Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 81)

All the latest from around the region NEWS Nearlywed WITH THIS RING If you had a lockdown proposal or are on the hunt for your wedding rings and accessories – exciting news; luxury jewellers Laings has re-opened it’s Southampton store. Located in the city’s Westquay Shopping Centre, the Hampshire branch led the way followed by the rest of the company’s stores at the end of June. With measures in place to protect everyone’s health and safety, customers are being welcomed back on a bespoke appointment-only basis, available to book online at www.laingsuk.com/appointments Re tail director Stuart McDowell says, “By offering an appointment-only service, we can ensure appropriate social distancing while maintaining the standard of customer experience synonymous with Laings. “We opened our Southampton store on June 16 th and the scheduled appointments have shown that we can effectively implement social distancing and provide a safe environment.” Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. WELCOME BACK A big high five to all our lovely local wedding suppliers who have already opened their doors or are hoping to any day soon. It ’ s wonderful to see the industry gradually emerging with special measures in place to keep everyone safe. Businesses have been creating different ways of working in line with Government guidelines. Among the many welcoming customers back, Southsea-based Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery has reopened its boutique and workshop, staggered initially over three days a week Thursday to Saturday for one-to-one personal shopping appointments, visit www.charlottecornelius.co.uk Specialists in bespoke pieces, wedding and engagement rings, the team has been keeping busy during lockdown, keeping in touch by running a special ’ Staying Connected ’ design challenge, won by engineering student Molly McMaster whose prize was to have her winning design made by the company. On receiving her lovely bespoke bangle, she said, “It ’ s great to see my design transformed from the sketches to the finished item, the texture contrast has really brought it to life.” Rope was the theme behind it, being a connection, tying things together. “The rope idea is connected to the historic boats in Portsmouth as well as the city ’ s RNLI boats which are saving lives today. It also represents the situation we ’ ve been through, in that rope is only as strong as the combination of smaller elements that make it up,” Molly adds. Mum’s the word Wedding outfit specialists Charisma of Fawley is currently running private appointments with four slots available on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays with special measures to keep customers safe. Located in the quiet village of Fawley on the edge of the New Forest, the boutique offers an extensive range of special occasionwear and mother- of-the-bride and -groom outfits in sizes eight to 28. Stockists for leading labels including Condici, John Charles, Veni Infantino, Veromia and many more, along with matching millinery, it ’ s a one-stop-shop for a coordinated big- day look. Visit the website www.charismaoffawley.co.uk John Charles trouser suit YOUR ESSENTIALS 9