LOVE IS IN THE AIR

IS IN THELove air

Up to 40% of engagements take place between Christmas and Valentine’s Day meaning now is a key time for researching wedding photography and videography

ANNABEL FARLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Berkshire-based photographer Annabel Farley can help organise surprise proposal photo shoots which can be a great opportunity to capture that moment of surprise. She tells us, “Planning your wedding is a wonderful and exciting time for you and your partner but where do you start once one of you has popped the question? Booking your photographer should be the first thing you do after securing your date and your venue to get your first choice – they can be booked up to 24 months in advance!” She continues, “With 18 months to go, secure your other suppliers and the number of your party size to use as a guideline for the rest of your planning. With 12 months to go, say “yes” to the perfect dress - with so much choice, the earlier you begin, the better. Six months before your wedding you want to be testing your cake, make-up and hair before sending out your invites and finally, scheduling a plan for the day to ensure that everything runs smoothly.”

Annabel has some words of wisdom for couples wishing to celebrate with their furry friends. “If you have a pet, you may wish to bring them along and have a few photos taken together. Firstly, check that your venue is welcoming of pets, three in the local area that are includes De Vere Wokefield Estate in Berkshire, Ufton Court near Reading and The Swan at Streatley.” Annabel continues, “Why not dress your pet for the occasion by giving them a bow tie that matches your colour theme and let them walk down the aisle with you?”

Annabel advises couples on how to get some of the iconic shots on the special day. “Want to guarantee that perfect confetti picture? It’s one of the most fun, colourful shots when everyone is in the moment enjoying themselves. The key is having plenty of confetti and I mean plenty! Ask your ushers to give it to guests as they walk out of the church or ceremony room. It helps if it’s loose so they can just take a big handful, making it easier to throw. Choose confetti colours to coordinate with the theme of your wedding or the season.”

She continues, “Want to achieve the best sparkler shots? Ask your bridesmaids to hand sparklers to all of your guests, preferably early in the evening. Make sure they’ve got something to light them with and ask the venue to have some sand or water buckets ready for putting them out. Choose the longer gold ones which give a nice warm glow and will burn for longer which means more fun for your guests and plenty of time for the photographer to capture the photos.”

BOOK IT: 07749 131 912 | https://annabelfarleyphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/AnnabelFarleyPhotography www.instagram.com/annabel_farley_photography

Scan to view video Turn to page 35 to see the real wedding of Gemma and Alex (pictured) beautifully captured by Annabel at Oakley Court in Windsor.

HC VISUALS VIDEOGRAPHY

For fabulous big-day videography, check out HC Visuals Videography where founder, Scott, captures cinematic memories for couples looking to have their wedding day on film.

BOOK IT: 07791 631 876 | www.hc-visuals.com www.facebook.com/hcvisualsfilm www.instagram.com/hcvisualsfilm

Scan to view video

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABI MOORE

Windsor-based wedding photographer Abi offers her top tips for couples. “Think about what you’d like from your photographer as there are plenty of different styles, from those offering a natural story-telling approach capturing relaxed memories of your day to those that will create more artistic portraits. Look through websites and social media feeds to get a feel for what you like.” She continues, “Everyone wants to look their best in their wedding photos so it’s worth getting some tips about posing from your photographer and taking a few moments before your wedding day to practice in front of a mirror.”

BOOK IT: 07968 620 835 www.photographybyabimoore.com www.facebook.com/photographybyabimoore www.instagram.com/byabimoore

Buckinghamshire-based wedding photographer Gabrielle offers a few invaluable tips. She tells us, “Make sure you like the photographer’s style and approach to photographing weddings and ask them about their experience. Ensure you feel comfortable around them which will enable them to photograph you authentically.” She continues, “Book a pre-wedding shoot, I promise this will help! It will enable you to spend some time with your wedding photographer and relax in front of the camera so you are completely at ease on your big day.”

Gabrielle adds, “Take the time to go through the details of your day with your wedding photographer, it’s so important that they know what’s happening when, whether it’s a small or big wedding.”

