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| OUT NOW |
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Real weddings
Be inspired by other brides and grooms
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Engagement shoots
We look at the appeal of pre-wedding photography
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Transport ideas
How to arrive on the big day
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Honeymoons
Louise Prance discovers the appeal of Cancun, Mexico
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Flowergirl fashion
Pretty dresses the little ones will love
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Country Chic settings
Tie the knot in one of these stylish locations
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Bridal boutiques
Boutique owners reveal their top tips
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Slick shot
Sophisticated attire for modern grooms
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Setting up home
Get romantic with a French boudoir theme for your home
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 2nd December 2011 |
| Be inspired... Gothic romance |
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Thrill your guests with an atmospheric celebration full of gothic touches
The course of true love never did run smooth, and it's the passion and whistful emotion of romance that is captured in the gothic mood. Far from frightening, the term evokes images of intricate medieval architecture, though in literature it is likely to put us in mind of tragically beautiful tales such as Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, full of desperately earnest affairs of the heart and elements of fantasy.
If you want to add a touch of gothic romance to your wedding the easiest way to establish the tone is to select a suitably grand venue, ideally a stately home or a castle where you can play the heroine of your very own love story. An enchanting mode of transport, such as a horse and carriage, would be a fairytale way to make an entrance to the reception. Be sure to take advantage of any opportunity to light a roaring log fire and adorn the space with an abundance of tealights and candelabra to create an intimate atmosphere.
A dramatic setting requires elaborate decor, so opt for a dark colour scheme of deep red, purple, green and black for a luxurious look. If your nuptials are set to have a more rock'n'roll vibe find inspiration in the films of Tim Burton, such as Sweeney Todd, and add monochrome stripes to the mix for an eccentric finish. Traditional roses or tulips would be a fitting choice of flora, while delicate vintage-style lace tablecloths will enhance the ornate nature of the theme. Tables could be named after your favourite authors, poets or books, and you could even present guests with copies of beloved novels as favours.
When it comes to the cuisine, indulge in the formality of the occasion with a sit-down, banquet-style wedding breakfast. The rich flavours of autumnal fare washed down with champagne or red wine would be a delectable end to the celebrations. |
| Going for glamour |
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| Image provided by Mango Photography |
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Arti and Max enjoyed colourful celebrations at Cadbury House in Bristol
When a man attempts to present a woman with a wonderful piece of jewellery while down on one knee its usually as part of a proposal, however, for Arti Pitamber and Max Davis this was in fact an act of chilvalry during their first meeting. "Max and I were introduced through mutual friends on a night out in Bath in 2004. After much merriment and copious amounts to drink I realised I'd lost my earring and Max ended up on the floor looking for it," says Arti.
The couple's first date was dinner at a Lebanese restaurant in Bristol and though it was a successful evening overall, it was almost another unlucky experience. "Max and I were getting on brilliantly. He'd ordered an unusual seafood dish to try and impress me, but I never noticed the look of horror on his face when it arrived. I spent half the meal staring at him pushing a whole baby octopus around his plate whilst trying to cut it. Suffice to say, I couldn't stomach my starter after that and I don't think Max finished his either," laughs Arti.
Thankfully Max had far better fortune when he and Arti discussed marriage. "Max gave me a photo album for Christmas in 2009 which he'd started to fill with pictures of us and our families. In the front of the album he'd written a message saying not to worry if I filled it up, we'd start another album for our wedding," recalls Arti. "We chose the design of my ring together and he went down on one knee at my mum and dad's house on 25th January, 2010."
Arti and Max took 10 months to plan their nuptials and chose a vintage glamour theme for the daytime with black tie celebrations in the evening. A colour palette comprising gold, taupe, duck egg blue and cerise was incorporated into the decor at the couple's chosen venue, Cadbury House in Bristol. "There was a lot to organise as we had a henna party on the Friday, our civil ceremony on the Saturday and then the Indian ceremony and reception on the Sunday," says Arti. "It was an amazing experience, and one which I would do again if I could."
Turn to page 43 of the current issue to read Arti's account of the celebrations. |
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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.yourbristolsomersetwedding.co.uk or call us on 01376 514000 |
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| Getting personal |
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I'm fond of the saying "life's about the journey, not the destination", but when it comes to your wedding day both of these segments have to be considered thoroughly.
Lucky for you, we've got it covered. As always, we've explored your area to find the most beautiful and charming venues a couple can book to say "I do".
And once you've chosen the location for your nuptials, you'll want a smooth journey to your future spouse. We have showcased a fantastic array of transport options to make sure you arrive in style.
Your attire can be the ideal way to express your taste and Danielle Wilkins has found some stunning gowns perfect for brides who love the vintage look.
If you spot a dress you like be sure to head to a fabulous bridal boutique for great service; we spoke to a few of the best local retailers for some insider tips on the latest collections.
Whatever you decide, celebrate your personal taste, relax and enjoy the entire process, from the moment you slip on your wedding band, to the moment the last reveller leaves the dancefloor.
As a sidenote, I am the new editor of Your Bristol and Somerset Wedding and would like to say a big hello to all you future brides! We're going to keep you inspired with decor inspiration, the latest fashion and all the bridal news from your area.
Here's to your wedding - it's going to be incredible.
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| Sara McCorquodale, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@yourbristolsomersetwedding.co.uk to keep us up to date with all your news |
| Win your wedding worth £5000 |
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Celebrate in style with a wedding package courtesy of The Aztec Hotel & Spa
The fantastic Aztec Hotel & Spa provides a warm reception for guests and has a four-star approach to all aspects of the venue. With a location just a few miles from the centre of Bristol, the award-winning dining options, contemporary guest rooms and complimentary spa facilities make a stay at the hotel feel like true luxury.
