14 minute read
READY, SET, PLAN
READY, SET,
How to plan the perfect wedding
Advertisement
As a bride-to-be myself, I know first-hand that planning your wedding can be a fun but stressful experience. It can be hard trying to bring your vision to life while also trying to please everyone and pick the perfect suppliers. To help, we’ve spoken to some local experts and asked for their top tips. PLAN!
HOW TO CHOOSE A VIDEOGRAPHER
Let’s face it, your wedding day may take years and months to plan, but it goes by so quick! How will you choose to remember and capture all those emotions and the people that come together on what is, for most of us, one of the most important days in your life? The photographer is one of the first things you will think about when it comes to capturing your day, but a videographer is equally as important. A videographer will capture the day, in-between moments and audio that will help keep those memories alive.
If you’ve started looking on the internet, then you may be feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of choice available. There are different styles of wedding videos, different lengths and prices that can vary considerably.
Perhaps the first thing you need to decide is whether you would be happy with a wedding video or whether you want a wedding film? Aren’t they the same thing I hear you ask? No, not necessarily. When I got married, many years ago now, we hired a videographer and received a two-hour-long VHS tape that was composed of long takes of footage of the build-up to the ceremony, then the whole ceremony and lots of people coming and going and eating cake. The finished video had more of a local news report look and feel to it and was minimally edited with very little post-production other than some music overlay that was very 1990s. Thankfully things have changed, and videographers now have access to better cameras and editing software and thus produce better-looking films. Some offer videos that are minimally post-processed aimed at those on a limited budget or who want a small amount of video content from their wedding day, and others offer wedding films. Films are created to have a cinematic feel or in other words, be movie-like.
Here are three things that a cinematic style wedding filmmaker will look to include: The Film Look– This is achieved by careful shot composition and framing, use and manipulation of natural light and colour grading to give the finished film a movie like feel. They may also use a film stock grain to give the video a less digital look. This takes considerable time to edit and will involve adjusting hundreds of individual clips.
Story – Your supplier will try to tell your story creatively. This is achieved in several ways; visual narrative by giving thought to shot choice in the edit to tell a story, but also through audio as a narrative, perhaps captured from your ceremony, speeches or readings.
Music – This is the other essential part of the puzzle. Just think about your favourite films, where would they be without that music score? How would those films get emotional reactions from the viewers without that music? Music is essential to a great movie and is every bit as important as the visuals. A talented wedding filmmaker will spend hours finding the right piece of music to fit your film to enhance the visuals and story.
www.julianvoigtweddingfilms.co.uk
Scan to view video
Julian Voigt | Videographer www.julianvoigtweddingfilms.co.uk
www.julianvoigtweddingfilms.co.uk www.julianvoigtweddingfilms.co.uk
Scan to view video
A lot of people skip hiring a planner, but it helps reduce the stress on your wedding day, so it's definitely worth considering. If you decide to hire a planner, make sure you have a consultation beforehand to ensure they’re the right supplier for you and that they specialised in the type of wedding you want. Here are some of my top tips for planning the perfect wedding:
Create a moodboard. Take it to every vendor, so they are all on the same page with your theme and understand what you want from your nuptials.
Stay organised. Google Drive is your best friend, or you could get a binder/wedding planner if you prefer something physical rather than digital. It’s important to print out your contracts and keep your lists together so that if anything goes wrong you can always refer back to them.
Sit and write down the top three items that matter to you the most. Then talk about them with your partner and make sure you’re on the same page and decide what things you should dedicate your budget to.
Consider the weather conditions and have a backup plan if you’re planning to have an outdoor wedding, after all, in the UK, good weather is never guaranteed. Some people move the wedding inside, and some just grab some umbrellas or put up a marquee. Don’t forget, your officiant must agree to this too.
Let your bridesmaids show some personality. Choose a colour and let them pick their style. It’s also important to let them pick their hair, make-up and jewellery, especially if they’re footing the bill. If your maids feel comfortable in their appearance, then they are more likely to help out and have a good time.
Don’t worry about the number of bridesmaids being equal to the number of groomsmen. This doesn’t matter, and you’ll regret adding someone to either side just for the sake of numbers.
Plan to do the toasts 10-15 minutes into dinner. Your maid-of-honour and best man will be thankful to get it over with early, and your guests will be quiet and listen while they are focused on eating.
If children are invited to your wedding, create an activity station for them - you could even use these as your wedding favours.
Have a list of photographs you would like your photographer to take, and make sure they take the style of photographs you want.
Deanna Melia | Wedding planner www.yourforeverafter.co.uk
CHOOSING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
My biggest tip is to have the wedding you both want. It’s important to ask questions www.fish2.co.uk and advice or recommendations, but you don’t have to do what’s traditional or something you don’t want to do just because family are pressuring you to do it a certain way. It’s your day, and it should represent who you are as a couple.
When it comes to choosing a photographer, decide on a budget before you start looking and remember the two things left at the end of your wedding are your marriage and your photos/videos. Look through websites and social media and once you have a shortlist of two or three, meet with them and see if you get along. This is important as you will be spending all of your day with them.
www.fish2.co.uk
www.fish2.co.uk
www.oliviajphotography.com
FINDING BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Choosing bridesmaid dresses can be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning, but it’s also one of the hardest details to pinpoint. With so many factors of the wedding hinging on a coherent colour scheme – many brides choose to let the dresses set the palette to dictate details for the rest of the wedding, including invitations, the cake and flowers.
It’s wise to give yourself over a year to plan a wedding as there are so many specifics, although, of course, it’s all down to personal preference! In the world of bridesmaid dresses, it’s important to consider the timescale of getting a unanimous decision from your bridal party as to what style, colour and price point to go for. Be sure to allow enough time to get together to try on the dresses and get those all-important alterations made so that everyone is comfortable on the day.
