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| OUT NOW |
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Spotlight on Liverpool
We unveil some of the city's most exciting destinations in which to tie the knot
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Game on
Say 'I do' in one of Merseyside's most glamorous sporting venues
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Dazzling designs
Shine on your big day with the perfect jewellery selection
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Sweet thrills
Be inspired by our pick of the region's most stunning wedding cakes
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Future forecasts
The County Wedding Magazines team predicts the must-have trends for 2012
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Real weddings
Be inspired by other brides and grooms
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Blushing bride
The County Wedding Magazines team tries out a range of blushers
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The ultimate etiquette survival guide
What to do, and when to do it on the big day
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 24th February 2012 |
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| Win an engagement photoshoot worth £500 |
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Capture your engagement glow with beautifully shot pictures by photographer Mick Cookson
Getting engaged is one of the happiest times of a couple's life. Whether your spouse-to-be spontaneously got down on one knee or surprised you with champagne and a diamond ring at a sumptuous restaurant, the "will you marry me?" moment is one that should be treasured.
There is surely no better way to capture your happiness, not to mention that delectable post-engagement glow, than with a photoshoot dedicated entirely to you. And Mick Cookson is skilled in taking romantic pictures that perfectly display a soon-to-be-wed couples' bond.
Mick Cookson has captured over 150 weddings and carried out numerous engagement shoots with a quiet confidence that results in albums of beautifully natural images.
"I pride myself in being unobtrusive," he says. "After the first 10 minutes, couples tend to forget that I'm there. For engagement shoots, I like to go to a location that means something to the bride- and groom-to-be so the pictures have even more significance to them."
Mick adds: "I make them feel at home in front of the camera because I let them relax and be themselves. I think this creates the best images."
As well as resulting in a beautiful album, an engagement shoot prepares brides- and grooms-to-be for their big day. Regularly capturing engagements and weddings, Mick says: "It gets them used to having a camera snapping away and is a great ice breaker for the photographer and couple before the wedding."
For more information on Mick photography, visit www.mickcookson.com, or call 0161 792 4144.
We've teamed up with photographer Mick Cookson to offer you the chance to win this incredible engagement photography package worth £500.
This includes:
- A full consultation
- A Merseyside engagement shoot with Mick
- A beautifully boxed and bound coffee table book containing 60 images from your e-shoot
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| Enter here |
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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.yourmerseysidewedding.com or call us on 01376 514000 |
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| New beginnings |
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The saying goes that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and what better way to conjure up ideas for your own big day than with an insider's look at some real weddings from couples who have been there and done it. Steal their style or simply use their nuptials as a starting point before you add your individual stamp on your own celebration. Because that's the wonderful thing about weddings, they're a blank canvas and the choice is yours. Channel your inner Duchess of Cambridge and opt for classic vintage or unleash your inner vamp and have a decadent do full of gothic touches - whatever you decide make sure you stay true to yourself and you'll ultimately create the day of your dreams.
We will be with you every step of the way so make sure you pick up the next issue of Your Merseyside Wedding where we take a look at some fantastic music options to dance the night away, while the region's leading photographers showcase the must-have snaps for that all-important wedding album.
Enjoy!
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| Louise Prance, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@yourmerseysidewedding.com to keep us up to date with all your news |
| Sweet thrills |
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Be inspired by our pick of some of the region's most stunning cake designs
If there's one day when you can have your cake and eat it, it's your wedding day. Whether you're having a sophisticated reception or a chic country do, these sweet creations will provide the icing on the cake. We hear from their designers, who offer some tips on choosing your own little slice of heaven.
Floral fancies
This pretty, feminine design from Flissy Cakes, near Lymm, is ideal for a country garden-inspired wedding and will look beautiful surrounded by hand-picked blooms placed in glass bottles. Designer Felicity has been making wedding cakes for 11 years and tells us: "My speciality is creating sugar flowers - I haven't come across a variety that I can't reproduce in sugar and I just love making them." Having set up Flissy Cakes three years ago, Felicity maintains there are no limits when it comes to producing delicious desserts. "If you go to a good cake designer, there's no idea that can't be achieved. I have made everything from a scale model of the Dubai coast and 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign, to a Super Mario computer game level."
However, if you want to get the best from your cake maker, Felicity advises going to your first appointment with some firm ideas. "I often get asked to quote a price for a three-tiered design, but it's very hard to price a cake if the customer doesn't know what size or style they want. Go to your appointment knowing how many guests will be attending and what theme your wedding will follow, as pricing depends a lot on how much decoration will be on the cake and whether you want sponge, fruit or a mix of ingredients and flavours."
And Felicity's top trends tip for 2012? "Vintage-style cakes with lots of intricate icing will continue to be popular, but look out for bright, funky cakes too - they're making a comeback!"
Visit www.flissycakes.com |
| Fashion & Beauty Q&A |
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| Image provided by www.ianstuart-bride.com |
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A wider issue
Q I'm a classic pear shape, with rather large hips and a small bust. Some of the gowns I have tried on so far make me look bigger than I am, can you suggest any styles that might flatter my figure?
A Laura Hornby and Vicky Feury say: We would definitely suggest trying an A-line gown, or perhaps an empire line design with detailing on the waistline. If you're looking to wear a more traditional gown, detailed corset bodices and lace-up backs will really pull you in and enhance your top half, while a '50s-inspired dress with a full net skirt would also look great if you want something more quirky. However, if you do opt for a 1950s feel, avoid halterneck dresses as these will only make your hips look bigger. |
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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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| A sporting day |
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Everton Football Club
If the groom wants a football setting, and the bride is after a chic venue with a contemporary feel, then Everton Football Club is the perfect choice. Overlooking Goodison Park's luscious pitch, civil ceremonies are held in the stadium's recently refurbished Dixie Dean suite, which is known for its stylish finishing touches. It holds 80 guests and there are nine further reception rooms to choose from, all of which offer their own sense of history and character. Able to accommodate up to 200 nearest and dearest, this is the ideal venue for couples who want it all; history, elegance and championship views.
Added extras... Everton Football Club's award-winning executive chef is happy to work on a bespoke menu for each couple, and has become renowned for his much sought-after afternoon tea.
Find out more... Call 0151 530 5250, or visit www.evertonfc.com |
| Your etiquette survival guide |
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| Image provided by www.claire-evans.com |
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Ensure the day runs without a hitch with our top tips and advice
Party time...
The reception
You've stamped your personal style on the venue, now enjoy a celebration to remember.
- Unless you've organised for a bus or coach to transport your guests, ask your best man and ushers to direct them to the venue after the ceremony.
- If possible, have canapes and drinks available for guests as they arrive. This is the ideal opportunity to round up family and friends for group photographs in the gardens too.
- After the drinks reception, ask guests to be seated for dinner and the speeches.
- After the last of the speeches comes the cutting of the cake and more photograph opportunities.
- Welcome your evening guests as they begin to arrive and get ready to party the night away.
To read on see page 48 of the current issue. |
| Editor loves... |
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...an iconic wedding snap. With reportage style photography being all the rage at the moment, many snappers opt for a more candid style of shooting. However, I think it's still important for all brides to have that one special image they can look back on in years to come and think, 'wow'. A good photographer, however, can capture those shots while still providing an unobtrusive service, and this image from Zoe Photography is a great example. The bride looks breathtaking, yet the shot is completely natural and unstaged - it will no doubt be a firm favourite in the wedding album.
Visit www.zoephotography.co.uk for more details. |
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