Your North East Wedding - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 31)

DECORATIONS 55 VENUE s t y l e GUIDE Wow your guests when it comes to those finishing touches with Your North East Wedding ’s venue dressing guide E veryone wants their wedding to look spectacular. You’ll spend hours researching the ideal venue for you as a couple, be it a budget-blowing fairytale castle or a modest affair down your favourite country pub. You might choose to dedicate a huge portion of your spare time to sourcing the North East’s most hip and trendy photographer, who’ll capture the raw emotions as the most fabulous day of your lives unfolds. And don’t get us started on the hours you’ll devote to picking the perfect dress… With all this in mind, decorating your venue can often get pushed towards the end of your to-do list – when, in fact, it should be a top priority once you’ve set the date and found your venue. Why? The theme and colours you choose will be reflected in the invitations, the flowers and table decorations – even the ribbon sash on the chairs at your wedding breakfast. Your photographer, the one you spent so many nights reading reviews over, will also be keen to snap those extra details, zooming in on any decorations you chose to make your wedding as personal as can be. That’s why we’ve dedicated a spread to the different ways you can choose to dress your wedding venue, depending on the type of space you say “I do” in. From castles and stately homes to barns and city hotels, we caught up with the North East’s finest wedding stylists to discover how to make an impact with those finishing touches… Choosing to wed in the centre of one of the North East’s fine cities? The decorations you select can perfectly complement your stylish space. “The North East is home to the most amazing architecture, from charming museums and grand hotels to modern art galleries with an industrial feel,” explains Donna Hartley- Redfearn from Durham’s The Unconventional Florist (theunconventionalflorist.co.uk ).“Décor comes in many forms, but I love classic greens with a contemporary twist, using succulents, herbs and natural greenery in recycled structures. Silver tones highlight the historical industrial aspect and vibe of the North East – and nothing quite says a city wedding like a rooftop! A stunning cityscape view is all the backdrop you need, complete with a statement floral arch to frame the sights. Inside, picture fashionable concrete candle-holders, with clear ghost chairs and rustic natural wooden bench tables with unstructured botanical greens. Hang flower bombs from steel beams, use lanterns blended with soft textured materials and finish with soft subtle floral in clear glass jars.” WHERE CAN I WED IN THE CITY? YNEW loves… St Chad’s College (stchads.ac.uk) . This city-centre Durham venue faces the Cathedral and offers views of the River Wear. Turn to page 18 to find out more. THE CITY WEDDING theunconventionalflorist.co.uk mr-and-mrs-wedding-photography.co.uk We all know the North East is home to the finest beaches in the UK, so why not say your vows overlooking our stunning coastline? “Beaches are full of photo opportunities, and the sea makes a beautiful backdrop,” agrees Rachel Long from Northumberland’s Nevaeh Events (facebook.com/ nevaehevent). “It’s full of natural beauty, and for that reason, I feel a beach ceremony doesn’t need a lot of decorating. Candlelit lanterns down your aisle – using white candles and a white runner – are simple yet stunning, and keep things natural using apple crates or crab baskets and a quirky wooden sign. Blue is usually a popular choice for a beach-themed wedding, while hessian is another great choice to give off a natural feel. Nautical details, such as an anchor on your stationery, is super-cute, and you could use a piece of driftwood for guests to sign instead of a book. Don’t forget about your tables, using seashells to decorate and in keeping with the theme – and why not offer a stick of rock as an alternative wedding favour?” THE SEASIDE WEDDING WHERE CAN I WED BY A BEACH? YNEW loves… Newton Hall (newton-hall.com ). Spend your wedding on the beach at Northumberland’s Newton Hall. Turn to Kimberley and Daniel’s wedding on page 41 to see more. facebook.com/nevaehevent stchads.ac.uk leescullion.com 