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.
Crowning glory
Q. I love the look of flower crowns, but I'm worried it may be too much against my heavily embellished dress. Do you have any idea how I could wear one without overdoing it?
A. Hannah Withington says: Many brides are exchanging a traditional veil or jewelled headpiece for a flower crown, as a finishing touch to their wedding look. One of the greatest things about these is just how versatile they can be. Your florist should be able to create a crown to complement your dress. So, I'd suggest finding a style that's quintessentially you. Consider using beautifully elegant foliage with a few simple white flowers - this would look stunning with your embellished gown.
The charm of flower crowns could also follow through to your bridal party, even to the smallest of flowergirls. Dried and preserved greens are also a lovely addition, and are totally on trend. But remember, whatever flowers you use they need to be sturdy and less thirsty varieties.
Hannah Withington,Patina & Petal
www.patinapetal.co.uk
Flower friendly
Q. How can we be more eco-conscious when it comes to our wedding flowers?
A. Elizabeth Morgan says: When planning your wedding florals you'll be thinking of that wow factor to achieve a stunning impact to be remembered. Now, more than ever, you can work with your florist to ensure ecological impact is considered and reduced.
Your florist can source from local growers to ensure the freshest seasonal flowers. Also, think about how you can reuse blooms from ceremony to reception. This not only stretches your budget, but is a clever way to repurpose your arrangements. For example, chair ends can be hung in small reusable glass vases, then placed on reception tables, or within greenery garlands. Ceremony table décor can be designed to double up for the top table design. It's also a nice idea to gift all of your floral centrepieces and garlands to your guests and the end of the day. They go on to decorate homes and be enjoyed for weeks to follow. So, when planning your special day, everything can be done with eco-conscious thinking and can be enjoyed way beyond.
Elizabeth Morgan,Bizzy Lizzy Flowers
www.bizzylizzyflowers.co.uk
Bohemian dream
Q. We're going for a relaxed bohemian theme for our wedding, but we don't know where to start with our flowers – what would you suggest?
A. Jodie Tremain says: I'd recommend something really natural, rustic and textured, keeping it very free flowing and open to suit your surroundings. However, something a little different and unusual will work beautifully for the bohemian style too. Keep the colour palette simple to avoid clashes, but opt for an eye-catching design. Adding in extra touches such as pheasant feathers, gives an edge to any floral feature, making it completely bespoke to you. This stunning motif can be replicated in a variety of ways with different colours to achieve the exact look you're after.
Jodie Tremain,J L Floral Design
www.jlfloraldesign.co.uk
Floral harmony
Q. How can I make all of my flowers work together?
A. Ellouise Hasler-Stott says: This is an important question when considering how the theme of your day is reflected in photos. Making sure all of your floral arrangements tie together and that everything matches gives a continuity to the look of the day overall.
The bride's bouquet should be filled with all the colours and varieties of flowers making up the theme, with the groom's buttonhole having the same mix. The next layer down will be the bridesmaids and best men, who will have simplified versions, showing clear links to the couple. This way, when everyone is photographed together, you can see a clear link between the whole wedding party. The same rule would be applied at the reception, with the top table displaying a mix and individual tables containing more simplified versions.
If you have a theme you'd like to carry through to the flowers, let your florist know so they can work with you to incorporate those hints. For example, blooms could be enhanced with delicate shells to reflect a coastal theme. It's these little details that will be picked up by your photographer, completing a set of photographic memories to last a lifetime.
Ellouise Hasler-Stott
www.facebook.com/flowersbyeg
Fabulous foliage
Q. How can I make my big day into a winter wonderland?
A. Jo Moody says: Winter flowers, foliage, berries and seed heads are bursting with texture and colour and can really help to set the tone of your wedding. Foliage remains a strong trend for the year ahead, and quality is at its peak during the winter months. Think rich, jewel-toned seasonal flowers complemented by lush green foliage and textured berries in abundant hand-tied bouquets for a decadent still-life look.
Try combining the deepest-hued black baccara roses or crimson garden roses such as David Austin Darcey with viburnum steel berries, red skimmia foliage, scabious seed heads, anemones or hellebores and eryngium thistles for a rich, warm look. Silk or velvet ribbons in complementary colours such as teal, claret, petrol blue or steel grey can add another dimension.
If you prefer a crisp, classic look, opt for white and ivory flowers with a mix of deep glossy green foliage and a hint of grey for texture. Try crisp white avalanche roses, white anemones, eucaris or ivory cymbidium orchids alongside grey eucalyptus cinerea or berried eucalyptus populus, ivory hypericum berries and evergreen foliage such as spruce and pine.
Jo Moody
Floral finesse
Q. How can I avoid disaster?
A. Sue Davies says: - Choose your florist very carefully. Request references from previous customers or chat to friends who have been happy with their flowers.
- Provisionally book your wedding date with the florist as early as you can.
- Arrange a consultation meeting. Confidence in your florist's ability is best gained via a detailed discussion. Don't worry if you don't know flower names, as your florist is there to guide you through all aspects of your floral plan, from bouquets and buttonholes to ceremony and venue displays.
- Expect to be offered a free quote after your initial meeting, enabling you to fully plan your budget in advance. Confirm the go-ahead as soon as your decision is final and be sure to ask for images of proposed flowers.
- It's beneficial to use the same florist throughout for continuity.
- Your florist will liaise with your venue directly regarding access and timings, leaving you comfortable in the knowledge that your plan is being taken care of.
For a stress-free day...
Agree a time for delivery of bouquets on the morning of your wedding, around two hours prior to the start of proceedings is about right.
Beware of having to collect your own bouquets the day before. Good management of the flowers is essential to having wonderful looking blooms on the day, so a good florist will have a tried and tested routine for ensuring the venue is dressed on time and the bouquets arrive with you in tip-top condition.
Sue Davies
www.suedaviesflowers.com
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