HOT TOPIC

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TOPIC

Our experts offer big-day advice

SAY CHEESE!

Should we consider booking a wedding proposal shoot?

Meet the expert: Paul Keppel is a Cornwall-based wedding photographer whose photographic work is a blend of reportage and documentary style.

Paul says: The moment you get engaged is so special. It’s such a happy, exciting time filled with adrenaline, joy and shock that often, the proposal is over too soon. If you have a wedding proposal shoot, you can capture all of the emotions and the event itself on camera. In years and months to come, instead of your engagement being a blur, you can look back on your wedding proposal photography and remember how special that moment was.

Family, friends and future generations not yet here will be able to share the indescribable magic of the proposal with you. Plenty of planning and thought goes into modern proposals so it’s lovely when loved ones can see exactly what your partner did for you. In years to come, it will mean so much to be able to look back at that moment in time and remember those feelings of endless love you had for each other.

Your engagement is a sweet spot between dating and marriage. It’s a short period of time which involves nobody but you two. It’s nice to be able to enjoy that time together and record it all on film before the wedding planning starts! In fact, it’s great preparation for your wedding photography. You can get to know your photographer and begin to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Top tips for couples on how to look good in front of the camera:  I always suggest that the proposer should stand on the side that the sun is on, this means that if the sun is on the right, the proposer is on the right giving their partner the best of the light. Remove the ring box before you get down on one knee which will make it easier to access it from a trouser pocket! When getting down on the knee, use the closest knee to the camera so that your body is open to the camera. Enjoy the moment and don’t rush getting up, this means that the photographer can capture plenty of reaction shots.  Looking good in front of the camera is much easier than you think! The most important thing is to be natural. You want photographs that reflect how you felt on the day. You’re already feeling excited so go with that - relax and enjoy it!  The other thing you want to do is to feel comfortable. Our bodies reflect how we feel so if you don’t feel comfortable it will show. You’re with the person you like best in the world so have fun! Lots of physical contact, smiles and laughter will help to put you at ease and relish a professional photo shoot. I’ll be there to guide you through it, ensuring you look your best. That’s my job!  Choosing the right location is key, Somewhere quiet is always the best option so that you don’t feel the pressure of people watching you.

Within Cornwall, you have plenty of stunning locations to choose from to host your proposal.

Paul Keppel Photography, 07854 172 143, https://paulkeppel.co.uk, www.facebook.com/WeddingPhotographerInCornwall; www.instagram.com/paul_keppel_photography

ICING ON THE CAKE

We want a statement wedding cake with the wow factor, can you help?

Meet the expert: Anna Briggs is the talent behind the The Cheeky Cake Company based in Plymouth. Anna specialises in wedding and celebration cakes and sugar flowers.

Anna says: Here are some of my favourites wedding cakes that I have created for couples throughout 2022. Nothing spells the word love more than flowers, and sugar flowers definitely add the wow factor, providing a wonderful keepsake of your big day.

Delicate ruffles are so romantic so I created a cake finished with a floating tier decorated with sugar roses and foliage.

Don’t be scared to add colour to your wedding cake, the cake can express a couple’s personality.

A wedding cake does not have to be multiple tiers to give the wow factor. Smaller, delicate cakes can still create a beautiful, romantic centrepiece.

The Cheeky Cake Company, 07503 070 808, www.cheekycakecompany.com; www.facebook.com/thecheekycake; www.instagram.com/thecheekycake

WEDDING WHEELS

We want to arrive in style at our retro-themed wedding. What wedding wheels can you suggest?

Meet the expert: Sara and Symeon Phillips are the directors of Honeybugs Cornwall, a multi-award-winning VW wedding car and campervan hire throughout the region, travelling as far up as Devon.

Sara and Symeon say: Meet Hank, Hatty and Honey, our much-loved fleet of VW vehicles that have been awarded 2019, 2021 and 2022 Best Wedding Transport in Cornwall. We pride ourselves on offering a friendly, relaxed and professional service. Our wedding transport packages can be tailored to suit all requirements and we’re always happy to listen to any individual requests.

We have three high-standard, neutral-coloured wedding vehicles to suit any theme or style of wedding because we can add ribbon and a flower garland of your colour of choice. Hank is our handsome 1971 VW Bay Window, Honey is our gorgeous 1960 VW Splitscreen and Hatty is our cute 1963 VW Beetle. The vehicles can be mixed and matched - looking good individually or together, especially in photographs.

Our couples and wedding parties are always blown away when they see their wedding transport in person. We’re always complimented on the comfort of each vehicle and we pride ourselves on the hi-spec finish and cleanliness of each one which are beautifully decorated inside and out. We will always go that extra mile to make each wedding run smoothly from the couple’s first journey with us - our good communication from the offset is paramount to us.

All-inclusive hire includes up to four hours from the collection venue and the vehicles are dog-friendly. We provide ice and an ice bucket, champagne flutes, flip flops, towels, umbrellas plus music of the couple’s choice (if the signal allows.)

Honeybugs Cornwall, 07981 166 098, www.honeybugscornwall.co.uk; www.facebook.com/handsomehank01; www.instagram.com/honeybugscornwall

BEST-DRESSED BRIDES

We’re having a short engagement so I want a wedding dress that I can purchase immediately – can you help?

Meet the expert: Claire Ridley is the editor of Your Devon & Cornwall Wedding and the fashion editor across all 19 County Wedding Magazines.

Claire says: The Bridal Corner Boutique based in Plymouth stocks a wide selection of designer wedding dresses and accessories. They offer a Take Me Home Today service, where some of their styles like this Hattie Lane Lynette gown, pictured, by Maggie Sottero in ivory over blush, £999, are available to buy immediately. Check out other designs from Stella York, Phoenix Gowns and more.

The Bridal Corner Boutique, 01752 787 878, www.thebridalcorner.co.uk; www.facebook.com/thebridalcornerplymouth; https://twitter.com/corner_bridal