Dapper & Bride: The Vendor's Edit Issue #1 by dapperandbride

“A wedding show inside a magazine”

On the Cover: Bridal Designs by

Rita Colson

Do something different

The Vendor’s Edit D a p p e r a n d b r i d e .c o m @dapperandbride #dapperandbride

issue #1

Your Personalised Wedding Magazine w w w. da p p er a n d b r i d e .co m

contents 8

Rachel Burt Photography

Queen of Hearts Floral Design

THE GRAM LOVE YINKA ALI

23: Spotify Playlist:

The Vendor’s Edit

EDITOR’S INSTA-DOMS

LGBT+ couples need LGBT+ suppliers who get that there’s more to us than stereotypes.

94: belle photo journey

Wedding Photography

100: SUPPLIER’S ADVICE

Penny’s Pooches Weddings & Walkies

Useful-doms: Tips

JESS ROSE Photography

#LIKEITONTOP

New Brand Alert

planning with a planner

Cover Feature RITA COLSON

LEESHA WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

I think people have started to notice the lack of diversity in the wedding industry more and more recently.

WOLF & CO. PHOTOGRAPHY

Weddings are the ultimate event and the emotions displayed are one of a kind.

LAURA CROCKETT CELEBRANT

90 POP-ICE

52: Wedding Wellness: 10 Things to improve your wedding wellness 54: Otentikcareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wedding Prep Kit 77: Gifting for the Love of Vegan & Show of Hands

Avant Garde Cake Studio

FUN COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHY

102

LYNDSEY GODDARD PHOTOGRAPHY

do somethi different Editor’s letter ahhh, We made it. welcome to the first issue of dapper & bride: the vendor’s edit!

’m writing this on the heels of very little sleep, working my tail off to put this magazine together.

What was meant to be a cute 20something page ensemble, has turned out to be over 100 pages of pure SAVAGE vibrance that is the UK wedding industry! The pandemic that shall not be named really grabbed our industry by the short and curlies. Inspired by the NHS wedding gifting that appeared all over the Gram (and while the likelihood of me creating another personalised wedding magazine for a couple in 2020 was super slim), I took a chance on my ‘work goals list’, dusted off an entry from 2017 and told myself to just do it. Go for it. If I can’t design for couples, I’ ll design for suppliers. Several weeks later, boom. Mic drop. The Vendor’s Edit is here.

The concept: A wedding show inSIDE a magazine. As a solopreneur, I have a huge passion for small businesses and I wanted to shift the focus in this publication from the norm-usual wedding inspo, confetti, themes and ideas, directly to the vendors 6

-giving you a snapshot of their work and some insight to who they are. After all, when planning your wedding, any of them will tell you, it’s the really the relationships between you -the wedding couple and your suppliers that are most paramount... You have to be a good fit for each other.

My goal: To introduce you to some bad ass wedding vendors and give them a voice for you to connect with. Emails and social media posts don’t write or share themselves people! We’re humans (headless chickens really) peddling behind these brands. :) This is the space. Get to know us. Book. Have the time of your life. #InThatOrder. Uber proud of what I’ve produced! I hope you love it and get a great find. Shout me on Insta and let me know what you think! Wishing you a fab week whenever you find us. Best,

Kysha Marie

Kysha Marie Buffong

Editor & Proud Creator of Dapper & Bride Ps. Find out more about Dapper & Bride’s Personalised Wedding Magazine service on pg 108. It’s something truly different!

ing

EDITOR’S NOTES: s been

“A wedding show inside A mAgAzine”

On the Cover: Bridal Designs by

issue #1

Do something Different

The Vendor’s Edit D a p p e r a n D b r i D e .c o m @dapperandbride #dapperandbride

Photography by Eva Schwank Hair & Make Up by Something Blue

Rita Colson

DAPPER & BRIDE THE VENDOR’S EDIT: #1

ON THE COVER

Rita Colson

Contact: Kysha Marie Buffong @dapperandbride www.dapperandbride.com

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Designed & published by Kysha Marie Buffong for Keewi Media Dapper & Bride

International House, 64 Nile St, Hoxton, London N1 7SR ISSN: 2732-4702 Copyright © 2020 Dapper & Bride All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole part or without permission is strictly prohibited. The title Dapper & Bride is registered in the United Kingdom as a trademark.

ms: Pg 22 Editor’s Insta- Do eat finds gr I’ll be sharing some sinesses bu all sm of in the form ing their @ ar sh d an am on Instagr ipt. Each issue handles on the rece is edit, in th a different theme, In businesses k support of UK blac , check out o) to e (because I am on ing products some of these amaz from food, ing for everyone! Rang grances, fra , ish rn va vegan nail natural cushions, cakes to a few! deodorant to name

RACHEL BURT Photography

F OOD / D R IN K

INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL BURT

Images by Rachel Burt Photography

Rachel Burt is a colourful documentary wedding photographer based in Liverpool, covering weddings all over the UK and the world! The whole ethos of Rachel Burt Photography is about creating fun, relaxed, creative images for nontraditional couples. They want super-fun and colourful photos to capture all the fun of the day in a relaxed and chilled out way. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m frequently told that I have a ninja-like skill for capturing the gorgeous little in-between moments and candid shots, and for making my couples feel relaxed and totally at ease. 10

Why the love of wedding photography? I love weddings. Whenever I head home from a wedding, I realise that my face aches from smiling so much all day long! No other occasion brings out the wonderful side of humans so absolutely -the joy, the love, the hugs and laughter- it sounds corny but I think I get a bit hooked on all the love in the room!

Photography has always been a passion of mine. I just love that, as much as it’s a cliché, a picture says a thousand words. Those images are going to be loved and cherished for years to come, so it’s a real privilege to be able to capture them. Plus, let’s be honest… Spending every weekend at amazing weddings is THE BEST FUN.

SHARE A MOMENT THAT made you super pumped about your photography service? I’m lucky that all of my clients are amazing. I love hearing their happy comments after I deliver their photos! I’m lucky that so many

P HO T OG me R A PtoH Ytheir of them recommend friends and family too, which means so much. I did get called a Rockstar photographer once. That was pretty cool!! Haha!

Where am I most likely to find you on a working day? What’s a typical day in the life of Rachel Burt? At a wedding, you’ll find me wherever the action is! I’m a documentary photographer, so I’m usually hanging around on the side-lines (or maybe even balancing on a table!), waiting for something funny or emotional to happen! My favourite moments

of the day are the confetti shot and the dancefloor- I always get involved and have a dance while I’m shooting too! When I’m not at a wedding, you’ll find me at my desk, either editing, planning social media post or blogging… All the while trying to keep my two children, dog and two cats entertained! My office is as brightly coloured as my photos, which I find really inspiring.

I’d like to book your services… What happens next?

I love getting to know my couples really well. We plan a meeting or a video chat and have a good chinwag and get to know each other- after all, they will be spending a good chunk of their wedding day with me, so it’s important that we get along and trust that I’m not a total weirdo or at least the right kind of weirdo for them! Then we stay in touch via email and Instagram, chat about their plans and they get a few little surprises from me through the post too! Even after the wedding, I’m lucky that I stay friends with lots of my couples, which is fab!

My couples want a fun, relaxed wedding day with no fuss. They want to plan their day in a way that is totally unique to them and represents their individuality.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Rachel Burt Photography www.rachelburtphotography.com rachel@rachelburtphotography.com Instagram: @rachelburtphotography

queen of hearts Floral Design

f l o r i s try

Queen of Hearts Floral Design, is a London based studio that specialises in flowers for weddings, events, editorials and floristry workshops. INTERVIEW WITH Bilen Zeremariam

Queen of Hearts owner, Bilen says: There is nothing more exciting to us than a wedding or event and we love bringing our clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visions to life, with a desire to create bespoke and timeless elegance.

