West Weddings Autumn 2014

FREE COVERING BATH, BRISTOL , GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOMERSET & WILTSHIRE

AUTUMN 2014

WWW.WEST-WEDDINGS.CO.UK

10 PAGES OF REAL WEDDINGS NEW SEASON STYLE:

Charlotte Balbier Ivory & Co Amanda Wyatt Mori Lee

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE PROS

country

A ROMANCE

BIRTHPLACE OF LOVE:

Honeymoon in beautiful Cyprus

Join us for a vintage-inspired autumn wedding at the Old Manor Hotel GOWNS | MENSWEAR | PHOTOGRAPHY | VENUES | JEWELLERY | INSPIRATION

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All About Eve WW-Autumn14.indd 1

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Newport showroom

7 Clytha Park Road Newport NP20 4NZ Tel 01633 243 943 newport@allaboutevebridalwear.com www.allaboutevebridalwear.com

All About Eve WW-Autumn14.indd 2

Chepstow showroom

28 High Street Chepstow NP16 5LJ Tel 01291 629 338 chepstow@allaboutevebridalwear.com

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THE TEAM Editor: Helen Dorritt Writers and contributors: Charlotte Bulmer, Louise Jarndyce, Richard Jones, Antonia King, Rebecca Paddick, Gianina Turner, Emma Vine Photoshoot art direction: Kirsten Butler Design: Cath Evans Production manager: Cath Evans Production co-ordinators: Emma Gorton and Ruth Wood Commercial director: Abbie Grant Blog editor: Gianina Turner ADVERTISING To advertise in future editions of West Weddings contact: Jacqui Lewis T: 0117 934 3136 E: jacqui.lewis@b-nm.co.uk EDITORIAL To contribute to future editions of West Weddings contact: Helen Dorritt E: westweddings@venue.co.uk DISTRIBUTION To have a regular free delivery of the magazine to your business contact: Simon Butler T: 0117 934 3741 E: simon.butler@b-nm.co.uk PUBLISHER West Weddings magazine is published

by Bristol News and Media, 2nd Floor, Temple Way, Bristol BS99 7HD T: 0117 942 8491

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ westweddings, like us on Facebook & check out our blog at www.westweddings. blogspot.co.uk FREE COVERING BATH, BRISTOL , GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOMERSET & WILTSHIRE

AUTUMN 2014

Welcome to West Weddings autumn 2014

We’ve had some glorious weather this summer, so fingers crossed the sunshine continues into the autumn and shines on those of you tying the knot this season! But come rain or shine, you’re sure to enjoy this issue of West Weddings, which as usual is packed full of news and inspiration from the South West to help you with organising your special day.

Stuck for gifts for your best man and groomsmen? Check out our guide on page 43 where we’ve put together a round up of presents we know they’ll love. Looking for some new make-up and skincare products to get yourself wedding-ready? Turn to page 70 for our Beauty Bible. Still trying to find The One (the dress, not the groom)? Find a host of gorgeous gowns from page 29 onwards.

We had so much fun putting together our photoshoot at the Old Manor Hotel for this issue, and I hope you enjoy our showcase autumn wedding as much as we did! It’s full of seasonal ideas, including some brand new dresses from Amanda Wyatt’s stunning Blue Iris range. And with five real weddings this issue, there’s plenty of fab details to read about and stunning images to drool over. Enjoy, and happy planning!

WWW.WEST-WEDDINGS.CO.UK

10 PAGES OF REAL WEDDINGS NEW SEASON STYLE:

Charlotte Balbier Ivory & Co Amanda Wyatt Mori Lee

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE PROS

country

A ROMANCE

BIRTHPLACE OF LOVE:

Helen Dorritt Editor

Honeymoon in beautiful Cyprus

Join us for a vintage-inspired autumn wedding at the Old Manor Hotel GOWNS | MENSWEAR | PHOTOGRAPHY | VENUES | JEWELLERY | INSPIRATION

4 WEST WEDDINGS

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70 7 44

contents

FASHION 29 Gown gallery

New season dresses from top designers

at Sposa Elegante, Solitaire Brides and

The White Collection 51 Cover shoot

Our autumn wedding showcase

at the picturesque Old Manor Hotel

in Bradford on Avon, featuring a team

of talented local suppliers

24

29

REGULARS 6 Wedding news

A round up of the latest news, events

and dates for your diary this season 13 Ask the experts

Your wedding questions and

dilemmas answered 20 Real weddings

Five couples from the South West

share all the special details of their

big days 44 Grooms

A gift guide for your best man, plus

ideas for retro-inspired outfits 49 Planner

A handy way to keep track of those

facts and figures in the countdown to

your wedding 82 Photo gallery

Fantastic photography from the best in the West 89 Directory

Lots of local contacts 90 Last word

Should you have separate daytime and

evening parts to your wedding?

AUTUMN 2014

BE INSPIRED 63 Pinboard

What we’re loving this autumn 64 Portrait of a wedding

Gianina Turner finds out about how to

get the best from your photographer 66 History in the making

Rebecca Paddick talks to the local

couple who made headlines this year 68 Paradise found Richard Jones explores the sun-soaked island of Cyprus 70 Beauty Bible

The best new products for autumn

68

66

VENUES

72 A selection of the region’s best

places to celebrate your “I do” WEST WEDDINGS 5

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LoveActuallyweddings

Wedding Fayres (11am - 3.30pm, unless specified) Bristol Golf Club, South Gloucestershire Sunday 31st August @ Bristol Sunday 7th September Bailbrook House, Bath Sunday 14th September The Bishops Palace, Wells Sunday 21st September Tortworth Court, Nr Bristol Sunday 28th September Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Nr Cirencester Sunday 5th October Hatton Court Hotel, Gloucester Sunday 12th October The Grand Thistle Hotel, Bristol Sunday 19th October Charlton House, Shepton Mallet Sunday 26th October Bristol Zoo, Christmas Special Sunday 7th December ď Ź 11am - 3pm

ADMISSION is always FREE with loveactually For information of all our events, please visit

www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk 6 WEST WEDDINGS

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news

News

UP ON THE HILL FA I R I N T H E OPEN AIR! After relocating from the Cotswolds and opening in Clevedon in March 2014, The White Collection has quickly established itself as a must-visit boutique for brides. Owner Lea Watson reports that she has received a very warm local reception, and with her background in accessories design and love of all things bridal, The White Collection is a realisation of Lea’s dream to offer a full individual styling service for her brides in a luxurious and relaxing environment.

Situated on the exclusive Hill Road, a shopping district of boutiques, fabulous cafes and restaurants close to the pier, The White Collection offers a carefully selected range of stunning bridal gowns and accessories from some of the best names in bridal design such as Alan Hannah and Charlotte Balbier. The shop also provides a bespoke service for brides looking for unique bridal accessories and jewellery, with pieces by Flo & Percy, Ivory & Co, Charlotte Mills and Lea herself, who can incorporate old heirloom jewellery into bridal accessories to create something very individual and treasured by the bride.

To see some of the stunning gowns currently stocked by The White Collection, turn to our gown gallery on page 38.

If you head over to the Willow Brook Centre on Sunday 5th October between 10.30 am and 4.30pm, don’t be surprised if you see it full of wedding dresses and cakes! The Aztec Hotel is hosting an open air wedding show at the shopping centre and has invited its preferred partners along to showcase what they can all offer to couples planning their wedding. The hotel provides an individual approach to every wedding, and has a number of options for your ceremony and reception, so this is a great opportunity to meet with the dedicated team and learn more about this stylish venue, as well as chatting with other suppliers.

AZTEC HOTEL AND SPA 110 AZTEC WEST, ALMONDSBURY, BRISTOL BS32 4TS T: 01454 201090 W: WWW.AZTECHOTELBRISTOL.COM

THE WHITE COLLECTION 30 HILL ROAD, CLEVEDON, NORTH SOMERSET BS21 7PH T: 01275 876056 W: WWW.THEWHITECOLLECTIONBRIDAL.CO.UK

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wonder

WEDDING WORLD Bristol Marriott show we have a few more surprises, too! If you’re getting married this year or next, these are exhibitions not too be missed.”

We at West Weddings are delighted to support Wedding World, so at each event you can come and meet the West Weddings team, pick up a magazine and have a natter with us about your special day! See below for a coupon to give you free entry into the shows.

This voucher entitles one couple to free entry to the Wedding World exhibition at the Bristol Marriott Hotel on Sunday 14th September 2014

This voucher entitles one couple to free entry to the Wedding World exhibition at Westonbirt House on Sunday 2nd November 2014

✃

WEDDING WORLD IN ASSOCIATION WITH WEST WEDDINGS T: 01454 322743 W: WWW.WEDDINGWORLDEXHIBITIONS. CO.UK E: EMMA@WEDDINGWORLDEXHIBITIONS. CO.UK

✃

Calling all engaged couples! Make sure you’ve put the two Wedding World exhibitions into your diary this autumn, which are your chances to meet the best of the West’s wedding suppliers all in one fab event.

In association with West Weddings, Wedding World has two events this season. On Sunday 14th September, come to the Bristol Marriott Hotel (next to Cabot Circus) where an array of wedding services, suppliers and experts, from high street names, to luxurious brands, boutiques and family businesses, will be showcasing their wares. As well as suppliers, there’ll also be a bridal fashion show, co-ordinated

by Solitaire Brides.

A second autumn exhibition will take place at Westonbirt House, opposite the Arboretum, on Sunday 2nd November. Over 100 suppliers from Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire will be exhibiting in a truly outstanding venue.

“Every year Wedding World gets bigger and more exciting, with all our exhibitors offering the very best to make your wedding day dreams come true,” says Emma Erentz from Wedding World. “This year at the

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In association with

West

The Bristol Marriott Hotel, Westonbirt House, opposite

next to Cabot Circus, Broadmead

The Arboretum, Gloucestershire

SUNDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER SUNDAY 2ND NOVEMBER OVER 100 STANDS OVER 100 STANDS

www.weddingworldexhibitions.co.uk

Untitled-5world 1 ww-autumn14.indd 1 wedding

www.west-weddings.co.uk

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Bowood

News

BRIDAL BEAUTY AT

The gorgeous Wiltshire venue of Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is throwing open its doors to prospective couples for a wedding fair this autumn on 12th October. From 11am-3pm is your chance to look around this beautiful hotel, set in the 2,000 acre estate of Bowood House, surrounded by the glorious Wiltshire Downs, and get wedding inspiration from local suppliers. Sip a glass of bubbly while you watch the catwalk shows, and meet the experts on the Bowood wedding team to start planning how to make your fabulous day even more so.

There’s also a special offer for those attending the fair. If you can’t make the October date, there’s another chance on 22nd February 2015 – put the date in your diary now!

BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA AND GOLF RESORT DERRY HILL, CALNE, WILTSHIRE SN11 0LZ T: 01249 812102 W: WWW.BOWOOD.ORG

There’s nothing better than visiting a venue in all its glory to see whether it’s right for your wedding, so why not head to Gloucestershire venue Eastwood Park on Tuesday 9th September for its open evening? This stunning country house, voted Best Wedding Venue at the Bristol and Somerset Awards, is opening its doors to couples to showcase its superb facilities. Ands well as the chance to see all the beautiful rooms and grounds, there will also be a delicious hog roast and spectacular firework finale at 7.45pm.

The event starts at 6pm and is free, but you need to pre-register with the weddings team on 01454 262818. All proceeds and donations raised from the event will be donated to the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, a charity that helps organise weddings for those suffering from terminal life-limiting illnesses.

EASTWOOD PARK WOOTON-UNDER-EDGE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL21 8DA T: 01454 262818 W: WWW.EASTWOODPARK.CO.UK

Party at the park NEW SEASON, NEW ADDRESS

Cocktails and canapes If you’ve been inspired by the latest trends for high-end cocktails and speakeasy bars, then check out the travelling drinks den from Pig’s Bladder and Petticoat! The ladies behind the company, Ellen and Maya, transformed a dilapidated old burger van into a stylish cocktail bar that can travel around the country for weddings, parties and more. As well as inventive cocktails made with the best alcohol and homemade syrups and infusions, a range of tasty desserts or hearty canapes to go with your drinks are also on offer, as well as delicious brunches – perfect for a postwedding breakfast, or a decadent idea for a hen or stag do.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about the name, it comes from the eighteenth century, when women used to smuggle gin aboard ships in pigs’ bladders hidden under their petticoats! You can be reassured, however, that your cocktails will definitely be served in more modern drinking vessels.

PIG’S BLADDER AND PETTICOAT T: 07832 262838 W: WWW.PIGSBLADDERANDPETTICOAT.COM

Freelance hair and make-up artist Grace Kingsley is excited to be launching a new venture this season, by offering bridal make-up from Neostar Hair Salon in Bristol. Her new rooms on the first floor of the salon on Whiteladies Road will provide a permanent base for Grace to provide her popular hair and make-up services for weddings and other special occasions. Grace will also use her new address to teach the courses that she runs through her side venture, The Kingsley Academy, which offers classes in a range of makeup from beginners through to specialist vintage and bridal.

To see some of Grace’s fab makeup skills in action, check out our shoot on page 51.

GRACE KINGSLEY FIRST FLOOR, NEOSTAR HAIR DESIGN, 138 WHITELADIES ROAD, BRISTOL T: 07779 592317 W: WWW.GRACEKINGSLEY.CO.UK

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The Bridal Make-up & Hair Room

are brought to you by the multi award winning Southwest Chair Covers...

Bridal make-up & hair by BBC make-up designer Call Sue on 01225 444 769 07774 791 210 suebide@aol.com

Chipping Sodbury Wedding Fayre Sunday 5th October 2014, 12-4pm, free entry

Our aim is to offer you the finest quality decorations and enhancements for your big day along with our wealth of expertise in venue styling and room dressing.

• Sweet Cart • Carpet Runners • Chair Covers & Unique Accessories • Starlight Backdrop • Dance Floors • Post Boxes • Candleabras • and much more...

Package deals available... contact us today!

www.theeventworks.co.uk

Over 50 exhibitors covering all aspects of your wedding

0117 9111811 info@theeventworks.co.uk

waynesmith78@hotmail.com

Chipping Sodbury Town Hall 57-59 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6AD

We will listen to your ideas and offer our ideas to help you create your dream individually styled beautiful wedding flowers.

We will guide you through the whole experience and help you add the special details that make the difference between a good event and a fantastic unforgettable one.

From a single bouquet to an army of bridesmaids and button holes.

Friendly / experienced / helpful / professional staff that will take the stress away from you.

3 Chelford Grove, Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS34 6DD

Photography by Your Pictures

Photography by Andrew Jackson

tel/fax 01454 856 737 email tina@tigerlilyflowers.co.uk web www.tigerlilyflowers.co.uk

Chauffeur driven classic1960’s Jaguars in stunning colours for weddings, blessings and civil partnerships Covering Bristol, Bath,South Glos and North Somerset Tel: 01454 600072 www.ajeclassics.co.uk

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News

LUXURY FOR LESS For those of you planning a winter wedding next year, you’ll be pleased to hear that for any date in January 2015, beautiful South Gloucestershire venue Old Down Manor is offering all-inclusive packages from £5,000.

