BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL What are the pros of having silk flowers at our wedding? The trend with silk flowers now is ultra-realism. Gone are those plastic horrors you used to see on graves or in greasy-spoon cafes. New processes and materials are being used to create flowers that are so beautifully made that you’ll give them a second look to check if they’re real or not! The good news for the environment is that recycled and biodegradable materials are increasingly being used. Although prices are high for eco flowers, I expect those to come down as technology advances and more manufacturers adopt them. Have a favourite flower, but it’s out of season for your planned date? You can have those gorgeous blowsy peonies in winter or tulips in autumn with versatile silk flowers; they can be used in all sorts of ways, combined with fresh flowers or on their own. Plus, as they can be reused and repurposed after your big day, they’re a practical and costeffective option. Top-quality silk flowers are sometimes comparable in price to fresh flowers, but the difference is that they’ll bring you pleasure and happy memories for decades. If you invest your hard-earned cash in your wedding flowers, it’s worth going for the best rather than settling for less expensive, possibly poorer quality faux flowers. Silk flowers are hassle-free, require minimal maintenance, and are ideal for anyone with allergies! Sue Wilde | Malden & Wilde | https://maldenandwilde.com https://emmadbphotography.com EXCHANGING VOWS How can we ensure we choose the right wedding celebrant? The keywords for choosing the right celebrant are comfort and style. Start with a little research. Check out potential celebrants’ social media profiles. An Instagram or TikTok page can reveal a lot about their vibe, personality and how they connect with couples. This can give you a good feel for whether they’re the right fit for you. Next, consider communication. Your celebrant will be the one to share your love story, so you’ll want someone who listens to your vision, works with your ideas and brings their own to the table. Most celebrants offer free, no-obligation chats. Pay attention to how you feel during the conversation. Do you feel at ease? Can you laugh together? Trust your gut – if it feels right, it probably is! Also, consider whether a celebrant fills you with confidence. Not only will an experienced officiant help ease any pre-wedding jitters, but they will be a friendly, reassuring face on the big day. Plus, they’ll liaise with other suppliers to ensure everything runs smoothly. Remember, choosing a wedding celebrant should be the start of a delightful journey, not a daunting task. With a bit of research and a sprinkle of intuition, you’ll discover the perfect celebrant to help you say, “I do!” Sharon Allam | Sunflower Ceremonies www.sunflowerceremonies.co.uk THE PERFECT SETTING What should we keep in mind when planning our registry office wedding? Planning your registry ceremony doesn’t need to be complicated or taxing. Just remember a few essential factors, and you’ll be on your way to a beautiful, stress-free ceremony. Before you can get married in England and Wales, you need to give notice. Speak to your local registry office to find out when and how to do this, but remember it must be done at least 29 days before the wedding. During your ceremony, you’ll need to say the legal declaratory and contractual words which form your marriage contract. You don’t need to memorise anything; you’ll typically repeat the words after the registrar. At the end of the ceremony, you and your witnesses will all sign the marriage schedule. This is your marriage’s legal record, so you must check it for accuracy. You can marry in any register office; it doesn’t have to be your closest one. These vary massively in terms of size and design. Some are very modern, while others are in beautiful historic buildings. Do your research to ensure that you choose the right room to suit the style, atmosphere and budget of your wedding. If you’re planning a reception afterwards, think about the transition between the two venues and how guests will travel between the two. Aside from the legal wording, you can usually have some flexibility with the wording for your ceremony. You can add readings and music that are meaningful to you and sometimes add some personal wording either by introduction or when exchanging wedding rings. If you prefer a short, simple ceremony, this is fine too. Just remember, the registrars are there to help you craft the perfect ceremony for you. So, don’t hesitate to share your preferences with them before the day. Angela Ford | Hertfordshire County Council www.hertfordshire.gov.uk www.gg-photo.com https://torideslauriers.com EXPERT ADVICE 75
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