Are you ready to banish the banquet and buffet? There are so many exciting catering options for weddings now, the choice can seem overwhelming, so we ask award-winning wedding planner, Liz Taylor of the Taylor Lynn Corporation, to share her thoughts on the move towards more casual wedding catering, and asked her why finger foods are proving so popular.

“Where a traditional wedding breakfast is brilliant for those who want a formal structure to their day, it isn’t for everyone,” says Liz.

“In recent years, I’ve found more couples are breaking with formal traditions in favour of a more relaxed occasion. Often the wedding breakfast is abandoned in favour of one incredible party. The same can be seen in the couple’s choice of wedding dining experiences too, with the rise of options like food stations, sharing platters and innovative finger food.”

“Bite-sized mouthfuls of creative foods encourage guests to mingle and chat whilst they eat,” says Liz. “All tastes and dietary needs can be catered for with ease, and there doesn’t need to be any compromise. You can create a multitude of small dishes to suit everyone’s tastes and include the couple’s favourite foods, too.”

Liz continues, “Imagination is crucial. Props, lighting, and a sense of theatre can enhance the dining experience, tying your catering into the wider theme of the day. This is where the culinary wow factor can be seen. I like to serve dinner with a side of melodrama!”

Here are Liz’s top ten wedding finger foods ideas.

>>> CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE GAY WEDDING GUIDE

Liz Taylor discusses her early years, career, love of music and living with THAT name, on BBC Radio Manchester’s ‘Manchester People’.

Liz Taylor discusses her career, starting at M&S and how further education was not for her, on BBC Radio Manchester’s ‘Manchester People’.

Liz Taylor talks about the early days of her career and whether 3 husbands is all she has in common with the Hollywood Liz Taylor, on BBC Radio Manchester’s ‘Manchester People’.

Liz Taylor chats about life as the Millionaire Party Planner and planning celebrity parties for Gary Barlow, on BBC Radio Manchester’s ‘Manchester People’.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6216083/Kym-Marsh-hold-hands-beau-Scott-Ratcliff-charity-ball-Manchester.html
She revealed she was rushed to the hospital after experiencing an unbearable pain in her groin ahead of a charity run last month.

But Kym Marsh appeared to be well and truly on the mend as she attended a charity ball in aid of Child Bereavement UK and Red Sea Pedestrians Charity Ball with her new beau and Army Major Scott Ratcliff at Manchester’s The Victoria Warehouse on Thursday evening.

The Coronation Street star, 42, turned heads in her sizzling scarlet gown, embellished with a trendy asymmetric neckline and gold waist belt.
>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Mail Online CLICK HERE

Coronation Street’s Kym Marsh looked so loved up as she graced the red carpet with her other half Scott Ratcliff in a rare public outing.

The stunning actress, 42, put on a united front with her new man as they posed for pictures together at a charity ball for Child Bereavement UK and Red Sea Pedestrians, organised by the Taylor Lynn Corporation.

Kym looked stunning as she turned up in a flowing orange ballgown with a thin gold belt which emphasised her tiny waist.
>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Sun CLICK HERE

The actor-singer joined a host of other soap stars at the glam night out. Based on the amount of Corrie stars in attendance, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a cast night out.

SHAYNE Ward and his girlfriend Sophie Austin glammed up for a charity bash in Manchester.

The actor-singer joined a host of other soap stars at the glam night out.

Decked out in a suave blue suit and bowtie, Shayne looked the consummate gentleman.

Since leaving Corrie earlier this year he’s clearly taken time to grow out his beard – which framed his handsome face wonderfully.

>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Sun CLICK HERE

We all know that weddings are expensive, so which corners can you cut without any negative impact? Luxury wedding planners Bruce Russell and Isabel Smith share their top 10 tips on where to splurge and where to save..

1. The Detail
Save by focusing on the little things: For most couples, a wedding day is the most public declaration of their love and as such deserves to be a real celebration. But we also need to marry the desire to create something spectacular with some practicalities – namely budgets. My first piece of advice is to set a realistic budget from day one and stick to it; prioritise the areas that really matter to you (be it food, flowers or entertainment) then look to make savings in other places, including limiting the guest list to allow a greater per-head spend.

