Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - September/October 2020 (Issue 82)

All the latest from around the region NEWS Nearlywed THE LOVE STORY CONTINUES Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire has unveiled its newly renovated stunning wedding spaces. Located just a few miles from the former home of the famous 18 th - century romantic novelist Jane Austen and also said to be the first meeting place of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, the Dogmersfield Estate has long been associated with famous love stories. Now couples have the chance to get married in the heart of the Hampshire countryside again with the opening of the hotel’s stunning revamped wedding spaces. The journey begins as guests enter through the estate’s glass link, down the marble stairs to the classically designed rooms. Boasting five separate private spaces, all licensed for weddings, the venue can now cater for anything from intimate weddings to lavish celebrations with up to 200 guests. For a truly magical backdrop, the hotel’s historic Walled Garden provides a quintessential English setting with two dovecotes, flowers and original features; perfect for a welcome dinner the night before, an outdoor ceremony, reception drinks and canapés and al fresco dining. For the full country-wedding experience, guests can extend their stay and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea and any of the country pursuits on offer including clay pigeon shooting, archery, horse riding, birdwatching and falconry. To find out more visit www.fourseasons.com MAKE-UP MASTERCLASS Award-winning bridal hair and make-up artist Caroline Swaffield is expanding her services to include the ultimate luxury make-up lesson for one. With the current increase in smaller more intimate weddings, she’s introducing special lessons at her studio in Poole, Dorset for brides wanting to do their own wedding make-up. At the end of the three-hour ’I’ve got this’ session, they’ll take home their own make-up brush set and all the products they’ve been taught to use in a bridal make-up bag ready to go on the big day. “They’ll be taught how to use all the items to pull off a gorgeous look and I will be available via video link on the day to help if needed,” explains Caroline. The lessons are also available for anyone stuck in a rut who wants to learn how to update their make-up for a fresh new look. To find out more visit www.amazing-face.co.uk Bridal pearls Hampshire-based jewellery designer Vicki Rawles has been putting her time in lockdown to good use updating her website www.pearlescentjewellerydesigns.co.uk A specialist in beautiful bridal pearls, with many of her customers cancelling their big day due to COVID-19, she’s been working on refining her site ready for all the weddings to come. With more than 20 years in the creative industry Vicki has developed her jewellery-making skills to specialise in bespoke silver pieces including bridal jewellery and accessories combining beautiful freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals. “The pearls I use are not always uniform and have their own original features which makes every piece I design unique,” she adds. Inspired by her love of nature her work features organic shapes and textured pieces. DID YOU KNOW? Pearls are said to bring wealth and luck as well as protection. According to folklore, wearing pearls on your wedding day takes the place of the bride’s tears and brings good luck for a happy ever after. YOUR ESSENTIALS 9