An Essex Wedding - May/Jun 2019 (Issue 86)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS We wanted to get married in our garden but we’ve found out it won’t be legally recognised. What are our options? Currently in England and Wales, legal marriages can only be held in licensed venues. While some of these are outdoors, there still needs to be a permanent structure with a roof to hold the ceremony underneath. However, there are still options. First, you’ll need to head to the government website to find out how to get legally married in a register office or sanctioned building. Once you’ve done this, the only limit is your imagination. We can create your ideal ceremony without worrying about the legal aspect. I’ve conducted weddings in vineyards, bluebell woods, and national parks. Start by discussing with your partner what you’d like your day to look and feel like. You might have an apple orchard at the bottom of your garden where you can stand under the boughs of a tree, or you may prefer to have a boho-style tipi or circus-themed marquee. Perhaps you’d prefer to just keep it simple by surrounding yourself with loved ones on picnic blankets at your home. Once you have an idea in mind, contact me to arrange a meeting and we’ll discuss how to make your dream of a personal and meaningful ceremony a reality. Shelley Bell Shelley Bell Independent Celebrant shelleybell.co.uk BOHO-CHIC What flowers and styles work best for a bohemian wedding theme? For this, I envisage big blousy blooms in beautiful colours, designed with natural free-falling foliage. I’d create a bouquet on a light, oval-shaped grid on to which I’d add individual stems and greenery to add different textures and dimensions. This relaxed vibe looks wonderful all year round just by adjusting the tones and flowers to fit the season. A spring wedding lends itself to tulips, hyacinths, freesias, peonies, irises and anemones for a splash of colour and heavenly scent. In summer, imagine a bouquet bursting with roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, and asters in gentle pastels or vibrant pink, purple and red. Don’t even get me started on autumn and winter weddings! I love a look that’s full of ranunculi, proteas, thistles, berries, roses and trailing amaranthus in deep red, pink and burgundy with a hint of orange for the brave. A flower crown is the icing on the cake for this theme and is a great alternative to the traditional veil. I hope this free-spirited theme will last as the possibilities are endless and I can let my imagination run wild. Victoria Makepeace  Simply Stunning Flowers Ltd | simplystunningflowers.co.uk josephkinerman.co.uk chicmedia.co.uk 118