Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Kent Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourkent.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Light it up
Q. This issue we asked the experts how to inject your wedding days with the spirit of spring.
A. James Kerry says: We have three top tips when it comes to bringing the beauty of spring to your wedding.
• Bursts of colour. You don't have to rely solely on nature to provide you with a stunning floral backdrop. You can use both real and faux flowers for bouquets, table decorations, flower crowns, baskets full of colourful petals for the flower girls, the list goes on and on. Our range of rustic, light up letters and vintage selfie picture frame come with decorative blooms, whether you like pastel or bright sunflowers. For an extra pop of colour you can also hire our candy bar, which comes decorated too, and let your guests fill their sweetie bags with their favourite pick'n'mix.
• Festival flair. Our mobile bar comes stocked with freshly-prepared cocktails, Pimm's, locally-produced drinks and artisan gins to give your guests that festival feeling.
• Mood lighting. In the spring it can still get dark quite early, so make sure your focal points aren't just decorative during the day. Our illuminated rustic letters and candy bar light up the night with bright yet warm yellow light. They're the perfect backdrop for photos or your dancefloor. You could also use fairylights and clusters of LED candles for your table decorations.
James Kerry, Powder Mill Productions
www.powdermillproductions.co.uk
Best of the season
Q. How can we give our venue styling an autumnal twist?
A. Kylie Christie says: Start with your base when planning your reception tables, and you can create an autumnal style simply by using textured linens, coloured fabric runners or accent with a coloured napkins in burnt oranges, rich reds, and browns.
There are many fantastic autumn-hued florals, foliage and dried flowers available for centrepieces. Consider using amber-coloured glass, lanterns or hurricane vases with candles for an inviting glow.
Include natural elements such as wood, leaves and pinecones – you can forage or source these easily and they'll store in advance of your wedding. Use seasonal produce such as gourds and munchkins as accents, and scatter nuts, leaves and red apples around your centrepieces to add texture and interest.
Recycled and seed paper stationery has an amazing colour and texture. Alternatively, you can write your guests' names on dried leaves or tie them to pinecones to greet them as they take their seats. Your loved ones will adore seasonal favours too. Source or have fun making your own red toffee apples, or honeycomb pieces for a fun seasonal twist.
Kylie Christie, The Old Kent Barn
www.theoldkentbarn.co.uk
Winter wonderland
Q. I've always dreamed of a winter wedding and the venue is booked for December. How can I style it tastefully to reflect the season with a touch of class?
A. Blessing Enakimio says: Oh, we do love a winter wedding! For December nuptials most venues will have a Christmas tree set up, so it would be great to incorporate that into your staging by sitting your big-day bake next to it. Taking inspiration from the tree and the season, let's go for whites to reflect the crisp weather at this time of year. Utilise lots of foliage in the flower arrangements and various shades of grey will bring the outside in. Plus, silver embellishments will add a sparkle or two – after all, you can never have too much bling!
If there's an open fireplace at your venue, why not make the most of it and heat up the space with crackling cedar logs and cinnamon sticks to activate the sense of smell, creating a nostalgic ambience. Drape a large garland over the mantelpiece with matching florals as the centrepieces on each table and large cathedral arrangements on pedestals along the aisle and in various focal points.
Place overlay lace linen on top of white tablecloths on all of your tables, and have silver charger plates underneath your dinner plates with silver-rimmed glassware. Go for tall silver centrepieces like candelabras to hold your green and white floral displays. Finally, silver chivari chairs are perfect to complete the look.
Whatever you do, make it about you and enjoy the process.
Blessing Enakimio, Blessing by Blé
www.blessingbybe.com
Light of my life
Q. We've heard that lighting is a key element in styling a wedding. Can you tell us more?
A. Melanie Revell-Leaman says: This is very true – never underestimate the power of lighting! It really is the best aspect to focus on. Especially with a dry hire venue that presents you with a totally blank canvas, as the right lighting will finish it off perfectly. For instance, a chandelier will create a romantic, traditional look, whereas festoon lighting is ideal for a festival-themed wedding. Fairylights strung across the ceiling can bring a starry vibe, and hanging light bulbs will work brilliantly with an industrial, modern feel. Candlelight is beautiful and works wonders when creating an intimate, romantic feel. Even if you have a guest list of 200 or more, it'll still lend the space that cosy, welcoming ambience.
Melanie Revell-Leaman, Your Story Events
www.yourstoryevents.co.uk
Understated elegance
Q. We're tying the knot at a stately home venue. How can we style it tastefully without going overboard since it's already very ornate?
A. Blessing Enakimio says: Here in Kent, we have so many licensed stately homes and manor houses – it's amazing what you can do in such ornate spaces. It's important to take into account the existing décor; most stately homes have prominent features that you can base your design on. Take the time to observe them prior to selecting your styling.
Pay attention to the accent of the colours and textures in the space including the floors, curtains, lighting and ceilings. Draw from the existing colour palette and incorporate those hues into your design. For instance, the ornate lighting feature in the room might be gold, so include that as your design's metallic shade. You might use gold rimmed glass- and tableware or gold candelabra as centrepieces.
Concentrating your design means you don't have too much everywhere, just in specific areas. For your tables, go for textured and coloured table linen – it goes beautifully in embellished rooms and accentuates the latent colours already present. Opt for bold floral arrangements, nothing too small or low or they'll get swallowed up, and nothing too high to distract from the room's opulence.
Most importantly, play close attention to the size of the space and avoid overcrowding it. You and your guests need to feel free to roam without the sense of being stifled by the décor.
Blessing Enakimio, Blessing by Blé
www.blessingbyble.com
