Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Sussex 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@your-sussex.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Green goals
Q. How can we make sure our big day is as sustainable as it can be?
A. Jude Hesselgrave says: Planning a sustainable wedding in no way means being 100 per cent environmentally friendly – that would be impossible. However, there are many ways you can be sustainably conscious when starting out on your planning journey. Sadly, I've witnessed so much unnecessary waste go into landfill from within the events sector over the years, so I'd like to share a few ways of reducing that and encouraging you to be aware of where and who you're hiring from.
Firstly, try to find suppliers who are local to your venue. This is a great way of keeping your carbon footprint down. There's a huge collection of wedding suppliers on Instagram, it's a great place to start, but be sure to get a feel for their ethos. With caterers for example, ask where their produce is sourced from, if locally from farms holding the Red Tractor logo then you know you're onto a winner!
Try to find a florist who has connections with their local flower farms. Weddings displaying our great British flowers are some of the best in my opinion! Try to avoid blooms that are flown in. There are also some amazing confetti farms in the UK, by purchasing your confetti from these businesses not only are you supporting the domestic farming industry but also our amazing, bird and insect colonies.
Ditch disposable tableware and hire yours from a reputable company. Avoid plastics and bamboo plates etc, don't be fooled into thinking they can be recycled, as not all can. Hiring them ensures each item will be used and enjoyed time and time again with nothing being discarded.
Lastly, if you're looking for an outdoor wedding venue look for one that doesn't host back-to-back weddings. You may need to book further in advance for this but by offering fewer dates each year the land has time to recuperate between each event and the wildlife and surroundings are less disturbed.
If we all do a bit, we can make a big difference.
Jude Hesselgrave, Wickerwood Farm
www.wickerwoodfarm.com
On trend
Q. What's hot in the world of weddings this year?
A. Illy Goodall says: With 2022 being the biggest wedding season on record, with an estimated two-and-a-half million weddings set to take place, according to The Wedding Report, here's all you need to know about the current trends...
The Pantone colour for 2022 is a shade of blue with violet undertones called Very Peri. When using a bold hue such as this in your wedding palette just add hints of it and pair it with other similar tones. Be sure to keep neutral undertones to your floral palettes, such as white, to ensure they complement the main colour.
Anemones are one of the most popular flowers requested this season, with ranunculas, lisianthus and garden roses close behind, all of which can be sourced from local flower farms. We're also seeing filler flowers becoming popular with snapdragons, Queen Anne's lace and wax flowers.
Short hemlines are doing the rounds again, with 2022 expecting to see a large increase in these wedding dress designs. The many city-based nuptials taking place seem to be the reason behind their popularity as a little white dress is perfectly suited for a luxury town hall wedding. Big puff sleeves are also popular with brides opting for this modern style.
With weekend dates being booked up, weekday weddings have seen a surge in popularity. Couples are desperate to stop delaying their plans any further and are opting for midweek celebrations to ensure they can go ahead this year.
Couples are always looking for new ways to stand out and unusual reception table layouts are being requested to make things more modern. Many planners and stylists created some unique floorplans to keep guests socially distanced during last year's restrictions and as a result we're seeing S-shaped tables becoming a popular choice, as well as square and U-shaped layouts.
Illy Goodall, Illy Elizabeth Weddings
www.illyelizabethweddings.com
Love and unity
Q. How can we include close friends and family members in our ceremony?
A. Stefan Field says: There are many ways to include your friends and family such as having them enter with the bridal party, deliver a reading or poem, or even asking the talented amongst them to provide a musical element. For me, having them join in as part of a unity ceremony is the perfect way to bring families together and welcome each part of the couple into the fold of the other.
You also have the option to include symbolic actions such as pouring different coloured sand representing the family members from individual bottles into one jar bringing everyone together as one. This is a great visual element and a simple way to include your nearest and dearest.
Having friends light a unity candle and pass around the flame or take it in turns to light smaller individual candles also includes them in the service. It's a lovely way to show the close connection between everyone present and part of your special day.
Stefan Field, Ceremonies by Stefan
www.ceremoniesbystefan.com
Together again
Q. Given the restrictions of the last year, our friends and family will be keen to catch up at our wedding. How can we create a chill out area to give them space away from the dancefloor to chat?
A. Sara Ellis says: It's always nice to have a place for your guests to chill away from the dancefloor. If your venue has a separate ceremony room why not utilise this space again by adding a sofa and props to create a quiet area? This is also great as you're reusing items that you've used during the day. Equally by adding something as simple as a neon sign it creates a welcoming and dedicated space to chill.
Sara Ellis, To Have and To Hire Events
www.tohaveandtohireweddings.com
Meaningful moments
Q. What tips can you give on making an intimate wedding day super-special?
A. Louisa Porter says: Surrounded by your closest family and friends you really can make a small, intimate wedding incredibly special. Everyone is so much more relaxed and you can give each guest a role to play, making them feel included every step of the way.
Choose fun face masks for yourselves and your guests for the wedding ceremony and take time to select individually chosen favours for that personal touch. In the evening you can play games such as Mr and Mrs, and wedding bingo to get everyone involved, which is something that might not be practical at a large event.
Group photos will show the connection you all have with one another. Plus, time can be spent on your couple shots and focusing on what it means to you to be married.
Louisa Porter, Cottesmere Hotel Golf & Country Club
www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk
