Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2017 i You and Your Wedding

I bought my first copy of You & Your Wedding in 2009. I was engaged, captivated, delirious, and in full-blown planning mode. I adored the magazine and its attitude, I loved the shoots and the dresses and I devoured the advice and inspiration. So I’m thrilled to take over as Group Editor of this gorgeous heritage brand, with its years of expertise, its finger on the pulse of bridal trends, a dedicated and wedding-obsessed team, and the social and digital pieces of the brand, which have evolved massively since I bought my first issue. Looking back through the archives, we were fashion-forward even in 1986, and although those sleeves might not make a comeback in 2017, I guarantee they’ll be gracing the catwalks at some point in the future. Over…

As a symbol of your love and commitment to each other, your wedding jewellery deserves to be absolutely perfect – beautiful, timeless pieces that not only suit and flatter you, but also each other. Whether you want a matching bridal set, separate rings that are complementary, or a wedding ring that matches your partner’s, at Goldsmiths there’s a wide, luxurious selection to choose from. And, if you can’t quite find what you’re looking for, Goldsmiths’ clever Wedding Ring Builder will allow you to create your dream ring, the ideal counterpart to your engagement ring. Not sure where to start? If you go in-store, your local Goldsmiths’ wedding expert can offer you personal advice. They’ll help you to pick the right metal for you – be that white, yellow or rose…

“Stay true to yourself and stick to the everything-in-moderation rule” THE BRIEF MOOD A contemporary take on chic Italian luxury – soft elegant florals meet chevron stripes against a romantic Venetian backdrop. PALETTE Muted mint and antique pink combine with subtle greys and accents of green, gold and fuchsia. VENUE The beautiful JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, found on its own private island. A breathtaking converted church serves as the reception space. Effortlessly opulent, Venice is the sort of city that destination wedding couples dream of – and luckily, its stunning rich colours and bold architectural lines make for ideal decor inspiration, whether you’re off on an Italian escape or not. Wedding planner and stylist Elisabetta White was inspired to take the traditional elements of Venice and update them…

“WE CHOSE OUR MARQUEE SO WE COULD HAVE THE SIDES OPEN AND ALLOW THE COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS TO BE A PART OF IT ALL” When Jake asked Holly’s parents for their blessing before proposing, her father had just one request: that the reception be held at their home. Luckily, the house is set in the grounds of their Dorset sheep farm, meaning plenty of outdoor space for the couple’s celebration. The glorious setting strongly influenced the styling, including the colour palette of dusky pinks, greens and blues. “We wanted to have similar colours to the British flowers that were in bloom at that time,” explains Jake. “We chose our marquee so that we could have all the sides open and allow the surrounding countryside views to be part of it all.”…

“IT WAS IMPORTANT TO US TO INCORPORATE PARTS OF OUR CULTURES” THE COUPLE Danielle & Nic Danielle Dayrit, 31, and Nic Goodall, 34, held their ceremony and reception at Lourensford Wine Estate, South Africa Not only did Danielle and Nic organise their dream day in South Africa, they turned their celebration into the holiday of a lifetime for their guests. “We wanted our overseas guests to make the most of their visit and have an amazing holiday, too,” says Danielle. “So we built a dedicated website of things for them to do and also set up a pre-wedding wine-tasting tour and a chilled-out post-wedding drinks party at a famous Cape Town beach restaurant.” With Nic’s family hailing from and living in South Africa, the far-flung destination was an obvious choice…

SO HOT! DRESS HUNT ACCESSORIES Need a tipple or two to help you through the très important decision-making process? Try some H2O in a glam glitter bottle instead. £27, Tatty Devine at Wild & Wolf. SEEING STARS Your parents will be starstruck by this beautiful thank-you gift: your family tree designed as a cosmic constellation. £30, Betsy Benn. TECH LOVE Turn a WhatsApp chat between you and him into a lovely book with Zapptales – ideal as a W-day morning surprise. GOURMET MINI EGGS Lavolio’s luxe versions of that Easter perennial would make divine favours – and it also does bespoke versions. SO NOT! RING-XIETY Never experience that flash of panic again when you think you’ve misplaced your engagement bling, by safely stashing it in this gorgeous ring dish. £6,…

