EXPERT ADVICE

FAQs and expert advice about wedding services

Here is a selection of Q&As from Your North West Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yournorthwest.wedding

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams

Q The day after our wedding is full of activities with our friends and families. How can we combat the wedding hangover?
A Rebecca Swain says: No one wants their special day tainted by a nasty hangover the next day, especially if you have a hotel full of guests to go down to. Luckily, there are plenty of simple hacks that can help combat a sore head.

Drinking alcohol impairs sleep quality, so those celebrating should allow themselves plenty of time to sleep in after the celebration. Sleep deprivation will also make the hangover more intense, worsening symptoms like irritation and tiredness, so avoid setting an early alarm if the party is on till late.

Dehydration is one of the main causes of horrible hangover symptoms like headaches, so try to drink a couple of glasses of water before bed. This can help to rehydrate the body, flush out the toxins and curb the effects of alcohol in the morning.

It's important to replenish the body promptly after waking up from a heavy night of drinking, so head to the breakfast bar. Try to eat a balance of carbs, protein and fats because it will help regulate blood sugar spikes and restore lost nutrients and vitamins. Avoid eating greasy foods, as they can cause fatigue.

Getting some fresh air is a great hangover cure and it can help ease some symptoms like headaches and sickness. Take a brisk walk outside to get your endorphins pumping and you'll be feeling better in no time.

Certain sleeping positions can help alleviate hangover symptoms. Sleeping on the left side helps with acid reflux, which can be triggered by alcohol consumption. Sleeping at an incline can also help reduce the chances of headaches and nausea.

Rebecca Swain, Winstons Beds

Furry Friends

Furry Friends

Q Our friend suggested that we incorporate our dog into our wedding. Is this something that most couples do?
A Lynsey Meades says: Did you know that over 70 per cent of dog owners admit they would rather have their precious pooch at their wedding than friends and family? That shows just how much we love our dogs! Our interest in having dogs at our weddings has increased in recent years, and research shows that 94 per cent of those of us who own a furry canine friend plan to involve them in our wedding.

If you're planning to incorporate your furry friend into your big day, keep in mind that #DogWeddingOutfit currently has over 152,000 views on TikTok and #DogRingBearer has over 10.5 million views. We also discovered that 49 per cent of dogs attending their owners' weddings will be dressed for the occasion and 58 per cent of dog owners say they would change their dream wedding plans if it meant their pup could attend.

Lynsey Meades, Armathwaite Hall

Better Safe Than Sorry

Better Safe Than Sorry

Q My wife-to-be and I are thinking of getting wedding insurance. How do we go about this?
A The Team says: While everyone, of course, hopes that their wedding day will go without a hitch, unfortunately, things can and do go wrong. And when they do, it can leave you significantly out of pocket if you don't have insurance. With the average cost of a wedding coming in at around £20,000, it's a major financial commitment that you want to make sure is protected. Wedding insurance covers you for things such as cancellation and rearrangement, failure of wedding suppliers, personal liability, damage or theft of your ceremonial attire, wedding gifts, rings, photography and more. Here are a few things to be aware of when you're shopping around for a wedding insurance policy for your big day:

Getting the right amount of cover: Many wedding insurance plans offer different levels of cover. So, work out the cost of your wedding by including all your planned expenses, such as venues, catering, photography, flowers, attire, cakes, entertainment, transport, etc. Once you have an approximate budget in mind, choose the level of cover that covers this planned expenditure. For instance, if you are planning to spend around £20,000 in total on your wedding, then you will need to get cover that will compensate you up to that level should you need to cancel the wedding.

Don't delay: While the wedding to-do list may seem never-ending, it's important to not delay when it comes to buying wedding insurance. An ideal time to buy is as soon as you've paid for any part of the event and you have a venue and date arranged so that your deposits are covered. Make sure to check the policy details, as each insurer approaches this aspect differently.

Cheap isn't always best: Make sure to shop around and compare policies. Look at things like the details of the cover, customer reviews and the reputation of the insurance providers. Sometimes the best deal isn't the one with the smallest price tag.

Double check the cancellation policies: Cancellations are never fun, but they unfortunately do happen, so reviewing the cancellation policy is important. Make sure you understand the terms thoroughly and ask questions if needed. A clear understanding now can save you from any nasty little surprises down the line.

Tailor your cover: Whether it's an extra layer of protection for unforeseen circumstances, cover for elements of the celebration, like a marquee, or public liability cover should there be any 'slip-ups' on the dancefloor. Make sure to check the standard policy and review any of the add-ons so that you get the cover you need.

While no one ever thinks about having to claim, things can and do go wrong, and so protecting your special day is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

The Team, WedInsure

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