FREE COVERING BATH, BRISTOL , GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOMERSET & WILTSHIRE
Weddings WEST
AUTUMN 2016
To the manor born
Fall for this beautiful autumn wedding at the simply stunning Grittleton House
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All About Eve
28 High Street Chepstow Monmouthshire NP16 5LJ
7 Clytha Park Road Newport Gwent NP20 4NZ
chepstow@allaboutevebridalwear.com newport@allaboutevebridalwear.com
Telephone:
Telephone:
www.allaboutevebridalwear.com
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01633 243943
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All About Eve
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THE TEAM Editor: Helen Dorritt Sub editor: Cath Dean Writers and contributors: Rachel Barnett Jones, Keri Beckingham, Kirsten Butler, Becki Murray, Sasha Pallari and Serra Pheby Design: Cath Evans Production co-ordinators: Emma Gorton and Ruth Wood Commercial director: Tracie Simms Website editor: Gianina Turner ADVERTISING To advertise in future editions of West Weddings contact Jacqui Lewis T: 0117 934 3136 E: jacqui.lewis@localworld.co.uk EDITORIAL To contribute to future editions of West Weddings contact Helen Dorritt E: westweddings@b-nm.co.uk DISTRIBUTION To have a regular free delivery of the magazine to your business contact Amanda Field T: 01242 278053 E: amanda.field@trinitymirror.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS A yearly subscription (four issues) costs just £10 including P&P. Call Amanda Field on 01242 278053 PUBLISHER West Weddings magazine is published by Bristol News and Media, 2nd Floor, Temple Way, Bristol BS99 7HD T: 0117 934 3000
Visit our brand new website at www.west-weddings. co.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ westweddingsmag and like us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/westweddingsmag FREE COVERING BATH, BRISTOL , GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOMERSET & WILTSHIRE
Weddings WEST
AUTUMN 2016
To the manor born
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WEST WEDDINGS AUTUMN 2016 Ever since I was little, autumn has always been my favourite time of the year, and as it’s both the season when I got married and when I became editor of the magazine, it’s now become even more special. Autumn has so much to offer for couples planning a wedding, and if you’re thinking about celebrating yor big day in September, October or November, check out the real weddings on page 16 as there’s some gorgeous inspiration on how to make the best of the season. Our photoshoots are always such a lot of fun to work on, and this one at Grittleton House was no exception. It was also lovely to be able to showcase gowns from the new bridal boutiques run by local charity St Peter’s Hospice – I love the idea of a dress getting a second chance in the spotlight and at the same time helping to fund this very worthy organisation. Whatever you want from your wedding, we’ve got plenty to inspire your this issue. Want to make your exchanging of vows just that little bit different? Turn to page 63 where we’ve got a feature on crafting your perfect ceremony. Wondering how to keep your tiny guests happy? There’s a great guide on page 60 filled with creative ways to do this. We’ve also added a new feature to the magazine this season – a wedding wander. Each issue we’ll be exploring a new area in the region, and this issue it’s the pretty town of Bradford on Avon that’s in the nuptial spotlight. Enjoy!
Helen Dorritt
Fall for this beautiful autumn wedding at the simply stunning Grittleton House
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Welcome to
EDITOR
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Contents AUTUMN 2016
REGULARS 7 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 16 REAL WEDDINGS Five couples from the region share all the special details of their big days 37 GROOMS Ideas for a local stag do and grooming tips for the big day 40 ONLINE Find out how to get your West Weddings fix in between issues! 41 PLANNER Keep track of those facts and figures in our wedding countdown 78 PHOTO GALLERY Fantastic photography to inspire your wedding album 82 CAPTURE THE MOMENT A special photograph from one couple’s wedding album
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FASHION 27 GOWN GALLERY We look at dresses with beautiful backs and review two of the new season bridal collections 43 COVER SHOOT A jewel-toned autumnal wedding at Grittleton House
BE INSPIRED 59 60 62 63 64 66 67
PINBOARD All the finishing touches that we’re loving this season CHILD’S PLAY A guide to keeping your younger guests entertained LOVELY LINGERIE Our pick of the prettiest underwear for your special day UTTERLY UNIQUE How to plan an alternative wedding ceremony BEAUTY BIBLE The latest products to help you look great from top to toe READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP Professional make-up artist Sasha Louise Pallari shares her tips A WEDDING WANDER We visit Bradford on Avon to showcase what it can offer couples
VENUES 71 A selection of the region’s best places to celebrate your ‘I do’
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Wedding Open Day & Bridal Exhibitor Showcase Sunday 25th September 2016 11am – 3pm Come and meet the hotel’s dedicated wedding coordinator and chat with a fabulous array of the areas leading wedding suppliers. Experience this amazing venue and see how it could host your dream wedding day. All you need for your wedding under one truly stunning roof! Guided tours of the Castle available.
Free Goody Bag • Free Parking Free Admission • Free Prize Draw
For further details visit: www.littlewrencompany.co.uk / www.thornburycastle.co.uk or email tamzin@littlewrencompany.co.uk
Weddings with a difference... at the Aztec Hotel & Spa • A saving of over £1500 with exclusive offers • Professional four star service with catering for up to 250 guests • Picturesque gardens and stunning interior - perfect for photographs
• Spa Treatment facilities, ideal for pre-wedding celebrations • Complimentary Suite including a bottle of Champagne For more information please contact Lauren Manning on 01454 275344 or aztec.events@shirehotels.com aztechotelbristol.com
Aztec Hotel & Spa Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4TS 6
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Sunday 13 November th May – 28Sunday & 29th8th January Wedding Weekend / Grand Sunday 3rd July Reveal of new wedding suite Sunday 13th November (after refurb)
11am - 2pm | Free Admission Free Admission | 10am - 1pm Complimentary drinks Complimentary drinks reception with canapes reception with canapes plus interactive workshops ©LW
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NEWS
NEWS
Suited and booted F
ans of stylish suits can rejoice, as looking sharp has just got a lot easier with the opening of the new Slater’s store in Bristol. It offers a huge selection of suits, blazers, shirts, ties and shoes alongside a casualwear range, making it a one stop shop whatever the occasion you’re shopping for. Slater’s wedding selection includes a range of suits that can be bought or hired, from three piece suits in a fab selection of colours to black tie and tuxedos. Those with Highland heritage can also browse the excellent kilt section and its accessories such as ghillie brogues, kilt pins, sporrans and belt buckles. Once you’ve chosen your perfect groom outfit, accessorise it with ties, cravats, bow ties and more that will fit any colour scheme. There’s also a free alteration service for items purchased in-store or online, ensuring that your garments will have the best fit possible.
Founded in 1904, Slaters continues to be run by the same family, with founder Samuel’s grandchildren Paul and Susan overseeing the running of the 24 stores nationwide. Despite its huge expansion from the original store in Glasgow, Slaters still prides itself on outstanding service and the choice that it offers its customers, and the Bristol shop looks set to continue that tradition. SLATERS THE GALLERIES, UNION STREET, BRISTOL BS1 3XD T: 0117 929 0900 W: WWW.SLATERS.CO.UK
New season, new look! I
t’s been a busy summer for The Swan Hotel in Wells, as the venue has recently updated its spaces with a new function suite and two new bars, offering even more choice for couples planning their wedding reception. The brand-new Ivory Suite seats up to 150 people for dinner and can hold up to 300 people for drinks, making it an ideal space for a wedding reception. What makes this space even more special is the fully-integrated and colour-changing mood ceiling, so you can make sure the room perfectly matches your colour scheme! Just adjacent to the Ivory Suite is the new Artisan Bar, with the new Garden Bar next to the hotel’s walled
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garden also added to the roster of spaces available for couples. Mark Tobin, General Manager, said: “During the extensive refurbishment works we returned many of the areas of the hotel back to their former glory. These spaces are now easily accessible and incorporate stunning new interior design.” All of these complement the hotel’s other lovely spaces, which includes the Oak Room, Garden Room and 46 bedrooms, plus the magnificent Cathedral Suite with its copper bathtub and unrivalled views of the cathedral opposite.
BEST WESTERN PLUS SWAN HOTEL SADLER STREET, WELLS, SOMERSET BA5 2RX T: 01749 836319 W: WWW.SWANHOTELWELLS.CO.UK 7
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NEWS
The lion sleeps tonight
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he wonderful setting of Bristol Zoo has just got even better with the addition of a new lodge where you can stay overnight, surrounded by lions and gorillas! Set right in the heart of the zoo’s gardens, this former zookeeper’s cottage has been transformed into a luxury two bedroomed lodge that can sleep up to four people, beautifully decorated with a vibrant safari theme. A pre-wedding stay includes entry to the zoo, a four course dinner cooked by a personal chef and breakfast the next day, making it a lovely treat for you and your bridesmaids. You can choose to stay there on the night of your wedding too, enjoying breakfast the next day and a visit to the zoo, and there’s also the option to combine both of these. If you’re getting married at the zoo itself then it adds a fantastic extra to what’s already a unique venue, and it’s also available to those who are getting married elsewhere in Bristol and fancy accommodation that’s a little different! Packages start from £200 per night.
W: WWW.BRISTOLZOO.ORG.UK
BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS CLIFTON, BRISTOL BS8 3HA T: 0117 923 8332 8
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Love Actually is all around!
NEWS
Love ctuallywe
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Wedding Fayres (11am - 3pm)
LOVE ACTUALLY WEDDINGS W: WWW.LOVEACTUALLYWEDDINGS.CO.UK
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ADMISSION is always FREE with loveactually For information of all our events, please visit www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk
©LW
A
s the summer comes to an end and we wave goodbye to the warmer temperatures that we’ve been enjoying (well, sometimes!), the good news is that the next bundle of Love Actually wedding fairs are beginning across the South West. Autumn really is one of the best times of the year to start planning your wedding, so why not make the most of it and get all these important dates into you and your partner’s diary? Admission is always free with Love Actually, so you can attend as many fairs without paying a penny. There are some fantastic venues to visit over the next few months, with a wide selection of wedding suppliers for you to speak to. Organisers Emma and David kick off the season on 4th September at M Shed in Bristol, followed by Cheltenham Park Hotel (11th September), The Bishops Palace in Wells (18th September) and Tortworth Court (25th September). In October, Love Actually begins on the lake at Cotswold Water Park Hotel (2nd October) and then heads back to Somerset hosting the Farrington Park wedding fair (9th October). It’s then off to Bristol’s Grand Hotel (16th October) followed by Ballantynes Charlton House Hotel in Shepton Mallet (23rd October). The season ends at Bristol Golf Club on 30th October and by then, you’ll probably need to be wearing your woolly hat and gloves!
M-Shed, Bristol Sunday 4th September Cheltenham Park Hotel Sunday 11th September The Bishops Palace, Wells Sunday 18th September Tortworth Court, Nr Bristol & Gloucester Sunday 25th September Cotswold Water Park Hotel Sunday 2nd October Farrington Park, Somerset Sunday 9th October The Grand Hotel, Bristol Sunday 16th October Charlton House Hotel, Shepton Mallet Sunday 23rd October Bristol Golf Club, Almondsbury Sunday 30th October
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NEWS
The word is out...
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his autumn, fair organiser The Word on Weddings is working in conjunction with some amazing venues to host three superb wedding fairs. The season’s first is hosted at the stunning Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa, a 19 bedroom country house hotel set in four acres of beautiful grounds. This grand dame of a building is cradled in between the Quantock and Blackdown Hills,
affording guests some of the best views in Somerset. With its high ceilings, sweeping spiral staircase, opulent décor and feeling of gentle elegance and luxury, The Mount Somerset has all the characteristics of a quintessential Regency mansion. Those attending the fair will be welcomed with a glass of Buck’s Fizz and canapés and can enjoy a tour around the hotel, as well as having the chance to chat all things
wedding to top class exhibitors. At the end of September, The Word on Weddings heads to the Gables Hotel in rural Falfield. This hotel can offer a versatile space whatever the size and budget of your special day, so it’s a great opportunity to meet the wedding coordinator over a welcome drink and see what this superb hotel has to offer. There will also be a selection of local exhibitors with great offers for guests. In October it’s time for Word on Wedding’s extravaganza at Ashton Gate Stadium! This is one of the biggest fairs in the South West with over 70 exhibitors, so come and take a look around this newlyrefurbished stadium and see if it’s the goal for your perfect day. There will also a great range of local exhibitors with exclusive fair offers, so if you’re looking for a great deal this is a definite for your diary – and the first 200 visitors get a free goody bag, too! All fairs are free to attend and have reliable, quality local suppliers at beautiful venues. If you like The Word on Wedding’s Facebook and add yourself to the events you’re interested in attending, you have the chance to win a bottle of Champagne! THE WORD ON WEDDINGS W: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BRISTOLWEDDINGFAIR
Barre none I
f your childhood dreams were full of ballet tutus and Swan Lake, then there’s new exercise coming to Bristol this autumn that will be right up your street. Leading ballet fitness brand barrecore is opening its first centre in the South West to bring this unique exercise to the region. Barrecore uses the principles of the ballet barre in a unique class, mixing low impact interval training that uses isometric exercises with stretching. This enables you to achieve the famous toned, lengthened and strong ‘barre body’, as well as a sense of health and wellbeing that is unique to this practice. 10
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“We’re thrilled to be opening a studio in Bristol!” says barrecore founder Niki Rein. “I have always loved Bristol, with its positive and supportive community. barrecore is all about community and Bristol reflects just that, with an amazing network of families and local businesses helping the area to grow.” The studio is located in the newly-opened EF MEDISPA on Whiteladies Road and classes will take place seven days a week. BARRECORE BRISTOL 10A WHITELADIES ROAD, BRISTOL BS8 1PD W: WWW.BARRECORE.CO.UK
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Tel. 01454 600072 www.ajeclassics.co.uk
Chauffeur driven classic 1960’s Jaguars in stunning colours for weddings, blessings and civil partnerships Covering Bristol, Bath, South Glos and North Somerset
Kayleigh Adams Photography
©LW
We will listen to your ideas and offer our ideas to help you create your dream individually styled beautiful wedding flowers. From a single bouquet to an army of bridesmaids and button holes.
