A TIMELESS WEDDING How can we add a personal touch to our wedding ceremony? Personalised ceremonies are gaining in popularity, with couples seeking alternatives to a traditional church or registrar service. The ceremony is the pinnacle of the day, yet can be the least thought about in terms of making it reflect your identities. I suggest you choose a celebrant who you can relate to and will develop something just for you. A celebrant-led service weaves parts of your love story into the ceremony, which can contain humour as well as romance and bring relevance to the pieces of music you have chosen as the backtrack to the service. Current trends include the use of rituals such as ring warming or candle ceremonies to honour relatives and friends that cannot be present. Little details like involving family and friends in rituals will make the day memorable for everyone who attends. If you’re a couple who have a beloved pet that is part of your family, then involve them in the ceremony either as a spectator or as a ring bearer. If your beliefs are leaning more towards the mystic, then vows said within a crystal circle might be perfect for you. Beryl Leeson www.yourthymecc.co.uk THE WRITE STUFF How can we add a personal touch to our stationery? Using handwritten calligraphy will add a personal touch for you and those attending your special day. Calligraphy is a traditional art form that offers elegance and individuality that is difficult to replicate via printing. Begin by researching and looking at your stationer’s previous work, and have conversations with them to discuss what you want for your day, such as your theme or colours and any styles of writing that you like. The on-the-day stationery can include name cards, table plans, table numbers, menus, thank you cards, a welcome board and much more. All of these can be made personal, from the type of paper used to the background and ink colour, the style of writing and decorative flourishes. Nathan Morris www.facebook.com/nmcalligraphy Getty Images A PIECE OF CAKE My wife-to-be and I would love to incorporate our flowers into our sweet treats; do you have any ideas? There are plenty of ways to decorate your sweet treats with flowers; here are a few to consider: Fresh flowers – great if you want a more realistic and fancier look; this option is affordable but can be pricy depending on how many you need. Petals and whole flowers can be edible and vary in flavour, ranging from sweet or sour to spicy. You can also decorate most, if not every sweet treat with edible flowers, from small nibbles to drinks. However, be mindful of the flowers you choose as some are poisonous and not food safe! Artificial flowers – if you want a keepsake from your cake after your wedding, artificial flowers may be your way to go. Sugar paste flowers – these are edible, delicate and detailed decorations, however its more for show rather than taste and can be pricey depending on the size, quantity and detail required. Fondant flowers – fondant icing can be sculpted into flowers, however the detail may be limited. Buttercream flowers – finally, my personal favourite is buttercream. It tastes good and looks great, and you can apply as much or as little detail as you wish. Emma from Bloom Bouqcakes www.bloombouqcakes.co.uk 50
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