NEXT-GEN COLOURING IN You could just buy a job lot of books or download some templates. But to put a truly personal spin on your children’s entertainment, turn some of your favourite couple snaps into line drawings, with the amazing Colorscape app (free, iTunes). The app takes any image and creates an outline that you can colour in – on your iPad or paper. Genius! W-DAY PHOTO STREAMING See all the photos taken by your guests with the events platform Scripin. Once you’ve bought your package, your guests can download the app for free and start documenting your day from their perspective – all the photos can be viewed, liked, commented on or shared in a feed within the app, or streamed on screens around the wedding. We think a…

Styling tip For a super-cool ’60s vibe, go for voluminous hair – the bigger the better! Styling tip Choose roses for your bouquet to add a pretty edge to this uber-glam look…

YOUR PRIZE An 18ct white gold 1/3 carat Ideal Cut diamond drop pendant Imagine your wedding morning: in a few minutes you’ll leave to marry the love of your life. There’s just time to add that last detail – an Ideal Cut Tolkowsky pendant worth £1899. And this isn’t just any diamond pendant. The story behind your stunning stone starts more than 200 years ago, when the Tolkowsky family first started cutting diamonds. Their secret? The understanding that beauty in diamonds is all about light. The diamond you wear has been precision-cut to a set of Ideal angles and parameters invented by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. His Ideal Cut was designed to reflect the maximum amounts of light, bringing out all the brilliance, fire and sparkle, and unlocking the true…

SPECIAL STONES Searching for a pretty and personal gift for your maids? Look no further than the vibrant new Birthstone of the Month Collection from Pandora. Featuring rings, earrings and pendants priced from £30, a piece from this elegant collection would make great keepsakes for your right-hand girls. Choose their favourite colour, or stay traditional with crystals representing their birthstone and ta-dah! You’ve got a sentimental gift that they can treasure forever. BLOOMING LOVELY They say that travel broadens the mind, but Ted Baker maintains that it’s how you travel as much as where you go that makes the journey one to remember. It’s Oriental Bloom-print luggage is not only pretty, it’s lightweight (hurrah!), and finished with Ted Baker’s trademark rose-gold hardware and leather-look handles. Vanity case, £140, and cabin…

ICE one Why limit dazzling diamonds to your ring finger, when you can apply them to your whole body? We’re not talking about those stick-on crystals from the ’90s, but beauty goodies with actual diamonds The pure diamond powder in La Mer’s exfoliator The Refining Facial (£65), polishes your skin and boosts brightness. Let your eyes in on the action with BeautyLab’s Black Diamond Eye Serum (£60). Black diamond extract helps to illuminate and beautify. Rodial’s Pink Diamond Lifting Body Soufflé (£190) infuses limbs with a gorgeous glow, thanks to the diamond powder ingredients. GOOD NUDES We’ve always been a bit bashful about going nude – but all that has changed with the launch of BareMinerals’ Gen Nude collection, a range of 40 lip shades (from £14), from statement-making matte…

With just a few weeks left until your wedding day and with all the details in place, there’s nothing to do but sit back, relax, and concentrate on looking and feeling fantastic. For some brides, this is a time for reflecting on the past year. With all the excitement of venue visits, dress fittings, dance lessons and cake tastings, it may have been hard to find the time to exercise and eat healthily. But for the brides-to-be who’ve signed up to Protein World to get ready for their wedding, that couldn’t be further from the truth. For the past three months, they’ve been using Protein World’s smart exercise plans and healthy menus to help them look and feel their brilliant, confident best. See how they got on, and then head…

Every bride wants a bright blue sky and sunshine on her big day, and if you plan to say “I do” on the Maltese islands, you’re virtually guaranteed good weather. There’s so much that makes Malta and its sister island, the tranquil Gozo, perfect for weddings. Malta is easy to get to as it’s only three hours away, and thanks to its rich history, there’s an impressive range of spectacular indoor and outdoor wedding venues, locations and accommodation to choose from – whether you’re having a small or large, gay or straight, civil or religious, affair. FIND YOUR PERFECT SETTING If you want a church, you’ll have your pick of the 365 in Malta and Gozo – from elegant baroque parish churches and charming country chapels, to the grand 17th-century…