Tel 01454 856 737
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. Friendly / experienced / helpful / professional staff that will take the stress away from you. 3 Chelford Grove, Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS34 6DD email tina@tigerlilyflowers.co.uk web www.tigerlilyflowers.co.uk ©LW
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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 complimentary consultation
Email: bake@prettyamazingcakes.co.uk ©LW
photography & videography • cakes & flowers • venue & room styling • table & napkin décor • candy buffet, favours & cake stands • covers & sashes • DJ entertainment • make up artist • vintage bunting & lace • invitations & table stationery • chivari chair hire
427 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8TZ T: 0117 942 1770
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Facebook.com/theweddingandeventworks
www.theweddingandeventworks.co.uk
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NEWS
Selecting the right flowers, planning a wedding in three months, cake trends?
. .. s t r e p x e e h t k s a o t d e e You n These useful tips from our industry experts will leave you stress free
Flower power
Plan to perfection
Edible style
Question: I suffer from hay fever, and it’s particularly bad when I’m around flowers. Does that mean I can’t have fresh floral arrangements for my wedding?
Question: We’ve only got three months to plan our wedding, so we need to be efficient with our time. What are your tips for this?
Question: There are so many beautiful cakes out there, I’m struggling to pick one! What styles do you think are going to be popular for 2017 weddings?
Ellie Kensington, Swindon
Samantha Daniewska, Bristol
Tara Wilson, Frome
Tina Bignell from Tiger Lily Flowers says:
Peri Pigott from The Wedding and Events Works says:
Anne Gliddon from Pretty Amazing Cakes says:
Answer: Absolutely not! Most flowers have pollen, but all flowers vary enormously in the amount that they carry. There are lots ot choose from that won’t irritate you, including some clever alternatives to some of the more traditional wedding flowers. My first tip is to stay away from large scented lilies, as these are laden with pollen. Instead choose low pollen phalaenopsis or cymbidium orchids or, if you’re set on lilies, try calla lilies. Big, blousy flowers that are ideal for sufferers would be hydrangea, certain varieties of peonies and large-headed Alexander farm roses. These have multiple layers of petals but with fewer pollen centres. Tropical flowers have less pollen too, such as strelitzia (birds of paradise), heliconia and anthurium, and make for a striking bouquet. For the very best advice always choose a reputable florist, and ask to see their portfolio and some sample flowers just to be absolutely sure that you will only be shedding tears of joy, not tears of allergies on your big day!
Answer: There are five key elements to planning a wedding and the good news is that these can definitely be sorted in three months! The first three are booking your venue, registrar and photographer. It’s possible that many photographers may already be booked, but try and find one who works with a small team as they may be able to accommodate you. The fourth element is your wedding dress. You may still find some fab dresses at bridal shops but if not, there are lots high street outlets where you can buy a gorgeous gown off the peg, such as Monsoon and Phase Eight. The fifth element is bringing all the parts together. As a room stylist and venue decorator this is a role I love, and getting a stylist in for the day can help eliminate some of the stress, especially if you’re short on time. Once these five elements are sorted the rest can easily come together. Write everything down, don’t stress and ask your venue, friends and family for suppliers if you’re not sure where to start. Above all, enjoy the process!
Answer: As with fashion, cake styles come and go, but I’ve identified five key looks that I think will be big next year. Metallics add a touch of luxury, with edible gold and silver leaf creating a glamorous feel. Ruffles and frills are hugely popular, as brides love the light and airy look. And just as lace gowns continue to dominate, lace on cakes is still one of the most sought-after elements. My brides often request hand-piped details to match their dress! Botanicals are big in home décor and this has now translated to cake. Sugar flowers add that all-important finishing touch, whether as a single statement bloom or a cascade spilling over the tiers. These can soften the line, add impact and can mimic those in your bouquet. Towering tiers and sleek lines are also set to be popular. Deep tiers with sharp, crisp edges lend height and elegance to the design, and it also means a little goes a long way in terms of portion size. And don’t forget that once cut, your cake should taste amazing, too.
W: WWW.TIGERLILYFLOWERS.CO.UK
W: WWW.THEWEDDINGANDEVENTWORKS.CO.UK
W: WWW.PRETTYAMAZINGCAKES.CO.UK
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NEWS
Rustic charm N
ew for this season, Bristol’s Ashton Court Mansion has added a new space to its wedding offering. The venue has transformed the former stables and hayloft, creating an informal setting for celebrations alongside those available in the mansion house. The Hayloft and Saddlery is a gorgeous light-filled space with flagstone and wooden floors, leaded circular windows and wooden horse stalls that have been transformed into cosy booths. It’s a wonderful blank canvas for deocration, whether you opt for pom-poms and fairylights or go for candles, jam jar posies and vintage knick-knacks. The Hayloft also lets you make the most of Ashton Court’s wonderful outdoor space, so you can channel the festival vibe by donning your sparkly wellies for a photo shoot in the deer park or woodland, hire a yurt with wood burner for the lawn to add an extra party space or wheel Betty the vintage Prosecco van into the Courtyard to greet your guests in style in the open air. ASHTON COURT MANSION ASHTON COURT ESTATE, LONG ASHTON, BRISTOL BS41 9JN T: 0117 963 3438 W: WWW.BRISTOL.GOV.UK/WEB/ASHTONCOURT-MANSION
Weddings up north
The autumn is a busy time for wedding fairs and Sunday 23rd October sees the launch of one that’s specifically for couples looking to get married in North Bristol. The North Bristol Wedding Show is taking place from 11am-3.30pm at the newlynamed Doubletree by Hilton North Bristol, Bradley Stoke, which has just been refurbished and upgraded. This stylish hotel has a picturesque open court garden and can cater for weddings up to 150 guests. The show is a great opportunity to view the hotel’s new function suite and bedrooms, enjoy a glass of fizz and some canapés and meet lots of wonderful suppliers. Best of all, entry is completely free and there are 100 goody bags up for grabs, too! THE NORTH BRISTOL WEDDING SHOW W: WWW.THENORTHBRISTOLWEDDINGSHOW.CO.UK
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Naturally beautiful W
e’re a big fan of organic and natural beauty products here at West Weddings, so we love this new book by Karin Berndl and Nici Hofer. All Natural Beauty: Organic and Homemade Beauty Products is a selection of recipes for beauty products that you can make at home, harnessing the power of herbs, fruits, seeds and natural oils. With beautiful photography and stylish design combined with a helpful glossary and amusing anecdotes, Karin and Nici have plenty of advice on buying the best ingredients and storing them correctly. Ensuring all treatments are free from parabens and synthetic colours, you can also make all of these fab products at a fraction of the cost of storebought versions. From a rosemary hair rinse and energy-boosting coffee body scrub to a sunflower seed mask and the delicioussounding chocolate mousse body cream, you’ll soon be whipping up beauty treats that are good enough to eat!
ALL NATURAL BEAUTY IS PUBLISHED BY HARDIE GRANT AND COSTS £12.99 W: WWW.HARDIEGRANT.CO.UK
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THE BRIDAL ROOM 40 high street, westbury-on-trym, bristol
0117 908 9010 www.thebridesroom.co.uk • BRIDAL WEAR • BRIDESMAIDS • ACCESSORIES
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©LW
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REAL WEDDINGS
Sally Bracey and Oliver Ager had an intimate and relaxed wedding in Bristol
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WORDS: SERRA PHEBY
A sunny celebration Weddings WEST
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REAL WEDDINGS
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ust like in a Hollywood film, Sally and Oliver met at work when they were only 18 years old, but then went their separate ways. Twelve years later, they bumped into each other on a night out and there was an instant attraction. On 9th October 2015, the couple tied the knot in the beautiful Bristol suburb of Clifton, and enjoyed a beautiful autumn day full of love, celebration and sunshine. “Olly proposed many times but I told him that he needed to prove himself to me before I said yes, so I made him wait a while and made sure I thought he was ready as well as me!” laughs Sally. “He actually designed the engagement ring himself based on a ring we saw on our first holiday together. He went to a designer and she made it from his drawings.” Sally wasn’t sure about which venue to pick initially, but absolutely loved No. 4 Clifton when she went to see it with her mother, who had come across details of it online. A small boutique hotel in Clifton Village, and a short walk from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, it suited the couple’s desire for a small, personal wedding. Sally was also keen for a laid back day, without too much fuss. “It was important to me for everyone to feel relaxed and enjoy it as much as us,” she says. Sally wore a beautiful lace dress with a keyhole back detail from Phase Eight, which was altered by Lisa Keating to a bespoke design, and Anita from Elemts Hair Salon in Clevedon did her hair.
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As Sally is a make-up artist with over 10 years’ experience, when it came to deciding on the finishing touches it was an easy choice for who was going to beautify the bride. Sally then not only did her own make-up, but all six others’ make-up too! “Doing everyone’s make-up in the morning was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the day for me,” reminisces Sally. Flowers played an important part in the day, and were created by Bristol florist Emma Petersson. “We tried to create a low key look while still making it look beautiful. The flowers we had were very rustic, as we didn't want anything that looked too formal,” explains Sally. She carried an elegant bouquet of white flowers with grey tones, and loved it so much that she later had it dried and framed. It was very much a family affair on the day, as Sally was escorted down the aisle by her twin sons, Max and Luca, with her bridesmaids being her daughter Lily, plus her three close friends. The best man was Oliver’s brother, Nathan, and the wedding was made even more special as Oliver’s 100-year-old granddad and his 96-year-old grandma were able to attend and join in the celebrations. Helped by Lydia, the wedding planner at No.4, the wedding was exactly the intimate celebration the couple had hoped for. Oliver says his favourite part of the day was when it was announced that the couple were now husband
and wife. “The day was emotional but brilliant,” he says. Sally recalls the fun that everyone had in the photobooth, “and putting a pink hat on my Nan, which she forgot she had on and wore for ages!” She is thrilled with how the day went. “It was relaxed, fun and I loved having the people I love most to share it with.”
DETAILS Ceremony and reception No.4 Clifton Village, The Rodney Hotel, 4 Rodney Place, Bristol BS8 4HY T: 0117 970 6869 W: www.no4cliftonvillage.co.uk Photography John Woracker W: www.johnworacker.com Bride’s dress Wedding Dress: Phase Eight W: www.phase-eight.com Groom’s outfit Next W: www.next.co.uk Hair Elements Hair and Beauty, 99 Walton Road, Clevedon BS21 6AW T: 01275 870711 W: www.elementshairandbeauty.co.uk Make-up Sally Bracey T: 07880 541894 W: www.sallysmakeup.co.uk Flowers Emma Petersson, Designer Florist T: 07867 625887 W: www.emmadesignerflorist.co.uk Cake Arch House Deli, Arch House, Boyces Avenue, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4AA T: 0117 974 1166 W: www.archhousedeli.com 17
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REAL WEDDINGS
Full of fireworks
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WORDS: HELEN DORRITT
Dilini and Will Shepherd enjoyed an autumnal Cotswolds wedding with Sri Lankan influences Weddings WEST
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REAL WEDDINGS
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octors Dilini and Will met in medical school, but it wasn’t until seven years later that they ended up as colleagues – and then a couple! It’s not every girl who can say she had a surprise flashmob proposal, but that’s exactly what Will organised for her in St Bart’s Square in London where the couple attended medical school. The couple chose The Matara Centre for their ceremony and reception as it was the perfect blend. “Will was brought up in Gloucestershire and I’m originally from Sri Lanka,” explains Dilini. “We loved The Matara Centre as we felt it fitted with both of our backgrounds and personalities well.” This beautiful Cotswold venue has an Asian influence, including an exquisite Japanese garden with a pagoda. Dilini and Will also loved the stunning Regency house on the site that they hired for the weekend for the wedding party. Nods to Dilini’s heritage were found throughout the day. Dilini accessorised her strapless and tiered skirt La Sposa dress with Sri Lankan jewellery to match her Sri Lankan blue sapphire engagement ring. Guests enjoyed a tasty Sri Lankan dinner, made by chefs at the Matara Centre, and in the speeches Will
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expressed his love to Dilini in Sri Lankan. Fireworks were a definite theme of the day – even the cake, a delicious buttercream creation made by Cut Above Cake, was festooned with them! Guests gathered in the Japanese garden to serenade the couple with sparklers before the dancing started. The fireworks were also the perfect accessory for a November wedding. Kevin Belson Photography was on hand to capture the day, and the couple were thrilled with the final results. “Kevin and Carol were a pleasure to work with,” enthuses Dilini. “Our wedding photographs were fantastic. They showed real commitment and enthusiasm planning and carrying out the pre-wedding shoot. On the wedding day they were present throughout until the first dance and didn’t seem fazed when things went on slightly longer than anticipated.” Just what you want from a wedding photographer! The rain also didn't faze Kevin and Carol, who used it as an opportunity to think creatively. “One of the advantages of shooting on a day like this is that you avoid the clichéd shots. We had to use our creative wedding photography skills to find some other places to shoot inside, but I think we managed to nail it!” The couple loved celebrating their
relationship with their close friends and family, and succeeded in having the intimate and cosy wedding that they both wanted. And with an extended honeymoon to Zanzibar and Tanzania to look forward to in the New Year, the celebrations continued a bit longer.
