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HOT TOPIC: wedding worries

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THE ONE FOR ME

We want to personalise our big day. How can we do this?

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet daunting experience, but as long as it’s physically possible, there’s nothing too off-limits. The first thing you should think about is the tone of the day. Do you want it to be relaxed and informal, or would you prefer it to be formal and fun? Once you have the atmosphere in your mind, you can then choose things that are relevant and make it perfect for you.

Songs are a great way to add a personal touch. This year we have had a couple walk down the aisle to the instrumental theme from Jurassic Park, as well as a new Mr and Mrs Jones walk out to Me and Mrs Jones. Couples love Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours when they are signing the register and another favourite is At Last by Etta James.

One of the things we’ve noticed, is that fruitcake has come back into fashion. There was a point where it disappeared altogether, and nobody did them at all, but it’s making a return. These can be decorated to fit your theme or colour scheme. Alternatively, if you choose not to have a cake at all, a cake made of cheese is a popular alternative. THE LOOK OF LOVE

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

Choosing your wedding photographer is a big deal, and making sure you have the right person is a must. They will be there with you right from prep through to the first dance and beyond, so it’s essential you feel relaxed and comfortable around them. Get to know your photographer and see if you click. Take them up on any meetings or virtual calls that they offer and book a pre-wedding shoot if possible. This is a great way to see how they work and prepare yourself for your big day, and feel more at ease in front of the camera.

Your photographer shoud be your extra bridesmaid, your wingman, and your timekeeper, they will be there to support you and advise you on anything you’re not sure of.

Have a clear idea of the style you want for your day. Most wedding photographers have their own look, so making sure they’re the right person for you is key. Some have a documentary look, and others are more traditional offering posed pictures.

Don’t be afraid to ask to see a full gallery. Most photographers have example galleries that they can send to you so that you can get an idea of how your gallery may look.

Most photographers have their own editing style, some are light and airy, and others are darker and warmer. So bare this in mind when looking at their portfolio. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask questions!

What trends will be popular in 2023?

Love stories and romantic literary greats will feature strongly in 2023 wedding trends. With the hotly-anticipated third series of Bridgerton in production, Regency period fascination will find its way subtly into weddings, with literary-inspired touches and splashes of Regency blue. Think of a quintessentially English cottage aesthetic, tradition, and regal elegance. Perfect for the traditionalists amongst us.

The cost of weddings rises year upon year, and more and more couples are finding savvy ways to save money. Whether it’s arranging their table décor, growing their own flowers or making their wedding cake, couples are looking for ways to utilise the talents within their wedding party to keep costs down as much as possible.

Sustainability is already a huge priority amongst many Brits, but in 2023, this is set to grow even further. Many couples will look to reduce the environmental impact of their wedding through eco-friendly suppliers and re-usable items. Stationery from environmentally-friendly suppliers and re-usable decorations and favours will play a big part, as weddings become a statement of how a couple wants to live in harmony with the environment. On the other side of the scale, another trend we’re seeing is the more subtle, old English-style weddings. Think satin and plain outfits as well as black and white imagery.

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Lisa Forde www.treeofhearts.co.uk

JUMP FOR MY LOVE

We’re thinking of hiring a bouncy castle for our wedding guests. What should we take into consideration before booking?

When booking an inflatable for your wedding there are a few things you should consider. The first thing your supplier should do is check what design you’d like for the big day. For example, we have two wedding castle available for different budgets and other inflatables which are more focused on entertainment rather than the eye-catching all-white design.

Is the inflatable going to be placed indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, the inflatable has to go on grass, so you should measure to make sure this would fit. If it’s going indoors, you will need to check that the ceiling height and floor space will be suitable. HOLD ME CLOSE

My wife-to-be and I are both camera shy and are feeling anxious about having our photos taken on our wedding day, but also want a lovely album to look back on. Can you offer us some advice?

Allow me to let you in on a little secret, 95 per cent of couples that I have enjoyed photographing over the years also, initially, were just like you, so take comfort in the knowledge that you’re not alone with this concern. So, where do you start?

Choosing the right person to be your photographer is the first step towards overcoming your anxiety. Research reviews, how did the photographer you are considering make other couples feel?

Now that you’ve chosen the right person as your photographer, why not arrange a pre-wedding shoot? Get all those feelings out of the way so that you don’t have to deal with them on the most important day of your life. With the right person behind the camera, they will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and the experience fun.

Whether or not you have had a pre-shoot, remember that you chose the right person to begin with, and they’re going to give you the personal space to enjoy your day and make you feel comfortable throughout. The most anxious part for couples on their wedding day isn’t the morning preparations, the ceremony or even the formal family photos, it’s the dreaded, both of you on your own with your photographer. If you’re naturally touchy-feely, then hug and feel or if you’re naturally full of kisses and sweet words, then kiss and whisper. After that, let your photographer take you both for a little walk to some lovely spots and just see what happens along the way. The point is to forget about the camera and your photos, that’s your photographer’s job and don’t forget, you chose this person because you liked them and not just their photos.

www.pandsphotography.co.uk

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On the most magical day of your life...

West Midlands based singer Dayton, is passionate about working with you to create the perfect soundtrack to which you will begin married life, whilst keeping the process as smooth and stress free as possible. Every couple is unique - and your wedding entertainment should be tailored to embrace that! From the personalised elements of your ceremony, to the ambience of your pre-drinks reception and/or wedding breakfast... to your fun filled evening reception, Dayton ensures the atmosphere reflects who you are as a couple, leaving you & your guests with a lifetime of precious memories! The optional DJ service Dayton offers facilitates seamless entertainment, ensuring your wedding flows flawlessly! Having won ‘Regional Wedding Musical Act Of The Year’ for 2 consecutive years by The Wedding Industry Awards, you can feel confident that you are in safe hands, should you choose to book!

Dayton brings a wealth of experience to your day! Along with being an award winning Wedding Singer, he is also an International Soul, Motown and Tribute Artist as well as a Singer-Songwriter. His 2 most recent collaborative tracks with writer/producer Alex Lloyd, went straight to no.1 in the Amazon Music Charts, the week of release! He is cast as lead male in Endless Love, an exciting new National Theatre show featuring the songs of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. The show will premiere at The Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering on 26th February 2022. On BBC 1’s ‘All Together Now’ he was invited to be an industry expert judge, as well as a mystery singer on ‘I Can See Your Voice.’ His next TV appearance will be on ITV’s brand new primetime show ’Starstruck’, premiering on 12th February 2022!