Marble Private Journal

Marble Private Journal

2 0 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 T H E WE D D I N G E D I T

Stand out in the Right Way - Notting Hill - The Sustainable Wedding Revolution - 10Ten Culinary - A Place for Tradition - Marble’s Destination Weddings - The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Music - Marble’s Festival Weddings - Wedding Dress Designs through the Ages - Emma Victoria Payne: Bridalwear Boutique - 9 Tips for the Best Man Speech - Marble’s Countryside Weddings - Your Wedding Countdown Checklist - Be Inspired with our Fave Accounts

Hello

Hello and welcome to the Marble Private Journal. We wanted to put our nearly 20 years’ worth of industry expertise into a useful guide for you. The purpose of this journal is not only to inspire but to also offer some guidance and practical, sensible advice for what can be a daunting process. Before you embark on your wedding planning journey, just remember never to lose sight of the most important thing about your wedding; you are marrying the person you love and want to be with for the rest of your life. To be honest, the rest is just there to enhance this. I’m probably talking myself out of a job, but all too many

times, I’ve seen couples get wrapped up in the stress of the details and maybe forget the whole reason for starting planning. So, what I am saying is, enjoy the journey- planning can be fun, creative and easy. We hope the enclosed gives you some valuable tips and tools to get started, and as ever, we are here if you need a helping hand.

Emi Perez-Fragero Co-founder & COO

Contents

P G . 0 6

P G . 1 0

How do you create an event that is a step above others and stand out in the right way?

Notting Hill - Inspiration on our doorstep

P G . 1 2

P G . 1 6

The Sustainable Wedding Revolution

Our team and their favourite memories

P G . 1 8

P G . 2 6

The place for tradition in today’s wedding industry

10 Ten Culinary - Representing the culinary industry’s brightest stars

P G . 3 0

P G . 3 6

Destination Weddings

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Music

P G . 4 0

P G . 4 6

Festival Weddings

Wedding dress design through the ages

P G . 5 2

P G . 5 6

Emma Victoria Payne Bridalwear

9 Tips for the best best man speech

P G . 5 8

P G . 6 4

Countryside Weddings

Wedding countdown checklist

P G . 6 6

P G . 6 8

My Notes - Keep all your ideas and thoughts in one place

Be Inspired with our fave accounts

6

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

7

How do you create an event that is a step above others and stand out in the right way?

It’s all in the preparation

Your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life. It’s understandable to want it to represent you and your partner’s personalities, thoroughly celebrate your union, and leave a mark in the mind of your guests. However, achieving all of that isn’t necessarily an easy feat; it requires a lot of planning, but it definitely pays off in the end. To help you out, we’ve written a short list of things to keep in mind when planning your perfect wedding day. Read on below to discover a few tips to create a showstopping event.

You want your wedding to stand out and be memorable and individual - so add your own spark. There’s only one you, so your ideas and perspective will inevitably bring something unique and different to the planning process. Pick your favourite colours for the colour scheme, the fonts, the food, and the flowers should all be to your taste and compliment your style. Use your individuality to your advantage From the location to the seating plan, there’s a lot of prep work that comes with getting married. Pulling off the perfect event all comes down to the work that you put in beforehand. So be sure to follow checklists online and iron out the finer details before you set your plan into motion. It’s at this point that you can experiment freely with all of your creativity. A great idea is to write out lists of ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’, with priorities, so you can figure out what’s most important to your big day.

8

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

9

Your own take on tradition

Stand out in the right way

From the colour of your dress to the song that plays as you or your bride walks down the aisle, there are a lot of unwritten ‘rules’ when it comes to tying the knot. Well, you know what they say about rules - they’re meant to be broken (or at least bent), so feel free to stick to tradition as much or as little as you want. To find out more about the role of tradition in modern weddings, be sure to read our article on just that. (pg.60)

You want your event to be remembered for the right reasons - so the most important thing is to make your guests happy and have a good time. Aside from the event looking great, make sure you think about music and interactive things for your friends and family to do at the venue. From photo opportunities (to get your wedding hashtag trending on social media) to signing your guest book or playing themed games, there are plenty of options out there to make sure everyone has a blast.

Take inspiration from other events

Work with experts

Just because your event should be personal doesn’t mean you have to redesign the wheel. There have been so many incredible weddings and events in the past, so there are plenty of ideas to use for inspiration. We think that mood-boarding your favourites is a great place to start. That’ll help you find colour schemes and themes that you like and help you define the vibe of your big day. The aim is to create your own unique event made from a mixture of things that have been done before but with your spin and ideas as well to make it your own.

The best way to ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible is to rely on a team that has done it all before. It’s likely your first time getting married, but even if it’s not, there’s so much to organise and manage, you don’t want to get bogged down in the fine details and focus on the important things and having a good, stress-free time. At Marble Private, our team has plenty of event planning experience - it’s our speciality - so be sure to reach out for help with your special day.

