Winter 2013

Borrowed

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something

The wedding magazine for Dorset couples

Winter 2013

Editor’s Letter Hello again!

We can’t believe that it’s October already! Gone are the days when the six weeks Summer Holidays seemed like forever, or are we just getting old?

The summer has flown by but from the sounds of it, there have been some epic weddings taking place locally. Thank you to everyone that shared their photos on our Facebook page - we absolutely love seeing them!

In this issue, we have some great features. We continue the DIY baking from the last issue with biscuit favours (yum!) and give you some top tips on smart ways to save money when planning your wedding. As always, we have some lovely wedding stories for you to settle down with and enjoy.

It doesn’t seem possible but our next issue will be out in January 2014!

Stay in touch with your wedding news at love@somethingborrowedmagazine.co.uk or via our Facebook page.

Until next time....

Sam & e l Exoaxnoor

Contributors

Sadie Smith

Sadie is head baker at Beau-Tea-Ful, and spends her days making delicious treats.

Sarah Knappett

Bridle Photography

You can contact us on

love@somethingborrowedmagazine.co.uk

Sarah was born and raised in Dorset, but now lives in Germany. Sarah’s keen eye keeps us grammatically sound.

Charlotte Ng

This is Charlie’s last diary instalment before her December wedding - see what she’s been doing!

Brittany Thorley

Brittany runs the very helpful website theweddingdressguide.com, designed to help brides find their perfect dress!

What’s inside

White Wedding

2014 collection

We share some seasonal theme ideas, top money saving tips,

Style advice for choosing your dress, step-by-step guide to decorated biscuits, wedding tradition insight, first dance

photos, win wedding shoes, wedding industry news...

Our cover couple is Alex & Jonny Howard Lucas Photography howardlucas.com

www.somethingborrowedmagazine.co.uk

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Wedding Diary

Diary of a bride to be

By Charlotte Ng

Charlie’s planning diary...

A

pparently this is my last entry before I get married; how weird!

I had a pre-fitting where I put my actual dress on, tried on and bought a simple yet elegant bespoke length veil and put my wedding shoes on. The whole wedding thing still hasn’t really sunk in yet and I felt like I was in fancy dress! Had a go with various hairstyles too to see how it would go with the veil and my mum tried on a Mother of the Bride outfit in the shop. She looked so lovely, I got a bit emotional about it all then.

There was a bit of a palaver with the bridesmaid dresses. The multiway dresses I ordered came and they had a really odd mottled/watermarked effect on the fabric.

I was surprised and disappointed at this as it is a reputable company based in London.

However, the lady at the shop was extremely helpful when I requested a refund for the dresses and I was able to sort this out very quickly. Apparently it was a problem with that particular colour fabric.

So I had to order some new bridesmaid dresses. I ended up going for a Dessy dress which we had loved in London. I rang round all the local stockists and got a deal that was a lot less than the price they had quoted in London. So they should be arriving in November sometime. Phew!

Just a few days ago, I asked the groomsmen when they were available for their suit fittings as the shop had rung to get us to start bringing them in. One of them did not

even know they were an usher! Nice one, H2B. Luckily he said he was happy to be our usher and they should be going for their fittings next weekend.

My hen do has now been arranged; 3 nights at Center Parcs. I can’t wait! My maid of honour has been brilliant with arranging this and there’s a good group of 15 of us going.

There’s going to be a Winter Wonderland there too for the Christmas period and there are so many fun activities to do! Can you tell I’m super excited? I feel bad though, because my H2B’s stag do has not been arranged and it was originally going to be at the beginning of October! I think they’re going to move it to November/December now though so fingers crossed...

All the “big bits” have been arranged now, it’s just putting it all together and getting the small bits like place settings and guest books that I will need to do in the next few months.

Made a to-do list already so I don’t forget anything! I’m really looking forward to when uni has ended and I have the whole week leading up to the wedding to concentrate on it all. Only 12 weeks to go. Eek!

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Whatever your body type, looking truly fabulous on your wedding day is the ultimate aim for every bride-to-be.

However, the pressure of getting your bridal style right is enough to turn the wedding dress shopping experience you’ve always dreamed of into a real nightmare.

The truth is there are so many different styles available, and for many brides

choosing just one and getting the style right for their particular shape can be tricky.

