Table of contents for March 2017 in Perfect Wedding

This issue brings exciting changes for Perfect Wedding – a new, super-glamorous, modern size! We are beyond thrilled, because it means that now the UK’s best-selling monthly bridal mag team can showcase all of your favourite designers, décor, flowers, jewellery, cakes, honeymoon destinations and inspiration in an even bigger format – all the gorgeousness – but larger – what’s not to love?! Dresses are something we have very strong opinions about at PW HQ – the shape, the lace, the length, the vibe... and, of course, the cost. Sometimes brides get caught up in the romance of ‘the one’ and spend more (way more) than they’d expected (and that’s totally fine, if you can work your budget) and other times they find a dress they adore for much less than…

Alex and Ross “He organised for us to go to Glastonbury Tor to watch the sunrise and our puppy had a proposal note on its collar!” Emma and Mark “Mark popped the question in Italy, during a romantic Michelin-star meal that he had booked for us.” Melissa and Ryan “Ryan surprised me with a trip to Rome and spelt out ‘Will you marry me?’ in rose petals on the bed!” Charlotte and Chris “We went away to Chatsworth House for a treat and Chris proposed in the gorgeous grounds.”…

3 MONTHS MERARI AND FERNANDO MARRIED ON SEPTEMBER 13TH 2015 AT TREE PEOPLE PARK, BEVERLY HILLS, WITH A RECEPTION AFTERWARDS AT CECCONI’S RESTAURANT, WEST HOLLYWOOD “We got engaged in June 2015 and married just three months later, so we chose convenience over perfection when planning. We tried to keep our budget low – we didn’t have bridesmaids, groomsmen, a first dance or table plan. Except for the ceremony, and the fact that I was in a white wedding dress, nothing else felt like it was a wedding at all. But it was beautiful and very moving – I wasn’t expecting to cry so much! As our relationship was long-distance between Los Angeles and Buenos Aires, we knew that only our closest family and friends would be able to attend, but…

1. THE DRESS THEY EXPECT: A FITTED WHITE NUMBER TOPPED WITH A SHEER VEIL SURPRISE THEM! If you hate wearing white or just want to turn some heads, forget the classic A-line dress and go for something totally unique. Bridal fashion is all about having fun with your look and this season’s catwalks are awash with floral dresses, ultra-low backs, quirky two pieces and jumpsuits that exude city cool. Too daring? Why not choose a more traditional dress and inject some personality with your accessories – think coloured heels, a bespoke embroidered veil or even a personalised leather jacket. 2. THE BRIDESMAIDS THEY EXPECT: THREE OF YOUR BESTIES IN MATCHING DRESSES SURPRISE THEM! If you love doing things differently, bridesmaids all in white look super chic – a trend channelled…

Frock and Frill are renowned for their stunning vintage styles with elegant, modern twists. New for 2017, Frock and Frill have created an incredible bridal collection, especially for brides-to-be and their bridesmaids. The affordable range doesn’t compromise on glamour with an array of stunning, hand-crafted looks – everything from sexy sequins to delicate lace. No matter what your shape, size or style – you’ll find something perfect for the big day! For more information, check out frockandfrill.com THE PRIZE: The winner will be able to choose dresses from the Bridal Edit range up to the value of £1,000. HOW TO ENTER: To enter this competition, text FROCK, followed by your name, email address and wedding date to 87474. Texts will be charged at £1 plus your standard network tariff rate.…

A STATEMENT, FLOOR-LENGTH VEIL WILL BRING THE DRAMA TO YOUR BRIDAL ENSEMBLE…

THE BRIDAL COLLECTION HARROGATE YORKSHIRE The Bridal Collection is a luxury shopping haven set within a magnificent Grade II-listed building overlooking The Stray in Harrogate. Personal service and breathtaking designer gowns with a classic yet stylish feel make for a very special boutique shopping experience. The team are very excited to now offer the 2017 Jenny Packham collection to their brides – they love the beautiful, ‘starry’ embroidery of the Lucky gown which is available in Barley or Ivory. Book your appointment now and see the dresses for yourself! 01423 202029 info@thebridalcollectionharrogate.com thebridalcollectionharrogate.com WHITE MISCHIEF BRIDAL SUSSEX White Mischief is the bridal boutique you’ve always dreamed about! As well as being revolutionary in their design, all of the Jenny Packham wedding dresses that they stock are considered best sellers and…

