FESTIVE SETTINGS My hubby-to-be and I love Christmas and want to incorporate festive nods into our ceremony. Do you have any ideas of how we could do this? I love Christmas too, and I think there are many ways you could incorporate the season into your ceremony. Include cinnamon potpourri bowls around the ceremony entrance to greet your guests with that wonderful Christmas smell that invokes many memories. Add some Christmas music in the background as well to get everyone in a festive mood. Winter weddings have less daylight, so make the most of this by holding your service slightly later in the day, around 3 p.m to 3:30 p.m, when it’s starting to get dark. Create an abundance of twinkling fairylights and candles to add a romantic atmosphere and make your guests feel cosy. Think about the little touches too! Include holly in your centrepieces or mistletoe over the spot where you and your partner will say your vows. Lastly, remember that celebrants can add any content to your ceremony; how great would it be to have all your guests joining in a Christmas sing along – even better if you can arrange to have a chorister lead the singing? Kelly Hawes | Kelly Hawes Celebrant www.kellyhcelebrant.co.uk HOT TOPIC Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas FEELING YOU BEST I’m quite self-conscious but want to look my best for my wedding. Do you have any ideas to help boost my confidence? Pilates is a great way to flatten the tummy area, support your back and help you move more gracefully. It will change your posture immediately and has been proven to increase a more positive mood, alertness and confidence. When taking photographs on your wedding day, make shapes with your body rather than flat lines. Think one hand on your hip and one leg in front of the other while leaning on the back leg, which will elongate your silhouette. Turn your body in at a slight angle instead of front on and inhale as you smile to stretch the neck muscles for a more flattering look. Your day is about your love for one another and the most important thing is to be yourself. That’s more beautiful than anything else and will radiate through, so hit that dancefloor and you’ll be sure to forget any worries! Michelle Smith | The Pilates Pod www.thepilatespod.co.uk 72 www.beckyharleyphotography.co.uk
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