Branding is key

The best events are consistently branded across all the mediums used - from the invitations to the flower arrangements. There’s a reason businesses follow brand guidelines, and that’s because consistent brands look better - they’re also a lot easier to remember too. Use this to your advantage and make sure you finalise your ‘branding’, fonts, colours, etc. before you send anything off to print or order the flowers.

1 0

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

1 1

1 2

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

1 3

Reports show that almost 5,000 tonnes of unrecyclable plastic end up leftover from British weddings each year. That’s the equivalent of 47 Blue Whales worth of waste. Sustainability is becoming part of everyday life for most of us now, so your wedding day should be no exception. The current worst offenders are confetti, disposable decorations, and exotic flowers, but luckily there are plenty of ways to achieve the same effect without putting the planet at risk. So, you can still have a fabulous, memorable wedding, without the guilt. Read on to discover a few ways to make your big day more sustainable:

Degradable confetti

For many people, the throwing of confetti over the new couple is a vital part of their wedding day. Unfortunately, disposable confetti is actually terrible for the environment. From polluting the local ecosystem, choking wildlife and not being able to break down naturally, it’s a big no- no for a sustainable wedding. Luckily, there are plenty of more conscious alternatives; a great one is to use biodegradable dried petals. These not only keep the aesthetic appeal of confetti but also don’t leave any lasting damage on the environment.

Less Food Waste

Saving the Planet save- the-dates

On average, £488 is wasted on food at every wedding, and that’s all because 15% of guests only eat one or two of their three courses, newlyweds end up throwing their cake remains away, and almost half of guests don’t eat their edible wedding favours. To combat this, you should assess how much food you really want to serve; there’s no set rule that says there have to be three courses at your reception. Another great way to reduce your carbon footprint when it comes to food is to use a catering company with a sustainable ethos that uses local, organic and ethically sourced ingredients wherever possible.

Paper invitations, or plastic-coated ones, aren’t great for the environment. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t send them. A great way to remedy this is to use alternative materials that are better for the earth instead. Look for companies that have a sustainable mission when you’re picking out your stationer. You can also consider using recycled paper or even alternative materials like uncycled fabrics, leather, or sustainably sourced wood for an invitation that’s designed to be kept. Another way to reduce the environmental impact of your invites is to send them virtually. Either via email or message, you can hire a designer to create a personalised e-vite that follows your colour scheme and theme or try working on them yourself using a platform like Canva.

1 4

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

1 5

Sustainable wedding fashion

Pick an Eco-Friendly Venue

Your wedding attire is something you won’t have the opportunity to wear often. For most of us, the wedding day is the only day we actually put it on. And since many dresses and suits are made with embellishments and a combination of materials, they’re not great for the environment as a whole. A way you can make your fashion more conscious is to ensure that the pieces you purchase are made from sustainable materials. On the other hand, you could consider renting your dress or suit for the day, which is not only better for the planet but also a lot easier on your wallet. In addition to this, you could purchase your garments second hand, which often helps to support charity too. When it comes to your wedding style, makeup and skincare will likely be very high up on your list of priorities. If you haven’t already, you should try to incorporate more natural, sustainable and cruelty-free products into your routine and pick a makeup artist that uses these kinds of products too.

Probably the easiest way to have a more sustainable wedding is to make sure your venue takes sustainability seriously. From energy conservation to reducing single-use plastics, venues can affect the carbon footprint of your event massively. Not just that, but you should also be mindful about how your guests will get there. Needless to say, destination weddings have higher carbon emissions than ones in your home country. But if everyone is driving separately to a venue in the UK, then you’ll also be adding unnecessary mileage to your energy usage. Instead, recommend that your guests car-share or if the venue is close to home you could even arrange alternative transport like a horse and carriage for a traditional, yet sustainable, aesthetic.

Low impact flowers

The sustainable wedding revolution is real. Every day more venues and suppliers, makeup artists and bridal fashion brands are incorporating sustainable options into their repertoire, and there are more ways than ever to reduce the carbon footprint of your big day. These are just a few ideas to get started, but if you’re serious about sustainability, there are even more ways to make your big day environmentally kind. If you’d like to find out how we can help make your wedding day easy on the planet, get in touch with our team of specialists today.

Aside from the huge carbon emissions you add to your wedding when you import flowers from across the world, there can also be issues of exploitation within the supply chain of exotic flowers. Most of the flowers used in western Europe are grown in Kenya, Colombia, Vietnam and Ecuador and need to be flown or shipped to your country from there. Instead of wasting energy here, a great way to make your flower arrangements more sustainable is to source them locally and seasonally, or if you’re set on a particular exotic breed, then you should always check for certification. Organisations like LEAF, the Soil Association and the Rainforest Alliance are all quality checkers when it comes to the ethicality of flowers being sold in the UK. You’ll also want to make sure that your florist is making sustainability a priority by not using foam or plastic and are transparent about where their flowers come from.