YOUR ESSENTIAL PLANNER 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 Start thinking about dates 12 MONTHS Finalise your wedding date and book your venue 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 dress 9 MONTHS Book the caterer and decide on your wedding menu Order your dress Book the florist Order your cake Buy your stationery Book the band/DJ (and any other entertainers) 6 MONTHS Send out save the dates Book transport Choose your bridesmaid…

JOANNA BUCHAN AND BENJAMIN SHREEVES HELD THEIR MARQUEE WEDDING AT JOANNA’S PARENTS’ HOUSE ON 1ST OCTOBER 2016 “ We chose to get married at my parents’ home in Oxfordshire as we wanted to make our day as personal as we possibly could without the restrictions of hiring a venue. We’re incredibly lucky that lots of our family and friends work in wedding-related industries too – the marquee was provided by my brother, our invitations were designed by a friend (and her sister was the caterer!), and the band was organised and played in by a musician friend. They’re an extremely talented bunch and we were so grateful for all their help. One of our biggest wedding assets was my amazing mum. She’s an award-winning florist, and working with her was…

CLARE MCCARTHY AND RICHARD SPRINGHAM CELEBRATED THEIR BIG DAY AT NORTHBROOK PARK, SURREY, ON 12TH AUGUST 2016 “ Our wedding had a classic and timeless English countryside theme with a very soft and light colour palette of white, light greys, greens and touches of pink. We loved that our venue, Northbrook Park, had so much greenery and leaves, so we decided to incorporate it into as much of the day as possible. We used leaves in our wedding logo and on all of our stationery, and used eucalyptus on lots of props, including our table plan and welcome sign. As our venue was an orangery, flowers were really important to the look of our day. We spent a lot of time choosing them, and the team at White Lilac were…

Throw in hints of zingy yellow to really make this colour scheme pop Contemporary, cool and timeless is how we’d sum up this shoot, which was inspired by a clash of cultures. Stylist Olivia de Santos says: “I adore West African Ankara patterns, so we contrasted these with the very English setting of The London Rowing Club. The result is a beautiful, bold style that works year-round.” Get the look with beautiful Ankara prints on your stationery, place-card holders with mini succulents inside lemons (so fun!) and patterned cupcakes for a really playful, modern finish. CONTRIBUTORS Creative director and stylist Olivia de Santos (nulyweds.com) Photographer Anne Schwarz (anne-schwarz.com) Venue The London Rowing Club (londonrcevents.com) Florist Ricky Paul Flowers (rickypaulflowers.co.uk) Cake Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium (elizabethscakeemporium.com) Stationery Jennifer’s Paper (jenniferspaper.com) Tableware Whitehouse…

• Collect together your favourite cake images via Pinterest and Instagram to get inspired. • Gather all your equipment well ahead of the date – cake tins, boards, any special cake cutting tools for intricate details etc... • Butter icing keeps for two weeks in the fridge so make it in advance. • Fresh flowers look beautiful and can cover up any small flaws on your cake. You can also use them to decorate your cake table to tie the look together. • If it’s a very hot day, leave the cake in a cool shady place until the last possible moment. Marquees can get very hot and your cake will melt if left in there for too long. • Use a spirit level to ensure your cake is straight.…

