IT’S SNOW-TIME We love Christmas and want to incorporate festive nods into our ceremony. Do you have any ideas on how we could do this? As an independent celebrant, we have the freedom to create a ceremony that’s bespoke and personal to you! Christmas is a very romantic time of the year, with lights and candles in plenty. It’s a beautiful time to celebrate your love while creating wonderful memories. How lovely would it be to have your first kiss under the mistletoe? This could be extended to your guests by hanging sprigs in unexpected places to encourage friends to share the love. Share the first drink of your marriage by combining the ancient tradition of sipping from the two-handled loving cup (or quaich), which symbolises a bond of love and trust. Use the festive favourite of mulled wine to complement the time of year. Christmas and unwrapping presents go hand-in-hand. So, why not wrap your wedding rings in a box containing special love messages to read aloud instead of a traditional vow exchange? These are just a few ideas, but there are many more to make your Christmas wedding a truly fantastic day. Be creative and think outside the box. Richard Sheath | The Wessex Celebrant https://thewessexcelebrant.co.uk BIG-DAY BEST How can I ensure I look my best for our big day? The first step is to prepare the skin for the photographs with a tailored facial to suit your needs. Professional products and techniques can solve all skin problems, from removing excess oil to minimising dark circles under tired eyes. Whether you keep some facial hair or be clean-shaven, it’s best to do this professionally. An experienced barber will be able to achieve the best shape and length for the beard and finish the outline with a razor to ensure a clean and precise finish. If you prefer a bare-face look, what better way to achieve this than with a professional hot towel shave for the smoothest results? Ensure you have an in-depth consultation with your barber before the cut to agree on the best style you’re looking for. Your barber will advise on the most suitable products for your hair type and show you how to apply the products so you can recreate that salon look for your big day! Lisa Aplin | Bonds Barbershop https://bondsbarbershop.co.uk DRESS SENSE Who should I bring to my bridal appointment to ensure I get the right dress? The journey of finding your dream wedding dress can hold some of the happiest memories in your life. It can also create moments of despair if your search is endless and you’re confused, given your entourage’s thoughts about what suits you. We’ve all dreamed of the moment we try on a gown while all our loved ones are crowded around, falling in love with the look. However, no matter who you bring to your appointment, your opinion is number one. Trust your instincts; don’t let anyone else’s opinion come before yours. The feeling you will get when you find that dream dress is your heart and your head telling you this is the one. You may want to share this experience with all your bridesmaids, mum, mother-in-law, aunts, grandmothers and wider family members, but bringing a huge entourage can lead to stress. The bigger your entourage, the more opinions. Some can be helpful, but too many could lead to disagreements. Bringing two or three people you’re closest to may give you the best chance of saying ‘yes to the dress’. These special people are the ones you would regret not being a part of your shopping experience and may include your mother, maid-of-honour, best friend or future mother-in-law. These people know you the best and if they don’t absolutely love the dress you pick, they’ll love it because you do! Debbie Harrison-Sales | Avenue 51 Bridal www.avenue51bridal.co.uk www.gettyimages.co.uk www.liamoakesphoto.com 80
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