An Essex Wedding - March/april 2021 (Issue 97)

IT TAKES TWO Q: We aren’t sure how to plan for our wedding because of the pandemic. My friend suggested a sequel wedding, but what exactly does this mean? Sequel weddings are becoming increasingly popular as a way to meet the needs of modern life. They’re great for couples who want to mark this important life event under COVID-related restrictions or as a way of having a more personal ceremony after the formality required in a religious or short legal ceremony. Perhaps the wedding took place abroad and excluded friends and family? After a formal legal ceremony, the following sequel wedding offers an opportunity to create a very personal expression of love that can acknowledge different beliefs and tastes in a way that a traditional ceremony can’t. It can be held at any time and in any place – there are no restrictions. It can be as formal or relaxed as you like and can incorporate elements from varying faiths and ethnic traditions. It can also allow the acknowledgement of the blending of families and enables couples to fully express their personalities and values. As a celebrant, I will work with you to create a unique and memorable wedding that’s full of expression, shared stories and love. Clive Burgess | Special Moments Celebrant www.specialmomentscelebrant.co.uk IN AN ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN Q: We’re having a quintessentially English spring wedding. How do we make the most of the season with our flowers? Spring is such a beautiful time of year for flowers; you still have some late-winter varieties as well as early- summer flowers alongside the main spring blooms. It’s so important for quality and cost to work with as many seasonal flowers as you can. At this time of year you have an array of options such a tulips, irises, ranunculi, hyacinths, sweet peas, anemones, syringas and stocks, along with year- round florals such as roses, lillies, gerberas and many more. I would suggest a mix of flowers, such as the traditional garden rose with blousy peonies, along with more cost- effective seasonal flowers such as tulips to even out prices. Spring has an array of colours to choose from, so multi or single tones can be used. I’d also be sure to use plenty of pretty foliage such as green bell, eucalyptus and ruscus. Karen Borden | The Flower Mill www.theflowermillessex.co.uk www.whi testagweddings.com www.whi testagweddings.com ASK THE EXPERTS 93