1 6

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

1 7

Y O U R

T E A M

Maryam E V E N T S A S S I S TA N T

Silvija E U R O P E A N A C C O U N T D I R E C T O R

Becky H E A D O F P R O D U C T I O N A N D T E C H N I C A L

Emi C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R

Darren C H I E F L O G I S T I C S O F F I C E R

Zoe S E N I O R C R E AT I V E P R O D U C E R

Marina J U N I O R A C C O U N T S A S S I S TA N T

Kotryna A C C O U N T M A N A G E R

Robbie C H I E F T E C H N I C A L O F F I C E R

Hal S E N I O R T E C H N I C A L A N D P R O D U C T I O N M A N A G E R

Rebecca S E N I O R A C C O U N T M A N A G E R

Annabel C C O U N T D I R E C T O R

1 8

1 0 T E N C U L I N A R Y

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

1 9

R E P R E S E N T I N G T H E C U L I N A R Y

I N D U S T R Y ’ S B R I G H T E S T S TA R S .

The culinary industry has never been so vibrant. There are stars in the kitchen, behind the bar and on our screens. It means reputation can be everything, and at 10Ten Culinary, we understand that. We’re a talent management agency that prides itself on knowing our clients and their industry inside out. Our sole focus is to make sure we provide you with the best fitting talent for your event and ensure projects are executed flawlessly.

2 0

1 0 T E N C U L I N A R Y

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

2 1

Nathan

Outlaw

As his name suggests, Nathan Outlaw’s reputation is anything but ordinary. His career started early, working with his father, a chef, before experiencing life in London’s 5-star hotel restaurants. However, it’s by the sea that Nathan found his forte. Working under Rick Stein in Padstow, Nathan moved through a clutch of coastal restaurants, earning his first Michelin star for the Black Pig, aged 25. He opened Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in 2006 – leaving it with two Michelin stars, four AA rosettes, and a rare 10/10 from the Good Food Guide. Not only that but it was also ranked as the UK’s number one restaurant in 2018.

2 2

1 0 T E N C U L I N A R Y

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

2 3

Angela

Hartnett

Angela Hartnett OBE is one of the UK’s most loved chefs and restaurateurs, known for her sophisticated yet simple Italian - inspired cooking. Born in Britain, her passion for good, honest food and the best ingredients was instilled in her by her Italian grandmother and mother.

2 4

1 0 T E N C U L I N A R Y

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

2 5

Native was concocted by Ivan & Imogen, who together have scaled the mountains of street food markets & pop up restaurants to finally settle in the tranquil setting of Neal’s Yard, then on to Borough Market and now Mayfair.

Native

Championing sustainable cooking, both Ivan and Imogen show a strong passion in foraging and growing their ingredients to get the best of what nature has to give. This all comes together to deliver a unique outlook on British heritage cooking.

2 6

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

2 7

The place for tradition in today’s wedding industry The origins of marriage predate recorded human history, but the earliest evidence we have of similar ceremonies date from about 2350 BC. The word ‘marriage’ then didn’t exist until around 1250 CE, but the celebration has changed a lot since then. At first, marriage was an act of alliance between two families. While arranged marriages still exist today, most couples throughout history didn’t marry because they were in love, but for economic reasons. Now, couples can marry for whatever reasons they like, in most of the world. This isn’t the only way marriage has evolved over the years, there are plenty of traditions that have come and gone over time. Read on to find out about a few that have been going through a revolution over the past few decades.

2 8

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

2 9

The white wedding dress Rewind to before 1840 and wedding dresses didn’t come in any particular colour - mostly because most women didn’t have the luxury of owning multiple dresses. So, on their wedding day, they would usually just don their Sunday best, regardless of what colour it was. This ‘tradition’ was thrown on its head when Queen Victoria wore a white dress to marry Prince Albert, and since then created a new tradition of wearing white on your wedding day. Although the majority of brides* in Europe, the UK and the US still prefer white or ivory for their dresses, there has been a big increase in people opting for different colours that better reflect their personalities and the vibe they want for the wedding. Because of this shift in opinion, it’s becoming the norm for bridal designers to include colour in their collections. For example, Vera Wang’s 2020 bridal collection used a mixture of white, blush pink, nude, and pistachio green. Giving away the bride Although it’s still customary in a lot of weddings that the father of the bride escorts their daughter down the aisle and ‘gives her away’ to her new partner, this is something that’s changing too. Back in the day, the bride would stand to the left of their husband so his sword arm was left free to fight off any potential suitors who might try to steal her away before the marriage was finalised. As archaic as this sounds, it’s a tradition that’s still alive and well in many of today’s wedding ceremonies. ‘Giving away the bride’ dates back to the middle ages, when women were considered to be the property of their father until they were married, when they’d be given to their husband. Unsurprisingly, with the change in family set-ups and social attitudes, brides are choosing to be walked down the aisle by other important people in their lives like their mothers, siblings, friends or other family members. On the other hand, there’s been an increase in women walking down the aisle alone, like Meghan Markle chose to back in 2018.

