Wedding special february 2014

the listing wedding special

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO ROYSTON & BEYOND • FEBRUARY 2012 • ISSUE 78

a selection of our wedding special features from 2011, 2012 and 2013

Reaching 16 500 homes in the SG8 area

www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447 •

wedding special keeping romance alive

Planning a wedding can be a stressful occasion in itself, so whether you are the bride and groom, helping them to organise the big day or just after some inspiration for Valentine’s Day, here’s our guide to keeping the romance alive:

Change your routine. Do something spontaneous like ice skating or going to a comedy club - laughter will help you both escape the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Learn something new. By taking up a hobby together, you’ll not only spend more time as a couple, but also develop a shared interest. Look up classes at your local leisure centre or adult education centre.

Small gestures count. There’s no need to buy any expensive presents, but a tiny moment of thoughtfulness is guaranteed to make your other half feel special. Place a note in their briefcase, a flower in their lunchbox or run them a bubble bath after a hard day at work.

Talk. Yes, it’s that easy! It’s important to discuss what happens in your day to help you understand and show interest in each other’s lives.

Compromise. It’s easy to put number one first after ten years together, but it’s still important to make your loved one feel supported. Going to the football or theatre are good ways of not only spending time together but also making an effort to share each other’s passions.

Light a candle. Have dinner by candlelight - the soft and romantic ambience will make even beans on toast feel special.

Go back in time. Revisit a place that has memories for both of you. Re-ignite emotions by taking a trip to the place you proposed!

The magic words. I love you: the simplest way of keeping romance alive. Make sure you say them on a regular basis.

You time. If you have children, ask friends to look after them for a night. Reserve a table, buy something new to wear and make an effort to look your best. It’s important to set time aside and don’t allow anything to encroach on that.

Do something daring. Go windsurfing, parachuting or just order a takeaway to eat in bed. Letting yourself go once in a while keeps the fun in your relationship.

LADDS For the finishing touches for your perfect day

For That Special Occasion • Condici • Gold • Ann Balon • Gina Bacconi • Libra • Presen • Mireia • Cabotine • Ian Stuart • Sonia Pena • Veni Infantino • Jaego • Cameron Blake • Ispirato • Carina

• Cake decorations and sugarcraft equipment • Wedding cake stand, knife and cake tin hire • Wide selection of coloured ribbons • Wedding favours : sugared almonds, Belgian chocolate or your own choice from our extensive confectionery selection • Gifts for your Best man and ushers : pens, tankards, hip flasks etc

• Wedding guest books

21, High Street, Royston 01763 245658 email: info@laddsroyston.co.uk • www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447

John Street, Royston, Herts SG8 9BE Telephone: 01763 244073 info@creamfashions.com www.creamfashions.com

Sizes 10-26 Free Alteration Service Matching Hats, Fascinators, Shoes and Bags available Extensive Stock of Mother of the Bride outfits

wedding special tips & trends for your big day......

Fantasy films such as the Hobbit and Twilight will inspire weddings throughout the year. Think long sleeves and lace for an enchanted look.

Pastels like pink, lilac or mint are the “it” colors of 2013, with mint leading the way.

big day COMPLETE WEDDING CATERING

Natural bouquets, encompassing earthy flowers such as garden roses, lily of the valley, gardenia and peonies, mixed with natural grasses and dark foliage, give a rustic feel.

There is one wedding day shot that’s a must for your big day: A panoramic wedding portrait where every single wedding guest is in the photo.

www.bigdaycatering.com

Wow your guests with your first dance: take dance lessons and take to the floor with your personallychoreographed version of your favourite tune. The ideal way to get the party started.

Local and seasonal produce is the key to a successful wedding menu which will suit all palates.

Sharing platters are also a key theme for 2013.

Advert:Layout 1 20/01/2013 16:46 Page 1

Burloes Hall Weddings

Our creative kitchen at BigDay tailors a menu to suit your individual requirements. The method is simple; we listen to what you would like to eat and combine this with the best quality fresh, local produce, our renowned style and service and a pinch of our secret formula, resulting in the perfect recipe for any wedding.