WATERPROOF MASCARA WE’RE SEARCHING FOR A NON-CLUMPY, VOLUMISING MASCARA WHICH CAN WITHSTAND A TEAR (OR TWO!). 1. TRULY WATERPROOF MASCARA, CLARINS £21.50 KATIE My lashes looked longer instantly and it’s completely smudge-proof – love it! ABBEY This one has to be my favourite – no clumps and no running, but it’s still easy to remove with a make-up wipe. 2. BIG LOOK WATERPROOF EXTREME MASCARA, PÜR COSMETICS £15 KATIE The fine brush helped to coat my lashes evenly, but it didn’t pass the tear test! ABBEY I was impressed with the no-clump formula, but it did smudge a little. 3. BAD GAL WATERPROOF MASCARA, BENEFIT £17.50 KATIE The amazing wand separated my lashes perfectly and it didn’t budge all day. ABBEY Its long-lasting, pigmented formula is easy to apply with…

3 BENEFITS OF BOXERCISE 1. SLAM STRESS THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE STRESS IS TO PUNCH IT OUT – GET THOSE WEDDING-DAY WORRIES OUT OF YOUR HEAD! 2. FAB ABS ENGAGING YOUR CORE AND ROTATING TO GET FULL EXTENSION WILL GET YOU WASHBOARD ABS IN NO TIME. 3. BURN CALORIES – FAST! A HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING WORKOUT WILL BURN FAT AND BOOST YOUR METABOLISM. SPORT SUPPORT The PW team tried out some of the new Triaction sports bra range from Triumph; whether it was an Insanity class, pilates or a long run, the supportive and comfortable range proved... triumphant! uk.triumph.com TO THE XTREME If the thought of a fitness DVD involving cheesy music, gold hotpants and perma-tans galore makes you break into a cold sweat, then this…

1. BLUE PEPPER LIBERTY BOW TIE £28 lecolonelmoutarde.com Chic and authentic, succumb to the charm of this blue Liberty Pepper bow tie! An accent piece of Colonel Moutarde’s private collection. 2. CATHERINE TIARA £80 Stargem, stargembridal.com The new-look Stargem has a collection of stunning handmade bridal hair accessories and jewellery. Unique designs, expertly crafted just for you! 3. PERSONALISED JEWELLERY from £13.90 Statement Made Jewellery, statementmadejewellery.com Give them a personalised gift to remember your big day with! Match to your theme and colours. 4. ESTELLE TIARA £150 Debbie Carlisle, debbiecarlisle.com Tiara-style hairvine using Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. Reader offer: get 10% off all hair accessories with code PERFECT10. 5. PERSONALISED JEWELLERY from £9.90 Statement Made Jewellery statementmadeuk.etsy.com Bespoke handmade jewellery, perfect for the bride, bridesmaids,…

1. NORMA & DOROTHY normadorothy.com A beautifully hand-crafted wedding invitation featuring an intricate navy and coral floral pattern on a blush background with calligraphy style lettering. 2. CARDS BY SAMANTHA cardsbysamantha.co.uk Handmade, original and affordable wedding stationery. Free sample of your favourite design. Free gift following a booked consultation. 3. RUSSET AND GRAY russetandgray.co.uk Hand-finished with real glitter, these Watercolour Glitter invitations feature a modern watercolour effect and beautiful typography – perfect for a wedding with sparkle. 4. RAZZLE DAZZLE ROSE razzledazzlerose.co.uk Are you a DIY bride-to-be on a budget? Then look no further than this brand new rubber stamp collection from Razzle Dazzle Rose. Matching stationery available also. 5. THE WEDDING ANNOUNCER theweddingannouncerstationery.com Handcrafted wedding stationery with vintage appeal for the modern day wedding. Design service available. 6. HERE…

INSIDER TIPS “For a defined but subtle smokey eye, apply eyeliner to your top lash line before your eyeshadow. Then comes the lips – for colour that lasts, apply a nude lip liner to the entire lip area before your chosen lipstick or gloss.” Nigel Barnes, Make-up Artist FLORIMANIA With pretty fuschia and purple tones, this bouquet from Blue Sky Flowers is perfect for a spring wedding. HAIR GOALS “Prep the hair with plenty of styling mousse to give the hair volume and hold. It also helps to keep any headpieces (like this Maisie Circlet from Tilly Thomas Lux) in place all day long.” Rae Palmer, Hair Stylist THE ONE Just think about all of those over-the-shoulder shots you’ll get with the Xenobia dress from Aire Barcelona. We adored styling…

