Table of contents for May 2016 in Perfect Wedding

How to spend – wisely Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Knowing you should have trusted your instinct and not lobbed off your long hair (me, a few years ago); looking back on that night out and realising that yes, you shouldn’t have had that last glass of wine (Sunday headache!); and glancing at your back account and hastily returning those ‘must-buys’ from the sales racks (who hasn’t done this?!). So this month we’ve decided to share our knowledge, the experts’ secrets, and fabulous real brides’ insight, to give you the best advice ever when it comes to handling your wedding budget and time. Our real brides look back on their wedding days and consider the things that were totally worth splashing out on, and those that most definitely…

Blog Ambition When I was wedding planning, I was so surprised at how pricey the world of weddings could be! Inspired by PW’s budget features I started searching for cheaper options and I actually managed to get my venue, my dress and loads of other things at much lower prices. As well as saving on my big day, I now run my own blog, Fund Your Wedding, to help other brides. Ashleigh Moore, by email OUR INSTA FAVES! @ sandrinkutak Good morning! @skirt29 Wow! Our wedding venue in Perfect Wedding Magazine! Perfect Wedding needs YOU! As the UK’s number one monthly bridal magazine (and part of one of the UK’s largest media companies), we constantly strive to give you the best content – and now we’d like your opinion. Insiders…

1. THE WORRY: You won’t lose that last half a stone THE REALITY: Just because you’ve set yourself a target weight doesn’t mean that you have to reach it in order to look amazing! What matters is that you feel great, and that your dress fits perfectly. Your final fitting should be a few weeks before the day, and even if you’ve put on weight it’s not the end of the world – panels can be added or seams adjusted. And breathe… 2. THE WORRY: Your DIY décor won’t look pro THE REALITY: You’re not making those centrepieces to sell in Selfridges – they just need to look good on the tables! No one will be examining what you’ve made from all angles, they’ll be too busy having fun. So…

FUTURISTIC BRIDE We’re not talking full-on sci-fi here, so put down the tin foil! These über-cool looks are all about cutting edge designs, statement silhouettes and daring details. You’ll look out of this world! TRUE ROMANCE These are the sorts of dreamy dresses that you fall in love with as soon as you clap eyes on them. The pretty lace, the flowing chiffon... ahh, we’re in bridal heaven! QUEEN ANNE NECKLINES  As the regal name suggests, this beautiful bridal style is reserved for those ever-so elegant, traditional brides. Ooze style and sophistication on your big day with a classic, cap-sleeve gown. MIDI SLEEVES Take your traditional lace sleeves up a notch or two (quite literally) to be bang on trend this season. This simply chic, three-quarter style is ideal come…

CONTACT: DAVIDSBRIDAL.COM…

CONTACT: CHARLIEBREAR.COM…

The Cheshire Wedding Company The Cheshire Wedding Company pride themselves on being able to o er an unrivalled service which begins the moment you walk into their relaxed and friendly showroom. thecheshireweddinghouse@outlook.com thecheshireweddingcompany.co.uk Bridal Gallery Discover what kind of bride or maid you are in our family run boutique based in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. Wtoo by Watters, Blue by Enzoani, LouLou Bridal and Amanda Wyatt. Maids £99-£220, Brides £650-£1500. 01262 228077yorkshirebridalgallery.co.uk Brides of Winchester Found within this designer boutique is a carefully chosen collection of gowns that o er the very finest in bridal design and quality. They will appeal to brides who care passionately that their dress is beautifully made with love, using the finest fabrics, silks and hand embroideries. Designers Suzanne Neville, Sassi Holford, Charlie Brear, Stewart…

18 MONTHS • Announce your engagement! • Talk with your fiancé about the kind of day you’d like • Choose the type of ceremony you’d like • Set your wedding budget (and start saving!) • Look at venue ideas • Set a goal and make a start on your fitness and diet plan 12 MONTHS • Start thinking about dates • Choose bridesmaids and then ask them • Compile a guest list • Arrange the wedding licence with the registrar • Book the registrar and the time of the ceremony • Start a scrapbook • Book a photographer • Start looking for your wedding dress 9 MONTHS • Visit possible venues and then book your date! • Book the caterer • Order your dress • Book the florist • Order…