• Wedding breakfast • Evening buffets • Licenced bars • BBQ & hogroast • Canapes • Cakes If you are planning your wedding then look no further than Burloes Hall Gardens which offers: • Stunning, elevated views of the Hertfordshire countryside • Fabulous menus tailored to your budget • Beautiful marquees to meet your needs Conveniently located on the outskirts of Royston and close to the M11, A10 and A1M, Burloes Hall is the perfect setting to hold your wedding reception.

Please contact us on 0800 142 2897 info@bigdaycatering.com www.bigdaycatering.com ALL YOU NEED FOR THE PERFECT

Visit www.burloeshallweddings.co.uk or call Katharine Newman on 07973573441 or Nicole de Souza on 07792910971 www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447 •

wedding special Best Man Speech - Dream or Nightmare?

If you’ve been asked to be the Best Man at your friend’s wedding you are probably starting to worry already about making the speech. Fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias and can get in the way of you enjoying the rest of the event. But there are easy techniques you can learn to build your confidence.

1. A month before the wedding, start to practice feeling confident. Close your eyes and picture an occasion when you felt really confident. Make the picture as big, bright and colourful as you can. When you are experiencing that confident feeling as strongly as possible, press the tips of your thumb and first finger together firmly. This is your confidence anchor.

2. In the week before the wedding, before you go to sleep every night, imagine yourself making a brilliant speech. See yourself standing confidently, speaking easily, the smiling faces in front of you.

Hear them laughing at your jokes and clapping as you finish. Enjoy that good feeling of a job well done. Press the tips of your thumb and first finger together to ‘fire’ your confidence anchor.

3. Just before you stand up to make the speech, take a few moments to concentrate on your breathing. Breathe down into your stomach and make each out-breath slightly longer than the inbreath. This will trigger relaxation.

4. When you stand up, plant your feet firmly hip distance apart and stand in your confident posture.

Fire your confidence anchor.

5. Take plenty of sips of water. This will keep your mouth moist and give you a chance to look at your notes 6. At the beginning of your speech, let your eyes go out of focus so that you can take in the whole room. Once you are feeling more confident, let your eyes focus on the people who are smiling and laughing - there will be plenty of them.

7. Enjoy yourself - this is your moment! © Pat Duckworth www.roystonhypnotherapy.co.uk a4-a3 show card copy.pdf

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extend fashion to your hands and feet

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• www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447

wedding special choosing your photographer

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© www.LiquidPhoto.co.uk

Congratulations! You’ve taken the plunge and are planning your wedding - how exciting! Everyone will tell you the most important things to sort first are the venue(s) and dress but we would advise that the next big thing should be your photographer. A great photographer will be booking weddings over a year in advance, so make sure it’s high on your priority list. Whilst you’re looking, there are some important points to consider.

Use a Professional Firstly, don’t be tempted to use a friend unless they are a wedding professional. They may take beautiful pictures on their decent DSLR, but being a wedding photographer is so much more than taking pretty pictures. The pressure of photographing a wedding is high as you only have one chance, and the opportunity to capture each unique moment could be missed. You would much rather that your friend was able to relax and enjoy the day with you, and able to capture some lovely candid shots. A professional photographer thrives on the pressure of a wedding day, is passionate about what they do and can leap into action if something changes or goes wrong. They are versatile and have the skills to deal with all sorts of lighting changes, weather conditions and most important of all, they’re able to manage people.

Be Generous with Your Budget Somewhere around 15% of your overall budget should be reserved for photography. The age-old adage that you tend to get what you pay for holds true and remember these photos are your memories recorded to last a lifetime so don’t take any risks.

Ask for Recommendations We generally all know someone who has organised a wedding so ask around. How happy were they with the finished product? What were their guests’ reactions? You can also ask your venue, but still do your research. When looking at websites, don’t just view their portfolio; ask to see a full real wedding if there isn’t one up. When looking at the portfolios of larger photographic studios, ask yourself, is that a real bride? Many tend to arrange shoots with models. Remember, this is your wedding day, not a fashion shoot.

Do They Work Alone?

This is not to say solo photographers aren’t as good, yet with two photographers you are likely to get wider coverage. If you have over 100 guests, two would be essential if you wanted to capture the majority of them in your photos, so bear it in mind.

