Editor loves and inspiration

In this issue's Hot Topic, local experts offer stellar advice on overcoming the most common planning concerns.

I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FLOWERS; WHERE DO I START?

Kelly Stanford from Fox Flora (www.foxflora.co.uk) says: Here are my top tips for getting started.

Think about the colours you naturally gravitate towards. What does your wardrobe or home look like? What complements your skin tone or personality? Do you love polished neutrals or rainbow brights? Dark and moody or light and airy? Complementary colours or direct opposites can work beautifully. I often like to throw in a colour curve ball adding black to neutrals, brown to peach and blue to make something characterful.

Agree on your wedding aesthetic. The venue sets the tone for your wedding but flowers and styling elevate that to create an aesthetic, a feeling and experience. Whether you’re planning an arty party or calm modern elegance, beautiful boho or rustic romance, have a discussion together about what best represents you. I encourage my couples to think about these keywords to help narrow things down.

Create wow wedding flower moments that add value. Focussing on one impactful floral installation that can be re-used can really add value. A super-stylish arty flower cloud above your ceremony space, later suspended over your top table and after that the dancefloor, can frame beautiful wedding photos that last a lifetime.

Alternatively, what about a floral arch that can be moved to your top table and create a backdrop for guest photos in the event, or aisle flowers that later line the front of your top table? Our signature modular floral arrangements are designed to move with your day. The opportunities are endless but will vary depending on your wedding, the ceremony and reception venue. Speak to your florist to devise a plan.

Budgeting. Costs vary depending on your preferred flowers, season and overall look you’re going for, as well as the impact you’re looking to create. On average, you should be looking at spending 10 to 15 per cent of your budget on wedding florals covering your bridal party, ceremony and reception.

Choosing your wedding suppliers. Pick suppliers that can support you in bringing your vision to life. We work directly with you and your wedding suppliers, so that your florals integrate seamlessly with your day to generate
the greatest impact and add value – this includes wedding planner, stylists, cake designers and even photographers are aware of details ahead of time.

For more wedding worries tackled, check out the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at https://www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Kristian and Matthew met at a New Year’s Eve party. “I was drawn to Matthew’s awkwardness and his jokes that not everyone would laugh at but I just found funny and innocent,” Kristian shares. “I knew from the beginning that he was special, a unique character that deserved to be loved.” For Matthew, Kristian’s nervousness attracted him, as well as his smiles whenever they were together. “He couldn’t do enough for me. I always wanted to be around him, and his personality was so infectious,” he explains.

Five years into their relationship, the couple went on their annual New Year’s Day trip to Filey Brigg. The weather wasn’t the best and Kristian initially refused to get out of the car due to the rain. He’d also made Matthew invite his brother Adam along, which for reasons that will soon become obvious, he wasn’t thrilled about! The trio walked down to the beach and out to sea on the Brigg, with Kristian having no clue what was about to happen. Here, Adam came into his own as he was able to video what happened next as it unfolded. Noticing the camera, Kristian turned to see what Matthew was up to and found him on one knee asking Kristian to marry him. Matthew did originally have grand plans to fl y the ring in on a drone, but the weather rendered that too risky!

Waterton Park was a place Kristian’s mum grew up around, and her grandad would walk her around the grounds. So, once the couple were engaged she told her son about the venue, and it was love at fi rst sight. “The grand building and picturesque backdrop is what sold it for us,” Kristian explains. “It was the only venue we went to see. There’s nowhere else like it in Yorkshire, it looks like a fairy tale.” They were able to hold the whole day there with exclusive-use of the island, and guests adored the location and scenery. Luckily, the venue’s interior design complemented the couple’s chosen navy wedding palette too, so it was meant to be!

That decided they wasted no time in securing their date for 1st September 2023. Join us in the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding as Kristian shares more of his treasured memories of the happy day... Download it free at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Sophie and Craig met in York’s Yates while Sophie was up from Brighton visiting a friend. Craig danced over to her to Peter Andre’s Mysterious Girl, but his cool moves were hampered by the sticky bar floor! He was dressed in a bright red Rudolf the Reindeer suit jacket and tie at the time... well it was Christmas. After a brief conversation, Craig handed over his number and they parted ways, or so Sophie thought. An hour or so later they bumped into each other again at a different bar and something compelled her to stick around this time, their two groups united. From there, a long-distance relationship blossomed.

Craig proposed to Sophie on her birthday in 2021 at the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. “It was the fourth day of an epic week-long surprise trip, and I’d already decided if he didn’t propose, I would,” Sophie tells us. But Craig had it under control, he got down on one knee on the edge of a cliff – “I’m not even sure he got the question out before I started flapping around like a goose,” Sophie continues.

White Syke Fields was everything the couple were looking for in a venue. “It’s the kind of place where there’s a lot to be uncovered, yet a blank enough canvas to make it our own,” Sophie explains. “We had a big wedding, so the variety of different spaces also appealed. We loved it. And bonus points for the focus on sustainability, with upcycled furniture and a strong, local and small business ethos.”

So, that decided, the date was set for 10th June 2023. Download the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding to find out more. It's free at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Jess and Martyn met when she was a professional dancer and he a professional singer during rehearsals for a cruise ship contract in Italy. “We instantly connected,” Jess remembers. “We could talk like we’d known each other forever.” The two began to build a wonderful friendship becoming inseparable, and a few months later realised they were, in fact, much more to each other than friends. Their relationship blossomed from there.

Martyn proposed on Christmas Eve while the couple were staying at Jess’ family home. Jess had popped out for some last minute shopping and returned to a trail of candles and red roses leading her to Martyn who was waiting for her on one knee. “It was such a beautiful surprise,” she tells us. “Martyn knows Christmas is my favourite time of year, and my childhood home is so special to me. He really made it a moment we’ll never forget.”

The Grand Lodge at Oaklands was the first and only venue the couple viewed and secured their date on the spot. “The natural beauty of the grounds blew us away and The Pavilion outdoor ceremony area reminded us of an amphitheatre,” Jess explains. “Not to mention the wedding coordinators, Andrea and Vicky, who are just the loveliest, most knowledgeable people, who couldn’t do enough for us.”

Find out more about W-day from the beautiful bride herself in the Jul/Aug24 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

“Many dresses – probably too many – were tried on!” this issue's real bride Alice says. Eventually, she found the one at the Harrogate branch of Elite Bridal. “I bought one dress in the January but returned it soon after as I felt it was too soon and not what I really wanted,” the bride continues. “My second dress I bought a few months later, a classical off-the-shoulder ballroom style. But ultimately my confidence issues caused me to have a panic last minute and look around at more boutiques.” She made it to Elite Bridal where she tried on a few more styles that made her feel more confident, and she fell in love with the final dress. “It was beautiful with lace details and sleeves, and it still had a train, which I wanted. I also felt it matched the venue perfectly,” Alice explains.

Find out more about Alice's big day in the May/Jun24 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download