…VENUE • Are you available on our date? • Are you licensed for civil ceremonies? • How many guests can we have to each part of our day? • Exactly what’s in our package? • What’s the cancellation policy? • Will we have exclusive use? • Is there guest accommodation, and is it discounted? • Do you have mandatory suppliers? …CATERERS • Do you provide glassware, crockery and silverwear? • Is there an extra cost for serving staff ? • Do you have a separate menu for photographers/suppliers? • How many weddings are you catering for on the day? • Have you worked here before? • Will you handle the table names and place setting? • Can we have a menu tasting? • Can you cater for vegetarians/ guests with…

Melissa Blaney and Sam Wallace held their romantic garden wedding on the island of Majorca on 25th September 2015 “Our wedding colour scheme was a mix of mint, peach and gold, with a romantic, vintage theme running throughout. It worked perfectly with our wedding venue, the Son Brull Hotel & Spa on the Spanish island of Majorca. We found it with the help of our wedding planner, Judith Jurado (millepapillons.com), and instantly loved the luxurious but romantic feel of the place. The food and drink served there was incredible too, which was really important to us. Having a wedding planner was definitely one of the best decisions we made. Judith handled all the little details for us, even organising a polaroid photo booth so guests could have their photographs taken…

Michaela Gill and Tom Dudfield got married in a pretty marquee wedding at Parley Manor in Dorset on 3rd July 2015 “Parley Manor was the first venue we saw, and nothing else compared. We fell in love with the gardens and the fact that there were so many places our friends and family could wander around on the day and enjoy. We also loved that we could hire it exclusively for the day. To keep the costs down, we tried to do a lot of DIY. I assembled the pompoms over a few evenings and my mum and I spent about a year buying roses and then drying them out to make confetti. It was a great excuse to have lots of lovely flowers around the house all year! The…

What every wedding is about, essentially, is love! So the aim of this just-too-gorgeous styled shoot by Gemma Dooling at Rosy Apple Creations was to capture that mood. “We used loose organic florals and tumbling foliage to create texture, teamed with a delicate colour palette of painterly tones – pink, peach, nude and creamy white with touches of red,” says Gemma. Rustic touches and bundles of love letters wrapped in velvet ribbon add to the sense of intimacy and romance. Swoon… CONTRIBUTORS Planning, design and styling Rosy Apple Creations (rosyapplecreations.co.uk) Photography Catharine Noble Photography (catharinenoblephotography.co.uk) Venue Middleton Lodge (middletonlodge.co.uk) Flowers Katie Laura Flowers (kl-flowers.com) Stationery Gray Starling Designs (graystarling.com) Hair Charisma Bridal Hair (charismahairdressing.co.uk) Make-up Ashley Tyrrell (facebook.com/ Ashley-Tyrrell-Make-Up-Artist) Cake and sweets The Whimsical Cake Company (thewhimsicalcakecompany.co.uk) Bride’s dress Jacinda…

It’s my (craft) party Offering crafty hen dos across London and the south east, Make Do Menders can arrange a selection of activities, including making quilts, corsages and even lino print wedding stationery. Choose one of their London venues or have them come to you! (makedomenders.co.uk) PRECIOUS METALS If you’re working the trend for metallics into your reception, why not set up a DIY tattoo station with these gold tattoos from Daydream Prints at Etsy? The cute tattoos will look fab in some fun wedding photos. (daydreamprints.etsy.com)…

“The latest addition to my beauty arsenal – it conceals in seconds and doesn’t go cakey” RACHEL AVERY, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CORRECT & CONCEAL RED, RECOVER £28 “There’s some serious science behind this radiance-boosting moisturiser. My skin was brighter in just a few days.” SARAH DAWSON, DEPUTY EDITOR BIOTEC SKIN ENERGISING DAY CREAM, ELEMIS £75 “This super-hydrating, line-busting eye cream is my beauty saviour. It’s incredible!” CHRISTIANNE RAYMER, GROUP ART EDTIOR NUTRIEYES, BAKEL £80 “A stunning bridal shade that blends in beautifully. A must-have for your W-day make-up bag!” ANGELA MUSTY, ART ASSISTANT LIP CONTOUR LINER IN NATURAL ROSE, PIXI £12 “This is a total game-changer. It preps, nourishes and gives a gorgeously dewy finish.” ESTHER CURTIS, DEPUTY ART EDITOR PHOTO FINISH PRIMER OIL, SMASHBOX £28 “This vegan-friendly brush is so…

