Your Sussex Wedding - August/September 2020 (Issue 86)

HOT TOPIC Local experts offer stellar wedmin advice GRAND DESIGNS We’re trying the knot at a stately home venue, and it’s already quite heavily embellished. How can we style it tastefully for our wedding day? Stately homes are timeless and classic for your nuptials. We suggest being clean, clear and classic in your styling, which will balance the embellished décor. You can’t go wrong with whites and greenery, candlelight and fairylights, and if the ceilings are high, why not opt for some tall, elegant table centres? You can even mix and match, between high and low centrepieces, which we love. This gives a lovely look to wedding receptions, with added depth. Classic candelabra always go down well too, and can be dressed up with florals, crystals and pearls. Amanda Samain www.hireyourday.com Band of gold We’re not loving the idea of a traditional gold wedding band, and are looking for something out of the ordinary to reflect our personalities. What can you suggest? If you want an unusual wedding, that’s perfect for you, it probably doesn’t exist…yet! The answer is to go bespoke. This gives you the opportunity to control every aspect of the design, including material, width, depth, profile, texture and finish. At a design consultation you can tell the goldsmith about any ideas you may already have. The designer will need to learn about your taste and lifestyle, along with any likes and dislikes, so will ask questions, while offering ideas and suggestions. Gradually, a design for your dream ring will take shape. If you have an engagement ring this needs to be taken into account too, as it’s important that the two work well together. If you and your partner have similar tastes, it’s easy to come up with matching designs. However, even if you have totally different styles it’s usually still possible to pick up on at least one feature that can be incorporated into both. So, by the end of your design consultation you’ll have the blueprint for a pair of unique rings, perfect for you and your intended. If you decide to order, your rings will then be handmade just for you. Andrew Leggett www.aurumjewellers.com BEST OF BRITISH I’m keen to stick to British blooms for my bouquet and displays to reduce air miles. What domestically grown flowers would you suggest? I absolutely love using British-grown flowers, so much so I have started my own micro cutting garden (@woodshillcuttinggarden). Firm favourites include antirrhinums, cosmos, larkspur, ammi majus, daucus carota, calendula, nigella, roses, lavender, sweet peas, scabiosa, dahlias, zinnias, salvias, clary sage, just to name a few. There are local flower growers everywhere, many of whom are florists too, so your best starting point is to head to www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk to find your nearest and see how they can help. Arabella Timbrell www.arabellafloral.com EXPERT ADVICE 73