This price is also available for midweek weddings in 2014 and 2015.

The venue also has a number of last minute dates in September, October and November, so if you fancy a short engagement, the costs for these days start at just £4,000. Olivia Mills, the venue’s wedding and events co-ordinator, will be happy to discuss these offers further.

OLD DOWN MANOR FOXHOLES LANE, TOCKINGTON, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE BS32 4PG T: 01454 414081 W: WWW.OLDDOWNMANOR.CO.UK

The dress of your dreams

Silk and lace specialist dress designer Catherine Miller has had a busy summer creating beautiful outfits for brides in the South West, as these photos from her recent clients can attest. From her studio in Bath, Catherine produces bespoke wedding dresses, as well as bridesmaid and mother of the bride outfits. She’s up to date with the latest trends as well as traditional bridal looks and, using her experience in corsetry and tailoring, will work with you to create the dress of your dreams.

Catherine’s bespoke service is also ideal if you’re getting married abroad in hotter weather, as she can make you a dress that will not only look amazing, but keep you at the perfect temperature! Her gowns have travelled all over the world including the USA, South Africa, Italy and France.

CATHERINE MILLER T: 01225 339294 W: WWW.SILKSPECIALISTCATHERINEMILLER.CO.UK

CHOSEN FOR YOU If you love sourcing talented designers and have a passion for vintage-inspired weddings, then head to the Chosen wedding fair on Sunday 5th October at Paintworks in Bristol. Chosen aims to make wedding planning fun, and its fairs bring together the best of creative designers and local independent businesses, plus refreshments, entertainment, live blogging and tutorials, to give you plenty of inspiration for your nuptials! The event space at Paintworks will be transformed into a wedding wonderland, with exhibitors showcasing unique, bespoke and vintage heritage design. Tickets cost £2 and can be bought online. There’ll also be a second Bristol fair on Sunday 1st February 2015.

CHOSEN BOUTIQUE WEDDING FAIRS W: WWW.CHOSENWEDDING.COM 12 WEST WEDDINGS

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advice

News

Stylish groomswear, non-floral bouquets, mother of the bride outfits?

YOU NEED TO ASK THE EXPERTS...

These useful tips from our industry experts will leave you stress free.

Suited and booted

Say it with flowers

My fiancé doesn’t have a clue what to wear for our wedding, and I’m more concerned about picking my dress at the moment than helping him research suits! What styles are popular for grooms at the moment?

I suffer very badly from hayfever but I still want to carry on a bouquet on my wedding day.

What are my options so I don’t end up with red eyes and a runny nose as I walk down the aisle?

Fiona Gough, Melksham

Jane Carlisle, Bath

Menswear manager Lee Frost from Anne Harding says:

Alison Miles from Alison Miles Couture says:

Chic couture My mum is in her late 40s and is struggling to find an outfit for our wedding, as a lot of the outfits she’s found look very frumpy on her. Do you have any suggestions for a MOB look that will suit her age and style?

Sarah Baker, Bristol

Vicki from All About Eve Bridalwear says:

The most popular style of suit for grooms and their parties at the moment is definitely a lounge suit, with a tailored, slim fit being very on trend. When it comes to colours, royal blue is a shade that’s becoming more popular this season, with light grey continuing to be a favourite with grooms and ushers.

We’ve noticed that grooms and their party are taking more notice than ever of how they look on their wedding day, so here at Anne Harding we’re on hand to offer advice on how they can all look their absolute best for this special day.

As well as a great range of suits, we have lots of accessories in the shop to complement them, including slim fitting shirts to finish the look off stylishly and a large selection of ties in a variety of colours.

Instead of a bouquet of flowers, how about a beautiful brooch bouquet? This stunning accessory is made using antique and vintage brooches and other jewellery. I love making these, as each one is unique, and you can contribute some of your own pieces or family heirlooms to make yours truly special to you. Any jewellery used doesn’t get be damaged in the process, so you don’t need to worry about destroying your grandmother’s gorgeous earrings! This is also a great accessory for you to carry if you’re having a vintage-inspired wedding, as it really fits the look well. Another advantage over real flowers is that this is one bouquet that won’t wilt in the heat or start turning brown in the sunshine! It’ll be a real talking point, and something that can you treasure forever once the wedding is over.

This current season’s collections for mother of the bride are stunning, so your mum has some excellent outfits to choose from. The most important advice would be to keep an open mind when shopping and remember sometimes a dress on the hanger looks nothing until you pop it on!

Try to book appointments with an occasion wear specialist, as they will stock leading designers that offer cutting edge designs.

I love John Charles, who offers fitted outfits that really complement all body shapes. The cut, the styling and detailing is like nothing else on the high street. Zeila and Cabotine also offer on trend styling and classic tailoring. Beautiful lace with beading is a strong key look this season, with gorgeous colour palettes to choose from. Complete the look with a fabulous co-ordinating hatinator or hat!

FFI: 0117 968 3074, WWW.ANNEHARDING.COM

FFI: 01225 336805, WWW.ALISONMILES.COM

FFI: 01633 243943, WWW.ALLABOUTEVEBRIDALWEAR.COM

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News

CHERISH THE DRESS As well as providing a fabulous range of accessories for the bride and her party, this season Bridezillas boutique in Keynsham is offering something new.

Cherish the Dress is a carefullyselected collection of of pre-loved gowns which will be on sale in the shop, offering brides the opportunity to buy something for a fraction of its original cost, with dresses being under £500.

“It’s something customers have been asking about for a while,” says Amanda Davis-Harrison, the owner of Bridezillas. “We’re really excited about being able to offer wedding gowns alongside all our gorgeous accessories.”

For more information about what stock is currently available, give the shop a call or check out the Cherish the Dress section on the website.

BRIDEZILLAS 18 HIGH STREET, KEYNSHAM, BRISTOL BS31 1DQ T: 0117 904 3039 W: WWW.BRIDEZILLAS.BIZ

You deserve to look as special as we believe you are!

“CHERISH THE DRESS” PRE LOVED DRESSES CONTACT US TODAY ABOUT OUR VIP WEDDING WEDNESDAY APPOINTMENTS

PhotoDabek

VISIT THE BOUTIQUE BRIDEZILLAS LTD, 18 HIGH STREET, KEYNSHAM, BRISTOL BS31 1DQ 0117 9043039

WWW.BRIDEZILLAS.BIZ 14 WEST WEDDINGS

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fairytale

News

A

beginning

FOUR PILLARS HOTEL

L

ooking like a miniature castle, with crenellated ramparts, ornate chimneys and stone archways, the delightful Tortworth Court Four Pillars hotel truly is a fairytale venue. For those of you looking for a romantic country house style wedding, this Grade II Victorian mansion, which is set in 30 acres of delightful landscaped grounds, fits the bill perfectly.

Whether your wedding is going to be a small, intimate affair or a larger party with guest list to match, Tortworth has the ceremony and reception room for you. Highlights include the Orangery, a self-contained venue built in 1899, and the Atrium, with its 60 feet high ceiling. And because it’s a hotel, your guests can continue to enjoy the venue once the celebrations have finished by staying in one of Tortworth’s beautiful bedrooms – and even treat themselves to the luxury of a four poster bed!

If this sounds like your dream venue, then be sure to head along the Love Actually wedding fair that’s being hosted at Tortworth on Sunday 28th September from 11am–3.30pm – visit www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk for more details on this free event. If you can’t make that date, however, then the friendly team at Tortworth would be delighted to meet you at a more convenient time – just give one of its wedding coordinators a call to arrange your visit.

TORTWORTH FOUR PILLARS HOTEL WOOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL12 8HH T: 01454 263000 W: WWW. TORTWORTHCOURT-HOTEL.FOUR-PILLARS.CO.UK

2014 & 2015

Tortworth, Wotton-under-Edge South Gloucestershire GL12 8HH WEST WEDDINGS 15

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News

The language of

love

Looking for a reading for your wedding? Then why not check out Penguin’s Poems for Weddings? This new book offers a refreshing take on weddings and all their modern forms, and is filled with surprising, curious, unorthodox and charming poetry about love and commitment.

As well as poems suitable for the ceremony, there’s also a ‘Confetti’ section, containing snippets of poetry that can be scattered in places like invitations or on wedding favours.

You’ll find poems from the greats such as Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley and Coleridge, as plus some not-so-obvious verses from novelist Margaret Atwood and writer Sylvia Plath, ensuring that you’re sure to find your perfect sentiment in its pages.

PENGUIN’S POEMS FOR WEDDINGS COSTS £14.99, WWW.PENGUIN.CO.UK

Heavenly hair

Bristol-based hair stylist Stacey Jade was thrilled to have her skills recognised at this year’s inaugural Bristol and Somerset Wedding Awards. Winning the hair and make-up category, Stacey’s win is even sweeter as the awards were voted for by couples in the South West to recognise outstanding wedding suppliers.

Stacey offers a mobile hairstyling service, coming to your house on the day of the wedding to make you and other ladies in the bridal party look your absolute best. If you’d like to have a chat with Stacey, head along to the Wedding World exhibition at the Bristol Marriott on 14th September (see feature on p.11 for more info). And, as well as creating beautiful bridal hairstyles, this talented lady also has another string to her bow – check out the gorgeous photos of her on page 51-60 as the bride at our autumn photoshoot!

Bath-based wedding dress designer Alison Miles has recently relaunched her website in order to showcase even more of her beautiful gowns.

Alison, whose exquisite creations are handmade from her studio in the heart of the city, has over her 30 years’ experience as a couture bridal designer, and the new site is a great place to get a sense of her trademark style and eye for detail. Featuring an expanded photo gallery with over 150 photos of her designs, www. alisonmiles.com also details the other services that Alison offers, including her vintage brooch bouquets and range of bridal jewellery and other accessories.

ALISON MILES COUTURE T: 01225 336805 W: WWW.ALISONMILES.COM

COUTURE ONLINE Well, well, Wells The tiny Somerset city of Wells, with its traditional market square and majestic cathedral, is a picture perfect backdrop for a wedding, and the centrally-located Swan Hotel is the ideal place to base yourself for a wedding in this gorgeous West Country location.

Licensed for civil ceremonies in its delightful Garden Room, once married you can then have the stunning backdrop of the cathedral for your photos on the Swan Terrace. Afterwards, enjoy panoramic views of the cathedral from the appropriately-named Cathedral Suite, which also boasts a fabulous brass bath!

BEST WESTERN PLUS SWAN HOTEL SADLER STREET, WELLS, SOMERSET BA5 2RX T: 01749 836300 W: WWW.SWANHOTELWELLS.CO.UK

STACEY JADE HAIR W: WWW.STACEYJADE.CO.UK E: STACEY.JADE@LIVE.CO.UK

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Dance THE NIGHT away The Wedding Works in Bristol, the shop which offers a range of wedding accessories all under one roof, continues to expand its offerings to couples planning their special day. As well as decoration, floristry, cakes, favours and photography, there’s also a specialist dance company as part of The Wedding Works team, to help you get ready for that all important first dance.

Movementor is run by choreographic whizz Liz Mitchell, who believes everyone can dance. Movementor is about making each couple’s wedding dance experience memorable - for all the right reasons. Liz spends time getting to know the couples she works with to fully understand their wedding dance ideas, and then sets about making their vision a reality.

Whether it’s a romantic dance to Etta James’ ‘At Last’ or a jive to the twenties-inspired beats of ‘Bang Bang’ by will.i.am, Liz relishes the opportunity to create a first dance that’s unique to each couple. “Each couple has vastly different ideas from the last,” says Liz. “It makes what I do such a joy - and seeing the finished result always makes me smile.”

For more information about Movementor, plus the other fantastic services on offer for couples from The Wedding Works, pop into the shop on Bristol’s Gloucester Road or have a look on the website.

THE WEDDING WORKS 427 GLOUCESTER ROAD, BRISTOL BS7 8TZ T: 0117 942 1770 W: WWW.THEWEDDINGWORKSBRISTOL.CO.UK MOVEMENTOR T: 07949 363350 W: WWW.MOVEMENTOR.CO.UK

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Downfarm

Realweddings

ON THE

Tom and Becky Spencer’s summer wedding at Wick Farm was full of homemade touches.

Helen Dorritt talks to the happy couple.

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Realweddings

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here aren’t many people who can say they’ve slept in their husband’s bed before they’ve even met him, but due to having a university friend in common, Becky often stayed the night in future partner Tom’s room while he was away – which would have been a fantastic icebreaker when the pair finally did meet!

Due to a deliberately off-putting conversation Tom initiated with Becky, she thought he didn’t want to get married, so his proposal in a rose garden by the River Cam after six years together did come as somewhat of a surprise. “It felt like being hit by a bus - in a nice way, though!” In fact, Tom has been thinking about his proposal for months, and had even commissioned a special ring from a Bristol jewellers. “It was a very unusual design and although I feel bad about it now, the first thing I said was ‘Are you joking?’ as it didn’t look like a traditional engagement ring, so I thought it might be plastic and that Tom was just messing around!” It didn’t take Tom long to persuade Becky of his seriousness, however. “It was very heartfelt and special,” says Becky.

After attending a wedding in a barn, which featured a barn dance in the evening, Becky and Tom wanted the same for their nuptials, so picked Wick Farm near Bath for both their ceremony and reception. “It was very well designed and decorated, and had the warm welcoming feeling we were looking for,” explains Becky. “Location was also important, as a lot of our friends live in Bristol and Bath so we didn’t want it to be too much hassle for people to get there.” Having a relaxed day was important for the couple, too.

“Tom and I are both quite laid back and happy people and I wanted our wedding to reflect this, so everyone felt relaxed and comfortable and was able to enjoy the happiness of the day.”

The day was beautifully captured by photographer Kirsty Field. “Her photography

was amazing – we’re so happy with our wedding shots,” says Tom. “She’s very relaxed, and focuses on natural shots, which we really like. She also took us out for a pre-wedding photoshoot around Bristol, which was a fantastic experience, as it got us used to her shooting style and made us more relaxed in front of the camera, which was great for the big day.” Despite the rest of the UK being treated to heavy rain, the skies stayed dry over Wick Farm, and the sunshine even came out for the evening photos.

The handmade touch was evident throughout this wedding. Graphic designer Becky produced all the wedding stationery herself, including personalised placecards with individual photos on them (“Thank goodness for Facebook!”). The tiers of the cake were each made by a different family member, topped with a Fimo model made

by Becky, and Becky walked up the aisle to her brother-in-law playing the piano. The wine was brought over from France by Becky’s parents, who have a holiday home there. “We also handed out home-brewed beer as a favour to each guest,” says Tom. “We didn’t really know what strength the beer was, but later in the evening we deduced it must have been quite strong, due to the antics of some of the guests!” And as a homage to loved ones who couldn’t be there, the couple displayed framed photos of their grandparents, plus their parents, on their own wedding days.