Wedding invitations Although most correspondence that happens between people nowadays is online, paper wedding invitations are something that has remained physical. For many, designing their own wedding invitations is the first hint at the overall sentiment of the wedding, and gives the guests a clue on the theme and colour palette. While they may end up taking a more virtual shape in the future, it’s likely that traditional paper wedding invitations are something that we’re not forgetting about anytime soon.

Location, location, location While it used to be customary that couples would marry in a religious place of worship, there are a lot more options on the menu now. Destination weddings have been steadily rising in popularity over the past few years, but there are also plenty of couples hosting their ceremony at registry halls, hotels, and private wedding venues as well. Social media is becoming a new tradition One of the most up-and-coming traditions has got to be social media. It’s having an effect on the experiences that weddings offer and is changing the ceremony from ritual to spectacle. Long gone is the small wedding album that sits at the bottom of your drawer. Now, photos from your wedding will be all over social platforms, and if you’re getting ahead of the trend, you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities for your guests to interact with and maybe even your own wedding hashtag. Customs like these all came from somewhere in the past and most have changed over time. While there will always be a place for tradition in marriage, just how traditional your wedding is will be totally up to you. After all, it’s your special day and it should reflect what you like and what makes you happy. * While we use the terms ‘groom’ and ‘bride’ throughout this article, we understand that all weddings are unique and ‘grooms’, ‘brides’, ‘best men’, and ‘bride’s maids’ come in a range of gender identities and expressions. Please interpret these tips for your own celebration - we hope they help!

Who pays?

Traditionally, the bride’s parents were expected to foot the bill for the wedding. However, now people are marrying later in life and weddings are becoming less centred around the joining of two families and rather two individuals, the responsibility for paying for the ceremony is falling to the couple themselves. A recent survey conducted by Bridebook found that up to 90% of couples expect to pay for their wedding themselves. Wedding cakes The old faithful fruitcake that used to be the centre of the wedding buffet is falling out of favour. The tradition of the wedding cake actually originated in medieval times, where it was commonplace for the groom to have to kiss his bride over a pile of sweet bread rolls - we think the person who started this trend probably just had a really sweet tooth and wanted an excuse to make everyone bring cakes to their wedding. However, this evolved into the wedding cake we’ve all come to know and love, as well as the newer tradition of the new couple cutting the cake together. Over the past few decades, these cakes have got more and more extravagant, but they’re also a lot less restricted by flavour. Plenty of couples are opting for a sponge cake or even cupcakes or macaroon towers.

3 0

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

3 1

D E S T I N AT I O N WE D D I N G S

Caline & Fares’ Tuscan Wedding

This couple contacted us on the same day they got engaged, looking to get married in the next 4 months in Italy. They wanted a classically beautiful villa to host their wedding, over an idyllic weekend in Florence. The venue needed to hold some level of elegant charm and magic while providing the majority of the decoration, highlighted with beautiful lighting, music and personalised touches.

3 2

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

3 3

D E S T I N AT I O N WE D D I N G S

Miriam & Will’s Florentine Wedding

The couple had specific elements in their brief which were important to them, including easy access to airports and all the guests staying in the same hotel or location. Our three venues in Florence were perfect and the weekend-long celebration went seamlessly. We managed the rare combination of a relaxed yet structured event with Italian charm and English efficiency perfectly mingling to create a stunningly elegant wedding.

3 4

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

3 5

D E S T I N AT I O N WE D D I N G S

Amanda & Charlie’s French Wedding

An incredibly stylish bride and groom were after a relaxed yet perfectly organised and beautifully designed wedding. The challenge would be ensuring smooth logistics in this rural town of Cogolin, France, for 300 international guests. There were 3 days of celebrations to find venues for and plan all of the logistics. The wedding dinner to be hosted on the pool was another request in the brief.

3 6

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

3 7

The

ultimate

guide to

wedding

music

From church weddings to destination nuptials, wedding ceremonies vary across a whole spectrum. However, one thing almost all of them have in common is music. Wedding music is suspected to have existed as long as the ceremony itself has. While you'd have likely only heard a vocalist performing at these events before the 1500s, the invention of many traditional wedding instruments changed that in the middle ages. From there, the music that accompanies marriage has changed drastically, new traditions have been formed and lost, and we've entered a new stage of digitalisation that changed everything. If you're planning a wedding, then you can't forget about the music. So, we're here to help.

3 8

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

3 9

After your ceremony, you’ll want to keep your guests entertained at your reception. Music sets the tone for your event and can completely change the vibe and feel depending on the playlist you choose. Not only that but volume, lighting, and other variables should be controlled to ensure that the sound isn’t overly distracting and is setting the scene you’re looking for. The songs you choose to play at your wedding and reception can be picked out by you specifically or you can decide to work with professionals who can help you select songs that set the mood that goes with your theme. Either way, you want to make sure everyone is happy and enjoys themselves. A great tip to help you do just that is to give guests the option to jot down a song they’d love to hear on their RSVP. This is super helpful for planning your playlist but also gives each person something to talk about and get excited for during the reception. In the same regard, there are plenty of tunes that seem to always make the final cut. From ones that get your guests out on the dancefloor to perennial favourites, if you’re not up for taking requests, there are some surefire winners to choose from. You can find lists of most requested songs online or even use Spotify’s curated playlists that are specific to weddings.

