An Essex Wedding - July/August 2023 (Issue 111)

HEALTHY HENS A healthy hen is my kind of thing! De-stress before the big day! At A Fine Balance, yoga and wellness studio based in East London/ Essex, we’re seeing a big shift away from the more traditional booze-fuelled hen parties to wellbeing-focused alternatives. Many people are now looking for some much-needed balance to hen celebrations. Depending on your budget, you could theme the whole weekend starting each day with meditation, breathwork and yoga, followed by a delicious and nutritious brunch, and include an array of options to make the day extra-special from sound baths, tarot card readings, cacao ceremonies, reiki, mindful walks, massages, and more yoga for sure. A Fine Balance can provide these at a venue of your choice. Hannah Noble | A Fine Balance www.afinebalance.me SWEET DREAMS The closer I get to my wedding, the harder I find it to fall asleep in the evening – what can I do to calm my racing mind? Good sleep is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle and has a positive impact on every aspect of our lives including relationships, eating habits and stress levels. If you’re finding it hard to drift off, the three strategies below could help: 1) Pre-bed journaling is the practice of writing down any anxious thoughts that can stop us from falling asleep and staying asleep. It need only take a couple of minutes, but noting down anything that you’re worried about, or that you need to remember for the following day(s) can really help to switch the body out of its stressed state, leaving you feeling calm and in control. 2) Make sure you drink any caffeinated drinks before midday. Caffeine can stay in your system for many hours after you drink it and can not only make it difficult to drop off in the evening, but may also reduce the amount of deep sleep that you enjoy. 3) Minimise refined carbohydrates such as white breads and white pasta, as well as high sugar, high fat snacks, instead focusing on meals comprising lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. This will keep you fuller for longer, will stabilise your blood sugar levels and, in turn, will have a positive impact on falling asleep and staying asleep. Sweet dreams! Demelza Rayner | Demelza Rayner Nutrition www.demelzaraynernutrition.co.uk GETTING TO KNOW YOU How can a celebrant help us make the ceremony extra special? A celebrant plays a crucial role in making a wedding special and unforgettable. A celebrant is a professional who is trained to perform wedding ceremonies and can help couples personalise their wedding ceremony to reflect their personalities, beliefs, and values. Celebrants offer a personalised and inclusive approach to weddings. They’ll take the time to get to know the couple, learn about their love story and what makes them unique. They’ll work with the couple to create a ceremony that reflects their relationship and values. Celebrants can also offer a variety of styles and themes to weddings. Whether it’s a traditional ceremony or a modern and creative one, celebrants can accommodate the couple’s request and create something special that the couple and their guests will cherish forever. Another advantage of having a celebrant is that they can offer guidance and support during the planning process. They can also offer advice on readings, vows, and other wedding elements that will make the ceremony memorable. In conclusion, a wedding celebrant can make your wedding special by offering a personalised approach, creating a memorable ceremony, and providing support and guidance throughout the planning process. A celebrant can help couples create a wedding ceremony that truly represents the love and commitment between the two individuals and make the day unforgettable for all. Karen Irving | Karen Irving Ceremonies www.karenirvingceremonies.com www.sallyrawlinsphotography.com 84

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