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Smooth Operators to Wed at Hylands Estate

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Rachel & DarylRachel and Daryl are no strangers to Hyland House. As Operations Manager, Daryl helps to ensure that the many events at Hylands run smoothly and that everyone has an enjoyable time.
The couple also first met at Hylands House so it is already a romantic venue for them. They were at a Boys Toys event in 2014 where Rachel was viewing planes, cars, hovercrafts, big trucks and listening to bands. Daryl was part of the Hylands team keeping the whole show on the road. The pair kept in touch on social media and saw each other again a year later at the next Boys Toys day. No surprise then that they should choose Hylands House for their wedding in August. Another good reason is that Rachel also works for Chelmsford City Council, which owns Hylands.
The couple are hiring the house including the serene Bridal Suite, where Rachel and her Bridesmaids can get ready and add the finishing touches to their attire. The beautiful Grade ll* listed mansion, set in landscaped parkland is the perfect setting for weddings. There is a series of superbly decorated rooms, including the Banqueting Suite with its rich red colour scheme, highlighted with gold leafs and scrolls. The Grand Pavilion can accommodate up to 300 people.

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“We are having a traditional wedding with a colour scheme of pinks and creams” said Rachel. “Our menu is British and will be three courses to include chicken and will also have food suitable for vegetarians. It will be such a pleasure for us both to enjoy the splendour of Hylands House as customers, rather than as workers and we are sure the Hyland’s team will do an excellent job”

First 50 Couples at Open Day to Receive Exclusive Goody Bag

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hylands banqueting roomThe first 50 couples through the door at Hylands Estate wedding open day will receive an exclusive goody bag. Couples who are planning their big day are invited to attend a special Wedding Open Day at the award-winning Essex venue, Hylands Estate in Chelmsford, on Sunday 14 June from 10am-4pm.

Winner of the Heritage Venue of the Year category at last year’s Essex Wedding Awards, Hylands Estate was also recently featured in Brides magazine as one of the top places in the country to get married.

The Grade II* listed Georgian mansion and the Grand Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 300 guests, will both be set up for weddings to give couples an insight into how their own ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception might look should they hire Hylands Estate for their big day. The in-house wedding co-ordinators will also be available to provide advice and answer any questions that may arise.

Located close to the A12 and with ample free parking, Hylands Estate can cater for weddings of any size from intimate gatherings to more lavish receptions and the manicured gardens and natural woodland provide an ideal backdrop for wedding photography.

For further information call 01245 605500.

HATS OFF (AND ON)

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There is more to wearing a hat at a wedding than can be imagined. For instance, did you know that it is considered etiquette for female guests to wait until the Mother of the Bride has taken off her hat before theirs can be removed? At a formal wedding this is usually when the coffee is about to be served. It is also considered polite in some circles for the Mother of the Groom to have a smaller hat than that of the Bride’s Mother!

There is a need for practicality. For instance, it can be quite difficult for waiting staff to get round a hat at a formal sit-down reception. So, if you have an exceptionally large hat you should take this off as soon as you are seated to avoid any awkward clashes. Similarly, if you are in the greetings party at the Reception, a large brim can certainly make it hard for any welcoming kiss.

A hat can make or break a wedding outfit: Here’s a few tips:

• A hat should be no wider than your shoulders. Women with smaller heads should try a hat that tilts to the side so their face is not covered.
• Fascinators – decorative headpieces normally made from ribbons or feathers -are fun and tend to suit any face.
• Try on every kind of hat and take a friend and a hand mirror when you are buying one. Look at the hat from all angles. Often the first impression of someone at a wedding is from the back.
• Don’t be a fashion victim. Select a hat that matches the style of your outfit and not necessarily the colour of it. Have a structured hat if you are wearing a tailored suit or dress and if you have a flowing dress than match this with one less rigid, adorned with ribbons or flowers.
• The colour of your hat should complement one of the shades in your dress or be a lighter or deeper tone. It should match with the colour of your other accessories
• Ensure your jewellery works in harmony. If you are wearing a bigger hat, wear smaller earrings and vice-versa.
• If you wear glasses, pick a hat style that is turned up at the front, which will frame your face
• Don’t leave it to the day of the wedding to wear it. Put your hat on around the house, keep adjusting it to see which angle is best for you and try it with your wedding day make-up to ensure the whole ensemble works.

CREATING THE PICTURE PERFECT ESSEX WEDDING

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You’ve got the venue booked and the date is set, so what next? One of the most important suppliers to choose for your dream wedding is the photographer.