At an event, nothing beats live music. While your playlist might be top- notch, a live band, vocalist, or other musician takes it to the next level. However, finding the right performers to play at your venue isn't always easy. Luckily, event planners and music specialists are here to help. At Marble, we're experts in pairing the right music with your event and making sure it fits your specifications, budget and vibe. So no matter what type of wedding you're having or whether you're wanting Beethoven or Bruce Springsteen, we can elevate your reception to the next level.

While music tradition varies around the world, in the west it’s become customary for “Here Comes The Bride” to play when the bride makes her way down the aisle. This song was originally from Wagner’s “Lohengrin” but it’s been a popular wedding song for over 160 years since it was played alongside “The Wedding March” at Frederick William IV of Prussia’s wedding to Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, Queen Victoria‘s oldest child, in the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace. In the same regard, other countries and religions have specific traditional tunes that are present in their wedding ceremonies. For example, at Jewish weddings, the song “Baruch Haba” is usually played at the entrance of the groom, while hymns might make an appearance during Christian celebrations. Every wedding is different though, and while tradition might always have a place in marriage ceremonies, it’s up to you which you stick to and which you don’t. If you really want to dance down the aisle to your favourite bop rather than organ music, you totally should!

4 0

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

4 1

F E S T I VA L WE D D I N G S

Rajwah and Owen’s Wilderness Wedding

We created a festival playground for the weekend where guests would come from far and wide to dance, eat and celebrate at the stunning Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk. The venue had to be remote, wooded, and original. Hosting four events in three days, each with different styling, design and musical programmes to complement, was a challenge Marble took in their stride. Peaking on the Saturday night at the wedding dinner under the wisteria-adorned pergola, guests then danced under our 6-metre high canopy, which flowed into a rave in the woodland cellar.

4 2

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

4 3

F E S T I VA L WE D D I N G S

Secret Woodland Rave

Our client wanted something fun and informal, centred around the feeling of being at a beautiful, relaxed festival. A ‘festival feel’ evening that melted into a delicious dinner, followed by dancing by the lake, finally crescendoing with a surprise festival rave hidden in the forest, where they were met by R&B legend Ms Dynamite.

4 4

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

4 5

F E S T I VA L WE D D I N G S

Teddy and Cas’ Colourful Wedding

We produced this wedding in Norfolk with the Latino vibes of Cuba (where Cas grew up), the tastes of Spain (where her parents were from) - plus the colour of every fruit that grows on this green earth. The ceremony was fringed with multi-coloured pineapples exploding from the head of giant elephant palms, plus glorious floral arches leading the bride down her aisle. Guests were treated to beers and hymns from Bill Withers and the Gypsy Kings.

Personal touches - This day is all about you as a couple

4 6

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

4 7

Wedding dress design

Before Queen Victoria was credited for popularising the white wedding dress, the colour white was a rare sight on a wedding day, brides would usually wear blue, red, yellow, green or even grey. However, once Her Highness wed her first cousin Albert in 1840, she started a craze for ivory wedding dresses that has since swept over the globe. At the time, embroidered silk, lace, and floral detailing were also popular - the more ‘feminine’ the better. Not only that, but once everyone got wind of the white wedding dress, bridesmaids started wearing it too! You read that right, it wasn’t uncommon for all of the bridal party to sport the same shade back in the 1800s.

through the ages

1800s

The origins of marriage predate recorded human history, but the earliest evidence we have of similar ceremonies date from about 2350 BC. Since then, brides have worn an array of different garments on their celebrations. For example, in ancient Rome, brides would wear a long veil of deep yellow over a complicated braided hairstyle to resemble a flame - a metaphor for the way she would bring light and warmth to her new husband's home. Now, yellow is hardly heard of on a wedding day, and that's not all that's changed. Read on to discover how wedding dresses have transformed through the ages.

Pre 1800s In the west, wedding dresses didn’t come in any particular colour for a long time. This was largely due to the fact that most women didn’t have the luxury of owning multiple dresses. So, on their big day, they’d usually just don their Sunday best, regardless of what colour it was. On the other hand, China is suspected to be the first place in the world where brides were expected to wear a particular colour. During the reign of the Zhou Dynasty (around three thousand years ago), brides and their grooms would both wear black robes with red trim, worn over a visible white undergarment. However, wearing specific colours was part of the clothing laws that existed in the country at the time, so it’s not surprising that they affected marriages as well. The wearing of black on your wedding day existed for a long time in China, right up until around 650 AD when it became fashionable for brides to wear green. In Europe, particularly in mediaeval times, brides of an elevated social status wore rich colours and expensive fabrics like furs velvet and silk. Overall, there was no one way to dress on your wedding day, it all varied depending on the country, social status, and the fashion at the time.