DETAILS Ceremony and reception venue The Matara Centre, Kingscote Park, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8YA T: 01453 861050 W: www.matara.co.uk Photography Kevin Belson Photography, 159 Drove Road, Swindon SN1 3AQ T: 07582 139900 W: www.kevinbelson.com Bride's dress Once Upon A Time Bridal, 73 George Street, Hove BN3 3YE W: www.onceuponatimebridal.co.uk Groom’s outfit Ted Baker W: www.tedbaker.com Flowers Rowan Blossom T: 0203 719 8122 W: www.rowanblossom.co.uk Cake Cut Above Cake Old Common, Minchinhampton GL6 9EH T: 07913 300373 W: www.cutabovecake.co.uk 19
12/08/2016 10:20:54
REAL WEDDINGS
A tale as old as time
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WORDS: HELEN DORRITT
Kayleigh and Nick Fewtrell Smith's wedding celebrated the best of the season
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12/08/2016 10:22:20
REAL WEDDINGS
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ince Kayleigh is a huge Disney fan and her favourite day of the year is Halloween, it was fitting that Nick proposed to her outside the magic castle at Disneyland Paris on 31st October! “Somehow, I’d managed to convince Nick to spend the first part of our first holiday together at Disneyland Paris,” says Kayleigh. “We booked a special pass for a Halloween party that evening, and had the park pretty much to ourselves for an hour once everyone else had gone home. It was then that Nick took me to the drawbridge in front of the castle and got down on one knee and proposed. I couldn’t have planned a better proposal if I had tried!” Nick knew he was going to propose to Kayleigh after only a week together, but wasn’t sure of where or when until they got to Disneyland. “That day I just had a feeling that it was the right time to ask her to be my wife. We walked up to the castle and I took her to one side of the bridge and dropped to one knee, while shaking with nerves, and she agreed to make me the happiest man alive!” A year of planning led to an unforgettable October wedding at Tortworth Court in South Gloucestershire. “We chose that venue as we both would have liked to get married outside, but as there are restrictions in the UK about marrying outdoors, Tortworth Court’s Orangery was the closest we could get. All sides of the Orangery are glass so the light would fill the room whatever the weather, and it’s set against an arboretum,” explains Kayleigh. As neither of their family members lived close, the onsite hotel was very helpful, and aided Kayleigh's wish to have as many of the family there as possible. “Everyone lives so far from each other and we rarely all meet up together so it meant a lot to have everyone there for our day.” With Kayleigh’s favourite season being autumn, Nick wanted to give his bride a beautiful autumn-themed day and to bring the outdoors in. This was achieved with a host of
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decorative touches, including spray painted pumpkins, pine cone place settings and ivy centrepieces. The flowers were in a palette of reds and oranges with roses, calla lilies, ferns, ivy and Chinese lanterns, all created by Lucy Butler Flowers. “She knew exactly what we wanted and the bouquets turned out even better than we expected!” Kayleigh adds. In memory of the engagement, the wedding also had a number of Disney touches, with Kayleigh walking up the aisle to the song ‘Tale as Old’ as Time from Beauty and the Beast and the candlebra on the tables painted to look like Lumiere from the film. Some lovely personal touches about the couple were incorporated into the details, too, such as their pet rabbits being on the cake and the tables being named after places that they’d visited together. Kayleigh and Nick’s wedding rings also had a personal touch, as they were handmade by them after a workshop at Dovecote Jewellery, where they cut, moulded and shined each others’ rings from the same piece of white gold. The weather was one of those perfect autumn days. “It was misty in the morning, like something out of a fairytale. It then brightened up during the ceremony, which meant that we could have our drinks reception out on the lawn with the views of the valley in the background,” Kayleigh says. The time of year also meant that the grounds of Tortworth Court were a riot of glorious hues, so the couple took advantage of this and the gorgeously sunny day to have some photos taken under the trees. “My favourite part as reading the vows we wrote to each other,” enthuses Kayleigh. “Nick said the most beautiful things to me and I realised that there was never going to be a moment better than this.” Nick relished seeing Kayleigh walking up the aisle in her wedding dress “and looking absolutely stunning.” Jodie from JD Photography captured all the moments from the day, with the couple praising her talent for framing a shot. “Other than her
obvious talent for taking amazing photographs, she was incredibly friendly, got along with all our guests and was very unobtrusive.” With both Kayleigh and Nick being travel agents, this couple’s honeymoon was sure to be a very special one! “We spent months trying to decide where to go but we’ve both always wanted to do a self-drive around the US. We spent a week in Mexico along the Riviera Maya enjoying our time diving and relaxing on the beach, and then headed up to San Francisco to drive to Yosemite, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in a bright red Ford Mustang, mainly with the roof down and blowing my hair everywhere! It was the most romantic and fun holiday,” says Kayleigh. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day where Kayleigh and Nick became their own little family, and one that Kayleigh describes as “truly magical.”
DETAILS Ceremony and reception venue Tortworth Court, Tortworth, Wotton-underEdge, South Gloucestershire GL12 8HH T: 01454 263000 W: www.tortworthcourthotel.co.uk Photography JD Photography T: 01934 204283 W: www.photographybyjd-weddings.co.uk Bride's dress Berketex Bride, 63 The Horsefair, Bristol BS1 3JP T: 0117 929 1671 W: www.berketexbride.com Groom's outfit Shepherd and Woodward, 109-113 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BT T: 01865 249491 W: www.shepherdandwoodward.co.uk Flowers Lucy Butler, 84 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6AG T: 01454 324311 W: www.lucybutlerflowers.co.uk
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REAL WEDDINGS
Glamour and romance
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WORDS: SERRA PHEBY
Carly Gregory and John Pritchard’s French-inspired celebration had a fun surprise for the groom!
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12/08/2016 10:25:03
REAL WEDDINGS
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hen John put an Edwardian platinum diamond ring in Carly’s champagne glass, he didn’t realise that she would start drinking it without looking. His advice to check her drink before she had any more led Carly to think there was may be a fly in her drink, not an engagement ring! Once she was able to get the ring out of the glass, John proposed to Carly in front of the entire restaurant. “I was really touched that John had made such an effort to propose in a romantic way when I wasn’t expecting it. Although I thought we would get married, we have been together a long time and I thought we’d just get on with it without making a fuss,” she says. The wedding was on 25th May at Victoria Methodist Church in Clifton. “We wanted to get married in our local church and as John’s mother is a retired Methodist minister, it meant that she was able to conduct the marriage ceremony in conjunction with the local reverend,” explains Carly. The ceremony was followed by a reception at Coombe Lodge in Blagdon. “We wanted a venue that would be fantastic whatever the weather and the space at Coombe Lodge was perfect.” The planning didn’t get off to an easy start. “When I started, I felt a bit overwhelmed with the choice and volume of different suppliers available in Bristol,” says Carly. “However, we trusted recommendations from people that we chose to work with and they were all exceptional.” As well as being keen to share the day with all the people who had supported them over the years as a way of saying thank
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you, the couple wanted a beautiful and romantic wedding that also expressed their personalities. John is an accomplished pianist and a fan of classical music, and Carly is drawn to French style furniture and period architecture. “The uniqueness of our wedding was inspired by French Baroque style and the creative touches I was able to include were driven by our personal tastes and style,” says Carly. She was a busy bride in the run up to the day, making the bridesmaid dresses, from beautiful British silk from Beckford in Gloucestershire, plus 140 lace chair covers and 14 silver table runners. She also crafted the table plan, order of services and place names for the table. Carly’s own dress was a beauty from Cocoa Couture in Cheltenham. “I outlined my vision of a longline corset bodice with a low back and full skirt to designer and owner Cara Wagstaff. The corset was made using pieces of original 18th century embroidered silk and antique style French lace and trimmings. It was a truly special experience to have an individual, bespoke dress for our wedding.” The dress was topped off with an 18th century veil, an original Georgian seed pearl headdress and John’s great-grandmother’s pearl necklace. The wedding rings were from Dragon’s Workshop in Clifton Village and were handmade to their own design. John, who has a private pilot’s licence, got a surprise when Carly arranged for an ex-RAF officer to perform an aerobatic display in a Yellow Tiger Moth over the west lawn of Coombe Lodge as a way to incorporate his lifelong love of flying into the wedding. “Keeping this a secret, even
just for a few days, was really hard as I was so excited!” enthuses Carly. All the hard work and planning paid off, and the couple enjoyed an amazing wedding filled with the personal touches that they wanted. This very special day was then finished off in style with an amazing sunset in the evening. “We have so many beautiful memories to cherish forever.”
DETAILS Ceremony venue Victoria Methodist Church, 1A Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 1NU W: www.vic-methodist-bristol.org.uk Reception venue Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, North Somerset BS40 7RE T: 01761 463355 W: www.coombelodge.co.uk Photography Martin Dabek T: 0117 350 1032 W: www.martindabek.com Bride’s dress Cocoa Couture, 9 Clarence Parade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3NY T: 01242 233588 W: www.cocoacouture.co.uk Groom’s outfit Moss Bros W: www.moss.co.uk Flowers Lucy Anna Flowers, 7-8 The Glass Arcade, St Nicholas Market, Bristol BS1 1LA T: 07787 478117 W: www.lucyannaflowers.co.uk Cake Pretty Amazing Cakes T: 0117 924 3036 W: www.prettyamazingcakes.co.uk Cars De Gournay Wedding Cars T: 01761 451142 W: www.degournaymotorcars.co.uk 23
12/08/2016 10:27:12
REAL WEDDINGS
Fun on the farm
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WORDS: HELEN DORRITT
Ellie and Robert Cain continued family traditions with their countryside wedding
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REAL WEDDINGS
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llie and Robert’s relationship started with a festive first date and it wasn’t long before these two realised they were made for each other. “We talked about getting married and Robert jokingly called me FMC (Future Mrs Cain) at a barbecue earlier in the summer, so I hoped he might propose when we went on our first holiday together, visiting his parents in La Palma,” explains Ellie. Robert did indeed pop the question on the trip, and the couple set a date for their May wedding the following year. Ellie took the lead on planning the wedding, which had the theme of music and purple as the main colour. “Music is a huge part of Robert’s life and it was easy to incorporate it throughout. I’m obsessed with purple, so no-one was surprised to see it feature!” she explains. “I took a lot of inspiration from magazines and online sites and I had a picture in my head of how I wanted it to look – like a cross between a Thomas Hardy novel and a music festival. I did get quite stressed during the months leading up to the wedding but it was worth it on the day, when it was exactly as I had dreamed it would be.” The couple were married at the church of St Bridget in Chelvey, a pretty country church near Ellie's parents’ farm. It was a special venue for Ellie, as previous generations of the bride's family were married there too. When it came to the reception, Ellie had always dreamed of having it on the farm, so the whole family pitched in to help make this a reality. “My mum has advanced MS and her mobility is not great, so it also meant that she could be a part of the day. My dad worked so hard to make everything perfect, including spreading tons of gravel to flatten the ground under the marquee!” It also meant that Ellie and Rob could pose for a photo in the very same farmhouse door that the bride's grandmother posed in on her wedding day. Family and friends helped with the details of the day, with Ellie's aunt Conny doing the bouquet
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and flowers, and friends driving the couple in a 1920s Lanchester. Ellie's pretty lace gown came from Cardiff Bridal Centre. “I knew I wanted something fairly simple and elegant, although after we had found it, I had fun trying on meringues in the last shops!” She accessorised it with a birdcage veil and Irregular Choice shoes. Grace Kingsley completed the bridal look with hair and makeup, as well as for Ellie's mother and the five bridesmaids and flower girls. “Grace was so lovely!” enthuses Ellie. “She was such a great person to have there on the day itself, having experience of calming numerous nervous brides. She was even able to find the hook on the back of my dress and keep the flower girls out of mischief. She kept me sane on the morning!” There was one very special guest – Ellie’s spaniel Pip, whose presence at the wedding was at the forefront of Ellie’s planning. The cute spaniel was also immortalised in icing on the wedding cake by Ann Pickard of The Icing Centre, along with models of the happy couple, and was part of the fun for nearly as long as the human guests. “After most of the guests had gone home, Robert played his acoustic guitar on the dance floor and we all sang along. Except Pip, who decided the day had been long enough and climbed into the fur-lined guitar case, curled up and went to sleep!” The wedding was held on the May Bank Holiday, but the typical holiday traffic meant that the ceremony had to be delayed by half an hour as so many guests were stuck on the M5. It also meant that there was an unexpected change of photographer. “I had actually booked a different photographer, but they got stuck in Bank Holiday traffic and weren’t able to get to me, so they rang Pat Cooper, who was local,” explains Ellie. “Fortunately, she was available and came straight away. I was so happy with how well we got on and how amazing the photos were. Maybe things happened for a reason!”