At Maya HQ, we get lots of brides informing us that their bridesmaids are pregnant or are going through a lifestyle change which might mean their size changes before the wedding. Bodies come in a range of wonderful shapes and sizes, but it’s important to remember that clothes need to be designed to fit your body and not the other way round! It’s best to wait until your bridesmaids are ready and happy to shop, this removes any pressure of trying to fit into a dress that was bought months ago. Our dresses are available off-the-peg, eliminating any waiting times for an efficient shopping experience. Make sure each maid tries on a few sizes, opting for petit or tall ranges if they are available from the brand you’re shopping with.
A new year means new trends! This year is full of nature-inspired colourways, Bridgerton-esque themes and vintage-style rings, to name but a few. Green lily, desert rose, and blue are just a few colours ticking all the boxes for forecasted trends this year.
Natalie Mayer | Bridesmaid specialist www.mayadeluxe.com
PICKING THE RIGHT STATIONERY
The first and most important piece of advice I can give you is that your wedding stationery should reflect you both as a couple. Don’t try and be someone you’re not. Your taste and style should shine through your stationery.
Be consistent from your invites through to your menus/signs for the day. Everything should match your vibe and decorations. Stationery is the first part of your wedding that your guests see, so giving them a glimpse of your style is super exciting!
If your date and venue is booked, I advise you to get your save the dates out asap, as due to postponements, 2022 and 2023 are big years for wedding suppliers. Sending your save the dates out early, also gives guests plenty of notice to book off holiday and arrange transport etc.
When it comes to planning your invites and RSVPs, a handy tip I always say to my couples is to put yourself in your guests’ shoes. What do they need to know about your wedding day, which will not lead them to asking you a billion questions? It’s such an exciting time in your life, and you should cherish every moment from start to finish.
www.kirstymackenziephotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/chloemartin_photography
www.instagram.com/chloemartin_photography
Is it normal for my partner to not want to wear a ring? Most gents don’t wear jewellery and have never thought about wearing a ring before, so it’s new to them. When I got married 15 years ago, I was the same, however, I couldn’t imagine not wearing it for even a day now. It’s important to see lots of options and to find a style that he loves. I guarantee when he is brought in front of a good collection of rings, he will easily choose the right one for him.
What metals are there for gents, and what styles are popular? There are many metals with different properties, and choosing the right one may depend on what they do for a living. For example, there is no point in having a 9K gold ring when you work with your hands all day as an electrician. Seek guidance from a specialist who should be able to go through the options with you.
Which style should I put with my engagement ring? I find that if you take the time to try on all the different options, and there are many, then you will eventually be able to rule most out. If you have diamonds on your engagement ring shoulders, normally matching that up is best. Take images on your phone to see it from different perspectives. We all have different styles that we like so don’t get hung up about what’s on Pinterest or what your friends and family will think as it’s only you who will look at it for the rest of your life.
How do I find a wedding ring to fit around my engagement ring? Use a CAD specialist, like us, to design your ideal style. Whether you have a family heirloom steeped in history or a unique-shaped ring, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Your ring is scanned in a machine, and a 3D image is taken of your engagement ring; the specialist will then go to work in creating the perfect wedding ring based on your requirements. What should I budget for my wedding rings? For ladies, prices vary dramatically based on what kind of quality you buy, which metal you have and how much sparkle you fancy. If you would like the same thickness as your engagement ring with some sparkle, I would suggest budgeting around £650 and £950 for 9K gold and between £950 and £1300 for 18K gold and platinum.
For gents, prices depend on the metal and weight, from zirconia at £275 to £600 then onto your precious metals like 9K gold from £250 and £700 to 18K gold and platinum coming in between £1100 and £1500 without diamonds.
Gareth Graham | Jeweller www.oscarandolivia.co.uk
CHOOSING A STRETCHED TENT
Think about how you want your wedding day to feel for you and your guests. This will help decide on how you want a stretched tent to look and be set up. The tents can be designed and arranged in different ways to suit all weddings, from cosy, intimate gatherings to a more spacious al fresco style.
Grade I listed Askham Hall is an exciting new style of country house hotel and wedding venue for Cumbria. Its style? Luxurious, intimate, unpretentious, up-to-date and full of charm. Featuring a stunning barn with capacity for 150 seated, an original medieval hall and private dining rooms for smaller
Featuring a stunning barn with capacity for 150 seated, an weddings, 19 en-suite bedrooms, Michelin starred original medieval hall and private dining rooms for smaller restaurant, gardens and an outdoor pavilion. Grade I listed Askham Hall is an exciting new style of country house hotel and wedding venue for Cumbria. Its style? Luxurious, In-house catering using locally sourced produce, much intimate, unpretentious, up-to-date and full of charm. of it grown and reared at Askham Hall itself and on the 800 year old family estate. Featuring a stunning barn with capacity for 150 seated, an original medieval hall and private dining rooms for smaller www.askhamhall.co.uk 01931 712350 | weddings@askhamhall.co.uk
weddings, 19 en-suite bedrooms, Michelin starred Featuring a stunning barn with capacity for 150 seated, an restaurant, gardens and an outdoor pavilion. original medieval hall and private dining rooms for smaller In-house catering using locally sourced produce, much of it grown and reared at Askham Hall itself and on the 800 year old family estate. www.askhamhall.co.uk 01931 712350 | weddings@askhamhall.co.uk
weddings, 19 en-suite bedrooms, Michelin starred restaurant, gardens and an outdoor pavilion. In-house catering using locally sourced produce, much of it grown and reared at Askham Hall itself and on the 800 year old family estate. www.askhamhall.co.uk 01931 712350 | weddings@askhamhall.co.uk
