Your West Midlands Wedding- Page number 54 - August/September 2021 (Issue 75)

LET THE SHOPPING BEGIN Q – When should I start looking for a wedding dress, and do you have any advice on how to go about my search? This is a frequently asked question, and the answer will depend on how far in advance you have booked your wedding. Nowadays to buy a stock wedding dress off-the-peg won’t be mission impossible for brides living in big cities. However, we would still suggest allowing three months to do any last-minute bridal shopping, in case any alterations are needed, and to leave you some time to shop for bridal shoes and hair accessories. For a bride who has planned far ahead, with one to two years before the wedding, we would suggest you visit a bridal boutique sooner rather than later. In our experience, starting dress shopping six to 12 months before the big day will give you enough time to find your dream dress and get it well fitted. Thanks to the well- established global bridal supply chain, manufacturing lead times are shorter than years ago. However, to get a decent gown, haute couture dress or a bespoke design, it still takes lots of time to make. The earlier you sort out your dress, the less stressed you will be closer to the wedding date. There are many different ways to search for the perfect gown. Start by looking for bridal styles online and in magazines to get an idea of how you want your dream dress to look. Then search for local companies online, check their reviews and find the most trustworthy shops to start your fittings. Meanwhile, chat with your married friends and see if they can refer you to any stores. All in all, visiting a quality bridal boutique will work better than visiting too many shops. Quality bridal shops with a wide range and flexible services will always give you more useful options, as well as save you time and make sure you enjoy your shopping experience. Mandy Lee Wedding dress expert www.junepeonybridal.co.uk MUSIC TO MY EARS Q – What should we consider before booking a string quartet? When does the quartet play? We find it works well playing as the guests arrive and when the bride walks down the aisle and walks out. We can then continue into the drinks reception and break out into our very contemporary repertoire. People are often surprised at how many different genres a string quartet can cover, from classical to things like Guns N’ Roses. Think about how you see the string quartet being a part of your day and get in touch with them to discuss your requirements. Lynette Webster Musician www.capriccioquartet.co.uk PLANNED TO PERFECTION Q – My wife-to-be and I are thinking of hiring a mobile bar for our wedding. What questions should we ask before booking? Hiring a mobile bar for your wedding is a great, cost-effective way to keep your guests refreshed, and if you choose the right one, it can add a real wow factor to the day. There’s no shortage of choice out there, so you can afford to spend time asking the right questions to make sure you get what you want. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect match: ❤ What is the hire cost? Most mobile bars will make their money from the drinks they sell. If you have enough guests, there’s every chance you could negotiate the hire charge. ❤ How many people can they comfortably serve? There’s nothing worse than having to wait forever to get a drink, so make sure you ask the vendor how they plan to keep the queues down, especially if you have a lot of friends and family attending. You’ll also want to know how many staff they’ll be providing. ❤ Do they offer wedding packages? Ask about any special packages they offer, particularly if you’re interested in the vendor providing the drinks for the wedding breakfast. ❤ What type of drinks can they provide? Some mobile bars will be able to provide a full range of drinks, including draught beer, cider, cocktails and a wide selection of gins etc, whilst others may be more limited. ❤ Can I see some photos? There will likely be several mobile bars available in your area, so ask for some up-to-date photos and choose one that looks amazing. It’s also worth asking what the vendor can do to fit in with any theme you might have. ❤ How much will drinks cost? You might have negotiated the hire of the bar, but don’t forget about your guests! Make sure you ask for a price list before booking. Chris Davies Mobile bar owner www.chooseyourbar.co.uk JPS166 Francesca – Part of the June Peony Couture Collection 54