The day was everything the couple wanted and more, and they feel it set the tone for their marriage. “My wedding day was the best day of my life so far,” enthuses Ellie. “The most memorable part for me was when my dad walked me down the aisle. It still makes me feel emotional when I remember the feeling of being passed from the care of my absolute hero to my new best friend! It took me 36 years to find Robert and, on that day, we both promised to love each other and be there for each other forever. I felt truly blessed that I was able to share such a perfect wedding with so many family and friends.” Robert agrees. “We clung onto each other, as we will continue to do for the rest of our lives. Each individual part was simply superb. We had a brilliant wedding, which bodes well for our future lives together.”
DETAILS Ceremony venue St Bridget's Church, Chelvey Road, Chelvey, Somerset BS48 4AA Reception venue Bride's family farm Photographer Pat Cooper Photography T: 01934 835651 W: www.patcooper.net Bride's dress Cardiff Bridal Centre, 7A Mill Lane, Cardiff CF10 1FL T: 02920 666612 W: www.cardiffbridalcentre.co.uk Groom's outfit Moss Bros W: www.moss.co.uk Hair and make-up Grace Kingsley W: www.gracekingsley.co.uk Catering Anne Guy T: 01275 462796 W: www.anneguy.co.uk Cake The Icing Centre, 26 Nithsdale Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS23 4JR T: 01934 624565 W: www.icingcentre.co.uk Entertainment Gypsy's Kiss W: www.gypsys-kiss.co.uk Marquee JG Marquees T: 0117 904 7806/01761 221336 W: www.jgmarquees.co.uk 25
12/08/2016 10:29:00
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@b-nm.co.uk and you could be gracing the pages of our next edition.
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GOWNS
GOWNS Walking on sunshine Award-winning British bridal designer Stephanie Allin has been inspired by the glamour of Italy for her new Bellissimo collection. She lives by the sea in Wales but these elegant dresses have been born from the sunny shores of the Mediterranean, creating a collection that’s full of glamour and sophistication. Featuring luxe fabrics such as duchesse satin and guipure lace, there’s a style to suit all brides here, from sleek and chic A line gowns to full on swirling skirts, and even a pair of palazzo trousers. A bride in a Bellissimo dress is sure to have a wedding day that’s drenched in sunshine, glamour and romance! To see these gorgeous gowns in real life, head to The Mews in Clifton, Bristol or Sarah Elizabeth Bridal Boutique in Montpellier, Cheltenham. STEPHANIE ALLIN W: www.stephanieallin.net
LEFT PIETRA Go for classic lines with this lace and duchesse satin fit and flare dress, with a fitted waistline and line of buttons down the back. BELOW ANNABEL This pretty blush pink gown with a sweetheart neckline just oozes romance. It also comes with a detachable train and shrug.
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GOWNS
ABOVE GARDA If you loved Amal Clooney’s wedding style, these wide leg, satin trousers are just the thing for a chic and sleek W day outfit. RIGHT LILLIANNA The side split skirt in this strapless gown is pure Hollywood glamour. Team it with the Lucerne lace shrug for a demure finishing touch.
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GOWNS
RIGHT LUISA A delicate lace bodice flows into a sweeping lace-trimmed train, and is finished off with duchesse satin cross backed straps. BELOW ROSETTA We love the gorgeous pale pink rose detailing on the organza overlay of this beautifully soft and chic dress.
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GOWNS
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As you stand at the front of the ceremony room and make your vows, your guests are going to see a lot of the back of your dress, so picking one that has gorgeous detailing is a great way to ensure maximum impact! The good news is that you’re spoilt for choice from this season’s dresses — choose from oversized details such as Mikaela’s bow, delicate lace as on the Maggie Sottero and Justin Alexander dresses or draped detail as used by Suzanne Neville and Ellis Bridals.
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Weddings
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e
W r nte
An exquisite English vineyard, overlooked by the Mendip Hills.
i W
s g n ddi
With beautiful views and country surroundings, Aldwick Court Farm is a superb venue for weddings and other special occasions.
tel: 01934 864 404 | www.aldwickweddings.co.uk
Image by Norsworthy Photography
Offering an exclusive selection of bridal and bridesmaid gowns, shoes, accessories and a bespoke design service. Visit our vintage inspired boutique or contact us for an appointment. 7 Market Walk, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1FS 01179 868911 | info@laceandgracebridal.co.uk www.laceandgracebridal.co.uk 32
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GOWNS
Lace and luxury Lace shows no sign of going out of fashion in bridal couture, and the latest collection from Augusta Jones uses this versatile fabric to great effect. Alongside other luxurious materials such as organza and satin, these are timeless and classic wedding dresses that are rich in beautiful detail. Set up by Charlotte and June Leung in 1999, Augusta Jones believes in providing exquisite styling, dresses that suit a variety of women and ways to personalise a gown. As each dress is bespoke, you can change the details to customise it to your taste, altering necklines, fabrics, sleeves and more to create the dress that you’ve always dreamed of! To view a stunning Augusta Jones dresses in person, your nearest stockists are Clifton Brides in Bristol, Wedding Days in Cheltenham and Krystle Brides in Bath. AUGUSTA JONES W: www.augustajones.com
LEFT JUNE A beautiful fit and flare gown with tiny sleeves, finished off with appliqued lace and a scalloped hem. BELOW HAYLEE Simple but oh so chic, this sleeveless v neck ballgown is made from lace and handkerchief organza.
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GOWNS
ABOVE JESS The way that the skirt froths out from the lace in a cascade of tulle is just perfection, and the dainty illusion back is a lovely finishing touch. RIGHT NATALIA Cool and classy, Natalia has pretty lace cap sleeves, a wide v neck top, a light and airy skirt and a rippling chapel length train.
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GOWNS
BELOW & RIGHT BRONTE Show off your shoulders with this lace-trimmed neckline. The back is just as pretty, with a v neck detail and covered buttons.
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11/08/2016 17:01:32
GROOMS
GROOMS
How to be well groomed Beauty regimes aren’t just for the bride, so let Becki Murray guide you through your W-Day grooming countdown
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n the past you may have thought that all the pampering and preening on a wedding morning was just for the bride and her bridesmaids; that make-up, manicures and complicated hairstyles are solely the preserve of the women, while the groom seems to magically appear at the end of the aisle having somehow managed to change into his suit. But this autumn, it’s time for you grooms to take your time in the limelight, because on the day you get married to the love of your life, you deserve to look the part, too. For autumn weddings, the number one priority is making sure your skin survives the extremes of weather the season can bring. If you don’t already use one, it’s a good idea to invest in a moisturiser. Finding out whether you have dry, oily or combination skin can help you solve a whole host of skin complaints, so arrange to see a dermatologist or nip into your nearest department store. You could always kill two birds with one stone and do this when you’re out looking for your suit. If you’ve been celebrating your engagement with a glass (or two) of Champagne or are looking forward to an amazing stag do, your skin is at even more risk of being dehydrated. It might be a cliché to say you need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day but it will do wonders for your skin. If you’re planning to take up or redefine fitness goals in preparation for your big day, drinking more H2O can
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easily be incorporated into this new routine. Talking of change, however, if you do have a personal grooming routine already in place then don’t feel pressured to reinventing it completely. In fact, if you use cleansers, face masks and night creams already, which are all great for keeping your skin looking fresh, chopping and changing the products you use can risk provoking an unflattering or even allergic reaction. If you want to experiment, start with plenty of time left before your wedding date, but in the rush and excitement of the wedding day morning you may be thankful to be able to reach for old favourites. It’s not just your skin that you want to be looking great on your big day; while you may have less of it on your head than your wife-tobe, looking after your hair, plus any facial hair, is likely to be the icing on your appearance’s (wedding) cake. First and foremost, invest in some proper shower gel, avoiding those that combine it with shampoo, as the oils your body needs to look its best are at risk of being stripped out by the cleaning ingredients of shampoo. This can lead to additional skin dryness, which can be a real problem in the cooler autumn months. If you’re aiming for a very close shave, it may actually be worth letting your facial hair grow out slightly in the week or so before your wedding date. This will allow the pores around your chin to become unclogged and reduce the
risk of ingrown hairs, while also allowing you to assess your ‘perfect’ stubble length in case you choose to have a little bit of beard growth apparent on your big day. On the other hand, if you prefer a fuller beard, 2016 has been all about beard oils so there’s no excuse for it to be unkempt. You should care for it just like your hair and the rest of your face. Last but not least, don’t be afraid to spoil yourself – it’s your wedding too so don’t let the women have all the fun! While your wifeto-be may have been flashing her engagement ring for all to see for months, once you’ve exchanged your vows it will be your turn to show off your wedding band. As a result, having presentable hands is a must. If you’re brave enough, arrange to have a manicure (focus on the first syllable!), or at least invest in a good hand cream and keep your nails short and clean to keep the focus where it should be – on your ring. You may also want to think about getting a massage to help reduce tension in your back and shoulders. A few treatments could have you standing taller and with better posture in no time – perfect for when you’re waiting at the end of the aisle in front of your guests. You want to feel as confident and handsome as you can on your big day, and while you may not want to overshadow the bride (brave grooms that do, beware!), with a little bit of grooming you’ll certainly take second prize! 37
12/08/2016 12:40:16
GROOMS
Local stag d Keri Beckingham selects five activities to create the perfect West Country stag do
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he stag do – a time for a groom to get together with his closest friends and enjoy one final hurrah before he joins his bride at the altar and becomes a married man. Today, the options for stag do activities and locations are seemingly endless – you can choose to spend it abroad, but it is also becoming increasingly popular to stay closer to home. Not only is this often a more cost effective option but having a local one means there’s the potential for more people to come along and celebrate with you. Whatever your reasons are, we’ve picked five top activities for a West Country stag do which we think you – and your stags – will love! Read on to find out more.
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR Fancy giving your brain cells a bit of a work out? At 11th Hour Escape Rooms in Chippenham, Wiltshire, you and your stags will have 60 minutes to solve the musicalmystery themed puzzle and escape the room – have you got what it takes and will you crack the code? This is a great opportunity to work together as a team, or a couple of teams depending on your group size, from just £13 per person depending on how many of you there are. You’ll even get a souvenir photo to take away with you at the end, whether you’ve managed to escape or not, which is a great way to remember all the fun you’ve had. One thing is certain though – the losers will definitely need to buy the drinks at the pub afterwards! WWW.11THHOURESCAPEROOMS.CO.UK 38
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TAKE TO THE WATER If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker, then a day out at Cotswold Water Sports could be just the stag do activity you’re looking for. Located in Fairford in Gloucestershire, this place has all the activities that you could want. Think water skiing and wakeboarding, as well as an exhilarating ride on one of many inflatables across the 35 acre lake – hold on if you can! Prices start from £65 for a 30 minute water skiing or wakeboarding session, or £90 for a 30 minute inflatable ride for up to 5 people. All activities are accompanied by an experienced instructor, who will not only show you the ropes beforehand but also make sure that you and your stags are completely safe at all times. There is a large lawn area overlooking the lake too; the perfect spot for any spectators to sit and watch the action unfold before them. WWW.COTSWOLDWATERSPORTS.CO.UK
LET THE GAMES BEGIN If you want to pay homage to your West Country roots, embrace all that this part of the world is famous for and enjoy a stag do activity with a difference, then this could be the one for you! Grab your mates and get down to the farm for fun and frolics in the fields, courtesy of West Country Games. Located in Flax Bourton, just south of Bristol, your group will have the chance to take part in nine farmer-themed activities for £39.50 per person – think ‘Welly Wangin’, the ‘Cider Run’ and the ‘Wurzel Knockout’, while being looked
after by the farmer and his milkmaids. Fancy dress is encouraged during the two-three hour experience, with an extra special costume provided for the stag. There is also the chance for a member of your group to be crowned the winner and receive a prize at the end of your experience too – proper job! WWW.WESTCOUNTRYGAMES.CO.UK
COAST TO COAST If you want an action and adrenaline packed stag do, then why not take your mates coasteering? The Ultimate Adventure Centre offers stags the chance to complete a heart racing coasteering challenge at Baggy Point in Croyde, North Devon. This is your chance to witness some stunning coastal scenery, directly from the rocks themselves, with waves crashing all around you. All safety equipment is provided and the fully qualified instructors will choose your route depending on the level of your group. They are also be on hand to make sure you are fully briefed on the challenge, and the route, before you get started. The two and a half hour challenge costs £32.50 per person, and everyone who
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takes part must be able to swim 25 metres. This is your chance to experience the ‘impact zone’ for yourself and ensure your stag do is something you’ll never forget! WWW.THEULTIMATEHIGH.COM/COASTEERING.HTML
GEE UP! If you enjoy a flutter, then a trip to Bath Racecourse could be the perfect activity for your West Country stag do. With 22 meetings held during the season from April to October, the racecourse has recently been redeveloped and the new Langridge Stand provides the perfect spot to watch the racing unfold below. Meetings that might be of particular interest to you and your group are the annual Cider Racenight at the end of July, or the Gentleman’s Raceday in September, each featuring seven exciting races over the flat course. With tickets for the Grandstand enclosure starting from £15 per person, a trip to the races provides a great opportunity to dress up smartly, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a few beers – hopefully, your horse will be the first past the post too! WWW.BATH-RACECOURSE.CO.UK
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Weddings
SPRING 2016
WEST
The joys of spring
To the manor born
We capture the beauty of the season with a gorgeous flowerfilled wedding at Ston Easton Park Spring 2016_cover.indd 1
AUTUMN 2016
Fall for this beautiful autumn wedding at the simply stunning Grittleton House
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Want even more inspiration in between issues? Head over to our new-look website where you’ll find real weddings and photo galleries, wedding fair information and a directory of local suppliers, our blog, a link to read all of our back issues online and much, much more! 40
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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.
