CELEBRANT The trend of having celebrant-led weddings will continue to rise in 2022, as it did in 2021, with couples now recognising that they have so much more choice and can have the ceremony that’s not generic. More and more couples want a bespoke ceremony, one where there’s no content or venue restrictions and - most importantly - one that’s completely personal and tells their love story. I take the time to get to know my couples, which makes it all the more special. Celebrant-led weddings can be held anywhere, at any time, indoors or outdoors and couples can have the usual elements such as a bridal party, vows – we encourage and support them to write their own or traditional vows, the ring exchange, readings and signing of a symbolic certificate. Added to this they can have elements like a sand pouring, unity candle (where the venue permits real candles if indoors), rose ceremony, cocktail or wine blending or what about a champagne toast to cheers the couple at the end of the ceremony, the list is endless. Jennifer Patrice | Celebrant | www.jenniferpatrice.com THE DRESS I’m loving the trend of interchangeable dresses with detachable sleeves and skirts. Choosing one of these designs gives you a range of completely different looks to wear throughout your day without having to buy more than one dress. If you’re tying the knot during the cooler months, you’d be grateful for sleeves during the day, but then for your evening celebrations you can remove them. I also love the idea of the removable skirts and trains. It’s surprising how different they can make your gown look. Opt for a dramatic flowing overskirt for your ceremony and then take it off to reveal a shorter or more demure skirt underneath and be ready to hit the dancefloor. Guests that have been with you all day will think you’ve changed into a different outfit! Irina Merkulova | Lace and Button | www.laceandbutton.co.uk WEDDING PLANNING My biggest piece of advice this year is that couples need to be more careful when it comes to booking suppliers ensuring they’re making smart and informed decisions in a landscape that’s growing larger all the time. With 2022 gearing up to be the most hectic year for the industry following the number of cancellations during lockdown, suppliers are in high demand and more new companies are setting up than ever before. Alongside this comes yet another challenge: availability. Even with the influx of new suppliers, most are already fully booked for Saturdays between June and October 2022. Desperation to secure a wedding vendor in 2022 is leading many to settle for services from poorly regarded suppliers, or those with less experience in the field. Many are upping their costs, so couples could end up losing significant money if they make the wrong decision. It’s never been more important to either use a reputable wedding planner, or do your own thorough research and check contracts carefully to avoid being disappointed. Illy Goodall | Illy Elizabeth Weddings www.illyelizabethweddings.com 85 ASK THE EXPERTS
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