Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - June/July 2020 (Issue 83)

All the latest from around the region NEWS Nearlywed Shoe-stopping Stone-based The Pretty Wedding Shoe Company is still open for business helping brides bring their own unique love story to life with its hand-painted wedding shoes.  Offering a bespoke design and hand-painting service for brides and guests who want something a little more colourful than traditional ivory wedding shoes. All its award-winning Rainbow Club wedding shoes can be hand-painted to coordinate with the flowers, wedding theme or simply to reflect a bride or guest’s unique personality. Whilst you can’t actually visit the studio in person at present, you can book an online video appointment and designer Anna will show you the great range of Rainbow Club shoes available and discuss your ideas. Anna says she has been kept busy hand-painting shoes during lockdown and this pair is one of her recent favourites. The bride chose to include a little honey bee for her groom, as he keeps bees, which is nestled in flowers that match her wedding bouquet. Lockdown is the perfect time to get creative and plan your own pair, so if you would like to get in touch simply go to  www.theprettyweddingshoecompany.co.uk to book an online appointment or visit the gallery for more inspiration. ARRANGE A VIRTUAL VISIT The keys to the Castle Barn might be gathering dust and the doors to the Garden Room and St Nicholas Parish Church have been securely locked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience Wasing Park in all its glory. If you are thinking of holding your wedding at the exclusive-use venue nestled on the 4,000-acre estate in Aldermaston, Berkshire, why not arrange a virtual tour? Hosted by estate owner, Joshua Dugdale, who’s family have resided on the estate for more than 250 years, the tour not only shows couples the option of where to host their ceremony and reception, it also gives an insight into the history behind the beautiful wedding venue. Follow Joshua on a journey along Wasing’s long and winding drive before being taken on a tour of the many historical buildings that populate the wedding venue including the 18 th -century, Grade II Listed, Old Estate Rooms comprising a converted dovecote, the old granary stood on its mushroom staddle stones and The Smithy, a former blacksmiths shop. The show-round video also features extensive aerial shots of the exquisite venue, a guided tour of the parish church, Garden Room and Castle Barn as well as the Victorian Summerhouse perfect for alfresco ceremonies. To arrange a virtual visit, register your interest by completing the form available via the link: www.wasing-weddings.co.uk/arrange-a-visit LET’S TALK WEDDING CAKE Love stops at nothing, including COVID-19. The same applies to Oxfordshire’s Dolce Lusso Cakes, which has not only launched a new vlog series – but is also giving couples the opportunity to meet virtually. “We’ve always offered a personal consultation for every client, and our process is deliberately collaborative,” says business creative director and founder, Kate Lieberman. “Normally, I’d do this at wedding fairs, venues or my home. But these aren’t normal times.” Social-distancing poses no problems here though. “We’re not limited by location, and are set up to function remotely. For £40, couples can select up to six wedding cake flavours to sample, which we’ll ship by next-day delivery. We then organise a video call to discuss their vision, budget and requirements in full.” For Dolce Lusso Cakes, there’s no substitute for a face-to-face discussion to understand a couple’s wedding cake vision, requirements and budget, and the company is doing everything it can to ensure that continues – and much more besides. “With fewer orders to deliver right now, I’ve also started baking live on Facebook and YouTube. Recent recipes include Marsala-infused Welsh cakes, chocolate covered oat cookies and my signature vanilla cupcakes. My son, Alex, joins me at 10am every Saturday, and we’re getting quite a following,” explains Kate. And great feedback too, which is equally reflected in the many awards this wedding cake artisan has racked up in the last 18 months alone. To book your virtual consultation with Dolce Lusso Cakes, call 07770 754 174 or visit www.dolcelussocakes.com.  YOUR ESSENTIALS 9