SOPWELL HOUSE, Hertfordshire WHERE Sopwell House manages that mini-moon-perfect trick of being both easy to reach and peacefully remote. A short journey by train from London takes you into beautiful Hertfordshire countryside that’s a world away from urban stresses. WHY This country house gem has added a luxe new accommodation option: the chic Mews Suites. Away from the main building, these give a greater sense of privacy than the typical hotel room – ideal for a just-the-two-of-us getaway. Sumptuous and inviting, we particularly appreciated our suite’s comfortable four-poster bed, stylish freestanding bath and private terrace. There’s also a hydropool in the communal garden. The food is sublime, whether breakfasting in the suite, dining in the award-winning restaurant or taking afternoon tea in the lounge, and the service is truly wonderful…

There aren’t many occasions in life when you’re given free reign to style a party that’s all about you and the things you love. While choosing a look for your day can be one of the most exciting and enjoyable parts of planning (no boring spreadsheets involved here, only endless Pinterest boards!) it can also be a little overwhelming – everything is just so pretty. How do you pick between those gorgeous laser-cut invitations or that gold-embossed suite, and what to do when you like a monochrome colour scheme as much as a tropical one? To help you make all those decisions and create a reception look you’ll be proud to reveal to your guests, we’ve put together a supplement dedicated to wedding styling, covering everything from favours and table…

FENELLA SMITH Homeware designer Fenella Smith’s fabulous pieces strike the perfect balance between elegant and fun. Inspired by nature and adventure, her team bring their dogs to the office each day! She reveals the items on Top of My Gift List (p139) . ELISABETTA WHITE Styling and planning intimately-inspired weddings for couples that love travelling is destination wedding planner Elisabetta’s forte. Her stylish City of Love shoot (p80) adds modern to romantic, with mint and pink accents, grey stripes and splashes of gold. SALLY KVALHEIM Make-up artist and hair stylist Sally Kvalheim made our models shine for Blown Away (p170) and Making Waves (p146) , both shot in the Maldives. She travels regularly, and loved being surrounded by beautiful dresses on our shoot. “It’s times like this that I really…

“This theme works best in a blank canvas space, whether it be a warehouse or a marquee setting, so you can really carve out the scene and get creative” THE BRIEF Mood The exotic Amazon rainforest at night meets a cool jazz lounge with modern art influences Palette Bright jungle greens, vibrant tropical hues and softer pink and white tones against a base palette of black for a night-time dining experience Venue The blank canvas industrial chic interior of Trinity Buoy Wharf in east London’s docklands A great place to start when styling your wedding is by making a list of your favourite things. But, what if your interests and hobbies are in complete contrast to those of your partner – or they just don’t seem to translate into a…

Picture the scene: you’ve planned romantic, relaxed vows in the great outdoors but, come W-day, there’s a freak July rainstorm; or a gale makes your hilltop location suddenly seem like not such a great idea. Rain, wind, snow and even strong sunshine can feel like major downers if they disrupt your carefully laid plans, but with a little forethought and a few tricks up your French lace sleeves, you can weather any storm. As photographer Chloé Browne from Caught The Light says, “In my experience, no wedding day goes exactly to plan – it’s how a couple handles it that counts.” RAIN They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, but that can feel like a consolation prize when you envisioned sunny photos. But, as Chloé points out,…

Jo and Nick set themselves an incredibly tough task: organising a three-day celebration in Ibiza in just six months. “It was difficult at times, as a lot of decisions had to be made from afar,” says Jo. “I ended up going to Ibiza about once a month, and had to be disciplined about meeting suppliers. Our planner, Kerry Anne Winton from Ibiza Wedding, helped in so many ways.” To guide their 120 guests through the multiple events, Nick designed festival-style lanyards with details of each party. The festivities commenced on the Friday night on the ocean-view roof terrace of the ME Ibiza hotel. A DJ and a saxophonist kept everyone entertained, and circus hoop girls and an adult face-painting station added extra wow factor. The following morning, the groom took…

Charlie Puth ft. Meghan Trainor Marvin Gaye Who doesn’t want a bit of Marvin Gaye at their wedding? The Lumineers Ho Hey Always the time when someone grabs the band’s tambourine and everyone sings their heart out. Jess Glynne Hold My Hand For couples who want a dance anthem to seal the deal. Katy Perry I Kissed a Girl A new favourite – especially at all-girl weddings.…