What is Included?

Look at their packages - do they give you all the images on disk or do you have to pay more? Many photographers do offer the disk, some included in the package price and some make you pay extra - make sure you clarify this if the disk is important to you. If the photographer has been generous enough to give you all the images on disk as part of the package, don’t abuse their good faith, personal usage rights means for you as a couple, not for everyone who attended the wedding. There will be a way for guests to buy prints.

Do You Like Their Style?

There are a variety of styles around and the style of your chosen photographer will have a big effect on your finished product. Choose someone who already produces the style you want, don’t expect someone to change their signature style for you.

A Natural Rapport Always meet up with your photographer first. Do you like them as a person? With some people you can have a natural rapport and will be more than happy for them to be part of your wedding, so go with your instinct. There are enough photographers to go round so don’t settle for someone you don’t like, as chances are your guests won’t like them either, and that will have an impact on the finished photos.

How Do The Images Look in Print Images can look great on screen but really poor when blown up to prints on the wall, ask to see some, or a digitally printed album.

Check for Insurances A professional should be equipped with public liability and professional indemnity insurance. Your venue may ask to see a certificate of public liability and your photographer should be happy to show it.

The Small Print Read the contract carefully and ask any questions before you sign. No one should pressure you into signing quickly because they ‘have another couple wanting your date.’ Check you are clear on cancellation, what happens if your photographer gets ill (they are only human after all) and what your usage rights are in particular. We live in a world of social networking, do you have the rights to put the images on Facebook? Most photographers will allow this, but usually with a watermark retained - do not be tempted to crop this off, you will be breaking a legal agreement.

Talking of usage rights, that is exactly what most photographers will give you, this shouldn’t be confused with copyright. No photographer worth their salt should be giving away their copyright and you shouldn’t expect it. It is all you need to reproduce the images as you wish.

Lastly, make sure you can have fun with your photographer, relax and enjoy your special day!

Lina Orsino & Tom Allen run Liquid Photo, Striking & Vibrant Wedding & Event Photography, www.LiquidPhoto.co.uk

MINSTREL COURT

Wedding Venue (Outside Wedding Catering) WEDDINGS, PARTIES, CORPORATE A listed farmhouse near Cambridge set in superb gardens overlooking a private lake.

Licensed for weddings and ceremonies Full bar and catering facilities

01223 208937 www.minstrelcourt.com

By Joanna Guiver B.A.B.T.A.C

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2 John Street, Royston, Herts. SG8 9BE

01763 242 007 www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447 •

wedding special

big day COMPLETE WEDDING CATERING

www.bigdaycatering.com

Our creative kitchen at BigDay tailors a menu to suit your individual requirements. The method is simple; we listen to what you would like to eat and combine this with the best quality fresh, local produce, our renowned style and service and a pinch of our secret formula, resulting in the perfect recipe for any wedding.

• Wedding breakfast • Evening buffets • Licenced bars • BBQ & hogroast • Canapes • Cakes

Please contact us on 0800 142 2897 info@bigdaycatering.com www.bigdaycatering.com ALL YOU NEED FOR THE PERFECT

The dress Now that the wedding season is just around the corner and many couples are eagerly anticipating their big day, attention turns to finding that perfect dress. Fortunately there is more choice than ever on offer to beguile brides-to-be – from High Street bargains to highend fashion.

Retailers are becoming increasingly aware of the market demands for ‘designer style’ at high street prices and many new, more affordable ranges, are emerging.

Although for most of us the romantic idyll of the celebrity marriage on sun-kissed foreign shores is as distant as the Caribbean beach on which it takes place, with so many different gowns and accessories available, you’ll be sure to look just as good as they do.

Whether you have had your dress designed in your mind for years or you are only just starting to look for style inspiration, the fantastic array of classic, cutting edge and modern designs infiltrating high street boutiques means that finding your dream dress is far more likely to become a reality. For many this comes as a welcome alternative to commissioning a bespoke creation with a more hefty price tag.

As vintage chic is an enormous trend at the moment and is showing no sign of going away, many top designers are taking inspiration from bygone eras by producing magnificent gowns with extreme embellishments. Ian Stuart’s latest collection – which is typically theatrical, playful and utterly romantic – capitalises on this with truly magical results.

