HOT TOPIC: wedding worries

Our experts solve your problems

Picture Perfect

I’m nervous in front of the camera and was wondering if booking a pre-wedding shoot would help, what are the benefits?

A pre-wedding shoot is a great idea, especially if you’re feeling nervous about being photographed. It will give you an idea of how your shoot will go on your wedding day, but as it’s usually an hour-long session you can take your time, relax and hopefully have fun.

The other advantage is you’ll have photos to use on your invitations, around your venue and on social media.

Christina Davies www.fish2.co.uk

Say It With Flowers

We’re having a relaxed wedding; how can we reflect this in our flowers?

Flowers are a great way to reflect how you want your wedding day to feel. If you want a relaxed and natural day, you can do this by using seasonal and wild flowers in simple, organic arrangements for a more free-flowing and natural appearance rather than the traditional structured look.

Use the venue’s features to create a natural flow with the flowers. For example, if you’re having a barn wedding, a milk churn filled with wild flowers wouldn’t look out of place. Likewise if your venue is a country house, placing flowers on the fireplace will give a I’ve always been here look.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your flowers, speak to your florist. They have lots of experience and will be able to make suggestions and help with decisions.

Abbey James www.fleursandink.co.uk

Wow The Crowds

My wife-to-be and I are thinking of hiring a band, but we’re a bit worried about booking someone online that we’ve never met. How can we make the right decision?

Finding the perfect wedding entertainment can be a daunting task, especially as a professional band will be booked up for private events so it will be unlikely you’ll get to go to watch them live. However, lots of bands now have social media profiles. A high-quality band will always have videos and photos on their Instagram, Facebook or TikTok profiles from recent weddings, so you can instantly see if the band is the right fit for you.

For our couples, we always like to arrange a chat over Zoom, on the phone or in person. This way, we can discuss your ideas on a more personal level. Ask your band if this is something they can provide to put your mind at ease.

Recommendations from venues, friends, suppliers and family members are always a great place to start. It’s also worth reading through reviews before making a decision.

Ben Fisher www.jukebox-band.co.uk

THE TIME OF OUR LIVES

What should we take into consideration before booking a photographer?

When planning the wedding of your dreams, one of the most important aspects to get right is the photography. Having confidence in your photographer and building a rapport with them is important. Before booking consider the following:

Do your homework – just as with any other vendor, you need to do your research and find a photographer whose style aligns with yours. Check out their portfolio, read the reviews, and schedule a meeting to ensure you two are a perfect match. After all, your photographer will be with you all day, so you want to make sure you trust and get along with them.

Time To Celebrate

My wife-to-be and I are looking for entertainment that will keep our guests happy throughout the day, do you have any suggestions?

A wedding reception will undoubtedly have slower moments such as while people are waiting for food, between the toasts, the room turn around or while the wedding party head off for photos. You need to think of a blend of activities that complement each other to keep your guests entertained. There are lots of ideas to choose from, but a magician really takes the cake. A magical host/compère can make a big impact on your guests and goes a long way to make the big day even more magical.

On the wedding day, a lot of different social groups, families and friends with different dynamics are being brought together, sometimes for the first time. While this is a great opportunity to get to know people, it can often lead to some lull moments. The great thing about a wedding magician is that they’ll mingle with your guests, help break the ice and alleviate some of that tension and distract from awkward moments.

Michael A www.kingofaces.co.uk

www.paulswiftphotography.com

Set a budget and stick to it – photography can be one of the most expensive aspects of a wedding, so it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. Be clear on the packages and what they include so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Don’t let a single moment slip away – your wedding day will fly by, so make sure to plan for enough photography time. Work with your photographer to create a timeline that allows for all the important moments to be captured, from getting ready to the first dance. Don’t forget to allocate some time for portraits, group shots, and candid moments.

Why two is sometimes better than one – a second shooter can provide a different perspective and capture moments you might miss. This is especially important if you have a large wedding party or are getting married in a big venue. Having a second shooter can also ensure that all the important moments are captured, even if one photographer is occupied with something else.

Expertise – your experienced photographer will know what works best in terms of lighting, angles and poses. So, be open to their suggestions and trust their expertise. After all, they want you to have the best possible photos, just as much as you do.

Paul Swift www.paulswiftphotography.com