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Inspiration
Ideas on how to add that 'something blue'
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Saying 'I do' in Southend
We look at venues around the area
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Summer styles for grooms
The season's must-have looks for the man of the moment
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Setting up home
Gorgeous glassware for your home
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From restaurant to reception
Bring the delights of your favourite eatery to your wedding
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Precious paradise
Rowena shares the Far East's best kept secret...the Palawan Islands
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 18 June 2010 |
| As time goes by... |
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Ever looked back through your grandparents' or parents' albums and wondered what it would have been like to get married 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years ago?
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we love to hear about weddings old and new, so we thought we'd share our favourite big days from the past five decades to show you just how things have changed.
The 1970s
Marie Pinkham and Tony Boullemier tied the knot on 6th June, 1970. They had a fantastic day with 60 of their friends and family, first with a ceremony at their local Catholic church in Northampton followed by a party at the Yeoman of England pub in Wooton. "The pub was the only place we could find as Tony and I only gave our parents six weeks" notice about the wedding - we always have been impulsive people," recalls Marie. "But it was a lovely venue, and we had a brilliant day."
Marie wore a very simple, white empire-line gown, and a layered veil that had pretty rose and lily of the valley detailing. "My dress cost £25 from a local shop, and the headdress cost £5," she says. "I also had four bridesmaids - my two sisters Anne and Trish, and my friends Margaret and June. They all wore high necked, full-length dresses in pink, with a maroon ribbon tied around the middle. I remember buying them from a lovely man on a market stall for just £4 each."
To see more weddings through the years, see pages 33-36 of the current issue. |
| Precious paradise |
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The Palawan islands are the Philippines' last frontier and the Far East's best kept secret. Rowena Marella-Daw discovers why this piece of heaven is worth keeping to yourself.
There are two types of travellers: those who play safe and follow the familiar route, and those who prefer to explore the lesser trodden path. If you're the latter, then the islands of Palawan in the Philippines have some surprises in store. Of the 7,107 islands that make up the archipelago, the province of Palawan takes the lion's share in terms of exceptional beauty and biodiversity. In fact, in the November-December 2007 issue of National Geographic Traveler, an independent panel gave Palawan the highest score among island destinations in east and southeast Asia, beating more popular destinations such as Bali, Lombok and Phuket. Considered the country's final frontier, Palawan is protected by the Sulu Sea to the east and the South China Sea to the west.
Its many limestone cliffs cradle deserted white sand coves, tranquil lagoons and mangroves, while beneath its emerald waters, coral reefs teem with life. On land, dramatic landscapes provide the perfect habitat for endemic species such as the swiftlet, Palawan hornbill, peacock pheasant, bearcat, and the anteater. |
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| Utterly inspiring |
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Essex is full of such inspiration, which is why readers love the real wedding features. So, there are three, instead of the usual two, to nose through this issue.
Stacy and Mark's wedding at Hedingham Castle was a particularly fabulous day, complete with a bouncy castle to appeal to the child in all their guests (page 89).
If you'd like your wedding featured too, visit our website to find out more.
Finally, this is my very last issue of An Essex Wedding as I will be moving on to pastures new.
I've been wowed by Essex's special days over the past few years, and during this time I have very much enjoyed watching them become even more imaginative and personal.
Best wishes for the future.
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| Lisa Morgan, Editor |
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| Make sure your email editor@anessexwedding.co.uk to keep us up to date with all your news |
| Win a weekend 'hair holiday' |
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Give your locks some much-needed pampering before the big day, with a break in The Cotswolds courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Stuart Holmes.
Top hairstylist Stuart Holmes relocated from London to Cheltenham in 2003, where he established his luxurious hair and beauty salon with his wife Sara. After the move, many of his clients started to regularly travel from London for their appointments so Stuart decided to team up with two of the area's most exclusive hotels to launch the Hair Holiday package. This enables clients to make a relaxing weekend of having their hair done and enjoying some pampering too. Over the past six years the Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Spa has gone from strength to strength and now employs 20 professional staff.
For more information about Stuart Holmes and the Hair Holiday packages, visit www.stuartholmeshairholiday.co.uk |
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| Enter here |
| Springtime Style |
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Jon and Sarah's big day at Parklands was as fresh as a daisy.
Sarah Canning and Jonathan Gledstone, both 27, met during their school days, but it wasn't until Jon returned from university that the relationship blossomed into something more than just friendship.
Eight years on, Jon surprised Sarah with a romantic proposal. "It was on my birthday," recalls Sarah. "He took me to an art exhibition in London, and there was a boating lake on the outdoor terrace above the gallery. Jon asked me to marry him in the boat."
After celebrating with their hens and stags - in Brighton and Bruges respectively - Jon and Sarah enjoyed a fabulous wedding at Parklands, near Bishop's Stortford, on 1st March, 2009. Check out the details of their big day...
The cake, which was made by a family friend, was a three-tiered design with yellow and white icing, and sugar buttons and a bow to finish.
The flowers were a striking combination of yellow roses (the bride's favourite), tulips and lisianthus.
For more information and pictures of Jon and Sarah's big day, see pages 28 - 30 of the current issue.
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To buy a copy for just £2.95 post free or to order a subscription of six issues for just £15, please visit our web site...
www.anessexwedding.co.uk or call us on 01376 514000 |
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| Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from businesses in your area who will help you with your dream wedding. |
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| Find your local wedding suppliers... |
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| Something blue |
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For an alternative spring/summer look, forget pink and opt for something blue, says Laura Binder.
There's definitely a certain je ne sais quoi about using blue hues as a colour scheme for spring or summer wedding dates. In fact when it comes to achieving the perfect look, the options are endless: from dark midnight tones for a deeply romantic evening reception, navy for a classic finish, peacock blue for a touch of drama, or baby blue for light and breezy spring days - the sky's the limit. But, why stick to one shade? One of my favourite looks for the season is to combine contrasting shades of blue with bright white.
The result looks wonderful against a countryside setting, and super chic amid the surroundings of an urban venue.
For more tips on creating the perfect blue colour scheme for your big day, see page 45 of the current issue. |
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