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HOT TOPIC: wedding worries

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CAPTURING MEMORIES

How can we ensure our photographer is the right fit for our big day?

Choosing the right photographer can be difficult as there are lots of things you need to consider. The first thing you should do is look at websites and social media pages or go to a wedding fair for some inspiration. Find a supplier whose work you like whether that’s documentary, posed or someone who specialises in dramatic portraits.

Once you have a shortlist, contact your favourite and see if they are free on your wedding date. After this, meet with them and see how you get along and how you feel in their company. You will be spending one of the most important days of your life with them, so it’s essential that you feel comfortable and happy around them.

Don’t book at the first meeting. Take a few hours and chat with your fiancé to see how you both felt. If you both feel positive, then get booking. If not, don’t worry! Contact another from your shortlist and go through the process again. Just make sure you let the photographer know whether you want to book or not, as it means your date can be secured or released for someone else.

Christina Davies www.fish2.co.uk

DAZZLING DÉCOR

Our wedding is fast approaching, and we need to book a venue stylist. What should we take into consideration before making a decision?

Booking your venue stylist is an exciting step in the wedding planning process. It’s also an area that many couples feel anxious about, as the decision will set the tone for the rest of your day. Before booking, ask your stylist the below questions to ensure they’re the right fit for you:

Do they offer moodboards, sample boards or mock setups as part of their package?

Do they provide table linens? Sometimes these are provided by the venue, stylist or caterer.

Do they break down the different décor costs, so you can tweak things if your budget changes?

What is their deadline for making any changes to your order? FESTIVE DELIGHTS

What flavours would you suggest for a winter-themed wedding cake?

Most cake makers will provide you with a sample box which is the perfect opportunity to try some flavour combinations that you may not have previously considered.

Winter weddings are the perfect time to indulge in rich, decadent flavours such as chocolate with cappuccino buttercream, sticky toffee drizzled with salted caramel and chocolate cake paired with a mint-infused dark chocolate ganache. Coffee and walnut with layers of expresso buttercream, and chocolate and orange marble cake with orange-infused chocolate ganache are also great options.

Offering perfectly paired flavour combinations will ensure your guests have the best of both worlds. Some great options include lemon cake layered with tangy lemon curd and white chocolate ganache, indulgent white chocolate and raspberry with a white chocolate ganache, creamy coconut layered with tangy lime curd and coconut buttercream, and almond and cherry sponge drizzled with almond sugar syrup and a velvety smooth cherry buttercream.

My advice would be to choose at least two flavours to give your guests a choice. Many couples now opt for a different flavour for each tier. Remember your cake should reflects you, so go with an unusual flavour combination if that’s what makes you happy.

Having a photo booth at your wedding will provide lots of fun and laughter for your guests, and it’s a superb way to record happy memories. Here are some questions you should ask before booking a supplier:

What type of photo booth do you offer? Think about what is going to fit into your venue, and tie in with your theme and budget. Also consider how many people you want to accommodate in a photo at any one time.

Do you provide attendants? The answer to this question should be yes. You don’t want to worry about having to keep things in order and ensuring the guest book is updated etc.

Do you provide props, and if so, can themed props be provided? The quality of props can vary, so make sure you ask to see a sample before booking.

Can our photos be personalised with wording and borders? You might want to include Mr & Mrs and the date of your wedding or incorporate a theme or particular colour into the design.

What is included in the packages? Check if mileage needs to be added on top of the package price. Keep in mind that you need to make sure everything is set up before your guests arrive, and some companies will charge you for the time that the photo booth is sitting idle e.g. whilst speeches are made, so take this into consideration before committing.

Kayleigh and Helen Burgess www.picturethisphotoboothno1.co.uk

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

We want heartfelt vows that we will remember for years to come, but we both struggle to put the words together. Do you have any suggestions?

www.christopherlewisphotography.com

Your vows will not only play an important part on your day but are also a reminder of the promises and commitments that you’re making to each other. A good starting point is to think about the type of ceremony you’re having, i.e. is it a traditional religious ceremonies, civil ceremony, humanist celebration or a non-legal wedding ceremony? Churches are more willing to be flexible and will include some personal vows as well as the traditional format, however, the content is at the discretion of the minister marrying you. Many couples are now choosing to have two ceremonies, a legally binding civil ceremony followed by a bespoke service with family and friends, which is led by a celebrant or a person who is special to the couple.

When it comes to the vows, think about elements that are important to you both, for example, family or cultural traditions. Start your vows by setting the scene, addressing each other by name and confirming your feelings for each other. Next, explain what you know and adore about your partner, their qualities, how they inspire you and the characteristics that you love. Thirdly, what is special about your relationship, and what distinct things do you share?

Think about what promises you want to make to each other, go for a minimum of four and a maximum of six and mix up the serious promises with playful ones.

My advice is to then move onto the visualisation of your marriage. What will you do for each other? How will you help each other through challenges? What will this look like?

Lastly, finish your vows with a confirmation, a traditional blessing or a simple declaration to each other. This could even be your favourite words from a song, a book quote or your favourite poem.

Vow writing can be tricky, however if you follow this format, you will soon find that the words begin to flow. TIME TO CELEBRATE

We’re struggling to find a musician that’s appropriate for our ceremony. Do you have any suggestions?

I often get asked about music choices for the ceremony, and I always say that live music is the best. The harp, in particular, can really set the tone for the day in a way that recorded music can’t. It creates a calm atmosphere whilst your guests are waiting, and a live performer is flexible, so they can respond to the situation and keep playing if the bride is a bit late.

With a harp, you’re not limited to classical pieces, as pop songs work really well too. I always love learning a couple’s special song for their ceremony, and seeing their guests’ faces as they slowly realise that the tune being played is a familiar one, recreated on an instrument that they’re not used to hearing it on.

Be sure to talk to your prospective musician in good time. Find out what their usual repertoire is, tell them any specific songs you want for the big moments, and make sure they understand the tone that you’re going for.