Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding - October/November 2019 (Issue 79)

Do things differently with the help of our local experts HOT TOPIC Breaking tradition THIS MUST BE THE PLACE We know exactly where we want to have our ceremony, and it’s a gorgeous venue. One problem – it’s not licensed for ceremonies! What can we do? Rachel says: As a bride-to-be myself, I can totally relate to this. I recommend having a legal ceremony at your local register office before your planned wedding at your chosen unlicensed venue. Doing this means you can have a personal ceremony on your actual wedding day in front of your closest family and friends. I’ve heard some gorgeous (and often very funny!) wedding vows that the couple have written themselves. It also means you aren’t restricted at all when planning your ceremony. During a civil ceremony, there are lots of rules that couples often aren’t aware of. For religious ceremonies, there are obviously formalities and specific words that have to be said. If you’ve got your heart set on your ceremony location and you want the freedom to have a more personal ceremony, then having a legal ceremony before your wedding day is a great solution. You don’t have to exchange rings during the formal legal ceremony, either - just say the legal vows and sign the paperwork. Have a wonderful wedding day! Rachel Vine | veiledproductions.co.uk veiledproductions.co.uk VIVE LA DIFFERENCE Our wedding party is full of very individual characters, and we’re looking for clothing that reflects that. Any suggestions? Nicola says: Not every bride feels that their bridesmaids need to wear the same dress, but when executed well, the bridal party can still look fabulous in different outfits. It is best, however, to have a running theme of some sort. Perhaps try different dresses in a neutral tone with a pop of colour or amazing styled shoes, and always encourage your bridesmaids to express their individual personalities through their accessories, including shoes, hair detailing, bracelets and earrings. As for the groomsmen, why not try browns for warm skin tones and navy or greys as an alternative for cool skin tones? Alternatively, choose ties in a variety of different shades of one colour depending on whether they suit bright or muted shades in cool or warm colours. Groomsmen should also show off their own style, panache and personality through their shoes and belts. Flamboyance may not be the look you are after, but well-dressed, dapper and confident definitely is. Remember that quality is key for accessories. Nicola Whybrow | houseofcolour.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 101