BUN BRILLIANCE Here’s Alicia Vikander rocking a firm fave of ours – the hun. Be sure to nail W-day chic with a simple half-up style like this. MOVING ON UP If you’re not a down ’do kinda girl, that’s totally fine... an elegant side chignon is a trusty bridal option. Bravo, Kate! IT’S RED HOT Isla Fisher showcases her fiery locks with super-shiny vintage waves. The epitome of sophistication! STRAIGHT TALKING J-Law’s blonde lob gets our style seal of approval. Pop on a floral crown and you’re good to go! NATURAL BEAUTY As well as that gorge smile, Margot Robbie’s hair looks pretty darn perfect. Slightly tousled locks is clearly the way to go, ladies... OH-SO RETRO A deep side parting and a voluminous sweep – there you have it,…

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE SENSATORI TURKEY RESORT Antayla, Turkey Like all the Sensatori resorts, Turkey’s offering is über-stylish, with plenty of touches to make your honeymoon special. Five-star and all-inclusive, the resort includes six gourmet restaurants, four pools and the funky Butterfly Bar where you can sip cocktails at sunset. BOOK IT: Seven nights cost from £1,100 for two (including flights from Stansted). thomson.co.uk THE ISLAND GETAWAY ROCA NIVARIA GRAN HOTEL Tenerife Europe’s answer to the Caribbean, Tenerife’s Costa Adeje is a Beckham fave. Stay at the Jardines Nivaria Hotel – reopening in August after a full refurbishment, its lagoon pools and poolside restaurant are a winner. BOOK IT: Flights to Tenerife start at £90 per person. Double rooms at Jardines Nivaria Hotel from £140 a night. adrianhoteles.com THE VILLA TAKEOVER LE…

So, you’ve settled on the Caribbean for your honeymoon, but you can’t quite decide which island to visit… well, what if we told you that you didn’t have to choose just one destination? Result, right?! Sandals offer twin-centre, couples-only holidays, where you can experience two separate resorts and islands, under one booking. We visited their Caribbean havens to try and get a little taste of the exotic culture and romantic offering. Our trip began at Sandals Regency La Toc on the eastern Caribbean island of St Lucia. We were staying in a gorgeous Love Nest Suite with our own private pool and – get this – our very own butler (classy!) that you can call at any time during your stay, for anything from reserving a pool-side lounger to booking…

GEMINI MAY 21–JUNE 22 Family get-togethers are uplifting and inspirational and you’ll feel loved, cherished and secure. The full moon lights up the romance sector of your chart later in the month – the perfect wedding or honeymoon moment! CANCER JUNE 23–JUL 22 There’s a party vibe around you Cancer, with lots of social activity, fun and laughter – it’s the ideal month for a hen do! You can make useful career connections now as well, so get networking and use your lovely charm. LEO JUL 23–AUG 22 A very ambitious new moon kicks off the start of your month and sets a tone of hard work, vision and leadership, Leo. You have less time for fun and games, and romance just now, but don’t worry – your efforts will…