Look who’s talking I’m worried I’m becoming a bore and going on about my wedding too much. I can’t help myself as it’s on my mind a lot, and I want to have someone as excited as I am about the little details, or someone to vent to when I get stressed. I’ve started trying to make sure I avoid wedding talk in front of my friends and family. As much as I enjoy the planning, I’ve been finding it a little bit isolating. MissSummer Y&YW says: There’s nothing wrong with being excited about your wedding, it’s a completely natural reaction and one you shouldn’t feel bad about. Unless your friends and family have told you you’re becoming a bridal bore, the chances are they’re happy to hear all about…

Picture your big day filled with chic styling and elegant decorative touches – guests gathered around perfectly finished tables. With The White Company’s classic homewares, on-trend reception essentials and unique gift ideas, it’s easy to achieve a memorable and timeless look, regardless of your style. From stylish crockery and classic champagne saucers to twinkling fairy lights and decorations, there are endless ideas for your reception – be it rustic, romantic or boho chic – while you can also find thoughtful favours for your guests. So whether you’re looking for inspiration on decorating your big-day venue, are in need of some home must-haves or simply want to celebrate married life with a little luxe, enjoy a stylish shopping experience. CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT With The White Company offering 20% off for a…

FASHION Best Bridal Designer ★★WINNER★★ Eliza Jane Howell SHORTLIST: • Belle & Bunty • House of Ollichon • Justin Alexander • Katya Katya Shehurina • Ruth Milliam Bridal Couture • Sabina Motasem • Sanyukta Shrestha • Stephanie Allin Couture Best Bridal Collection ★★WINNER★★ Justin Alexander SHORTLIST: • Benjamin Roberts • Callista • Casablanca Bridal • David’s Bridal • DOM Bridals • Eliza Jane Howell • House of Ollichon • Kelsey Rose • Kenneth Winston & Ella Rosa • The Bridal Company Best Bridal Accessories ★★WINNER★★ Rainbow Club SHORTLIST: • Britten • By Harriet • Charlotte Mills • David’s Bridal • Debbie Carlisle • Elizabeth & Rose • Freya Rose • Glitzy Secrets • Kelly Spence • Olivier Laudus • Richard Designs Best Bridal Boutique ★★WINNER★★ Serendipity Brides SHORTLIST: • Ann…

STYLING TIP Make a statement with an intense smoky eye – it translates beautifully from the ceremony to the party STYLING TIP Don’t worry too much about accessories for a beach wedding – a billowing veil or cool cape is an easy way to make your look unique…

Statement dresses in crisp, bold colours are an easy way to create a confident look. Don’t be afraid to wear white – it looks amazing when it’s teamed with brighter shades – for a fresh, modern feel that’s both sharp and sassy. TOP TIP Long dresses are big news right now – it’s a trend from the US and we love it! CATWALK INSPIRATION WEAR WITH……

We chatted to BRIDES OF WINCHESTER owner LAURA WARD about what makes her still adore bridal after seven years TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE DRESS At the moment, it’s the fabulous Monet by Suzanne Neville in gorgeous Italian zibeline. It has an exquisite silhouette and is breathtakingly romantic. WHERE DO YOU GO TO BUY? As most of our designers are British, some of them come to me and we hold special events for our brides. We also buy at White Gallery London and Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week in May. It’s exciting that some designers are considering presenting smaller collections at these events and launching another midyear. It will mean a much quicker response to changing bridal fashions. WHICH BRANDS DO YOU STOCK? Suzanne Neville, Sassi Holford,…

When the registrar utters those all-important words and your brand-new husband leans in to seal the deal, it’s only natural to want your lips to be their plump and kissable best. But what if you’re not blessed with an Angelina Jolie-style pillowy pout? Fear not! We’ve worked out how to transform your lips from lacklustre to luscious in no time at all. “The skin on your lips is more delicate than anywhere on your face, and the weather, central heating and lip licking can leave yours cracked or chapped,” says Alexia Inge, co-founder of Cult Beauty. With this in mind, you need to take extra care of them in the lead-up to your big day. First things first, it’s time to shake up your beauty routine. Forget TLC’s advice about…

