HOT TOPIC

EXPERT ADVICE HOT TOPIC Wedding worries

Our experts solve your problems

MADE WITH LOVE

I want to preserve my wedding flowers and give them to my bridesmaids as gifts. Do you have any suggestions of how I do this?

Get in touch with your supplier as far in advance as possible to secure your date. A week or so before your wedding, your preservation artist will be in touch to discuss what designs you would like. You’ll then receive information on the postage and packaging of your flowers. This is likely to be the last thing on your mind after your wedding, so nominating someone from your bridal party or a family member to oversee the postage of your flowers will take the pressure off, after all, you’re likely going to be super excited about heading off on your honeymoon.

Some brides provide bridesmaids’ bags as gifts the night before their wedding, so why not pop a little note in there to say a thank you gift is being handmade for them with the flowers after the wedding? Once your blooms have been posted, let your preservation artist do the rest. COUNTING THE PENNIES

We want to book our photographer and were wondering how we can keep the price down without compromising on quality?

The first thing you need to do is decide on a realistic budget. You can pay anything from £500 to £2,500 or more. Keep in mind that the most expensive photographer is not necessarily the best and the cheapest may not be the worst. Start by speaking to any friends or family that have recently been married and find out what they paid to give you an idea of the cost.

Next, decide how long you would like your photographer to be at your wedding. Do you want preparation photos, a full day up to your first dance, or just to the wedding breakfast and speeches? This can help lower the price.

Before reaching out, check out a photographer’s website to see if their style fits what you’re looking for.

Remember to send as much information as possible to a photographer when asking for a quote and keep in mind that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is!

Emma Cross www.encapsulatedmemories.com Paul Davies www.paul-daviesphotography.co.uk

MOMENTS THAT MATTER

What should we expect from a pre-wedding shoot and is it worth booking one?

When you mention a pre-wedding shoot or an engagement shoot, I think most people envisage cheesy posing that looks a bit silly and doesn’t feel like them. Dismiss that notion immediately because that’s not what we’re going for!

When I book clients in for a pre-wedding shoot it serves three main purposes; we get to know each other and build a rapport before your wedding, we will test out a few different posing ideas so we can see what works for you and what kind of ‘looks’ you like and finally you will have some lovely images to incorporate into your wedding plans. The first two points are (in my opinion) the most important. Weddings are hectic; there are so many moving parts and lots of emotions going on, so if you already know your photographer well, feel comfortable around them (and maybe have a few inside jokes), then it’ll feel less like having a stranger in the room with you.

Your wedding day will go very quickly, therefore it can save a bunch of time if you and your partner already know which kind of photos you like and how you’re going to pose. It also makes it way more fun!

www.claireroigephotography.co.uk

My partner and I have just got engaged and are excited to start looking for a venue. How do we begin our search?

Don’t skip the research. Having a rough idea of what style inspires you will help you choose the perfect location for your big day. Start looking through magazines or go online for inspiration. The key is to compile your favourite imagery into one easy-to-access place, creating an inspiration board that will guide you through a lot of your future decisions! Once you have that together, the rest falls into three easy steps:

Know your numbers/location – Have a rough idea of how many people you want to celebrate with, both for the ceremony and the after party, and what kind of backdrop would best suit your nuptials. It might be a bustling hotel in the city, a marquee by the sea, or even a castle tucked away in the heart of a National Park. Your inspiration board will help with this as you’ll notice clear themes will start to emerge, and knowing your numbers will save you from visiting venues that can’t cater for your party size.

Get surfing – Now you know what to look for, get on the internet and be specific with your search; using keywords that fit your dream destination. You often get some helpful articles from compilation sites, saving you the time and effort of trawling through multiple pages.

Book some appointments and get visiting – This is the BEST part. Try not to spend too long on websites making comparisons; check out pictures, capacity, and cost of packages. If a venue ticks those three boxes, hit the contact button and set up an appointment to visit. Try to enjoy the experience and remember only your opinion matters!

PICK OF THE BUNCH

What questions should we ask a florist before booking?

Before you make an enquiry the most important thing to do is to spend some time researching the style of flowers that you like. Look at different designs and colours and go with your heart. During your research, you will come across a florist or two whose designs make you smile. These are the ones for you! Give them a ring or drop an email and arrange to have a chat. Before booking, ask the following questions:

Are they free on your wedding day? There’s not much point running through everything to discover they are already booked.

How many weddings are they doing on that day? Some florists can fit in three bookings in a day, so I would question whether this means your flowers could be a little rushed.

What is their style? Florists are creative people, and our personality and the way we see flowers will show in our designs. Look at lots of photos to see if the supplier is a match for your big day.

Do they deliver, is there a charge and have they worked at your venue before? Depending on how much you are spending on your flowers you may be charged for delivery. This is normal. Florists do not make a fortune out of their flowers, and costs are really high at the moment. It can be an advantage if the florist has been to your venue before. If not, then a good florist will visit the venue and chat with the managers about what they can and cannot do and what time they can have access.

Do they use any locally grown flowers? We are lucky to have some amazing local flower farmers near us, so see if your supplier uses these. Ask for in-season flowers as they look so much better than options that should be in bloom months earlier or later.

Are they a sustainable florist? It’s really important that floral foam is no longer used in the industry.

Can I have specific flowers? This is a hard one. I always say to my clients that we can choose a colour palette, and then they have to trust me! Trying to get a particular rose, tulip or peony can be impossible. Depending on weather conditions, some flowers are just not available, but there are so many other wonderful options to choose from, so keep an open mind. Your relationship with your florist needs to be based on trust. They are professionals, and will do their very best for you.

Can they take my flowers to a different location on the same day? Some florists will do this but will expect a fee. Be realistic though, if a huge floral installation has been created around a church porch, that is going to have to stay there! If you want to re-use your ceremony flowers for later in the day, then chat through the possibilities with your florist.

Do they provide any other décor? Lots of florists have gorgeous candles, lanterns etc, and if you like their flowers, you’ll probably have the same taste. It’s always worth asking if you can hire them out.

Do I need to pay a deposit? Generally yes, you will be sent a booking form and asked for a deposit.

Can I change my mind? I ask all my couples a month before to re-send me some images of the flowers they like. It’s often the case that they have shifted slightly, but please don’t expect to be able to change your mind really close to the wedding day. The florist may well have pre-ordered your flowers and some farmers even grow them specifically for individual weddings.

Can I see a mock-up of my bouquet? I would honestly say it’s not necessary. The chances are when you book your florist it will be a different season to your wedding day, and so the flowers available will be completely different. Every bride’s bouquet is made with care and love and is unique. It would be impossible to recreate the exact bouquet, so as I said before, please trust your florist and then on the day, you will fall in love with not just your new husband or wife but your flowers too.

www.jenkins-photography.co.uk

Nicola Jones www.craigynoscastleweddings.com