Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - Page number 94 - July/August 2021 (Issue 87)

DO YOUR HOMEWORK We’ve recently booked our wedding venue for next year and I’m excited to get cracking with shopping for my dream dress but need to keep a tight rein on the purse strings. What would you advise so I can enjoy the experience to the full? Mary says: Now you have your venue, you can think about what dress will suit both you, the setting and theme (if you have one). To help get you started, here are some of my top tips: ❤ Research online for dress boutiques near you. ❤ Check out their websites and make a list of your favourites. ❤ Ring round and make one or two appointments initially. ❤ Ask what the price range is, if not advertised. Let them know your maximum spend and don’t be embarrassed to say that you’re on a tight budget. ❤ Find out if the boutique sells from stock samples at a reduced price and if you’ve spotted some designs on their website that you like, what sizes are available to you. ❤ If you’ve no pre-set idea what’s likely to suit you, be guided by the staff. ❤ You can also find places that sell pre-loved gowns. ❤ Shopping at a boutique gives you the opportunity to not only try on the dresses, but also take advantage of the staff’s expertise and experience. Your appointment is most likely to be one-on-one and the aim is to make you feel relaxed. Remember you are as important as any other bride who walks through the door, so enjoy this special time. Mary Cox | Bridal boutique owner www.twirlbridal.co.uk SIMPLY DELICIOUS We’re great foodie fans but want to avoid getting too carried away when it comes to the catering for our wedding. How can we have great food, that looks and tastes great, without breaking the bank? Matt says: I believe the key to getting the food right is simplicity, so look for a caterer who doesn’t over complicate things. You can have exceptional food on a budget by keeping things simple and without compromising on style or taste. If you use high quality produce you can let the flavour shine through and present the food in an innovative way. The current trend is still for more informal dining, rather than a formal sit-down meal, which is where street food and sharing platters have done exceptionally well. Not only cost effective they’re a great way to feed a crowd and help guests relax and mingle. Whatever you choose, to avoid over- spending, let your caterer know your budget right from the start so you can work together to create what’s right for your wedding and your pocket. Look for versatile, money- saving options too. For example, we’ve recently added to our offering with a mobile bar as well as our food truck which allows us to reduce some of the hire costs when booked together, saving some of the big-day budget. Matthew Doe | Owner | www.so41catering.co.uk 94