BOXING WHAT: The workout of choice for models (check out Gigi Hadid’s Instagram), this is part of the “strong not skinny” movement. Boxing is absolutely huge this year, with specialist gyms opening (bxrlondon.com) as well as classes that add in elements of other types of workout, such as HIIT and Power Plate. WHY: Irritated by suppliers who take weeks to answer emails? Frustrated with that one bridesmaid who won’t wear the dress you like? Punch it out, baby, punch it out. UBER-STYLE TRAINING WHAT: Genius idea alert! The TruBe app (free; App Store) lets you find a personal trainer in your area for on-demand supervised exercise in the comfort of your home (or office or anywhere, really). Currently only available in the London area, there are plans to roll out…

City slicker Asiate at Mandarin Oriental, New York, USA Safari supper AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania Roman holiday Aroma at Palazzo Manfredi, Rome, Italy Lake of love Sheesh Mahal at Leela Palace, Udaipur, India Into the blue Sea at Anantara Kihavah, Maldives Snow business The Sun Deck at El Lodge, Sierra Nevada, Spain Forget staring into each other’s eyes across a candlelit table. At these amazing hotel restaurants you’ll only have eyes for the breathtaking view. Take your pick from the twinkling lights of a city skyline, animal-packed African plains, one of the seven wonders of the world, a tranquil lake, snow-capped mountains or even a coral reef teeming with fish.…

LONDON EMMA ELIZABETH BRIDAL 24 The Green, Twickenham, London, TW2 5AB Proud to showcase something different at Emma Elizabeth, our designers; Watters, Phil Collins, Le Papillon and La Sposa who help us give our brides their dress that is a little less traditional. Our beautiful boutique located on Twickenham Green is easily accessible for our brides from London and the UK. By Appointment Only. 020 8894 7550 sales@emmaelizabethbridal.co.uk  www.emmaelizabethbridal.co.uk THE WEDDING CLUB London Stockists of: Carolina Herrera Berta Bridal Zuhair Murad Naeem Khan Costarellos Georges Hobeika Legends Romona Keveza Katie May Temperley London Ghost Bridesmaids Two Birds 020 7581 9540 info@thewedding-club.co.uk  www.thewedding-club.co.uk LE CHIC BOUTIQUE 85 Beckenham Lane, Bromley, Kent, BR2 0DN Established for 30 years, Le Chic specialises in outfits for the Mother of the…

ASYMMETRIC Last year’s big trend for off-centre flowers and informal cakes has leaned even further. Lopsided cakes veer over precariously to one side. Floral arrangements look as if something has flown through them, with wild branches and stems at sharp angles. The look is almost accidental, but actually requires a great deal of styling for a sculptural, eye-catching display. BALLOONS What screams “party” more than a balloon? Their fun appeal has made them a recent staple at weddings, and an Instagram photo must. But better than that, they’re value for money. They instantly fill spaces, which would cost much more to cover with flowers, and can double up as signs and favours. These fun foil balloons (below, left) can be mismatched in different colours. COLOUR Are pastels passé? Bohemian brides-to-be…

“I love this two-piece – it’s so chic and oozes a modern-day Jackie O vibe” PETA HUNT, EDITOR-AT-LARGE ON THE COVER TWO-PIECE BALLGOWN, FROM £1380, SOTTERO AND MIDGLEY. COMB, £215, TALLULAH’S TRINKETS. DROP EARRINGS, £75, TERRY TERRY. WHITE DIAMOND BRACELET, POA, SHAUN LEANE. PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN WILLIAMS. STYLING BY PETA HUNT, ASSISTED BY MOLLY COUGHLAN. MAKE-UP BY NADIA MATOORIAN-FARROW FROM PORTRAITS USING BOBBI BROWN AND LANCÔME. HAIR BY LOU LEAVES FROM PORTRAITS USING KEVIN MURPHY AND GHD. NADIA AND LOU ASSISTED BY ANNI RADEMACHER AND DANIELLE FOX-CLARKE…