Once the big day has gone by in a flash (and it will!), your head will be bursting with the most wonderful memories of the day you said: “I do”. But, nothing quite beats sitting down and sharing photos of those special moments with your friends and family. You will also want to recapture the memories in years to come, maybe with your children and grandchildren.

Of course, your guests will no doubt take plenty of snaps, but will they know to get a photo of your precious aging nan or the cousins you’ve not seen in years?

Have a read of our top tops on picking your wedding photographer…

• Do your research into the style of wedding photos you want. Do you want the traditional family line-ups or would you rather a photographer mingles quietly, capturing more natural, non-staged images? This will help to narrow down which photographer you go for.
• Meet your photographer in person before appointing them. If you don’t like their personality, they could become a real irritant on what is a very important day. They will be by your side all day long, so it’s vital to find one you get along with.
• Ask to see plenty of examples of their work. It’s best to see complete wedding albums as any photographer can get the odd lucky shot – you want to see how they cover an entire wedding day.
• Be clear on what you get for your money. Photographers can be expensive – avoid the post-wedding argument over extra fees and establish from the outset what you get for your money and what will need paying for separately. Also, ask whether you will get a disc of all of your photos after the day – not all are willing to hand over their work in this way.
• What is their contingency plan? What if they are ill on your wedding day, have they got back-up?
• It will be helpful to show your photographer any style of images you would like to recreate on your day. Give some thought to what group shots – if any – you want taking and what parts of your wedding venue you particularly want to feature in your photos.
• Have an engagement / pre-wedding photo shoot at your wedding venue. This gives the photographer the opportunity to get to know you as a couple and learn the types of shots which will work for you or not. You can then also walk around your wedding venue together to highlight particular shots or backdrops you like.
• Have a clear plan of how you want your photographer to work on your wedding day – do you want coverage of both of you getting ready, do you want them to stay for the first dance, etc? Work out timings between you so every part of your wedding day is captured how you want it.

If you’ve picked the right photographer and done the right planning together, you’ll be able to relax on your wedding day, safe in the knowledge they have got it all covered.

UNIQUE WEDDING IDEAS FOR YOUR ESSEX WEDDING

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Chinese couple arriving in white Roll RoyceSo, you’re getting married? Congratulations! Now the fun really begins as you plan your dream Essex wedding.

It can be daunting facing the huge task of planning what is supposed to be the biggest and best day of your life – whether you are dreaming of a large or small wedding. You may never have planned an event and not have a clue where to start or what is required.

Don’t panic! Hylands estate manager, Ceri Lowen, is offering the following top tips and unique wedding ideas to help get you started…
• Set a budget. Or, at least decide on priorities for your funds. You will find there are some areas you’re happy to make savings on, while with other aspects – such as your wedding catering, for example – you want to pay for the best.

• Prepare a draft list of guests to get a rough idea of how many people you will need to cater for – most of your wedding suppliers will need to know numbers so this needs to be one of your first jobs.

• Book your dream wedding venue – ensure the venue you choose is suitable for your numbers and for the style of occasion you are after. If the room is a blank canvas, bear in mind the cost of decorating. Choosing a venue with period features will give the wow factor without the need for accessories.

• Name the date! If you are having a civil ceremony, book the registrar immediately as they get booked up years in advance.

• Send out save the date cards, texts or emails. This will help you to revise your guest list as those with prior engagements will be able to let you know straight away.

• Decide on your colours, themes and wedding centrepiece ideas; this will dictate the suppliers and wedding venue accessories you book.

• If you have already got certain wedding suppliers in mind who you want to use, book them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Wedding photographers, florists, entertainers and caterers get booked up early so make sure you get who you really want by booking asap.

• Start thinking about music – it can be a real challenge finding the right music for your ceremony and first dance, so give it some thought early, especially if you don’t already have a song that is yours as a couple.

• Research honeymoon destinations – bear in mind the time of year you are marrying as this can dictate where you honeymoon.

• Most of all, enjoy planning your dream wedding! It should not be stressful, it should be full of joy and excitement as you plan the biggest day of your life. If you do feel under pressure, call on your closest friends and relatives to help you. Your wedding venue should also have planners on hand to assist and share the load and offer unique wedding ideas.

To find out more join us at one of our Wedding Fayre’s or Open Days:

– 1 March, Wedding Fair
– 7 June, Vintage Wedding Fair
– 14 June, Wedding Open Day
– 2 September, Wedding Fair
– 25 October, Wedding Open Day
– 22 November, Vintage Wedding Fair