BOOK IT: 07776 191 514 | www.gabriellemcmillan.com www.facebook.com/GabrielleMcMillanPhotography www.instagram.com/gabriellephotos

BECKY ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

Berkshire-based Becky suggests booking a photographer whose work you like and consider hiring a second photographer. She tells us, “Your photographer should recommend you the opportunity to have a second shooter attend to capture the groom preparations, candid guest shots and details of the day. I highly recommend this because it’s a great way of capturing those special moments that the main photographer might miss while taking the couple portraits and group photos.”

Becky suggests, “Give as many details about your day to the photographer including timings and suppliers. If you’re having a confetti picture then get more confetti than needed - this is because the more you have, the more you will see in your pictures, it ensures beautiful, natural photographs.”

She continues, “Always have someone from the bridal party to call out names for the group shots. The photographer won’t know who is who, so to help, make sure you nominate someone that will know who is needed and when. Try to remember no loose hands, keep them in pockets or hold something (like the bouquets). Connect during the couple portraits by hugging, kissing and touching and enjoy those first moments as a newly wedded couple. Don’t look at the camera - natural images, whether silly or romantic, are important.”

Becky suggests it’s worth considering the time that the sun sets if you want golden hour shots (the hour before sunset). “Is it a winter wedding? Are you getting married during summer in the middle of the day? Light is really important in photography, it can make the difference between a dynamic image and a flat one. If you want a certain ‘look’, consider the timings.”

VICKY LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Oxfordshire-based wedding photographer Vicky reminds us that despite what we see on Instagram, weddings aren’t simply a stream of perfectly photogenic moments. She says, “There’s often an ironing board and carrier bags in the bridal prep suite and staff setting up the wedding breakfast room ahead of the celebrations which we don’t want to see in the background of images. Get rid of the carrier bags and if the room is dark, ask for another suite to get ready in, the brighter the better – your make-up artist will thank you too! I always turn off the overhead lighting and make use of the natural daylight flooding through the windows. I do everything to keep my eyes peeled for background spoilers but sometimes I want to get that candid shot. Black and white photography cures some issues but the less cropping needed, the better (unless it’s a

Jo Malone bag or a Lanson bottle!”)

Vicky also suggests investing in some pretty padded hangers for the photographs of the dresses. “Flat images of your jewellery, flowers, shoes, perfume and heirloom pieces provide wonderful memories.” Talking of creating memories, during the ceremony, she says it’s important to remember not to look at your feet as you walk down the aisle. “Always remember to smile up the aisle and when you get to the front, check where you’re standing in relation to any backdrop or floral arch. Stand close to each other with your hands down low and at the end of your ceremony, smile at your guests. As you walk out, a kiss, high-five or a cheer always looks fantastic!”

BOOK IT: 07748 520 838 | www.vickyphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/VickyLewisPhotography www.instagram.com/vickylewisphotography

PAIGE MARY PHOTOGRAPHY

Berkshire-based wedding photographer and make-up artist Paige Mary tells couples to find a photographer that they feel at ease with. She says, “Booking an engagement shoot isn’t just about getting to know your photographer, it’s also a great way to celebrate your engagement! Pick a style of photography that you love because your images will keep your wedding memories alive forever.”

BOOK IT: 07568 513 072 | www.paigemaryphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/paigemary.photographyandmu www.instagram.com/paigemary.photography.mua

STONE PHOTOS

Berkshire-based wedding photographer Loren Stone says that when couples are looking to book their wedding photographer, they shouldn’t worry too much whether they have photographed a wedding at their chosen venue before. She advises, “If they haven’t then suggest that they meet you at your venue ahead of your wedding to have a look around and go through everything with you. Also, look through whole albums of weddings they have photographed so you get an idea of the pictures you will be getting.”

Loren adds, “Couples that enjoyed an engagement shoot with me always seem to be more relaxed on the day. They already have some experience of the couple shots and look confident and fabulous! It also means they have some lovely photos of themselves before the special day that can be used for save the dates, invites or included in your wedding décor.”