Q&A Alternative Whether it’s goth, steampunk or simply something different from the norm, our experts are here to help THE DARK SIDE My parents want to pay for my dress, but I’m goth and they just can’t get their heads around my alternative ideas. How can I show them what I mean? There are now a wealth of non-traditional dresses available for the bride who wants to express her personality. You can be wildly bohemian or totally gothic – or anything in-between. Some of my brides add a hint of their alternative vibe to a traditional dress, and some go all-out in their expression of themselves. It’s therefore really important that your parents understand it’s your day, and that you should feel like the most amazing version of yourself. In the nicest possible way, remind them that they had their wedding how they wanted, so they should let their daughter be the bride she wants to be! I often also tell people how my mum was talked into a dress not to her taste by her mother-in-law. She hated it so much that 55 years later it still irritates her! Bex Lombard-Earl, Bexbrides | www.eclecticbrides.co.uk https://wildheartsphotography.co.uk SHOOT SUPPLIERS: Photography, Wild Hearts Photography https://wildheartsphotography.co.uk | Separates, Veil and Necklace, Bexbrides www.eclecticbrides.co.uk | Florist, Floral Quarter www.floralquarterweddings.co.uk | Planning, North East Wedding Planners www.northeastweddingplanner.co.uk | Model, Ivy Nox Modelling www.instagram.com/ivy_nox_modelling | Headress and Earrings, The Pompomporium https://thepompomporium.com PIECE OF CAKE My fiancée and I want a black cake for our Halloween 2023 steampunk wedding, but are unsure of anything else in terms of style and flavours. What do you suggest? As part of your consultation, we would normally work with you and create a bespoke hand-drawn illustration of your wedding cake design to begin with. This can be subtly gothic; such as creating the Halloween mood with just the colour palette and a specific selection of sugar-paste flowers; to something that is outrageously steampunk! With regards to further embellishment, a simple bespoke cake topper can suffice – or alternatively, we can create a fully sculpted wedding cake. When it comes to flavours, we have a wide range of flavour combinations on our website, but equally, we can accommodate more unusual requests. Why not try a ‘black’ cocoa chocolate cake or a delicious deep red velvet cake? Simon Spencer-Harvey, Candy & Grim | www.candyandgrimcakes.com ASK THE EXPERTS 59
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=