If you could bottle up and keep just one thing from your wedding day, it’d be the joy. The exact feeling of saying “I do”, or perhaps when you first see each other walking down the aisle: that burst of love and happiness. That right there is your once-in-a-lifetime wedding moment. Couples who feature on English Wedding tell us again and again how amazing it feels. And only afterwards do you realise that every minute of the last however-many-months you’ve spent planning was all leading up to that moment.
I say if. Because men are interested in weddings. I’ve featured amazing weddings without brides. I’ve featured incredible weddings where couples have shared planning tasks equally. I adore it when men fill out the little interview form for the real weddings we feature on this blog. But on a daily basis I also see wedding magazines without men on the covers. Mentions of ‘bridal suites’ and ‘the bridal industry’ and even suppliers talking in a way that implies brides do everything. And then there’s those trending signs: “Emilia’s wedding, featuring Joe.” They wouldn’t make any sense without the perception that weddings are for brides. We all know what they mean, and that there’s a nugget of truth in there. But it’s time for change – weddings should be for everyone, right?
Image credit: Allure Bridals Larissa dress comes in sizes 0-30
10am and it’s been an interesting morning here already. In my inbox, a survey of brides with statistics on weight loss. And this always makes me uncomfortable. I’ve always felt strongly that this kind of messaging is WRONG. We’re put under so much pressure to be a certain shape and size – and why? Because somewhere out there, an extremely rich guy in a suit is making money from everyone who wants to lose weight.
First time planning a wedding? Yep – pretty much everyone’s working all this out as they go along, so you’re absolutely not alone! Diving into a world of catering and styling, planning and logistics can be insane – but keeping on top of your plans will stop the overwhelm. Having a great relationship with your suppliers is really important, and communication is everything. Here’s how to talk to your wedding suppliers – from jargon to problem-solving, budgets and more.
Strikingly beautiful floristry can elevate a wedding more than anything else. Sweeping, statement floral displays will wow your guests and look sensational in your wedding album. For a stately home wedding, it’s essential to choose flowers and arrangements to do more than just complement the space: they should take inspiration from your venue’s aesthetic and bring your wedding vision to life in the most beautiful way. To create unforgettable installations, work with an experienced designer who specialises in flowers for stately home weddings. I had the loveliest chat with luxury wedding florist Jemma Khan, whose advice for couples is golden.
