Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers.
London-based tailors Fielding & Nicholson share their top tips for finding a wedding suit
Trying to find an outfit for your wedding can be a stressful experience, so to help you find the perfect look, we spoke to Ian Fielding Calcutt, the founder of Fielding & Nicholson, and asked for his dos and don'ts when it comes to men's tailoring.
Read more on Groom's fashion in the latest issue Your Midlands Wedding - June/July 2024 (Issue 92) (county.wedding)
When Hannah and Chris met online they felt an instant connection. Two years later, now a couple, they travelled to Dublin for the day and Chris popped the question at the castle after fi nding the perfect spot beneath and archway full of flowers in the gardens. “It was such a surprise, my fi rst response was to swear rather than say ‘yes,’” Hannah remembers.
As the Titanic was linked to Cunard, the company Hannah’s grandfather used to work for, tying the knot at the Titanic Hotel meant a lot to the bride. “We felt like he was there almost,” Hannah says. The couple loved the atmosphere of the function room with its exposed brickwork and chic lighting. Once they saw it, they couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.
The date was set for 4th April 2024. Download the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding to find out more - www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download
Rob caught Saz’s eye while she was out at a bar with her friends. “We exchanged a few words and ended up matching on Tinder a couple of months later,” says Saz. “We bonded over our love of festivals, music and rugby. We are both very outdoorsy people. We go hiking and camping quite a lot and have attended lots of festivals and concerts together.
“We were quite unconventional and there was no actual proposal,” adds the bride. “We had been together for a few years and one day we decided to get married. We went to see the Ceridwen Centre and we fell in love with it and booked it straight away. We gave ourselves some time to save and picked September because it’s my favourite time of the year.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download
Ann-Jee and Nick were introduced to each other by a mutual friend at a Halloween party 10 years ago. “For me, it was love at first sight,” says Nick. “She was so effortlessly charming and funny, with a captivating smile. Sadly, my ‘friend’ had already told Ann-Jee all of my most embarrassing stories, so she took a bit more convincing, especially as I was the only person in attendance who hadn’t bothered with a costume!”
Nick popped the question at Lake Como in 2020. “Ann-Jee always loved the serenity of mountains surrounded by lakes, so she was blown away when I got down on one knee in a beautiful private garden by the water under the glow of the moon,” shares the groom. “I knew she’d say yes (we’d discussed marriage many times), but I was still incredibly nervous and kept slipping off at dinner to practice my speech. It didn’t help much, and before I’d even gotten down on one knee, I was a blubbering mess, which might have given my intentions away a little.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourkent.wedding/free-download
Think about how you'll ensure everyone has the best... time... ever, at your al fresco wedding! Alice from Entertainment Nation (www.entertainment-nation.co.uk), the UK's leading entertainment agency, says: “Live entertainment while sipping on a cocktail and chatting in the sunny, scenic gardens of your venue sounds glorious. To make things practical, performers will require a flat, dry and level surface for their performance, which will act as a dedicated space for the band or musicians (although if you've booked a roaming act, there may be some flexibility).
“It's also worth checking if your entertainer requires a power source, or if they can bring along their own battery-powered amp. If not, they may need to be in closer proximity to the venue itself.
“It's also essential that they have a canopy or cover to protect both them and their equipment, come rain or shine, as you can never be too careful or sure of the UK weather! Remember, your wedding venue and/or entertainment will also be able to advise on their usual routine for outdoor performances.”
For our ultimate guide to planning a flawless al fresco wedding, download the current issue of Your Sussex Wedding.
Sarah and Daniel met at school. “We didn’t actually speak until a night out for my sister’s birthday 22 years ago,” says Sarah. “The day after, he jumped out at me with a bunch of flowers while I was walking to work.”
