Your Sussex Wedding - October/November 2020 (Issue 87)

YOU DO YOU Vintage and classic vehicles aren’t really our style, but we want our transport to be an experience. What would you suggest? Vintage and classic vehicles don’t need to be your thing. What I feel is most important on your wedding day, as clichéd as it may be, is being yourself and being happy. If that means getting a local taxi or travelling on a little push bike, so you make it to your big day the way you feel happy or comfortable, then that’s what you’ve got to do. Make it memorable. There’s no rule demanding you have to do anything or follow any classic outplayed, overused or traditional themes. Other people’s expectations are their own and you should live by yours, carve your own path.  For example, my company Grave Limos offers a memorable experience that starts before you’ve even set foot in the vehicle. Picture a matte black, 21-foot hearse limousine with a roaring engine turning up to pick you up – you’ve already got your wedding day off to an amazing start. So, pick the wild card, be brave, be bold. Good or bad I guarantee you won’t forget it and that’s what really matters. Lee Clarke, www.gravelimo.com NEAT PETITE We’re feeling a bit daunted by the prospect of scaling our wedding right back to 30 guests. What advice can you give? This is something that can cause a lot of worry, so you’re not alone. Government guidelines limit your guest list to 30 people, which means whoever’s in the room counts towards this number: the officiant, the both of you, a photographer, and any witnesses already makes six. So, deciding on who the lucky ones are without upsetting anyone will no doubt be tricky. My advice is to explain that the government guidance is putting you in a difficult position and that your decision is nothing personal. If they care they’ll understand. Think of those who are a big part of your life and, if they weren’t there, how upsetting would it be for you? Write a list of your VIPs, the people you can’t imagine celebrating without, and try to make it fair. Some other things to consider: ❤ However lovely it may be to have your grandparents there; any elderly relatives may be shielding. ❤ Infants are included in the count, even if they’re sat on someone’s lap. ❤ Can you remove plus-ones? Remember, an intimate wedding can still be a wonderful celebration, and just think of the party you can have later. Sally Gallis, www.lunaandthelane.co.uk www.emm aevansphotography.mypixieset.com JEWEL OF THE AISLE I’d like some stones in my wedding ring, and ideally a bit of colour. What would you suggest? In recent years, diamond-set wedding rings have become increasingly popular with both brides and grooms, largely due to their durability. Your wedding ring will be subjected to a lifetime of wear, and diamonds are less likely than other stones to suffer damage. Fortunately, diamonds come in a range of colours. Natural, fancy coloured diamonds can be very expensive, but colour-enhanced diamonds are more affordable. Sapphires and rubies are next to diamonds in terms of hardness, but are nevertheless much less hard wearing. A word of caution: if your engagement ring has no coloured stone, I’d be very wary of adding colour to your wedding ring. Most people want their engagement ring to be the focus of attention, and coloured stones in your wedding band tend to draw the eye away from it. However, if your engagement ring does feature a coloured stone, you could go for some small accent jewels of the same hue. There are lots of stones available, and opting for a bespoke design will open up a great many opportunities that you’re unlikely to find in ready-made versions. The ring pictured is a man’s platinum band with white, yellow and blue diamonds. Andrew Leggett, www.aurumjewellers.com 70