An Essex Wedding - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 89)

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS We’re having a Christmas wedding. What colours would suit my bridesmaids to fit with the season? Once you’ve chosen your outfit, it’s time to start thinking about the ladies who are going to be by your side. Remember that not all colours suit all skin tones, so you may want to choose different shades of the same colour for your best girls. Blues are a good example of this; warmer skin tones suit teal and cornflower, while cooler-toned skin will look radiant in Air Force blue. The only hue that suits everyone is primary red, so consider choosing accents of this to brighten a neutral-coloured gown. Be careful with a full red dress as this may overpower the bride, but it would look wonderful for a Christmas theme. Shawls or pashminas are a lovely way to keep warm and cosy and can add another dimension of colour and texture. Claire Bannister | House of Colour | houseofcolour.co.uk FEELING THE FEAR As much as I’m excited about getting married, I keep getting overwhelmed at the thought of planning everything and making sure everyone’s happy. What can I do to relax? Taking control and getting clarity helps to lessen feelings of stress and anxiety. I would suggest the following: ❤ Plan a timeline working backwards from your wedding date. Add deadlines or approximate dates for each item. ❤ Prioritise what you want to have, or to happen, on the day. ❤ Add other categories within this, with an A, B or C listing relevant to its priority and make sure you focus on the A list first. ❤ Delegate tasks where possible. Fear can stand for False Expectations Appearing Real. Focus on what you know to be true and try not to exaggerate any worries. Make back-up plans where possible, but also accept that you can’t control everything. To help you relax, give yourself time for self-care and take regular breaks from planning to lower your stress levels. This means your reactions are from a calm and level approach, rather than a place of worry. Don’t forget, it’s not your responsibility to ensure everyone has a good time – people choose their own thoughts and feelings. However, happiness and positive energy are contagious, so focus on what lights you up and you’ll automatically attract more joy. Jo Hanby | Wedding Confidence Coach weddingconfidencecoach.co.uk ASK THE EXPERTS 109