HOT TOPIC Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas WINTER WINDS How can we add winter elements to our ceremony? Couples looking to hold a cosy or festive winter wedding can include seasonal elements to make their ceremony magical and memorable. Possibilities are endless with a celebrant-led wedding, but here are a few ideas! •Warm Beverage Ceremony: Instead of a traditional wine toast, consider a hot cocoa or mulled wine toast with personalised mugs as keepsakes. •Evergreen Unity Ritual: The couple could plant a small evergreen tree together, symbolising enduring love and growth. •Winter Hand-Tying: Use a ribbon or scarf in winter tones (deep red, forest green, or snowy white) for a hand-tying ritual, symbolising unity and warmth. •Snowflake Blessing: Have guests write blessings or wishes on snowflake-shaped cards to hang on a ‘wishing tree.’ •Sparkler Send-off: Hand out sparklers for a dazzling send-off after the ceremony. •Winter Keepsake Station: Set up a DIY ornament station as guests leave the ceremony, where they can create a keepsake to remember the special day. These touches will add an extra special touch to the wedding, giving everyone lasting special memories. Julie Cottenden | Julie Cottenden - Family Celebrant www.family-celebrant.com www.thestudiowithoutwalls.co.uk NOW THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT What advice can you share when it comes to searching online for wedding entertainment? Deciding to have some entertainment at your wedding can make the day even more special and memorable. Having an extra layer of fun and excitement will make a sizeable dent in your budget, so think carefully before you book a magician or classical quartet. Obviously, you want someone or something that will fit within the feel of your wedding and the character of your guests. If you have all spent two hours at the pub before the ceremony has even started, their enjoyment of your choice of entertainment may be different than anticipated. Once you begin searching endless online websites and directories, do bear in mind the following: •Read the websites carefully to ensure you understand precisely what the entertainers do and how they work. Then, reread it. •Check where the entertainment is based. If you can afford to pay for a Bournemouth-based magician to travel to Liverpool, then by all means, contact them. •Try to speak to the entertainer in person rather than play ping pong via email. If you can build a good rapport with them, you’ll have less stress and more fun! Above all, enjoy exploring possibilities and finding the right entertainment for you and your guests, whether a magician, musician, artist, juggler, circus act or singing waiters. Matthew Slater | Matthew Slater Art | www.matthewslater.art EXPERT ADVICE 69
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