Taking ideas from this means that you can revel in a wide choice of sumptuous fabrics, layers of luscious lace and fantastic appliqué work – not to mention heavenly embroidery – when designing the bodice.

Embracing full-on vintage style and purchasing an authentic period dress, or adapting a family piece, can not only be a cost effective measure for the more budget aware, but can have

S.L Sabrina At S.L. Sabrina, we pride ourselves on offering fabulous bridal wear in a wide range of fabrics, timeless designs and at an amazing price. / SAMPLE WEDDING DRESSES FROM £280.00 / BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES / TIARA & VEILS / SELECTED DRESSES FOR HIRE / BESPOKE DESIGNS TELEPHONE 01763 244526 EMAIL info@sl-sabrina.co.uk OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.sl-sabrina.co.uk The Corn Exchange, Market Hill, Royston SG8 9JR

J enny’s Repairs and A lterations Repairs and alterations Men’s alterations Wedding and prom alterations Free fittings Also curtain alterations NEW! Dry cleaning and ironing 48-hour turnaround Now open 6 Days per week Call us on 01763 249500 or 07905 392206, Evenings 01763 220964 2 - 5 Corn Exchange, Royston SG8 9JR jennysalterations@btconnect.com

• www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447

wedding special

spectacular results, as you are guaranteed to have a totally unique gown which will certainly not look embarrassingly dated in years to come.

Adaptations can easily provide a way for you to stamp your own style and personality on any vintage piece.

Using classic make-up and hair styling can help to achieve the full period look, but as an alternative, adopting a more modern style can marry two periods together and work exceptionally well.

With that in mind, you can carry forward the ideas of ‘something old, something new’, when choosing accessories. A tiara from the 1920s can sit happily alongside contemporary earrings.

For those who love modern styles and who would not – even for a minute – entertain the idea of anything other than a sparkling new gown, Vera Wang’s latest collection of creations will suit perfectly. As a designer whose creations have been worn by numerous celebrities over the years, Wang’s wedding dresses have consistently been big news. And the reason for her longevity? Her pieces are classic, elegant and chic. The perfect formula for the modern bride to fall in love with.

Undoubtedly, the decision of which dress to choose just became harder albeit in a good way, as being spoilt for choice is never bad.

And be reassured: if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a designer gown, you can still acquire a similar look. The high street always reflects the catwalk . But for real savings, adapting a vintage gown might just mean that you have enough left over for a honeymoon of your dreams. But all that’s another story.

By Helen Jane Taylor

For That Special Occasion • Condici • Gold • Ann Balon • Gina Bacconi • Libra • Presen • Mireia • Cabotine • Ian Stuart • Sonia Pena • Veni Infantino • Jaego • Cameron Blake • Ispirato • Carina John Street, Royston, Herts SG8 9BE Telephone: 01763 244073 info@creamfashions.com www.creamfashions.com

Sizes 10-26 Free Alteration Service Matching Hats, Fascinators, Shoes and Bags available Extensive Stock of Mother of the Bride outfits

Bondini Events and Entertainment

Based in Bassingbourn, Bondini Ltd - is an events and entertainment company with a difference: they run each and every event as though it was their own. Some people love the preparation and just want some help with the décor or entertainment while others hand the whole event over to Bondini to organise, whether it be a wedding reception, birthday party, corporate event, private celebration…No event is too big or too small. Bondini’s services include full event management, discos, AV hire and installation, event décor, entertainment such as magicians, aerial artists, fire artists, dancers, musicians, children’s entertainers, chocolate fountains, popcorn and candyfloss stands…

Founder Vanessa Bond works as a freelance stage manager in TV and also with her father at the ‘family firm’, PMB Theatre & Exhibition Services Ltd. A magician and illusionist himself, Doctor Bondini has been in the business for over 30 years building theatre scenery, exhibition stands, props, magic props and illusions. With theatre and entertainment in her blood, it’s been a natural progression for Vanessa to branch into her own event management business!