For me, weddings that have the greatest wow factor are those which engage all of the senses to offer a truly immersive experience for guests. If you’re planning a wedding, focus on the details – and remember, they needn’t cost the earth. I’m talking about not simply focusing on the day itself, but more the fact that you’re making memories so think about how a particular scent, piece of music or taste might transport you and your guests back to this magical moment for years to come. – BR

2. Florals
Splurge on dramatic florals: I am a huge fan of table centrepieces being a mix of different heights – it makes the room look so much more dynamic than everything being at one level. Aim to go big (both on height and budget) on around a third of your tables to create the right look. Alternatively, if your venue allows it and has the head room, opt for a floral installation well above the tables for the real wow factor. – IS

Save on aisle decoration: The ceremony is the most important part of the day, it is often the shortest too so when looking for areas to save, can those expensive pew ends or anything lining the aisle be kept more minimal so that the focus is set on keeping guests attention looking forward. – IS

>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Gay Wedding Guide wedding directory CLICK HERE

Thinking of planning a dry wedding? Twenty percent of the UK population now identify as being teetotal, so it’s no surprise that dry weddings are growing in popularity. Plan with imagination and a smattering of theatrical presentation, and yours will truly sparkle. Liz Taylor, Managing Director of the Taylor Lynn Corporation, tells us how…
“A dry wedding is not a second-class option, it’s a first-class choice; after all, a sober wedding does not mean a sombre one. Think creatively about the theme, the backdrop, and the crowd-pleasing components of your reception, and you’ll give guests a unique wedding experience that they’ll always treasure; and with no alcohol or morning after headaches involved!”

THEMES

Garden parties and 1930s, 40s and 50s vintage themes lend themselves well to tea party wedding receptions where alcohol need not be a focus. Miniature cakes, finger sandwiches and exquisitely made patisserie can be served on vintage crockery with a variety of teas offered and expertly matched to foods in a similar way to wine.

>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Gay Wedding Guide wedding directory CLICK HERE

Liz Taylor is managing director of celebrity wedding planners, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC). She has been planning spectacular weddings across the UK and Europe for the past 30 years, so has plenty of experience to ensure that your big day goes smoothly – even in the unpredictable British climate!

“Psychic I am not,” says Liz, “but as far as sunshine goes, I think it is safe to say that all our outdoor events this year are not likely to be bathed in endless sunlight! The only predictable thing about the weather is that we all know it can be shockingly unpredictable!”

Discover how to use Liz’s insider knowledge to help you beat the British weather and still have a day to remember – for all the right reasons!

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
“If you are using a marquee, make sure that your hire company do a rigorous site visit before the event. Discuss with them the suitability of your chosen area, as you may find that the idyllic spot that you have in mind is on ground liable to flood if there was a downpour!”

>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Gay Wedding Guide wedding directory CLICK HERE

Creating the right cocktail list for a summer wedding is like any other choice – it comes down to what the happy couple like, want and of course, their budget. But it is a place in the wedding plans where you can add some real style, glamour and fun. Liz Taylor from the Taylor Lynn Corporation has been planning wedding days for over 30 years and shares the inside track on how to create the perfect summer wedding cocktails.

Firstly, your collection of summer wedding cocktails needs to embrace the warmer weather, seasonal ingredients and lighter culinary choices. Include exciting options for the tee-totallters, growing in number now, and curate a collection of cocktails that is interesting, imaginative and tempting.

LOW ALCOHOL, HIGH TASTE
As the sun gets warmer the number of daytime parties rise. This summer cocktails are getting simpler, with fewer ingredients that most well-stocked bars can shake up with their own signature twist. For day time drinking, lower alcohol cocktails using vermouth and sherry are growing in popularity, because they have all the taste without the consequences. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, try an Adonis, which is a gorgeous Martini using sherry instead of gin.

>>READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN The Gay Wedding Guide wedding directory CLICK HERE

Warmer weather is the season for enjoying open-air celebrations and stylish outdoor weddings. But when your guests have seasonal allergies such as hay-fever to contend with, the thought of spending time outside at a wedding reception can bring visions of sneezing and wheezing rather than having fun! If you’re planning a summer wedding, our Tips to Beat Seasonal Allergies at Summer Weddings can help to ensure that a good time is had by all:

Timing is Everything
Pollen counts are highest in the morning (5am-10am), so plan your wedding for later in the day or evening. Or go a step further and try to hold your celebration on a day that should have a low pollen count. Most summer weather forecasts detail this, but to plan further ahead, check out the Met Office forecast.

Knowledge is Wisdom
Allergy medications are more effective when you take them before you have symptoms. Telling your guests in advance that your wedding is outdoors gives them the opportunity to take their allergy medication before they arrive. It also serves as a reminder for them to bring any emergency medication with them.

>>TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON WEDDING DATES CLICK HERE