages. The goal is to make small changes that you can stick to and the healthiest mindset is not to get obsessed with looking perfect but to focus on being happy and healthy.
DON’T FORGET TO... MANAGE STRESS GET ENOUGH SLEEP STAY HYDRATED BE CONSISTENT
most programs work if you stick to them
AND HAVE FUN
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the WINTER elopement real weddings
FERN & JOE Friday December 13 2013 Boho Cornwall.
Sometimes the stresses of planning can all become a bit too much, as was the case for Fern and Joe Bishop from South Gloucestershire. They decided to pack it all in and runaway for an intimate wedding in Cornwall with just their baby girl Penny present. Fern tells us all about their winter elopement.
We met at a mutual friend’s Birthday in 2008, which was quite a posh do. Joe’s bow tie matched my red silk dress and that was that. Three weeks later he invited me on a family holiday to Porthleven where I fell in love with him and Cornwall too. We’ve been inseparable since and moved in together as soon as we got back home. It was pure luck that we chose BoHo Cornwall as our wedding venue. Joe and I had been planning our wedding all throughout 2013 and it just became unbelievably stressful. I always thought that I’d love planning my dream wedding, but I ended up with sleepless nights and a helpless feeling of being unable to please ourselves and everyone else at the same time. By September we’d had enough and decided to cancel all our plans. It was a very hard decision to make but we were both exhausted. Joe hates being the centre of attention, so we typed ‘Cornish elopement’ into Google and came across BoHo Cornwall, which fit the bill completely. From there, Maya and Tom, who own the retreat for eloping couples, helped us plan
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our secret do in less than six weeks - we didn’t tell a soul and it all flowed perfectly. Our original wedding was planned for Valentine’s Day, so elements of the theme were brought into our elopement, such as hearts and Joe’s favourite colour, red. On the big day we woke up to black skies, fierce winds and rain. Well, it was a Friday 13th. But by 11am there were crisp blue skies and glorious sunshine. After getting ready separately, Joe and I met at the bottom of a sweeping staircase in front of a big Christmas tree for our magic moment. Penny handed us our rings while we said our vows, which was something neither of us would have been brave enough to do if we’d had a room full of people watching. And it was so special. The location made it all amazing. Exploring the area where BoHo Cornwall is based was incredible - Cornwall is where my heart is. It was the single most important thing for me, being down here surrounded by the beautiful coast - aside from marrying Joe of course and seeing him grinning as he waited for his girls in a room full of candles.
Images : Debs Ivelja Photography www.debsivelja.com
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Advertisement Feature TREGENNA CASTLE
Make your special day complete by choosing Tregenna Castle Hotel in St. Ives, Cornwall as your wedding venue.
T
regenna Castle is licensed for year round indoor weddings in a choice of five beautiful rooms. Couples can also choose to get married outdoors from May to September in the beautiful pavilion that overlooks St Ives harbour and the Atlantic below creating a stunning backdrop for the wedding photographs. Wide manicured lawns, the privacy of the beautiful sub-tropical walled garden, picturesque tree-lined walks and the wonderful panoramic views provide an amazing array of possibilities. With a wide range of accommodation on offer from self-catering cottages, lodges and luxury pole lodges as well as stunning castle rooms with unforgettable sea views, the wedding couple and guests can enjoy the whole experience at one outstanding venue and even enjoy a delicious full English breakfast the next morning too. At the Wedding Breakfast you can choose from a large variety of drinks including the finest chilled champagne and your favourite cocktails. Handmade canapés
make the perfect accompaniment. Our new executive chef has designed a delicious locally sourced menu to choose from as well as appetising buffet options too. To make life easier for the wedding party, the hotel has Castle Beauty and Hair by Sara Veal onsite so everyone can be tended to for the big day. The experienced team at Castle Beauty can calm any nerves with nourishing facials and luxurious massages. Manicures and pedicures provide the finishing touches and the bridal party is ready for a perfect day. The groom’s party may even enjoy a round of golf before the event. Tregenna’s special touches give you some extra treats to consider. Our event team can help you to plan your perfect day, so whether you live near or far or are planning a grand affair or a small intimate ceremony, Tregenna is extremely accommodating to individual requirements. The team is experienced, caring and especially attentive to detail and will ensure that you have the day that you have always dreamed of.
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