Brittany Thorley, from The Wedding Dress Guide, knows all too well the plight that every bride faces when choosing ‘the one’; follow her top tips on dressing for your shape and make the shopping experience as magical as it should be.

For the Petite and Tall

Petite brides can stand tall on their big day in a fishtail gown; its trumpet-shaped skirt and fitted bodice elongate shorter statures.

Taller brides on the other hand can pull off styles that other body shapes cannot. Use your statuesque figure to its full advantage with a low waistline and floor sweeping hem to embrace your natural shape wholeheartedly.

Apple and Pear Shapes

If you are classically pear-shaped, utilise diagonal draping in soft chiffon to make your silhouette look svelte for your big day.

Whilst asymmetric folds are an apple-shaped brides worst nightmare, for pears this style will create volume in the bust whilst skimming over wider hips. Apples must also work with their natural curves; instead of camouflaging try a gown with a traditional a-line skirt to complement your shape.

Embracing or Creating Curves

Nicola Anne, courtyardbridal.co.uk

Hourglass brides often struggle when shopping for their dream dress, with many focused on covering up their curves.

Dropped waist gowns sit beautifully on the hourglass hips whilst flaring mid-thigh to complement curves even further. Don’t be afraid to cinch in that waist to add more definition. For brides with an athletic or straight figure, dressing for your body

Mia Solano, Prettymades.co.uk

Nicola Anne, courtyardbridal.co.uk

type is all about adding curves - opt for a voluminous princess style or fitted number that defines your natural waistline.

Whatever shape you are rocking on your wedding day, remember to work with what you have. Dressing for your big day isn’t about covering up. Find a style that’s shape sure AND makes you feel comfortable for a show-stopping look that is ultimately you.

Need extra help to find the perfect wedding dress? Visit www.theweddingdressguide.com for bridal style advice, the latest designer collections and an interactive fitting room.

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CAKE

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Ben and I met back in 2007 on the beautiful island of Ibiza. Ben was living there and working as a DJ and I happened to be there for a few weeks playing saxophone for Hed Kandi & Space. We met through mutual friends and it may sound cheesy, but it really was love at first sight for both of us!

We didn’t get together immediately but deep down we both know this was something very special. The following winter came and Ben invited me on a date in

London (dinner, show, drinks) and that was it! We realised we wanted to be a little more than just friends.

The following summer we spent a whole season in Ibiza living together which pretty much confirmed our feelings for each other.

We both feel we came into each other’s lives at the perfect time.

In 2009, we both were offered to play a gig together in Tulum, Mexico. We of course

went there for a few extra days and one evening on a deserted moonlit beach after the most perfect dinner, Ben got down on one knee. I couldn’t believe it! Of course I said ‘Yes!’ It really was a magical moment and the most perfect setting.

Originally, we thought about having the wedding in Ibiza as this was where we met and had most of our fond memories. However, after a few last minute decisions we decided to have it closer to home. There were many reasons for choosing Dorset, including ease of travel for family members and also that Dorset is a place which I consider to be one of the most beautiful counties in the UK. I am extremely proud and blessed to have been born and raised here and am fortunate to have some of the most priceless childhood memories of growing up here.

As soon as we walked into Mortons House Hotel, we knew that this was the place for us! It’s a charming, 16th century Grade II Elizabethan manor house hotel with awardwinning restaurant in some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. It was perfect in every way.

Beverly Clayton and her team at Mortons had absolutely everything under control and we could not have wished to have been in better hands on our special day. The weather was

Dorset is a place which I consider to be one of the most beautiful counties in England very pleasant on the day but with the rich, homely decor inside the manor house it could have been blowing up a storm outside for all we cared! The food and wine were absolutely delicious with staff constantly smiling and who could not do enough for us. The standard was first class in every way and worth every penny. I was in tears when we left, I really did not want to leave. Our whole wedding was everything we wished for and more. I could not recommend them enough to a couple looking to get married in Dorset.

We had decided to reduce the invites to just our immediate families. We were aware

MORTONS HOUSE HOTEL Stunning Setting, Award Winning Food & Attentive Service This stunning 16th century Elizabethan Manor House Hotel in pretty Corfe Castle offers an intimate, romantic venue for your special day.

that many of our friends would be a little disappointed but this was something that we wanted for ourselves. A marriage is a serious commitment and the service on Saturday 3rd November 2012 was something that we wanted to keep meaningful, yet informal and share intimately only with our families.

