Our experts solve your problems WEDDING WORRIES HOT TOPIC A PIECE OF CAKE We’re currently planning our big day and we’ve decided against a traditional white cake. Do you have any alternative suggestions? Fondant, buttercream and chocolate ganache can be created in a myriad of colours, so there’s no need to keep your cake traditional. You could choose a single-tier design that’s been painted with an ombré effect on fondant icing with an accompanying dessert table to treat your friends and family. Embrace a dark colour palette with black icing and pops of colour, or if you prefer something a little less bold, go for pastel tones with a pretty icing stencil. Alternatively, try a modern look with acrylic separators between the tiers, with the cake displayed on a pedestal topped with flowers. Amber Briggs www.loveweddingcakes.co.uk A DREAMY SETTING My wife-to-be and I have just started our big-day journey and neither of us has a clue what we should look for when booking a venue. Can you help? The venue is one of the things that should be nearer the top of your list to organise for your wedding day. A lot of the other items that you need to organise should slot in around the venue to ensure your day will come together perfectly. Before you view a venue, it’s best to have some dates in mind for your nuptials. You can then discuss these with the venue’s team when viewing. It’s always good to have a rough number of guests you would like to attend (day and evening) so you know that the venues you will view will be able to accommodate that amount of people. You don’t want to go to see a property, only to fall in love with it and then realise it’s too small or big for your needs. Discuss if you would like to get married at the venue or somewhere else, as not every venue has a marriage licence. Accommodation can also be a make-or-break factor. Think of how far your friends and family will be travelling and if any of them will require overnight accommodation. List the top three venues you would like to see and go to view them to start with, as going to see too many can sometimes get confusing. I firmly believe if you and your partner drive up to a venue and go ‘wow,’ then it’s probably the perfect place for you. The team at The Boathouse www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk www.thymelanephotography.co.uk 52
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