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TOPIC: wedding worries

Our experts solve your problems

AL FRESCO CELEBRATION

Q – Do you have any suggestions of how we could transform an outdoor space for our wedding?

With any outdoor wedding, it’s important to consider how it will work both during the day and in the evening. We use a lot of festoon lighting hung on shepherd’s crooks to create cosy areas. Always use warm white bulbs rather than anything coloured. This effect looks great throughout the day and really brings a space to life after dark.

For me, nothing is cosier than a firepit. The warmth and crackle of real logs burning on an open fire creates a great atmosphere.

Matt Pennefather | Eden Event Hire www.edeneventhire.co.uk

FUN AT THE FAIR

Q – My partner and I want a carnival-themed wedding, but we’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of choice available. Do you have any suggestions?

This is the first time I’ve heard of someone having a carnival theme, but I think it’s a brilliant idea! To plan the perfect wedding, you need to ensure you have a budget in mind, as this will alter the number of choices available to you. Start by getting your guest numbers set in stone, so you know how much money you will have left for decorations and activities.

I strongly advise hiring a wedding planner as they can find the most suitable venues and stylists for you so that you don’t feel so overwhelmed.

Hire a caterer who provides carnival-style food such as hot dogs, pretzels, burgers and doughnuts. You could even create a sweet cart and have lots of fairylights everywhere for when the sun goes down.

Bright colours would be perfect for your theme. Think of reds, blues and whites.

Have your waiters walking around on stilts in fun outfits, and look for themed stationery to tie the whole day together.

The most important thing is to stay calm, take it one step at a time and don’t feel the need to do everything at once. Begin with your venue and guest list, and once that’s sorted everything else will fall into place.

Q – How can we get creative night-time shots?

When photographing at night, flash photography is often used to illuminate the subject. There is, of course, more than one way to do this. One option can be to use an off-camera flash to backlight the bride and groom to create a silhouette shot. Flash can also be used in darker conditions to create stunning high contrast photographs.

Remember to look at what ambient lighting your venue has. Signs and outside lighting can make for some striking and memorable images. Other light sources can be used to make interesting and dynamic pictures, such as string lights, lanterns, sparklers and candles.

Stacey Jackson DarkleMoner Photography www.darklemoner.co.uk

www.darklemoner.co.uk

www.andrewjamesphotography.org

THE WRITE STUFF

Q – What style of stationery should we go for, and what should we ask companies?

Creating a style and theme is one of my favourite parts of wedding stationery. Start by looking for inspiration and ideas on Pinterest and Instagram. Create a moodboard of colours, wedding day styles and flowers you like to help narrow down your theme, and you can then use this to send to suppliers for reference. This will also help you source companies that offer those types of products.

If you send a moodboard to a stationer like myself, it will help them get to know you, understand your tastes and guide you to stationery that will complement your day. The invitations will give your guests a subtle hint of what they can expect on the day and get the excitement going.

If you love the designs they offer but want something a bit different to make it your own, you could opt for a bespoke service where you have a range designed just for you. Just keep in mind a personal design takes longer, which will be reflected in the cost. I also offer contemporary stationery that can be customised at no extra charge, which is a great way to make your stationery personal without going outside your budget. ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

Q – Our wedding planner has suggested we hire a celebrant for our big day, but we’re not sure what their role is. Should we book one, and what are the benefits?

A celebrant will design a tailor-made ceremony that reflects your personalities and wishes. The celebrant will work with you to understand who you are as people and what is special about your relationship in order to create a personal service.

While celebrants can’t currently conduct legal marriages in England and Wales, the legalities can be completed separately at a minor cost. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a celebrant: ❤ You will have complete flexibility and can get married wherever and whenever you like. It doesn’t need to be on a licenced premises and could be on a beach, on top of a mountain or in your back garden, the choice is yours! ❤ Celebrants generally only take one booking per day, so you will have contingency in the event of a delay and won’t be bound to a strict time window. ❤ You get to choose an officiant who you like and feel comfortable with.

You will meet months before your big day and will feel like friends time the day comes. ❤ You can include prayers and readings, and as you’re not bound by civil laws couples who come from different backgrounds can include both their beliefs. ❤ Your celebration will be completely bespoke to you, meaning your ceremony will stand out and be memorable for your guests.