The couple had also planned to decorate the venue with homegrown flowers, but things didn’t go quite to plan, thanks to some plant-munching bugs. “Despite daily slug collections, lots of the flowers we grew ourselves didn’t make it,” explains Tom. “Luckily, when Becky told her friend Claire about the troubles we were having with the flowers, she and her husband Bill came to the rescue. They arrived early in the morning with half of their garden and proceeded to decorate the whole venue.” “They are both such lovely people and it made it feel really special to know they had made all that effort just for us,” adds Becky.

Becky didn’t want to miss out on singing during their civil ceremony, so guests were asked to sing ‘Can’t Take My Eye Of You’ by Frankie Valli during the ceremony. “We picked it together as it is a upbeat, fun song that sums up how we feel about

each other. In our order of service I asked everyone to sing as loudly as they could. I was a bit nervous about how it would go but it worked really well and everyone got really into it - it was one of my favourite and funniest bits of our wedding!” she says.

The evening barn dance was a huge success with guests. “We knew a barn dance is one thing guaranteed to get everybody up and dancing! Add in the excellent food, wine, home brew and cake and we reckon people really enjoyed themselves.

In fact, we’ve heard from quite a few of our guests that it was the best wedding they have ever been to, which is lovely.”

And for the couple themselves? “It was the best day of my life,” says Tom. Becky agrees.

“Sorry to be predictable but it really was the best day of my life too!” The fun didn’t stop after the wedding, however, as the very next day, the couple embarked on a seven month honeymoon, travelling to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Australia and New Zealand – a trip of a lifetime after the best day of their lives.

DETAILS Venue Wick Farm, Farleigh Hungerford, Bath BA2 7NQ T: 01225 722238 W: www,wickfarmbath.co.uk Photographer Kristy Field T: 07968 444739 W: www.kristyfield.co.uk Bride’s dress Pretoria by Grace Harrington from Just for You Bridal, Yor House, Bond Street, Bristol BS1 3LQ T: 0117 942 8900 W: www.justforyoubridal.co.uk Bride’s tiara A Class Brides, Sandy Park Road, Bristol BS4 3PQ T: 0117 919 3007 W: www.aclassbrides.co.uk Groom’s outfit Debenhams W: www.debenhams.com Catering Strawberry Field W: www.strawberryfield.co.uk Bouquets and button holes Clifton Flowers, 10 Triangle South, Bristol BS8 1EY T: 0117 929 9518 W: www.cliftonflowers.co.uk Cars Mike’s Morris Minor Wedding Car Hire T: 0117 300 9429 W: www.morrisminorweddings.co.uk WEST WEDDINGS 19

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08/08/2014 09:58:29

The Garden of Life Realweddings

Charlotte Bulmer hears more about Jess and Gary Snailum’s spring wedding in Somerset.

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hen your surnames are Beeson and Snailum, you’re clearly meant to be together. Jess and Gary had worked in the same building for a while but when Jess took on a new role, which meant she would be working alongside Gary in the same office, fate took control. ”Gary and I would find ourselves laughing out loud together, normally at one of his jokes which no-one else understood. That’s when we realised just how well we got on!” explains Jess.

Once the pair realised just how well suited they were, Gary certainly didn’t move at a snail’s pace when it came to seeing Jess.”We lived quite far apart at that time, but Gary is a keen cyclist and would ride 27 miles just to see me.” When it came to the proposal Gary’s sense of humour certainly came out to play as he whisked Jess away for her birthday to see Lionel Richie at London’s O2 Arena, serenaded her with ‘Hello’ in their hotel room, while wearing a moustache and wig, then read her a beautiful poem which he’d written himself, ending with the words ‘will you marry me?’ “I think I told everyone I met on the way to the gig that we had just got engaged!”

Jess and Gary also didn’t move at a snail’s pace when it came to planning the wedding, as it happened within six months of getting engaged. “A lot of the work was done by us and family and friends all chipped in to help,” says Jess. The wedding took place in May 2013 at the idyllic and luxurious location of Charlton House, Shepton Mallet in Somerset. “Originally we were booked at another venue, but six weeks before the big day, they pulled the plug on all wedding bookings,” recounts Jess. “There followed a very busy and stressful weekend, but when we found Charlton House we knew that it was right for us and can honestly say that it surpassed the previous venue 100 times over.” The food

in particular was a big hit. “The pumpkin cheesecake for desert kept our guests guessing what it was - it was delicious!”

The imagery of the snail and the bee soon became an integral symbol of their unity, and therefore an appropriate theme for the wedding.

“With surnames such as Beeson and Snailum it seemed obvious to us that we were made to share the garden of life,” says Jess. Gary chose a floral engagement ring, then during the wedding he wore a silver bee on his lapel. He, the ushers and best man (also Snailums) wore snail cufflinks and his daughter Isabel, the ring bearer, wore a snail ring. The rings were delivered on a plate that Gary had painted with a snail and a bee, as a surprise for Jess, and their cake also continued featured these creatures.

For this wedding, flowers were always going to be important, and Tina Bignall at Tiger Lily Florists rose to the challenge of ensuring they looked perfect. “Our flowers were beautiful and everyone commented on them,” explains Jess. “They completely enhanced and made the venue look magical. We had decided on coral peonies which were proving really hard to get close to the wedding, due to the weather we had had, but Tina pulled it off for us in the end.” The May weather had not been kind in the build up to the wedding, but on the day the sun shone. “Gary reckons it was a gift from his dad,” explains Jess.

David Alton Photography captured all the memories of the day with energy and enthusiasm, and the guests also enjoyed personalised caricatures of themselves by Ian Lloyd from Parody Portraits.

"Our wedding was a perfect occasion as we had dreamed it would be,”says the couple. “It was an all too quick roller coaster ride of a day that, if we had a ‘priority pass’, would queue up and do over and over again!”

DETAILS Venue Charlton House, Shepton Mallet BA4 4PR T: 0844 248 3830 W: www.charltonhouse.com Photographer David Alton Photography, 2 Riverside Rd, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2NY T: 07806 513633 W: www.davidaltonphotography.com Bride’s dress Mori Lee at Sposa Elegante, 439 Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 4AZ T: 01225 345101 Groom’s outfit The Original Mobile Menswear W: www.theoriginalmobilemenswear.com Flowers Tiger Lily Florists, 3 Chelford Grove, Patchway, Bristol BS34 6DD T: 01454 856737 W: www.tigerlilyflowers.co.uk Cake Iced Magic T: 0117 985 9359 W: www.icedmagiccakes.co.uk Cars De Gournay Motor Company W: www.degournaymotorcars.co.uk Caricaturist Parody Portraits W: www.parodyportraits.com WEST WEDDINGS 21

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08/08/2014 10:07:17

Message in a bottle Realweddings

Consuelo and Marc Cordey tied the knot next to the beautiful Cornish seaside. Antonia King hears their story.

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onsuelo was passing time at home on dating site Plenty of Fish when she commented on the excellent condition of one man’s beautiful long hair. He messaged her back, which led to a text, which turned into talking, until one day they met - and the fairy tale started.

It might have been his hair that first attracted Consuelo, but it was his dedication and love that she fell for after they met, with Marc falling for smile, sense of humour and caring nature. Marc even went as far as doing an Italian course so that he could ask Consuelo’s father for her hand in marriage in Italian. “It was very emotional and it made us all cry with joy,” says Consuelo.

The couple both wanted the wedding to be a small and intimate gathering with good food and a lovely location. “I used to live in Cornwall, and Marc is fond of the region too, so it was lovely to be able to get married there,” says Consuelo. As Consuelo is Catholic, they chose a Catholic church in Penzance for the ceremony.

“I wanted to walk up the aisle with the sound of the organ and have an opera singer sing an Ave Maria,” she explains. For the reception, the couple chose the equally romantic setting of Tregenna Castle, which has 72 acres of private grounds and some fantastic views overlooking the bay in St Ives.

Being by the seaside prompted Consuelo to come up with the idea of sending out the wedding invites as a ‘message in a bottle’, filled with sand and small shells. This seaside theme continued throughout the wedding, with a mirror and shells forming the centrepiece of the reception table. Consuelo also planted her own flower bulbs for the ceremony which she turned into a spectacular display of fresh gladioli to decorate the church aisles. “I was worried

the gladioli might not come out in time or come out too early, but they came out like clockwork!

I was very chuffed that they looked so radiant.”

Orchids are another of Consuelo’s favourite flowers, and she bought orchid plants to add to the table display in the reception. Buying her own decorations meant that she also had a pretty memento from the day. “Most people don’t get to take home the plants that decorated their weddings, but I love looking at them and remembering taking them to Cornwall on the back seat with my folks holding onto them.”

Consuelo had a very clear idea of what she wanted to wear, a 1950s style with lace detail.

“I never wanted a meringue for a dress – those are for eating!” Heading off to Dorset to try her dress, her close friends helped her with the choice and fitting. Luckily Posh Togs in Bournemouth had a Romantica of Devon dress that was exactly what she wanted, making her choice very easy. Adding a shrug from Monsoon, her ‘something borrowed’ came in the shape of a necklace from her mother, and she also wore a pearl tiara. Consuelo’s short dress meant that the shoes were equally important, so she waited for the (rather expensive) Kurt Geiger silver leather stilettos she’d fallen in love with to go on sale. “Patience pays!” she jokes.

Disaster nearly struck when Consuelo and her father couldn’t find the entrance of church, “I had always gone in from the back, and didn’t actually know where the main entrance was, or what gate would take there. Whilst walking back and forth, I felt my garter falling down my leg, so I had to put it back up in the middle of the street. Hopefully no-one filmed it and sent it to ‘You’ve been Framed’." Luckily they did finally find a gate that led to a path to the other side of the church, so the bride got there two minutes fashionably late.

A friend of the couple was their photographer, which meant they felt comfortable in front of her, allowing them to take some more spontaneous and natural shots as well as having the more formal family and friends photos. “The weather was magically glorious,” says Consuelo, and they took full advantage of being by the sea to get some beach shots.

“I finally relaxed on our wedding day once I got to the church. It had been a challenging but pleasurable task organising it, and I enjoyed seeing it all coming together the day it came, the way I had dreamt it,” reports Consuelo. Marc adds: “I loved spending time with our closest friends and family. It was a truly lovely day.”

DETAILS

Reception venue Tregenna Castle, Trelyon Avenue, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DE T: 01736 795254 W: www.tregenna-castle.co.uk Bride’s dress Romantica of Devon at Posh Togs, 763 Wimborne Rd, Bournemouth BH9 2BA T: 01202 548997 W: www.posh-togs.com Dress alterations County Couture W: www.countycouture.co.uk Hair Sara Veil, Hair Studio, Tregenna Castle Estate, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DE T: 01736 799669 W: www.weddinghaircornwall.co.uk/saraveal Make up Natasha Flower T: 07967 267123 W: www.natashaflower.co.uk Singer Maria Heseltine W: www.mariaheseltine.com Cake The Cake Lady, 114 Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 3AN T: 07813 842021 W: www.the-cake-lady.org Bottles for wedding invites Wares of Knutsford W: www.waresofknutsford.co.uk

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spreading Realweddings

START

THE NEWS

After a proposal in the Big Apple, Kelly and Dan Pinkster added New York touches to their wedding in Bristol. Rebecca Paddick finds out more.

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hey say love happens when you least expect it, and for Dan, never was there a truer word spoken. The custody officer crossed paths with his future wife Kelly, a Police Community Support Officer, when dealing with an arrest, and shortly after, they became a couple. Dan had a two year trip abroad planned, but cut it short to just six months so the two could be together.

The couple decided on a holiday to New York for Kelly’s 30th birthday, but instead of just taking in the sights, Dan had another plan.

“While we where there, we went ice skating in Central Park and started to work up a sweat, but I couldn’t understand why Dan wouldn’t take his coat off. Little did I know he was carrying the ring,” explains Kelly. After walking around the park attempting to find a suitable place to pop the question, Dan finally found a spot next to the boathouse. “I found a bench overlooking the lake which I thought would be a great place, but on closer inspection there was a man there drinking from a brown paper bag, so I substituted the bench for a rock!” Dan chose a Canadian Ice engagement ring for Kelly, which was white gold with one central diamond and diamonds running down the side. ”I knew it was the right one as soon as I saw it,” he recalls.

Kelly’s family and friends had their suspicions that Dan would pop the question while the couple were in the States, but Kelly was still taken by surprise. “I didn’t expect it to happen at all while we were away,” she says.

Shortly after the pair had returned home, wedding preparations began. “We both had an input on planning and everything was actually pretty easy to plan and choose. The only thing that was difficult was deciding who we would

invite, mainly because Kelly has a much larger family and than me,” explains Dan. The couple tied the knot on 13th April 2014 at Leigh Court in Abbots Leigh, Bristol. “We wanted one place for both the ceremony and reception so our guests didn’t have to travel from place to place,” says Kelly, adding, “It’s a lovely listed mansion house, and when we saw the stunning double-staircase in the Great Hall, it confirmed that this was the place for us. They were great from start to finish, and allowed us to add personal touches such as having lawn garden games on the green, and a sweet table for our evening guests.”

To bring back memories of Dan’s romantic proposal, the couple decided to name the tables after landmarks in New York. They also opted for a photo booth in the evening, provided by PhotoDabek, which went down well with the guests, as did his photography style overall. “ All our guest commented on how great Martin was completely non-intrusive, taking photos without them even realising he was there.”

The bride’s sister and three friends helped to make up the bridal party, not forgetting Kelly’s niece and nephew as flower girl and page boy.

The groom was supported by his best man and three ushers. “There were so many best bits to choose from,” enthuses Kelly. “One of the most memorable moments was when the best man pulled out Dan’s childhood cuddly toy, Spot the Dog, and provided him with a passport to come with us on our honeymoon! I took Spot away with us and made sure I took picture with him in it.”

There was one minor slip up on the day, and unfortunately that was for Kelly’s stepfather.

“He pulled a muscle in his leg and felt that he couldn’t make his speech. Luckily we had

a physiotherapist amongst our guests, who massaged his leg and even got him up dancing again later in the evening.” Despite this, the couple had a fabulous day – “it just went too fast!” For Dan, the highlight of the day was easy to decide: “Seeing Kelly come down the aisle she looked stunning,” he says. And the couple say their day was everything they could ask for.

“We had great weather and all of our family and friends where there to help us celebrate. We would love to do it all over again!”

DETAILS Venue Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh, Bristol BS8 3RA T: 01275 373393 W: www.leighcourt.co.uk Photography Photo Dabek T: 0117 350 1032 W: www.photodabek.co.uk Catering Crown Catering, Upper Upthorpe Farm, 11 Upthorpe, Cam, Gloucestershire GL11 5HR T: 01453 544780 W: www.crown-catering.co.uk Bride’s dress and jewellery Sposa Elegante, 439 Bath Rd, Saltford T: 01225 345101 Groom’s outfit Debenhams W: www.debenhams.com Flowers 1st Choice Flowers, 246 Stapleton Road, Bristol BS5 ONT T: 0117 951 8070 W: www.1stchoiceflorist.co.uk Cake Marks and Spencer W: www.marksandspencer.com Transport Abacus Wedding Cars, 17 Tyler Close, Hanham, Bristol BS15 9NG T: 0117 957 1222 W: www.abacusweddingcars.com WEST WEDDINGS 25

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Twisting the night away Realweddings

Hawaiian shirts, bespoke cocktails and a giant game of Twister all combined to make Jazmin and Tom Rogers’ wedding a day they’ll treasure forever, writes Helen Dorritt.