The experienced staff can help to deliver a wonderful big day, whether you want traditional nuptials or a wedding with a decidedly different atmosphere. There is a choice of beautiful reception suites available, including the Cotswold Suite which is able to host up to 200 guests for ceremonies and a further 50 people for an evening reception. Couples can also check out the stylish Culbone Suite which is suitable for ceremonies of 80 guests with room for 140 people at an evening reception, and The Terrace which has great views of the venue's landscaped water feature.
There are a variety of delicious menu packages to suit different tastes and budgets that will make planning the celebrations as easy as possible, with the bride- and groom-to-be enjoying eight weeks complimentary membership of the spa to ensure they look their best. Loved ones are also able to take advantage of discounted room rates.
For more information telephone 01454 201 593 or visit www.aztechotelbristol.com
We've teamed up with The Aztec Hotel & Spa to offer you the chance to win a wedding package worth more than £5,000, based on 50 adult guests in the daytime and 100 guests for the evening party. The prize includes:
- A dedicated wedding coordinator
- Civil ceremony and evening reception room hire
- A red carpet welcome
- Flower arrangements for each table
- A three-course menu for 50 guests, chosen from the Silver Menu Selection
- Wedding stationery - menus, table plans and place cards
- A chilled glass of white wine punch during a drinks reception
- The services of a toastmaster
- A glass of white or red house wine with the meal
- Use of a cake stand and knife
- A glass of chilled sparkling wine for the toast
- An evening finger buffet for 100 guests
- An evening disco
- Four Poster room or Premier Suite for the bride and groom, accompanied by a bottle of chilled champagne and English Breakfast the next morning
Along with the above the winner will also receive:
- A £200 discount on a bespoke wedding dress from Jojo Bridal Wear
- The services of Claire Hill, a freelance hair stylist
- Eight table or floor standing bouquets of balloons in your chosen colours and one special bouquet for the cake table from Party from a Box, worth £80
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| Enter here |
| Boutique chic |
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Searching for the one? Enjoy a bespoke shopping experience with the help of the region's super stylish bridal stores
Charisma
Rebecca Rendell talks us through Charisma's style and the latest collections in store
While they are visiting our store, brides can take a look at our sharp and sophisticated men's formalwear offering. We have an array of Italian corvin or tail suits in different shades together with winged shirts in ivory or white, as well as waistcoats and cravats to match the bridesmaids' dresses.
Brides can book an appointment for a free wedding hair trial at Charisma's salon. We will listen to their ideas and recommend new styles to complement their dress, as they can browse through our tiaras and headpieces. We are trained specialists in bridal hair and our reputation is second to none, so clients can trust us to create a wonderful look.
We invite brides to indulge and pamper themselves to obtain the magical look they want for their special day. Picking the wedding dress is one of the most important choices a bride will ever make, which is why our staff will provide individual service and always deliver a first class product at an affordable price.
Charisma Bridal Wear is located at 3 Kingsway, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8BF. Call 01179 674 040 or visit www.charismabristol.com for further details.
To read on see page 71 of the current issue. |
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| Getting married in Bristol & Somerset or know someone who is and would like to receive future newsletters? To forward this email to a friend click here |
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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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| Hot topic: Colour coordination |
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| Image provided by www.ditsychic.co.uk |
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Whatever your queries are regarding the big day, our experts are here to guide you through
Think pink
Q - I'd love to match my wedding stationery to our fuchsia pink colour scheme, but my husband-to-be is worried it might look to garish. How can we achieve an elegant and stylish look with our invites?
Marianne says: A hint of colour can really show off your personality so don't be frightened to use bold hues in your invitations, as this is a great way to coordinate bridesmaids' dresses, flowers and any other details. Nowadays, couples are becoming more intrepid and choosing vibrant shades. The combination of bright colours and fabulous stationery can transform an ordinary invitation into a design that will wow your guests the moment they open the envelope.
Adding splashes of colour with white works really well - I highly recommend a romantic hot pink floral design with a bright white background - a great combination with a sophisticated twist. |
| Eat, play, love... Cancun |
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Cancun may not be the first honeymoon destination that springs to mind, but thanks to a new direct flight path from the UK, newlyweds can easily access the pure shores and breathtaking beauty that this Mexican getaway has to offer, as Louise Prance discovers
The white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Cancun have often been thought of as the ultimate luxury getaway, yet have been inaccessible to many due to the lengthy journey involved. However, with British Airways now offering a direct route three times a week, and with Virgin Atlantic filling the gaps, there is a daily direct flight path that lands you right on the doorstep of this stunning honeymoon destination.
I was lucky enough to spend some time there and experience first hand what this romantic spot has to offer - and should you be able to tear yourself away from the beach, there is a wealth of activities to indulge in too.
Rising star
The city of Cancun is located on the north east coast of Quintana Roo, southern Mexico and has fairly recently evolved as a thriving tourist destination, previously only inhabited by a coconut plantation, military base and a quiet fishing village. However, after the government spotted its potential, development started and Cancun has subsequently turned into an area of outstanding beauty that offers something for everyone; be it rest and relaxation, watersports, jungle activities, fine dining or nightlife - it's all there for the taking.
To read on see page 98 of the current issue. |
| Heaven scent |
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Every bride wants to smell gorgeous on her big day so we hit the high street to try out a selection of the best fragrances on offer. Here's our verdict
Boss Orange Woman (£36, 50ml)
www.theperfumeshop.com
I've been wearing the same scent for years and never try new ones but I'm really glad I found this. It's quite sweet with a big hit of orange but it's got a very musky, sexy element to it as well. The bottle is really pretty and it's very reasonably priced. If there is one fault, it doesn't seem to
last very long so you have to put a bit extra on in the afternoon.
Lauren Dowey
Rating **** |
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