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Plan your hen and stag parties. If required, 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. The photographer arrives. Hair and make-up. Bride and bridesmaids get dressed. 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
TOTAL 41
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Award Winning Wedding Cakes Artisan Wedding Florist Mad about flowers, a sucker for a love story, and totally passionate about my work!
EMMA EIRENE
Bristol, Bath & beyond
Let’s meet so you can tell me about your unique story of love and hear the bountiful gorgeous ideas it inspires.
Off
Truly bespoke floral design begins with your free consultation.
Just Quote West50
Contact Adèle to discuss ideas tincanfloral@ gmail.com www.tincanfloral.co.uk
Jess, Orchardleigh 15 Fountain Buildings, Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5DX www.bathcakecompany.co.uk e: info@bathcakecompany.co.uk
KAYLEIGH ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
07722 383601
“The cake was stunning!”
Call us on 01225 446094 to book your consultation ©LW
©LW
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Combining the colours of the season with the backdrop of the stunning Grittleton House, welcome to our autumn wedding Photography: Kayleigh Adams Styling: Kirsten Butler Words: Helen Dorritt
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n autumn wedding is the perfect time for a rich and opulent colour palette of plum, violet and gold, and these jewelled tones looked wonderful in the stylish surroundings of Grittleton House. We were thrilled to be able to showcase wedding dresses from St Peter’s Hospice bridal shops alongside uber-stylish suits from Slaters for our bride and groom Emily and Samuel, and our talented local wedding suppliers added the perfect finishing touches. Prepare to fall for this autumn shoot...
THE VENUE
It’s a beautiful mansion house set in gorgeous grounds, but Grittleton House is no stuffy stately home. This family-owned Wiltshire wedding and events venue oozes grandeur but mixes it with a warm and friendly welcome that’s hard to beat, the combination of which makes it a fantastic setting for the best day of your life! Our autumnal colour palette looked wonderful against the sumptuous decorations of the house, where mahogany chairs, gilt frames and flocked wallpaper provided the perfect counterpoint to Emily’s white gowns. Kayleigh’s camera captured all the little details, from the oil paintings of dignified former Grittleton residents to the stained glass windows, carved stone pillars and one of the most magnificent ceilings we’ve ever seen. Whatever the season, a wedding at Grittleton is sure to be special. Choose from seven different licensed rooms for your ceremony – book worms won’t be able to resist the Library with its glass-fronted bookcases, while the Orangery is a beautiful mix of outdoor and indoors. Then eat, drink and be merry, enjoying a menu cooked using local produce by Grittleton’s talented chefs. For those who prefer a more DIY approach, there’s also the option to host a wedding at The Old Stables, a suite of rooms that’s 44
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separate from the main house. Converted from the Victorian stables, it’s now a venue full of rustic charm that includes a ceremony room, reception space, professional kitchen and seven ensuite bedrooms. Whatever you want from your day, the team at Grittleton will make it come true. They take a bespoke approach to every wedding that’s held at the venue, meaning that you can really have your day your way.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
You can instantly spot a Kayleigh Adams photograph from her beautiful use of light. Kayleigh specialises in a natural style of photography, so the setting of Grittleton House was the perfect backdrop for her skills. She made the most of the glorious gardens plus all the beautiful details inside the house, and gave us such a selection of gorgeous images that it was hard to pick them for our pages! “I’ve been taking photographs for as long as I’ve been able to hold a camera!” enthuses Kayleigh. “I’m so lucky to have a job that I absolutely love. Telling stories and capturing personalities in my images is something that is very important to me. My style of photography is very natural, capturing real, unstaged moments as and when they happen, and you can very often find me chasing sunsets to get stunning images!" The result is a beautiful set of photos that showcases every part of your wedding day, from morning preparations to the final dance, and is something that you’ll treasure forever.
THE DRESSES
Emily’s dresses for this shoot came from a very special bridal shop. Local charity St Peter’s Hospice has recently opened two dedicated wedding shops in Westbury-on-Trym and Nailsea to sell preloved wedding dresses to future happy brides. Branded as Upstairs At
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St Peter’s Hospice, these boutiques allow you to shop for a wonderful dress for a fraction of its original cost, along with the knowledge that you’ve helped a very worthy charity continue to provide adult hospice care for adults with life-limiting illnesses. Emily modelled five dresses that have been donated to Upstairs At... She started with a strapless satin embroidered dress with a gorgeous corset back and ruffled skirt. The second was a round necked dress with pretty diamanté embellished straps to complement its full skirt and and chapel length train. Emily’s third dress was an unusual one-shoulder gown with flower corsage detail, covered in cascades of ruffled detail and embroidered flowers. She wore a vintagestyle lace dress for her fourth outfit, with tulle overlay and and a puddle train. The final dress was another strapless gown but with an A line skirt and floaty tulle skirt that featured a cascading floral waist detail. The best bit? All of these lovely dresses, which include designs by renowned bridal labels Augusta Jones and Ronald Joyce, range in price from £100£195, meaning that Upstairs At... really is the place to pick up a bargain and give a dress the 48
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chance for a second happy outing. The idea for Upstairs At... came from area manager Victoria Canavan. “We’re so pleased with the response we’ve had to the shops opening, both from people coming to look for their dress and also from people donating their gowns,” says Victoria. “We’re receiving two or three dresses per week now from brides, which is great, and I love hearing the stories behind them.” Local businesses are also getting involved reports Victoria. “We recently had a very generous donation from the Bristol branch of Berketex that included over twenty dresses, plus shoes and accessories, which we were thrilled to receive.” It’s not just for the brides, either – the shop is a treasure trove of bridesmaid’s dresses, men’s suits, shoes and accessories. If you buy a dress, there’s also an arrangement with a dry cleaners in Westbury-on-Trym who provide a discount for St Peter’s Hospice customers. If you’d like your own wedding dress to go on and help this very worthy cause after your big day, you can donate it at any of the St Peter’s Hospice shops or cafés, or call Victoria to arrange collection.
THE ACCESSORIES
Emily’s sparkle for the day came in the form of jewellery from Bridezillas in Bristol, a wonderful treasure trove of bridal accessories. Amanda Davis-Harrison, who owns the store and also designs its in-house Abigail Grace range, selected pieces from Bridezilla’s extensive range to complement the dresses and add the wow factor to our bride. Emily’s first dress was accompanied by an Amanda Wyatt flexible hair comb with pearls and Navette sparkles, a freshwater pearl flower bracelet by Eternally, crystal stud and pearl drop earrings by Amelie and a stunning chapel length veil with a scatter of Swarovski crystals. For the second dress, Amanda chose the new Abigail Grace ‘Amorette’ hairband, featuring vintage-style crystals and freshwater pearls, plus earrings by White Ivy and the ‘Waterlily’ bracelet from Ivory and Co. The accessories for Emily’s third dress were an ‘Austen’ gold hair chain from Ivory and Co, ‘Eternally Chic’ gold bracelet by Sassi B and a pair of classic gold earrings by Abigail Grace. The lace detailing of the fourth dress was complemented by a trio of Abigail Grace
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designs: the ‘London’ hair vine and the ‘Lady Mary’ crystal and pearl belt on gold satin ribbon. Amanda kept it simple for the fifth dress, pairing it with the ‘Maple’ necklace by Abigail Grace, comprising gold tone crystals and ivory stones with fabric flowers, complementing the floral cascade detail.
THE GROOM’S OUTFITS
When we heard that Slaters was opening a branch in Bristol, we were very excited! This national chain offers a wonderful selection of suits and men’s formal wear to both hire and buy, so we were spoilt for choice when it came to selecting Samuel’s outfits. Samuel first wore a grey slim fit three piece suit from the hire collection, which we first accessorised with a bow tie to bring in the colour scheme, and then a charcoal skinny tie for a clean, modern look. His second outfit was a charcoal check skinny fit three piece suit from Slater’s to buy range, teamed with a wonderfully hued purple shirt and two-tone bow tie and matching pocket handkerchief. Slaters offers a one stop shop for grooms and their party with a wonderful collection of colours and fits along with a huge range of accessories. Fancy something a little different, such as a kilt? Slaters has an excellent range of Highland wear, too.
THE HAIR
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created four bespoke styles on the day to suit Emily and complement her gorgeous gowns. For the first style, Charlene curled Emily’s hair with GHD flat irons, and then pinned it into place at the back. The front part was left soft around the front for a classic bridal look. The second look also used curled hair which was pulled around to one side and then braided. “This is very on-trend and perfect for a bride who wants something a little different,” explains Charlene. The third style had the sides of Emily's twisted back into a ponytail with a second twist at the back, but still keeping the shape of the curls. For the fourth style, Charlene used GHD flat irons to curl Emily’s hair but then finished it off by hand to create a softer, more romantic curl that was worn loose and down. With 20 years of experience, Charlene specialises in bridal hair and creating bespoke styles is what she loves to do. “Being a part of someone’s big day is really rewarding, especially when they come back in with their wedding photos, and when friends and family comment on how amazing the bride looks!”
THE MAKE-UP
Jade Coates created three different looks for Emily. She started with a subtle natural look, translating the violet from our colour palette into a soft and delicate make-up look that’s just right for a relaxed early autumn wedding. For the next look Jade took it up a notch
to create a sultry soft smokey eye for more drama. “This is great for brides looking for a bit extra allure and elegance on their wedding day,” she explains. For the final makeup design Jade really vamped it up, using a much darker palette on the eyes and a strong red lip. “This can work really well for a late autumn or early winter wedding, where you want more Hollywood all-out glamour – perfect for the silver screen starlet bride!” Jade qualified as a professional make-up artist ten years ago and since then her work has appeared in print, on screen and on the catwalk. “I thoroughly enjoy what I do and I am so thankful to be able to use my passion and skills for my job,” she says. “I love to make people look good, install and empower confidence, and through my art I’m able to achieve this.” Jade’s tip for your wedding day make-up? “Keep in mind that your make-up has to last all day, and so when deciding on the kind of design you’d like, remember that it will appear heavier than a normal everyday application. It will always look beautiful in person and on camera, however, and stay this way from dawn till dusk!”
THE FLOWERS
Run by Adèle Brown, Tin Can Floral promises to “exceed your floral dreams” and this was certainly the case with the stunning arrangements she provided for our shoot!
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Adèle created two bouquets for our bride, plus a buttonhole for Samuel and some gorgeous floral arrangements to enhance the table and add beautiful touches inside the venue. Adèle used the soft violets and rich berry tones of our colour palette for inspiration and then mixed these with sage greens and pale pink. Flowers included Dancing Clouds and Lazuse roses and alliums alongside more unusual blooms such as limonium, astrantia, weigela, mondara othello and spikes of purpleheaded veronica. She interspersed these with papaver seedheads, berries and soft green clouds of ammi daucus corola, while the trailing blooms in the shower bouquet were formed by amaranthus green pearl. Adèle guarantees exclusivity for the couples she works with, so you can know that your flowers are in the hands of an expert who will create truly unique arrangements.
THE CAKE
Our gorgeous four-tiered cake came from the award-winning Bath Cake Company, who bake and decorate delicious goodies for weddings and special occasions. “We had a great colour brief for the photoshoot and were really excited to work with such beautiful autumn tones,” explains Celia Adams, the creative force behind the company. “We were inspired by oil paintings for the bottom tier and wanted to create a cake with a lot of texture and elegance to complement the richness and classic feel of the venue. Metallic is also very popular this year so we brought in a gold tier to accentuate the marsala tones, and finished the cake off with a wired sugar peony.” Bath Cake Company offers a bespoke service so you can have (and eat!) the cake of your dreams, as well as a range of classic cakes
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for those who are short in time. And with the cake itself including rich and decadent brandy-soaked fruit cake, devil’s food cake with chocolate ganache and vanilla sponge with buttercream, the hard part will be eating only one slice!
THE CARS
A stylish couple deserve transport to match, and AJE Classics’ two Jaguars certainly fitted the bill! “We set up the company to offer something a little different,” explains coowner Emma, who runs the business with her husband Andrew. Andrew’s passion for car restoration combined beautifully with Emma’s desire to offer something special to couples looking for wedding transport, and since their first bridal trip in 2010 AJE Classics has gone from strength to strength. The original opalescent blue Mark II Jaguar has now been joined by a metallic pale green S-type Jaguar, with both colours providing the perfect foil for a white dress and adding a touch of vintage luxury to your day. This family-run business provides a friendly chauffeur-driven service that will get you to the church both on time and in style!
THE MODELS
Emily is a professional model with Mustard Models, with her portfolio encompassing fashion, bridal and commercial. She also works for St Peter’s Hospice as assistant manager in one of its Chipping Sodbury shops, so was the perfect choice for our shoot. Groom for the day Samuel is also with Mustard Models, and when he’s not modelling, he runs Gym Monkee, a business selling modern fitness clothes – a bit of a different look to the suits he sported for our shoot!