#TELLTHEBRIDE Join us on Facebook every week to help solve one bride-to-be’s dilemma “My closest friend is my maid of honour and she has completely taken over. She’s only allowing me to deal with flowers, hair and make-up, and my H2B. I don’t know how to stop her getting carried away without hurting her feelings. How do I tell her the decisions are mine?” Joanne B: “It’s lovely that she’s excited for you but you need to tell her now that maid of honour does not mean chief organiser, and that you welcome her suggestions but you and your H2B will decide the final choices together. Perhaps come up with some tasks she can do for you?” STEAL THESE DETAILS Be inspired by the stunning real weddings at youandyourwedding.co.uk/real-weddings THE…

FOLIAGE If you’re not keen on an overtly floral look, think about going big on botanicals instead. “Foliage was key to creating this jungle setting – lots of hanging vines, overhead garlands and statement backdrops were used as well as a foliage chuppah,” says Susie. “Having natural rigging points for the foliage within the venue is important for creating that jungle feel.” FOOD To immerse guests in the jungle experience, the style team briefed the caterer to be creative with food presentation and mirror the theme. The result? Guests were given a canapé picnic box, and the tables were set with sharing platters on bamboo and palm leaf plates. Later, guests enjoyed planetary cake pops on a jungle sweets trolley. STATIONERY If you’re using an artist like Kandinsky as inspiration…

“IT WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL MOMENT BETWEEN THE TWO OF US WHEN WE SAW EACH OTHER IN ALL OUR FINERY” THE COUPLE Vicky & Jake Victoria Hart, 30, and Jacob Cairns, 34, held their ceremony at Camden Town Hall and their reception at The Peasant, Clerkenwell, London “The great thing about planning your own wedding is that you can pick and choose the traditions you want,” says Vicky. With that in mind, she and Jake set about creating a London celebration that suited their couple style. Rather than meeting at the aisle, for example, they walked to the ceremony at Camden Town Hall together. “It was such a wonderful moment between the two of us when we saw each other in all our finery, and it meant we got some…

STAYCATION Just 10% of hens head abroad, compared with 40% of stags THE UK’S TOP HEN DESTINATIONS* LONDON BRIGHTON BOURNEMOUTH “For a sophisticated hen party, AFTERNOON TEA and CHOCOLATE-MAKING have proven very popular. Many hens are also booking houses, meaning mobile activities, such as BEAUTY TREATMENTS and COCKTAIL-MAKING , are also in demand.” SUMMER LOVING June AND July ARE THE BIGGEST MONTHS FOR HEN PARTIES GENERATION GAME “While the bride is the most important person, one aspect that is usually overlooked is the age and capabilities of fellow hen members. Consider whether some older members will be able to take part in your chosen activities.” 12 THE MOST COMMON SIZE OF A HEN GROUP ONE MONTH pre-W-day The most popular time to have the party *2016 BOOKINGS. VISIT HENHEAVEN.CO.UK…

1 @howsweeteats From chilli-salted margaritas to parmesan and bacon popcorn, #foodgoals from the author of Seriously Delish 2 @foodess Food writer and photographer Jennifer Pallian’s feed includes gems such as cherry cheesecake ice lollies 3 @lauraroweeats The editor of Olive magazine includes plenty of inspiring ways to eat avocado – obsessed! 4 @allthingsmeaty One for the carnivores, this is an account of the best meat-based dishes around the world…

Caroline Bradley IS EDITOR OF HITCHED “Being asked to be bridesmaid is such an honour – I’ve been a bridesmaid three times and I also have duties in November. Each time, I’ve been so excited to have been asked, and I’m happy to help when and where I can… within reason. Now, I’m going to say something controversial here: I believe that bridesmaids are there to support the bride, but there is a limit to how much they should be asked to do. Everyone has busy lives and while the bride (temporarily) feels like the wedding is her whole world, everyone else’s lives still go on. Your bridesmaid might be engaged and planning her own wedding, she might have a busy work or home life – or she might just…

STYLING TIP Wear your hair in a chic updo for a W-day look that’s effortlessly cool STYLING TIP Add quirky earrings to give your style a modern update…

Patterned dresses are a beautiful choice for your bridesmaids, and you can’t get much prettier than a floral gown. Wave goodbye to the bold and bright blooms that were once so popular – your girls can wear artistic, oriental prints or gowns with sparkling embellishments for a look that’s fresh and romantic. TOP TIP Ask your florist to make headpieces for your maids with any fresh flowers left over from your bouquet WEAR WITHÉ LITTLE MAIDS TOP TIP Pick pretty and practical shoes to help ensure your little ones enjoy the day CATWALK INSPIRATION…

