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| Here is a selection of Q&As from Your West Midlands Wedding magazine. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourwestmidlandswedding.com.
To view more Q&A's on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
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Hot topic: Themes |
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| Get everything sorted with help from our local experts |
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East meets West
Q. We are having a civil ceremony followed by a Hindu wedding. For the reception we are planning an East meets West theme and would like some bright colours to decorate the room. Can you inspire us with some ideas to fit our theme?
A. Lisa Jane Peacock says: The best way to create a fusion is by incorporating bright colours into the décor to represent a meeting of cultures. Blue symbolises bravery and a stable mind and is often associated with all things British, thanks to the Union Jack. Add a splash of cobalt blue to your guest tables with vibrant tablecloths or cover the tables with organza runners for a more subtle look. Green represents peace and happiness and is also reminiscent of the English countryside. Try mint or sage green table stationery in a damask design as a nod to this year's hottest colours. Yellow is the colour of knowledge and saffron is the colour of purity. Why not speak to your florist to find out which bright yellow flowers will be available at the time of your wedding? Of course red has the strongest significance in the Hindu faith but avoid using this shade too much in your décor if you're wearing a traditional red sari as you want to stand out. |
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Bohemian blooms
Q. I am having a bohemian wedding and like the idea of a mismatched bouquet. What flowers would you recommend for this type of arrangement?
A. Louise Harris says: Whether you want to mix up your colours or to use a set palette, it's best to start with fragrant herbs and natural foliages. Then extend your flower selection to include blooms such as September flower, sunflowers, anemones and peonies, which we could expect to find in the perfect English garden. Your flowers should have an irregular design for a handpicked look and be tied with hessian, natural string or raffia. Meanwhile, clusters of lavender will look gorgeous at each place setting for your reception tables. |
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Relight my fire
Q. We're getting married this winter and I want to create a cosy, warm feel for our wedding. I felt candles would set the mood, however our venue does not allow open flames. Can you suggest any other touches that would work well?
A. Abigail Cunningham says: Winter is a magical time of year. Embrace the season with rich, warm colours for flowers and bridesmaids' dresses, serve mulled wine to your guests and create the perfect setting for your wedding breakfast with stunning table decorations.
For your tables, consider twig centrepieces dressed with fairy lights and hanging Christmas decorations. Gold accents complement many colour schemes and are very festive. Gold crystal glassware, mirrored place settings and gold beaded napkin rings are all effective ways to create a winter wow for your guests.
We say... Battery-operated LED candles can be quite convincing if used carefully – some even flicker for that authentic feel. Pop battery-operated tealights in bags and votives. Choose colours carefully, look for amber or 'warm white' and avoid bright white or blue light. |
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The naked chef
Q. I'm having a tea party theme for my summer wedding and I recently saw a tiered victoria sponge cake with fresh fruit and roses that would make the perfect centrepiece. Is there anything I should know before ordering one?
A. Natasha Lewis says: These cakes are referred to as 'naked cakes' due to the lack of marzipan or icing. There are a few things to consider before ordering one. Ask your venue if the reception room will have air conditioning; as if you plan to have it on display for both the wedding breakfast and evening reception, it will need to be kept in a cool room or large fridge in between. Fresh cream starts to spoil after a couple of hours on display so consider substituting it for butter cream and ask your venue to serve the cake with jugs of pouring cream and a summer fruit coulis. Ask your cake designer to place the fresh flowers on the cake, so that cut stems do not come into contact with it. Finally, remember that these cakes it won't yield as many portions as a standard wedding cake of the same size. However, you can ask your supplier to provide additional cutting cakes. |
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Minty fresh looks
Q. My fiancé and I have chosen a mint colour scheme for our summer wedding, but I don't want to overdo it. What colours would combine well with mint for a more harmonious look?
A. Jacqui Park says: I worked with this colour on a couple of weddings last year and it was a big hit. Mint green is perfect for a summer wedding, but I agree too much would be overpowering. Once you combine it with other colours it can work perfectly. Think pastel when combining mint with other colours. Pastel pink, silver, grey or even peach and ivory work perfectly and these colours particularly complement a vintage-themed wedding. I would also suggest going into a DIY store or haberdashery and looking at their colour schemes to give you ideas. You could even experiment with some sample pots of paint. Best of luck. |
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