Your South Wales Wedding - November/December 2020 (Issue 76)

DECK THE HALLS Q – My hubby-to-be and I love Christmas and want to incorporate festive nods into our ceremony. Do you have any ideas of how we could do this? There are no rules or restrictions when you have a celebrant-led ceremony, which means you can build in as much or as little festive cheer as you like. Here are some ideas: ❤ Play Christmas music when you enter your venue, this could be an upbeat song, something romantic or a traditional carol. ❤ Hold your ceremony around a decorated Christmas tree. ❤ Invite your guests to write messages on baubles and place them on the tree as keepsakes. ❤ Incorporate Christmas verses into the wording of your ceremony and include a candle unity ceremony. ❤ Have your first kiss as a married couple under a sprig of mistletoe. ❤ Use a machine to make it snow at the end of your ceremony and as you exit together as a married couple. Your view of festive cheer may be different from others, and that’s fine. A celebrant will work with you to understand your wishes and build these into your ceremony, creating a wonderful experience and memories for you both. Carol Gunter Celebrant www.yourspecialcelebration.co.uk FOOD FOR THOUGHT Q – Do you have any wintry menu suggestions? There are lots of different options available. Mulled wine or cider paired with mince pies or gingerbread shortbreads make a warming, seasonal alternative to cocktail hour. If you’re after a more traditional style, then why not accompany your welcome fizz with seasonal treats like mini pigs in blankets, devils on horseback and smoked salmon blini? You could have a more traditional turkey roast dinner for your wedding breakfast, with all the gorgeous trimmings, but if you want something less obvious then any hearty, warming main would bring the feel of a winter celebration. Venison in a sloe gin and blackberry sauce or beef wellington with creamy mashed potatoes and heritage carrots would be delicious. Vegetarians could be treated to a chestnut and mushroom wellington, a cranberry and camembert pithivier or roast cauliflower with sage butter. Moving away from the traditional Christmas pudding for dessert, there are so many other options available. Consider a mulled wine pannacotta or mincemeat Monmouthshire puddings, a gorgeous concoction of meringue, bread custard and mincemeat. Alternatively, a rich chocolate, cranberry and macadamia nut brownie with hot chocolate sauce, would be perfect. Don’t forget the cheeseboard. No Christmas celebration is complete without a selection of quality British cheeses accompanied by a glass of your favourite fortified wine. There are so many amazing regional cheeses, try adding a couple of your locally made specialities to the traditional stilton and cheddar. If you don’t want to offer a cheese course, how about having a cheese wedding cake, and use this as your evening food? In our experience, most farm shops or local cheesemongers would be delighted to put one of these together for you. Lesley Long Caterer www.freshfoodevents.co.uk THE FINER DETAILS Q – I want to transform our venue into a winter wonderland. Where should I start? Always remember that a winter wonderland doesn’t have to be on a big scale with fake snow and oversized props, it can be focused on more subtle details and be just as effective. ❤ Any event taking place during the festive season should be adorned with shimmer. Use silvers, golds and coppers and incorporate them into details such as charger plates, cutlery and tea light holders to help bring your theme to life. It’s common to use more traditional hues such as reds, but you can combine metallics with any colour you choose. ❤ Match the Christmas tree or dim its lights. I have been to venues, and on a few occasions, the tree has been lit with a cold or blue light. This looks lovely when the room is bare, but if you have warm-coloured fairylights above you or candles on your tables, you might find the lights clash. Don’t be afraid to ask the venue if you can switch off the tree lights should this be an issue. ❤ Make sure you use seasonal flowers and greenery. Something as simple as ivy or berries can make a real difference to your centrepieces and give them a festive feel without being over the top. ❤ Tall gold candelabras, boxes of blankets, sofas in warm colours, antique rugs and wooden logs will make your venue feel cosy. ❤ If you’re having a photo booth, stock up on elf ears, Santa hats, reindeer horns and red noses to add a festive feel to your entertainment. Beth Stretton Venue stylist www.meganandclaude.co.uk www.owe nhowellsphotography.co.uk 48