Your West Midlands Wedding- Page number 48 - October/November 2021 (Issue 76)

FALL IN LOVE Q – We’re having an autumn-themed wedding and would love to incorporate the time of year into our cake. Do you have any ideas? Autumn provides a wide variety of rich tones from gold and bronze through to burnt orange and rich, vibrant reds. When combined with rustic elements, it creates a warm, welcoming feel for you and your guests. Surprise your friends and family with delicious seasonal flavours such as spiced chocolate, carrot, chocolate with a hint of ginger ganache buttercream filling or a warm cinnamon coffee and walnut cake. Use flowers such as garden roses, anemone and calla lilies in a deep plum and combine them with a mixture of red, bronze and gold berries or mini pumpkins and little crab apples. Cascades of autumn leaves also look stunning with the addition of berries and twigs. These can be natural or coloured in bronze or gold to add interest. Make the most of texture with wood and bark effects and combine them with smooth tiers painted in a shimmering bronze finished with buttercream. Display the cake on a log and surround it with a mixture of seasonal pumpkins, leaves, berries and woodland creatures. Jackie Diamond Cake expert www.facebook.com/jackiediamondcakes MUSIC TO MY EARS Q – What song choices would you suggest for a woodland wedding? What could be more enchanting than the sound of a harp in a leafy woodland glade? Gently wafting melodies will enhance the sights and sounds of nature and create the perfect atmosphere for your wedding. Many upbeat popular songs can easily be adapted on the harp to create a more relaxing sound. Here are some song ideas: s Take inspiration from songs used in movies such as A Million Dreams, A Thousand Years, Beauty and the Beast and Can You Feel The Love Tonight. s Classical tunes like Canon by Pachelbel and Four Seasons by Vivaldi would sound beautiful. s Wind Beneath My Wings, Can’t Help Falling in Love and From This Moment On are wonderful love songs. Similar options can be played on the harp to reflect your style and make the ceremony bespoke to you. Helen Barley Harpist www.helenbarley.co.uk THE WOW FACTOR Q – We’re looking for a magician for our wedding but are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of choice available. How can we narrow down our search? Performing at weddings is a special privilege, and I love to add that extra bit of magic to the big day by making memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re planning an intimate affair or a large scale event, your supplier should be able to put together a bespoke package to suit your individual needs. Engaging a magician’s services at your wedding is guaranteed to appeal to all ages from three to 103! A magician is invaluable to help fill the gaps, to allow the happy couple to focus on the day, knowing their family and friends are entertained while they’re busy with the photographer. They mingle with the crowd, perform close-up magic before or during the wedding breakfast and/or before the evening proceedings. Angus Baskerville Magician www.angusbaskerville.com www.inst agram.com/jodiehorne_ SEASONAL BLOOMS Q – I’m planning to tie the knot next autumn and want flowers that will wow our guests. Do you have any ideas? For flowers that look their best and have a real impact, see what’s currently in season. Autumn has some amazing options such as dahlias, gladioli, anemone crocosmia and cosmos, and you could also incorporate berries, seed heads and grasses. It’s the time for harvest, so you can go to town on edible elements within your floral designs. Another way to make a real impact is to embrace colour. Soft pastels are lovely but for the wow factor consider more vibrant shades. Don’t just think about the tables, work with your supplier to look at the venue and think about hanging clouds or garlands – your florist will relish the challenge to get creative! Megan Barradell Florist www.twiggflowers.co.uk www.sara hbartleetphotography.co.uk 48