Wedding credentials: Editorial assistant Hollie Bond writes the gorgeous real weddings in You & Your Wedding as well as researching and writing W-day features and has picked up a lot of fab ideas along the way. She grew up testing the wedding cakes made by her confectioner mum and burnt them off training to be ballet dancer - so she knows her Strictly-worthy first dances from her two-left-feet sways.
Dream venue: "A quintessentially French château in the Loire Valley, where I first met my boyfriend, with manicured gardens, an accordion player and bottles of fresh from the estate white wine. I love the idea of saying my vows in French – the language of love."
On-screen inspiration: Technically it’s on-stage but my inspiration is Romeo and Juliet – the ballet. Juliet’s ethereal chiffon dress, the passionate music, the beautiful dancing, the romantic balcony setting and one rather dashing Romeo – who is willing to die for his girl – now that's what I call true love!
Fave aisle anecdote: I’ve been a bridesmaid three times (yes I’m well aware that three times a bridesmaid = never a bride!) However I’m told that as a three-year-old flower girl I slept in the aisle the whole way through the service, much to the embarrassment of my mother, so I like to think I’ve only been a bridesmaid twice!
Words of wedding wisdom: Don’t be a bridezilla and let your h2b have his input – his ideas might not fit in with your fairytale fantasy but remember it’s his day too and it has to reflect your personality as a couple.
Little loves: Temperley London wedding dresses, Ladurée macaroon favours, Eiffel Tower place card holders, gold jimmy choos and… in my wildest dreams Michael Bublé behind the mic!
By: Hollie Bond, 1 January 2011