ACCESSORIES Accessorize accessorize.com A nitas a nitas.com Alexi London alexilondon.com Amara amara.com ASOS asos.com Astrid & Miyu astridandmiyu.com AX Paris axparis.com Beaverbrooks beaverbrooks.co.uk BHLDN bhldn.com By Harriet byharriet.co.uk Casadei uk.casadei.com Charlotte Mills charlottemillsbridal.co.uk Chatelles mychatelles.com Cherished cherishedvintage.co.uk Clogau clogau.co.uk Coast coast-stores.com Davina Combe davinacombe.com Dower & Hall dowerandhall.com Dune dunelondon.com Emmy London emmylondon.com Empty Casket emptycasket.co.uk Folli Follie follifollie.co.uk Freya Rose freyarose.com Fumbalinas fumbalinas.co.uk Gemporia gemporia.com Glitzy Secrets glitzysecrets.com Hermione Harbutt hermioneharbutt.com Hobbs hobbs.co.uk H.Samuel hsamuel.co.uk Hugo Boss hugoboss.com Ivory & Co. ivoryandcotiaras.co.uk Jaeger jaeger.co.uk Jewel Street jewelstreet.com Jimmy Choo jimmychoo.com/en/home Jon Richard jonrichard.com Joycie + Jules joyciejules.com Kari-C kari-c.com Kurt Geiger kurtgeiger.com Links of London linksoflondon.com Lolaandgrace lolaandgrace.com Mirabelle mirabellejewellery.co.uk Mrs Bow Tie mrsbowtie.com Nordstrom shop.nordstrom.com Offce offce.co.uk Olivier Laudus olivierlaudus.com Rachel Simpson rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk Rae Feather raefeather.com Rosie Fortescue…

Styling CHRISTIANNE RAYMER “I just love the pretty beaded shoulder-detail on this glamorous, figure-skimming dress from True Bride. The Queen Anne neckline is so elegant and perfect for showcasing a sparkling pendant, while cluster-gem earrings add extra Hollywood glamour. The rose gold ring compliments the blush roses in the bouquet perfectly and the addition of rosemary is so on-trend" Make-up NIGEL BARNES “Prime your skin, conceal any blemishes and then apply some powder. Sweep the gold shadow over the entire lid, define with a line and add two coats of mascara. Groom your brows before adding a flush of colour with some blush and a rosy lip. Voila, camera ready!” “Glamorous, yet classic – a winning look every time” Hair KAT JOYCE “I started by using a heat protective spray…

NEWS * FASHION * TRENDS * BUYS * CELEBS * BEAUTY Upgrade YOUR PJS There are going to be LOTS of photos, so make sure you’re camera-ready on the morning of your W-day with some luxe PJs. bluemarmaladelondon.com Made in England It doesn’t really get any cooler than Velvet Johnstone, the East London label with a rock and roll take on modern bridalwear. If traditional bridal isn’t your thing, you’ll love its boundary-pushing interpretation of big-day style. The Bridal Edit features everything from soft, fluid gowns to bold, structured designs in luxe fabrics, or you can go bespoke for a one-of-a-kind creation. TREND ALERT! The off-the-shoulder Bardot neckine is a huge trend for 2016 in fashion andbridal, but for a contemporary twist add gypsy-inspired ruffles. Perfect for adding a…

Don’t feel disheartened looking at your wedding budget – a big day doesn’t have to mean a big spend. A few savvy savings make all the difference to the final bill, and guests will still think you’ve gone all out! DO YOUR VENUE HOMEWORK Don’t just snap up the first cheap venue you find. Look carefully at what each one offers to find sneaky extra savings, such as low corkage fees, or a weekday wedding for a fraction of the Saturday price. A cheaper blank canvas is great if you can afford the décor costs, but an extra £500 for somewhere with a minimal styling bill could save you in the long run. DIY YOUR FLORALS Plan an early morning trip to a flower market a few days before the…

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB? I love meeting every couple and working with them to help their dream wedding come to fruition. Every couple is different, so it’s my job to find out what they love and help them create that. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST EVENT YOU’VE EVER PLANNED? I did an extensive celebration that lasted about a week in Australia. We planned, not only events for each evening such as cocktail parties and movie nights, but I also planned day-time activities such as golf trips, workouts with a special trainer, spa treatments etc. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GET INTO BRIDAL DESIGN? I felt like there was a lack of options at an affordable price for brides out there on the market. I love fashion and design, and…