How did Queen of Hearts get started? Flowers have been a long-term passion of mine and in 2018, I decided to take that step and focus on weddingsâ&#x20AC;Ś The best decision I made! A friend took a leap of faith in me and let me design their wedding, I then proceeded to organise styled shoots to build content and wedding bookings started to come in. The purpose of starting Queen of Hearts was to bring something new and unique to the wedding industry. I wanted to create a service where I work collaboratively and closely with my couples to design their dream day. Right from the initial consultation, I take inspiration from their lifestyle, how they met and of course their personal tastes and style.

BRIDAL DESIGN @YINKAALI

It is crucial my client is part of the process and understand the design journey; often couples feel stressed out whilst planning a wedding but this way it is much more enjoyable! 15

f l o r i s try

What’s your working style? My working style includes MUSIC, I cannot work without it and plays a massive role in helping me concentrate (I like it loud)! The end result on the big day is where my passion lies, seeing couples happy and smiling and being a part of that means the world to me.

a customer experience that made me super pumped was... If I could name one, it would be a couple that contacted me three weeks before their big day, as their florist unfortunately cancelled their booking. As you can imagine they were incredibly stressed and needed to have a plan in place as soon as possible. I made this booking a priority and probably met them in my studio about three times a week in the lead up to the big day. Not only

did the couple love their flowers, they kept mentioning how assured they felt in such a short amount of time.

The couple were so happy with the service, I ended up doing the groom’s sisters wedding, this time with much more planning time of course! What’s your working process with clients? My client journey starts with a consultation with the couple. We then decide on a concept, colour and texture palette. I then put together a mood board and send this to them to make sure they are happy with the design direction. We then keep in regular contact in the lead up to the wedding. I also offer floral mock-ups for the couple to see and this gives them an opportunity to see everything before the big day.

My biggest business achievement so far has been... Winning Floristry Business of the year at the African Wedding Awards February 2020. This was a great honour and has elevated the exposure of my business which has been amazing!

Photographer @natashahazimphotography Make Up and Hair @zakeria Model @mayaansar_ 17

Photographer @samuelfalusi.photography Fashion Styling and Hair @_kellyrichardson_ Make Up Artist @citygem_mobilebeauty Jewelry Designer @naylas_treasures

f l o r i s try

Queen of Hearts Floral Design www.queenofheartsfloraldesign.com info@queenofheartsfloraldesign.com Instagram: @queenofheartsfloraldesign

E N P I S U O E L A OS C L P C U P TA S IN Oooh! The Details Bridal Design by @yinkaali Flowers by @queenofheartsfloraldesign

Pgs 15, 19-21 Photographer @jessypapasavvaphoto Dress Designer @yinkaalli Fashion Styling and Hair @_kellyrichardson_ Make Up Artist @citygem_mobilebeauty

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Penny’s Pooches Weddings and Walkies Penny’s Pooches Weddings and Walkies, specialises in bringing your pup along to your wedding day. INTERVIEW WITH PENNY FR ANCE

From flower dog, to first dance, they will collect, care for and get your fur-baby ready to be guest of honour. Covering the whole of the UK, they will help make your day PAWfect. 24

Image by Melanie Gail Photography

SOME T HING DI F F E R EN T

Image by Melanie Gail Photography

Weddings and pups; How did that start? I always knew that I wanted to work for myself and own my own business. In March 2019 I decided to become a full-time dog mum. I quit my 9-5, adopted a golden retriever and set up Penny’s Pooches, to ensure all families could have their dog as involved in their lives as I would want mine. I believe that life is for living with a dog by your side and can work with you to ensure your fur baby plays their part in your big day however you wish.

I studied Event Management at University, worked professionally in the event industry, with over 10 years’ experience working on weddings and events, so dogs + the happiest day of people’s lives was just the perfect combination for me. My first ever job was working at a wedding dress shop as long ago as 2005!

What’s your work vibe? As a solopreneur, I would love to expand in the future. I am confident, professional, friendly and flexible… And utterly obsessed with dogs. 25

HAVING PASSION FOR your business is key. What does Penny’s Pooches mean to you?

To give everything up, to make your dreams come true, is possibly one of the biggest chances you’ll ever take in life. I have no one to let down other than myself if this fails, yet I have all the power in the world to make my mark and try to positively impact others if I succeed.

My biggest achievement since starting my business has been… To be nominated as Best Newcomer and Best Special Touch under the Wedding Industry Awards within just months of starting my business is possibly one of my biggest achievements. To know that I made such an impact on clients; they went out of their way to vote for me, my heart is bursting with pride and I will forever be grateful to all of them. 26

I offer personalised care from start to finish... Help create ideas and offer advice. I want you to feel safe and assured knowing you’ve made the right decision choosing us.

A typical working day for Penny’s Pooches is... *INSERT YOUR DOG(S) HERE* • Cuddles and maybe a few treats • WALKIES! • A little chill time • Getting Wedding ready Brush and help fix doggy bow tie or flower headband • Walk doggy down aisle • Use treats as tools to get doggy to sit nicely for professional wedding pictures with pawents • Join first dance • SLEEP

Image by Kate Luscombe Photography

SOME T HING DI F F E R EN T

Pennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pooches Weddings and Walkies www.pennyspooches.co.uk pennycfrance@gmail.com Instagram: @weddingsandwalkies

jess rose Photography 28

F OOD / D R IN K

INTERVIEW WITH JESS ROSE

Images by Jess Rose Photography

Jess Rose takes documentary wedding photos for LGBT+ and Feminist couples in London and beyond. A style that is described as playful and relaxed, Jess is a big fan of non-trad weddings, and loves to work with couples planning radical, fabulous days.

wedding up in Scotland. We were joined for the ceremony by a legend of a bloke named Frank, who, with bags of enthusiasm, directed a portrait session with the two brides after the service.

Let’s talk industry. Why LGBT+ Weddings?

As much as we all protested and giggled, he couldn’t help but try to direct them into heteronormative poses; the one in a suit must be the more masculine of the two! He meant well and we all had a lot of fun with him but LGBT+ couples need LGBT+ suppliers who get that there’s more to us than stereotypes. Sorry Frank!

I’ve been running my business since 2015, but started focusing on LGBT+ and Feminist weddings in 2019. I knew I wanted to specialise in LGBT+ and Feminist weddings back in 2018, at a tiny lesbian 30

P HO T OG R A P H Y

It’s always brilliant to see how modern couples twist and reinvent wedding traditions to reflect their values. Equal rights for the LGBT+ community is extremely important to me, including the right to throw an absolutely wonderful party to celebrate your love!

Why are you so passionate about your service to LGBT+ couples?

What can a couple expect when looking to book your photography services?

It’s really important to me that the wedding industry reflects changing attitudes towards gender equality. There is no reason why a woman should feel she has to be given away in 2020, or that she can’t make a speech at her own wedding!

First of all, we usually meet for coffee or a cup of tea somewhere in London. It’s really nice to meet face to face and get to know each other a little bit before the booking is confirmed.

I’m also very passionate about providing images for LGBT+ couples that don’t, as I’ve mentioned, conform to stereotypes about samesex relationships.

I love hearing about their plans for their day, and since I’m pretty clear about my Feminist values, we usually end up chatting about how they’ll be tweaking tradition with their wedding vision. 31

jess rose

My bags are always packed and batteries charged the day before a photo shoot or wedding, I’ve learnt that I’m someone who needs to get organised to avoid feeling in a flap.

My most memorable customer exchange was when… I photographed a wedding for a lovely couple in London. A year later, the bride’s sister flew me over to Ireland to capture her son’s christening. When I arrived at their house, she showed me the photos they’d printed from the wedding, which were hanging alongside other family photographs. For the first time, I really understood the lasting impact a photograph can have.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Jess Rose Photography www.photosbyjessrose.com jessrose54@gmail.com Instagram: @is.a.rose_

#LikeItOnTop

#LikeItOnTop is the onestop shop for vegan beauty modelled on tongue-incheek innuendo. FOR THE LOVERS

THE GUILTY, THE DIRTY & THE PLEASURE. Where everything is ‘Made with Love’, it’s time to get down and dirty with #LikeItOnTop, the latest fun-filled plant-based skincare brand that gives your skin all the satisfaction, without the environmental impact.