Daniel proposed in May 2023 during a holiday to Crete. “I was completely surprised and had no idea he was going to pop the question,” shares the bride. “He took me to a church by the sea where we were posing for a family photo when he dropped down onto one knee.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.youreastanglian.wedding/free-download
Laura and Phil lived in the same apartment block when they first met. “I moved in 2013 and kept noticing Phil,” says Laura. “I lived in the top-floor apartment, so I had a view of the whole street and I kept seeing him. I decided one day, after a night out with my friend, to put a note on his car. The note read, ‘I think you’re lovely; here is my number.’ The next day, he texted me and we decided to meet up. He was in the army at the time and had to go away for three months, so we had little to no contact. Once he got back, we went on our first date to watch a Manchester United vs. Stoke City match, and the rest is history.”
Phil proposed on Laura’s 30th birthday. “He hired out the whole balcony at the Hotel Gotham in Manchester and got down on one knee,” shares the bride. “It was around the time of lockdown; we had originally planned to go to New York, but the trip had to be cancelled. We then planned to go to Edinburgh, but again, plans were cancelled and so the proposal was a complete shock.”
See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yournorthwest.wedding/free-download
Internet searches for pet-friendly weddings are on the up and Wotton House set among the beautiful Surrey hills in Dorking has recently launched the Pooch Package which includes welcome doggy treats, a canine concierge service, a comfortable dog bed and dog-friendly dining options. This 13-acre estate is home to secret walled gardens where pets are welcome. The main house, which boasts 17th -century vaulted ceilings, is licensed for ceremonies. Several wedding packages are available catering for between 10 to 150 guests - the family pooch can even act as a ring bearer during the ceremony! Wedding packages start from £105 per person and rooms start from £189 per night.
To find out more read the latest issue out now: Your Surrey Wedding - June/July 2024 (Issue 107) (county.wedding)
Land & Wave is an outdoor adventure company based in the glorious countryside of Dorset that's offering 10 per cent off bookings for readers! Discover more about the supplier in our July/August issue, available to download for free now.
There's so much to adore in this stunning elopement-style shoot, showcasing a blend of elegant white tones set against London's industrial backdrop. Discover the shoot in our July/August issue, available to download for free now
We love this enchanting shoot at Ware Priory with striking details and fabulous finishing touches. Discover the day in our June/July issue, available to download for free now.
Make any occasion extra special with bespoke personalized sweetz boxes, the perfect gift for all events. Collections from this Berkshire-based business include the Bridal Shower/Hen Party Sweetz Boxes while the hand-picked selection includes Wedding Favours. The sweetz boxes can be personalised and owner and founder Pav uses her background in graphic design to create these bespoke boxes. She is currently offering 10% off all orders plus free postage, visit www.sweetzboxes.co to shop and read more in the latest issue available to download now for FREE!
St Michaels Resort, one of Cornwall's leading independent hotels, has just opened the doors to its brand-new all-day dining restaurant, Nourish. Read about it on page nine of the latest issue available now to download for FREE!
This styled shoot was inspired by American filmmaker, Wes Anderson, whose films are known for their eccentricity, unique visual and narrative styles, Battleswick Farm was the perfect backdrop! Proud Fox Ceremonies was the company used for the drag artist celebrant.
The shoot is featured in full in our JULY/AUG issue available now to read online for FREE
In this issue's Hot Topic, local experts offer stellar advice on overcoming the most common planning concerns.
I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FLOWERS; WHERE DO I START?
Kelly Stanford from Fox Flora (www.foxflora.co.uk) says: Here are my top tips for getting started.
Think about the colours you naturally gravitate towards. What does your wardrobe or home look like? What complements your skin tone or personality? Do you love polished neutrals or rainbow brights? Dark and moody or light and airy? Complementary colours or direct opposites can work beautifully. I often like to throw in a colour curve ball adding black to neutrals, brown to peach and blue to make something characterful.
Agree on your wedding aesthetic. The venue sets the tone for your wedding but flowers and styling elevate that to create an aesthetic, a feeling and experience. Whether you’re planning an arty party or calm modern elegance, beautiful boho or rustic romance, have a discussion together about what best represents you. I encourage my couples to think about these keywords to help narrow things down.