CO N TAC T S VENUE GRITTLETON HOUSE, GRITTLETON, CHIPPENHAM, WILTSHIRE SN14 6AP T: 01249 782434 W: WWW.GRITTLETONHOUSE.CO.UK PHOTOGRAPHER KAYLEIGH ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY T: 07813 340737 W: WWW.KADAMS-PHOTOGRAPHY.COM DRESSES UPSTAIRS AT ST PETER’S HOSPICE 12 CANFORD LANE, WESTBURY-ON-TRYM, BRISTOL BS9 3DH AND 126 HIGH STREET NAILSEA BS48 1AH W: WWW.STPETERSHOSPICE.ORG.UK/SHOP GROOM’S OUTFITS SLATERS, UNION STREET, BRISTOL BS1 3XD T: 0117 929 9099 W: WWW.SLATERS.CO.UK ACCESSORIES BRIDEZILLAS, 10 SANDY PARK ROAD, BRISTOL BS4 3PE T: 0117 904 3039 W: WWW.BRIDEZILLAS.BIZ HAIR MODE HAIRDRESSING, 25 ULEY ROAD, DURSLEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL11 4NJ T: 01453 544515 W: WWW.MODEDURSLEY.CO.UK MAKE-UP JADE COATES T: 07950 388623 W: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ PROFESSIONALMAKEUPARTISTJADECOATES FLOWERS TIN CAN FLORAL T: 07722 383601 W: WWW.TINCANFLORAL.CO.UK CAKE BATH CAKE COMPANY T: 01225 446094 W: WWW.BATHCAKECOMPANY.CO.UK CAR AJE CLASSICS T: 01454 600072 W: WWW.AJECLASSICS.CO.UK MODELS EMILY BALL AND SAMUEL PINE AT MUSTARD MODELS W: WWW.BIGMUSTARD.CO.UK STYLING THE LITTLE WEDDING HELPER T: 07726 911951 W: WWW.THELITTLEWEDDINGHELPER.CO.UK 57
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Over 10 years makeup artistry experience, specialist in Bridal Hair and Makeup
Andrew Jewell
07590388623 info@jcmua-makeup.com www.jcmua-makeup.com
@jadecoatesprofessionalmakeupartist
Experts in Special Hair for Your Special Day 25 Uley Road, Dursley GL11 4NJ Tel: 01453 544515 www.modedursley.co.uk
ŠLW
Get yourself noticed by the Bride-to-be!
Call Jacqui Lewis on 0117 9343136 to advertise in the next issue of West Weddings magazine
Bridal at St Peter’s Hospice
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BE INSPIRED
pinboard WHAT WE’RE LOVING THIS SEASON
Have this beautiful silver and labradorite bracelet as your something blue, £24 from Rigby and Mac Float this funky balloon by Candle & Cake (£5.99) over your reception – it’ll make a great photo backdrop, too
We’re loving a bit of rose gold, so this comb by Rock My Vintage (£25) caught our eye straight away
Get organised with this stylish wall planner, £9 from TCH, which also comes with cute stickers
Thank your bridesmaids with a gorgeous personalised candle, £23.50 from Little Cherub Design at Not On The High Street
What better way to advertise the drinks at your wedding than this stylish sign? It costs £12.95 from Made with Love Designs
FOR MORE VISUAL INSPIRATION VISIT OUR BOARDS AT WWW.PINTEREST.COM/WESTWEDDINGS Weddings WEST
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Child’s play
Considering having children at your wedding? Serra Pheby has put together ideas to help keep the littlest guests amused all day long
S
ometimes it can be difficult to decide whether you want to children to your wedding. What if they get out of control and start crying – or worse, laughing in the middle of your vows? Some couples choose not to invite children to their weddings for this very reason, and this is your choice – if you don’t want children coming, then guests should respect your decision. However, if you do want to include tiny attendees, we’ve rounded up some top tips to help you plan, and reassure you that children at a wedding doesn’t have to equal disaster!
TALK TO YOUR VENUE
Some venues will be more entertaining for children depending on the amount of space to play and features. If you’re considering including games and activities, it would be a good idea to ask when booking your venue what child friendly activities there are. Some venues will automatically seem lots of fun for children, such as getting married at the 60
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zoo, but if you’re having a more traditional venue then check out our ideas below.
Giant playing cards are guaranteed to provide hours of fun for tiny guests
A LOT OF SITTING
We all know young children find it difficult to sit still and the younger the child, in general, the harder it is for them to do this. The ceremony may therefore be difficult for young children (and as a consequence their parents!) to experience, and they could get distracted at the wrong time. It’s important to consider whether you want to invite children to this part of your wedding, and if you are worried then there’s nothing stopping you from inviting them to the meal and after party only. You could also provide little goody bags with some quiet entertainment or toys for children if they are invited to the ceremony.
EVEN MORE SITTING
The same can be said of the speeches, so consider including some kids’ entertainment
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BE INSPIRED Yo-yo Me's activity box is themed around weddings and is perfect for 3-9 year olds
Keep small guests entertained at dinner with these colouring in placemats by Chi Chi Moi
on the tables, or even a separate children’s table. Provided your young guests are of an age where they don’t need a lot of supervision, it may be a good idea to seat them all together so they can make friends. It also means you can prepare this table separately in terms of entertainment. Depending on the age group you could include bubbles, balloons, puzzle books and colouring sheets and pencils. We like the personalised options from Chi Chi Moi, which start from 90p, or why not check out the child’s wedding activity box by Yoyo-me? Both are from Not On The High Street.
A WATCHFUL EYE
Some couples hire nannies for the day to look after children at the wedding (and give parents a break!), with Play Learn Grow UK being a Bath-based company that can provide this service (www.playlearngrowuk. com). Having a nanny or childminder at your wedding could be especially useful if your venue can provide a room for the children to play games in, rest or watch
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TV. If such a room is not advertised, but you are considering a lot of children at your wedding, it may be worth asking the venue if they can provide one. Some venues also have child minders who they can recommend so it’s always worth asking.
Go large with your play with this Garden Tumble Tower by Uber Games
ALL FUN AND GAMES
If your venue has some outdoor space, why not gather some games that can be enjoyed by both children and adults? Giant versions of old school games such as Jenga, pick-up sticks, boules or chess will go down well. For the couple whose families have a competitive streak, the classic games of cricket or rounders are always a good choice! These activities will enable the adults and children to play together and create some memorable backdrops for family photos as well. Check to see what can be accommodated by the venue before you buy the equipment. The Garden Tumble Tower by Not On The High Street’s Uber Games is great for this, as are the Giant Playing Cards by Garden Selections, also from on Not on the High Street.
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BE INSPIRED
Lovely lingerie All eyes will be on your gorgeous wedding dress, but make what’s underneath count too with our pick of the prettiest underwear
Pop into Cheltenham lingerie boutique Joyce Brooks or its online store to find this pretty Belle set by Charnos, made from smooth satin and lace that’s sprinkled with sequins. Ideal if you’re wearing a non-white dress, this nude set by Boux Avenue is finished off with black lace and ribbon bow detailing.
£44 FOR THE SET, WWW. JOYCEBROOKSLINGERIE.COM
£46 FOR THE SET, WWW.BOUXAVENUE.COM
Made by Bristol designer Fleur of England, the Ophelia set combines floral embroidery, the softest tulle and pure silk binding for comfort and optimum fit. £198 FOR THE SET, WWW.FLEUROFENGLAND.COM
Sandra Dee is another Cheltenham-based lingerie specialist with lots of options for brides to choose from. We love this gorgeous cotton embroidered Aubade Bahia bra and matching knickers. £105 FOR THE SET, WWW.SANDRADEE.CO.UK 62
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Freya’s Deco Darling in white is a great option for your big day, as it comes with or without straps. Sold by Perfect Fit in Keynsham, head over there to get advice from its expert and friendly fitters. £55 FOR THE SET, WWW.PERFECTFIT.UK.COM
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Utterly unique
BE INSPIRED
Rachel Barnett-Jones explores the options for planning an alternative wedding ceremony
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he other day, my friends asked me to marry them. After pointing out that I was, in fact, already married, they explained that they wanted me to lead an alternative unity ceremony, personal to their uniqueness, which we would write together. As well as being utterly thrilled to be asked I realised I had quite a bit of research to do and so started my journey of discovery into the increasingly popular world of alternative weddings. While creating your own unique celebration requires a lot of extra thought, with the right person to lead it, you could have a quirky, original day that no-one will ever forget!
FINDING A CELEBRANT The first, most important, point to make is that a wedding of this kind is not legally binding. There are very strict rules about what constitutes a legal wedding and, if you want a non-religious wedding, it must be conducted by a registrar in a civil ceremony held in a registered venue. In Scotland humanist weddings are legal, but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that is not yet the case, therefore couples opting for this alternative option will also need to book a civil ceremony in order to be legally married. However, that shouldn’t stop you exploring other ceremonial ideas to really make something extraordinary and unique on your special day. One option is to find a celebrant through the British Humanist Association (BHA). The BHA offers rigorously trained humanist celebrants to officiate at non-religious weddings. According to its website, www.humanism.org. uk, humanist weddings are perfect for couples who would like a meaningful ceremony that isn’t religious, want to marry outdoors or at a location that isn’t licensed for civil weddings, like the flexibility to create a personal ceremony that is unique to them, want to get to know the person who will be conducting their wedding and wish to celebrate their marriage with family and friends without legally registering it. If you prefer to keep things even more personal, then another option is to ask a friend
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or family member to lead the ceremony and for you to write it with them. This option also keeps costs down and can make the day extremely beautiful and personal.
ORGANISING THE STRUCTURE Once you’ve decided who’s going to conduct the ceremony, you’ll then need to think about the structure of it. The best thing about an alternative ceremony is that you can include whatever you like, taking all, some or none of the ‘traditional’ wedding elements and mixing them in with your desires to create something totally unique for you and your partner. Firstly, consider how you’d like to ‘arrive’. Traditionally the groom waits for the bride, who is accompanied by her father, but this is your wedding and you may want to make your entrance together. In fact, you could fly in on a zip wire or dance in at the end of conga line – make it as personal to you as you can imagine. Wedding ceremonies often include readings, and it’s a lovely way of asking a few people who are special to you to be involved in your ceremony. There are lots of great suggestions for non-religious readings for weddings online – check out www.confetti.co.uk/weddingceremonies/ideas-for-nonreligious-weddingreadings-by-famous-authors for some ideas. It can also be a lovely touch to include the story of how you met and what marriage means to you. Talk about this with whoever is leading your ceremony so that they can tell your story to all your guests and help make your ceremony all about you.
BECOMING A MARRIED COUPLE When it comes to the vows, you’re not constricted by the legal formalities so the sky’s the limit! You can write your own or take inspiration from existing ones – so you can promise to love each other forever, or always remember to put the toilet seat down. If you’re going to exchange rings, there are well-known words along the lines of ‘With this ring, I thee wed’, etc. but you could also
say, ‘I’m giving you a ring because I’m going to love you forever, even when you snore like a hippopotamus.’ As with everything else it’s completely, absolutely your choice. A major, although optional, part of an alternative ceremony is a binding act. There are lots of choices for this, including handfasting, where you’re bound together with a length of cloth or a cord while you say your vows, and lighting a unity candle, where a representative from each family (usually the mothers of the bride and groom) lights two small candles at the start of the ceremony. Later in the ceremony the couple use the two small candles to light one large unity candle together. You could also go for some more quirky options, such as pouring two (or more) different colours of sand into a beautiful flask to create a stunning symbol of your unity. If you have children from previous relationships you could get them to add their own sand colours as well. Or the scientifically-minded might like to opt for mixing some chemicals together to get a big flash and a bang, showing that two separate elements, when mixed together, make an entirely new compound – just like marriage. A good one for this is sodium bicarbonate and vinegar, and if you add a little food colouring to each one then the result when you mix them is magical, colourful and dramatic. Once all these are complete, the celebrant will declare to all your guests that you are now ‘man and wife’. At this point you could invite some close friends or family members to say a few words here about how they hope you’ll be happy forever (almost like mini speeches). To close the ceremony, one option is for you to pick a song for everyone to sing (at our wedding, for example, we asked everyone to sing ‘Let There Be Love’). If you do this, remember to provide the words so everyone can have a rousing singsong, and nominate someone to lead the singing. Or you could let off fireworks, or release balloons. As with everything to do with an alternative ceremony, the choice is yours. 63
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BE INSPIRED
Beauty Bible We share our favourite products to help you get wedding-ready!
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DR. HAUSCHKA ROSE DAY CREAM
We really can’t get enough of rose this season! This wonderful cream has been the signature product of German brand Dr. Hauschka for years now, and in our opinion it's one of the best moisturisers out there. It's made from completely organic ingredients, blending rose petal and rosehip oil with shea butter and avocado oil to create a cream that soothes, protects and nourishes your skin. And not only does it feel great, but it also smells deliciously of Turkish Delight!
£29.50 FOR 30ML W: WWW.DRHAUSCHKA.COM/EN
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JO MALONE LONDON BLACK CEDARWOOD AND JUNIPER COLOGNE
One for the grooms here, this new cologne from the innovative British perfume house Jo Malone is just perfect for autumn. A spicy, smoky note comes from cumin and chilli leaves, while a cedarwood and moss base creates a darker, lingering fragrance. Beautifully packaged in a beribboned box, a bottle of this will make a wonderful surprise for your groom on the morning of your wedding. £42 FOR 30ML W: WWW.JOMALONE.CO.UK
3
NEAL’S YARD CALMING TEMPLE SALVE
Natural, safe and ethical is the mantra of British aromatherpay brand Neal’s Yard, and as a result the range has some wonderfully soothing products. When the wedding planning all gets a bit too much, massage some of this new calming salve onto your temples, forehead and presure points, and let the smell of lavender take you away to a more relaxed place. £6.50 FOR 10G W: WWW.NEALSYARDREMEDIES.COM
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BE INSPIRED
4
MAGIC MINERALS CONTOUR KIT
Want to achieve chiselled cheekbones at the stroke of a brush? You can with this new palette from celebrity make-up artist Jerome Alexander! It comes with three highlighting shades and three contouring shades in silky soft, hypoallergenic mineral powder, plus a double ended contour brush and blending sponge to help you achieve a flawless look. Eat your heart out Kim Kardashian.
