HOT TOPIC

www.heatherreesphotography.co.uk HOT TOPIC: wedding worries

Our experts solve your problems

READY, STEADY, POSE!

My wife-to-be and I want to find the perfect photographer. How do you suggest we go about this?

Finding the perfect photographer can be tricky as there are so many to choose from. Look online for examples and see what sort of style you gravitate towards. For example, is it light and airy or documentary? Once you’ve decided on this, begin searching for photographers with that style.

Listen to any recommendations from your venue or loved ones. It’s reassuring to know someone has worked with them before and that they deliver a high-quality product.

Lastly, meet any photographers you have short listed face-to-face or call them for a chat. You will spend a large amount of your wedding day with them, so it’s important you gel. Do they put you at ease? Does the conversation flow? The more relaxed you are with your photographer, the more natural your photos will be.

Heather Rees www.heatherreesphotography.co.uk

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

We have guests of all ages coming to our wedding, and we want a band that will keep them all entertained. Do you have any suggestions?

Live music is an essential component to your wedding. The atmosphere generated by a live band is incomparable and is a sure-fire way of getting everyone onto the dancefloor. Choosing a wedding band who’ll keep everyone entertained can be tricky, so we suggest you hire a pop and rock band. These versatile groups will likely play everything from 50s rock ‘n’ roll, to soul classics and indie anthems as well as modern chart hits, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Alternatively, an acoustic folk band would also work really well. They tend to have similar repertoires to pop and rock bands but add a folky twist to each song. They’ll turn up in rustic attire, making them perfect for barn-style weddings.

Before you choose a band, search through their repertoire or sample set list to get a feel for what they are likely to play. If you’re struggling to decide, then by all means phone an agency to ask for suggestions – they’ll be more than happy to help!

What should we ask a harpist before booking?

Begin by asking if the supplier charges by the hour or by part of the day? Weddings rarely run on time, so it’s a good idea to check that the harpist won’t suddenly stop and depart after two hours!

Are they willing to play the kind of music that you like? Can they provide you with sample clips or videos of them performing and are they willing to learn a piece of music of your choice?

You will need to discuss whether or not you will need amplification. Most harpists can provide their own, but some venues can help with this if not. Be aware that marquees tend to absorb sound, so amplification is recommended.

Can they play outdoors? This should be discussed at your first consultation if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, so that they have time to plan logistics, transportation and protection for the harp. Most harpists require a flat, stable surface and shelter from the sun and rain, so you would need to ensure that the venue is aware of this before you book.

Would the supplier allow you to visit his/her home to see and hear the harps before booking? Also, find out if a home consultation to assist in music choices is included in the price quoted.

THE PERFECT CHOICE

I’ve just started planning and want to find the perfect venue. What should we take into consideration before booking?

Not knowing where to start may seem daunting and sometimes even challenging but try and take the time to enjoy the planning process. Start by doing your research and creating a visual moodboard for your big day. This will help you understand what sort of venues to look for and give you an idea of the cost.

Next, create a plan for your nuptials and prepare a list of questions based on this before visiting each venue. You may have a large party and need to know crucial details such as capacities, or whether the property can hold civil ceremonies or evening celebrations. Keep in mind how you can utilise each space to save you from having to book more than one venue. Helen Barley www.helenbarley.co.uk

SUITED AND BOOTED

I’m planning to order a bespoke suit online. How do I correctly take my measurements?

Buying a suit online is easy enough, but buying one that fits well and looks good is a little more complicated. Though tailoring is an art, it’s also a science of sorts with endless variables and numbers to input and weigh up. Ordering a suit without measurements is like driving blindfolded. The simplest way of finding yours is to measure an existing suit that you like the fit of. Most retailers have instructions for how they measure their garments, but in any case these are the general rules:

Chest: Lay the jacket flat with all buttons closed and run a measuring tape from armpit to armpit. If you don’t have a jacket that fits well, have someone measure around the broadest part of your chest (usually around nipple height), under your arms and level with the ground. Keep a finger between the tape and your body to allow for comfort.

Waist: Take a pair of trousers that fit well (jeans or chinos will work just fine) and lay them completely flat. Measure the waistband from edge to edge, and double the result to get your waist measurement. Otherwise, wrap the tape around the part of your body where your waistband usually sits.

Inseam: Lay a pair of existing trousers flat and measure the distance from the fork of the trousers (where both legs meet) to the hem. If you don’t have a pair with the right inseam, stand straight-legged and measure the inside of your leg from your groin to where you want your trousers to end (between your ankle and the top of your shoe sole).