Its witty and pun-based offering is completely vegan and plant-based, but pumped full of guilty, dirty pleasures without compromise on effectiveness or results. #LikeItOnTop uses 100% natural, organic and vegan ingredients so that you can also manage your personal skincare journey in a natural way. #LikeItOnTop fans are reaching a new climax with the brand’s selection of facial oils, cleansers, toners, body scrubs and body butter.

#LikeItOnTop launched in June 2020 with prices starting at £12.75. Available now, online at www.likeitontop.com with worldwide shipping. 35

planning With a Planner!

What to expect when planning a destination wedding! By Expert Destination Wedding Planner, Lynette Carrington - For Beach Weddings by Carole Images by Daniel James Photography There are so many advantages in choosing a destination wedding, whether you are captivated by the different sights, enjoy the whole idea of travelling, or just want something different. However, one myth on the aspect of destination weddings is the complexity of it all. In fact, it couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be simpler. Read on for some of my top tips and things to remember in prep, for planning your wonderful wedding day abroad!

Starting Point!

The first step in having a wedding abroad is obviously to choose your destination. Take a look through the possibilities and decide on a few things such as; the perfect destination for you and your partner, possible venues in each country and most importantly, your budget and prices. As long as you know what you want, we can make it happen. However, if you are unsure or need some ideas, your wedding planner can suggest a variety of different options to get your wedding ideas flowing to create the perfect day. 38

Between now and the core months until you travel, your wedding planner will be on hand to secure your dates, important bookings and details with your chosen venue, as well as any extras you have in mind, colour theme and decorations for your wedding day.

Your wedding plannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role is to deal with all the stressful matters and sort them out long before they potentially become an issue.

A Month to Countdown

As the excitement in the few weeks before your wedding

builds up, a few points will need to be discussed, including an approximate confirmation on the overall numbers. Your planner should be able to execute your vision, in colour or theme of your choosing and although an idea of numbers is needed at this stage, they can be slightly altered closer to your special day. As wedding planners, specialising in destination weddings, we also have a list of optional extras to choose from to make the day even more memorable; from belly dancers to bouncy castles,

we try to make sure your experience unique and memorable.

24 Hours to Go

In the last 24 hours before your departure, you need to make sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget anything important such as your dress (yes, obvious but it can happen), suits, shoes, cake topper, rings, presents etc. To help, you can make a simple checklist, whilst of relaxed mind as if left, these can lead up to some very awkward situations which you would definitely wish to avoid.

Daniel James Photography

There is also a short legal document (the Affidavit) which your planner will email to you to be signed and sent off. It is extremely simple, we add instructions to avoid complications, keeping everything easy. Other than that, just make sure you have your sun cream, swim or ski wear packed and be ready for the time of your life!

We’ve Arrived!

After arriving at your chosen resort, your only job is to relax and enjoy yourself in the lead up to your big day. At a convenient time for you, you and your planner will meet up to discuss the final specifics and plans. After this point the real countdown to when you tie the knot begins.

Good Morning Sunshine. It’s Time. On the morning of your wedding, it’s preparation time. If you’re a bride-to-be, you may have a session of pampering including a hair stylist, makeup artist, manicure and pedicure. This can be arranged by us.

Usually spent with your wedding party, bridesmaids/men or groomsmen/women in the location of your choice, at this point allow the professionals to step in and prepare you for one of the most important moments of your life. This is the time to be completely stress-free and enjoy the experience. For the ceremony, your chosen music plays in a beautifully decorated setting, while your guests can enjoy drinks from the bar and wait for your arrival. When it’s time, everyone is shown to their seats so they may witness the coming together of you and your partner in marriage.

Wedding Night Wonders

While we aim for utmost perfection, and busy ourselves with everything behind the scenes, your only job is to enjoy your experience and celebrate with your partner and guests. Wedding planners are there to ensure that your night is completely magical and after the ceremony it’s time to eat, talk and party the night away. With a selection of extras chosen by you beforehand, the evening will be all the more memorable.

With us, your choices can range from a list including shows such as acrobats, dancers, fire show, candy cart, fireworks, starlit dance floor and so much more. All we ask of you is to make sure you enjoy yourself and have a good time.

Daniel James Photography

Did you know? After your wedding there are no specifics which you will need to complete, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your time abroad with friends and family. One popular option which a lot of our Beach by Carole couples always love, is the scenic photoshoot a few days after the wedding. After dressing up in your wedding attire, we will take you to a catalogue of magnificent locations for a few hours, taking the most dazzling and jaw-dropping photos possible. Of course, this can be discussed ahead of timeâ&#x20AC;Ś

This article was written by wedding planner expert, Lynette Carrington for Beach Weddings by Carole. They are an established company and have been organising weddings for over 16 years.

contact

Beach Weddings by Carole offer a high-class service, aim for perfection without the high price tag for their services. With a selection of packages and venues to choose from, their mission is to keep all couples happy.

They are a family run business that pride themselves on over 20 years of wedding experience, with increasing quality year after year. Different to larger organisations, they personally preside over each wedding to ensure success and satisfaction and currently have 19 wedding venues to choose from; each unique with strict standards on appearance and quality.

Planning destination wedding in Turkey, Cyprus or Santorini? Contact Beach Weddings by Carole www.beachweddingsbycarole.com lynette@beachweddingsbycarole.com Instagram: @beachweddingsbycarole

Images used courtesy of Daniel James Photography Daniel James is a fine art wedding photographer, a true perfectionist, who makes an incredible effort to implement all of the important aspects of photography into each image, in a creative and artistic manner. 42

DANIEL JAMES Photography www.daniel-james-photography.com Instagram: @daniel_james_wedphoto

Wolf & co Photography

wolf & co.

INTERVIEW WITH OSMAN

Images by Wolf & Co. Photography

Meet Wolf & Co. Photography. My name is Osman and I am a photographer. I specialise in people, adventures, weddings and love.

How did you get started and why wedding photography?

emotions in a series of images. I rebranded my company early 2020, but I have been photographing weddings since 2016.

I started as an architectural photographer and transitioned into portraits and events. Weddings are the ultimate event and the emotions displayed are one of a kind. I pride myself in the ability to convey those

Do you work with a team, or are you a solopreneur?

I photograph alone but I have my family as my cheerleaders and consider them part of my work (hence the name Wolf and Co. i.e Myself, my partner and children). I would say my photography style is unobtrusive and discrete. I prefer to record the say as it happens and focus on genuine moments.

What’s the most memorable WOLF & cO. customer MOMENT you’ve had that made you super

P HO T OG R A P H Y

pumpeD ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICE?

I did a wedding for a couple in Germany and the bride’s father is a graphic designer… I remember when I delivered the images and the album, I received feedback from the couple about how much they loved the photos, but what I was really proud of was the bride’s father’s reaction. As someone who has spent the last 30 years developing visuals and products for print, it was an honour for him to see my work and express his delight.

Weddings are the ultimate event and the emotions displayed are one of a kind.

wolf & co.

The number one advice you would give to a client planning their wedding day would be? In regard to photography, find a photographer whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style you like and always check for testimonials and references. I also recommend a couple shoot, so that you and the photographer can gel and get to know one another before the big day. It can help the wedding day go a lot smoother when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re familiar with one another.

What’s the usual process you go through when working with a client? If given the chance, I try and help my client plan their day from the very first meeting. Photography for a wedding can yield great results if that extra hour is built into the day to get those amazing portraits that the client will hold on to for the rest of their lives. On the day I take my time to observe and record the day with photography. After the event (24hrs), I usually deliver a sneak peek of 10/20 photos to keep the buzz alive and share on social media. Then I spend the next 4/5 weeks editing down the best images for the client’s gallery.

Once this is delivered the client selects their favourite images to enter into their album or to be printed.

What’s been Wolf & Co.’s biggest business highlight so far? I had an expose on the Most Curious Wedding Blog in May 2020 where I spoke about myself, the company and how I became a photographer but also about the bias that is prevalent in the wedding industry. The interview lead to more traffic on my social media pages and it also introduced me to a community of people who empathised and had shared experiences. I was very grateful for the chance. 49

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Wolf & co. photography www.wolfandco.photography osman@wolfandco.photography Instagram: @wolfshootsweddings

BY PATIENCE MODEVI FOR otentikcare.co.uk

10 things you can do to improve your wedding wellness AND survive the madness that is wedding planning!

