Your London Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 72)

WANDERLUST Q: My friend suggested the Seychelles as a honeymoon destination, but my partner and I have very different tastes when it comes to holidays! What can we expect there? There is one obvious reason for choosing the Seychelles for your honeymoon: the diversity. Not only is it a destination with miles of deserted beaches, it’s the perfect place to do everything or absolutely nothing. You can choose to relax to the soothing rhythms of nature or choose from the many energetic sports activities on offer. If diving, sailing, fishing, island-hopping, golf, hiking or eco-tourism is your thing, the islands have all you need. There’s also a wide choice of spas in which to recharge your batteries after the big day. The three main islands have many attractions and sites to visit, such as the famous Vallée de Mai nature reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the endemic coco de mer palm tree. The capital, Victoria, is a must-see with its vibrant history, tropical market and botanical garden. You may also like to visit Takamaka Rum Distillery, where you can taste the local rum made from sugar cane. Island-hopping is a great activity in itself, you can explore two or three islands in one trip. Karen Confait | Seychelles Tourism Board | www.seychelles.travel ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS Q: Lockdown has played havoc with my skin. How do I get it back to its best for my wedding at the end of the year? ❤ Cleanse . Washing your hands for 20 seconds has become the norm, now is the time to get into the habit of washing your face for a minimum of 60 seconds with a foaming cleanser. Cleanse your forehead down to your décolletage and rinse thoroughly with tepid water. ❤ Hydrate . Staying indoors can make your skin dehydrated and tight. Drink plenty of water and add a facial spritz to your skin every few hours under your moisturiser and over your make-up. ❤ Face mask. Stress and tiredness can deplete your skin’s nutrients. Using a face mask weekly will hydrate, plump and give your complexion a boost. Applying your mask at night after cleansing will be most beneficial. ❤ Sunscreen . Wear a sunscreen daily, even if you’re not going outside. Daylight contains UVA rays that age the skin, and you can still get sunburnt if you’re working in front of a window. ❤ De - stress . If you’re suffering with break- outs, try to avoid touching your face. Wash your hands before you start your cleansing routine and use calming products and gentle movements. The less-is-more rule applies: less product, less touching and less pressure. Joyce Connor | Joyce Connor Make Up Artist | www.joyceconnormakeup.co.uk https://bernipalumbo.com THE GREAT OUTDOORS Q: We wanted to get married in one of London’s green spaces, but we’ve found out we can’t have a legal ceremony outside. What are our options? It’s true that you can’t legally marry outdoors in England and Wales. Current laws require there to be some sort of licensed shelter such as a gazebo or a bandstand. If your heart is set on the great outdoors, then you can work with a humanist celebrant to create a bespoke and personal ceremony that truly reflects your values and style. As humanist weddings are not yet legally recognised in England and Wales (unlike Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey), you can have this type of ceremony anywhere – including parks and green spaces. You simply complete the statutory paperwork at your local register office before or after. Despite this, my couples always regard their humanist wedding as the real thing. I have conducted ceremonies in some of London’s most fabulous green spaces such as Woodberry Wetlands in Stoke Newington and Rembrandt Garden in Little Venice. Sue Walder | Humanist Wedding Celebrant | http://humanist.org.uk/suewalder Torsten Dickmann 90