1900

- 1919

In the early part of the century, dresses with a narrow waist (often achieved with a corset) and puffed sleeves were popular. The fashionable trims at the time were frills, high collars and long trains. Then with the more relaxed Edwardian era fast approaching, loose fits and delicate fabrics became all the rage. This was even more important because dancing at western weddings became a lot more popular during this time period.

Illustrations by: Sophie Murphy, Fashion Designer

4 8

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

4 9

In 1930, most brides wore silk or satin dresses, typically opting for long-sleeve styles with a small train and minimal ornamental designs, like appliqué or embroidery. Getaway outfits were in high demand for brides in the ‘30s because couples started a new tradition of heading straight off on their honeymoon as soon as their reception was over. Ingrid Bergman is the perfect example of a 1930s bride at her wedding to her first husband, Aron Lindström. Here, she wore a long- sleeve silk gown with a beaded Juliet cap while carrying a bouquet of lilies.

The 1920s is remembered for being a time of transition, and bridal fashion wasn’t left out of the movement. Women began to wear sleeker, drop waist gowns that had simple silhouettes. In addition to this, elaborate headpieces started to offset the shorter hairstyles of the time, often adorned with delicate hairpins and a long cathedral veil. You might also remember that hemlines started to climb higher during this ‘roaring’ decade, and wedding dresses were no exception. Some brides even opted for dresses that finished just below the knee - which would have been rather scandalous just a few years prior. 1920s

1930s

1940s

Brides in the early 1940s were married during the war effort, so their outfits reflected the time’s austerity. Many brides felt that it wasn’t appropriate to get married in an expensive white dress, so they were often just wed in their Sunday best. Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip after the war ended, but England was still on rations at the time. So her dress, which was made of ivory silk with embroidered pearls, was quite understated for a royal as she had to remain considerate for the time.

1950s

Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding dress in the film Father of the Bride had a massive influence on this decade’s bridal trends. Sleek and simple were out, while full skirts, fitted bodices, and sweetheart necklines were the words on everyone’s lips. The change in fashion transformed wedding dresses into a more romantic and feminine style, similar to what Jackie Kennedy wore in 1953 for her marriage to John F Kennedy. Another great example of the fashion at the time was Grace Kelly’s lace ensemble, on her wedding day in 1956.

5 0

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

5 1

At the start of the decade, shorter shoulder-length veils suddenly became more popular. These were paired with quarter length sleeves and structured fabrics. While white dresses steadily remained popular, this was the time that other colours started to emerge, particularly in celebrity weddings. In 1964, Elizabeth Taylor was wed in a canary yellow chiffon dress, which she wore with a floral headpiece that symbolised the period’s flower-child movement. 1968 was when Sharon Tate took the miniskirt trend to a whole new level when she married Roman Polanski in a high collared baby doll dress. These column-like dresses were the style of the decade, particularly when they incorporated metallic or floral elements.

The turn of the century was a stark contrast to the loud dresses that had filled the previous decade. Simple, non-embellished gowns rose in popularity and straight, plain necklines were the go-to for many brides at the time. Thanks to Vera Wang, strapless dresses built their way up to the most iconic wedding style of the time. This neckline could be paired with a few different fits, but by 2010 the A-line gown had fought its way to the top.

When you think of the 80s, it’s likely you’ll picture something big, bold and colourful, and the 80s wedding style didn’t disappoint on this front. Large puffed sleeves, tulle layers and over-the-top headdresses were the key pieces of the decade. These were also evident in Princess Diana’s infamous taffeta wedding dress, which fully embodied the ‘more is more’ approach to fashion that the 80s had.

1990s

- 2010s

1980s

1960s

Although the majority of brides in Europe, the UK and the US still prefer relatively sleek white or ivory dresses, there has been a big increase in people opting for different colours and styles that better reflect their personalities and the vibe they want for the wedding. Because of this shift in opinion, it’s becoming the norm for bridal designers to include a range of colours and fits in their collections. For example, Vera Wang’s 2020 bridal collection used a mixture of white, blush pink, nude, and pistachio green. Present-day& current trends

1970s

The bohemian look was the key focus of the 70s, though squared necklines, batwing sleeves and ruffled skirt hems also made an appearance. Brides chose to ditch veils in favour of ribbons or flowers instead. Not only that but the wedding dress also faced a few competitors; the wedding suit was rising in popularity and women weren’t afraid to shake the boundaries of traditional femininity that had ruled wedding style for decades.

The wedding dress has seen its fair share of evolution over the years, and there’s no doubt that it will change again in the future. Fashion changes, even traditions do, but overall, wedding dresses should be down to the people wearing them. So, as much as we can take inspiration from the past and what’s around us now, you should wear what you like on your wedding day - maybe you’ll end up starting a whole new trend of your own.

5 2

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

5 3

Marble Private recently sat down with Emma to ask her about wedding dress styles and her bespoke bridal offering. Emma Victoria Payne

How would you describe your signature style?

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss?

