Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2021 (Issue 88)

Our experts answer your questions HOT TOPIC SOUNDS OF SUMMER We’re planning an intimate summer celebration and want to entertain our guests with a live musician, what can you suggest? Meet the expert: Lewis Bolland is a wedding and events pianist based in Berkshire. He was taught to play by his grandmother at the age of five and by the time he turned 15-years-old, he was a student-teacher. Today, Lewis runs a modern piano school and frequently plays at weddings, proposals and corporate events. Lewis says: A pianist is a fantastic choice for a small wedding. The piano produces a warm, welcoming sound that greets guests, and is a romantic choice as you walk down the aisle. Wedding music should be subtle, elegant and flow on the day. Your song choice, especially for the ceremony, doesn’t have to be a traditional or classical piece, it can be a modern pop, dance or rock track, or a favourite song from a soundtrack. I always prepare an arrangement of a couple’s chosen piece to be around one-and-a-half minutes long so if requesting a song, ensure that you communicate what y our favourite parts of the track are with your performer beforehand. During the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, I would s uggest that the pianist plays well-known pop, rock and traditional t racks for everyone to enjoy. A playlist to cover all tastes is important. If live music isn’t required throughout the reception then I’d recommend preparing a playlist of your favourite songs that mean something to you both. Spotify and Apple Music have some great wedding playlists. In the evening, you might want to book a DJ or a band to get guests dancing, but there’s nothing like a live performance at this point in the celebration. Having a pianist play your favourite song for your first dance as everyone looks on is a special way to end your big day! www.lewisbollandmusic.com | www.facebook.com/ lewisbollandmusic | www.instagram.com/lewisbollandmusic Photography of paper flower hair accessory courtesy of https://katrinamatthewsphotography.co.uk IN FULL BLOOM Meet the expert: Jennie Wade is the talent behind Blooms of Bierton creating handmade paper flowers. We want a wow-factor backdrop at our micro wedding, what can you suggest? Jennie says: Micro weddings are very popular at the moment but planning a small soirée doesn’t mean that you can’t splash out on a statement backdrop. Handmade paper flowers make an Insta-worthy choice, from delicate hair accessories that can be made to tie in with the venue and ceremony flowers, to a handmade paper flower wall. Why not decorate wedding signage or a table plan with paper blooms, or place a mix of paper flowers in different sizes at either side of a table centrepiece? Surprise your guests with a fun Mr and Mrs wreath or have their names personalised in gold against a set of small roses as place settings. They make a fun keepsake for after the wedding too! www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BloomsofBierton | www.facebook.com/ bloomsbyjennie | www.instagram.com/blooms_of_bierton EXPERT ADVICE 51