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university romance led to a mountaintop proposal for Bristol couple Jazmin and Tom. “We’d been talking about getting married for a while, and then when were out shopping, I’d spotted a ring I liked,” explains Jaz. “Tom bought it in secret just days before we were going away skiing and surprised me on the first day at the top of a run - he bent down to adjust his boots and I was looking at the view, and when I turned round he was holding the ring up to me. I then spent the whole week scared that it may fall off and we’d lose it in the snow!”

Luckily the ring stayed on her finger and the couple started planning their November nuptials.

Both were keen to get married in an area that had meaning to them, and on visiting Kingston Country Courtyard in Dorset, a venue just down the road from Jaz’s parents’ house, immediately felt at home. “It’s an old barn that is not obviously done up to appear as anything but a comfortable version of the original barn. It has great views, lending itself to outdoor weddings - even though on the day we couldn’t do this due to rain, we had planned to! - and they were as flexible as you could imagine,” says Tom. Fun was high on the agenda for this wedding.

“I was very keen on having a lot of games and high tempo music being played, a really full-on knees up, which I feel reflects my personality and view on life,” says Tom. Guests were asked to wear Hawaiian shirts, there was a bouncy castle, board games and sweets in flowerpots served as table centerpieces and people joined in a huge game of Twister played on five mats.

Contributions from family and friends were

also important. Jaz wore her grandmother’s wedding dress, their friends Dave and Ashling were their photographers, Jaz’s mum and one of her bridesmaids made the cake, which Jaz and her mum then decorated, and Jaz’s sister designed the invitations. “We liked that we had input from lots of friends and family in creating things for our wedding day. We trusted their judgement on what they provided us as we know them all so well.” Tom got creative and designed a special wedding cocktail called Ginger Rogers, based on Jaz’s love of the 1930s tap dancing duo, featuring rum, Amaretto, ginger beer and lime.

An enthusiastic consumption of these as well as Jagerbombs, however, led to a groom who couldn’t sleep and ended up tidying the bridal suite at 4am!

The couple shared the planning duties and ensured that they stayed true to their original vision. “We kept checking that what we were doing was what we originally wanted the day to be and that we were justifying our decisions.”

There were a few extra things that crept in though! “We came to realise that there were more things to plan than we thought there might be, as we have never planned anything on that scale before, and there were some things that we thought we wouldn’t do, such as a first dance, that we were talked into anyway as they seemed to be what the guests wanted to see!”

There were also quite a few surprises for the couple on the day. Jaz’s dad decided to sing his speech to the tune of ‘Smoke on the Water’, which went down a treat despite the CD player refusing to work at first. Jaz loved the moment when Tom took off his jacket to reveal his secret shirt – half dinner,

half Hawaiian, which he’d had specially made.

The couple found it hard to pick one favourite part of the day, with several events standing out for them. For Tom, “it was really special when Jaz walked through the door in beautiful sunshine, seconds after my brother and his wife came in under an umbrella due to a torrential downpour you could hardly see through. And me finishing my speech without crying!” he adds. Jaz loved “my dad’s speech, and the moment Tom revealed his shirt, and when we started laughing during the ceremony when we both messed up our lines!”

Jaz and Tom summed up the day as: “Being surrounded by all the people that you care about the most in life, all focusing on you, looking your absolute best as a couple, and how much love you have for one another. Moments of tranquillity, warmth, laughter, great food and drink, fun and games and music!”

Sounds like a perfect day to us.

DETAILS Venue Kingston Country Courtyard, Kingston, Swanage, Dorset BH20 5LR T: 01929 481066 W: www.kingstoncountrycourtyard.com Photographers Dave Munson Photography W: www.davidmphotography.co.uk Butterfly Photography W: www.facebook.com/butterflyphotographic Dress alterations Susan Gilby T: 0117 953 3099 W: www.susangilby.com Groom’s outfit Anne Harding, 90-92 Shirehampton Road, Bristol BS9 2DR T: 0117 968 3074 W: www.anneharding.com

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08/08/2014 10:13:23

Bridal Wedding Fayre Open Days FREE Admission & FREE Goodie Bag Arrival Drink upon Registration - 11am - 3pm

With some of the Finest Professionals in The Cotswolds Exhibiting Everything from the Necessity to the Unique.....

The Only Limit is Your Imagination!

Sunday, 28th September 2014 The Cheltenham Regency Hotel Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 0ST

Sunday, 19th October 2014 The Crown of Crucis Ampney Crucis, Cirencester, GL7 5RS

Sunday, 16th November 2014 *Newly Refurbished* Royal George Hotel Birdlip, GL4 8JH

www.idylliccreationswithlove.co.uk info@idylliccreationswithlove.co.uk

07772 210 742 Proud to Support Macmillan Cancer Support

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08/08/2014 15:11:47

gowns

GownInspiration

SPOSA ELEGANTE SOLITAIRE BRIDES THE WHITE COLLECTION

New season, new owner, new location!

It's all change this autumn for Sposa Elegante. The shop was recently taken over by new owner Ann Staples, who will be continuing Sposa Elegante's tradition of friendly, knowledgeable service to brides and their parties. And now the shop is set to move, too - going from its current location in Saltford to new premises in Keynsham from 26th August.

Sposa Elegante is pleased to be a stockist of designer Mori Lee, whose new autumn gowns are showcased on the following pages. Mori Lee's focus is contemporary, on trend looks with specially crafted embellishments and a range of silhouettes to suit all figures.

SPOSA ELEGANTE 40 Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1EH T: 0117 239 7006 W: www.sposaelegante.co.uk

2683 Enjoy pure Hollywood glamour with the mermaid silhouette of this elegant gown. Embroidery and Alencon lace are layered over net alongside delicate diamantĂŠ beading to create a pretty illusion neckline. It comes in white/silver or ivory/silver.

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GownInspiration

LEFT 2679 A dress that makes a statement! The ruched sweetheart bodice is adorned with twinkling diamantĂŠ straps, which flow into a delicate, sheer crystal beaded back and a row of buttons. A crystal beaded belt with floral detail completes the princess feel to this lovely gown.

BELOW 2676 The column silhouette on this intricately beaded dress will flatter everyone, while the chapel length train is perfect for those who want to keep it simple. It's made from embroidered and Venice lace appliquĂŠs on net, and is finished off with a satin sash that ties in an elegant bow.

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GownInspiration

RIGHT 2682 Another gorgeous fishtail shape, this dress exudes sophistication. DiamantĂŠ beaded embroidery cascades across the bodice and down to the knees, where the skirt flares out dramatically to create a striking silhouette. Choose from white/silver, ivory/silver and light gold/silver.

BELOW 5623 A sweeping gown that's perfect for those who would like some drama on their wedding day! Made from Alencon lace on tulle with beaded organza, the back also boasts a dramatic bow that flows down into the elegant drape of the train.

Available in white or ivory.

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Special Day & Appletons Fabulous wedding gowns from leading designers including Sottero & Midgley, Mark Lesley, Impression Bridal, Bonny Bridal, Opulence by Romantica, Ellis Bridal, Lou Lou & for our curvaceous Brides Bonny Unforgettable & Sonsie by Veromia.

Over 500 bridesmaids dresses in stock including Alfred Sung, 57 Grand, Ebony Rose, Impressions, Veromia and the largest range in the South West of the award winning Dessy collection.

Huge range of mother of the bride & groom outfits including John Charles, Zeila, Cabotine, Mascara and L’atelier.

DESIGNER BRIDAL WEAR

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM

BRIDESMAIDS / MENS FORMAL HIRE Exclusively offered by RBA Brides’ Protection Scheme guarantees to each RBA Bride the peace of mind that the dress she buys will be safe for her big day and Special Day & Appletons are the only RBAMembers in the Bristol & Bath area.

New for 2014 a stunning ra nge of Mark Lesley Bridesmaids dresses

12 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DQ - Tel 0117 9860303 / 9863582 Email: special.day@btconnect.com • www.specialdayandappletons.co.uk Untitled-6 Special Day1ww-autumn14.indd 1

14:07:48 08/08/2014 13:19:28

GownInspiration

Brand new for 2015!

Solitaire Brides in Midsomer Norton is thrilled to present the new 2015 range from renowned bridal designer Amanda Wyatt – the Blue Iris collection.

The collection’s name derives from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and you’re guaranteed to feel like a goddess yourself in these stunning dresses. Amanda Wyatt has been designing bridalwear for 20 years, and the collection is the result of her listening to customers to find out exactly what they want from their most special dress. The gowns in Blue Iris have an excellent fit and cut, and are designed for all sizes and shapes. Amanda is also proud to be flying the British flag for bridalwear.

As well as the styles featured on these pages, Lucy Carter, the owner of Solitaire Brides, was able to get two more of the gowns from the collection, Malory and Blue Iris, for our cover photoshoot, so we were lucky enough to see some of these lovely dresses up close. To see them in action, head over to page 51.

SOLITAIRE BRIDES 69 High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2DQ T: 01761 416699 W: www.solitairebrides.co.uk

ABOVE MARIGOLD Available in both gold and ivory (pictured in ivory), this dress features a gorgeous lace overskirt that flows into a beautiful ballgown silhouette. The back is as lovely as the front, with the floral pattern of the lace forming a gorgeous line.

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GownInspiration LEFT HYACINTH We love the lace boat neck on this gown, with its pretty capped sleeves. A ribbon belt with floral adornment is the perfect finishing touch.

BELOW KATYA A sweetheart strapless neckline and gently ruched waist flow into a satin skirt and chapel length train. Simple but oh so pretty, this dress works well with a full length or fingertip veil.

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GownInspiration

ABOVE SKYLARK The gathered waist and A line skirt will flatter your figure while the embellished ruched bodice adds just the right amount of detail. The chiffon skirt gently pools out into a train and delicate straps make this a great dress for warmer weddings.

LEFT JULIETTE Evoking the wedding dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, this is an elegant gown that uses lacy sleeves and a pretty neckline to excellent effect. Perfect for those who dream of getting married in a vintage-inspired gown.

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THEBRIDALROOM 40 high street, westbury-on-trym, bristol

0117 908 9010 w w w. t h e b r i d e s ro o m . c o. u k

Invite you to view the fabulous New 2015 Collection Now in store

Call Jan on 0117 9568068 for a personal appointment

• BRIDAL WEAR • BRIDESMAIDS • ACCESSORIES

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WWW.brideathome.co.uk e-mail: jan@brideathome.co.uk

4 The Willow Centre, Downend Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 5UJ

Solitaire 69 High Street Midsomer Norton Bath, Somerset BA3 2QD Tel/Fax: 01761 416699 www.solitairebrides.co.uk

NOW STOCKING THE NEW 2015 COLLECTIONS FROM ALAN HANNAH, CHARLOTTE BALBIER, IVORY & CO AND ANNASUL Y WITH ACCESSORIES BY FLO & PERCY, IVORY & CO AND CHARLOTTE MILLS BRIDAL SHOES

30 Hill Road, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS21 7PH 01275 876056 / 07800 718580 info@thewhitecollectionbridal.co.uk www.thewhitecollectionbridal.co.uk

Alison Miles Couture

Image courtesy of www.captureit.co.uk

Contemporary and Traditional Wedding Gowns individually designed and made to measure in the most beautiful silks Bespoke Vintage Brooch Bouquets Enquiries/appointments Tel: 01225 336805 Email: alison@alisonmiles.co.uk www.alisonmiles.com

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GownInspiration

IT’S ALL

white

In the elegant and luxurious surroundings of Clevedon boutique The White Collection, all brides are treated to a friendly and personalised service, with the emphasis firmly placed on creating a special and memorable shopping experience. The boutique is exclusively reserved for the bride and their party during their appointment, and there’s always a glass of bubbly on hand to celebrate when the bride has found her dream dress! Designers stocked include Alan Hannah, Charlotte Balbier (the only stockist in the Bath/Bristol/Somerset region), Ivory & Co and Annasul Y, offering a mix of vintage and classical styling. A range of exquisite accessories are also on offer, from Ivory & Co, Flo & Percy and owner Lea Watson’s own designs.

THE WHITE COLLECTION 30 Hill Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7PH T: 01275 876056 W: www.thewhitecollectionbridal.co.uk

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GownInspiration

OPPOSITE PAGE IVORY & CO BRIONY Vintage-inspired, the delicate lace bodice of this sweeps down into a silk organza skirt with matching waistband detail. Very pretty and very romantic, perfect for the bride who’s dreamt of a fairytale wedding.

ABOVE IVORY & CO FLORENTINE A strapless gown in silk charmeuse satin with a dramatic full skirt. It’s available in porcelain (as shown) or the new shade of platinum pearl.

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GownInspiration

ABOVE IVORY & CO VERONIQUE Stunning tea length strapless gown, with a layered silk organza skirt and lace detail bodice. This dress features an optional beaded bow detail silk sash, and is available in ivory or blush. It's styled with a matching back fastening long sleeved lace jacket.

LEFT CHARLOTTE BALBIER GRACIE Romantic and elegant strapless silk chiffon dress with elegant lace bodice.

Styled with vintage broach with glass button detail back. Soft and utterly feminine, the stunning full skirt of the dress floats through the air.

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GownInspiration

LEFT AND ABOVE CHARLOTTE BALBIER ISCOYD PARK (FRONT & BACK) One of the designs worn by Charlotte Balbier herself at her recent wedding, and named after the venue where she married her husband Teddy. The dress features exquisite soft gold embroidery and feminine sleeves, with a low feature back. Styled with matching veil.

RIGHT CHARLOTTE BALBIER ETIENNE Elegant French lace gown with exquisite back detailing, and featuring the signature Charlotte Balbier bias cut asymmetrical skirt that fans out to a fishtail. Available in a choice of ivory or blush. Styled with matching silk and lace veil.

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in a W edding W worth ÂŁ12,000 enter in paper until Tuesday, August 26 p43.indd 1

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vintage

Grooms

The

groom

The ever-popular vintage look isn’t just for brides. Charlotte Bulmer explores how to add a little retro chic to a groom’s outfit.

M

oustaches, waistcoats, braces, spats, a cane… When it comes to adding some vintage looks to what you wear on your wedding day, there’s loads of scope to let your personality shine through. Here are our five tips to create the perfect vintage-inspired look.