It turned out to be the most perfect memory of the day and something that we will cherish forever. We are still yet to have a wedding party for our friends, but due to work commitments we have barely had enough time to think about it, let alone to start organising something!

For the actual wedding planning, we personally selected all the individual suppliers and then put them in touch with Mortons House Hotel who then arranged suitable delivery times on the day. There were many extra things we wanted other than the usual florist, wedding cake, photographer, so it was imperative that the schedule of the day ran to time and Mortons House Hotel certainly ensured that.

It was everything we had wanted and more! Between all the people involved they created our perfect day. I have absolutely no regrets and not one thing I would have done differently.

We went to Paris for a week directly after the wedding which was lovely but our long honeymoon, which we are saving up for, is the Galapagos Islands. Hopefully next year!

Contact Beverly Clayton bev@mortonshouse.co.uk Tel: 01929 480988

WWW.MORTONSHOUSE.CO.UK

VENUE: Mortons House Hotel, Corfe Castle mortonshouse.co.uk DRESS: Butterfly Brides, Poundbury butterfly-brides.co.uk SUITS: Dolce & Gabbana / Moss Bros Ben and myself had recently toured for Dolce & Gabbana and for the shows Ben had been personally given a made to measure black sequinned dinner jacket. Needless to say, this was to be his wedding jacket! The best man’s suit was a very nice rental from Moss Bros.

FLORIST: Andre Turner, Swanage CAKE: Angel Cake Company, Poundbury angelcakecompany.co.uk ICE VODKA LUGE: In Ice Designs inicedesigns.co.uk CASINO: Casino Nights casinonights.net JUKEBOX: Juke Box Hire jukeboxhire.co.uk MAGICIAN: Katherine Mills katherinemills.co.uk CHAIR COVERS: First Class Events first-class-events.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHER: Natalie Beth Harris nataliebethharris.com VIDEOGRAPHER: Wedding Memories weddingmemories.org.uk

Find your perfect

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Courtyard Bridal - courtyardbridal.co.uk. Beyond The Gate Florist - beyondthegateflorist.co.uk. Cake - cakedorset.co.uk. Beales Gourmet Catering - bealesgourmet.com. Dorset Dubhire - dorsetdubhire. com. Camelot Marquees - camelotmarquees.com. Twilight Trees - twilighthire.com. Dorset Mobile Bar - dorsetmobilebar.co.uk

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Cake - cakedorset.co.uk. Signature Catering - signaturecateringco.co.uk.

South Coast Sweet Cart - southcoastsweetcart.com. Holton Lee - holtonlee.co.uk. Beau-Tea-Ful beauteaful.co.uk. Silent Woman Inn - thesilentwoman.co.uk. Mia Solano - prettymades.co.uk.

Bellissimo Wedding Planners - bellissimo-weddings.co.uk

Butterfly Brides - butterfly-brides.co.uk. Beyond The Gate Florist - beyondthegateflorist.co.uk.

Signature Catering Co - signaturecateringco.co.uk. Twilight Trees - twilighthire.com. Forum Jewellers - forumjewellers.co.uk. Dorset Dubhire - dorsetdubhire.com. Charlotte Trim Floristy charlottetrimfloristy.co.uk . Twilight Trees - twilighthire.com. Holton Lee - holtonlee.co.uk

Beales Gourmet Catering - bealesgourmet.com. The Italian Villa - the-italian-villa.co.uk.

Charlotte Trim Floristry - charlottetrimfloristy.co.uk. Beales Gourmet Catering - bealesgourmet.com.

South Coast Sweet Cart - southcoastsweetcart.com. Gemma Kenward Shoes- gemmakenwardshoes. com. Swingle Tree Vintage Hire - swingletreevintage.co.uk. Well Groomed - wellgroomeddorset.com

Carrie Bugg Photography

Nestling on the border of Dorset & Hampshire, set in impressive cliff-top grounds, Highcliffe Castle is a beautiful Grade 1 listed mansion where even the architectural style is ‘Romantic and Picturesque’.

Surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens with stunning coastal views, Highcliffe Castle is the perfect venue for your special day and can accommodate wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 110 guests.

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Weddings have been around for thousands of years in many different forms, but it’s how they have evolved in the last few decades that’s been fascinating us in Something Borrowed HQ. Last issue we took a look at weddings from the 50s and 60s, now we’ve been chatting to our parents about their wedding days in the 70s and 80s. Tim and Heather have three daughters and five grandchildren and will celebrate their 38th year of marriage this coming March.

Heather & Tim Birkett How long was your engagement?

Six months What was the date of your wedding?

March 13th 1976 What was the approximate cost of your wedding?

The total cost was £750 which included my wedding dress and Tim’s suit (which he had made).

with paying for the wedding?

No, we paid for it ourselves.

Did you have any assistance

Where was the wedding held?

Victoria Park Methodist Church, Winton and the reception was at Talbot Hotel, Winton.

How many guests did you have?

We had 80 guests.

Tell us about your wedding day.

We were both nervous but excited. All of our bridesmaids wore trouser suits which was quite

unconventional then, but as our wedding day was cold and windy, it worked out well!

Our ceremony was at 2pm. The service went quickly and before we knew it we were at the reception. We had a buffet and a disco.

Everyone had a great time.

We spent the night at the hotel where we held our reception and the next day went to Swanage for lunch Where did you go on Honeymoon?

We couldn’t afford a honeymoon - 25 years later we went on one!

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We will help your day to run smoothly and provide a relaxed, enjoyable journey for you and your bridal party, along with plenty of photo opportunities.

Our campers can seat up to 6 passengers, so are perfect for the groom’s party too!

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Ken & Claire Storey Ken and Claire were childhood sweethearts. They still live in Dorset and have five children and one grandson.

Claire shares her memories of the day...

Where was your ceremony location?

We were married in Holy Angels, Lilliput and had our reception at The Grasshopper in Parkstone.

How many guests did you have?

60 Tell us about your wedding day.

My mum was very excited for my big day, she’d booked the hair dresser especially early. Unfortunately, we were getting married late afternoon, so by the time I was getting my make up on, my hair had dropped out. I spent most of the day in curlers!

The ceremony was lovely, and we were surrounded by family. We left the church in my Dad’s friends car - we hadn’t realised that the road layout had changed that day, so we were a little bit late to the reception!

How long was your engagement?

We were engaged seven years, I was 17 when Ken asked - he’d just joined the Navy and was off to sea. He says he just wanted to make sure no one else got in there first!

What was the date of your wedding?

2nd May 1981 What was the approximate cost of your wedding? £1000. I remember the photographer cost £85. My wedding dress was one of the cheapest items we bought, it cost £16 from Debenhams.

Did you have any assistance with paying for the wedding?

Both our parents paid towards the wedding as Ken and I were saving for a house. When we got engaged, Ken had said we’d have the wedding when we’d saved enough for a house, so mum and I scoured the papers each week finding something we could afford. As soon as I spotted one, we were planning the wedding.

We enjoyed our sit down wedding breakfast, the speeches were pretty memorable with my brother, Christopher, as Best Man. His speech divulged some pretty funny stories about Ken’s antics.

We danced the night away to a band, who were brilliant, we didn’t want the day to end.

After the reception, Ken and I went home to spend our first night in our new home, it was a pretty magical day all round.

Where did you go on Honeymoon?

We went to London for a week, but we were on a tight budget owing to the house.

Our tale begins a bit differently to the traditional love story and we could have only dreamed of how we’d end up...

We met on the dating website Plenty of Fish in October 2011. Most people raise an eyebrow as we say this but it’s true and we are proud. Nick messaged me and asked if I wanted to meet for a drink. Normally I wouldn’t have gone straight away but this time I agreed. We spoke on the Sunday, went out on the Monday for a drink at a local pub to me and stayed till closing as we got on so well. We also met for dinner

on the Thursday and by date three on the Friday, we were a couple!

Just like the start of our relationship, things moved quickly. Nick met my son Harry and they got on brilliantly. Things moved along quickly and on 17th April 2012 something happened that I certainly wasn’t expecting.