We’re all watching the pennies at the moment but when you’re planning a big celebration such as a wedding or a special birthday you don’t have to compromise on the quality of service or creativity offered by Bondini Ltd. They have plenty of ideas on how to dress your venue, no matter what your budget or the kind of space you are using.

Their popular disco caters for all music tastes with the DJs happy to play requests. For that extra edge, Bondini offer a wide range of entertainment including magicians, mime artists, dancers, musicians and circus acts. Children’s entertainers can keep your young guests amused during the wedding breakfast and speeches. Lighting is another Bondini speciality, along with top class PA systems for those all important speeches. Their feedback is only glowing!

As if that isn’t enough, why not treat your guests to a chocolate fountain? One way to save some money is to have a chocolate fountain as the dessert for your wedding breakfast or evening buffet. We use only the finest Belgian chocolate and you can choose from milk, dark, white or even flavoured chocolate Why not sprinkle some Bondini magic on your special day!

You can call Bondini on 01763 852691 or email hello@bondini.co.uk www.bondini.co.uk business profile

www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447 •

wedding special Make your wedding day one to remember It’s your big day, and with months of discussion about dresses, colour themes and table decorations, the comfort and enjoyment of guests is often overlooked. But if your friends and family are enjoying themselves and everyone is getting along famously, it’ll make the celebrations even more special for you. So how can you make sure a good time is had by all?

The first thing to bear in mind is that many people that come to your wedding won’t know each other, so it’s important that you give everyone the best chance of becoming better acquainted.

You may not have time to introduce people personally, so instead ask a close friend or relative to look out for those who are coming along on their own. Position individuals considerately on the table plan next to someone with similar interests or who works in the same field. It’s also important to place quieter individuals next to somebody warm and welcoming. An engagement party is also a great idea - hire out an area of a bar somewhere accessible to everyone so that your guests will have a chance to mingle before your big day.

A common problem at weddings is that family and friendship groups may not have seen each other for a while, meaning that great huddles of people may form. A fantastic way of breaking these up and encouraging people to mix is by incorporating some games into the day’s itinerary. You might have chandeliers, sugar-coated almonds and a six-foot train, but a bit of fun won’t detract from the glamour and sense of occasion, it’ll simply allow your guests to let their hair down. Organise a sweepstake for how long the best man’s speech will take and ask an usher to time it, with the winner receiving a prize. Create a pub quiz with questions which have been tailored to different groups in the room, as well as some associated with the bride and groom, so that everyone has an answer to contribute. This can be done at

the tables between courses, so lay out some answer sheets and you’ll encourage everyone to work together.

If you have a sunny day and a garden, get some lawn activities going – giant Connect 4, Twister, croquet or even a friendly game of cricket.

Give people a talking point. The more inventive aspects of the day you can include, the better. But you don’t have to come up with lots of mad ideas for the sake of it, instead use this as a way of personalising your wedding day and making it all the more special. For example, instead of flowers go for some quirky centrepieces.

Don’t forget any little ones. Look after them and their parents can relax and enjoy themselves. So think about food timings; if you have a midday ceremony and the wedding breakfast isn’t until mid-afternoon, arrange a hamper with biscuits, packets of raisins, bananas and cartons of squash to see them through.

Avoid E numbers and too many sweets - and have the basket on a high table so that tiny hands can’t stuff themselves silly.

Don’t forget that weddings can be boring for children, so pick up some cheap toys to keep them amused during speeches.

Colouring books and crayons are great (be careful with pens), as are books, and puppets are fantastic for later in the day. If you

01763 249438 01763 249438

37 Kneesworth Street, Royston, SG8 5AB 37 Kneesworth Street, Royston, SG8 5AB

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Repairs and alterations Men’s alterations Wedding and prom alterations Free fittings Also curtain alterations 48-hour turnaround Now open 6 Days per week Call us on 01763 249500 or 07905 392206, Evenings 01763 220964 2 - 5 Corn Exchange, Royston SG8 9JR jennysalterations@btconnect.com • www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447

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wedding special Business card are getting married in a hotel, encourage parents to book a room so that if their children need an early night, they can all be put down together and mums can take it in turn to supervise so that nobody misses out on the party.