Disagreements can happen, its normal - don’t focus on it, nothing is personal. You are a team, therefore know how to acknowledge your part, apologise, forgive each other and re-affirm that you love each other. After all, the planning is only the beginning! Never lose sight of the major goal, which is starting a life together!

#3(And I don’t mean WIFI)

Have the talk! Yes, having the talk is paramount. Often one partner has an idea of the wedding that is totally the opposite of their significant other. Be mindful when talking and use kind words toward each other. If you can add “love” or “honey” at each start of sentences, that will sweeten the deal. Here’s an example: “Love, I found this wonderful venue! The price is a little over than our budget. However, I feel it would be the best in term of location and attributes. Before making a final decision on it, would you be so kind as to visit it with me? You are so sweet and considerate. Thank you! I Love you!” 52

Kiss and Make Up

A Better Connection

Reconnect with your bodies, together, by exercising. It does not matter the activity but doing it together will help you stay focused on a common wedding goal; looking fabulous on your wedding day!

Time Out!

Book yourself a staycation or a quick trip abroad. Being alone with the person you love, away from all the wedding demands and the endless questions needing answering! This will do wonders for rekindling both your love, but also will help your mental wellbeing.

#6 #5

Allow yourself some time away for each of you to spend with your own friends. That will help ease pressure and you will both be happier to come together after a little time apart.

go Healthy & Hydrate

Love with Words Remind yourselves that you are in love with each other by setting a little time to journal everyday on what you appreciate in your partner and why you are getting married. 5 minutes before bedtime will do wonders. This will strengthen your values and love for each other within the timeline of your marriage.

Budget

me, Myself & I

For you to enjoy the preparation process, you need to be on top form. Think about your mental health and try to incorporate a healthy diet and most of all hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Schedule time whether once a month or once a week (come to an agreement on how often) to discuss the budget and reassess or re-evaluate the necessities of items on your wedding to-do list. Financial wellbeing is paramount.

a Rub Down

Treat yourself to some delicious smelling body lotions and oils. Lock the bathroom door and spend a luxurious evening pampering yourself. Clean smooth skin that smells good is irresistible! That goes for both of you!

Boss UP

#10

An important part in planning and preparation of a wedding, is to delegate where possible, (to friends, family, your planner) it will alleviate the weight on your shoulders and let you enjoy the process a little more.

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for your wedding prep kit! 53

1 LES DAY & NIGHT TOOTHPASTES £11.99

2 LE “PLAN YOUR MONTH” £15.00

The Wedding PREP KIT otentikcare.co.uk

LE BUSH BALM £12.00

4 LE “BREATHE WELL” £12.99

1) Le “Plan Your Month” is designed for your welfare, to encourage goal-oriented and idea-driven scheduling. There’s designated space for your goals and ideas at the start of each day of the week and monthly sections, plus plenty of room for notes and to-do lists. 2) Les Day & Night Toothpastes are the right combination to perfect your wedding smile! Two toothpastes working to gives you a bright, healthy and clean result. They are made with vegetable glycerin. 3) Le Bush Balm provides instant soothing on delicate areas, this intensely moisturising balm quickly reduces redness and calms skin after hair removal. Aloe vera, allantoin and frankincense extract sooth sore skin, while shea butter and macadameia oil quench and deeply nourish. 4) Breathe Well by Aimee Hartley is a book providing easy and effective exercises to boost energy, feel calmer, more focused and productive. 54

Interview with

rita colson 55

light in movement THE 2020 W EDDING COLLECTION Photography by Eva Schwank @evaschwank Hair & Make Up by Something Blue @sbhm_stylists Model: @charbrookeofficial 56

B r i d a l fa s h i o n

Rita Colson is a bridal fashion brand based at West London. Specialising in Bridal Couture and Evening wear, she also has a small collection of Made to Order in The Wedding Club in South Kensington. How did Rita Colson get her start in weddings? Fast forward 5 years and I decided to go back to my dream of owning my label. I made four dresses, created an Instagram account and posted them online. Three of the dresses were grey and black and one was beige. I noticed the beige one was receiving a lot of attention but all for the ‘wrong’ reasons; people thought it was a wedding dress. Before I realised, brides were enquiring about my services. I resisted for a while but eventually did my research into the industry and found that there was a gap in the market for what I had accidentally created. I’ve been in the wedding industry for about three years and started my label shortly after that.

Let’s talk Team Rita Colson, your passion for bridal and goals... I work as solopreneur but depending on the project or the design, I sometimes have contributors. I started as a bespoke bridal designer, but I’m now in The Wedding Club providing a made to order service - which bridges the gap between bespoke and Ready to Wear. I’m passionate about bridal wear because I believe that a bride should look their absolute best on their wedding day. As a woman I know that everything else could be perfect but if the dress isn’t, it spoils the whole day. My biggest achievement so far is having my dress in The Wedding Club. It’s wonderful and such an honour. 57

r i ta c o l s o n

There’s also a discussion on designs; if they have one in mind, the time it would take, the fittings and contracts. I sometimes will sketch out their idea and also encourage them to try on some of our collection to get ideas of shape and form.

RITA COLSON, BRIDAL DESIGNER

On a typical day you’ll find… Me ‘wrestling’ with a design idea trying to make sense of it on the mannequin. Or on a zoom chat with a new client.

A bride is looking for their dream dress! What’s your process? How do you work? First is a consultation – a discussion of what the client is looking for and what I offer. 58

“You would need between three and four fittings before the dress is made...” After consultation the client has a week to sign her contract and return if she would like to go ahead to the next step. The next step is perfecting the design then a toile (mock up design) is made. After that, the fitting begins. You would need between three and four fittings before the dress is made, this depends on the style of the design and how it fits on the body… The process can take one to two months. The dress is made when the fitting is right. The making of the dress takes about another two months depending on the style and the details. This can sometimes be less if it’s a last-minute order but ideally three to four months is the ideal time frame.

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for more serve. Model: @maggieliuwilson 59

br i d a l fa s h i o n

Model: @modeltosinakeredolu

RITA COLSON www.ritacolson.com contact@ritacolson.com Instagram: @ritacolson

avant garde cake studio INTERVIEW WITH SAR AH

F OOD / D R IN K

VEGAN. ART. BANGIN’. CAKE. (And desserts too)

Sarah -owner and head chef, also offers cake table styling for couples who want their wedding cake table to be a full experience for them and their guests.

The Woman and The Wolf Photography

Avant Garde Cake Studio specialises in artistic and modern vegan wedding cakes, desserts, and wedding favours. Why the wedding industry? I actually started baking for my friends and realised I loved how happy cake makes people! This, with the creative aspect of wedding cakes (added to the fact that I love weddings as I’m all about celebrating and bringing people together), made me want to work in the wedding industry very quickly. Weddings are all about joy and that’s why I love them. It’s about celebrating love and happiness with everyone you love; sharing a special and meaningful moment. Everything that is part of the day is what makes it special and there is nothing like food to bring people together - and who doesn’t love cake? We literally eat it because we love it, not for fuel, and I love that! 63

r i ta c o l s o n

Everything that is part of the day is what makes it special and there is nothing like food to bring people together - and who doesn’t love cake? What’s your work process? Most of my time is spent on creating cakes, developing new products, working on displays - so the kitchen is definitely where you’ll find me! I have a studio that I work from, whether it’s baking, doing some admin, researching new designs and flavours. Everything I do is bespoke so it always starts from a conversation with my couples. They usually book a consultation, during which they’ll try samples and we’ll talk about their wedding - these can be held in person or virtually, I then give them a quote and a few ideas, and they can book me with a £100 deposit.

couples working with me say... That working with me is stress free, and that I make the process easy and enjoyable. It’s so important for me; weddings can be very overwhelming to plan - in between traditions and family pressure but they should be unique and they should reflect the couples who plan them. I love that I make this possible for them and make it enjoyable, because it shouldn’t be a burden. 64

A V A N T G A R DE C A K E S T UDIO

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for THE slice OF YOUR LIFE MEET SARAH After completing professional training in 2015, Sarah worked as head chef decorator in an American cake shop in the centre of Paris. Moving to the UK a year later, she would start her own business, specialising in custom cakes.