CONTACT: NEEDLEANDTHREAD.COM…

1. FROUFROU BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Kent Stay true to yourself. Be original. Froufrou's fresh, modern bridal boutique offers an exquisite selection of unique luxury gowns from unrivalled designers. Let them adorn you with sensational dresses and a beautiful array of accessories, shoes and veils. Prepare to be spoilt! 8a Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YQ Contact: 01892 541381 froufroubride.co.uk 2. ALEXANDRA ANNE Derbyshire Get comfy, and make yourself at home. Welcome to your appointment at Alexandra Anne where you won’t be disturbed and can get as giddy and creative as you please in this relaxed and uniquely converted barn on the Chatsworth Estate. Contact: 01246 582925hello@alexandra-anne.co.ukalexandra-anne.co.uk 3. TILLY TROTTER'S BRIDES Warwickshire Leamington Spa's newest and most stylish bridal boutique. Tilly Trotter's Brides aim to offer you an exciting, luxurious and…

The first thing to do is sit down with your fiancé and talk openly about the kind of day you want. The main ceremony options are: 1 CHURCH OF ENGLAND You may have to attend a number of Sunday services beforehand. The marriage can be authorised by calling banns on three consecutive Sundays three months before the day, or by obtaining a common licence. Church fees are from £415, with extra costs for choir, organ, etc. In Scotland, banns aren’t necessary, but 15 days’ notice must be given at a register office. 2 ROMAN CATHOLIC Take your baptism and confirmation certificates to your priest at least six months before — if one of you is unbaptised then the priest needs to give permission. You may have to attend marriage preparation…

Katie Meer and Tom Makey held their elegant summer wedding at Hampton Court House on 12th September 2015 “Despite trying on over 40 wedding dresses, I ended up buying the first one I tried. My mum and I had both cried when I put it on, but we didn’t think dress shopping could possibly be as easy as buying the very first dress! Showing it to my dad and seeing even him nearly cry got us over the line to choosing it. We held our day at Hampton Court House in Surrey. It was big enough for our 120 guests, and beautiful inside and out. The rooms were quite boldly decorated, with a yellow ceremony room and orange reception room, so we went for ivory flowers for an elegant look,…

BLUSHING BRIDE Pale pinks, soft lemons and fresh whites, this dreamy bunch is ideal for a classic W-day look CENTRE OF ATTENTION Transform your tables with a few vases and a splash of colour TROPICAL TOUCH This exotic mix of zesty greens and punchy reds screams summer fiesta. Bring on the party! TALKING POINT Think outside the box with a show-stopping botanical arrangement. As well as looking ultra-beautiful it will make a great photo backdrop! MAN FLOWER Don’t forget about the boys! Beautiful buttonholes are another way of flaunting your fabulous flowers A CLEVER CONTRAST Mix it up with a bouquet of white anemones, burnt orange roses and spiky eryngium…

Daytime guest capacity Evening guest capacity Meal cost per head Allows outside caterers VOWS WITH A VIEW From the impressive Westminster room with its grand fireplaces, private bar and dancefloor to the cute and cosy Talbot suite which looks out over spectacular countryside, Weston Hall in Sta ord is a magnificent mansion where you can create the day you want. weston-hall.co.uk RESTORED HIDEAWAY Elegant yet rustic, The Great Barn near Exeter has been beautifully renovated to create a dreamy venue in the heart of the Devon countryside. Think soaring ceilings, exposed beams and picture-perfect grounds (there’s even a secret walled garden – just think of the pictures). Get married in the nearby church or hold a candle-lit ceremony in the barn, before tucking into a locally-sourced, organic feast served up…

EXERCISE OF THE MONTH At first glance, you’d think that this was just a rather elegant piece of jewellery, but in fact it measures steps, calories burned and even sleep quality. Find out more about Swarovski’s new Activity Tracking Crystal range at swarovski.com PORTION DISTORTION Research* shows that, nowadays, meal sizes are 50 percent bigger than they were just 20 years ago, which means we’re consuming twice as much as our grandparents used to! Try a smaller plate to control any over-eating. WHAT A FITTIE Fitness studio Frame have teamed up with W-day planners Knot & Pop to bring health advice, nutrition tips, make-up tutorials and more for brides-to-be. Head to Frame Kings Cross, London from 2pm on 23rd April. BAN THE BLOAT  Try out these four foods for a…

