SAY IT WITH WORDS Meet the expert: Amy Harris is a wedding stationer and the founder of Harris & Bloom Bespoke Wedding & Event Stationery based in Berkshire. What are popular wedding stationery designs this year? Amy says: I would say the main trends would be uplifting pastel shades and maximalist décor. Dusty blue tones, soft pinks, delicate lilacs and pops of yellow and fuchsia look fantastic mixed with a foundation of multi-dimensional greenery. The Pantone Colour of the Year for 2023, Peach Fuzz will still be a popular addition to any summer wedding colour palette. The bold and maximalist decor is making a comeback with whimsical and playful designs - think colour blocking, hand-painted pieces and organic lines as well as personalised stationery. The monochromatic minimalist look is timeless and elegant yet modern. Monochromatic themes are still incredibly popular, but feel more elevated and chic, embodying a less is more aesthetic. Ribbons and Bows are a popular trend emerging from almost all areas of the wedding industry, from bridalwear, stationery, styling and floral design. Butterflies are also a playful way to add personality to a summer wedding with bespoke butterfly name cards that are guaranteed to delight your wedding guests. www.harrisandbloom.com www.instagram.com/harrisandbloom MAKE A SPLASH Planning a spa break in Berkshire this spring? Here are the five most-booked spas revealed by www.spabreaks.com Macdonald Berystede Hotel and Spa has been revealed as Berkshire’s most-booked spa. The findings have been revealed by experts in wellness and the UK’s leading spa experience and booking agency Spabreaks.com following insights from their 2023 consumer booking data. The spa totalled 38.45% of all bookings in Berkshire in 2023. The second with the most bookings is Donnington Valley followed closely by Crowne Plaza Reading East and Doubletree by Hilton - St Anne’s Manor. The fifth is Fredericks Hotel and Spa. •Macdonald Bersytede Hotel and Spa Located close to Ascot Racecourse and the Legoland theme park, this property is perfectly placed for a relaxing and fun-filled getaway. The spa and thermal suite offer everything needed to indulge in some pamper time. Using luxurious Elemis products, book an indulgent massage or facial, and leave time to enjoy the external hydrotherapy pool positioned to admire views of the beautiful Berkshire countryside. •Donnington Valley With leisure and relaxation at its core, Donnington Valley is an ideal getaway for a weekend or overnight stay where the emphasis is on laid-back leisure. An 18hole golf course set in rolling countryside presides, but for non-golfers, the health club is a great place to chill out or work up in a sweat in the gym. Take some time out in the pool or unwind in the tranquil spa. There are seven treatment rooms including a duo, where facials massages and scrubs offer the ultimate in time out. •Crowne Plaza Reading East Based along the River Thames, there are ample opportunities for scenic walks from this hotel. For pampering and relaxation, Revive Spa provides a peaceful environment with multiple treatment rooms offering an Elemis facial or body ritual, as well as finishing touches from Jessica and St Tropez. Don’t miss the pool – surrounded by palm trees, it’s a fantastic chill-out zone. •Doubletree by Hilton - St Anne’s Manor This country house hotel with a contemporary twist is close to many key attractions including Windsor Castle. The spa perfectly complements the hotel experience, by offering a range of relaxing features, such as a fitness room and pool for working out and a menu of decadent beauty treatments for the face and body for some much deserved pampering. •Fredericks Hotel and Spa In this delightful boutique hotel, there are private and imaginative spaces to be found throughout in which to enjoy precious and relaxing time with a loved one. Cosy corners, warm fires and hideaway gardens in the hotel are complemented by a Sanctuary lounge, therapy sauna and outdoor spa garden with a sun terrace in the spa. The treatment offers Comfort Zone and Aromatherapy Associates therapies, alongside which a rasul mud suite can be enjoyed. For more information or to book visit www.spabreaks.com or call 0800 043 6600. 64
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