Editor loves and inspiration

I LOVE this look on bride Lauren which is in our July/August issue – I asked her hair stylist, Chelsea Taylor from Chelsea Ella Hair, how she got the look:

I sectioned the hair below the crown to the back of Lauren’s ears, backcombing a ponytail just above the nape of the neck before smoothing it over. I then began to curl the front sections with straightening irons, rolling them up and leaving them to set, before tonging the ponytail section in one to create a smooth roll curl. Once the pincurls had set I took down all of the sections and clipped the hair back to her ponytail, all the while keeping the desired height that Lauren wanted.”

www.instagram.com/chelseaellahair

When I saw this reader wedding I instantly fell in love with the photography, with it clearly proving your big-day shots can be dramatic in style.

"Our photographer excelled our expectations, as we wanted artistic rather than anything too 'lovey dovey'," said the bride and groom Gemma and Andrew.

Visit Matt Heath Photography to find out more.

Searching for the perfect venue? I recommend you check out Stock's Crondon Park – it could be your place to say 'I do' too!

Ceremonies take place in Crondon Park's Ryder Room, with a maximum seated capacity of 100. Decorated with fairy lights, it makes for a romantic space to become newlyweds. There's also the option of holding an outdoor ceremony, thanks to a recently created tiered seating area.

Your wedding breakfast is then held in the Baronial Hall itself, which has a maximum seated capacity of 148 for your meal service, and 220 for your evening reception.

I love this shoot in our latest issue, which was thought up and brought to life by wedding hair and make-up artists Marina Moore and Victoria Taylor.

"We wanted to create something pretty, floral and dreamy, utilising the outdoor space and lake we had available to us at Sible Hedingham's Red Brick Farm. The result was a shoot that showcased pretty, soft pastels throughout, creating a whimsical, magical look that was original, fresh and light."

Head to our latest issue to see more!

Our gorgeous cover stars for this issue are real-life husband and wife Robyn and Kieran, who met in the very modern world of online dating, after liking each other's images on Tinder! “Despite living within a very close radius, our paths didn't cross until that all-important 'swipe-right'!” laughs Robyn. “We hit it off instantly and enjoyed our first date three weeks later at a local Turkish restaurant. The rest as they say is history, as we became inseparable from then on in.”

Want to know more about their amazing day? Head to page 36 of our May/June issue and read all about it!

Ever wondered (like I did when I first started in the wedding industry) why we serve cake on our big day? We asked Rebecca Peterkin from Blackmore’s RT Cakes on how the trend for serving cake at your big day came about in the first place…

“Wedding cakes are believed to have originated from ancient Rome, when the ceremony was concluded by the breaking of a wheat or barley cake over the bride’s head. The couple would then eat some crumbs as their first unified act together as a symbol of luck and fertility. However, the earliest reference to ‘cake’ at a wedding is during the 16^th century, following the development of royal icing and sugar paste.

“The idea of tiered cakes may have started in medieval England, where sweeter treats such as scones, iced buns and cookies were stacked as high as possible, and it was believed the bride and groom would have greater luck and fortune if they could kiss over the top of this tower of treats without it collapsing! During the 16^th century, the bride’s friends would traditionally bring a sweet bun to the wedding, the number of which reflected her popularity, therefore also contributing to the trend of wanting taller wedding cakes.

“As refined sugar became more available in England, it was of course a popular choice of ingredient for wedding cakes. The whiteness represented the bride’s virginity and purity, with larger, whiter cakes also symbolising a show of wealth. During the time when it was expected a couple would start a family within the first year of marriage, it was also considered good luck and prosperity for them to save the top tier of their wedding cake for the christening of their first born.”

Wand to get your brows in tip-top shape for your big day? We asked top Essex beautician Emma Gatt from Braintree's The Treatment Rooms for her expert advice:

"I advise brides to consider henna, a form of eyebrow tinting that's used to stain the skin beneath the actual brow hairs. Creating an illusion of depth and fullness, while visually filling in any sparseness, it contains less chemicals so is a great option for sensitive skin. Lasting for six to eight weeks – almost twice as long as a regular tint – it can even encourage hair to grow back fuller in all the right places!

"However, in order for henna to last you have to look after your brows post-treatment, while also bearing in mind that the oilier your skin, the less likely the stain will last. It also won't take as well if you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis. I always advise my clients have a patch test first, and we can then discuss all the options available to them."

WOW! As soon I saw the photos of Braintree Town Hall's new look I knew it had to be shared with you! Inside our latest May/June issue you'll discover an exclusive shoot photographed at the Hall, who got to work with a host of talented Essex suppliers to create some stunning looks. This shot alone speaks for itself!

Be sure to head to www.braintreetownhall.co.uk yourself to find out how you can say 'I do' there...

If you're one of the many couples who now choose to live and buy a home together before they get married, then you'll understand that a wedding gift list isn't necessarily the right way to go - why ask for items you've already bought when moving in?

With this in mind why not instead suggest a donation towards those much-needed home improvements you've been putting off investing in? Chelmsford-based Absolute Wardrobes design and install affordable, bespoke, made-to-measure fitted wardrobes, dressing rooms, home offices and entertainment units across the county and beyond. Priding themselves on the finest furniture craftsmanship and with an extensive background in carpentry and joinery, the team designs, plans and installs fitted furniture to complement your individual tastes and needs.

Head to www.absolutewardrobes.co.uk to find out more.

Eye-heart-emoji! I love this cute picture of Harriet and Ryan on their wedding day captured by Jason Little of Jason Little Weddings. This snap was featured in his indepth Q&A in the March/April issue of An Essex Wedding.

There are many questions that could and should be asked or at least, to make yourself aware of when it comes to choosing your big-day photographer. Some of these could really help make your choice a lot clearer and some are purely academic and will likely never be an issue but knowledge is always a powerful ally.

To read this super-helpful guide, check out the latest issue on An Essex Wedding for free now!