Your East Midlands Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 37)

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY Q: I’m looking to find the perfect wedding venue, I love the idea of a tipi wedding but what sorts of things will I need to keep into consideration? Tipis create a natural rustic feel but its important to understand what your tipis provide for you. Some venues offer you just land hire, others like Overgrown Acres provide an inclusive package, including three giant styled tipis with fairylights and ivy decorations inside, a red carpet and small trees externally. For a DIY package you’ll need to consider the extras: generator, heating, toilets, tipi erection and dismantling, hire of tables and chairs, external furniture, plus catering and bar facilities. Or you may decide to go with a venue where everything is supplied as an inclusive package. This takes away a huge part of the wedding planning and coordination. Tipi weddings are normally held in the summer months (May to September), but our English weather can never be guaranteed. Look for tipis that have an optional panoramic window to ensure the rain doesn’t spoil your day and the scenic views are retained. With panoramic windows in place, it can provide the same comfort as any hotel option. Think about how much space is offered, at Overgrown Acres, we have seven acres of meadows and woodlands for your parties enjoyment – many couples optimize the space with outdoor games; crazy golf and or a bouncy castle. Check how long your booking is for; one day or longer. Overgrown Acres like many offer the venue from the day before to the day after, giving you an opportunity to add your personal touches and spend some special quiet time maybe over a barbecue the night before with guests staying on-site as well as a brunch the day after as you say goodbye to your guests. Michelle Woodward | Overgrown Acres weddings | overgrownacresweddings.com ekrpictures.com CAKE EXPECTATIONS Q: For our wedding, we want a cake with a difference. What are the up and coming cake trends set for this year?  We’re seeing lots of new and exciting trends appearing for wedding cakes in 2020, with a definite rise in our orders for dessert tables. Still new on the block, a dessert table is a showstopping alternative to a wedding cake. Whether it’s a table full of brownies, cupcakes and macaroons, or extra goodies – you’ll be bang on-trend.   There has been a certain sway from the popular semi-naked cakes into textured buttercream decorated with fresh flowers, similar to Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake, which makes a great modern alternative to a traditional sugar paste cake. Or you could add a splash of colour with icing smudges by using a palette knife to match the colour-theme, which adds another element to the texture.  We’ve also noticed a move away from the 2019 trend of marbling, towards hand- painting. This is an amazing way of adding subtle colour to your cake without it being too blocky or not looking right. We can add streaks, ombre or a cascading effect down the tiers and the use of gold leaf and sugar flowers will ensure you have an amazing cake. Sophie Poole | Red Robin Cakery |  redrobincakery.co.uk PICTURE PERFECT Q: I’m looking to find the perfect photographer for my wedding but how can I ensure I’m picking the right company to capture my special day? Do you have any tips or advice? For me, it’s important couples pick the right photographer for their special day to be comfortable and confident that they’ve made the right choice. I’d suggest creating a mood board to start collecting the types of wedding photography you like. Use this to narrow down your photographer by establishing your own preferred style. Next, do your homework! Make sure you read reviews and check out photographer’s social media pages. Never just go for someone who just has lovely images, make sure they show interest in you. Are they compatible with your wedding, will they fit into your day with and your guests? Never just choose the first photographer you meet – there are many out there with plenty of skills. Nick Shoot | Nick Shoot Photography |  nickshootphotography.co.uk raffastock.com EXPERT ADVICE 73