Above: Claire Bemister Photography Pg 63-64 Top: Dani Cowan Photography Bottom: Maxeen Kim Photography Inset: The Woman and The Wolf Photography 65

Berni Palumbo Photography

Maxeen Kim Photography

Terry Li Photography

Rebecca Louise Photography

F OOD / D R IN K

Avant Garde Cake Studio www.avantgardecakestudio.co.uk sarah@avantgardecakestudio.co.uk Instagram: @avantgardecakestudio

Rebecca Carpenter Photography

Leesha Williams Photography

INTERVIEW WITH LEESHA WILLIAMS

Images by Leesha Williams Photography

Leesha Williams is an alternative wedding photographer based in Cardiff, South Wales, specialising in photographing fun and quirky couples in love. My wedding photographer style is super relaxed and chilled; I like to make sure that my couples have lots of fun on their wedding day and don’t feel too awkward about having their photo taken. My work is definitely a blend of my fine art background and love for capturing fun and real moments. 70

How did you start shooting weddings? So, I actually sort of fell into wedding photography when my best friend asked me to be her wedding photographer. Being the ‘Type A’ person I am, I then went into research to learn as much about wedding photography as I could. I did workshops, chatted to other wedding photographers

and really immersed myself in the wedding world… I fell in love and have been ever since then. I won’t lie, it feels like a lifetime and no time at all! I think I’ve been shooting weddings for about 4 years now. Looking back, wedding photography wasn’t something I would’ve planned to get into, or even considered as a career choice. I adored fashion/fine art photography and always wanted to get into that but I still felt like there was something missing. Even though I am a little bit sarcastic and have a SUPER dry sense of humour I fell in love with all of these emotions and connections on a wedding day and finally found the thing I’d been missing.

Photography: #Team or #Solopreneur? I always shoot with another professional photographer on a wedding day, because it’s super important for me to capture the full story. This year after a lot of thought, I decided to also offer a team of associate photographers who shoot for me as well, so it’s almost the best of both worlds. It was a business decision that I’d been considering for a few years 71

but it mainly came from always feeling so crap about having to turn away couples due to already being booked. It opens up my diary a little more for the couples and it means that the couples who book an associate photographer, still get everything you would normally receive with me but with one of my amazing team members shooting the day and with a bit of discount. I adore shooting weddings but I also love teaching and working with other photographers, so I’ve had an amazing time training up my team to shoot in my style and it’s made me really focus in on what it means to have the full wedding photography experience with me.

What’s the most memorable client experience you’ve ever had? One you’d never forget… A couple of years back I gifted my wedding photography services to a couple who had gone through a really rough time, they had lost their son and then the groom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I had never met the couple but after hearing their story I knew I had to 72

do something special. I organised a mini photo session with the two of them before their wedding where we went to one of their favourite places and got some lovely photos of the two of them. They both wore matching shirts with their little boy’s favourite football team on. The wedding day was super emotional, the ceremony was so meaningful and heartfelt. I took one of my favourite pictures of my entire wedding career that day; I worked super hard to get the photos delivered for the couple within a week of the wedding and included a couple of extras for them. The groom passed away a couple of days later but I’m so pleased that he got to see the photos. That was a turning point for me, that wedding made me realise that what I do is more than just taking pictures.

A couple is ready to book! What’s the next step? I only take on a small number of weddings per year. This is a personal choice as connection between myself and my couples is super important for me. By not

leesha williams

overfilling my diary, it means that I can really focus and connect with my couples so that they get the best experience possible.

When first chatting to couples, I love to get to know as much about them as people - as well as their wedding day. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really important that you get along with your wedding suppliers and for me that works both waysâ&#x20AC;Ś So usually I would meet them either face-to-face or on Skype to chat more about their wedding plans and see if we are a good fit. After the booking process is completed, I send everything out by email. I try to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible, so everything you receive after this point is online. This means that you can also check back whenever you need to on your phone, tablet or computer. All of my couples receive consultations, help and tips throughout the wedding planning process, as well as anything else they need on the run up to the big day. 73

leesha williams

On the wedding day, myself and my second photographer arrive super early so that we can get all of the lovely detail shots and pre wedding event coverage. And then we stay until as long as you need us there! We love a party! After the wedding day, we back up every single photo to computers and several other backup devices and then we start the editing process. Every image is hand edited and we want to make sure every detail is spot on! After the full set has been edited, we start work on any wedding albums or galleries that have been ordered. I throw in a couple of gifts/ surprises throughout too! But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for our booked couples to know and you to find out!

My biggest achievement so far has been… Being able to photograph weddings abroad has been incredible, but I think organising and shooting the ‘Black Brides Matter’ shoot in 2019 was incredible. The ‘Black Brides Matter’ shoot came from an idea that myself and Kesri, (the owner of Drovers Barn) had after chatting about what it meant to be a POC in the wedding industry. I think people have started to notice the lack of diversity in the wedding industry more and more recently. As a person of colour and a bride to be, it became super apparent that there needed to be more variety of the people that were being shown.

Model: @sharajanelle

Something people may not know about me is, that race and identity has been a passion of mine for years and I’ve actually written a thesis on it. So, to be able to mix my passion along with my career was really incredible for me. The ‘Black Brides Matter’ shoot is going to be the first of many, and it’s definitely something to watch in the future.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Leesha Williams Photography www.leeshawilliamsphoto.com hello@leeshawilliamsphoto.com Instagram: @leeshawilliamsphoto

GIFTING FOR THE LOVE OF VEGAN 1) Oliver Bonas The Vegan Travel Handbook: From cooking classes in India to wildlife tours in New Zealand, Lonely Planet shows you how to explore the world on a plant-based diet. The book also reveals unmissable vegan tours, festivals and food trucks. www.oliverbonas.com 2) Mad Millie - Vegan Cheese Kit: The Mad Millie Vegan Cheese Kit contains everything you need to create seven different types of vegan cheese. The perfect treat for yourself or a gift for someone who is vegan or dairy or lactose intolerant. www.madmillie.com

Green People £10-15

Nourish London £9.50

Oliver Bonas The Vegan Travel Handbook £12.99

Mad Millie Vegan Cheese Kit £12.99

SHOW OF HANDS 3) Green People: Introducing the new limited-edition Everyday Hand Wash and Hand Cream, free from fragrance and unnecessary extras, just natural ingredients to keep hands clean, soft and germ free. Aavailable exclusively from www.greenpeople.co.uk. 4) Nourish London’s Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash is a combination of 100% natural plant-based cleansers, blended with the zesty Lemon, soothing Ho Leaf and invigorating Black Pepper. Free from sulphates and parabens, cleansing hand wash helps to retains the skin’s natural moisture, to cleanse and nourish the hands, leaving them feeling refreshed and gently fragranced. www.nourishskinrange.com 77

Celebrant

Laura Crockett 78

Your wedding ceremony should be THE party starter on your wedding day!

c e l e bra n t

“It’s my job to break the tradition of the ‘standard’ ceremony and give you a celebration that will have your guests laughing, cheering, crying and whooping!” INTERVIEW WITH LAURA CROCKETT

Laura Crockett is an independent wedding celebrant creating beautifully bespoke ceremonies for couples across the South East, rest of the UK and Ibiza! Why did you decide to become a celebrant? I got married three years ago and immediately fell in love with all things weddings. I’ve always loved a big old celebration, so this was the perfect fit for me. I’m also a radio and live events presenter so I’m used to hosting in front of a crowd and what better event to host than a wedding ceremony!

My friend got married in Bali a few years ago and had a celebrant and I immediately knew this was the next step for me. I have been a practicing celebrant for two years and launched my business at the start of 2020 so it’s still my little baby.