Two minutes with… Winston Yeh, one half of the design duo (along with his brother Kenneth) at Kenneth Winston The most important thing about bridal fashion is…? Fluidity. A gown should show a fluid transition of detail and design from the neckline to the hem, so embellishment pairs perfectly with the bride’s silhouette. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given and by whom? My mother said, “stay focused, stay true, and look forward. This is the only way you can stay ahead of the pack”. Do you see more covered-up dresses growing in popularity? There’s always a need for gowns that are more “covered-up”, but this doesn’t mean they have to look like the old traditional gowns with harsh satin linings. We love creating dresses with illusion…

It’s the most romantic of flowers, so it’s only natural to adorn yourself in rose-inspired beauty products on your wedding day. Reminiscent of hazy summers and the first flushes of love, there’s no fragrance quite so lovely as that of this classic bloom.…

DOWN Sleeveless “If your dress has straps, you’ll be showing a lot of the top half of your body. If you feel the need to be more covered up, a hairstyle of long flowing curls is a beautiful option” Alyn Waterman, make-up and hair designer Strapless “ Brides wearing strapless gowns should go for loose hair that cascades down the back, or an elegant half-up style for the best of both worlds. When more skin is on show, a looser style always looks gorgeous” Matthew Curtis, celebrity hair stylist UP Back detailing “Embrace the drama of a dress with a striking back by wearing your hair up. A high chignon will elongate the neck and back to show off the elegance of the design” Edward James, award-winning hair stylist High…

PILATES No fancy equipment, just you, your mat and perhaps a resistance band. RUNNING Pure and simple – all you really need is a pair of trainers. Not keen on this kind of cardio? Try brisk walking instead. SWIMMING Excellent for the injury-prone, or injured, as there’s less impact on your joints. WEIGHTS WORK Builds muscle and blasts fat. The myth that lifting weights makes women overly bulky has been well and truly busted.…

FOR BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS Destination: New Zealand’s North Island On the road: 10 days Wheels: VW camper van Terrain: Wide easy roads and they drive on the left Distance: Around 450 miles Make space on your camera and be prepared to pull over at the side of the road many times for “just one last picture” on this adventure. North Island has everything from exciting cities and golden beaches to hot springs and dense rainforests and, in just 10 days, you can see all of these wonders. After a night in Auckland, the first thing you’ll want to snap is Coromandel Forest Park and Hot Water Beach on a boat tour. There’s more hot water to discover as you make your way south to Rotorua’s Eco Thermal Park where you can…

BAKING You’ll need to be super-organised if you decide to make your own cake or foodie favours; increasing your proficiency levels will certainly help reduce stress and boost your confidence. Just don’t find yourself agreeing to create all your friends’ wedding confections once they taste how gorgeous yours are… How to learn Identify which areas you want to improve and choose an appropriate course – do you need to enhance your sponge skills or focus on decoration (squires-school.co.uk)? Pick up a copy of The Homemade Wedding Cake by Natasha Collins (Murdoch Books, £20) and Naked Cakes: Simply Stunning Cakes by Hannah Miles (Ryland Peters & Small, £16.99). CALLIGRAPHY Perfect penmanship will add timeless style to your invites. After the wedding, you can use your new calligraphy skills on your thank-you…

The China Library Love the vintage look? Check out this Cardiff-based china and glassware specialist. thechinalibrary.co.uk Duchess & Butler You’ll find everything you need here for a truly elegant affair, from divine dinnerware to handsome chairs (pictured right). duchessandbutler.com Table to Dine For We’re great fans of the luxe linens, available in assorted beautiful hues. tabletodinefor.com Stressfree Looking to perform a total space transformation at your venue? Stressfree has everything you need, from lighting and draping to props and signs. stressfreehire.com Doris Loves Your go-to for battery-operated illuminated letters, as well as temporary-tattoo stations. dorisloves.co.uk Classic Crockery As the name suggests, there’s a fantastic array of chinaware (pictured right), but you’ll also find lovely furniture and smart decor details. classiccrockery.co.uk Knot & Pop There are some seriously stylish touches here…