Inside Weddings: Miranda Eason

I’m thrilled to be starting a cool new section in my blog – a series of interviews with the people that LOVE weddings.  Insiders who can give us their perspective on all things wedding.

This week I caught up with Miranda Eason, editor of Cosmopolitan Bride.  I’ve known Miranda since she first joined Cosmo back in 2005 and she’s featured lots of my brides over the years.   It was great to have a chance to pick her brians on what she loves about weddings and what it’s like being the editor of the faboulous Cosmopolitan Bride Magazine.

Describe your favourite weddings.
In the magazine we feature lots of different types of weddings but I particularly love outdoorsy, typically English weddings – I’m a sucker for vintage crockery, afternoon tea party type food, meadow flowers and bunting. On the other hand I adore glamorous city weddings in landmark buildings or chic boutique hotels. As a guest I think there’s something special about a destination wedding. You usually get to spend more time with the bride and groom, as there’s often a get-together the night before the wedding and an event the day after, plus you get to bond with the other guests.

How do you choose which real weddings to feature?
I’m always looking for something that I’ve never seen before, whether it’s a particularly unique style, a great colour palette or a brand new venue. The more ideas that will inspire readers on all budgets the better. The photography is important – a wedding works best for the magazine when there’s a good balance of formal shots, well-executed detail shots and beautiful caught-in-the-moment shots of the couple.

What’s the best bit about your job?
I love every part of seeing the magazine come together, from the very first ideas meeting, to the finished magazine arriving in the office.

What is the worst bit about your job?
As a bride-to-be myself I’m dreading putting the deposit down on my dress and then the next day seeing one I love more arrive in the office for a photo shoot!

What pearls of wisdom can you pass on to anyone who’s planning a wedding?
Sit down and work out your guest list and budget early on. Decide the things that matter to you most as a couple and spend your money in these areas. Don’t do anything because you think you have to do it – although it’s nice to follow some traditions, there really are no rules that you have to follow these days (although if your parents are contributing they will, quite rightly, want a say in some areas). Try on lots of different shapes of dresses, you might be surprised at what suits you. Consider having a few days between the wedding day and your honeymoon so you can catch up on all the big day gossip and spend time with friends and family who’ve travelled from far away.

What do you think will be hot this season?
Many of the trends happening in weddings are a direct response to the credit crunch. Smaller, more intimate weddings are definitely becoming more popular – we’re seeing lots of civil services in the city, followed by dinner in a lovely restaurant. Delayed honeymoons or mini-moons (short but luxe honeymoons) are on the rise. Couples are personalising their weddings and saving money in the bargain by doing more and more themselves, from the stationery to the decorations – even making the cake.

If you had one wish, what would it be?
For guaranteed sun every Friday and Saturday from May through to September for all the spring and summer brides.

Thanks Miranda!