Wedding (From Western Telegraph)

Wedding

IF you've had a wedding in the family, you'll know that your whole world will be turned upside down in the weeks preceding the event! Of course, the plan is that everything should go without a hitch (or rather, the only hitch being between the bride and groom!). An engagement announcement is enough to send the family into a frenzy of activity. The wedding night might be many months away, but you can never start planning too early. Planning a wedding can place a considerable strain on the whole family, so it's advisable to set aside some time to sit down and plan everything down to the last detail from the church, if it is to be formal wedding through to photographs and flowers. The venue is usually the first port of call - go armed with a list of possible dates, as your first choice may not be available. Today more and more couples are opting for a civil, rather that religious service. So if you would prefer somewhere other than a church or other place of worship to hold your wedding there are many other possibilities. As well as the conventional register office it is now possible to get married at a hotel - or somewhere more unusual. In Pembrokeshire there is a huge choice - and you can choose venues from a castle to a theme park. A wedding reception needs careful planning. It is an occasion when people let their hair down and drink a great deal! The amount you allow per person will depend on the capacity of the guests, but a good average is about half a bottle of champagne or wine for each person. Popular choices in Pembrokeshire include the splendid Fourcroft Hotel, in Tenby, with its spectacular sea views; or the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, with the Milford Haven waterway providing a stunning backdrop. Located centrally and within easy reach of all parts of the county is Nantyffin, a long established business with wide experience in organising functions. Or Tenby's Heywood Mount Hotel offers all the traditional values of a comfortable and friendly country house hotel - coupled with the most modern facilities.

The dress is usually well up the list of wedding priorities. Modern brides are being catered for as bridal style moves away from the frills and fuss to cleaner, elegant silhouettes.

One of the most popular shapes has been the flattering Princess line, with its tailored panels fitted at the bodice and flaring downward towards the ground, but then it never really went out of vogue. A more figure-skimming line is favoured by the bride who likes a more fluid look.

Ivory is acknowledged as a flattering colour for the bridal dress but pure white has made a comeback in beautiful fabrics such as organza, tulle, crisp taffeta, silk crepe, Thai silk and duchess satin. The bride who chooses a register office ceremony will have plenty of choice in the new shorter styles, which are proving to be a new look.

Adult bridesmaids are selecting styles they can wear again, leaving tiny bridesmaids and pageboys to steal the show and experiment in printed fabrics, coloured silks, tartans and velvets. There are bridal shops across the county offering all styles at all prices - the Bridal Shop in Pembroke Dock offers a stunning range together with all the accessories to make your wedding perfect.

Flowers are an important part of any wedding. Any reputable florist - like the Flower Pot in Cardigan - will advise you on seasonal choices and arrangements to suit your taste and pocket. Currently bridal bouquets are adopting a more streamlined shape and natural feel, in keeping with dress fashions, but the tiny tots can lead the way with novelties.

Hair accessories are elegant and simple, make-up moving away from the matte look to a natural finish and hair is preferred shiny and sleek in chignons, bouffant bobs or big rolled curls.