HOT TOPIC Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas DRESSED TO IMPRESS I’ve just started dress shopping; what advice can you share? When you first start wedding dress shopping, it can seem quite daunting as many options are available for every budget and in many styles. The time to start looking is after you’ve picked a venue, as this helps inform the overall feel of your wedding day. When it comes to finding the perfect style, thinking of an adjective that describes how you want to feel is a good start. Do you want to be sophisticated, bohemian or romantic, perhaps? It can also be helpful to think of what you don’t want too, regardless of any pressure you might be feeling from friends or family about how they think you should look. I once had a well-meaning friend of the bride in the studio who was trying to dissuade the bride from her own choice saying, ‘I’ve known Jenny all her life and she never wears dresses like that!’ But it was exactly how the bride imagined herself on her wedding day and, of course, she had never worn a dress like it before as it was a wedding dress! If a gown you have fallen in love with online doesn’t suit you when you try it on, keep an open mind and try on some wildcards. You won’t be the first bride who looks for a slimline dress and ends up with a ballgown. Don’t be afraid to say no to a gown that looks great but doesn’t feel right for your day. There are many places to go dress hunting: boutiques, high street, dress makers, vintage and recycled dress sellers, and even charity shops. Wherever you go, don’t feel pressured, and remember it’s your day. Erica Arnold | Real Green Dress | www.realgreendress.com YOUR TYPE ON PAPER What advice can you share regarding creating beautiful stationery for our spring wedding? Whether you’re planning something simple and elegant or fun and out-of-this-world, gorgeous lilacs and light pink florals with hints of nude and sage are unanimous across the board. This spring, we’ll see more custom-cut stationery (circles, squares, arches and wavy edges) and more unique materials to print them on! Acrylic is all the rage right now, but we suspect more bespoke creations like engraved wood and even metal to make an appearance. The idea is that if it can be printed on, it will be. Of course, folded invitations will continue to be a main choice for many, and why not? They’re eco-friendly, efficient and offer the option to provide more information all in one go, making this a budget-friendly alternative as well. With the endless options available to nearlyweds, we recommend picking something unique to you! There are no rules for stationery anymore, so choose a colour scheme, theme and design that represents you both − your guests will love it! Abigail Heron | Flairify Designs www.flairifydesigns.co.uk 85 ASK THE EXPERTS
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