Editor loves and inspiration

We're getting married at Christmas and I really want to be able to get outside for some photographs. What can I wear to keep me warm that will complement a wedding dress? Fran Smith at Birchington Brides (https://birchingtonbrides.co.uk) says: From wraps to bridal capes, fur to cashmere, there are so many options for a bride to keep warm and remain stylish at a winter wedding. A shawl, wrap or pashmina can help keep your arms warm during outdoor festivities and, while available in neutral tones, could be used to add a pop of colour to your attire.

For a winter fairytale twist, a bridal cape can be the perfect option. Opt for soft shades for a demure look or brighter colour from your palette for a striking contrast to your gown. For a boho vibe, why not consider a crochet or knitted shawl, which are gaining popularity and would add to the festival feel.

Ladies, don't forget to keep your feet warm during that outdoor photo shoot! With many brides choosing long dresses for winter weddings, no one can see what's on your feet, so why not pop on a pair of warm winter boots? They'll help to keep your feet warm and may stop your teeth from chattering as you smile for the camera. 

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COLOURS OF WINTER
Louise from Louise Roots Florist (www.louiseroots.com) says: Whatever the season, white wedding flowers are always stunning. For white winter weddings, use hellebore, contrasting ivory and white roses, with white cyclamen stems, ranunculus, large white amaryllis, ivory hydrangea and anemone. For a warmer, glamorous design, add to this flecks of gold fern with ample gold table dressing. Or, for a cooler, wintry vibe, use lots of silvery grey foliage instead with scented eucalyptus, spruce and pine.

For a more traditionally Christmas feel, I suggest a design with warm jewel colours such as greens, burgundy and terracotta. Add deep claret roses with dusky pink hellebore and plum ranunculus, with mottled hydrangea. For a slightly softer look, pair with dusky, neutral and beige roses. Then, if your venue allows, add lots of warm, romantic, cosy candlelight. It always transforms a room.

Alternatively, if you prefer warm rustic designs, opt for terracotta and copper hues, with toffee roses and mixed burnt orange ranunculus. Add textures with plenty of mixed winter foliage such as magnolia and cedar.

Read more winter Q&As in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

Magenta and teal are set to make waves in wedding colour palettes for 2024, so shoot coordinators Amy from Amy Charlotte Makeup and Petrina from Photography by Petrina decided to showcase these bold hues set against traditional dresses.

“We wanted a more editorial feel to the shoot,” Petrina says. The duo were keen to support other small local business so set about hand-picking their collaborators for their project.

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When photographer Nicola Tulip began gathering ideas for this shoot she created a moodboard of autumnal colours featuring oranges and soft textures such as pampas grass and floaty dress designs. Her aim was to complement the character and structure of The Vines in Rochester with deeper, richer tones and the pretty, soft aesthetic. It was later that she decided to incorporate the safari inspired theme, complemented with a nod to the 1920s and textured animal print accessories.

Nicola says, “The suppliers involved did a wonderful job providing well matched flowers, the hair was stunning and the dresses were perfectly coordinated for the look we wanted to achieve. Our models were just wonderful to work with, and Bruno was the perfect pooch for the job. So, well behaved and what a gorgeous young doggy he is too!”

See more of this shoot in the latest issue is available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

This beautiful local shoot was rooted in a passion for celebrating diversity and for taking wildlife conservation seriously. “We wanted to celebrate same sex marriages in an inspirational woodland setting, showing the true natural beauty that's accessible in our local environments,” says shoot coordinator Rebecca White from Flutes Events.

The enchanting wedding breakfast tablescape echoed the woods and was set amidst an abundance of bluebells to create a sense of tranquillity and calmness. Bluebells are known to symbolise everlasting love so their presence here is significant.

Rebecca continues, “We wanted to connect with the excitement for the natural environment, which was amplified when the hawk flew between the models arms.” Indeed, the shoot's avian pals were on hand to offer the images oodles of wow factor. The turkey vulture displayed his impressive wing span above the outstretched arms of the model bride, a truly magnificent bird. Meanwhile, the gorgeous burrowing owl showed both intelligence and bags of cuteness, and the hawk was only too happy to show off his skills and speed.

The flowers, gold tableware, and stationery all married together with the rest of the design elements to bring a sense of beauty, refinement, indulgence, individuality and splendour. All a far cry from the threatened and persecuted life of the vanishing vultures.

