HOT TOPIC Finishing touches Our local experts offer some stellar suggestions for your all-important finishing touches MAKING MEMORIES Holly Allman-Lopez from Ambience Venue Styling Bath (www.ambiencevenuestyling.com) says: A great way to take your wedding styling to the next level is to incorporate highly personalised, thoughtful touches. Bespoke monographed logos, which can feature on signage, menus and on wax seals, are a great way to bring everything together and add a personal touch. Or how about a signature fragrance, with a particular scented candle used throughout the ceremony and reception? Also, guests love seeing photos of the happy couple, so why not incorporate these into your table numbers or seating plan, along with cute anecdotes about how you met, or your life together thus far? Another fab option is an audio guestbook. Much more fun and interactive than a traditional written guest book, these allow you to keep voice messages from your loved ones (including people who can’t physically attend the wedding), which will become a truly treasured memory as you listen to them time and time again. It’s the one thing I wish I’d had at my own wedding, 12 years ago! JUST IN CASE Heather Reilly at McCabe & Co (www.mccabeandco.com) says: While it might feel unromantic, but if you have your own property, business or other assets, then you should consider getting a prenuptial agreement (also known as a “prenup”) prepared. This is a legal document between you and your fiancé that’s drawn up in advance of your marriage. It sets out what assets you both have and how those assets will be divided in the event of a split. It’s an opportunity to be open and honest about your financial situation before getting wed and will provide a safeguard for your premarital assets. No one enters a marriage anticipating divorce however, preparing one can save you stress, time and money in the event of a relationship breakdown. Also, if you have been presented with a prenup in advance of your wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and sign without truly considering the contents. It’s important to get proper legal advice before signing any prenup, to make sure that you’re not disadvantaged by the terms. FUN TIMES Bridgette Humphries from The Word on Weddings (www.thewordonweddings.co.uk) says: Finishing touches can make the difference between a good wedding and an unforgettable wedding. One thing a lot of couples forget about is entertainment. During the time between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast often the newlyweds are being photographed and this can feel like a long time for guests. A musician or entertainer such as a magician or caricaturist can be fun and a welcome distraction. During cocktail hour or during the evening, a photo booth can be a great way to get family members who haven’t seen each other for a while to get in the party spirit, coming together for fun and memorable photos. Choosing a silly hat or prop can make a talking point and bond people who might have been shy. Maybe consider adding cultural themes throughout the day; this creates a talking point and might educate, illuminate and add something unique. For example, my son-in-law is Māori so we introduced New Zealand ferns into the floral displays, while the bride and groom wore traditional greenstone and they even had a Māori group who performed the wedding Hakka. It really bought our cultures together and there was hardly a dry eye in the house. If you need more inspiration for those quirky extras why not come along to our wedding fairs hosted where we have great entertainment, favours and plenty of things you might not have thought of. https://mapleandfleur.com 46 https://beckyweir.co.uk
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