Create wow wedding flower moments that add value. Focussing on one impactful floral installation that can be re-used can really add value. A super-stylish arty flower cloud above your ceremony space, later suspended over your top table and after that the dancefloor, can frame beautiful wedding photos that last a lifetime.
Alternatively, what about a floral arch that can be moved to your top table and create a backdrop for guest photos in the event, or aisle flowers that later line the front of your top table? Our signature modular floral arrangements are designed to move with your day. The opportunities are endless but will vary depending on your wedding, the ceremony and reception venue. Speak to your florist to devise a plan.
Budgeting. Costs vary depending on your preferred flowers, season and overall look you’re going for, as well as the impact you’re looking to create. On average, you should be looking at spending 10 to 15 per cent of your budget on wedding florals covering your bridal party, ceremony and reception.
Choosing your wedding suppliers. Pick suppliers that can support you in bringing your vision to life. We work directly with you and your wedding suppliers, so that your florals integrate seamlessly with your day to generate
the greatest impact and add value – this includes wedding planner, stylists, cake designers and even photographers are aware of details ahead of time.
For more wedding worries tackled, check out the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at https://www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download
Silver, Gold or Rose Gold Jewellry?
Understanding your skin tone is crucial when selecting jewellery, especially for your wedding.
Each person's skin tone is unique, and this uniqueness can significantly impact how jewellery looks on you. Therefore, it's essential to comprehend what colours complement your skin tone the best. Determining your skin tone can be confusing, as it is often mistaken for skin colour. Observing your veins in natural light is a simple method to identify your skin tone.
Read more in the latest issue out now Your Midlands Wedding - June/July 2024 (Issue 92) (county.wedding)
Jo and Jon started out as friends. They were both going through a tough time when they met and became a support system to each other. The two are DJs and instantly had this major part of their lives in common, as well as sharing the same sense of humour. The time was right eventually though, and love grew between them.
Jon had intended to propose New Year’s Eve of 2021, but unfortunately Covid stepped in and forced him to change his plans. Well again, he took Jo on a weekend spa break to Crabwell Manor in the January. Getting ready to go for a meal one evening, he turned to Jo and said: “I have something for you that you can wear tonight,” then got down on one knee. “It was just us in our suite, so it was a really personal and lovely moment,” Jo remembers.
The date for the big day was set for 27th April 2024. Download the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding to find out more - www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download
We love flowers here at Your South Wales Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. To give you some inspiration, we’ve asked Petal Power to send in their one of their favourite creations.
See more on-trend flowers in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download
Insanity Strings is a string music agency that offers bespoke wedding entertainment to suit your needs. The team at Insanity Strings tells us: “Whether it be a solo violinist or cellist performing while your guests take their seats and as you walk down the aisle, or an electric violinist or string quartet performing upbeat music against backing tracks at your drinks reception, we create an exceptional ambience for your special day.”
Meet more local musicians and entertainers in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourkent.wedding/free-download
Quinn's Events is a family-run business providing professional wedding and event catering services in West Sussex. The team work with approved venues, or at your desired location, to make your special occasion one-of-a-kind. They're also proud to be in-house wedding coordinators and provide exclusive wedding catering services for two stunning country house wedding venues in West Sussex, Slindon House and Eartham House. They craft unforgettable moments through exquisite cuisine and impeccable service, bringing the finest gourmet experience to your table. Quinn's Events specialises in classical French, British and Italian cuisine with a twist of influence from the rest of the world.
Susan Quinn says, “Our commitment to excellence begins with our ingredients. Wherever possible, we strive to use only the freshest, locally-sourced produce ensuring every dish reflects our dedication to quality.” What's more, Susan and her team believe that every event is unique and tailor the offerings to match your preferences, and from your initial enquiry to the last bite, they're dedicated to providing unparalleled service. “With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for perfection, we strive to make your event seamless and stress-free,” Susan continues.
“Keep it seasonal. There's a fantastic array of local produce available throughout the year. It's also kinder to the planet.” – Susan, Quinn's Events
Meet more of the county's wedding caterers from page 61 of the current issue. Download Your Sussex Wedding free!