A BIT OF HERITAGE One of the most popular groom’s looks this year - which is perfect for autumn - is English heritage, combining old-fashioned tweeds, braces and paisley pocket handkerchiefs. Go country squire with a three piece tweed suit and dark tie or bow tie, or opt for a more country look with a white open necked shirt, cravat, flat cap and braces. If top to toe tweed is a bit intimidating, add just one element, such as a waistcoat - check out the groom in our shoot on page 51.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL All too commonly overlooked on a groom’s outfit are little details to showcase personality. So how about adding an object that’s significant to you and your life? For example, if your favourite hobby is music, add a badge shaped like a vinyl record to your buttonhole or pin it on your jacket collar.

HATS OFF Don’t be afraid to wear a hat (respectfully removing this item whilst reading your vows to your future spouse), as this is guaranteed fun for the wedding photos and after party. If you’re opting for a 1920s-30s look, a bowler would work perfectly. Or, if that’s too Laurel and Hardy for you, try the timeless trilby.

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MIX AND MATCH There’s no need to feel bound by wedding conventions. If you’re a more laidback kind of guy who’s not as comfortable in a full suit, why not team Prince of Wales chequered pants with a light blue shirt and a dark blue waistcoat, and forget the jacket altogether? Or ditch the tie or cravat to create a more casual, open necked look. And, as long as the colour scheme works coherently throughout the outfit, then you also don’t need to be afraid of mixing different patterns and textures together.

Differently coloured bridesmaid dresses are very in fashion at the moment, so extend this to

your groomsmen. Take one item, such as a tie or waistcoat, and let each one choose their own colour. This way you’re letting them have some freedom of expression, but limiting it to one item means your party won’t end up looking like a circus show.

Grooms

SUIT UP Another hot look for this year is the timeless and classic Great Gatsby-inspired tuxedo. This look suits the more refined and clean-cut man, who isn’t afraid to dress up in a suit. And after all, if you can’t wear a tuxedo on your wedding day, when can you?

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Grooms

great

THE GUIDE TO

Last minute panic trying to sort presents for your best man and groomsmen? Fear not, we’ve rounded up our pick of things they’ll love.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GRACE STUDIOS

GROOMSMEN GIFTS

FLASK IN A BOOK This sneaky little devil is a cunning secret stash for a hip flask, so perfect for the best man who likes a nip or two. Write a message, fill the flask with their favourite tipple and you have the perfect gift. You could even get the flask engraved for the extra personal touch.

W: WWW.RED5.CO.UK SMARTPHONE PROJECTOR This nifty little gadget enables you to project images or films from your phone onto the wall.

Perfect for a best man who fancies himself as a bit of a movie buff. Just don’t blame us if he uses it to show humiliating videos from the stag do during his speech.

W: WWW.NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM PERSONALISED ENVELOPE CUFFLINKS Let your bestie know your true feelings with these personalised cufflinks, which feature an envelope that opens with a removable wooden letter inside. You can choose to have a different message on each of the wooden letter inserts, and can personalise both the front and the back with up to three words of your choice, whether it’s a heartfelt message of how much your friendship means to you, or something rude to make him laugh.

W: WWW.MARIAALLENBOUTIQUE.COM

ESPA PRODUCTS Get him photo ready with ESPA’s range of toiletries for men, including Dual Action Shavemud and Invigorating Body Reviver.

Full of lovely ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil and cocoa extract, he (and his skin) will definitely thank you.

W: WWW.ESPASKINCARE.COM BEARD KIT Treat a hirsute groomsman to this beard and moustache set, guaranteed to keep his facial hair in perfect condition. Containing beard wash, beard oil, moustache wax and a comb, this kit will ensure that he looks dapper in the photos.

W: WWW.NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM LAPTOP CASE What better gift for a best man? Able to fit a 13” laptop or tablet, this’ll sum up your friendship beautifully as well as being useful.

W: WWW.THELOSTLANES.COM

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The Lily Locket

For beautiful, unique and affordable wedding flowers, whatever your style or budget.

Wedding design service for ideas & styling.

Authentic vintage props & accessories available for hire.

Help with planning, co-ordination & organisation.

The little wedding company for Your Big Day 07812 034 025 norma@thelilylocket.co.uk www.thelilylocket.co.uk

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Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/westweddingsmag, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westweddingsmag, find our boards at www.pinterest.com/westweddingsmag and check out our blog at www.westweddings.blogspot.co.uk

ONLINE WWW.WEST-WEDDINGS.CO.UK

For that little bit extra...

You can now get even more from West Weddings by visiting our website, going to our blog, liking us on Facebook, sharing our boards on Pinterest and following us on Twitter.

With competitions, news, behind-the-scenes photos and more, we’ve got the world of West Country weddings sorted!

PLANNING Need advice on where to start? If our handy countdown and budget planner wasn’t enough, you can grab more helpful hints and ideas on speech planning, invitation etiquette, seating plans and much more.

VIEW IT ONLINE If you’re loathe to lend your copy of West Weddings to friends and family, just point them in the direction of our website - not only can they view the latest issue online, but they can browse through old issues, PLANNING which means nobody has to miss out!

YOUR DAY

TWEET TWEET! We love interacting with our couples online, and giving you even more wedding info, so don’t miss out - find us on www.twitter.com/ westweddingsmag, on www.facebook.com/ westweddingsmag and on www.pinterest. com/westweddingsmag.

BLOG-TASTIC Our blog at www.westweddings. blogspot.co.uk is the perfect read in between issues of your favourite local wedding magazine! Keep up with the latest news, reviews and ideas with blog editor Gianina and the team.

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News

the essential...

WEDDING

GUIDE Use this page to plan your budget and organise the big day - without the stress of last minute panics.

1 YEAR TO GO

Decide on the date.

Set your budget.

Make an appointment to see the minister if you are marrying in a church, or the registrar if you’re having a civil marriage.

Make a list of the guests.

Book the florist and the photographer.

Book the wedding reception and transport.

Start looking for your dress.

Decide on the best man, bridesmaids and the ushers.

Confirm all bookings in writing.

6 MONTHS TO GO Order the wedding stationery.

Send out the invitations.

Arrange the first fitting for your wedding dress.

Pick the bride’s wedding shoes and accessories.

Choose outfits for the groom, best man, bridesmaids, fathers, mothers and ushers.

Organise rings for the bride and groom.

Look for a band or DJ to play at the reception.

Take out wedding insurance.

Book the honeymoon and check your passports.

Consult your hairdresser about the day.

3 MONTHS TO GO Decide on your wedding list and circulate to guests.

Order the cake.

Confirm ceremony details with the registrar or minister.

Buy gifts for the best man, ushers and bridesmaids.

Discuss seating plan with the caterer.

If your honeymoon is abroad, arrange necessary vaccinations.

Plan your hen and stag parties.

Notify your bank, building society and relevant authorities of the date that your name will change.

1 MONTH TO GO

Arrange for a final fitting of your wedding dress.

Confirm the arrangements in writing with the reception venue, caterer, florist, photographer, transport provider and others.

Confirm the honeymoon arrangements.

Have hen and stag nights.

Finalise the reception seating plan with the caterer.

Anyone speaking at the wedding should write, time and practise their speeches.

1 WEEK TO GO Arrange a wedding rehearsal.

Collect your dress.

Wear your wedding shoes around the house to break them in.

Complete your final beauty preparations.

Pack for your honeymoon.

Think through the logistics of the day so everyone is clear what is happening.

ON THE DAY Have a relaxing bath or shower.

Eat breakfast.

Bridesmaids and page boys arrive.

Hair and make-up.

Bride and bridesmaids get dressed.

The photographer arrives.

Wedding transport arrives.

Relax and enjoy the day!

BUDGET PLANNER Keep tabs on what you’ve spent, what you will need and how much money is left in the piggy bank with this handy guide.

PLANNER

ESTIMATED ACTUAL

Engagement ring Wedding ring (hers) Wedding ring (his) Dress Shoes Veil Lingerie Hair accessories Jewellery Hair trial and on the day Make-up trial and on the day Cosmetics Groom’s suit Groom’s shoes Attendants’ outfits Ceremony fees Flowers Reception venue Catering Drink Cake Entertainment Photography/video Transport Stationery Favours/attendants’ gifts First night hotel Honeymoon Going away outfit Honeymoon wardrobe Insurance Other

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Artisan Wedding Florist Bristol, Bath & beyond Captivating vintage-inspired designs that exude your wedding day dreams Complimentary couples consultation with tea and cake provided

Elegant and beautiful Wedding & Occasion Cakes, Cupcakes and Wedding Favour Cookies.

www.prettyamazingcakes.co.uk Call Anne 0117 9243036 / 0756 323 7803 to book a free consultation and cake tasting

Email: prettyamazingcakes@gmail.com

Contact Adele to discuss ideas 07722 383601 email tincanfloral@gmail.com www.tincanfloral.co.uk

Photo Dabek

Preferred supplier for a number of venues of distinction: Old Down Manor, Thornbury Castle, Walton Castle, The Old Manor Hotel

Proud supporter of the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation

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The West Weddings team of experts create an autumn wedding to remember in the picturesque setting of the Old Manor Hotel.

Photography: Martin Dabek Words: Helen Dorritt

country

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A

warm day and an even warmer welcome greeted the West Weddings team as we arrived at the Old Manor Hotel. Located in beautiful grounds on the Wiltshire border, this charming hotel was full of amazing finishing touches – plus an extremely cute dog - that we couldn’t wait to photograph, and was the perfect backdrop for a vintage-inspired, weekend in the country style wedding.

THE VENUE

Although it's a hotel, with the expert service you would expect, there’s also a relaxed, family feeling about the Old Manor which transforms it into something far more intimate.

The site of the Old Manor is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but the current house was built in 1500 and then revamped to Georgian fashion in 1700 to become a gentlemen’s country residence. Now Grade II listed, this little gem of a country house is owned by Tudor and Lucy Hopkins, who took over it last year and have carefully and lovingly restored it to its former glory. Similar in style to many Bath buildings, with honey coloured stone, the house sits in beautiful gardens and is a handy 10 minutes each from Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge.

Food is a huge part of the Old Manor’s offering. The pretty kitchen garden provides many of the vegetables and herbs used in the cooking, with the venue looking to become self-sufficient in this area very soon. There’s also an on-site smokery, where delicious meats and fishes are prepared and served to guests in dishes created by talented chef Matthew Briddon.

The Milking Parlour has been transformed into a restaurant and also doubles as the ceremony room, and a large stone fireplace greets you as you walk up the aisle. Wedding breakfasts are served in a purpose built permanent marquee, which has a light, airy feel and looks out onto the gardens. Later on you can return to the Milking Parlour to take advantage of the bar, which is tucked into a corner and has the feel of a snug in a country pub. Period furniture and finishing touches such as croquet on the front lawn, Neals Yard toiletries in the bathrooms and fresh flowers in antique vases all combine with the Old Manor’s gorgeous interior and setting to create a dream wedding venue.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

Martin Dabek of PhotoDabek is always looking for interesting angles for his photography, and he certainly found these at the Old Manor Hotel. Whether it was standing on a ladder to get the best angle, using mirrors to get a shot from a different perspective or charming the hotel’s dog Camber into posing for us, Martin went the extra mile to get some amazing images with a fantastic attention to detail.

A member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers, Martin limits the number of weddings he does each year so he can guarantee to give all his couples extra special attention. “I love capturing those candid moments when nobody thinks you’re looking, memories that might otherwise be forgotten,” he says. Martin also offers pre-wedding engagement shoots and post-wedding trash/ cherish the dress sessions, so you can get the most from this special time.

THE BRIDE’S DRESSES

With dresses selected by Lucy Carter of Solitaire Brides from the shop’s excellent range of designers and styles, and expertly accessorised by Amanda Davis-Harrison from Bridezillas boutique, we were guaranteed four show-stopping bridal looks for our shoot.

Stacey firstly wore the titular dress from Amanda Wyatt’s new Blue Iris collection. This dress, which features pretty capped sleeves and a lacy back, is literally hot off the sewing machine, and doesn’t hit the shops until later this year, so we were thrilled that Lucy was able to showcase it in our shoot. This was paired with the pearl ‘Maui’ headpiece from Abigail Grace Designs, which is also brand new for this season, plus Abigail Grace’s ’Ocean’ bracelet and a pair of crystal and pearl earrings from Twilight Designs. Stacey’s second dress was a satin dress with crochet overlay from Allure Couture, style number C289. The stunningly detailed back of this dress flows into a puddle train, which made for some gorgeous images.

Amanda teamed this with the ‘Blossom’ hairvine by Blossom, the ‘Melinda’ bracelet from Twilight Designs and the same earrings as before. Another dress from the Blue Iris Collection, Malory, was our third look for the day, which had a Grecian feel to it with simple lines and pretty ruffle details on the shoulders.

This was worn with the ‘Gatsby’ headpiece, Ivory & Co earrings and ‘Zena’ bracelet, to give a vintage, 1920s feel. The final dress was style 9073 from Allure Couture, which had a full net skirt with lace applique overlay and Swarovski crystal detailing on the bodice. Amanda kept accessories simple to complement the sheer illusion neckline, using a tiara by Crystal Valley and the ‘Regal’ bracelet by Sass B.

THE SUITS

Menswear manager Lee Frost from Anne Harding in Bristol chose groom David’s look, utilising the boutique’s newest range of slim fit suits and tweed waistcoats to evoke the country

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gentleman feel we were going for.

David first wore a navy blue slim fit suit with matching slim fit white shirt, accessorised initially with a matching blue waistcoat and cravat, and then a tweed waistcoat with a coffee-coloured cravat. “Navy blue is very on trend for 2014,” reports Lee, and this colour worked very well alongside the tweed and brown shoes. It also made the raspberry tones of David’s buttonhole really pop! Later on, David donned grey trousers and a deep pink cravat, the colour of which also meshed well with the tweed waistcoat. If, however, you’d prefer a more traditional morning suit or have always fancied wearing a full-on tailcoat for your wedding, Anne Harding has outfits to suit every style of groom.

THE HAIR AND MAKE-UP

Our bride’s gorgeous hair and make-up styles were created by Grace Kingsley, who specialises in bridal looks. Stacey’s eyes were given warm pinky-brown tones using Urban Decay’s Naked 3 palette, and enhanced with individual false eyelashes. Grace used Arbonne mineral powder on the face to give skin a warm glow, and then created a matte lipstick using Flat Out Fabulous and All Fired Up shades from MAC, for a raspberry colour that really tied the whole colour scheme together.

Grace also styled Stacey’s hair in two ways.

For the first two dresses, the hair was curled and the front sections twisted, before it was gathered back into a low bun for a relaxed, romantic updo. For the next two dresses, Grace curled Stacey’s hair in the same direction and then gently brushed it out into a soft glamour

wave. It was kept loose for the third dress and pulled over one shoulder for the final gown, both looks being complemented beautifully by Bridezilla’s hair accessories.

THE FLOWERS

Adèle Brown from Tin Can Floral brought our shoot to glorious floral life using flowers and foliage in shades of raspberry, lilac, plum and mulberry. The bride’s bouquet featured a whole host of beautiful blooms including hydrangeas, Acapella and Blueberry roses, astilbe, bouvardia and sedum matrona. An autumnal touch came with the inclusion of blackberries, a perfect addition for this season.

