PLANNED TO PERFECTION

How to organise your dream wedding

Here at Your West Midlands Wedding, we understand how overwhelming organising your nuptials can be. To help, we’ve spoken to local experts and asked for their tips on choosing the perfect suppliers.

www.gingerjamphotography.com www.gingerjamphotography.com www.gingerjamphotography.com

www.gingerjamphotography.com

HOW TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER

Choosing your wedding photographer can seem pretty daunting, however there are a number of things you can do to refine your search before you even begin.

Set a budget – decide on how important the images are to you. If the fairytale venue, perfect dress, delicious food and dream honeymoon are all higher priorities, then you may be left with a smaller figure to spend on your photography. Just remember, once you’ve invested in the areas that make your day special, the images that capture them will become pretty important.

Take time to talk to family and friends – do they have any recommendations or experiences to share? Recommendations from people you know are really important, so try and find out what makes those suppliers stand out.

Search social media – Instagram is usually the best platform, with most photographers having a strong portfolio on there. It’s easy to search with keywords and hashtags to find images you like. From there, it’s a case of selecting their profile, looking at their website and reaching out. Most properties get tagged in images, so visiting your chosen venue’s page and viewing images they’ve been tagged in will give you an idea of what photographers have worked there before. Decide on your style – do you like natural/documentary style photos, where the day is captured as it happens with little posing or do you prefer contemporary images that look more editorial and can often be more dramatic?

Contact and talk with photographers – that’s right, plural. Don’t just talk to one, as every photographer offers something a little different, whether it’s their style or the packages that they offer. It’s important to compare what makes them stand out to you. Once you feel you are getting close to a decision, arrange a call or meeting to discuss your plans and ask as many questions as you need to decide if they are the right fit for you.

Meeting in person – once you feel you have found the right photographer for you, it’s a good idea to meet. Most offer an engagement session as part of a package or for an additional fee. This will give you the chance to spend some time with them and get a feel for how they work. In addition, you’ll get some great images which will help calm any nerves ahead of your wedding day!

Chris Kelly www.gingerjamphotography.com

www.gingerjamphotography.com www.gingerjamphotography.com www.gingerjamphotography.com

FINDING AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT

When looking for a wedding DJ there are several things you need to keep in mind before making a decision:

Experience – anyone can turn up with a laptop and call themselves a DJ. There is no regulation, unfortunately, but a good DJ will know how to work the crowd and make changes and adapt when needed to keep the guests happy all night.

Reviews – there is nothing better than a customer taking the time to write an excellent review. Before booking, make sure you check out what previous couples thought of their services.

Equipment – presentation and attention to detail are so important. A variety of lighting effects should come as standard as well as a clear, crisp sound system. The more lighting options available, the better choices you have to create the perfect ambience.

Customer service – your supplier should take care of your needs and respond as quickly as they can.

The wrong DJ can ruin your night, with people sitting for large parts of the night bored. Entertainment is one of the most important aspects of your day and many guests will be talking about it for years to come, so do your research!

Couples looking for entertainment for the ceremony and wedding breakfast should consider the piano. Before making a decision, it’s important to hear the performer live, so you can see first hand if they will be a good fit for your day. I try and arrange a coffee with my clients to talk in person about their song requests. I’m also happy to learn pieces and record clips for them before the big day.

Ben Barrs www.facebook.com/bbdjpremierdisco

CHOOSING A CELEBRANT

A celebrant will create a ceremony that is all about you. Their beliefs don’t come into it. It can be non-religious or you can add prayers or hymns. Pretty much anything goes! You’re free to choose where you have it and when you have it, so it could be on a boat in Crete or in a castle ruin in Wales.

Where do you find a celebrant? A quick google search will lead you to a variety of directories.

How do you know if they’re any good? Ask them if they are trained by a recognised body such as AMC, FOIC or Civil Ceremonies Ltd. Check out their reviews and take a look at their social media pages and website. How active are they? How much have they invested in their business? What information do they give? What experience do they have? How versatile are they? Do they have the right look?

What should I keep in mind? Always look for a celebrant who offers a no obligation discovery call. It’s important to find someone who speaks your language and makes you feel comfortable. Celebrants are as individual as you are, and they vary greatly in their style and manner.

How much will a celebrant cost? Like anything in life, celebrant fees vary according to what is offered. Ask them how they work and what services they can provide. Some celebrants can tailor your ceremony according to your available budget and your personal requirements, so it’s always worth asking if they can be flexible.

Celebrant fees range from £250 to more than £1,000. Unless you find someone who is so perfect that you’re willing to pay any money to have them, then my advice would be to pitch it somewhere in the middle to find someone who is committed to providing high standards and is reliable.

Remember, the best part about having a celebrant is that it makes your wedding ceremony different and personal to you.

www.andrewab.wedding

Genesis C169 Keeley AS005

SEARCHING FOR YOUR DREAM DRESS

Even if you’ve been dreaming about your wedding since you were a child, finding your dream gown can still be nerve-racking. The choice is immense nowadays, and having a whole new language about dresses to learn can be a daunting prospect. Here is a concise list of top tips that, as a bridal consultant with more than 30 years of experience, I think will help you navigate this wonderful adventure:

Aim to shop for your gown around eight-12 months before your wedding, as this will give you time to place an order for a bespoke gown if you don’t want to buy an off-the-peg dress.

Do your homework! Find independent shops local to you and check their reviews. Look at the images on their website, and if necessary, call them and make sure they have the look and size you want.

Always make an appointment. Try to go on a weekday if you can, as Saturdays get very busy, which might make your time really limited!

Make enquiries about the cost of the dresses that you like, then you can decide what your budget needs to be in order to get the look that you want. If your budget is less than £1,000, you might need to look at outlet bridal stores.

Once you have made your appointment, think carefully about who you want to take with you. Too many differing opinions can make it very confusing, so take a couple of people whose thoughts you value.

If you’re going to visit several shops, plan your travel route carefully. It would be ambitious to visit more than three shops in one day. To make your bridal shopping more efficient, visit your priority shops first.

Wear a nude or strapless bra on the appointment day, unless you are happy to remove it completely when you’re trying things on.

Keep an open mind about trying different styles, even if you think it couldn’t be the one.

If you have any concerns, discuss them with your bridal consultant. They usually have many years of experience, so will be able to help you with any worries you might have.

Relax and stop shopping. Once you’ve made up your mind and said yes to the dress, stop looking at styles or new looks.

Whatever your personal style, size or your budget is, start your shopping early and keep an open mind and you will find your dream gown soon.

Keeley AS005

Helen Biddulph www.junepeonybridal.co.uk

Margot C162 Mikayla JPS165 Sunflower AL111