I was sat in my kitchen, Nick, affectionately known by everyone as ‘Man Friend’, was cooking. I was chatting on the phone with my mum and we were joking about Nick & I having a baby. I said ‘I wouldn’t until I’m married’ and with that, and whilst I was

real life still on the phone, Nick went into the cupboard, retrieved a cake cutter (to use as a ring) and asked me to marry him! I laughed it off but later that evening Nick asked me if I wanted to seriously and I obviously said a very happy yes! From then I was in full blown wedding planning mode.

Having a very big family and a lot of very close friends I chose 9 bridesmaids! Poor Nick did ask if I wanted a big wedding and I replied ‘no of course not’...whoops! As the months passed we secured a venue, band, transport and the all important dresses.

Whilst planning the wedding we moved back to my home town of Upton and so it seemed very fitting to have our wedding at Upton Country Park. A lot of my childhood memories are centred around this wonderful place so we couldn’t think of anywhere better to have our special day.

After speaking with a lot of caterers we decided to go with Claret Catering. Once I’d spoken to Dawn I realised she was going to help us create a very special day. Dawn also took care of supplying our wedding cake so that was another thing to tick off the list.

I feel very strongly that without Dawn the wedding would have not been so brilliant and she has now become a family friend.

Next we went in search of my dress.

We went to several local shops and met with lots of owners. However, none were as welcoming or as friendly as Gerry at Courtyard Bridal. What made it even better was that she was local. I fell instantly in love with my dress and wish I could wear it again and again! We also got all the bridesmaids dresses from Courtyard Bridal. Gerry helped us so much and looking back now I don’t think the photos would have looked as good and the bridesmaids as beautiful.

Next we chose a photographer. Neither of us wanted to feel hassled on the day with a pushy photographer or have millions of family formal shots so after a lot of research we met with and then chose Roger Turner.

He was the perfect photographer and our pictures are amazing!

Then we chose transport. This was the fun bit for me and my bridesmaids! Being a horse riding instructor and all of my bridesmaids owning or riding horses, the horse and carriage research was fun! We decided on Brunswick Carriages. This was a very easy decision as the horses were fabulous and the carriage out of this world.

The owner, John assured me he would take care of everything and so the transport was arranged. As we had a large number of bridesmaids, we decided to use M Bartlett and his most fabulous car, he is based in Hamworthy. We booked him at a wedding fair at Upton country Park.

For our invitations we used LA Digital Print and they were so helpful as we came up with our own invite idea based on a song my grandparents used to sing, ‘Daisy Daisy’ and these were drawn by a close friend Emma Ross.

We then had to choose hair and make-up.

I’m not the most girly of girls but luckily for me I teach a lovely lady called Amy, who owns HNB in Canford Cliffs. They did all our hair and make-up and really were a major part of our day.

As the big day drew closer we were all very excited, including Harry who was ring bearer.

Nick had his older brother as his best man.

His brother, my brother and nephew were ushers. They got their suits from Burton formal wear.

We chose a brilliant band called the upbeat Beatles. With Nick being a big Beatles fan it was an easy choice. The band, managed by John Wilson Music, were accompanied by a DJ who played a specific song list for us.

Our day was better than either of us could have expected. It was perfect and we have all of our friends, family and suppliers to thank for that. Everything that we’d planned worked perfectly with a few little extras.

We flew out the following morning from Bournemouth airport to Tunisia, stayed at a lovely couple only resort for a week. We had a brilliant time.

We’d like to thank our parents, Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr and Mrs Stanzel and all of our friends for their help. Our day wouldn’t have been the same without you!

ates 2014 d ble a l i ava

East Holton, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JN 07842 900069 weddings@holtonlee.co.uk www.holtonlee.co.uk The blank canvas for your day

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With exclusive use of the building and garden, Scaplen’s Court offers a range of ceremony rooms and stunning photo opportunities indoors, in the garden, or even on Poole Quay.

F O R YO U R S P E C I A L DAY

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Upton Country Park, Poole BH17 7BJ uptoncountrypark.com uptoncountrypark@poole.gov.uk 01202 262753

Girl Time

understatement!

When we heard about the new spa at Bournemouth’s Cliffside Hotel, we just couldn’t wait to get down there to see what the Oceana would have to offer. To say we were pleasantly surprised is an

The Asian inspired spa has been thoughtfully designed and decorated, using calming, earthy tones and beautiful artefacts inspired by the Orient. Oceana is a haven of calm, perfect for those brides looking for a bit of de-stressing before the big day.