Swipe to read Laura’s

5 Tips on choosing the right celebrant for your wedding!

to p5 ce T le ip br s o By a Lau nt n ch ra C fo oo roc r y si kett ou ng r th w e edd ri in ght g!

Location

Connection

This is the MOST important thing to consider. After all you’re going to spend months / years working together on your ceremony and then on the day itself your celebrant is going to be right there with you so it’s very important that it’s someone who you click with.

You’ll have quite a few meetings with your celebrant throughout your wedding planning process, so if you want these to be face to face, it’s worth considering where your chosen celebrant is based and how easy it will be to meet up. That being said, technology is a wonderful thing and a lot of meetings can be held via video call. Perfect if you want to stay in your PJs, while you chat weddings!

Availability

c e l e bra n t

Of course, you need a wedding celebrant who is available for your date, but you also want to make sure they’re available throughout the planning process. Whether it’s a quick question or a fullblown meeting; your wedding ceremony is such a personal thing, it’s important to have a celebrant who gives you their time in the run-up as well as on your actual wedding day.

4 Venue

Like most celebrants, I will only ever book one wedding per day and this means I won’t be rushing off to get to the next booking! Perfect if you’re running behind!

One of the best things about a celebrant wedding is the fact you can have your ceremony anywhere you like! It might be your dream to get married in a big stately home, on the beach, in a meadow, a teepee, or maybe even in your parents back garden! Some venues will have recommended celebrants which can be a good option, but just make sure to look out for a celebrant who is as excited by your venue as you are! If you can, it’s worth arranging a meeting at your venue with your celebrant as they may be able to provide some suggestions for your ceremony that you hadn’t considered!

Flexibility

Your wedding ceremony is all about you so you want to make sure you choose someone who can make it truly personal. After all, that’s the great thing about working with a celebrant, you get a completely personalised ceremony. You want to make sure this is the case and they will be happy to work with you to bring your ideas to life.

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for tips on writing vows! 81

More tips from Laura

Writing Your Vows Need advice on writing vows and wording to feature in your ceremony? Laura shares some more gems below! GET PREPARED

As soon as you decide to write your own vows, get a notepad/piece of paper / note on your phone that can be used to write down inspiration whenever you find it. You might be out and about with your partner, at home watching the TV or you might be miles away but thinking about them.

DON’T WAIT!

Any time you have a thought that you’d like to include in your vows write it down and before you know it you’ll have a notepad full of inspiration to use as your starting point. You can add to this whenever you feel inspired and it might take days, weeks or months to ‘complete’ but it will really help when you want to start bringing your ideas together and writing your first draft.

INSPO

In terms of wording to feature in your ceremony, start by taking inspiration from your favourite books, poems or films! You’ll be amazed how easily you can incorporate some of your favourite pop culture references into your ceremony. Maybe your first date was at the cinema and you could include a quote from the film? Perhaps you have a favourite poet who puts your feelings into words better than you ever could? Maybe you read a book and a line jumped out that you could really relate to? All of these will help when it comes to featuring wording in your ceremony and as a celebrant, it’s my job to help bring all of these things that you love together!

For more information or to book Laura Crockett Celebrant’s services, get in touch at: www.lauracrockettcelebrant.com info@lauracrockettcelebrant.com Instagram: @lauracrockettcelebrant 82

FUN COUPLE Photography

INTERVIEW WITH Earl Duncan

Images by Fun Couple Photography

At Fun Couple Photography we focus on capturing the fun, vibrant personality of weddings that our coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will cherish forever. How did you get into wedding photography? I have been a photographer for 10 years and have worked as a wedding photographer for 4 years. It started on a holiday in Jamaica, my partner and I wanted to find a source of income which would allow us to travel and work. Wedding photography was perfect as it allowed us to travel around meet new people and share in the enjoyment of others. 86

Your partner in crime is the lovely Rianne; how do you both usually work together? Throughout a wedding we will communicate to ensure that we are capturing multiple angles of the day. As a general guide she will usually capture all of the candid photographs of the guests enjoying the day whilst I would focus more

P HO T OG R A P H Y

on the bride, groom, close family and bridal party. I am a passionate photographer. With wedding photography, we work on many different styles of photography, from portraits and groups to interiors, fashion, night, macro, etc. From an emotional point of view, you are providing a couple a service on their wedding day which is a massive privilege. Everyone looks great and feels great and that helps us create fantastic memorable photographs.

One of the nicest things about working in the wedding space is… We’ve had a few couples who we’ve photographed their siblings and bridal parties, weddings; this is a massive honour to us because it shows us that our service is appreciated and we are nice individuals to work with... But if I’m not photographing weddings, I do a lot of portrait photography for bloggers and work with a few gyms around London, taking dynamic photographs of their fighters. Turn for their working style checklist... 87

F UN C OU P LE P HO T OG R A P H Y

What’s your working style checklist? • Before meeting the client: Agree on their specifications and get a plan for the day ready • On the day: Photograph everything, blend in with the guests and enjoy the day • Day after: Send teasers of 6 to 7 edited photos to the client • Couple of weeks after: Send remaining edited photographs to the client

Our biggest achievement so far… Has been being published in various wedding blogs, however recently one of our wedding photographs was also featured on Essence magazine which was a nice surprise during lockdown. My aim is to photograph over 1000 weddings and solo shoot both photo + video. I believe this is the future of the wedding photo industry.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

FUN COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHY www.funcouplephotos.com funcouplephotos@gmail.com Instagram: @funcouplephotos

pop-ice op-ic

Pop-Ice are a Surrey based ice cream business, serving premium ice cream, sorbets and poptails (cocktail/mocktail inspired ice lollies) from THEIR lovingly restored, mint green Renualt Estafette van affectionately known as ‘Poppy’.

They offer bespoke, tailormade packages for all couples, allowing them to choose any flavour from our extensive menu (over 30 flavours)... Pop-Ice also offer a bespoke ‘poptail’ option too, enabling couples to have their own cocktail/mocktail inspired lolly created for them. We pride ourselves on offering a premium product and a premium service (always with a smile - they cost nothing after all) :) at an affordable price.

F OOD / D R IN K

INTERVIEW WITH izzy & mike

and you’re planet friendly too? We are unique within the mobile catering industry… We have a van that can run off solar power, (having installed solar panels in the roof when restoring ‘Poppy’). We also ensure that all our disposable items such as ice cream tubs and spoons are compostable or recyclable and offer an assortment of vegan friendly ice cream too!

How was Pop-Ice Born? We had been wanting to start a business we could call our own for a while. Although we both have corporate day jobs, we have a real entrepreneurial spirit, a mutual love of food and the joy of sharing food and bringing people together. So, we always had an idea we’d do something related to eating, celebrating and enjoying life. 91

In addition, we make it our mission to support local British businesses and work with a number of small farms to source our products and ingredients. It was when we decided to take a break from ‘the rat race’ and take off on a year’s travel trip around North, Central and South America that the idea for POP-ICE was born.

the most fun moment we’ve had with clients has been... We’re pretty lucky to say that we have enjoyed every single one of the weddings we’ve been fortunate enough to cater for... There have been many a fun couple in our experience, one in particular asked us to sound an ice cream van tune to announce we were open for business, and guests came pouring out of their venue in their droves! It was hilarious! We were non-stop for the entire service and everyone was so excited and happy to be eating ice cream! All commented on how amazing the van is and our set up was and we received a lovely response from both the bride and groom following the event, so that’s definitely one that will always stick out for us. 92

It’s also always a joy to see how even in bad weather, people will still queue to get an ice cream. We’ve had a few weddings where unfortunately the weather has been a bit hit and miss but it’s never once seemed to dampen spirits... We do always provide an emergency gazebo free of charge, just in case of a downpour.

A Pop-Ice epic business highlight has been… Being asked to cater for the cast and crew of Cats the Movie on behalf of Dame Judi Dench was a massive highlight for us! Apparently, Judi loves ice cream and wanted to provide the cast and crew with a gift of ice cream to celebrate the wrap of her filming. Although we didn’t actually get to meet her, it was such an honour to be selected and the whole experience of being at the studio was incredible!

