Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Bristol and Somerset 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@yourbristolsomerset.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Green Fingers
Q. Tell us how to plan a wedding sustainably
A. Imogen says: Sourcing your wedding flowers locally can be a brilliant way to be more sustainable on your big day. Ask your florist if they could possibly buy blooms from local flower farms, or at least be British grown. Ninety per cent of flowers in the UK are imported, flown over from as far afield as South America, and who knows if they're ethically grown, so it's always best to go local. At Flowers by Imogen, I use all British Flowers, including many we've grown in our very own cutting garden in Somerset.
If you wanted to look into sourcing the flowers yourself, you can usually pick up buckets from your local flower farm. Look on www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk to find your nearest one. They usually grow artisanal blooms, which will make your wedding flowers bespoke and special. They're also often grown organically, using sustainable methods; plus you'd be supporting a local, small-scale business.
It's also a good idea to check that your florist uses sustainable mechanics, and works foam-free. Floral foam is a method of keeping flowers fresh, but it's made from toxic chemicals including formaldehyde.
Imogen, Flowers by Imogen
www.flowersbyimogen.com
The beauty of autumn
Q. How can I reflect the best of the autumn through my bouquet?
A. Jenny Hopkin says: Autumn blooms are my absolute favourite. It's that magical time of year when nights get darker and cooler and the leaves on the trees turn golden. As we shift seasons, nature transitions from rich greens to an array of golds, silver, bronzes, browns and deep reds. October and November weddings can be some of the most stunning as we're spoilt for choice with stunning flowers that thrive at this time of year. From textured fiery foliage to dried grasses and berries. A few of my favourites to include in an autumnal bridal bouquet are dahlias, spray roses, hypericum berries, eucalyptus, thistles and I love incorporating fiery foliage and dried grasses to create plenty of texture.
Autumn colour palettes don't need to be all reds, vibrant orange and browns. If you want more of a classic bridal design for your wedding day, go for a more muted design and use a soft palette of off white, pale peach and natural tones throughout your florals for a sophisticated ethereal effect that can be enhanced by hints of rich cappuccino and rust in the foliage giving it a full seasonal feel.
Jenny Hopkin, Clifton Flowers
cliftonflowers.co.uk
Seasonal beuaty
Q. We're getting married in the spring and would love to incorporate some of the season's finest flowers into our arrangements and bouquet. What would you recommend?
A. Grace Haskins says: Spring is the perfect time for weddings and there are so many flowers to choose from, it's really hard to pick! If you're tying the knot earlier in the season, then anemones and ranunculus are always firm favourites, but if you're after something whimsical and a little bit different, then definitely take a look at butterfly ranunculus or Icelandic poppies. They're papery and delicate and really make an impact without being heavy visually. Combine these with blossoms and it's a winning combination. We also love unusual narcissi varieties such as Geranium for the scent – narcissi doesn't just mean yellow daffodil anymore! There are some showy varieties with coral centres and frilly edges, so they're perfect for adding a certain something. For a later spring wedding, I'd recommend peonies all the way. In fact, it should possibly be illegal to get married in late April or May and not have peonies! From the rich burgundy Buckeye Belle, which I had in my own wedding bouquet, to soft pink Mothers Choice, there's a variety of tones to suit most spring palettes.
Grace Haskins, Bramble & Wild
www.brambleandwild.com
Bloomin' lovely
Q. We're getting married in the autumn and want flowers to wow our guests. What's available at this time of year and how can we show them off?
A. Jenny Hopkin says: Autumn weddings offer a great opportunity to bring together all those gorgeous, deep seasonal tones and add a luxurious look to your big day. Make the most of foliage such as eucalyptus and oak leaves mixed with hypericum berries, peach or dusky pink roses and deep red tones. These can be lightened with delicate freesia or wax flowers, which provide a beautiful scent to your bouquet with a down-to-earth, natural look. Dried varieties too are the perfect seasonal choice and can be added to most designs, before becoming a treasured keepsake for years to come.
With the evenings drawing in at this time of year, I like to recommend table centres that include candles or tea lights to bring an extra glow and romance. It's always best to check with the venue though that naked flames are allowed.
You're likely to be spending most of your time inside, so it's worth asking your florist for advice on your specific venue. Flower archways, garlands and chandeliers can really wow your guests on chillier evenings.
Jenny Hopkin, Clifton Flowers
www.cliftonflowers.co.uk