The natural wood tables of Old Manor’s lovely marquee were decorated with a profusion of hydrangeas, continus, siergas chasmanthium, hedera helix and sanguisorba, plus passion fruit, plums, black grapes and figs, to make them look good enough to eat!

Adèle specialises in wedding and special event arrangements, which are lovingly created and full of vintage-inspired charm.

Her speciality, as referenced in her company’s name, is the upcycling of tin cans to create beautiful vases for florals, which in Adèle’s talented hands are turned into miniature works of art using lace, fabric and ribbon.

THE CAKE

Anne Gliddon from Pretty Amazing Cakes was so inspired by our gorgeous setting that she made not one but two cakes. The first showcased her superior icing skills, featuring three tiers in pale blush pink with delicate floral brush embroidery. Lifelike sugarcraft peonies adorned the top (with many of us thinking they were real!), and the design was topped

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CON TACTS off with a satin bow and sparkling brooch detail. To demonstrate that her cakes taste as good as they look, Anne also made a naked cake, something that’s becoming increasingly popular for weddings. Made of Victoria sponge sandwiched together with jam and cream, and simply but effectively decorated with fresh berries, we all thoroughly enjoyed a slice with a cup of tea at the end of the shoot.

THE CARS

Always dreamt of driving a classic car? Vintage Classics can make that come true. The company has an extensive range of vintage motors for self drive hire including a Jaguar Mark II, Alfa Spider, Audi Quattro Turbo and and Triumph Stag. For our shoot, we had to get the Jag on board, as well as a navy blue Morris Minor convertible that was a perfect fit with the venue.

If you’d rather relax and let someone else take the wheel, Vintage Classics also offers a full chauffeur service within a 40 mile radius of its base in Melksham, Wiltshire. This service includes a uniformed driver and the car decked out for the occasion in matching ribbons and silk flowers, to ensure you arrive at your wedding in total style.

THE MODELS

Being the groom at a wedding shoot is very different from being a teenage pin-up in the pages of Just Seventeen, but it’s all in a day’s

work for professional model David Hill-Souch, who also runs his own agency, Shoot DHS. His beautiful bride was Stacey Jade who, in her job as a hair stylist, is more used to doing the model’s hair, rather than being the model! She was a total natural, however, and the camera adored her. Her favourite dress? “I love them all, but if I had to choose one to get married in, it would be Amanda Wyatt’s Malory.” David would quite happily have driven the Jaguar home afterwards!

THE STYLIST

Kirsten’s palette of raspberry pinks and plums was perfectly suited for an autumn wedding and for the relaxed country wedding feel of our shoot. As a venue stylist, her eye for detail means that she masterfully mixes props and décor to create a wedding wonderland in every venue she works in. Whether it was arranging the cake with Adèle’s flowers against a wooden crate, placing Anne's cake on a tree log outside in the gardens or using oversized letters from The Natural Moss Company on the ceremony room’s fireplace, Kirsten was able to bring all the elements of the shoot together to create the ideal backdrop for Martin’s photographs. And as her favourite weddings to style are those that are vintage-inspired, the pretty interior of the Old Manor Hotel really appealed, with many items of furniture and props that she would have liked to add to her collection!

VENUE OLD MANOR HOTEL, TROWLE COMMON, WILTSHIRE BA14 9BL T: 01225 777393 W: WWW.OLDMANORHOTEL.COM PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTODABEK T: 0117 3501032 W: WWW.PHOTODABEK.CO.UK BRIDAL GOWNS SOLITAIRE BRIDES, 69 HIGH ST, MIDSOMER NORTON BA3 2QD T: 01761 416699 W: WWW.SOLITAIREBRIDES.CO.UK ACCESSORIES BRIDEZILLAS, 18 HIGH STREET, KEYNSHAM, BRISTOL BS31 1DQ T: 0117 904 3039 W: WWW.BRIDEZILLAS.BIZ GROOM’S SUITS ANNE HARDING, 90-92 SHIREHAMPTON ROAD, STOKE BISHOP, BRISTOL BS9 2DR T: 0117 968 3074 W: WWW.ANNEHARDING.COM HAIR AND MAKE-UP GRACE KINGSLEY T: 07779 592317 W: WWW.GRACEKINGSLEY.CO.UK CAKE PRETTY AMAZING CAKES T: 0117 924 3036 W: WWW.PRETTYAMAZINGCAKES.CO.UK FLOWERS TIN CAN FLORAL T: 07722 383601 W: WWW.TINCANFLORAL.CO.UK CARS VINTAGE CLASSICS T: 01225 703377 W: WWW.VINTAGE-CLASSICS.CO.UK MODELS STACEY JADE W: WWW.STACEYJADE.CO.UK DAVID HILL-SOUCH E: SHOOTDHS@HOTMAIL.CO.UK STYLIST THE LITTLE WEDDING HELPER T: 07726 911951 W: WWW.LITTLEWEDDINGHELPER.CO.UK

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Would you like beautiful vintage bunting at your venue?

Vintage Classics At Beez Neez bunting hire, we design and make a gorgeous range of quality cotton bunting.

Suitable for marquees, large and small venues across the U.K. We talk about parties and weddings every day, so if you are looking for inspiration or would like to find out more about our services, visit the website or give us a no obligation call.

Beez Neez Bunting Hire Tel 0117 2449926 Mobile 07584 126720

www.beezneezbuntinghire.co.uk

Self Drive Classic Car Hire for weddings, civil ceremonies and minimoon too!

Cars from 1960’s – 1990’s Let your groom whisk you to the reception in style. Chauffeur service available for local weddings

www.vintage-classics.co.uk 01225 703377

Huge light-up letters for hire. Our 4ft tall, 3D letters provide amazing mood lighting and the perfect backdrop for those all-important wedding photos. We deliver, set up and collect the letters ourselves to ensure minimal hassle for the bride and groom.

For further information, contact Siobhan 07875099756 / email info@lighthausevents.co.uk www.facebook.com/lighthausevents @lighthausevents

ADAM COVERS WEDDINGS THROUGHOUT THE WEST COUNTRY, HIS NATURAL AND CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE WILL BRING A MODERN TWIST TO YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY. FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND AN INFORMAL CHAT PLEASE CONTACT ADAM ON 07590903499 OR EMAIL ADAMRUMBLE4@GMAIL.COM PLEASE VISIT HIS WEBSITE WWW.ADAMRUMBLE.CO.UK OR FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ADAMRUMBLEPHOTOGRAPHY

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WHAT WE'RE LOVIN

LAPADD’s gorgeous paper star lanterns will light up your rec eption beautifully.

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wedding

THE PORTRAIT OF A From personality and price to services and style, Gianina Turner looks at what you should consider when choosing your photographer.

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sing both excellent equipment and pure passion, photographers document your wedding story as it unfolds. They're with you every step of the way, seamlessly blending in the background but always on hand with their camera. Their passion for images and years of experience makes it easy for them to anticipate the key moments of the day signing the register, cutting the cake, your first dance as a married couple - and allowing you to re-live all the happy moments and emotions of getting married. Speaking to six professional wedding photographers from the South West, we've gathered together their advice on how to get the best from your wedding photographs.

FEEL A CONNECTION

Eleanor Saunders from Interlace Photography believes couples should choose someone they can connect with. “You remember the person who photographs your wedding for the rest of your life, so choose someone you really like.

There are photographers that create amazing images but, if you don't feel comfortable with them, it will affect your enjoyment of everything. I always say to my couples: if you wouldn't have them as a guest, then don't book them as your photographer.”

Ruth Garner agrees. “More often than not, your photographer will be with you for the whole of your wedding day, so it's important that you think you'll get on well.” Adam Rumble also emphasises the importance of this. “Having a photographer you can get on with will take so much worry out of the situation and put you more at ease on your big day. You'll get more out of them if the three of you work well together.”

FAMILY DECISIONS

“Family are the most important people at the wedding after the bride and groom,” says Eleanor. “If they've contributed financially, it’s likely they will want to have a say in the

Adam Rumble's favourite photo: “It's nothing fancy or posed, just a shot that captures the good mood of the day. A memory, the way wedding pictures should be.”

major aspects of the day, which also includes photography. It's worth showing the group photo list to your parents prior to the big day to see if they have any additions they want. That way you won't find that your mum suddenly produces her own list on the day that has you standing and smiling for far longer than you intended.”

“It's important to me that I'm aware of any family members who might need special attention, for example grandparents or elderly relatives,” continues Ruth. “If children are present, I use their vibrancy, energy and fun to create some playful shots.”

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

Martin Dabek likes to take relaxed photos with everyone enjoying themselves. “I believe that weddings are joyous occasions and that your photos should reflect that. I therefore love capturing those candid moments when nobody thinks you’re looking; memories that might otherwise be forgotten.”

Louise Taylor feels the same way. “I try to move around unnoticed so that I can capture the emotional moments in an unobtrusive and natural way. I think it's important to be patient and wait for moments to unfold, but also to be very aware and always on the

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BeInspired lookout for something that the bride and groom would like to remember.”

SOME OF OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS' FAVOURITE IMAGES...

SPECIAL DETAILS

“I'm mostly thinking about two elements: taking photographs of the couple looking completely loved-up, and getting images of the guests having a wonderful time laughing,” says Louise. “I also like to photograph the small details that a couple have put thought into to make their wedding personal and unique.”

“Every wedding is different,” says Martin, “and I’m completely inspired by each couple’s personalities, so we work together to create dramatic and artistic images that perfectly capture their relationship.”

“I consider myself the eyes of the bride and groom and everyone around them on their big day,” explains Eleanor. “Everything they've chosen is because they love it, and deserves to be recorded in a beautiful way. Ensuring I'm close enough to the action but with enough distance to allow the couple and their guests to relax and feel like I'm not on top of their every move, means I can capture every bit of personality that makes their celebrations truly special.”

RANGE OF SERVICES

Photography is going to take a large piece of your budget, so it's important to spend your money carefully. “A good photographer has not only the vision and creativity, but also the best professional cameras and lenses,” explains Julian Willmott from 21 Wedding Films. Talk to your photographer to find out what equipment they'll be bringing to your wedding. A pre-wedding shoot is also a good way to see first hand what camera they're using, and to check you're happy with the technical aspects.

“Ask to view their work, as they may come highly recommended but not suit your style,” advises Adam. “Don't be afraid to ask questions as a good photographer should be happy to try and accommodate your requests."

Our experts also all emphasise the value of having pre-wedding photos for being more relaxed in front of the camera. “I include a pre-wedding shoot with all of my packages as it's a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better before the big day,” says Ruth. “It's especially useful for couples who are not so keen on being photographed as it demonstrates to them that it is painless!”

Martin also agrees: “I always encourage my couples to have an engagement session to increase their confidence and level of comfort when posing for photos.”

DETAILS ADAM RUMBLE PHOTOGRAPHY W: WWW.ADAMRUMBLE.CO.UK INTERLACE PHOTOGRAPHY W: WWW.INTERLACEPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK LOUISE HELEN TAYLOR W: WWW.LOUISEHELENTAYLOR.WORDPRESS. COM PHOTODABEK W: WWW.PHOTODABEK.CO.UK RUTH GARNER PHOTOGRAPHY W: WWW.RUTHGARNERPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 21 WEDDING FILMS W: WWW.21WEDDINGFILMS.CO.UK

Martin Dabek: “I enjoy photographing all kinds of reflection, and in this case I used the piano to get a reflection of the couple. I love the mood and warm colours in this photo.”

Eleanor Saunders: “This image just says everything about the moment the couple are sharing.

They were standing by the back door of their village hall reception, tentatively practising their first dance. I asked them if they wouldn't mind head into the open space and continuing. This is one of a sequence of beautiful shots of them lost in the moment.”

Julian Willmott: “This is Daniel and Jenny at their wedding in Cancun Mexico. I got them up at 5.30am on the morning after their wedding to take some stunning images as the sun rose.”

Ruth Garner: “This is one of my favourite images as it exemplifies what I love about photographing weddings - moments showing natural and real emotions. I always love the moment when a couple meets each other for the first time at their wedding. There is always such a genuine look of happiness, often accompanied with tears of joy.”

Louise Taylor: “I chose this image as it is representative of my documentary style and it feels like a window into this couple's relationship. It perfectly sums up the joy of the day, and a relaxed moment together after the intensity of the ceremony.”

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History in the making Rebecca Paddick talks to Bristol couple Matthew Symonds and Mike McBeth about how they walked down the aisle and straight into the history books.

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his year is very significant for Mike and Matthew. After 20 years together, they decided there was no better way to mark their anniversary than to tie the knot.

This year is also a milestone for same sex couples across the country, when marriage finally became legal in England and Wales on 29th March, and Mike and Matthew were the first couple to marry at Bristol Register Office.

“Although getting married was clearly very personal for us both, it did feel quite exciting to be part of making history,” explains Matthew.

“We've been together for 20 years so it felt like we've been waiting quite a long time, so we decided that we wanted to get married on the first day we could – why wait any longer?”

After the landmark ceremony, the couple stood in front of a rainbow-coloured banner holding the words "Just Married" as they posed for photographs on the front steps. “We were quite taken aback on the day by the number of people who kept coming up to congratulate us,” says Matthew. “It was very special to see that so many people were glad the law was changing and that it wasn't just lesbian and gay people who felt the change was long overdue.”

EQUAL TREATMENT

The couple met in 1994 while campaigning for the Labour Party during the European elections.

“It was a romantic courtship of delivering leaflets and knocking on doors!” recounts Matthew.

Before marriage was legalised for gay couples, many opted for a civil partnership, which came into force in 2005. This offers the same legal treatment as marriage across a range of matters, but Matthew and Mike decided this wasn’t the right option for them. “For us, this came down to a very basic principle that we wanted to be treated equally to any other couple,” explains Matthew. “Whilst we recognise and welcome civil partnerships as a significant step forward for gay equality, it still felt to us that gay and lesbian couples were being treated differently to same-sex couples. Could you imagine if the government had said to black or disabled people that they recognised their relationships, but they

WHEN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WAS APPROVED AROUND THE WORLD

wouldn't be allowed to get married and instead they could have this other form of ceremony?

We held out, as we were confident the day would come when we could get married just like any other couple.”

ALL IN THE PLANNING

So how does a couple go about planning such a momentous occasion? “The planning was Matthew’s department,” says Mike. “When the same sex marriage law was passed in summer 2013 the Government had said the first ceremonies could take place in summer 2014, but it was announced in December that the first day would be the 29th March, so in fact everything was planned in a much shorter time than we initially thought we'd have. We were really lucky to have wonderful family and friends who helped us with the planning.”

To help make the day unique and even more personal, Mike and Matthew were accompanied by their dog, a Hungarian Vizsla called Zoly.

“One thing that nearly caused a bit of a dilemma was whether we would be able to take Zoly to the ceremony with us,” Mike adds. “We had to ask special permission as dogs aren't usually allowed.

We were thrilled that he was allowed to join us, and in fact, I think he was the real star of the day as he carried our rings on his collar.”

