DREAM-WORTHY SETTINGS We’re just starting our big-day journey, and neither knows what to look for when booking a venue. What advice can you share? Choosing the venue for your big day is a big decision. View as many different properties as possible to decide your must-haves and any compromises you’re happy to make. Some couples don’t want to worry about the British weather, so look for somewhere with plenty of inside spaces. Some lovebirds never want their special day to end, so ask about a late licence too! The Bedford in Balham is perfect if you want a venue where everything can happen in one place, from getting ready, the ceremony, wedding breakfast, evening reception and accommodation. Becky Stevenson | The Bedford | www.thebedford.co.uk #TRENDING We’re looking for the perfect florals for our wedding; what are the latest flower trends? Summer is in full swing, and we couldn’t be more excited! The latest flower trends look towards colour and decadence with fragrant peonies, ranunculus and sweet peas. Taller stems of delphinium and lilac are fast becoming a firm favourite in the flower world, not to mention the year’s colour, Viva Magenta, a shade rooted in nature that exuberantly promotes joy and optimism to brighten any bouquet this summer. Flowers like alstroemeria, amaryllis, anemone, cymbidium and gerbera embody this stunning colour tone and pair flawlessly with neutral-tone flowers – think hydrangea, white roses and cream delphiniums. Whether you’re refreshing your home to fit the season, exploring ideas for a wedding or looking for seasonal trending flowers for an upcoming occasion, Bloomsbury Flowers are here to satisfy all your floral needs. Anoma Radkevitch | Bloomsbury Flowers www.bloomsburyflowers.co.uk 72 AL FRESCO CELEBRATIONS What advice can you share when planning an al fresco wedding? Probably the biggest challenge you’ll face when planning an al fresco wedding is – all together now – the weather! But if you plan, you’ll find ways around it while still having the best open-air celebration you could wish for. Make sure everyone’s adequately informed. When you send out your invitations, ensure you’re clear about what parts of your day will be celebrated outside, or indeed all of it, so that guests know to make their arrangements for attire and protection. Keep an open line of communication with your suppliers too, and collaborate with them on wet-weather backup plans. For example, at which point will you be prepared to take it all inside? Who is going to be responsible for moving the whole shebang? Check on the access to your venue. If you’re tying the knot in a field, is there parking nearby? Are there accessible roads and paths to get to you? If not, think about overcoming these challenges for your guests. Perhaps you must lay on extra transport from a local car park, for example. Also, think about accessibility from the point of view of any less able-bodied guests you may have coming. Sound tends to drift away in the open air, so ensure you have all the tech in place to ensure everyone can hear you say, “I do.” You’ll also need to check with the venue whether there are any restrictions on late-night music, as you don’t want to disturb the local wildlife or residents! Also, do you have all the creature comforts in place on the tech front, such as loos and generators? Think of what cover you want to provide for you and your guests; this is crucial for the comfort of all in terms of wet weather protection and the sun – we’ve had some scorchers in recent years. Once you’ve settled on a vibe for your nuptials, this should all become clear. An elegant, lined marquee is ideal for a classic wedding, whereas a tipi is the perfect choice for a boho or rustic vibe. When it comes to styling, take a look at your setting and plan ways to complement it with your theme. Nature can do incredible heavy lifting on this front if you strive to work with it rather than against it. Olivia Gibson | Your London Wedding editor www.gettyimages.co.uk
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