See more of this styled shoot in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

The historical West Heath School, located in the outskirts of Sevenoaks is set in 32 acres of Kentish countryside and played host to this charming styled shoot. Now a school for children with additional needs, in a previous incarnation it was attended by Princess Diana and later purchased in her name by Mohamed Al Fayed.

Hair and make-up artist, and shoot coordinator Danielle Grimley says, “As a team, we felt the historical importance of the school, along with its generosity in donating all proceeds from weddings back to its pupils, was truly unique. Our suppliers were excited to be involved and called on others to join us.”

Deciding to collaborate on a shoot styled in a timeless and tasteful style, the team settled on a palette of black and white, with some key modern twists. Inspired by the grand entrance with its impressive fireplaces, great wooden staircase and high ceilings, all involved opted to keep things elegant with carefully considered fine details. “We wanted to be able to look back at the images in 20 years and still be able to say that all of our choices were fitting in an enduring way,” Danielle explains.

See more from this styled shoot in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

Beth and Rob met during their teenage years, having bumped into each other on various nights out. As they grew up, they went their separate ways, but their paths crossed again in 2018 and they began to date. In 2021, Rob proposed in a beautiful cove at sunset in Ibiza.

The couple fell in love with The Old Kent Barn on first sight, and set the date for 7th July 2023, right away.

Read more from Beth and Rob's day in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

Clare and Mitchell met at school but not as pupils, as teachers. They didn't hit it off right away and didn't much care for each other at first. But during one summer break, they realised that they actually did enjoy each other's company and fell in love – they say absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Mitchell proposed in London just outside Buckingham Palace with their families present. “I had no idea,” Clare says. “It was perfect and we then went on to celebrate at a rooftop bar.” The groom-to-be had booked a night in a London hotel allowing them to carry on the celebrations.

When the couple viewed High Rocks for the first time they loved the fact that all wedding guests could be hosted in one room. “We'd been to weddings in the past where everyone had been split across smaller rooms, but we wanted our loved ones to be able to celebrate together all day,” Clare explains. The pricing options also worked well for the two of them and they soon discovered that nothing was too much trouble for the venue's owners. “High Rocks also offered a list of recommended suppliers to make the planning less stressful, which I loved,” Clare says.

So, the date was set for a Christmastime wedding on 29th December, 2022.

Read more about Clare and Mitchell's wedding in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

Hannah and Steve met in a bar in Kavos, Greece back in 2018. Hannah had gone away with her best friend and Steve was on holiday with two of his mates. They got chatting over shots and soon discovered not only that they lived just 10 minutes away from each other, but also that they shared a mutual friend. The two spent the rest of the holiday getting to know each other, then having arrived back in the UK they met up the same evening to go for a meal. They couldn't stop talking, it was the start of something wonderful.

Steve proposed to Hannah on her birthday at Lands End in Cornwall. “I pride myself on my intuition and never thought he'd be able to hide the fact that he was going to propose, but he did!” Hannah shares. In fact, Steve had put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes, finding the perfect ring, asking her parents for permission and sharing his plans with friends. He says, “When we got to Cornwall, everywhere we went I was trying to find the perfect location, but I realised the only place I could do it was Lands End, as I'd go to the ends of the world for her.” Having worked at King Charles Hotel in Gillingham for many years, Hannah was very familiar with its sister hotel, Inn On The Lake and just knew she wanted to get married there. She did however book some appointments to view other venues, not wanting Steve to feel pressured. Happily though, it didn't take him long to agree wholeheartedly that Inn On The Lake was the place for them, having also fallen for the beautiful location, woodland walk and ample guest accommodation. So, the date was set for 24th June, 2023.

Read more about Hannnah and Steve's wedding in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!

This luxurious and imposing Grade I listed building was constructed in 1706 by the rather splendidly named Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovel, whose coat of arms can be found above the High Street entrance. It has enjoyed a varied history as a butchers market, a courtroom, a concert hall and a cinema. For the past 100 years it has functioned as Rochester's premier venue for parties, events and weddings offering you the flexibility to enjoy the day of your dreams in a historical setting.

Located just off the beautifully preserved Victorian High Street, famous for its connections with Charles Dickens, the venue is close to the cobbled Boley Hill that links the High Street through an ancient gateway to the moat of Rochester Castle and Gardens on your right, and to the left Rochester Cathedral.

THE ROCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE
01634 338 112 | www.therochestercornexchange.co.uk

Read more about this venue in the latest issue available now. Read Your Kent Wedding magazine for free!