F OOD / D R IN K

POP-ICE www.popice.co.uk info.popice@gmail.com Instagram: @popiceuk

BELLEJourney PHOTO

INTERVIEW WITH BELINDA LAM

Images by Lyndsey Belle Photo Journey

Belle Photo Journey is a blend of natural/ journalistic and portrait photography. Belinda Lam, the photographer, narrates the story of your wedding day through the camera lens, capturing the moments as they happen in a natural and candid way. let’s talk Getting started… I have been in business for around five years. A wedding marked the start of my business and remains a heart-filled element of what I do. I had developed a passion in photography long since adulthood when I picked up my first ‘big’ camera; I started off with still life 96

– landscape, cityscape, travel and scenery. It was when I was asked by a friend to photograph his wedding, that I realised photographing people were not only more challenging but also much more satisfying. The joy, the laughter, the love in the air – they are infectious. It also felt amazing seeing how much people treasured those photos. From there I attended endless training to learn the ropes and better myself as a wedding and portrait photographer.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Why are you so passionate about wedding photography?

responsibility, together with the joy of taking part in weddings, keep me going and going!

Couples invest a lot of time, energy and resources in organising their weddings. However, once the wedding day is over, most elements of the weddings stay on site and will be left behind. Your wedding photos would be one of your key assets that you can take into a newly strengthened relationship.

On a typical working day…

A great set of photos will be the key to that treasure chest of fond memories; they bring back the emotions and connections of the day. As a wedding photographer I feel that I play a key role in making sure the stories are not lost and the essence of happiness is well captured. Those senses of

I tend to organise my time by weeks, scheduling in photography days as priority. Then the rest of the week is divided between meeting clients, editing, other desk work and spending time with my active, but very sweet toddler daughter. On the day I photograph a wedding, it’s breakfast and play with my daughter, until it’s time to leave. I’ll recheck my pre-packed equipment and leave in ample of time to travel to location. The fun begins once I

get to the preparation or ceremony venue! I don’t normally sit down again till it is wedding breakfast time, when all the guests sit down and enjoy their meals. And I only start packing up once I am satisfied that I have some great photos of the dance party!

A couple wants to use your services… How does it usually work? When a client gets in touch, we normally start with a chat on the phone or email. If they are based in the same city (London), I will suggest to meet up in a central location over a coffee. Outside London and we’ll normally do a video call. We’ll talk through the day and practicalities, show them more of my portfolio and very importantly,

they need to feel that I am a good fit as their wedding photographer. Once they decide to go ahead, we will exchange paperwork and I will ask for a deposit payment. There may be further discussions we need to carry on beyond the in-person / video consultation; otherwise we will agree on a time to touch base again before the wedding.

Let’s talk achievements. What’s been your biggest or most memorable? I enjoy seeing my work being published as it is a recognition of my work. A bridal fashion shoot that I have styled and photographed have appeared on the front cover of Your London Wedding Magazine followed by a 3-pages feature, which was a delight.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

BELLE PHOTO JOURNEY www.bellephotojourney.com Instagram: @bellephotojourney Call: +(44) 7891 390 297

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- R it a C o ls o n , B r id a l D e s ig n

O nl y d o w h at YO U w ant to d o!

Penny France -Penny’s Pooches, Weddings and Walkies

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Guests can eat 25 times more than you’d think. Feed them regularly and often!

-Jess Rose, Photographer 100

ey h t nd

.. . d i sa

HAVE FUN! Try and enjoy the ride.

The planning goes by so fast and it’s so easy to get swept up in a whirlwind of Pinterest boards and flower arrangements. Try and take some time to do something fun that you two love and plan while you’re in that happy place. Also, you don’t have to invite your mum’s uncle’s third cousin if you don’t want to. Seriously, if you wouldn’t pay for their food at a meal, they probably don’t need to be at your wedding day. -Leesha Williams, Photographer

Just do you! Try not to get blindsided by everything that’s out there and scared by the cost of everything. If you stay true to your gut and take time to scope out suppliers etc then you can find some really exciting and affordable options, but it isn’t always easy, especially with work and life commitments to manage too. So I would recommend taking the time to plan and enjoy it, so you don’t feel rushed and you can make sure you get a day that’s right for you. -Izzy, Pop-Ice

ou r g m y ble xin fro oya rela s, nt enj e the o it m e a n so m c l o l y d mo g ut te on ry nnin e. P ouri u’ll eve pla im av yo tudio ke ing ial t r f k S Ma dd ec you drin ! ake we nd spc on, nice joy it rde C a s i a n Ga mu ave , so e vant h e ,A oncSarah Take your time with your plann ing and loo ka all your op tions before t making a d eci TOG ETHE sion. A lso plan R! day is abou Your wedding t b o t h of y ou so y ou should bot h have an in pu -Laura C ro ckett, C ele t :) brant

Sit-dow n pa rt ner with you r a n d tal k how you a b ou t e day to lo n visage you r elements o ok l ike; what f importa nt it are rea lly you’l l a llo to you, a nd how c I thin k ma ate your budget. surprised ny couples ca n be (maybe ho at how mu r ch things rified!) so decidin ca n cost, g a nd where where to save to DIY a nd to splurge, where profession where to get the a importa nt. ls in, is rea lly T hen put in searching the hours who fit ex for suppliers a looking fo ctly what you’re r. T here a re thousa nds offering so of suppliers, a ll different, mething slightly so there sh no need to ou ld be vision. -Ly compromise on you r Photograp ndsey Goddard, her

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Lyndsey Goddard Photography

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INTERVIEW WITH Lyndsey goddard

Images by Lyndsey Goddard Photography

Lyndsey Goddard is an award-winning documentary wedding photographer, providing couples with an unobtrusive and creative record of their wedding. Lyndsey photographs your day without any intervention or direction, which results in a really honest portrayal of their wedding.

How did you get into photgraphy? I studied Fine Art but photography has always been something I was really interested in, right from my school days, where I was always messing about with cameras and in the darkroom at lunchtimes. 104

I love social documentary photography, and find people endlessly fascinating, so weddings were an obvious choice for me. Like many people, I photographed the wedding of a few friends and it snowballed from there. I shot my first wedding in 2003, but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really pursue it for a while after that. Around 2007 I started to shoot the weddings of a few friends and went full time in 2009.

My biggest achievement so far includes… Being ranked twice as the UK’s Top Wedding Photographer by The Wedding Photojournalist Association, once in 2016 and again in 2019. This is a world-wide organisation with photographers from every country, so it felt great to have my work acknowledged in this way.

Why wedding photography? I absolutely love photography, and I love watching social interactions, so a wedding day is just a wonderful blank canvas for me to explore relationships between people and the ebb and flow of an event such as a wedding. The couples who book me are 100% invested in what I do and the way I photograph weddings, so being able to capture their day for them in the style that they want and in a way that I enjoy brings me so much satisfaction.

What’s a typical working day like in the life of Lyndsey Goddard? There is no typical day for me! If it’s wedding season, then for most of the week, I’ll be in my office at home, doing admin and processing wedding photos for couples, or I could be in London meeting up with a couple for a coffee or a glass of wine to talk through wedding plans. On days where I am out shooting a wedding, I’ll be there all day and ‘there’ could be anywhere from London to Leeds, Cambridge to the Costwolds, Portugal, Poland or India! 105

MORE ACHIEVEMENTS! At the end of 2016 Lyndsey won the award for ‘Best Wedding Photographer in London and the South East’, and then went on to win the national award for ‘Best Wedding Photographer in England’ at The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA).

So couples can get a little feel of how you work, share a little about your process.

London, where we’ll go for coffee or a glass of wine. Sometimes they’ll take a day trip to the coast to visit me. If logistics mean a physical meet up isn’t possible them we will have a FaceTime chat.

If possible, around a month out from the wedding, we will meet up to talk through plans for the day and just spend some time together.

On the day itself, other than a small amount of family group shots and a short session with just the couple, I’m completely hands-off. I’m as far from the bossy or loud voiced photographer herding everyone together for staged photos as you can get!