When your evening guests arrive, get the party started by jazzing up your first dance. This can be the most worrying part of the day for the groom, so invest in some choreography or choose a song that’s a little less daunting and involving other members of the wedding party can also ease the anxiety. Instead of cradling each other to a Whitney Houston classic, think about a song which makes you both laugh, or something with a fun routine to follow: Grease is a good one, as is Saturday Night Fever, or something which brings back memories such as a cheesy 80s tune. By choosing an upbeat track, you’re likely to get people up onto the dance floor, so encourage children and

grandparents to join in and pluck people from the crowd so that everyone feels involved.

Don’t be afraid to break tradition if it suits you. Why not skip the receiving line, so that people aren’t forced to wait around, only to struggle for something to say? And when it comes to speeches, keep them short and sweet – perhaps with just the bride and groom offering a few words of thanks?

The trick with all these personal touches is to delegate. Plan well in advance and ask for help from your ushers and bridesmaids – it’s what they’re there for. The most important thing to remember is to stay relaxed; the more stressed you become with all the details, the less fun your wedding day will be.

When people talk about ‘that fantastic wedding’, they generally mean that it was a comfortable, fun, and relaxing day spent celebrating two people they love.

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Best Man Speech - Dream or Nightmare?

If you’ve been asked to be the Best Man at your friend’s wedding you are probably starting to worry already about making the speech. Fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias and can get in the way of you enjoying the rest of the event. But there are easy techniques you can learn to build your confidence.

Wendy Fach

1. A month before the wedding, start to practice feeling confident. Close your eyes

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2. In the week before the wedding, before you go to sleep every night, imagine yourself

making a brilliant speech. See yourself standing confidently, speaking easily, the smiling faces in front of you. Hear them laughing at your jokes and clapping as you finish. Enjoy that good feeling of a job well done. Press the tips of your thumb and first finger together to ‘fire’ your confidence anchor.

3. Just before you stand up to make the speech, take a few moments to concentrate on

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your breathing. Breathe down into your stomach and make each out-breath slightly longer than the in-breath. This will trigger relaxation.

4. When you stand up, plant your feet firmly hip distance apart and stand in your confident posture. Fire your confidence anchor.

5. Take plenty of sips of water. This will keep your mouth moist and give you a chance to look at your notes 6. At the beginning of your speech, let your eyes go out of focus so that you can take in the whole room. Once you are feeling more confident, let your eyes focus on the people who are smiling and laughing - there will be plenty of them.

7. Enjoy yourself - this is your moment!

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Š Pat Duckworth www.roystonhypnotherapy.co.uk

Get back in control of your life www.roystonhypnotherapy.co.uk Stressed out with your wedding planning?

I can help you: • Deal with stress and anxiety • Relax and enjoy your day

• Build conďƒždence • Lose weight

Pat Duckworth T: 01763 853867 E: pat@roystonhypnotherapy.co.uk

www.thelisting.info • 01763 248447 •

wedding special The language of flowers

WILDWOOD FLORAL EVENTS Classic and contemporary floristry for all occasions Specialists in weddings and events Private dinners, gifts and funeral tributes (minimum charge applies) 8 Hay Street, Steeple Morden, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 0PE Tel. 01763 853038 | 07810 427254 Email: alison@wildwoodfloralevents.co.uk Website: www.wildwoodfloralevents.co.uk

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance... and there is pansies. That’s for thoughts...”

Ophelia’s speech from Shakespeare’s Hamlet is recognised by most people and this excerpt clearly defines the meaning behind certain plants.

However, the speech continues and the allusions created by the writer are largely lost to the modern reader. An Elizabethan audience would have readily understood all the hidden meanings and their intimations, as the language of flowers was a common method of sending messages in those days.

Victorians took the graceful symbolism embodied by specific flowers to new levels and sent coded messages to each other under the watchful eyes of strict parents and social rules. Rigorous Victorian propriety meant sweethearts needed to send secret and subtle messages to one another.

A sprig of mimosa passed surreptitiously to someone would let them know they had a secret admirer. Then the full scale of these veiled communiqués could begin. The gentleman may have sent his favoured lady a posy of white camellias, purple lilac, mountain ash, ferns and sweet William, which translate (in order) as “you are perfectly lovely, I am falling in love. You are safe with me, I am sincere and discreet. Please grant me just one smile!”

