Your Kent Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 91)

www.pete rreynoldsphotography.com FINDING THE DREAM DRESS Trust is one of the most important factors when choosing the suppliers for your wedding. You’ll be tapping into their expertise and building relationships with them right up to, and including, the special day itself. This trust also applies when looking for your wedding gown. So, making sure that the bridal consultants at the boutique are knowledgeable of the designers and dresses they carry, and are able to answer all your questions, is essential. It’s also important that the consultants are prepared to listen, getting to know the venue and your requirements. Research is key. Once you’ve booked your venue, and know what your theme is going to be, you’ll then be in a good position to start looking for your dress. Make contact with your local bridal shops prior to booking an appointment to discuss their collection in a bit more detail. In many instances, gowns may be able to have the odd tweak. So, with a little imagination and support you may have already found the one.  Zoe Dowle, Brides by Zoe www.weddingdresskent.co.uk STAYING CALM IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS Especially in light of the current situation, it’s good to put some mindfulness techniques into practice as you plan. This can help to reduce anxiety, stress levels and panic attacks as well as calming nerves on the day itself. Present-moment focus helps you avoid overthinking and worrying about what may happen in the future. It’s is absolutely normal to feel stressed and anxious at times during the planning process. Making difficult decisions about doing the right thing is part of the journey, but weighing up pros and cons on a list can really help when facing obstacles. Take a step back for a moment if it’s all getting too much, or break tasks down into more manageable pieces. Show yourself some compassion, and remember that you don’t have to be perfect. It’s okay to have a wobble, reach out for support and to take a breather. There are some fantastic calming apps and YouTube mindfulness or yoga exercises, which can really help you focus. Remember: you can’t control everything. There are bound to be things that spin out of control, which you’ll have to make peace with in order to enjoy the bigger picture. If you have a wedding planner, it’s their job to deal with aspects of forward thinking to help with this, and are experts in dealing with unexpected problems calmly, so this may well be something you want to consider. Charlotte Legge, Black Sheep Events www.blacksheepevents.co.uk Our experts’ how-to guides for stress-free wedding planning HOT TOPIC Delena by Watters 86