1 You have a whole new vocab that your other half finds highly amusing. Favourites include ‘sheath’ dress, ‘billy balls’ (those little round yellow flowers) and escort cards, *snigger*. 2 This week’s arguments have been over the size of favour boxes, the price of cakes (£500 – bargain right?) and the colour of socks. Bad times… 3 You can’t understand it when your friends don’t scream with excitement when you mention ASOS Bridal. Er, hello?! 4 There are voices in your head and they’re talking about flower arrangements. One is super-keen on dahlias; the other favours traditional roses. Friends advise urgent treatment. 5 When your mum comes round and tries to tell you you need to take a break, you throw a tantrum and chuck your colour-coded wedding folder at…

HANNAH MARTIN Who? Bobbi Brown PRO make-up artist Hannah knows her stu when it comes to beauty. The best tip she’s ever learnt is “to find natural daylight, step back and look from a distance and tweak accordingly – and know when to put the brushes down!” Hannah tells us how to achieve a natural look on p226. GEMMA DOOLING Who? Gemma is the founder of creative event planning company Rosy Apple Creations. Her fave part of her job? “I love working with couples and getting to the very heart of who they are, so we can curate an authentic and meaningful wedding day. “ Gemma styled this issue’s Outdoor Romance shoot. Check it out on p197. DAVID TUTERA Who? David designs bridal gowns, plans celeb events and stars in…

1 “I have always been into fashion – my shoe collection is way too big and I just love shopping! When I found my dream dress, I just had to have it – but the price tag was almost £2,000 (cue gasps from my husband and mum!). To me, it was worth every penny – I felt absolutely amazing with it on and I doubt there will be another time when I get to wear something so beautiful.” Carly, 26 2 “Our venue was our biggest spend but a hundred percent worth it. From the beautiful gardens to the stunning reception room, the memories are priceless.” Helen, 34 3 “I hadn’t really thought too much about having wedding insurance – what could possibly go wrong?! However, my sensible other half…

SHINE BRIGHT As if Emmy London hasn’t already brought us enough prettiness in the form of shoes, they’ve now launched a stunning bridal jewellery collection! hsamuel.co.uk The new classics Award-winning designer Marguerite Hannah has totally wowed us with her stylish new Debutant collection for MiaMia Bridal. Traditional silhouettes get a cool, contemporary update with sheer sleeves, handcrafted flowers, pearl embellishment and beautiful back detail. ROCK THE ROMANCE Inspired by a French romance, Australian designer Anna Campbell’s glamorous new Gossamer collection is what the word swoon was invented for (fact!). Vintage lace, dreamy details and intricate beading give these graceful designs their magic. We want one of everything, please! Find your perfect show-stomrer! Bring the drama on your big day with a knockout gown from Sophia Tolli. Whether…

CONTACT: MIKAELLABRIDAL.COM…

MORGAN DAVIES BRIDAL 31 Sun Street, Hitchin SG5 1AH. 01462 432889. morgandaviesbridal.co.uk Designers stocked: Anna Kara, Cymbeline, Maggie Sottero, Willowby by Watters and more. Stockist tip: “When searching for your dress, go for somewhere that can show you a variety of styles.” ANYA BRIDAL COUTURE The Hampshire Barn, St. Clair’s Farm, Droxford SO32 3PW. 01489 878084. anyabridal.co.uk Designers stocked: Pronovias, Stella York, Victoria Jane and more. Stockist tip: “Stay true to your feelings when you are trying wedding dresses on.” CREATIQUES BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 151 Albert Road, Southsea PO4 0JW. 02392 82 66 22. creatiques.co.uk Designers stocked: Justin Alexander, Maggie Sottero, Sincerity, Mark Lesley, House of Mooshki, Enzoani and Eliza Jane Howell. Stockist tip: “When budgeting for your gown always factor in the cost of any alterations.” HANNAH ELIZABETH BRIDAL BOUTIQUE…

