TOPIC Our experts solve your problems WEDDING WORRIES HOT AL FRESCO ROMANCE My fiancé and I have just started looking for our dream wedding venue, and we’d like to get married outside. What should we keep in mind before booking? Getting married outside can be an amazing experience for both you and your guests and it can make your day even more memorable. But as we all know, the weather in England can often not be as we would expect or hope it to be. Even at the height of summer, it may not be possible to hold the ceremony outside. This would all depend on the venue and the provisions they have for the weather on the day. On a very hot day, it may end up becoming uncomfortable for your guests as they wait for your arrival and during the ceremony, so on hotter days, it may be wise to offer some water and light umbrellas for shade and on colder days, maybe some throws for people who may feel the cold more. Let your guests know beforehand that the wedding is outside, so they can think about their attire. In a nutshell, getting married outside is one of the best things you can do to start your day and journey together, but remember, no one can predict the weather! The team at The Boathouse www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY We’re just starting out on our big-day journey and neither of us has a clue what we should look for when booking a venue. Can you help? I think the first question you need to ask yourselves is: do we want to stay close to home or go further afield? For example, do you want to jet off to an exotic location abroad, marry at your local church or have a venue that offers everything from the ceremony to the evening entertainment? We see many couples travel from all over the UK because they want a coastal-themed wedding or they came to the area as children, and it holds a special place in their hearts. Secondly, you need to think about exactly what you want from your special day. What are the most important things to you? Is it the food, the photo opportunities or having all your friends and family in one place? Once you’ve decided on a rough plan for your day, you can begin to look at venues in your chosen area. Go and visit all the properties that catch your eye. There’s no better place to start than with a viewing. You can usually tell from the moment you walk into a venue whether it’s the right place for you or not. You’ll then need to check that the venue caters to all aspects of your wedding day, including the ceremony, food and drink options, photo opportunities and evening entertainment. You’ll also need to think about how far your guests are willing to travel and if there is enough on-site or nearby accommodation to cater for them. Planning a wedding can seem like a daunting task, but finding the perfect venue is the best place to start! Go with your heart and you’ll know when you find that dream space! The team at Caley Hall Hotel www.caleyhallhotel.co.uk www.weddingsbyadriandewey.com JUST ONE BITE Do you have any menu suggestions for our autumnal wedding? Autumn is my favourite season and the most gorgeous for weddings. As the air changes to a crisper, brisk feeling, we are inundated with plenty of food full of rich, deep colours. For a delicious hearty meal, my go-to is venison, lamb rack or beef fillet, accompanied by the beautiful fresh colours of the seasonal squashes, sweet potatoes, and wild mushrooms for the main course. Followed by an abundance of beautiful berries for desserts paired with homemade meringues, crumbles or something rich with chocolate. Emma Boubaker www.bayfieldcatering.co.uk 55 EXPERT ADVICE
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