BLOOMING WONDERFUL We’re thinking of having faux flowers at our wedding; is there anything we should be aware of? To help you choose the perfect faux flowers for your big day, we’ve listed the most commonly asked questions by wedding couples: Is it okay to use fake flowers at your wedding? Absolutely! Artificial wedding bouquets are more popular than ever. You can incorporate faux into your big day in a number of ways, such as through your bridal bouquets, table arrangements, or ceremony décor. With their durability, versatility, allergy-friendly nature, and even eco-conscious benefits, faux blooms offer a perfect solution for those looking to add a touch of everlasting beauty to their special day. Opt for high-quality flowers like silk bouquets, as these can look so lifelike that your guests might do a double take. How do you make fake flower arrangements look real? First things first is texture. One of the telltale signs of artificial flowers is that they can sometimes look a bit too perfect. To combat this, mix it up by incorporating different textures into your bouquet. Choose blooms with varying petal shapes and sizes, and don’t forget about foliage; a little greenery can go a long way in adding authenticity. Real flowers aren’t perfectly symmetrical, so be sure to embrace imperfection when designing your faux arrangements. I would suggest gently bending and manipulating the stems and petals to give them a more natural, organic look. A little bit of asymmetry here and there will add charm and character to your bouquet. Fresh-cut flowers also often have subtle variations in hues that can be hard to replicate with artificial blooms. To make your bouquet look more lifelike, consider mixing shades of the same colour or adding in a few accent blooms with slightly different tones. This will create depth and dimension, just like a real bouquet. What should we do with our artificial flowers after the wedding? There are a variety of ways to display your bouquets; vases are the classic choice, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Go for something unique and eye-catching, like a vintage mason jar, an elegant crystal vase, or even a quirky teapot for a whimsical touch. You could also consider getting the stems from your bridal bouquet professionally framed or displayed in a shadow box. You can keep your artificial bouquet looking fresh by regularly giving it a gentle dusting with a soft brush or some compressed air. Make sure to store your bouquet in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to keep its colours popping for years to come. Alick Burnett from Blooming Artificial www.bloomingartificial.co.uk CAPTURE THE MOMENT Do you have any tips for capturing group photographs? Sometimes wedding group shots are easy and other times it’s like trying to herd cats! Good group photos need quick organisation and good communication from your photographer. Composition and a solid background make for the best photos. Group photos are something most couples want on their wedding day. It’s to celebrate two families coming together from different generations while everyone is well dressed. It’s a great opportunity to get some lovely family portraits. The best advice I can give for your big day is to make a list. This can be given to your photographer to work through on the day. It will also ensure you get all the wedding group photos you want. I would also advise trying to keep this between 10 and 15 photos. The bigger the list, the more time it will take. This also takes time away from your photographer being able to capture the nice candid shots that everyone wants. Neil Baxter from Neil Baxter Photography www.neilbaxterphotography.com www.neilbaxterphotography.com PLANNED TO PERFECTION I’ve seen several posts online about making sure a venue has insurance and checking if a corkage fee is included, but we’re really confused about what these mean. Can you help explain and is there anything else we need to be aware of when looking for a venue? The venue will have its own public liability insurance policy, which will cover them for any accidental injury caused to members of the public. A venue will suggest you look into wedding insurance. Wedding insurance will protect you from financial losses due to illness, accidents, cancellations and any other unforeseen circumstances during the buildup or on the wedding day itself. This will give you peace of mind. When you are having a show round at your venue, ask if you are allowed to take in your own drinks and whether they charge a corkage fee for doing this. Keep in mind that some venues do not permit you to bring your own alcohol. The team at Hintlesham Hall www.hintleshamhall.co.uk 58
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