Here is a selection of Q&As from Your North East Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yournortheast.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Double up
Q. We're on a budget and want to double up with our decorations – but are clueless how to do this. Can you help?
A. Emma Pearson says: We always tell couples to double up when and where you can. You want your ceremony to look beautiful, but be mindful you're only in the that room for an hour, tops! One way to maximise your styling is to use your centrepieces down the aisle first, whether this is candlelight or florals – or both! If you have a backdrop for the all-important 'I dos', you can have this moved after the ceremony to another area, such as behind the top table or as a photo backdrop opportunity. Finally, any décor you have on your registrar table can be moved to form part, or all, of your décor for the top table during your wedding breakfast.
Emma Pearson, Ambience Venue Styling Teesside
www.ambiencevenuestyling.com/wedding-stylists/teesside
A day to remember
Q. My fiancé recently proposed, but I don't know where to start with the planning. What's the first thing I need to book and what should I consider after that?
A. Dawn Marie says: Planning your wedding is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, so don't get distracted by others and their opinions. Just take into consideration what you both want and go for it!
Start planning by deciding what type of ceremony and location suits your vision. Do you want a church service, a civil ceremony (legal but non-religious) or a celebrant-led one, which is not legally recognised and would require a registry office service?
Once this decision has been made, the reception venue is easier to choose. It's reasonable for the venue to be up to 20 minutes away if you're having a church wedding and this can narrow down the geographical area for your search.
If you have a civil marriage, the local registrars will have lists of approved premises and think about what's important to you both to make things easier. Do you need accommodation onsite, do you want a classic venue or a rustic barn? There are many options here, so it's worth investing some time looking at websites and photos from local venues before you start making appointments. Knowing your guest list will help rule out venues that are too small or big.
Once the venue's booked, you can then begin to look for other suppliers. The best companies from around the region will get booked up years in advance, but many couples don't realise that they can reserve a supplier's time without knowing the full details of your day – you just need the basic information. Start with the photographer, florist, cake company and then look for entertainment during the day and for the evening reception.
A good wedding planner can advise couples with local, reliable wedding suppliers to make the planning process as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible.
Dawn Marie, Dawn Marie Wedding & Event Design
dawnmariewed.co.uk