The talented team of therapists are on hand to provide a variety of services, from facials to manicures. What’s even more exciting is the addition of the large spa room, ideal for hen parties and group bookings. Enjoy Champagne and treatments with a light

lunch and your group can all sit together, making it sociable as well as pampering!

During our visit to Oceana, it would have been rude not to indulge in a treatment each, and I have to say, the Swedish massage was exactly what I needed.

Ildiko, the therapist, had a great technique that left my muscles feeling revived. She also has the softest hands!

Sam opted for the hot stone massage, and having never experienced a spa massage was pretty excited. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was incredible. As the hot stones cooled on my skin, I felt relaxed and at ease - it was the best way to unwind after a very hectic week!”

If you are looking for something relaxing to do with your bridal party in the days before your wedding, then we highly recommend booking a spa day package with Oceana. You can run through last minute details, chat and relax - all whilst being pampered in luxurious surroundings.

Call 01202 208666 or visit www.oceanadayspa.co.uk for prices and info.

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With packages available to suit every event, this unique idea will be sure to impress your guests, without you having to lift a finger. This service can be tailored to the event, whether it’s for a hen party, pre-wedding celebration or for your wedding itself.

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When creating your wedding day guest-list most people probably don’t include 20,000 members of the public and music sensation The Cuban Brothers, but then again, Patrick and Liz Convery aren’t most people....

We both used to rent rooms in a friends’ house about 20 years ago. We then went our separate ways but kept in touch. We didn’t become a couple until two years ago.

We had talked about getting married one day but it wasn’t until we were on holiday in Corfu that we started talking seriously about it and started making plans to possibly return to the island to get married.

However, it turned out to be expensive and complicated to get married in Greece so we started looking at something closer to home.

As a treat for the family, we bought tickets for Camp Bestival for ourselves and the four children, and as we planned our festival holiday, we decided that that would be the

ideal time to tie the knot! Liz called Dorset Council and enquired about nearby registry offices that could marry us, and imagine our delight when they informed us that it was possible to get married at Lulworth Castle, which is the venue for the festival. I then spoke to Paul Pinnock, who is the Castle and Parks Manager, who suggested getting married in the courtyard, which had just been granted a license for civil ceremonies.

Paul told us that he and festival curators Rob and Josie were very excited at the prospect of hosting the festival’s first ever wedding and promised to make a big issue of it. It was less than a week before the wedding that we found out what it would entail, and

Photography: RJD Photography

we gave them the go ahead to do whatever they wanted!

The morning of the wedding was very relaxed - we both took the children to see Mr Tumble on the main stage before heading back to the camper van to meet some of our friends who had arrived from Wales and Bristol for the wedding. We all climbed into taxis kindly laid on by Festaxis, who took us down to the festival site. A room was set aside for us to get ready in which was a God-send when at a festival!

After a quick hair wash in the sink using a pint glass and a hand drier for a hairdryer, the bride was nearly ready to walk down the aisle.

The ceremony itself was very low key and relaxed, the registrars were fantastic and very friendly - they felt like guests. After the ceremony, the room seemed to fill with photographers who were eager to get shots of us - it made us feel incredibly important and it was a bit overwhelming. We were then paraded to the castle steps led by the Jaipur Brass Band, where there were even more photographers. After several shots on the castle steps with friends and family we were whisked away by Paul and Kate, who were absolutely wonderful and made us feel like V.I.Ps.

We were taken back stage to the artists’ area where we were given a few drinks and even managed to meet Howard Marks! We were then introduced onto the main stage by The Cuban Brothers and performed a cover of Barry White’s ‘It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me’ for our first dance in front of thousands of festival goers. Liz threw her bouquet into the crowd and I followed with throwing my hat.

We were then reunited with our friends and family. We had a few drinks in the grounds, soaked in sunshine. We then went down to the kids’ field where we all went down the Helter Skelter and had tiger faces painted on!

All in all, it was a very surreal experience but a day that we and many others will never forget!

Memory charm pins and really lovely things...x Gorgeously sentimental gifts for your Bridesmaids, Parents, Flower Girls, Best Friends, In-Laws-To-Be, and more.