I don’t do pre-wedding shoots as they don’t fit with my style of photography, but I do like to get to know my couples, to spend some time with them and get to understand their personality as individuals and as a couple. I usually have these meet ups in 106

A few days after the wedding, my couples will receive some preview images, followed in a few weeks by their cinematic slideshow and then a few weeks later, their online gallery.

P HO T OG R A P H Y

Lyndsey Goddard Photography www.lyndseygoddard.com lyndsey@lyndseygoddard.com Instagram: @lyndseygoddardphotography

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dapper & bride Your Personalised Wedding Magazine 108

SOME T HING DI F F E R EN T

Dapper & Bride is a personalised wedding magazine service, providing couples with a unique way to wow their guests and feature their wedding stationery on their big day. INTERVIEW WITH KYSHA MARIE

How did Dapper & Bride get started? So, I’ve been designing prints forever (still do) and have been obsessed with magazines even longer, collecting them throughout my teens and twenties; even my degree title is ‘Magazines’ lol! Literally. Really, it is. While many of the amazing wedding suppliers I’ve met, started their wedding business through the planning of their own day, I on the other hand took a different route. I. SIMPLY. LOVE. MAGAZINES. I love weddings. #Boom! Well, there’s a little more to it then that I guess. When it came to magazines, I just absolutely loved the concept of having a collection of beautiful photos, articles and tidbits on the things I had a passion for, in between the physical pages of something I could keep forever. I luurrrvved that I could take them with me and read them ANYWHERE.

The creative shoots, the typography (my fave fave bit), the writer’s personality and inspirational content did everything to get me where I am today. Lol, obviously, I’m still quite obsessed.

How did magazines & weddings come to meet? I’ve been working in the wedding industry over the last 5 years, creating wonderful wedding stationery, themed around some of the most non-typical subjects from Formula One Racing and the London Underground to TV Shows and tropical destinations. Many clients had often found spending money on bits of paper that would eventually end up tossed in the bin, a horrid thought! Coming across a replica of a glossy mag at an event, my imagination immediately ran wild on how I could create 109

SOME T HING DI F F E R EN T

something magical in the wedding space. As a print creative, my first thought was -how do I transform a simple order of service into the single best piece of wedding memorabilia ever? Whatever it was, I knew it needed to be vibrant, professional - something that could match any well-known mag in WH Smiths and take on the personality of each couple that was on the cover. I thought about all of the printed bits and bobs that made up a wedding day; the menu, seating plan, the wedding agenda, the couple’s words! I was so alive with ideas that by the end of that car ride home, I had mapped out what you will come to know as Dapper & Bride. Tah Daaah! 110

Is this service designed for a particular type of couple? DAPPER & BRIDE is a space where WHO-EVERY-ONE can be & feel glam squad cover worthy. #NoRules!

As for the name Dapper & Bride. Creating for the girls was easy, so something inclusive for all the grooms of the world was at the top of the list. Whether you’re a bride and groom, bride and bride or groom and groom, when you think ‘wedding’, you think bride, white dress and flowers... The list goes on. This is a magazine for EVERYONE. The only prerequisite to featuring Dapper & Bride at your wedding

Image by Gina Gray Photography

Inside your wedding magazine: Feature your order of service, wedding agenda, menu, wedding party, seating plan, love story, gallery and more.

CRAIG&KARL wHeN peNrY MeT pArisH pg 6 | OUr prOMises pg 11 | THe weddiNg HigHligHTs pg 12

– is that you’re getting married! Of course, I design for anniversaries, birthdays, events and celebrations too !

29th septemBer 2018

The biggest business highlight for Dapper & Bride so far has been…

Winning the Highly Commended title at The Wedding Industry Awards 2020! I’d never entered any type of competition before and I just decided to go for it. I was super proud of myself.

THE EXCLUSIVE 2018 HEYTHROP WEDDING

meet the aLL NeW mr & mr PeNrY- Parish! 1

150504 290918

plUs! THe besT bACHelOr pArTY ever - feATUriNg elvis ANd THe NAKed wAiTer pg 4

DAPPER&Bride THE WEDDING TIMELINE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS PG 4 | WHAT’S TO EAT - THE SELF MENU PG 11

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ANARA THE CUTEST FLOWER GIRL OF 2019 See her slay, #ServingFace in this picture goal on pg 8

KELI & KEVIN

FROM TRINIDAD TO NEW YORK, THE ROTI AND THE PEPPER SAUCE

THE

INSID E: H

EN & PORN STAG S & THE TAR MART INIS DESTR UCTIO OF LIV N BARC ERPOOL & ELONA PG 6 CITY

ALL THE DEETS ON THEIR FIRST DATE & MORE: PG 7

Plus! WHO really WON AT BOWLING?

ORDER OF SERVICE PG 5 | THE FULL SQUAD - THE WEDDING PARTY LINEUP PG 5

Working with Hollie & Josh in the for their June 2018 wedding was also a huge win for me. Their wedding was featured in Hello Magazine and it did wonders for my little business. I also got to work with Hannah (HA Designs) and Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough FC Defender) on their wedding last year. It was absolutely amazing. I turned that one around in about a week!

How does creating a personalised wedding magazine usually work? It’s all done online in three easy steps; 1. Choose your package 2. Send your photos and content 3. Wait for the magic! 111

Charlotte King Photography

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2tonephotography

Tom Beynon Photography

SOME T HING DI F F E R EN T

DAPPER & BRIDE www.dapperandbride.com Instagram: @dapperandbride

Aimee K Photography

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&Bride DAPPER DAPPER&Bride CRAIG&KARL MEET YOUR EDITORS AT LARGE - PG 2 | EXCLUSIVE MESSAGES: THE PARENTS SPEAK! - PG 6

THE WEDDING TIMELINE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS PG 4 | WHAT’S TO EAT - THE SELF MENU PG 11

wHeN peNrY MeT pArisH pg 6 | OUr prOMises pg 11 | THe weddiNg HigHligHTs pg 12

14 JUNE 2019

070909 140619

24 AUGUST 2019

29th septemBer 2018

1 280614 240819

ANARA THE CUTEST FLOWER GIRL OFSee2019 her slay, #ServingFace in this picture goal on pg 8

exclusive interview!

HANNAH KELI & KEVIN THE

INSID E: H

EN & PORN STAG S & THE TAR MART INIS DE OF LIV STRUCTIO N E BARC RPOOL & ELONA C ITY PG 6

DANIEL

FROM TRINIDAD TO NEW YORK, THE ROTI AND THE PEPPER SAUCE

ALL THE DEETS ON THEIR FIRST DATE & MORE: PG 7

Plus! WHO really WON AT BOWLING? HOW A NIGHT OUT IN LIVERPOOL

TURNED INTO A WEDDING IN SPAIN!

ORDER OF SERVICE PG 5 | THE FULL SQUAD - THE WEDDING PARTY LINEUP PG 5 FIND OUT WHO APPROACHED WHO! PG 4

INSIDE: THE EVENT OF 2019

THE SPAIN WEDDING SPECTACULAR! LET THE PARTY BEGIN!

THE EXCLUSIVE 2018 HEYTHROP WEDDING

meet the aLL NeW THE DATE mr & mr PeNrY- Parish!

WE CUT THE CAKE! MEMORABLE DATES IN

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plUs! THe besT bACHelOr pArTY ever - feATUriNg elvis ANd THe NAKed wAiTer pg 4

THE AYALA TIMELINE! FULL DEETS ON PG 7

FIND OUT WHO’S WHO IN THE WEDDING SQUAD? - PG 3 | THE AYALA MINI GALLERY - PG 6

Your Personalised Wedding Magazine w w w. da p p er a n d b r i d e .co m

Planning a wedding? Looking for something different? Really WANT TO WOW YOUR GUESTS? Dreading the thought of spending money on traditional wedding day stationery and other bits of paper that may eventually end up tossed in the bin or lost behind the sofa?

Introducing Dapper & Bride

Your highly commended, all-in-one wedding And stationery magazine dedicated to you - The wedding couple!

find out more w w w. d a p p e r a n d b r i d e . c o m