CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND My hubby-to-be and I love Christmas and want to incorporate festive nods into our ceremony. Do you have any ideas on how we could do this? Christmas is my favourite time of the year for a wedding. Everywhere you look, there are twinkly lights, warm fires and sparkles. To add to this, it’s a time when friends and family all come together. So, is there a better time to celebrate a union than Christmas? Here are some of the ways to weave in some festive cheer. •Vow baubles: After your vows have been spoken, how about using this lovely moment to place them inside a bauble, along with a little extra glitter, for you to place on the tree year after year as a reminder of the words spoken to each other. •Mistletoe: How about having that first kiss under the mistletoe, which also makes for a lovely picture? •Mulled wine or cider welcome drink: The smell alone will infuse your venue with the unmistakably Christmas smell. •Candle lighting: One of the most popular unity elements is taking two flames and combining them into one, signifying the joining of your two lives into one. Just ensure to check with your venue for their policies about open flames. •Handfasting: While a popular ceremony all year round, you could make it feel more traditional by using a beautiful Christmas tartan or having fun with elements such as tinsel or Christmas ribbon. Kelley Kershaw | Ceremonies By Kelley www.facebook.com/yoursingingcelebrant HEAVEN SCENT I’m looking for the perfect perfume for my wedding day. Do you have any suggestions on where to start? When it comes to planning your special day, selecting your ideal wedding perfume will not only complete your outfit, but it will also remind you of the big day for years to come. Scents are renowned for triggering memories, so what better way to remember your momentous and unforgettable occasion than through a new scent for your big day? You can, of course, choose whichever fragrance you love. But I’d recommend trying a completely new discovery, something you’ve never worn before. This ensures it has no relation to any previous memory and means the new scent will always transport you back to your wedding. You’ll also want a fragrance that will last throughout the day, so opt for an eau de parfum, which has a higher concentration of fragrance oil (around 25 per cent), which typically makes them stronger and longer lasting. Also, look for such notes as patchouli, white musk, sandalwood, tuberose, vetiver and freesia as these linger on the skin for longer. Check out Lancôme La Via Est Belle, Barbour Female, Carolina Herrera Good Girl Supreme, Jennifer Lopez Promise, Ghost Orb Of Night and Estée Lauder Beautiful – all great bridal fragrances. Alternatively, if you’re struggling to find the perfect scent match, flirt before you buy with The Fragrance Shop scentaddict subscription and choose a new 8ml fragrance each month for £12. They’re also perfect to carry with you on the big day. Hollie Race | The Fragrance Shop | www.thefragranceshop.co.uk SNOW MUCH LOVE I can’t wait for my winter wedding and would love a make-up look to reflect this. What would you suggest? I’d recommend a timeless and elegant winter wedding makeup style. As the winter air can dry the skin, start with a good moisturiser to keep it hydrated and smooth. You could try soft, cool-toned eyeshadows like silvers, shades of greys and purples to capture the winter atmosphere. A soft smokey eye complements the season’s colour palette beautifully. Pair this with a classic bold red or berry-toned lip for warmth and sophistication that will look stunning against a winter backdrop. A rosy or berry-toned blush can add a natural flush to your cheeks in contrast to the winter paleness. Remember to add a touch of highlighter for a radiant glow and ensure your foundation matches your skin tone perfectly. The natural light this time of year can be pretty unforgiving, so a perfect match is crucial. Remember to do a trial run of your make-up beforehand to create your perfect look. Niki Lawrence | Niki Makeup | www.nikimakeup.co.uk www.cdouglasphoto.com www.gettyimages.co.uk www.martinmaloccophotography.co.uk 70
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