We try on a range of dresses with similar silhouettes in the boutique and drape silks to create necklines and try on additional straps and sleeves to visualise the design. A full set of 40 measurements are taken and then we begin pattern cutting. We produce a toile in calico so the client tries the design in cotton first to check they are happy with the design details and we pin this to achieve a great fit before embarking on cutting the final silks. Once the paper pattern is updated with any changes we cut the dress and construct it ready for fittings. We arrange 3-5 further fittings depending on the design to ensure a perfect fit and pin the final hemline with the client’s shoes. We then arrange a final try on and collection which is usually approximately a week before the wedding day. What if a bride changes her mind halfway through the process? Bespoke gowns are constantly developed and tweaked through the process of construction. It is incredibly difficult to decide on exact details from a sketch and part of the joy of having something bespoke is the ability to make changes. This is why we arrange plenty of appointments to share all the stages with our clients. We want to ensure that all of our brides love their dresses and we are more than happy to make any changes throughout the process as this is the beauty of bespoke design.

The Emma Victoria Payne bridal collection captures the essence of sophisticated luxury with beautiful silhouettes that emphasise femininity, effortless style and romance. My distinctive designs combine clean lines with beautiful natural silhouettes. Each gown retains an individual character and unique charm, designed with meticulous attention to detail. Can you tell us a bit about the story of EVP? What inspired you to become a wedding dress designer? From a very early age, I was incredibly creative and I loved drawing and making things. My great grandfather was a womenswear designer based in Nottingham and produced day dresses as well as wedding dresses. My inspiration came from the stories my grandfather used to tell me about the family business which left a strong impression and led me to pursue a career in fashion. At the age of 7, I used to talk about continuing the business and from that moment on I was determined to have my own dress company. My parents bought me my first sewing machine for Christmas at the age of 8 and I have never looked back.

It is so special to have my own label. I love having the creative freedom to design what truly inspires me and to be able to create the ultimate dress for our brides.

What is ‘bespoke’?

Bespoke is a personal, tailored service enabling our clients to have a custom-made design of their choice fully made to measure. There is nothing quite like creating the ultimate EVP dress which is one of a kind. A bespoke EVP gown reflects the client’s unique personality and style and we offer a very special experience. As with all our gowns, we love to create bespoke interchangeable layers so the bride can change her look from day to evening. How does the design process work with your brides (from first meeting to fittings etc)? EVP provides an incredibly personal service seeing each client from the initial appointment through to the dress collection. We arrange an initial appointment via zoom or within the boutique to discuss our client’s ideas and we look at their Pinterest board of inspirational images as a starting point to get a feel for their style. We then discuss where the wedding will take place and any factors that need to be taken into consideration e.g. the temperature, movement and setting. We discuss all the design details including the silhouette, neckline, sleeve and length of train. Each bespoke gown is developed through a series of sketches to develop the ideas. We source suitable fabrics from our suppliers gathering samples for each client.

When did you set up your bridal brand?

I opened my bridal boutique on Beauchamp Place in April 2010, in the heart of Knightsbridge. It has always been my ambition to have a boutique that reflects our brand and style. In 2017, I found the perfect premises at 6 Park Walk. I am so happy to now be located on one of my favourite streets in Chelsea; I really see it as a privilege to be based here.

Do you have a favourite dress from your collections?

I love them all but ASTRID has to be an absolute favourite of mine. This gown is a true wedding dress, it has a stunning duchess satin bodice and a full circular skirt. There is something very romantic about this particular gown and I really like how the silk georgette overlay softens the hemline.

5 4

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

5 5

5 6

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

5 7

- 1

- 2

- 3

Aim for no more than 1,000 words - this equates to about seven minutes worth of speaking time. Limiting the time you spend talking means you won’t ramble, it won’t be boring, and it’ll be easier to remember.

It’s all about delivery - what you say is important, but how you say it will dictate how the room receives it. Focus on speaking slowly, loudly, and clearly; pretend that you’re speaking to those furthest from you.

Prepare a speech for your friendship with the groom - every relationship is different, so the sentiment of your best man’s speech should reflect your friendship with the groom. For instance, if you’re unlikely to roast them when you see them, their wedding probably isn’t the best place to start doing so.

- 4

- 5

- 6

Introduce yourself - far too often, this key piece of information doesn’t make it into the speech. However, it’s really important to include since it’s likely not everyone at the wedding will know you personally. Explain your relationship with the groom and then, for bonus points, include a precious or happy memory you share with them.

Get their attention - make sure your opening line is one that turns heads in your direction. This could be the perfect spot to add in some humour or even just tap your glass and announce that you’ll be making your speech in honour of the groom.

Dish out the compliments - it’s your friend or family member’s special day, so there’s no time like then to make them feel on top of the world. Take time to praise the groom, compliment the bride, and reiterate why they work so fantastically together - and don’t forget the tissues!