£14.99 W: WWW.HIGHSTREETTV.COM
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LEIGHTON DENNY LIP DUAL
We love products that multitask, so this new range from Leighton Denny got us very excited! Lip Dual has a light but long lasting stain in one end of the sleek packaging, and creamy lipstick in the other. It comes in 10 delicious shades, in a mix of matte and sheen finishes. Fans of pretty pinks will love In The Nude and Impeccable Pink, and there are some gorgeous reds and more dramatic shades too.
£12.50 W: WWW.LD-BOUTIQUE.COM
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MONSOON ROSE GOLD PERFUME
The love for rose gold in fashion and décor shows no sign of abating, so Monsoon’s first ever fragrance taps into this. With tones of lemon and mandarin combining with tuberose, vanilla and neroli, it’s a wonderfully fresh scent that’s perfect for a bride. The packaging is also gorgeous, and will make a worthy addition to your dressing table.
£24 FOR 30ML W: WWW.MONSOON.CO.UK
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Weddings at Bowood Special rates for a magical winter wedding from just £79* per guest For more information or for a private show-around of Bowood, call 01249 823 887 and quote ‘Bristol & Somerset’, email weddings@bowood.org or visit www.bowood.org/weddings
There’s more to
We’re also offering complimentary canapés if you book a wedding on a Saturday between May and September 2017 *Minimum numbers apply. Special rates are only applicable for selected dates. Subject to availability, terms and conditions apply
Beautiful Bowood than meets the eye!
HOTEL • GOLF • SPA • WEDDINGS • EVENTS • RESTAURANTS • HOUSE & GARDENS
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Sasha chose a warm palette to accentuate Emily’s beautiful blue eyes
BE INSPIRED
Ready for your close up Planning your style for the big day? Professional make-up artist Sasha Louise Pallari shares her tips and tricks for a flawless finish
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he most important dress you’ll ever wear has been chosen, the perfect variety of peony has been picked for your bouquet and you know exactly where you don’t want Uncle John to sit. When it comes to choosing the correct foundation for your skin type and a lip colour that will last all day, however, you may have no idea where to start and so might wish to turn to a professional for help. In recent years, brides have started to realise the importance of having a make-up artist on their big day, but it can be a really overwhelming experience choosing the right one in what has become a highly-saturated industry, especially one who suits your ‘style’. The most important thing to bear in mind when looking is to find somebody whose job is to enhance the beautiful woman that you are and make you look the best version of yourself. As a professional bridal make-up artist, my first piece of advice to you when selecting your make-up artist is to check the basics: that they’re qualified, experienced, fully insured and their portfolio isn’t over edited and genuinely their own work, not someone else’s! Once you’ve established this, my next tip is to pick someone that you’re comfortable with, and then book a trial with them to work out what look you want. I truly believe that this job is not just about make-up, and I build up a relationship with my brides from anything up to 18 months prior to the wedding date. I like to make sure that during the trial the atmosphere is no different to having a catch up with an old friend. A usual request is that you arrive with no make-up on and for some this alone can be a very daunting situation, but it means that I can look at your face as a blank canvas, as opposed to your usual make-up look. When it comes to your wedding day look, you’re not paying a make-up artist to do your everyday make-up with a fancy brush; you’re
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Emily before her make-up session with Sasha
putting your trust into somebody to look at your face, choose the best way to accent features and to pick colours and tones that will suit you best. Before I begin I like to know more about what’s already been chosen, whether that’s the colour of the bridesmaid dresses, shades of the flowers or what jewellery will be worn. My third tip is that if you’re planning on doing your make-up yourself, remember to think about all of these factors before choosing your products. Warm gold tones on the eyes with a peachy lip probably won’t complement silver bridesmaid dresses and cool pink flowers, and while some themes might not stick to a specific colour, these are small details that will make your wedding photographs picture perfect. Think about the amount of makeup you would wear on a night out, as you wouldn’t want to wear more than this on your wedding day. Make absolutely sure, above all else, that you choose a foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone and that’s going to last you all day. My most passionate belief when creating the perfect look for my brides is balance. While talking through looks and ideas, I always make it very clear that what you see in person is going to look a lot more natural on a photograph, and this is my fourth tip for you. Your photos and video footage are going to be things you’ll want to cherish forever, so flawless skin and a lipstick colour that’s prominent enough to show an outline are factors that I consider to be crucial. I am by nature a perfectionist and pay great attention to tiny details, and if you decide to pay a lot of money for somebody to help you get ready
on the most important day of your life, you too should expect nothing less than this. The makeup shown here is a look I’ve put together for a bride-tobe of mine, Emily. She came to me with no specifications other than that she’s not afraid of wearing a lot of make-up and she didn’t want a minimal look. It’s not widely known but, more often that not, to create a natural look you need more precise application and often tend to use twice as many products! Emily has beautiful blue eyes so I chose shimmery gold and warm copper tones on her eyes, combined with peach blusher, lots of highlighter and a darker coral lip. Emily’s wedding is happening in the autumn so naturally the surroundings will be filled with warmth, meaning that outside photographs will look wonderful. I’ll leave you with my fifth and most important tip. There’s one make-up product you absolutely must get your hands on: a smile! Apply this liberally on the day and you’re guaranteed to look your most beautiful.
CONTACT SASHA LOUISE PALLARI T: 07879 630506 W: WWW.SASHALOUISEPALLARI.COM
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BE INSPIRED
A WEDDING WANDER AROUND
Bradford on Avon We take a look at some of the wedding businesses in this pretty Wiltshire town
PERFECT DAY
4 MARKET STREET WWW.PERFECTDAYBRIDAL.NET Shop for your wedding dress in this lovely boutique, where you’ll find designers including Anna Campbell, Jesus Peiro and Charlie Brear.
BRITTEN WEDDINGS
32 MARKET STREET WWW.BRITTENWEDDINGS.COM Shop for beautiful veils and accessories, all lovingly handmade on the premises by Sarah Jane and her team.
BOUNDLESS BLOOMS
3 WEAVERS WALK, 33 SILVER STREET WWW.BOUNDLESSBLOOMS.CO.UK Take a look around this pretty florists to get floral inspiration for bouquets, buttonholes and more.
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FLOSSY AND WILLOW
7 SILVER STREET WWW.FLOSSYANDWILLOW.UK The younger sister of Perfect Day, you’ll find fashion-forward and budgetfriendly dresses from Willowby by Watters and Lusan Mandongus.
MELANIE GILES HAIR AND BEAUTY 25 SILVER STREET WWW.MELANIE-GILES.CO.UK
Pop in to talk bridal beauty with the team here, and enjoy a warm croissant and coffee in the in-salon café.
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BE INSPIRED
LEIGH PARK HOTEL
LEIGH ROAD WEST WWW.LEIGHPARKHOTEL.CO.UK Say your vows surrounded by five acres of grounds, a beautiful walled garden and a romantic vineyard.
MOONRAKER HOTEL AND RESTAURANT TROWLE COMMON WWW.MOONRAKERHOTEL.COM
A perfect little manor house situated on the edge of the town, this boutique hotel is a wonderful countryside location for a wedding.
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Kayleigh Adams Photography
10% off 2016/17 Winter Wedding Venue Hire
www.grittletonhouse.co.uk • 01249 782 434 • weddings@grittletonhouse.co.uk ©LW
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VENUES
VENUES
Welcome to our home Grittleton House combines an enchanting mansion and gardens with a warm and friendly family atmosphere, finds Helen Dorritt
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ts motto is ‘welcome to our home’ and it’s exactly this atmosphere that sets Grittleton House apart from other venues. Owned by Adrian Shipp, Grittleton has been opening its doors for weddings and special events for the past 30 years, and three generations of Adrian’s family are currently involved in running the venue. “Working here is my dream job – it’s almost too good to be true!” enthuses Emma Horrex, wedding co-ordinator for Grittleton. “The Shipps really care about people, and this is reflected in the weddings that take place here. Having your wedding here means that Grittleton will be your home for the day.” Grittleton is an exquisite house set in 35 acres of glorious gardens. Originally built in 1660, the Jacobean manor house was extensively remodelled by Baronet Joseph Neeld in the 1830s into the handsome building that you see today, all stone-framed windows, elaborate chimneys and a grand entrance. “You walk in and without fail, you say ‘wow’!” says Emma. “When you then look around more, you realise that it’s a family home, so it doesn’t feel overstyled – it’s just really warm and welcoming to everyone.”
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There are two exclusive venues available at Grittleton for weddings. You can opt for your big day to take place in the main house, which has several rooms licensed for civil ceremonies including the Library, Central Hall and the stunning Galleries. For outside weddings, you cn opt for the beautiful Orangery with its colonnaded walkway and terrace. Weddings are arranged on a completely bespoke basis, so you can choose the combination of rooms that you like and have guests from two up to 180, with a further option of a marquee if you’re planning a larger event. The lovely private gardens and parkland are the perfect backdrop for your photos, and there are also a number of ensuite bedrooms available so you and your guests can fall straight into a comfortable bed after a day of celebration! With a main house wedding, all the details will be taken care of and you can relax knowing that your day is in the expert hands of Emma and her team. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, then there’s also the option to hire the Old Stables, a self-contained suite of Victorian rooms that’s set apart from the main house. This comprises the quirky Apple Store, which is licensed for ceremonies, the light and airy
Carriage House as a reception space, a private lounge, commercial kitchen, dining room, seven ensuite bedrooms and the grounds. “As it’s full of character and created from the estate’s original stableyard, The Old Stables is perfect if you want a laid back feel for your wedding,” explains Emma. “It’s a blank canvas so you can really put your stamp on the day.” If you like the sound of all of gorgeous Grittleton, you’ll be pleased that a new package is arriving in 2017. The Baronet Package – named after Sir Joseph – is an all-inclusive deal that will give couples exclusive access to the entire house and gardens, along with some extra special surprises to make your wedding even more amazing. You won’t want to leave!
GRITTLETON HOUSE
GRITTLETON, CHIPPENHAM, WILTSHIRE SN14 6AP T: 01249 782434 W: WWW.GRITTLETONHOUSE.CO.UK PRICES FOR HIRE OF THE MAIN HOUSE START FROM £1,300 FOR A DAY. THE PRICE FOR HIRING THE OLD STABLES FOR A WEEKEND IS £2,500
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VENUES
WE WANT TO GET MARRIED...
… in the cit
BLACKFRIARS PRIORY
W
ith such a stunning selection of cities in the West Country, wonderful urban wedding venues are in plentiful supply. From historic buildings such as a Georgian pump house or Roman bath to more modern structures such as a boat or a planetarium, you’ll find lots of inspirational spaces for your celebration. The architecture of a city can make a fantastic background for wedding photography, whether it’s the cool Georgian elegance of central Bath, Clifton in Bristol and Cheltenham’s Montpellier or the funky graffiti’d concrete of Stokes Croft and Nelson Street in Bristol. Getting hitched in the city definitely has some logistical advantages, too – there’s an abundance of transport options and lots of accommodation for your overnight guests. We’ve included just a taster on these pages, visiting the cities of Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Salisbury to take a peek behind the doors of some gorgeous venues. A ROYAL CELEBRATION City centre streets don’t get more magnificent than Bath’s Royal Crescent, an expansive sweep of houses flanked by Royal Victoria Park. The luxury Royal Crescent Hotel is located in the very centre of the curve, and 72
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SA the modest front door belies the luxury that awaits within. The house is a perfect Georgian gem, and the pretty garden really is Bath’s best-kept secret. The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies, with three interior rooms plus the newly-opened wedding garden, a lovely private area that also has a villa right next to it that can accommodate up to 10 guests. Your photos will be ones to remember, too, with the backdrop of the panoramic crescent and the countryside views beyond.
CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL
ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL, 16 ROYAL CRESCENT, BATH BA1 2LS T: 01225 823333 W: WWW.ROYALCRESCENT.CO.UK PRICES START FROM £215 PER PERSON
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY A Grade II listed building right in the heart of Cheltenham, the Town Hall is a versatile venue that can host wedding ceremonies from six to 1,000 guests, and receptions up to 700. The architectural details are impeccable, from Corinthian marbled columns to an ornate octagonal spa. Your photographer will love the balconies and light, open spaces, and you and your guests will love the massive dance floor for some post-dinner shape throwing! CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL, IMPERIAL SQUARE, CHELTENHAM GL50 1QA T: 01242 264231
W: WWW.CHELTENHAMTOWNHALL.ORG.UK PRICES START FROM £275 FOR A CEREMONY AND £4,000 FOR A RECEPTION.
