HOT TOPIC: wedding worries SUGAR AND SPICE What design and flavour would you suggest for an autumnal wedding cake? Autumn brings the perfect opportunity for the use of richer, darker tones. These hues can be used in flowers, which can be fresh, dried, or made from sugar, and the body of the cake can be covered in either fondant, buttercream, or ganache. Reds, burnt oranges, mustards, browns, deep blues, greens and even dusky pinks can be combined with metallics to reflect candlelight on darker days. Flavours become richer with the use of spices such as cinnamon and ginger. Think of your spiced pumpkin lattes or pudding-inspired flavours. Sarah Jenkins www.pinkcocoa.co.uk Our experts solve your problems www.markbamforthphotography.co.uk www.christopherlewisphotography.com MUSIC TO MY EARS My wife-to-be and I are booking a harpist for our ceremony and drinks reception. What song choices are popular at the moment? The harp is a great choice for both the ceremony and drinks reception, as the range of music it can play is surprisingly flexible. You could have quite traditional choices for the ceremony and then more modern options for the reception. The most popular choice for the ceremony is Pachelbel’s Canon in D, or for a more contemporary option, Here Comes the Sun or Send Me On My Way. A big trend at the moment is to transition from Pachelbel’s Canon into a popular song that’s meaningful to the couple. The drinks reception is where I like to play some more unexpected and upbeat songs. Some of my favourites to play at the moment are Rhythm is a Dancer and Titanium. Rock numbers are great too; it often takes a minute or two for guests to notice that I’m playing Metallica, Led Zeppelin, or Linkin Park! Having a live musician rather than a recording means we can be flexible if there is a change in the schedule or unexpected timings, such as if the signing takes longer than expected or the food is delayed. It’s good to have a wide range of genres so that all of your guests can enjoy the music on your special day. Sarah Wragg-Davies www.sarahdaviesharpist.com SOFT AND ROMANTIC We’re thinking of booking a string quartet for our upcoming wedding. What questions should we ask before booking? Booking a string quartet for your event is an important decision, and asking the right questions can help ensure that you choose the perfect fit. Here are some questions you might consider asking: •Are you available on our event date, and do you offer different packages? If so, what’s included in each package? •What genres of music do you specialise in? Can you play a mixture of classical, contemporary, and other genres? •Can we request specific songs or pieces to be played during our event, and can you accommodate special song requests that are not in your current repertoire? •Have you performed at our venue before, and if so, how does it all work? •Is a deposit required to secure the booking? •Can we hear samples of your music? •Do you have audio or video recordings of previous performances? •Do you perform live showcases or have upcoming public performances that we can attend? The team at Harmony String Quartet www.harmonystringquartet.co.uk www.benjenkinsphotography.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 49
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