WORDS FROM THE HEART I want to read a poem at my wedding, but public speaking makes me nervous. How can I make sure the reading goes well? You’re not alone! Even professional poets get nervous about performing for an audience. Here are our top tips to help the nerves… •Choose a poem that really says what you want to say. Get in touch if you’re struggling to find one; we can help the search or even write a poem just for you. •Practice is key! Ideally, record yourself experimenting and listen back to the audio. Try reading at different speeds or putting emphasis in different places to discover what works best. •Bring a printed copy of the poem to the wedding. It’s much easier to read from paper than a phone. •Speak slowly, have water with you, pause occasionally and look up at your audience when you can. •Ensure you relax and remember everyone present is there to celebrate the happy occasion, not judge. Reading at your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime way to demonstrate your love. We hope these tips help you enjoy the moment! Rachel and Elspeth | Poems for Weddings www.poemsforweddings.com HEAVEN SCENT I’m looking for the perfect perfume for my wedding day. Do you have any suggestions on where to start? When it comes to planning your special day, selecting your ideal wedding perfume will not only complete your outfit, it will also remind you of the big day for years to come. Scents are renowned for triggering memories, so what better way to remember your momentous and unforgettable occasion than through a new scent? You can, of course, choose whichever fragrance you love. But I’d recommend trying a completely new discovery, something you’ve never worn before. This ensures it has no relation to any previous memory and means the new scent will always transport you back to the special day. You’ll also want a fragrance that will last throughout the day, so opt for an eau de parfum, which has a higher concentration of fragrance oil (around 25 per cent), which typically makes them stronger and longer lasting. Also, look for such notes as patchouli, white musk, sandalwood, tuberose, vetiver, and freesia as these linger on the skin for longer. Check out Lancôme La Via Est Belle, Barbour Female, Carolina Herrera Good Girl Supreme, Jennifer Lopez Promise, Ghost Orb Of Night and Estée Lauder Beautiful – all great bridal fragrances. Alternatively, if you’re struggling to find the perfect scent match, flirt before you buy with The Fragrance Shop scentaddict subscription and choose a new 8ml fragrance each month for £12. They’re also perfect to carry with you on the big day. Hollie Race | The Fragrance Shop www.thefragranceshop.co.uk BLOOMING BEAUTFIFUL We’re thinking of preserving our wedding flowers; what are the benefits? Preserved flowers retain their natural beauty and freshness for an extended period. Unlike fresh flowers that wilt and fade within a few days, preserved flowers can be re-homed on the mantelpiece postceremony. This means you can order them well in advance, reducing lastminute stress and ensuring your floral arrangements are picture-perfect throughout the entire wedding celebration. Preserved flowers offer flexibility in wedding planning. Since they’re not subject to seasonal availability, you can choose your favourite flowers regardless of the time of year. Whether you desire delicate spring blossoms in the middle of winter or vibrant summer blooms in autumn, the blooms allow you to achieve your desired aesthetic without limitations. Fresh flowers can trigger allergies in some individuals, causing discomfort or potential disruptions during the wedding. Using preserved flowers eliminates the risk of allergic reactions and ensures everyone can enjoy the celebration. The blooms offer endless possibilities for wedding styling in bouquets, centrepieces, corsages, boutonnieres and other floral arrangements. Whatever your wedding theme, it pieces can be easily incorporated to complement and enhance the overall aesthetic. Using preserved flowers for your wedding is an eco-friendly choice. The florals undergo a preservation process that involves replacing the natural sap with a preserving solution, allowing them to maintain their appearance for an extended period without needing water or sunlight. It also reduces waste associated with fresh flower arrangements, making your wedding more environmentally conscious. Molly Newcombe | Shida Preserved Flowers | www.shida.florist www.gettyimages.co.uk https://kristianlevenphotography.co.uk 70
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=