Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding - May/June 2019 (Issue 74)

YOUR BEST GIRLS When it comes to your bridesmaids, finding something to please everyone can be a challenge. The larger your posse, the tricker the task can be. Mary Cox, owner of Twirl Bridal & Dress Boutique in Petersfield, advises: ❤ Find your dress first and if your best girls are with you, there’s no harm in having a sneaky peek at what’s on offer for them too. Go back for a group appointment if you can though; that way you double the fun and keep your dress shopping special. Boutique owners will always do their best to work around you and your wedding party. ❤ Give your girls a choice of designs, that way they’ll all feel special, whatever their shape or size. ❤ Have a colour palette in mind. Wedding boutiques carry sample swatches to look at and you can have fun mixing and matching. Alternatively, a single colour for all can look stunning. Think about their skin tones and whether your bridesmaids usually wear much make-up. Keeping it natural is a big look at the moment. ❤ In terms of length and style, basically anything goes. It just depends on what you want. A 50s-style T-length wedding gown with elegant long bridesmaid dresses can look stunning! ❤ Grey tones are a popular choice with navy as a smart alternative. However, pastel palettes also feature strongly. ❤ Floaty chiffon and cotton crepe fabrics, pretty embellishments, a touch of sparkle, the odd frill and timeless elegance are enduring favourites too. ❤ For the flowergirls, a classic ballerina dress with a sash to match your colour scheme is a great option. Floral patterns also work well with many bridal gowns. THE EXPERT TOUCH Perri Ashby is a designer of many years experience. From her studio in Sherborne, Dorset, she’s established a strong base in the region and knows how important it is for the mother-of-the-bride and -groom to look and feel fabulous. She says: “ This season, colour is more important than ever with wonderful shades of tangerine, pimento and burnt orange; lilac and purple are also significant and we’re seeing red making a big comeback. My most popular style currently is a shirt waister and, as always, the top fabric is silk. There are a lot of lookalike silks around at the moment which are quite fun too. Some have a slightly crinkled effect and have been used in some of the top fashion houses. We have these in shirt waister styles and also in suits. Navy and white is always a winning combination and can double up for other special occasions. Big hats are more popular than ever, but if they’re not for you, go for a small cocktail type hat instead. Len Copland Len Copland 68