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HEN central

hen party planning at its best!

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From our readers... the First Dance

Sam & Mat Ellie Goulding - Your Song

Amy & Lorin Jase Everett - Bad Things

howardlucas.com

tim-churchill.com

Vanessa & Ayman Corrine Bailey Rae - Girl Put Your Records On

Emma & Matt The John Butler Trio - Groovin’ Slowly

Dorset’s friendliest mobile bar is ready to serve you and your guests.

From cocktails to Champagne, we’re fully equipped to make sure your big day is enjoyed by all.

You can also order through our wholesale company, southwestdrinks.co.uk.

sales@dorsetmobilebar.co.uk

01929 471455

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Prize Draw

GEMMA KENWARD SHOES

SHOES!!

We thought that might get your attention...

Gemma Kenward is the best thing to happen to footware since bright red soles. Your wedding shoes will become a work of art when award winning artist Gemma creates a personal and sophisticated design, just for you.

We’ve joined up with the lovely Gemma Kenward to offer one reader the chance to win bespoke shoe designs for her wedding shoes! These hand painted shoes are available in an array of colourful, sophisticated and truly inspiring designs, hand painted uniquely for each bride.

View Gemma’s recent work online on the website and on her facebook page gemmakenwardshoes.com or www.facebook.com/GemmaKenwardShoes, we can’t get enough of them!

It’s easy to enter; you just email us with your name, date of your wedding and a contact number. That’s it. We pick out a winner at random on January 11th. Our usual terms and conditions reply. Your information is not shared with anybody else.

Since Roman times couples have exchanged rings to be worn on the third finger of the left hand. The Romans believed that a vein connected this finger directly to the heart.

The ring also symbolises everlasting love, as it is a never-ending circle. There is a less Rings from Forum Jewellers romantic notion that the ring represents a shackle for the bride, but that’s not a very romantic view - although this might make a good joke for the wedding speeches!!

Funnily enough, it’s only in fairly recent times that the tradition of wearing white on your wedding day has taken hold. It was in 1840 when Queen Victoria wore a white gown for her marriage to Albert of SaxeCoburg that the fashion began. It was actually rather a statement to wear white, as it was the colour of mourning - most brides opted for coloured dresses on their wedding day with pale blue being a popular choice.

Make it yourself

The

Biscuits (makes 12) 175g plain flour 110g soft butter 75g caster sugar 1 teaspoon mixed spice Icing 1 pack royal icing (the type you add water to & mix) Decoration Preheat oven to 180c/gas 4 1. Place the flour, mixed spice, sugar and butter in a bowl.

Mix and knead until a dough is formed. (If the mixture is too crumbly add a dash of milk).

2. Roll out the dough to about 5mm thick and using a shaped cutter stamp out the required biscuit shape.

3. Place on a lightly greased tray.

4. Bake for about 10 minutes, until they start to go golden brown. The biscuits will still feel very soft at this stage, as they harden whilst cooling.

5. Allow to cool completely.

6. Following the instructions on the packet, make up the royal icing. Add a few drops of your chosen colour.

7. Divide the royal icing into two bowls. From the first bowl spoon the royal icing into a piping bag with a number 2 writing nozzle.

Pipe an outline around the edge of the biscuit. The best way to do this is to keep constant pressure on the piping bag and try to do the outline in one continuous line. Keeping an even speed will ensure the line of piping doesn’t keep breaking.

8. Allow the outline of the icing to harden for about 10 mins.

9. To ‘flood’ the biscuits you need the royal icing a little runnier, so add a few drops of water until it is more of a pouring consistency but not too thin. Then simply add the runnier icing to the piping bag and squeeze in the centre of the biscuit. It will then spread across the biscuit until it hits the line of piping done earlier.

You may want to gently tease the icing to the edges with the nozzle end.

10. Add your chosen decoration.

11. Allow the icing to completely dry out and go hard then either store in an airtight container or put in little bags tied with ribbon.

Tip: You can make these biscuits a few days in advance so there’s no rushing about!

th of the cost!

6 brides = one six

In your head the day you’ve been dreaming about since ill.com Photo: tim-church you were a little girl is like a fairytale. In reality, the average wedding costs £20,000. If this is a figure that is way out of reach, follow some of these tips for smart ways to save money and still have the wedding of your dreams.

