Are bells ringing for the happy couple by The Colourist

By now, the wedding season should be in full swing, thousands of bouquets thrown, glasses of champagne consumed, photos taken and garters tossed, with wedding planners and caterers retreating with fatigue.

This last year, of course, it never really got started.

After 95% of weddings were postponed in 2020, three-quarters of firms linked to the wedding industry suffered financial losses of more than 75%, and some have had to close down. Photographers, caterers, venues, florists, bridal designers, fashion companies, gift retailers, to mention just a few, have all felt the impact.

What about the emotional impact?

After so many weddings have been postponed so many times during lockdown it's been really difficult for so many couples to plan ahead and whole families who have been optimistic that things will be fine have then had their hopes wiped away as new regulations have been set.

I asked friend and fellow artist Stella Tooth, whose son had his special day rearranged how it has felt ?

Stella said, “Our son and his fiancee were planning to wed on 24 April this year. They had met at university, got engaged a couple of years back, saved up for a place of their own and, as they turned or prepared to turn 31 this year, had booked the church and venue and looked forward to the wedding of their dreams. As the countdown calendar on their wall noted the months to their wedding, they listened to the rollercoaster of restriction news. Although covered by insurance for rearranging to a new date, they stood to lose a substantial sum if they had a wedding with a smaller group. so they decided to postpone till mid September, moving from a Saturday to a Wednesday wedding due to no other spots being available, losing the chance to celebrate with some treasured guests as a result, and are unlikely to have the friends and family from abroad, including the matron of honour. But the church has adapted to these unpredictable times and is organising a live feed. This time they are determined to go ahead no matter what. And we are all determined to make it special, no matter what.”

What to wear?

A white wedding is a traditional formal wedding originating in Great Britain. The term originates from the white colour of the wedding dress which first became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding. The term now also encapsulates the entire Western wedding routine, especially in the Christian religious tradition, which generally includes a ceremony and reception.

With same sex weddings the creative freedom to wear whatever colour or style the happy couple want has meant that a more creative approach has become the norm. Formality and tradition to some degree is still there for some, as many choose a white bridal gown or a suit. Stylistically, weddings in 2021 aren't always the traditional formal affairs they once were. Now we are seeing themed weddings, ranging from “dress Hawaii" or wear “black and white“ or all pink! Tradition is being ditched for a more imaginative approach. The invitation will usually contain the dress code i.e. lounge suits or party clothes... and fashion has a huge influence not only on what's worn but the colour of the bridesmaids' outfits and flowers.

Stella tells me she's still in a quandary about what to wear as the mum of the groom. "I have a fitted, knee-length raspberry linen suit which I had thought to wear with a white blouse that would take me into the evening. It would be a warm colour to contrast with the cools of the wedding scheme. But part of me wants cool neutrals straight out of The White Company with a little edgy something (like bright men’s socks beneath a grey suit) to hint at the arty side of who I am. Advice welcome!"

Stella always looks amazing, so no advice needed!

Colour Palettes
Something Old ...
"Something old" is the first line of a rhyme that details what a bride should wear at her wedding for good luck.
Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue,
Creating a colour palette for your wedding is something that years ago wouldn't have really been on the list of things to do. In 2021, it's something that a wedding planner will be looking at as soon as possible. It's not as simple as picking your favourite colours, as it often relates to the venue and also to colours that traditionally are lucky. Green and weddings are supposed to be unlucky for instance. Wedding colours will define the day and a clear colour scheme is one detail that guests won't forget.

Presents

What should you give?  Selecting a gift for the couple is as traditional as watching the first dance or cutting the cake,

However it's also one aspect of weddings that can be tricky to get right.
It isn’t just the wedding guests who have sleepless nights about gifts; the happy couple fret too about whether or not it’s polite to specify what they really want, or what should and shouldn’t be expected of their guests, many of whom will be looking at their finances very carefully after the impact of the pandemic on their resources.

The etiquette surrounding wedding-gift giving and receiving has somewhat shifted in recent years, but at the root, giving is all about love and caring.

At Skylark Galleries we have many artists who specialise in wedding commissions where the guest can give a unique present which has been made especially for them. Or alternatively you can buy a piece of artwork online or visit our gallery in London and meet the artists and get original artworks, sculptures and limited edition prints.

Couple by Corrine Edwards
Black clay dipped with a white glaze to create a texture.
Size. 10.5 cm
In a presentation box
£60.00

The Soulmate by Smita Sontathalia
50x60cm
Mixed Media
£250

This graceful painting shows a new phase of woman’s life when love starts knocking her heart. A stage where a woman carries the memories of past and is ready to embrace the future with her soulmate. This artwork imbibes something from the past and present of a woman’s life in one place. While the flowers on her dress reminds her of her youth, the red and gold colour represents the love, togetherness and festivity of meeting her soulmate.

It is beautifully decorated with  acrylics on canvas where pouring is used in background with colours which describe her married life. Madhubani flower motifs can also be seen in some places.

Vivien Phelan is one of our ceramic artists making bespoke sculptures that are the ultimate gift.

The Kiss
2 piece ceramic
£450

Jonquil Cook produces ceramic pieces from a range of high fired decorative clay which are ideal as they are richly decorated , entirely functional with tried and tested food-safe glazes.

 

In the field by Jonquil Cook
Height 30cm 
£390