A SKY FULL OF STARS What better way to say your vows that under the stars? A wedding at At-Bristol can make that happen if you opt for a ceremony in this science centre’s Planetarium. There’s also the option to say your ‘I dos’ overlooking the magnificent Bristol Cathedral, before enjoying a first drink as a married couple while looking
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VENUES
ity GET THE
SALISBURY GUILDHALL
venue
ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL SALISBURY GUILDHALL
years of history, creating an unforgettable site for a wedding. The original buildings where monks once trod have been remodelled over the centuries and are now a wonderful blend of ancient and modern. Intimate ceremonies for up to 50 can take place in the East Range, while the North Range, with its magnificent windows, is perfect for larger gatherings. BLACKFRIARS PRIORY, VIA SACRA, LADYBELLEGATE STREET, GLOUCESTER GL1 2HN T: 01452 396767 W: WWW.GLOUCESTERBLACKFRIARS.CO.UK PRICES AVAILABLE ON APPLICATION
at the cityscape views from At-Bristol’s terrace. The mirrored dome that houses the Planetarium will also make for the most fantastic wedding photography, or you could opt for some fun watery shots with a trip to the aquarium next door. AT-BRISTOL, ANCHOR ROAD, HARBOURSIDE, BRISTOL BS1 5DB T: 0117 915 8000 W: WWW.AT-BRISTOL.ORG.UK PRICES AVAILABLE ON APPLICATION
BACK TO BLACK Travel back in time on your big day with a celebration at Gloucester’s Blackfriars Priory. This 13th century building, owned by Gloucester City Council, is right in the heart of the city and is steeped in eight hundred
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GEORGIAN GRANDEUR Whether you hire one room or the entire building, Salisbury’s Guildhall will provide a wonderful wedding setting. Dating back to 1795, it’s not surprising that such a historic building is rumoured to have three ghosts haunting The Banqueting Hall! The Guildhall’s Oak Court is a replica of the Old Bailey and once held assizes courts – you can still follow the staircase from the court down to the cells underneath the building. Luckily this magnificent room now has a happier function as one of the venue’s licensed rooms for civil ceremonies. SALISBURY GUILDHALL, THE MARKET PLACE, SALISBURY SP1 1JH T: 01722 342860 W: WWW.SALISBURYGUILDHALL.CO.UK PRICES START FROM £700+VAT FOR VENUE HIRE 73
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VENUES
A venue for all seasons Dreaming of a fairytale wedding? Make this come true at Thornbury Castle, says Helen Dorritt
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hether it’s saying your vows in the beautiful grounds or inside the magnificent stone-enclosed dining hall, a wedding at Thornbury Castle is sure to be a magical event – after all, how many people can say they celebrated their wedding in a medieval castle? Once the honeymoon destination of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, the castle is located just 12 miles from Bristol but 600 years in the past, and has a host of wonderful architectural details including huge original fireplaces, mullioned windows and twisting stone staircases. Fully licensed for civil ceremonies, you can pledge your troth in the wonderful Tudor Hall, in front of the impressive window or fireplace. The wood-panelled Lounge and the Library, overlooking the gardens, are also available for ceremonies, and the venue has just added two outdoor spaces to its licence – the pretty summerhouse in the rose garden and the yew tree in the Goodly Garden, one of the oldest Tudor gardens in England. As well as providing a bespoke approach to a wedding, the venue also offers a number of packages for couples, to help make organisation of the big day easier. Depending on your budget and needs, choose from the Prince, the Duke or the King, and then relax, knowing that your
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wedding is now in the hands of Thornbury Castle’s expert planners. Looking further ahead to winter, the castle is also offering two special seasonal offers. “We’re a perfect venue for winter weddings,” explains Hannah Bailey, wedding and events manager. “The castle is so cosy, with fires in every room.” We like the sound of that – what could be better than a glass of mulled wine sipped in front of a roaring log fire? If you book a Prince or Duke package in November, December or January, then you can choose two ways to enhance this, absolutely free. Options include upgrading to Champagne for your toast, complimentary civil ceremony room hire or two complimentary bedrooms. There’s also a special offer for weddings in December. ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ includes a three course meal for 50 people, evening food for 100 people and seven rooms in the hotel for you and your guests to stay in. For those who prefer a smaller celebration and adore the English tradition of sandwiches and scones, then the Afternoon Tea package for up to 22 guests is perfect – adding a glass of Champagne alongside your tea, of course! And for the ultimate indulgence, you can also hire the entire castle on an exclusive basis and become king and queen for the day.
If this sounds like your kind of wedding venue, Thornbury Castle is holding a wedding fair on 25th September from 11am-3pm and an open evening on 24th November from 5-8pm, giving you the chance to experience this fairytale venue in person.
THORNBURY CASTLE CASTLE STREET, THORNBURY BS35 1HH T: 01454 281182 W: WWW.THORNBURYCASTLE.CO.UK PACKAGES START FROM £8,925
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Thornbury Castle is one of the most unique and romantic wedding venues in the country. Offering intimate all inclusive packages from £4,000 to exclusive hire of the Hotel with marquees to accommodate 200 guests within our beautiful grounds. 27 individually designed bedchambers Award winning cuisine and consultation with the Chef Civil ceremony licence
Holiday cottages, weddings, garden and private tours. Nine holiday cottages, sleeping a total of 38 people. Nestled in the heart of the Owlpen valley. Exclusive tours of the manor house and gardens open for pre-booked groups. Cyder House restaurant also available for private dining for larger groups. Please pre-book. OWLPEN MANOR ESTATE, ULEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL11 5BZ WWW.OWLPEN.COM • TEL: 01453 860261 ©LW
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15 acres of private ground and gardens Personal Wedding Coordinator Please contact our dedicated Wedding Coordinator to arrange a personal viewing and organise your bespoke package. Telephone: 01454 281182 www.thornburycastle.co.uk Email: events@thornburycastle.co.uk
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VENUES
EASTWOOD PARK COUNTRY HOUSE
THE GABLES HOTEL
T: 01454 201090 E: aztec.events@shirehotels.com W: www.aztechotelbristol.com CAPACITY: Up to 150 for Wedding Breakfast and 250 for Evening Reception.
Falfield, Gloucestershire, GL12 8DA • T: 01454 262805 • W: eastwoodpark.co.uk
©LW
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.
Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard, Aldwick Court Farm, Redhill, Bristol, BS40 5RF T: 01934 864 404 E: weddings@aldwickcourtfarm.co.uk W: www.aldwickcourtfarm.co.uk CAPACITY: Exclusive use of the venue means we are able to accommodate up to 150 guests for a civil ceremony and wedding breakfast. Evening receptions can be held for a maximum of 220 guests. FACILITIES: An exquisite English vineyard, overlooked by the Mendip Hills and set amidst beautiful countryside, Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard is a charming wedding venue in the heart of rural North Somerset. Home to Aldwick Wines, the venue, in all its splendour, is exclusive and secluded, boasting two beautiful stone barns licensed for Civil Marriage Ceremonies. A delightful and alluring setting, it is as stunning inside as it is outside, with the New Barn offering exposed timber beams, an oak-floored reception area, atmospheric bricked-walled bar and panoramic views of the countryside. With Aldwick’s dedicated team always on hand to extend attentive, friendly support, couples can rest assured that their big day will exceed expectations.
Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4TS
PHOTOgRAPH BY CHRISTO NICOLLE
ALDWICK COURT FARM & VINEYARD
AZTEC HOTEL & SPA
Bristol Road, Falfield, Gloucestershire GL12 8DL T: 01454 260502 E: weddings@thegablesbristol.co.uk W: www.thegablesbristol.co.uk CAPACITY: Up to 150 guests for Ceremonies and Receptions, up to 200 guests for Evening Receptions.
CAPACITY: Wedding breakfast 110. Reception 180 (more with marquee). FACILITIES: Magnificent country house within 200-acre private estate with valley views. 69 bedrooms. Licensed for civil weddings and partnerships. Available exclusively. ©LW
FACILITIES: Set in a rural location and convenient for local churches, The Gables offers a delightful setting for wedding receptions, civil ceremonies and partnerships. As a privately owned hotel we offer friendly and flexible service and we will tailor make your wedding to ensure your perfect day - you can relax and enjoy the company of your guests while we take care of the rest.
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TRACY PARK
OWLPEN MANOR Owlpen Nr. Dursley Glos. GL11 5BZ T: 01453 860 261 E: sales@owlpen.com www.owlpen.com
Bath Road, Wick, BS30 5RN T: 01179371800 E: weddings@tracypark.co.uk W: www.tracypark.co.uk
CAPACITY: wedding breakfast 30 to 180, receptions for up to 250 people. Accommodation for 40 people on the estate. FACILITIES: Set in its own private valley, the medieval manor house at Owlpen is described as one of the jewels of the Cotswolds. We offer weddings in our oak-framed Cyder House restaurant and in the landscaped gardens, as well as civil ceremonies in the manor house. The 200-acre Owlpen estate also has nine beautifully-designed holiday cottages sleeping up to 40, allowing you to enjoy exclusive use of the estate for the duration of your stay.
CAPACITY: With several rooms licensed to hold civil ceremonies, we can offer ceremonies for between 2 and 100 guests and are able to cater for up to 160 guests in the evening. FACILITIES: Set in 240 acres of mature parkland Tracy Park is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the Bath and Bristol area. This 17th century Jacobean Manor House boasts a magnificent façade which makes a stunning backdrop for your wedding photographs. The venue also has 42 recently refurbished en-suite bedrooms offering the perfect accommodation for guests.
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VENUES BEST WESTERN PLUS SWAN HOTEL
CAPACITY: 90 guests for a sit down wedding breakfast and 250 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 Ivory Suite, 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 250 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.
GRITTLETON HOUSE & STABLES Grittleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6AP T: 01249 782434 E: weddings@grittletonhouse.co.uk W: www.grittletonhouse.co.uk CAPACITY: The House can hold up to 180 for ceremonies, 126 in The Red Gallery or 180 across both Galleries for wedding breakfasts & www.timbishop.co.uk 300 for evening receptions. We can also cater for up to 500 in a marquee within the grounds. The Stables can hold up to 70 for ceremonies & wedding breakfast & 110 for evening receptions.
ERIC PURCHASE PHOTOGRAPHY
Sadler Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 2RX T: 01749 836300 W: www.swanhotelwells.co.uk
bowood hotel bowood hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Calne, wiltshire SN11 9PQ t: 01249 822228 e: weddings@bowood.org w: www.bowood.org/weddings CAPACItY: the Kerry Suite can hold up to 120 for a ceremony and 160 for a wedding breakfast, but is extremely versatile and can be arranged to accommodate smaller weddings too FACIlItIeS: Set in the beautiful 2,000 acre bowood estate in the heart of the wiltshire countryside yet only minutes from civilisation, bowood offers the complete package as a wedding venue, from the ceremony itself to the evening reception for up to 250 and a boutique hotel for guests to stay in. there is also a gorgeous spa and exclusive 4 bedroom lodge (Queenwood lodge) ideal for the bride and bridesmaids to stay in the night before. ©LW
THE KINGSCOTE BARN Binley Farm, Kingscote, Tetbury, GL8 8YE T: 01453 861161 E: info@kingscotebarn.co.uk W: www.kingscotebarn.co.uk CAPACITY: Ceremonies & receptions up to 150 guests and 200 guests for an evening reception.
FACILITIES: Stunning Victorian mansion set in 35 acres of attractive Wiltshire parkland. Just 30 minutes drive from the centre’s of Bristol & Bath & less than an hour & half from the M25. The Estate offers two exclusive wedding venues; The House with its high decorative ceilings, beautiful working fireplaces, magnificent sweeping double stair case and striking Italian sunken gardens and The Stables, a quirky suite of rooms within the original Victorian estate stable yard, offering the ultimate DIY wedding. En-suite accommodation also available.
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 décor 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.
TYTHE BARN AT PRISTON MILL
DO PEOPLE KNOW YOU’RE A LICENSED VENUE?
Priston Mill, Bath, BA2 9EQ T: 01225 423894 E: info@pristonmill.co.uk W: www.pristonmill.co.uk CAPACITY: ceremonies & Receptions up to 150 guests & 200 in the evening
FACILITIES: The stone walled 18th century Tythe Barn has a high vaulted roof with exposed timbers and is perfect for wedding ceremonies and receptions. To one side of the barn there is a bar, well stocked with local brews and on the mezzanine a comfy seating area. The adjoining lounge, complete with wood burner, is a cosy area for reception drinks and relaxing in.
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Kayleigh Adams Photography Contact Kayleigh Adams Telephone 07813 340737 Email hello@kayleighadamsphotography.com Website www.kadams-photography.com
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CAPTURE THE MOMENT
PHOTOGRAPHY: VISUAL E PHOTO
This is our space for showcasing people’s favourite wedding photos. Not necessarily the professional shots or the usual images seen in magazines – maybe not even of the happy couple – but the photos that sum up what made a wedding day so special. Amelia Di Claudio selects one from her wedding album
Kingscote Barn, Tet
Just the two of us Would you like to share your favourite wedding photo with us? Email westweddings@b-nm. co.uk with a high res (over 1MB) photo and a few lines explaining why it means so much to you, and you could be featured in a future issue! 82
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“This was the first time my husband and I had some time together since the ‘I dos’! It was so peaceful, and a perfect time to reflect on our wedding day.” Weddings WEST
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� Experience perfection �
Country House Weddings Exclusively Weddings, Exclusively Yours
Somerset
St Audries Park 01984 633633
Gloucestershire
Essex
Essex
01594 832320
01245 362555
01787 472914
Clearwell Castle
Leez Priory
Gosfield Hall
Award-winning venues • Exclusive use • Luxury accommodation Exquisite food • Licensed for Civil Ceremonies & Civil Partnerships
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