Let friends help If people are offering to make things such as cakes Plan ahead Have a mid-week and invites or arrange your Spreading the cost over wedding flowers, let them! Friends a longer period means Most venues offer a and family are only too that you can take a little discount if you choose to happy to help and they bit from your wages each have your wedding during will love feeling involved in month rather than trying the week. Often other your special day. to plan a last minute suppliers do too. Don’t be wedding and getting afraid to ask, they can only Be smart with your into debt. say no! saving While cutting costs on Budget Break away from many of your wedding Having a realistic budget tradition items makes sense, be and sticking to it will mean Don’t feel like you have to smart about the things that you are in control of stick with everyone’s idea you do need to spend of a traditional wedding. your finances. Sit down money on. For example, together and prioritise These days pretty much if you have a friend items for your wedding. anything goes and having that is a professional a ‘bring your own food photographer, that’s great.

Cut out bad spending or drink’ to a reception is However, if you don’t and habits becoming the norm. Make you decide not to have If you get up too late bunting with your friends, one, you may end up to make lunch for work have auntie make your regretting it. Photos will and end up grabbing a cake and let your friend be something you look sandwich and coffee, this sing at your reception. at again and again and soon adds up. If you’re Don’t forget, it’s your day! show your children and spending £5 on lunch grandchildren. every day, that’s £25 a Buy second-hand week or £100 a month that Let’s face it, there are a lot you could be saving. Ask of weddings and everyone that gets married has yourself what that could pay for. mountains of wedding items that they no longer Sell it! need. Look at pre-loved Do you have things sitting wedding dress shops and browse wedding Facebook around your house that are getting in the way groups such as Re-Love and you have no use for the Love to find those (no, we don’t mean your items you want and a husband-to-be!)? If you’ve bargain price. been meaning to sell it to make some cash, do it now.

Leading wedding transportation business Dorset Dub Hire have added this beautiful 1965 Beetle to their vintage VW collection. The Beetle, named Lilah, joins Lottie the ivory 1970 Camper and Lulu the 1960 blue split screen Camper. dorsetdubhire.com

Poole bridal house Courtyard Bridal is pleased to announce that they are now stockists for Nicola Anne.

Only Fools and Flutterbyes is launching a new website in November and to celebrate they are offering all readers a whopping 10% off orders! You can check them out on facebook until the site it launched. onlyfoolsandflutterbyes.co.uk

courtyardbridal.co.uk

Beau-Tea-Ful, the pop up tearoom, celebrated their launch with an afternoon tea for 50, including the Mayor of Wareham, at Holton Lee. The new company showcased their homemade cakes and puddings at the same time as raising much-needed money for Holton Lee, which is a charity offering accommodation and work for those with special needs.

Blue Bay Events are happy to introduce a new venue to their portfolio. Smedmore House overlooks Kimmerage Bay, and has a very pretty walled garden, perfect for a drinks reception, and large lawned gardens where a marquee will be placed for the main reception.

beauteaful.co.uk & holtonlee.co.uk

bluebayevents.co.uk

The Silent Woman Inn

Coldharbour, Wareham

01929 552909

Our traditional Dorset Inn, nestled in its own beautiful gardens, provides the perfect venue for your whole day.

Whether you require an intimate setting for only a few guests or have higher numbers in mind, we will provide you with your own unique wedding plan.

With a choice of venues, an award winning team and our total dedication to your day...

“...let us build the memories to last you a lifetime.�

The Silent Woman Inn Coldharbour Wareham Dorset BH20 7PA www.thesilentwoman.co.uk

Charlotte Trim floristry

Stunning Flowers for Weddings and Events For imaginative and innovative designs, created for each individual event.

From Bouquets and Buttonholes to Dramatic Venue Displays.

Using experience and creativity alongside the highest quality, most beautiful blooms.

01929 481546/07983 470034 info@charlottetrimfloristry.co.uk

www.charlottetrimfloristry.co.uk

create your dream day with the least amount of stress

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Local knowledge, local people and local products The best venues and suppliers in the area Full event management Free consultation Venue finding

01929 509900 07590 596916

“Polly was fantastic from start to finish! I felt totally confident knowing that Polly was so on the ball. We had a fab day - thank you for all your help!”

Hollie

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