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Inspirational ideas
How to create a stunning art deco-themed reception
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Setting up home
Inspiration from around the world
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Real weddings
Be inspired by other brides and grooms
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Lace style
Be inspired by one of this season's most romantic trends
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Tried and tested
The County Wedding Magazines team tries out a range of mascaras
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Vintage inspiration
An inspirational shoot in the heart of Birmingham
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Love through a lens
Photography styles you'll adore
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The etiquette guide
What to do, and when to do it
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Entertain in style
Top ideas to get the party started
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Venues in Leamington Spa, Warwick and Coventry
Some of the region's most picturesque
wedding settings
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Local luxury
Enjoy a mini-moon in one of the West
Midland's hotel hotspots
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 27th January 2012 |
| Our big day: Becky and Will |
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| Image provided by Liezl Croft Photography |
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A sophisticated gold colour scheme and darling vintage details set the tone for Becky and Will's elegant wedding
University sweethearts, Becky and Will, met while they were studying the same course at Reading and some years later, Will popped the question while the couple were holidaying in Thailand.
"It was our last evening in Phuket and he proposed as we were walking along the beach," recalls Becky. "Will had to get down on one knee twice, as the first time I wandered off without realising what he was trying to do," she laughs. "It was a complete shock and I wasn't expecting it at all."
After a traditional ceremony at Knowle Parish Church, the couple enjoyed an elegant reception at Mallory Court, Leamington Spa. "Our day had a gold colour scheme with vintage accents, and Mallory Court had everything we were looking for in a venue," adds Becky. "We chose to hold our drinks reception in the older part of the house, and then moved on to a more contemporary area of the hotel for our wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. The neutral decor and huge skylights allowed us to stamp our gold vintage theme on the setting."
Becky explains more about how their big day came together on page 80 of the current issue. |
| Fashion focus |
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Where passion meets fashion...
Vintage brides wanting a fabulous fifties-inspired look will fall in love with new UK website Look Darling. Inspired by founder Emma Lester's search for her own vintage wedding gown, the site offers some of the best in high-end vintage inspired bridalwear available in the UK for the first time, with gowns from the likes of Dolly Couture and Fancy New York.
A bespoke measuring service in a range of colours and fabrics ensures all the dresses are made to fit perfectly, and brides can complete their look with a stunning selection of fifties inspired accessories, including handmade veils and shoes. Dress prices start from £495, visit
www.lookdarling.com |
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| A dream come true |
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May I take this opportunity to congratulate those who have got engaged over the festive season. It's great to hear all your proposal stories and I look forward to the prospect of featuring some of your weddings in the issues to come.
For those of you beginning the New Year with an engagement ring on your finger, you'll be delighted to hear that we've got a whole host of inspiration to get you started on your planning. Our real weddings include our wonderful cover bride Abbie and her husband Steven, who together showed just how glam winter nuptials can be. Rock 'n' roll details gave their wedding a cool and contemporary edge and I hope you enjoy swooning over the photography as much as I did. Meanwhile, Becky and Will celebrated with a sophisticated gold colour scheme, which set the tone for their vintage-themed day beautifully.
Also in this issue; reception style inspired by art deco design, a guide to wedding etiquette and detailed advice from local experts about how to start shopping for those all-important bridesmaids dresses. I'm sure you'll agree your girls are there to support you every step of the way, so they deserve to look their best too.
All the best for the New Year,
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| Danielle Wilkins, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@yourwestmidlandswedding.co.uk to keep us up to date with all your news |
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| Win a videography package worth £800 |
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The big day is sure to fly by so quickly, you'll be surprised at just how much of it you'll miss. Having your wedding captured on film, however, will ensure you get to experience all the key parts, including those one-off moments you didn't even know existed. It also provides the perfect opportunity to get together with friends and family after the event and reminisce about the day.
Castle View Productions is a professional videography company based in Staffordshire which specialises in filming weddings in an unobtrusive manner. As a member of the Institute of Videographers and a registered member of The Guild of Videographers, the company offers a respected service and a range of packages to suit all budgets. For more information, or to see samples of the team's work, call 07961 829 518 or visit www.castleviewproductions.co.uk
We've teamed up with Castle View Productions to offer readers the chance to win a fabulous videography package worth £800. The prize includes a pre-wedding shoot in a location of the couple's choice, plus all-day coverage of the wedding with the help of two camera operators, who will film everything from the bride and groom getting ready, to the arrival of guests, the ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. Guests will also have the opportunity to record their well-wishes to the happy couple on camera throughout the day. After the wedding, the lucky winners will receive their film on three DVDs beautifully packaged in white presentation cases.
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| Enter here |
| Your etiquette survival guide |
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Ensure the day runs without a hitch with our top tips and advice
The ceremony
It doesn't matter if you've opted for a religious blessing or a civil partnership, the running order of the ceremony will generally be similar for all types of weddings.
- The service will begin with the entrance of the bride.
- There will be an introduction, followed by the singing of hymns at church weddings and optional readings.
- After saying your vows, you will be asked to sign the register.
- The service ends as you exit the church/ceremony room.
Top tips
- Keep in mind that no religious connotations are allowed at civil ceremonies, so be sure to check your song choices and readings with the registrar beforehand.
- Many couples prefer to hand out order-of-service sheets before the ceremony to give an idea of what will happen. These can also include hymn or song lyrics, so guests can sing along during the service.
To read on see page 77 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.yourwestmidlandswedding.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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| The girls' guide |
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| Image provided by www.katebarnard.co.uk |
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Still undecided about where to shop and how to dress your bridesmaids? Danielle Wilkins speaks to two boutique owners in the region for their advice
While all eyes will be on you on the big day, your bridesmaids are the friends who have no doubt been a much-needed support system throughout the planning process, so they deserve to look their best too. And while many years ago, wedding attire would be coordinated in every sense of the word no matter the size, shape or skin tone, these days there are no rules. Instead of a one-size-fits-all motto, modern brides are giving their maids the freedom to choose a dress they will love to wear.
Getting started
Most boutique owners recommend that brides look to buy their own gown first and begin planning other elements of the wedding, such as the theme and colour scheme, so the bridesmaids' dresses can be bought to suit. It is also suggested that, if you have a large number of maids, you take your chief bridesmaid shopping first, so as not to confuse yourself with too many conflicting opinions.
"Do some research before your appointment and look at some styles online," says Claire Jackson of Wedding Belles of Four Oaks in Sutton Coldfield. "Too many opinions may cloud your judgement so you should narrow down three or four styles you like and then show the rest of the girls your choices."
"Budget is also an important factor," adds Lisa Bryan of Ivory Tower Bridal Couture in Solihull. "Decide on how much you are willing to spend, and stick to it."
Remember, while it's important your bridesmaids feel comfortable in their outfits, ultimately it's up to you to be firm and decisive, and make the final decision.
To read on see page 51 of the current issue. |
| Say your nuptials in style |
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If understated elegance suits your wedding theme, consider the new and improved Sandwell Register Office in West Bromwich as a potential venue. The stunning Grade II listed building has undergone a £17,000 refurbishment, with the exterior now boasting a newly painted wrought iron gazebo and Victorian-style lampposts, as well as colourful flowerbeds.
The building, located just off the high street, dates back to the 1830s and was previously four terraced houses before becoming part of the council in the 1980s. Inside, the quaint Highfields Suite seats 45 guests for civil ceremonies and the Sandwell Suite will also be redecorated as part of phase two of the development in January.
For more information about getting married at Sandwell Register Office, call 0121 569 2480 or visit www.sandwell.gov.uk |
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