YOUR WEDDING, YOUR WAY I’m a Christian, but my husband-to-be isn’t and we’re struggling to decide what sort of ceremony to have to make sure we’re both happy and feel married. Can you help? The law lists everything you can’t have at your civil wedding. You’re not allowed hymns or religious rituals for example, and readings from religious texts are forbidden. In fact, you’re not allowed to have any form of religious worship of any kind. With a celebrant-led wedding however, there are no restrictions. Your celebrant will work with you to make sure your beliefs and heritage can be included in your ceremony, whether you want a prayer or Genesis chapter 1 verses 26-28. Your wedding promises can also take into consideration your different beliefs. If you’re a Christian, you can “solemnly swear before God,” and your husband-to-be can make his promises according to his “heart and conscience.” A celebrant-led ceremony is so exciting and just as unique as you. Your celebrant will work with you to make sure it’s everything you want and includes any rituals, hymns or religious readings you wish. Make sure you have your wedding your way. Jen Whitworth, https://jenthecelebrant.co.uk THE TASTE OF SPRING We’re looking for light seasonal springtime flavours for our wedding cake. Do you have any recommendations? For a spring wedding, this can mean light sponges with citrus and floral flavours symbolising the growth of flowers and fruit, as well as the increase in sunlight. My Amalfi lemon and English elderflower signature sponge, or the slightly more classic Madagascan vanilla and English raspberry, are ideal choices for this time of year. In fact, springtime is a great season for cake flavours in general, as the weather is neither too cold nor too hot, which lends itself to a huge variety of options from carrot cake with Sicilian orange curd and matching Swiss merigne buttercream to red velvet cake with a light and creamy ermine buttercream. Of course, indulgent champagne cake is always in season! Organic floral arrangements in warmer and brighter shades can look especially lovely, whether in sugar flower form as I do, or with fresh flowers, paired beautifully with those light citrus and floral flavours. You might even experiment with the incorporation of a savoury flavour such as rosemary, to complement a wedding’s natural vibe. Emma Harvey-Egle, https://emmaateliercakes.co.uk SEASONAL BEAUTY We’re getting married in the spring and would love to incorporate some of the season’s finest flowers into our arrangements and bouquet. What would you recommend? Spring is the perfect time for weddings and there are so many flowers to choose from, it’s really hard to pick! If you’re tying the knot earlier in the season, then anemones and ranunculus are always firm favourites, but if you’re after something whimsical and a little bit different, then definitely take a look at butterfly ranunculus or Icelandic poppies. They’re papery and delicate and really make an impact without being heavy visually. Combine these with blossoms and it’s a winning combination. We also love unusual narcissi varieties such as Geranium for the scent – narcissi doesn’t just mean yellow daffodil anymore! There are some showy varieties with coral centres and frilly edges, so they’re perfect for adding a certain something. For a later spring wedding, I’d recommend peonies all the way. In fact, it should possibly be illegal to get married in late April or May and not have peonies! From the rich burgundy Buckeye Belle, which I had in my own wedding bouquet, to soft pink Mothers Choice, there’s a variety of tones to suit most spring palettes. Grace Haskins, www.brambleandwild.com https://theresafurey.mypixieset.com 62
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