The recipient could immediately indicate her response by either putting the flowers to her lips, implying yes. Or more devastatingly for the man, she may pull a petal off a flower and drop it, meaning no.

Alternatively, she could respond with a bouquet expressing her feelings with carefully chosen blooms. Jonquils, rose leaves and honeysuckle translate as “I return your love. Keep your hopes alive but I will take time to

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answer”. Perhaps she had reservations so instead sent lavender and pink larkspur; “I don’t trust you as I think you may be fickle”.

Nowadays the only floral messages we readily recognise are the red roses dutifully sent to declare our love, and the Remembrance Day red poppies. As well as being a symbol of remembrance the poppy is also a symbol for sleep. Red poppies flourished on the churned up battlefields of Europe after the Napoleonic and First World Wars so are very poignant as a tribute to fallen soldiers.

Regardless of the language of the flowers you decide on as a gift for someone or indeed for your wedding day, the fact that you take the time to carefully select a beautifully constructed bouquet from a good florist speaks volumes to the recipient. Giving flowers is such a personal and touching gesture that it makes sense to go out of your way to choose something really special.

Choose a local florist who will be able to give you all the advice you need.

big day COMPLETE WEDDING CATERING

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The Art of the Chocolatier

Different grades of chocolate, like wines or spirits, have different properties, flavour profiles, textures and characteristics. Think of the difference between a Sauternes dessert wine and a flinty Sauvignon Blanc. Both are made from grapes, both are wines but they are distinctly different drinks. The same goes for chocolate.

Chocolatiers work with couverture chocolate, a form of chocolate high in cocoa butter and cocoa solids that means that it is highly workable and suitable for dipping, coating, molding and garnishing.

The skill of the chocolatier is in understanding the different properties of the couverture they work with and choosing the right combinations of chocolate and filling.

Sweet and mellow couvertures, like Valrhona’s Grand Cru Manjari Madagascar, fill the mouth with flavours that seems to extend right up into the ear canals. Its citrus notes stem from acids produced during the fermentation process and its dark, earthy undertones and 64% cocoa content mean that it is the perfect accompaniment for sharp, bitter lemon flavours, raspberry truffles and sea salt and caramel creations.

The process of creating new truffles or flavoured ganache depends greatly upon the chocolatier’s senses, from smell to sight to touch. “You eat with your eyes first.” Gareth Mellor, a chocolatier based in Tynemouth explained. “My olive oil and lemon truffle has two drops of colour on its shell, one yellow and one green, to tell you which tastes you will find inside. The dark brown sphere of my fresh mint chocolate is strewn with delicate strands of bright green, again, to tell your mouth what to expect”.

The mint chocolates do indeed look like minute and edible Jackson Pollock paintings, colour coded for the taste buds. Next to the mint creations sit three orderly lines of what could be a nut of some sort. “Cedarwood truffles,” explained Gareth. “I dusted them with cocoa to give them an earthy, autumnal feel. Some combinations come through a process of trial and error. Others are sheer flukes.

I sat for half an hour with a friend the other day trying to match the rum I wanted to the right chocolate for making a rum truffle. Some clashed and opposed on a very base level but when we found the right one it melded. The taste and texture were right. It just worked.”

If you are thinking of buying chocolate as a gift on Valentine’s day, or as a table favour on your Wedding Day, make sure the chocolate is as special as the person you are giving it to.

They will notice the difference.

Our creative kitchen at BigDay tailors a menu to suit your individual requirements. The method is simple; we listen to what you would like to eat and combine this with the best quality fresh, local produce, our renowned style and service and a pinch of our secret formula, resulting in the perfect recipe for any wedding.

• Wedding breakfast • Evening buffets • Licenced bars • BBQ & hogroast • Canapes • Cakes

Please contact us on 0800 142 2897 info@bigdaycatering.com www.bigdaycatering.com ALL YOU NEED FOR THE PERFECT

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wedding special

Booking deadline for the 2014 wedding special of the listing is 15th january 2014

to discuss your requirements, please contact sharon or kate at the listing on 01763 248447 or via email, info@townhousepublishing.co.uk

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