Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - September/October 2020 (Issue 27)

77 EXPERT ADVICE Our experts solve your problems Q&A Fashion SPARKLE AND SHINE I love wearing accessories - can you give me some ideas for adorning my wedding hairstyle for my intimate winter wedding? The more sparkle, the better! Claire says: I adore winter weddings and this magical time of year calls for plenty of sparkle - what better way to shine than by wearing a beautiful hair accessory? With intimate weddings preferred at this time, it doesn’t matter whether you invite four or 30 guests, you still want to feel special. At Claire Austin England, I offer a bespoke service with one-to-one consultations, either in my Torquay-based studio or online. Together, we design a unique headpiece, drawing inspiration from your favourite creations, wedding dress materials and preferred hairstyle for your special day. My brides usually love the idea of including sentimental items in their design, such as a family member’s pearl brooch or necklace. One recent commission of mine was to take apart a 60-year-old headband and incorporate it into the bride’s new headpiece. Don’t forget flower crowns - they aren’t just for summer! One of the most popular materials I use has to be my handmade ceramic flowers that are fired in the oven and individually hand-painted. I like to take inspiration from seasonal flowers such as the Christmas rose, snowdrops and quince. Integrating these with coloured beads and metallic pearls gives headpieces multiple dimensions and texture. The winter season can be a fabulous excuse to use diamanté and crystals, adding some extra glitz! Hair vines, pins and combs can be worn in multiple ways and why not consider a luxury tiara or crown? The dream team behind Claire’s designs were www.mimosaphotography.uk wi th flower wall by www.facebook.com/pearleventsuk an d hair by www.aprilnataliehair.co.uk CONTACT THE EXPERTS Claire Austin England, 01803 311 077, www.claireaustinengland.com, ww w.instagram.com/claireaustinengland Pirouette, 01392 432 643, https://pirouettethecollection.com, ww w.facebook.com/pirouettebridal GRAND UNVEILING I have started wedding dress shopping since getting engaged during the lockdown period. What can I expect from a bridal boutique appointment? Marian says: Since reopening our doors in June, we’ve continued to fill the diary with appointments and help brides-to- be find the one (that’s the dress, not the groom!) Our appointments are fairly relaxed and we continue to provide this atmosphere while following the current government guidelines. We take customer’s temperatures on arrival (which is always a talking point!), all visitors and staff wear face coverings and hand sanitiser is provided. Aside from all of this, we still make the appointments fun, after all, finding your dream dress should be! Set in the historic West Quarter in Exeter, Pirouette has its home in the famous House that Moved and has been dressing brides for more than 30 years. We are proud to be longstanding stockists of award-winning designers Maggie Sottero, Rebecca Ingram and Sottero & Midgley, and also offer a selection of sale dresses as well as a bespoke alteration service. Rainbow Club bridal shoes, Kye Tew jewellery and accessories by Richard Designs and Ivory & Co are also part of our treasure trove – we are a one-stop-shop!