TIME OF CHANGE

Legalising same-sex marriage has been seen as a significant step forward for gay rights. But while this is on the right track, many feel we have a

2001 Netherlands 2003 Belgium 2005 Spain 2005 Canada 2006 South Africa 2009 Norway 2009 Sweden 2010 Portugal 2010 Iceland 2010 Argentina 2012 Denmark 2013 Uruguay 2013 New Zealand 2013 France 2014 England and Wales long way to go until we reach equal rights for all.

“I think we're definitely winning the argument for full equality,” says Matthew. “It's just a case of putting it into practice, and I don't just mean lesbian and gay equality, but equality of women, Black and Minority Ethnic people, disabled people and other marginalised groups. I think there have been enormous changes, both in attitudes and in legal protection in the UK over the years. However, there are still many areas where attitudes haven't changed and prejudice persists. In many parts of the world being gay is not even legal, so there's still much progress to be made.”

MARRIED LIFE

For Mike and Matthew, holding out for 2014 proved to be well worth the wait. “Married life is great,” enthuses Matthew, before quickly adding: “Although after being together for 20 years there aren't really that many surprises!”

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Stacey Jade Mobile stylist specialising in Bridal Hair covering Bristol and the Southwest.

Winner of Hair & MakeUp 2014 for Bristol and Somerset Wedding Awards.

B er w ick L odge, B er w ick Dr ive, Br i st ol B S10 7 T D

Tel - 07800596008 www.staceyjade.co.uk Stacey Jade Hair

Get yourself noticed by the Bride-to-be’s!

Recently awarded with 5 stars from the AA, Bristol’s best kept secret Berwick Lodge provides a stunning location for your wedding and offers a totally bespoke service to create the wedding of your dreams. The beautifully renovated building and grounds offer many unique features and what’s more the 2 rosette food is to die for!

www.berwicklodge.co.uk 0117 958 1590

Call Jacqui Lewis on

0117 934 3136

to advertise in the next issue of West Weddings Magazine

@Berwicklodge www.facebook.com/BerwickLodge

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It’s the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, so where better to enjoy time as a married couple?

Richard Jones explores the gorgeous island of Cyprus.

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he beautiful spot of Petra tou Romiou or Aphrodite’s Rock in Western Cyprus is where, according to legend, Aphrodite rose from a white foam in the sea before floating ashore on a scallop shell and going on to have many lovers, both god and mortal. Local myth states that anyone who swims in the waters surrounding it will be blessed with eternal beauty, so what better place to go for a swim with your beloved?

If you’re looking for paradise, then you’re guaranteed to find it in Cyprus. Warm days, balmy nights, a twinkling blue sea and stunning countryside all add up to the perfect recipe for your honeymoon. And if you also love the idea of staying in paradise in name as well as location, just a few miles inland from Aphrodite’s Rock lies the tranquil hotel of Paradisos Hills, a 15 room boutique hotel and retreat built by Soulla Charalambous and her family in memory of their father Andreas.

Paradisos Hills is the perfect location for your Cypriot honeymoon, with its breathtaking mountainside location providing stunning views of Chrysochou Bay, Paphos Forest and the Akamas Peninsula. And, thanks to the warm, welcoming nature of Soulla and her clan, you’ll feel as if you’ve been invited to stay over at the luxury home of an extended

Cypriot family. Varying cuisine is served each evening in the restaurant, with Soulla and her sister Niki also running cookery classes showing visitors how to recreate their mouthwatering Cypriot and Mediterranean dishes. Hikers and cyclists regularly call in for a bite to eat or glass of wine, and to share a tale or two, with Niki’s Sunday lunch and Friday night buffet particularly popular.

As well as being a great place to head for some R&R after the stresses of organising a wedding, Cyprus is also a popular destination wedding location for Brits wanting to guarantee sunshine on their big day. April and May are very pleasant, with conditions usually like a summer’s day in the UK, with even more heat and sunshine in July and August. If you’re one of these wedding sun seekers, then Paradisos Hills is fully equipped and licensed to stage wedding ceremonies, and is the perfect sophisticated and romantic backdrop for your day in the sun. Should you prefer a religious ceremony in one of the many nearby churches, the hotel also hosts wedding receptions, where you can toast your nuptials with delicious local wine and cuisine.

Once you’ve tied the knot, there’s plenty to keep you occupied during your first days together as a married couple. Lap up the

warm sunshine and swim in the warm blue waters at the beaches at Latchi, Coral Bay and Pomos, and enjoy a day out exploring the city of Paphos – check out Romantica, an ideal place for a spot of lunch or early evening meal, with owner Bambos and the Phillipou family serving mouthwatering locally-sourced dishes within a stone’s throw of the municipal beach adjacent to the port’s big hotels. Or, if you’re feeling energetic, head to the famous Fasouri Watermania water park, where you can lounge around on the sunbeds or lazy river, or try high-octane rides such as the Black Cannon, Pro Bowl and the Extreme Black Hole slides. And don’t forget to take a dip in the sparkling Mediterranean at Aphrodite’s Rock. Who knows, you might just end up being blessed with eternal beauty - and not just in the eyes of your new husband or wife...

CONTACTS PARADISOS HILLS LYSOS, CYPRUS W: WWW.PARADISOSHILLS.COM E: INFO@PARADISOSHILLS.COM FOR INFORMATION ON THE LEGALITIES OF GETTING MARRIED ABROAD, CHECK OUT WWW.GOV.UK/MARRIAGE-ABROAD

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BIBLE

We bring you a round up of the best bridal beauty products for this season.

1

BIORÉ SELF HEATING ONE MINUTE MASK Looking to get your skin in tip top condition? With the help of charcoal, menthol and zeolite, Biore’s new mask provides a deep cleansing boost in one minute. This clever formula heats up, opens pores, digs out dirt, cools down and closes pores to provide an instantly boosted and radiant complexion.

W: WWW.BIORE.CO.UK

2

NOURISH GOLDEN GLOW ILLUMINATING FACE SHIMMER This new illuminator provides both skincare and cosmetic effects, and was a firm favourite with our tester. The 86% organic formula includes tonka bean extract so skin looks toned and lustrous with a vibrant and natural glow - our tester said after using it, her skin looked the best it had for ages. As befitting a product with the word gold in its name, it also contains frankincense and myrrh –which you’ll be pleased to hear balances the skin and refines its appearance.

3

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES DESTRESS MASSAGE OIL Sometimes all the wedding planning can get a bit much, so unwind with this gorgeous blend of essential oils.

Arnica, lavender and rosemary improve circulation and ginger helps warm overworked and tired muscles. Apply after a hot bath for instant relaxation.

W: WWW.AROMATHERAPYASSOCIATES.COM

W: WWW.NOURISHSKINCARERANGE.COM

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4

L’KERABELLE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER Keratin specialists L’Kerabelle have launched a new range of products this season, including the Enriched Shampoo and Enriched Conditioner. With ranges for normal, fine and coarse hair, use them for freedom from frizz and gloriously smooth wedding day hair.

W: WWW.DNLHAIR.CO.UK

5

COLOR WOW ONE MINUTE TRANSFORMATION CREAM If your hair is looking a little dry and parched, a small amount of Color Wow’s Transformation Cream will soon revive it. Our tester like its light formula, which meant it didn’t make her hair feel lank, and noticed an instant improvement to the look of her locks.

W: WWW.COLORWOWHAIR.COM

6

BURTS BEES LIP SHIMMER One of Editor Helen’s favourite products, this fantastic tinted lipbalm provides rich colour as well as excellent moisture.

It’s perfect for a bride who doesn’t normally wear lipstick but wants to add a little colour on her wedding day. Helen loves the pinky-red Rhubarb (pictured), but with 11 colours in the range including Peony, Caramel and Cherry, you’re sure to find the right one for you.

W: WWW.BURTSBEES.CO.UK

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VENUES

TO THE MANOR

BORN Helen Dorritt is charmed by a visit to the newly-refurbished Old Manor Hotel.

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s soon as I caught a glimpse of the honey-coloured exterior of the Old Manor Hotel, I knew it was going to be a very special place. While it’s conveniently located just ten minutes each from the towns of Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge, this pretty little house is most definitely in the countryside, and you feel a million miles away from the urban hustle and bustle once you step out onto the driveway.

Once inside, the interior doesn’t disappoint. The Old Manor in its current incarnation dates back to Georgian times, and since taking over in 2013, owners Tudor and Lucy Hopkins have set about ensuring the décor matches the house’s history. A delightfully eclectic mix of furnishings makes for a cosy feel, and the welcome received from the staff is also enhanced by the Old Manor’s resident Weimaraner dog Camber.

The Old Manor is fully licensed for wedding and civil ceremonies, which are conducted in the charming Milking Parlour, with an impressive backdrop of a huge stone fireplace. The room is

then transformed into the late night party room, where its snug-type bar, tucked away into the corner, provides the perfect place for some post-dancing drinks. Your three course wedding feast is served in the Old Manor’s stylish permanent Greenhouse Marquee, which also features a wood burner to warm the air for chilly autumn and winter days. And you can guarantee that your guests will be talking about the food long after the day - I certainly was! Head chef Matthew Briddon leads a talented team in the kitchen, which uses local produce (including many home-grown or produced ingredients from the Old Manor’s garden and smokery) to create a farmhouse dining experience that you won’t forget.

The happy couple get to enjoy a complimentary stay in the bridal suite which, with a wooden antique four poster bed and freestanding bath in the en suite, is a fabulous room to start your married life. Your guests can also stay the night in one of the hotel’s 20 other charming bedrooms, to have a relaxing end to what will certainly be a simply splendid wedding day.

THE OLD MANOR HOTEL TROWLE COMMON, NR BRADFORD ON AVON, TROWBRIDGE, WILTSHIRE BA14 9BL T: 01225 777393 W: WWW.OLDMANORHOTEL.COM

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VENUES

A CLASS OF ITS OWN

Tucked away in a quiet Bristol street, Helen Dorritt finds Clifton College to be a hidden gem of a venue.

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y day it’s a bustling secondary school, but once the pupils have left for the holidays, Clifton College is transformed into a beautiful wedding reception venue. What’s even better is that this prestigious venue is right in Bristol’s city centre, in the beautiful suburb of Clifton, therefore offering a setting that’s as accessible as it is stunning.

Planning a small, intimate reception? The Cricket Pavilion is perfect. Your guests can dine inside, or for something more informal, serve a picnic on the grass. Or, if you’ve always admired classical dining rooms – or had a thing for the interiors of Hogwarts - then you’ll love the Grand Hall. Large windows reminiscent of those in old churches let the light flood across the wooden panelling and create a dramatic setting for your wedding breakfast. The College also has a picturesque chapel featuring a curved wall full of stained glass windows. While wedding ceremonies are only available to Old Cliftonians, it is available for your photos, or as a blessing venue if you’ve booked the College

for your reception.

One of the things that makes a reception at the College particularly special is the extensive grounds. You step through the archway in the cloisters and are greeted with a huge expanse of lawn and green spaces against the dramatic backdrop of the College’s stone and brick buildings. There are opportunities for stunning photographs waiting for you at every turn, whether it’s in the Cloisters, in one of the carved archways or in the pretty rose garden.

The food is also something you and your guests won’t forget. Catered by the College’s experienced team, there’s no set menu you need to stick to – they’ll work with you to create a spread of delicious food that’s tailored to your requirements, whether that’s a formal sit down three course dinner or a casual fork buffet.

There’s also the option to have a barbecue – perfect for a warm summer’s day. And with an experienced wedding co-ordinator, Rachel Gough, on hand to help you with every stage of the planning, you can guarantee that your wedding reception will be given full marks!

CLIFTON COLLEGE 32 COLLEGE ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL BS8 3JH T: 0117 315 7669 W: WWW.EVENTSATCLIFTON.COM

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events at clifton

Stunning wedding venue in the heart of Clifton.

Receive a free annual sports centre membership for the bride and groom when you book your wedding reception at the College.

Wedding receptions for up to 180 guests For more information, contact Rachel Macfarlane T: 0117 315 7669 E: RMacfarlane@cliftoncollege.com

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ith both barns licensed for Civil Marriage Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships, Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard affords versatility in planning your special day.

Exclusive use of the venue means the oak-floored reception area, brick–walled bar, terraces, and portable dance floor can also be utilised as you wish. Couples are encouraged to decorate the neutral interiors according to their individual taste, style, and colour preferences. Our gardens, vineyard, and the enveloping countryside present a varied choice of photographic opportunities.

The team extend friendly, personal support as required by our clients in the planning and preparation stages, and we continue with hospitable and efficient service to the bride and groom, their families, and guests on the big day.

Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard Redhill, Bristol, BS40 5RF Tel: 01934 864 404 www.aldwickweddings.co.uk @AldwickCourtFrm Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard

All inclusive Wedding Package

“Everything you need to make your wedding a truly memorable day” Based on numbers of 50 – package price - £3,800 3 course wedding breakfast Arrival drink Toast drink Wine with the meal Chair covers & sashes Top table flower arrangement Centre pieces

Please contact our dedicated wedding planner Gemma Smith on 01454 620000 Bristol-events@crown-golf.co.uk www.bristolgolfclub.co.uk www.facebook.com/BristolGolfWeddings

Table plan, place cards & menus DJ Overnight stay at local hotel Evening buffet Supervised use of a golf buggy for beautiful photos around the grounds

Mid week wedding packages (Monday – Thursday) only - £2,800 based on numbers of 50.

Hog Roast and marquees also available

St Swithins Park, Blackhorse Hill, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS10 7TP

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you...

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM

Tell us about your big day or wedding plans; let us know all about the gorgeous dress you discovered or about that perfect venue. Ask us any questions you have about planning for your nuptials or share some useful tips of your own.

Email the editor at westweddings@venue.co.uk and you could be gracing the pages of our next edition.

Hear from you_FP.indd 1

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VENUES

ALL CHANGE!

I

t’s one of the most popular wedding venues in these ‘ere parts, and now DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House Hotel is set to get even better with a major £100,000 facelift extending its private party and conference facilities.

Once complete, the work will transform The Great Room in the historic house at the Cadbury House. The interior will feature all the latest trends, colours and fabrics, and the capacity of the room will also be increased, meaning the popular venue will be able to host much larger events.

General Manager Colin Badcock said that the popular Great Room had been hosting everyone from brides to businessmen since it was re-opened seven years ago as part of a multi-million pound development programme, but was in need of a refurb on the back of an increase in demand for high-end facilities and accommodation. “Cadbury House has gained an enviable reputation for being the best venue in the region for weddings, conferences and meetings. For that very reason, the Great Room is in need of an upgrade. During the downturn people organising wedding parties or business meetings were understandably keeping a very tight rein on costs and were booking smaller and more intimate venues. Now the recovery is well underway, many of our customers are looking for bigger spaces to cater for more guests – without compromising on style and comfort.”

If you’d like to see the venue for yourself, Cadbury House is holding an open day on Sunday 7th September from 11am-3pm.