There are few honours more memorable than being the best man* at your friend or family member's wedding. While there are a number of responsibilities that come with the title, like planning an unforgettable stag do and supporting the groom with wedding preparations, there's one job that stands out above all else - the best man's speech. It might sound like a lot of pressure to come up with a witty and heartfelt script, but at Marble Private, we have plenty of experience with wedding planning, so have picked up a few tips and tricks for how to make your best man's speech pack a punch:

- 7

- 8

- 9

It’s not a wedding without toasts - thank the guests for being there to make the lucky couple’s day even more special. Wish them well, and include the audience with some toasts.

Keep it lighthearted - that doesn’t mean it can’t be sentimental, it very much can. However, you don’t want to get everyone sobbing on such a joyous occasion (and we can guarantee the guests will not want to ruin their makeup!). Keep it positive and upbeat, and if you look back over past memories, look at them fondly or be proud of how far they’ve come.

End with a bang - make sure you finish your speech with a memorable line. Whether it be your wishes for the bride and groom or a funny joke, just make sure it’s upbeat and it sticks.

* While we use the terms ‘groom’, ‘bride’ and ‘best man’ throughout this article, we understand that all weddings are unique and ‘grooms’, ‘brides’, ‘best men’, and ‘bride’s maids’ come in a range of gender identities and expressions. Please interpret these tips for your own celebration - we hope they help!

5 8

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

5 9

C O U N T R Y S I D E WE D D I N G S

Darren and Harriet’s Cotswolds wedding

For Darren and Harriet, there was never any question that they would get married at Harriet’s family home in the Cotswolds, where she has lived her whole life. After the church service, the bride and groom led guests through the village, past a 6-piece brass swing band who took them down into the garden where they were met by Marble’s Gin Tin horse truck and four food stations. The 170 guests were then transported to an incredible single 52-metre table running beside the stream at the bottom of the garden, decorated with moss, ferns and succulents.

6 0

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

6 1

C O U N T R Y S I D E WE D D I N G S

Millie & Consti’s Bavarian Wedding

This epic two-day countryside wedding in different locations across the client’s private land in Hampshire was featured in Vogue Magazine. The first evening was to kick off proceedings with a ‘Bavarian Beer Garden party’, focused on a relaxed vibe with music and Bavarian food stations. The second day was a smart English wedding set in the beautiful British countryside with an injection of colour, vibrancy and originality. Our Bohemia Grand Pavillion Tent fitted in wonderfully with the rustic countryside fields and was dressed with thousands of fresh flowers and twinkling lights.

6 2

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

6 3

C O U N T R Y S I D E WE D D I N G S

Harriet & Jonny’s Intimate Wedding

As with everything in 2020, due to coronavirus, we were kept on our toes with this project. We rode the waves of the ever-changing event restrictions, an all too common consequence of the pandemic. And as a result, this was a wedding with an evolving and changing brief, up until the day the bride walked down the aisle! The wedding that went from a 200 person evening Easter bonanza turned into a cosy, sunny day celebration. It was complete with a picnic hamper ‘bubble’ lunch and acoustic tunes floating in the air.

6 4

M A R B L E P R I VAT E

6 5

Wedding countdown checklist

Pay suppliers in full & confirm the running order

Start ordering décor items

Break in your wedding shoes

18-12 months to go

Curate your gift list

Take care of all final beauty and grooming appointments

Book your transport

Photographers and videographers get booked up really quickly, so you should find one you love about 12-16 months before your wedding date.

If you are not sending save the dates, wedding invitations should be sent around six months before your wedding day - and we’d always advise the more time, the better.

Reach out to photographers

Write and order your seating plan

Call or meet with your photographer

Book a DJ or wedding band with Marble Music

Have your final fitting!

Book caterers if needed

Think about florals

Send your wedding invitations

Book hair & makeup artists for the big day

Buy your wedding rings

Purchase your outfit accessories

Go perfume or cologne shopping

Plan a wedding day surprise for your other half

Send out your save the dates

Go wedding dress shopping

18 months to go

Pack a wedding day emergency kit

Go bridesmaid dress shopping

Start crafting any DIY items

Collect your wedding dress/suit if you didn’t take it away with you at the final fitting Brief your wedding party on their roles for the day

Contact Marble Private

Buy or rent suits

10 months to go

It is a great time to sit down and look at what you would like to be included in your celebrations and items that aren’t that important to you. It can really help later on down the line to have this established early. Choosing your wedding venue is probably the most important decision of your entire wedding planning process, and it is also the biggest cost. Book a handful of venue viewings for the spots which most appeal - don’t worry if this seems daunting as Marble Private can help. We know a huge number of venues and can advise those that will best fit your wedding style and size.

Take our wedding quiz with your partner

Order your cake

Have your final menu tasting

Determine your budget

Find a cake maker

Relax!

Decide on timings for your day

Create a rough guest list

Book your honeymoon

Venue hunt

Meet with your florist

Check whether a registrar or church is free on your wedding date

Decide on your ceremony details

Confirm your wedding venue

Contact any guests who have not yet RSVP’d

Appoint your wedding party

Attend your first outfit fitting

Buy wedding insurance

Buy your wedding party gifts

Host your Stag/Hen/Fox/Sten parties!