Your Kent Wedding - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 85)

Local experts offer advice on creating a stellar summer wedding  HOT TOPIC HATS OFF! My mum has picked a gorgeous outfit to wear for my wedding, but we’ve looked everywhere and can’t find a hat in the right colour. What can you suggest? Rather than trying to buy an off-the-peg hat, contact a local milliner, where you‘ll get a bespoke service and materials such as sinamay, silk and feathers can be dyed to match an outfit. If there are certain elements or details in your in outfit you would like to carry through to your hat or headpiece, that can be done too. As everything is tailor-made, you can guarantee that your hat will fit perfectly and no one else will turn up in the same…very important when you’re the mother-of-the-bride or the mother-of- the groom! Sarah Parker, @THEHATROOMSHOP FUN IN THE SUN We’re keen to have our wedding at a fixed venue but would like to spend as much time in the open air as possible. What can you recommend?  On your venue hunt, you’ll be looking for a location with as much outdoor space as possible. For example, here at The Spa Hotel, we’re surrounded by 14 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, and you can say “I do” at the stunning Spa Temple. You can make the most of the great outdoors in a number of ways. Enjoy your drinks reception and canapés on the outdoor terrace, mingle with your guests in the sunshine and even enjoy live music, dancing and lawn games. All this before having those all-important photos taken in front of some stunning backdrops around the gardens. There’s also the option to serve your evening catering al fresco, at The Spa, we offer an outdoor pizza oven. It’s easy to see why you’re looking to spend time outdoors, as the Kent countryside offers a spectacular setting. And with your venue’s wedding coordinators on hand to make sure everything is running smoothly, you won’t have a thing to worry about. What’s more, you’ll have somewhere to retreat to if the weather takes a turn for the worst. Leah Moulange, spahotel.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 93