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON CADBURY HOUSE HOTEL FROST HILL, CONGRESBURY, BRISTOL BS49 5AD T: 01934 837248 W: WWW.CADBURYHOTELBRISTOL.CO.UK

Next Wedding F ayre Sunda

y 7th Sept 2014 11am-3pm Free Entry .

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Sunday 7th September and Sunday 16th November 2014 from 11am ‘til 2pm

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Ingleside House is the ideal country house wedding venue situated in the heart of The Cotswolds.

With a full licence for civil ceremonies, couples can share their day with friends and family in this stunning Grade II listed venue. Due to our late license this also allows the happy couples to say “I do” as the sun sets or “kiss the bride” in candle light with log fires burning during the wintery evenings.

Our house can be hired exclusively for a party of 20 or for a reception of 200 offering total privacy and elegance to celebrate your special day. Whether you need a venue for a party or a corporate event our dedicated team can arrange everything to suit your requirements from the catering, entertainment, styling and planning.

PHOTOS: BIG EYE PHOTOGRAPHY

We believe that any event big or small should be personal to each couple, therefore all weddings are tailor made to your personal wishes with no attention to detail spared. We care as much about the success of your day as you do so please feel free to contact us for more information or to request our wedding brochure.

5 Beeches Road, Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1BN Contact: 01285 648230 info@inglesidecirencester.com

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Exquisite Weddings at Bowood For more information or to book your private show-round of the resort, telephone 01249 822228 or email weddings@bowood.org or visit www.bowood.org Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PQ p81.indd 1

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photo gallery

PhotoGallery

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PhotoDabek Contact Martin Dabek Telephone 0117 350 1032 Email info@photodabek.co.uk Website www.photodabek.co.uk

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Adam Rumble Photography Contact Adam Rumble Telephone 07590 903499 Email adamrumble4@gmail.com Website www.adamrumble.co.uk

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venues AZTEC HOTEL & SPA

BERWICK LODGE

Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4TS

Berwick Lodge, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7TD

T: 01454 201090 E: aztec.events@shirehotels.com W: www.aztechotelbristol.com

T: 0117 958 1590 E: info@berwicklodge.co.uk W: www.berwicklodge.co.uk

CAPACITY: Up to 150 for Wedding Breakfast and 250 for Evening Reception.

CAPACITY: From an intimate 20 guests up to 80 for a civil ceremony and reception. 150 for an evening party. Marquees available for larger numbers.

FACILITIES: At the Aztec Hotel & Spa, we’re proud of our four-star approach to everything we do and we’re confident you won’t find a warmer reception anywhere in the South West. This stylish hotel is a clever mixture of old and new.

Striking timber beams blend with contemporary artwork and stone flagged floors adorned by brightly coloured feature rugs. Our approach to events is a simple one - there is no one size fits all, every event is as unique as you are and the day of your dreams doesn’t have to cost the earth.

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON CADBURY HOUSE Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5AD T: 01934 834343 E: weddings@cadburyhouse.com W: www.cadburyhousebristol.co.uk CAPACITY: From an intimate 20 guests to 350 FACILITIES: Beautiful 18th century house with a modern twist, offering first-class facilities for large or smaller intimate weddings with 132 bedrooms, health club, spa and hair salon on site. Licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships.

MERCURE BRISTOL NORTH THE GRANGE HOTEL Mercure Bristol North, The Grange Hotel Old Gloucester Road, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1RP T: 01454 771403 E: 063cs@jupiterhotels.co.uk CAPACITY: day 150, evening 180 FACILITIES: This elegant country hotel, dating back to 1851, is set in 18 acres of attractive grounds, creating the perfect setting for your wedding. The Grange Hotel sits in beautiful gardens and really is the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs. 68 bedroom four star hotel.

FACILITIES: Set in 18 acres of garden and woodland, yet only minutes from the M4/M5, Berwick Lodge offers an exclusive, secluded and private venue for you and your guests with service that’s second to none. The beautifully renovated building and grounds offer 10 luxury individually styled bedrooms, many photo opportunities and food to die for!

Exclusive hire available.

EASTINGTON PARK Eastington Park, Eastington, Nr Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3RY T: 01453 827926 E: enquiries@eastingtonpark.co.uk W: www.eastingtonpark.co.uk CAPACITY: Ceremony and receptions for up to 150 guests.

FACILITIES: Eastington Park is a stunning 18th century manor house set in 8 acres of mature landscaped gardens with accommodation. Eastington Park is a fully exclusive use venue and our professional wedding planning team are on hand to help create your dream wedding day.

ELMORE COURT Elmore, Gloucestershire, GL2 3NT T: 01452 720 293 E: weddings@elmorecourt.com W: www.elmorecourt.com CAPACITY: Ceremony - 108, Drinks Reception - 500, Dinner and Dance 200 FACILITIES: On a 1000 acre estate with views over the River Severn and across to the Cotswolds, the grade 2 listed Elmore Court is the country’s newest wedding venue following a multi-million pound renovation. The estate and court has been in the Guise family for 750 years and combines heritage with contemporary. Elmore Court offers civil ceremonies, 8 bedrooms and a brand new ballroom, The Gillyflower (built out of ‘rammed earth’ with a flat meadow roof) – plus an experienced creative events team who will be there to advise all the way. A distinctively different take on a countryhouse wedding. Available exclusively.

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venues BOWOOD HOTEL

THE BRISTOL GOLF CLUB

Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PQ

St Swithins Park, Blackhorse Hill, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS10 7TP

T: 01249 822228 E: weddings@bowood.org W: www.bowood.org/weddings

T: 01454 620000 E: Bristol-events@crown-golf.co.uk W: www.bristolgolfclub.co.uk

CAPACITY: A variety of Suites available to accommodate up to 160 guests for both a civil ceremony and a reception.

CAPACITY: 120 guests - civil ceremony 120 guests - wedding breakfast 200 guests - evening reception

FACILITIES: Set in the heart of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, Bowood Estate is a unique setting for your wedding. Amid the 2,000 acre Estate are a selection of individual venues for your wedding celebrations from the grandeur of Bowood House to the contemporary Kerry Suite and the stunning Bowood Hotel. With the parkland and woodland surrounding of the Hotel and Clubhouse or the immaculate terraced gardens, in front of Bowood House, there is a unique setting for your day.

EASTWOOD PARK COUNTRY HOUSE Falfield, Gloucestershire GL12 8DA T: 01454 262805 W: www.eastwoodpark.co.uk CAPACITY: Wedding breakfast 110. Reception 180 (more with marquee).

FACILITIES: Magnificent country house within 200acre private estate with valley views. 69 bedrooms.

Licensed for civil weddings and partnerships. Available exclusively.

THE KINGSCOTE BARN

FACILITIES: As you pass the gates and enter the sweeping tree lined drive you are greeted with panoramic views of both Severn bridges, the Severn estuary and the surrounding countryside which provides the ideal setting for your wedding reception and the perfect backdrop for your wedding album.

Our extensive facilities allow you unrivalled flexibility, whether you are looking for the most intimate occasion or the grandest and most lavish celebration.

INGLESIDE HOUSE Ingleside House, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester Gloucestershire, GL7 1BN T: 01285 648230 E: info@inglesidecirencester W:www.inglesidecirencester.com CAPACITY: Wedding breakfasts for up to 100 guests and evening party for up to 200 guests.

FACILITIES: The Grade II listed House in the heart of the Cotswolds offers an idyllic location for your big day. Ingleside House is an exceptional wedding venue set in its own grounds, and after a yearlong refurbishment the house offers versatile rooms with original features. With unique and stunning reception rooms each licensed for civil ceremonies this elegant property is available for exclusive use throughout the duration of the day.

OLD DOWN MANOR

Binley Farm, Kingscote, Tetbury, GL8 8YE

Foxholes Lane, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4PG

T: 01453 861161 E: info@kingscotebarn.co.uk W: www.kingscotebarn.co.uk

T: 01454 414081 E: info@olddownmanor.co.uk W: www.olddownmanor.co.uk

CAPACITY: Ceremonies & receptions up to 150 guests and 200 guests for an evening reception.

Capacity: Up to 120 for a wedding breakfast and 200 for evening reception

FACILITIES: The Kingscote Barn is a Cotswold Stone Barn which has been sympathetically restored to the highest possible standards nestled away in its own secret valley. The warm neutral dĂŠcor allows you to decorate the barn with your own individual style and ideas. Exposed oak beams and soft lighting add to the romantic ambiance of this magical venue. Luxury onsite accommodation.

Facilities: Unique brand new venue within the South West with an investment of ÂŁ4million, Old Down Manor is an exceptional wedding venue, with the added benefit of being exclusive to your party. With 13 well appointed bedrooms, beautiful reception rooms and a license for civil ceremonies, the magnificent property is yours for the duration of your wedding day.

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venues OLD MANOR HOTEL Trowle Common, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA14 9BL T: 01225 777393 E: Tudor@oldmanorhotel.com W: www.oldmanorhotel.com CAPACITY: Ceremony up to 150 guests. Wedding breakfast up to 150 guests. Evening party up to 165 guests FACILITIES: Drawing room for ceremonies up to 15. Milking Parlour for ceremonies up to 150. Green house marquee for wedding breakfasts up to 150.

Walled gardens for photography. Games room. Croquet Lawn. Parking for over 50 cars. 21 en-suite bedrooms.

THE PARK HOTEL FALFIELD NEW EXCLUSIVE WEDDING VENUE NOW OPEN BOOK FOR VIEWING AND CONSULTATION WITH A CREAM TEA APPOINTMENT Gloucester Road, Whitfield, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8DR T: 01454 260550 E: info@theparkfalfield.co.uk W: www.theparkfalfield.co.uk CAPACITY: Wedding meal - 60 seated in the ballroom FACILITIES: Ballroom, 10 bedrooms, Bridal Suite, Cocktail Lounge, Bar, set in 5 acres of gardens

BEST WESTERN PLUS SWAN HOTEL Sadler Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 2RX T: 01749 836300 W: www.swanhotelwells.co.uk CAPACITY: 90 guests for a sit down wedding breakfast and 150 for evening receptions FACILITIES: Whether it’s an intimate wedding, a large wedding reception or the civil wedding ceremony itself, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Swan Hotel prides itself on providing the perfect wedding venue in Somerset. Civil wedding ceremonies are held in the delightful Garden Room. This light and airy room lends itself beautifully to civil wedding ceremonies and opens out onto a secluded Walled Garden. The Oak Room, located on the ground floor, has its own reception and bar area and seats up to 90 guests for a wedding breakfast. Evening functions for up to 150 guests can be catered for by hiring the interconnecting Garden Room.

At the front of our hotel, Swan Terrace provides a unique opportunity to capture Wells Cathedral as a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs.

TORTWORTH COURT FOUR PILLARS HOTEL Tortworth, Wotton-under-Edge South Gloucestershire, GL12 8HH T: 01454 263000 E: Tortworth@four-pillars.co.uk W: www.four-pillars.co.uk/tortworth

THORNBURY CASTLE HOTEL Thornbury Castle Hotel, Castle Street Thornbury, Bristol BS35 1HH T: 01454 281182 E: events@thornburycastle.co.uk W: www.thornburycastle.co.uk CAPACITY: Ceremonies and receptions in the Tudor Hall up to 66 guests and 100 guests for an evening reception.

FACILITIES: Thornbury Castle is one of the most romantic hotels in the country, making it one of England’s most sought after wedding venues. With its magnificent medieval architecture, impressive Tudor Hall, 26 luxurious bedchambers and award winning food, it really is the perfect location for an unforgettable wedding, not to mention being in easy reach of Bristol, the M4 and M5. The castle’s idyllic walled gardens provide an unsurpassed setting for your drinks reception and photographs.

DO PEOPLE KNOW YOU’RE A LICENSED VENUE? To advertise your venue in the next issue of

CAPACITY: Up to 280 FACILITIES: 190 bedrooms.

Luxury country house hotel set in 30 acres of picturesque parkland, overlooking the lake. Also offers the spa and leisure club.

call Jacqui Lewis on

0117 934 3136

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directory

directory

Call Jacqui Jacqui Lewis Lewison on0117 0117934 9343136 3136 Call to advertise in the next issue of West Weddings to advertise in the next issue of West Weddings

Call Jacqui Lewis on 0117 934 3136 to advertise in the next issue of West Weddings

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Last Word

If you’re not on the list...

Yes

Let’s face it, weddings are costly affairs. When you start making a list of guests, there will be your friends, your partner’s friends, family from both sides, colleagues, any guests your parents want to invite… it can tot up to a much larger number than your budget can stand. This is where the two tier wedding comes in – the ability to have everyone there at some point during the day to help celebrate with you, but also without leaving you bankrupt.

There will also be people who you are closer to – friends from childhood, for example – versus guests like your work colleagues, who you really enjoy spending time with at the office but don’t necessarily hang out much outside work. These are ideal candidates for eveningonly, and to be honest, will probably expect it and prefer it. If they don’t know many other guests, spending the whole day there may well be quite awkward.

At our wedding, we loved having two distinct parts to the day. We got to spend quality time with our close friends and family for the daytime section; then, when the evening guests started arriving, we were able to spend an equal amount of time with them, knowing that we weren’t neglecting anyone. Everyone had fun, our wedding didn’t bankrupt us and most importantly of all, we had everyone there who we wanted to celebrate with us.

Is it acceptable to have some of your guests invited to just the evening part of your wedding day? Louise Jarndyce thinks not, but Emma Vine is all in favour of a two-tier celebration.

No

Two-tier weddings with a day and an evening part are, in my opinion, just rude. If someone is important enough to come to your wedding, then they’re important enough to be there for the whole day.

If you send out an invitation to the evening part only to someone who considers themselves to be your friend, then how disheartening must it feel to them when they realize they don’t warrant a full invitation?

I think that the ceremony is the best part of a wedding and what the whole day centres around.

The chance to witness two people making their vows to one another in front of those they love is truly magical – and being asked to be one of those people is an honour.

If you don’t want someone there

for that part, then they shouldn’t be there at all.

If you’re on a tight budget – which is the case for most couples – then there are still ways you can have everyone you want there without spending a fortune. Opt for a buffet instead of a three course meal, don’t have an open bar, ask guests to bring cakes for dessert or use your wedding cake.

Also, by not having a two tier wedding, you actually save money on the food part, as you can have the meal at a later time in the day and therefore not need to have an evening buffet.

The people at your wedding should be those you care most about and who you want there to witness one of the most important days of your life. Don’t insult them by classifying them into different grades.

your What do you think? Let us know

thoughts via email or Twitter

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Sposa

Elegante

For further information or to book an appointment please call

Tel: 01225 345101 until 26th August 439 Bath Road, Saltford (on the A4 between Bristol & Bath)

Tel: 0117 239 7006

after 26th August or 40 Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1EH www.sposaelegante.co.uk email: sposaelegante@mail.com

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11 St James Parade, Bath, BA1 1UL 01225 446844 www.krystlebrides.co.uk info@krystlebrides.co.uk Find us on   &

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