Your North East Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 36)

Unsure on etiquette but don’t know where to turn? Our North East experts are here to help HOT TOPIC WORD ON THE STREET There’s such a huge trend for street food at weddings that my fiancé and I are keen to jump on board! How do we know which is the best to choose?  Carl says: Street food is trending more than ever of late and getting very popular for weddings, especially for evening time. Key things to look out for are to check a business via their social media profiles, to see how popular they are – and how much they engage with their social following. Check out their reviews on Facebook, Google and Trip Advisor, and if possible contact a couple of wedding reviewers for feedback on their service and value. You can also choose to visit them at events or their usual trading place to get a feel for their customer service – and of course try their food before you commit. It’s best to get several quotes from different vendors, too, to help you ensure you make the right choice for your big day. Carl ODwyer | Napoli Woodfired Pizza | Napoliwoodfiredpizza READER OFFER Enjoy 20% off your wedding catering with Napoli Woodfired Pizza by turning to page 13! THIN LINE I’m naturally very slim and normally wear a size six. As such I’m worried most dresses will show off the fact I have no curves or chest! What gowns should I be looking at to help me look my best on my big day? Susanne says: The best advice that I can give, is to try on different designs and shapes. Often brides disregard a particular dress, but they could fall in love with it once they see it on. Never judge from the hanger! With a slim figure and smaller chest you have the advantage of being able to consider a backless dress, as less support is required. If that is too much on show, then a strapless dress would work, to give a romantic and sexy look showing off your neck, shoulder and back.  Consider dresses with ruching across the chest, too, as this can give the appearance of a fuller bust. Embellishment across the neckline or delicate embroidery and beading in the right places can also give you shape. A dress that fits snug to your waist will help accentuate the curves you do have and a ballgown with a fitted bodice and full skirt, would give the illusion of curves and a very feminine shape. Susanne Shah | Rosa Bridal Boutique | rosabridalboutique.co.uk GROW LONG I’m desperate to grow my hair for my wedding in January 2022, but it never seems to get past a certain length! Should I just stop visiting my stylist for six-weekly trims? Gemma says: This is a good question and I get asked this a lot. You should not stop seeing your stylist, but make your appointments further apart. For those clients that normally visit six to eight weeks we would advise to go about 10 to 12 weeks, as this means we won’t be cutting off the hair that has just grown through. Everyone’s hair cycle is different, but on average hair should grow about half an inch per month if kept in good condition. To maintain your hair try using conditioning treatments once a week. Also, if any heat is being used on the hair regularly, the number one rule is to always use a heat protector. Once the hair is damaged and has split ends, the only way to get rid of them is to have them cut off. Michelle Weatherly | GM Hair | gmhair.co.uk  erikatanithphotography.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 93