Your London Wedding - Page number 93 - September/October 2021 (Issue 79)

CEREMONIES There has been a fair degree of positive change for celebrants post- pandemic, and it’s certainly an exciting time for couples and celebrants. The demand for celebrants has increased not only because of the backlog of postponed weddings, but more importantly, couples want to celebrate differently. Couples really want to share their celebration with family and friends in creative and fun ways, having been through so much and waited so long they really want to go to town on their wedding. Many want something more special, personalised and want to share their vows with as many people as possible, regardless of whether they have previously had their legal registry office ceremony. So I tend to get requests for more hybrid ceremonies with a mix of modern and traditional aspects, and it’s a pleasure to create something different for each couple. There’s also more of an emphasis of involving family members within the ceremony and, for some, honouring those they have sadly lost. Celebrant’s solve many new dilemmas caused by the pandemic, so for example couples who married abroad pre-covid and had to cancel their UK-based celebration now want a special celebration created just for them which may or may not involve vows and ring exchanges given the time that has passed from their original date. Some couples who legally married during lockdown in a small ceremony have since had children and so I am creating a new ceremony which combines a wedding and a baby naming. It’s certainly an exciting time and couples are embracing the flexibility and freedom that ceremonies without limits can give them. I hope that the recent changes in marriage laws continue so that the government passes legislation supported by the wedding commission that allows celebrants to perform legal weddings. Amanda Wheal | Celebrant Amanda’s Beautiful Ceremonies | www.amandasceremonies.com FASHION The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult for everyone, but we do think there have been positive changes which we hope will continue. Although we are strong believers in the ‘your day, your way’ philosophy, a lot of couples still feel the weight of other people’s expectations on their wedding day. In many ways the pandemic has shaken some of that off. People were so relieved they were actually able to get married there was less pressure on exactly how they chose to do it. The micro wedding became a trend and now there’s a huge amount of inspiration out there for couples who want a smaller day. In bridal fashion terms this has opened up lots of options as to what constitutes a wedding dress, mini dresses are really having a moment (hats off to Lily Allen) as are jumpsuits. Another trend set to continue are bridal separates and layers. The pandemic meant lots of people ended up splitting their wedding over a few events, with a smaller legal do and then a later party, or finding themselves getting married at a different time of year or with more of an outdoor element which required an outfit rethink. Having extra layers like capes, and jackets or a swap of skirt to trousers can be a cool way to revitalise your wedding outfit either over the course of the day or over more than one event. Greater flexibility to create the wedding day and look that you want can only be a good thing. Becky Gunstone | Part owner and designer Paper to Lace | www.papertolace.co.uk TRAVEL They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. Well, in The Bahamas, the sands are just as white, the waters just as blue, and the champagne just as cold as before. What’s different? There’s a little more rhythm in the air and there’s a little more wanderlust in the eyes of lovers new and old, after the long awaited ‘I dos’ due to Covid, it’s made it now more meaningful than ever and they want to celebrate on their honeymoon. With 16 main islands there’s no shortage of special locations for your honeymoon in The Bahamas – a dream for social distancing if this is still a concern for those looking to travel abroad! Leave your footprints across miles of pink sand beaches on Eleuthera and Harbour Island before retiring to your waterside cottage. Craving adventure after a year of lockdowns? Immerse yourself in some of the clearest waters in the world and dive, snorkel, or fish the day away. For that special selfie with the famous swimming pigs, visit them in The Exumas, Rose Island, The Abacos, and Spanish Wells! Kimberley Greenslade | Senior manager Bahamas Tourist Office | www.bahamas.com https://kristianlevenphotography.co.uk www.clairejulietpaton.co.uk 93 ASK THE EXPERTS