Your Surrey Wedding- April/May 2020 (Issue 82)

Our experts solve your problems HOT TOPIC: WEDDING WORRIES Palm & Leopard PLANNED TO PERFECTION We’re having a summer-themed wedding, but we’re not sure how to style our venue. Do you have any suggestions? The nicest thing about summer is those balmy evenings. As an alternative to flowers, I’m a massive fan of balloons. They come in different shades and sizes and when done properly look amazing! The idea of a lounge where your guests can chill out will give you a glamorous beach-club vibe. You can tie the furniture colour into your balloons to really finish it off. Palm & Leopard have launched a fizz wall. This allows guests to help themselves while also being a fab feature that would look great on Instagram. It can be customised with flowers to fit your colour scheme or perhaps mini balloons. Lauren Croker Stylist styledbylc.com FESTIVAL FEVER I’m feeling overwhelmed by the thought of styling our festival- themed wedding. Do you have any suggestions? A festival-themed wedding gives you an excuse to champion your individuality. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination and make the space what you want it to be. Working with the free-form curvature of nature is a stylist’s dream. We see so many inspiring ideas, such as floral displays in boots instead of vases! Here are our top tips: s Opt for a statement oak parquet dancefloor and drape a stunning festoon lighting arrangement overhead. s Create a stunning entrance feature which doubles up as a photo backdrop. Add greenery, rustic doors, gates and storm lanterns. s Poser tables with natural hessian covers will give your drinks reception a festival vibe. s Statement backdrops make open spaces cost-effective. We adore a flower wall with fairylights. s A top tip is to think creatively with your bar – a masterpiece can be made from barrels, crates, wooden canoes and tin bathtubs. s Your furniture should be low seating. Hay-bales can be a game-changer, opt for plenty of plump cushions scattered around firepits. s Play with lighting enhancements. Big spaces and alcoves will come alive with tailored uplighting. s If you have started planning with just a sheet of paper, we can help shake it up and create the ultimate festival buzz. Emily Crozier Stylist thepeachygroup.com/weddings THE WOW-FACTOR I’m planning to tie the knot next year and want flowers that will wow our guests. Do you have any ideas? Go for big or exotic flowers to create the wow factor. Larger blooms tend to be more expensive, but keep in mind you don’t need as many of them to create a striking arrangement. Hydrangeas are good for large reception spaces and come in an array of colours including white, pale blue, pink, purple and green. Displayed in tall martini vases with some roses or gypsophila is a fairly simple design that will draw your guests’ attention. Use cylinder vases in a variety of sizes to create an interesting table centre. Fill the vases with water, submerge the flowers and place floating candles on top. Place them on large mirror plates surrounded by tea lights in glass votive holders with table crystals. This is a beautiful option for the darker months. If you’re having a Royal blue theme, use dyed fresh roses. These will make a dramatic bridal bouquet, especially against an ivory dress, or can be used for centrepieces or pedestal flowers mixed with white or yellow. You won’t need to add many of these to create an awe-inspiring look. Alternatively, you could look for tall, tropical flowers and greenery – these add a faraway feel and look fabulous on tables. Annabel Grange Florist butterfliesandbows.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 57