OUR EXPERTS KATRINA RIGBY As the Sales Director for Forget Me Not Designs, Katrina lives and breathes bridal fashion. You can ask her anything! DR MICHELLE STORFER Michelle is on hand with her health tips! As a doctor, a nutritionist and a wellbeing expert she knows it all... OFER YATZIV With over 15 years of wedding experience and as the Senior Events and Marketing Manager at Better Venues, Ofer is a wedding pro. STEVEN PELLIER Steven has been in the hospitality business for 14 years and now runs his own company, Steven Pellier Weddings & Events. FASHION Q I’m really into vintage fashion – how can I channel this passion into my W-day look? Heather, 38 KATRINA: Vintage fashion is gorgeous and the success of Downton Abbey has…

Q What is the difference between civil partnership and marriage? A: Apart from the wording and process of the actual ceremonies, the main differences come down to legalities. For example, civil partners do not have the same pension rights as married couples. Visit gov.uk for a detailed guide to the comparisons. Q Can I convert my civil partnership to a marriage? A: Yes – you can visit your local register office for a straightforward conversion or have a ceremony at an approved venue with a registrar. You’ll both need to be present and bring proof of ID and of your civil partnership – you’ll then be issued with a marriage certificate. For more info, visit thegayweddingguide.co.uk Q Can same-sex couples have a church wedding? A: Yes, but only if the…

Laura Todd and John Darby held their beautiful sunflower-filled day at The Secret Garden, Kent on 4th September 2015 “John and I went to The Secret Garden for tea and cake one afternoon, and knew straight away that we wanted to get married there. It was vintage and quirky, with lots of space for our little boys to run around and let off some steam! I loved the idea of filling the space with sunflowers, and our florist convinced us to pair them with hops, as they’re only available for two weeks of the year. The flowers looked gorgeous, and worked well with the vintage brown and kraft card details we used. We named our tables after different ales, using the bottles as candle holders. My dad managed to get…

Emily Stone and Chris Gregory tied the knot in a relaxed, festival-inspired celebration in Kent on 4th July 2015 “Holding our wedding in a tipi was definitely the best decision we made. It really suited the relaxed style of our wedding, and all our handmade details worked perfectly in there! We set them up in the grounds of Groombridge Place in Kent. I used to visit as a little girl, and always loved the idea of getting married there. Our florist provided us with buckets of wild flowers to fill tin cans and glass jars for our table decorations, and we hired antique candelabras to display neon candles. We also hired vintage wine glasses and champagne saucers. We used old pieces of furniture in the grounds so guests could make…

AVIATOR, HAMPSHIRE A venue that combines the timeless glamour of aviation with contemporary interiors. Just check out that staircase! aviatorbytag.com THE MILK THISTLE, BRISTOL A secret speakeasy in the South West adorned with unusual décor. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported in time. milkthistlebristol.com SKETCH, LONDON A mixture of art, music, design and food in a plush, pink paradise. sketch.london THE ZETTER TOWNHOUSE, CLERKENWELL Designed by the renowned interior designers at Russell Sage, the building is imagined as if inherited from an eccentric great aunt. thezettertownhouse.com THE DOLLS HOUSE, ISLINGTON Exposed brick, illustrated walls and mix-matched blue furniture makes for a super-cute surrounding. thedeaddollshouse.co.uk THE HAPPENSTANCE, LONDON A light and airy space with cool features. Great for an urban city wedding. thehappenstancebar.co.uk…

THE PANEL ART EDITOR Christianne Raymer “I need a shine spray that can work wonders with my thick hair” READER Stacey Gernon “The dream is to have shiny, glossy locks for my big day. Fingers crossed!” WE TEST SHINE SPRAYS BC OIL MIST, SCHWARZKOPF £9.95 Christianne says “The glass bottle is very luxe, but not very portable. I really liked the smell, but I didn’t notice any extra shine or gloss on my hair.” Stacey says “This one has a gorgeous scent and didn’t weigh my hair down at all.” GLAMSHINE CLOUD, OWAY £24 Christianne says “The first thing you notice is the lovely scent! I found out that a little goes a long way and putting too much on will weigh your hair down – lesson learned!” Stacey says…