Your West Midlands Wedding- February / March 2021 (Issue 72)

FLOWERS 45 INSPIRATION Intimate wedding inspiration A s a result of COVID-19, more couples are planning intimate nuptials, so to help you create the perfect celebration, we’ve rounded up some of the regions best suppliers and asked for their top tips on creating a fabulous wedding with a small guest list. MEET DRINKS EXPERT, CHRISTIANNE HEMMING FROM CHINA GREY 07850 464 238 | www.chinagrey.co.uk In these uncertain times, it’s understandable to feel nervous about booking your wedding. As we spent most of the last summer postponing events and reassuring our brides and grooms, we thought we’d share some of our top tips for anyone considering hiring bar services for a more intimate 2021 wedding. Firstly, don’t think about what you can’t have and look at the positives. Organising on a much smaller scale will allow you to think about your guests. Trust us when we say that the little touches go along way to making your friends and family feel privileged to be the chosen few invited to your big day. Your budget can be better spent on more personal touches such as bottles of wine as wedding favours or premium champagne for toasting. Reputable bar services will work with you to offer guidance and advice. When we work with our clients, we always ask them what they want their day to look like, so we have an idea of where to begin. One of the most important questions you should ask is what can you get for your budget? It’s important for us to have an understanding of what our couples expect as well as being able to manage your expectations. This is why it’s so important to pick the right suppliers because their knowledge and expertise will help guide you. Remember you probably haven’t organised a wedding before but the suppliers have done it many times over. The mark of a good supplier is one who can easily come up with solutions and workarounds to anything you’re not sure about or budget limitations. Most of us enjoy the challenge. First off, do your homework. A reputable supplier should be able to answer your questions very easily. Ask them what the postponement terms are should COVID-19 stop play for any reason. They should be able to offer you an alternative date at no extra charge. Also, check with them what happens to any deposits they may take as this is often a sticking point in these situations. Secondly, book early because the minute restrictions lift you’ll struggle to get all of the suppliers you want due to high demand and lastly be very clear about your budget. JUST THE TWO OF US OUR TOP TIPS ON CHOOSING A FLORIST When it comes to your flowers, keep things simple. Your big-day blooms are a great way of showing your personalities and incorporating your chosen theme or colour scheme. You can opt from a wide variety of arrangements, and by using them on a smaller scale, you’ll be able to save money. Keep in mind that some flowers are seasonal and may be difficult to source or too expensive to purchase at different times of the year. If you have your heart set on a particular flower, talk to your florist and ask if there are any alternatives or if there’s any way you can purchase artificial versions. These often look great and can be preserved as a memento of your special day. Although your wedding is small, it doesn’t mean you can’t make the space beautiful. Look for table arrangements, flower walls, bouquets, buttonholes and flower crowns. The list is endless. Skim through social media and magazines to try and find inspiration to show your chosen supplier, so they have something to work with. www.stilllightphotography.co.uk www.stilllightphotography.co.uk www.stilllightphotography.co.uk