We’re all EARS Scrolling our Insta feeds, we were stopped in our tracks by Brooklyn-based accessories brand, Hushed Commotion. Their earrings strike the perfect balance between romantic and edgy. In. Love. ALL THE FROTH Dramatic, big-scale dresses are making a major comeback in bridal. Work the trend with a frothy, tulle-skirted design and you’ll be a wedding fashion pioneer. BLUSHING BRIDE Oh Tom Ford, you beautiful thing you. Always making us feel like our most glamorous selves, these new buildable Cheek Colors, £48, in eight wearable shades, are no exception. KICK OFF YOUR HEELS WHO SAYS FLATS HAVE TO BE ANYTHING BUT FABULOUS? NOT US. LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO THE GORGEOUS DANCING SHOES YOU’LL WANT TO WEAR ALL DAY LONG (AND BEYOND) DANCING QUEEN Meet Canadian dress brand Truvelle…

Jenny Collins and Jamie Dickson Jenny: “I love being married! I know that we will support each other no matter what happens. We’ve already had to face some tragedies and we know we can depend on each other.” Jamie: “Getting married was magical. It opens up a new road ahead – with the knowledge you won’t be exploring it alone.” Naomi Chai and Tristan Browne Naomi: “You start using crazy words like ‘Mrs’ and ‘husband’, which is lovely. Every time I introduce myself I’m reminded of the adventure we’ve begun... although it does take a bit of getting used to!” Tristan: “Being married is that warm fuzzy feeling of knowing I’ll always have my beautiful loving wife to come home to and that, if we work together, we can achieve…

SHINE BRIGHT Jon Richard has long been a favourite of ours for classic bridal jewellery that doesn’t break the bank. The brand’s latest drop has got us talking again with its delicate, dainty jewels that will give you just the right amount of sparkle. PRINCESS BRIDE The chic new Sophia Tolli collection has us dreaming of sweeping down grand staircases and swooshing around big dance floors; there’s just something so fairytale-esque about these gowns. With high-shine beading and dramatic silhouettes, you will own the aisle in one of these beauties. HIGH STREET FASHION ALERT! A high-street bridal range that looks high-end, you ask? Yes, it is possible, and Ted Baker’s SS17 Tie The Knot collection is the proof. There are five trend- led designs in the collection, and we’re currently…

BRIDAL SEPARATES AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE – AND THIS FIGURE-FLATTERING STYLE IS UTTERLY DIVINE COOL-GIRL RUFFLES ARE ALL THE RAGE ON THE BRIDAL CATWALKS…

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…

AMY SMITH AND COLIN GAULT MARRIED AT THE LITTLE THEATRE BEFORE A MARQUEE RECEPTION AT COURT FARM ON 24TH SEPTEMBER 2016 “ We wanted something unique and out of the ordinary for our ceremony, but still needed a space that could accommodate all our friends and family. The Little Theatre in Bath was exactly what we wanted, and we ultimately thought it would be pretty cool to get married in an old cinema! We were able to use all the tech in the venue too, so we made a pre-ceremony movie for guests to watch. Everyone enjoyed “Gaultybox” – our take on Gogglebox! We served popcorn and Pimm’s after the ceremony, and used clapperboard signs to add to the feel. I was a bag of nerves before I walked down…

GILLIAN HALL AND MATTHEW DOLL HELD THEIR COASTAL-THEMED WEDDING AT EIGHTEEN NINETY IN MISSOURI, USA ON 11TH JUNE 2016 “ I’m from the East Coast and love everything about the water, so I was ready to bring a taste of the ocean to our Midwest celebration. We used coral, mint, and grey as our main colours, and used seashells and waves throughout for a coastal vibe. We chose our venue, Eighteen Ninety, because of its amazing natural beauty. The house was gorgeous and spacious for getting ready, and the reception building matched the vintage look of the house but still allowed for a modern, air-conditioned reception space. It lent a rustic look to our coastal theme, which we emphasised with burlap and glass details. I wanted a bouquet with flowers…

There are just a few months left until W-day, and with all the big-ticket items sorted, it’s time to get down to the details. But now that you’re dashing between stylist trials, preparing your documents and doing your best to finally nail that tricky seating plan, how can you find time to exercise? With Protein World’s routines, you can get a great workout in just 20 minutes. Take a look at the exercises in the plan opposite – each uses techniques from high intensity interval training which are proven to boost your metabolism for days, helping you tone up and feel fitter faster. Even better, they’re totally suitable for beginners. Combine them with Protein World’s range of smart supplements and meal plans and you’ll be boasting that big-day glow in…

AQUARIUS JAN 21–FEB 19 Friends are affectionate and fun to be with. Everyone wants to please you and help you plan, and you are secretly enjoying being fussed over! Arrange to spend some one-on-one time with your partner around mid-month to revel in your romance. PISCES FEB 20–MAR 20 Your inventive solutions to problems will be celebrated – you’re good at thinking outside the box. Try to tune out the noise and go with your gut feeling, which is almost always right. Your other half will leave it up to you to decide on your honeymoon destination. ARIES MAR 21–APR 20 You may have agreed on a wedding package but you also need some freedom to choose what you want. Let others know your plans and ideas as soon as…

YOUR BOSS She takes credit for all your ideas and is obsessed with the latest diet fads. Do your guests a favour and let them enjoy the wedding cake without getting ‘the eye’. THE BEST FRIEND’S NEW BOYFRIEND He may well be the love of her life, but she’s known him for two weeks and you’ve only met him at 2am outside Scoffers eating chips and cheese. Blame your lack of budget and buy her an extra large bridesmaid gift. YOUR MUM’S ANNOYING NEIGHBOUR Remember when she got drunk at the New Year’s Eve party and said four times that you’d “plumped up”, before trying to dance with your Uncle Dave? If she has to come, secretly slip her the non-alcoholic wine… KEN THE FAMILY FRIEND Ken loves cars, the…

WEDDING INSPO: CHECK OUR INSTA FEED FOR FAVOURS AND TREATS The prettiest ideas for your cake table that are (almost) too pretty to eat! NEWLY ENGAGED? NO PROBLEM! OUR BIG DAY EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP Not sure where to start with your wedding planning? Real brides and experts are on hand to help BRIDAL BEAUTY: TOP TIPS FROM THE BIGGEST NAMES Bobbi Brown shows you how to apply make-up that lasts all day long REAL ROMANCE: THE PRETTIEST WEDDINGS TO INSPIRE YOU! Pop over to our ‘real weddings’ board and discover hundreds of cute ideas SHOW ME THE PRETTY: BEAUTIFUL IDEAS FOR YOUR RECEPTION We share everything from unique cake toppers to gorgeous flowers!…

EMBRACE MODERN FEMININITY WITH SOFT, DREAMY LAYERS OF TULLE AGAINST AN EMBELLISHED BODICE STUNNING SHIMMERING DETAILS ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH JENNY PACKHAM GOWNS…

FASHION Q I’ve inherited my gran’s diamond necklace and I want to wear it on the big day. What style of dress will show it off? Dani, 28 Anna: That’s such a lovely touch – it’s special pieces like this that will make your wedding outfit. The most obvious choice would be a plunging neckline, but if you don’t want something that dramatic, a sweetheart-cut gown would work beautifully. Just be sure to keep all of your other accessories simple to let your necklace do the talking. OUR EXPERTS ANNA CZAPIGA Export Sales Manager for Agnes Fashion Group CHRISTINA BARKER Wedding planner and owner of Chantilly Rose Weddings and Events EMMA RIDDELL Director of Weddings and Events at caterers, Goose & Berry HIRO MIYOSHI Hair stylist and owner of Hiro…

HANNAH SASSA AND ASHER MCSHANE HELD THEIR BEAUTIFUL WEDDING AT SYON PARK CONSERVATORY ON 21ST AUGUST 2016 “ Coming from a Mauritian background, I wanted to fuse my culture’s traditional love of everything colourful with the period character of our reception venue, Syon Park Conservatory in London. We wanted a venue with as much natural light and beautiful surroundings as possible, but without being reliant on the weather. Syon Park was the only place Asher and I looked at – we were sold from the minute we entered the grounds. You really feel like you’re transported to another era. I used a palette of coral, mint, pink, peach and gold to achieve a colourful effect. I wanted floral arrangements that would complement the foliage in the room rather than compete…

DIAMOND PIÑATA Guests will love this grown-up party piece – hang them high and watch them dazzle! WHAT YOU NEED CARDBOARD BOX MASKING TAPE RULER PENCIL SCISSORS CRAFT GLUE PAPER 3 ROLLS OF GOLD ALUMINIUM FOIL NEEDLE STRING MAKE IT! 1 Make some paper templates: a hexagon, a connecting rectangular piece and an isosceles triangle. For dimensions, all sides of the hexagon are 17cm long and the short side of the triangle is 20cm long. The connecting piece is 17cm long on the upper side, 20cm on the lower side. The upper angles in the isosceles triangle are 70°. 2 Transfer the templates onto the cardboard box and cut out with a cutter. You need six triangles, six connecting pieces, and one hexagon. 3 Arrange all parts in place to…

“Want a pain-free plumped-up pout for your big day? This super-shiny gloss works instantly and gave me natural-looking fullness – impressive!” ESTHER CURTIS, DEPUTY ART EDITOR LIP PLUMPING GLOSS, WUNDERKISS £24.95 “Infused with avocado butter and coconut oil, this silky lipstick glides on beautifully and the subtle rose-gold hue is a suit-all shade.” RACHEL AVERY, JUNIOR WRITER LIPSTICK IN DEVOTION, AXIOLOGY £19 “A moisturising wonder to take your skin from dull to dewy in just a few minutes. It’s a surefire way to nail that bridal glow.” SARAH MALONE, DEPUTY ART EDITOR ETERNALIXIR SKIN VOLUMIZING OIL SERUM, BAREMINERALS £38 “This warm peach shade gives the perfect flush of colour and it’s the ideal size for your W-day clutch.” COLETTE EARLEY, ACTING PRODUCTION EDITOR PAPA DON’T PEACH BLUSH, TOO FACED £25…

HAYLEY CARTLIDGE Two months into her Protein World experience, and Hayley is loving it. “It’s gone really well!” she says. “Christmas was tough, but since January I’ve been good and been back on it and I can see a massive difference.” After losing six pounds in the first few weeks, Hayley is ditching the baggy items she’d been relying on. “I feel more confident in fitted clothes,” she says. “Overall I feel a lot better and a lot stronger.” She’s even got her fiancé on board. “I forced him to do it with me – after all, I cook! I do my routines in the morning and I’ve got him involved. I’m noticing quite a bit of difference in him too!” LIZZIE POWELL Since Lizzie last checked in, she’s “really…

3 OF THE BEST STUNNING SPAS REST AND RELAXATION WITH A SIDE ORDER OF INCREDIBLE DÉCOR! 1. INSTAGRAM/LAMAMOUNIAMARRAKECH 2. INSTAGRAM/BEACHCOMBER_ HOTELS 3. INSTAGRAM/ROMECAVALIERI UNDISCOVERED PARADISE The central-American haven of Nicaragua is yet to be overrun with tourists – get in there quick to experience the unspoilt rainforests and epic volcanoes. Tucked away along the stunning Emerald Coast, you’ll find the private oasis of Mukul Resort Golf & Spa. With just 37 rooms, it has an intimate and romantic feel. Book from £328pn. mukulresort.com PISTE-FUL STAY With seven stories, 136 rooms and utterly breathtaking interiors, Huus Gstaad in Switzerland is a ski chalet like no other. Its secluded spot upon the rolling hills means it is surrounded by 250km of slopes and trails – making it the place to be for…