Friday 29 October 2010

Venues

Choosing a venue is one of the most exciting and fulfilling parts of the wedding preparation.


Many of you will travel around, savouring various locations in the quest to find that perfect fit, while for others a brief visit will provide all the inspiration needed to picture that special day.


I have photographed happy couples in a wide variety of locations, and I find I learn something new about the advantages and challenges each venue has to offer with every wedding I undertake.



The choice of venues is endless, from the majestic grandiose of an ancient castle to the intimate setting of the local restaurant, all of you will have your own preferences and ideas.


When I snap multiple weddings at the same location, I am always amazed at how different the photos look.
The changing of the seasons, the weather, the flowers, the variety colour schemes, and of course, most importantly, you and your guests make your wedding unique.


Throughout my blog, I'm going to be sporadically popping up posts which will focus on a specific venue by using photos from different weddings to illustrate this uniqueness.

Friday 22 October 2010

Honeymooning



The pressies have been opened, the left over cake sits on the table side and the once gleaming wedding dress is hanging on the door,showing the remnants of uncle bobs clumsy wine spillage.


Post wedding blues will no doubt be soothed by the thought of that poolside cocktail you'll soon be sipping on your honeymoon.


In the Airport, the old favourite "dewy eyed look" to the check in person,cuddling your spouse while casually dropping into the conversation "it's our honeymoon" in the expectation of getting an upgrade,will get you...SWEET BUGGER ALL...trust me, spare yourself the humiliation, I've tried it...so did the couple in front of me,and the friends we met on the holiday, and my friends friends...you get the picture!


One thing I will say though, if you are planning a long distance  trip,be mindful of the seasonal weather patterns.
It's cruel irony that most weddings take place in the summer months,so if your planning to head for far away pastures, chances are that your gonna be taking a gamble on the 
weather.
.




One couple I photographed went to the Maldives. They had blissful hot sunshine everyday, but didn't take into account the prevailing winds which were common to the area at that time of year.The breeze provided welcome relief in the day, but during the night the choppy waters would keep them awake at night, as the waves battered around their luxury water bungalow.


The flip side to this is the couple who told me they didn't realise they had booked their Caribbean holiday slap bang in the middle of hurricane season. Despite their trepidation, they went on the trip and had two weeks of beautiful weather.


So I guess what I'm trying to say is no matter how much research and planning you do, you are, like your wedding day, in mother natures mercy,whatever she throws at you, just lap it up and enjoy every moment.


Note: The top 3 pictures were taken in Antigua, at my sister in laws wedding, we went in February and it was just wonderful...not a cloud in the sky.
The bottom set were taken from my honeymoon in Langkawi, Malaysia...we went at the start of autumn, and short of a few heavy downpours (lasting around an hour) it was as hot as the curry they served for breakfast (which, by the way went down a treat...egg and baconsmaken).

John Hayes


I was extremely saddened to hear the news that the BBC Essex DJ John Hayes has passed away after a short illness.
I was privileged to take the pictures of Dawn & John's wedding, John praised the pictures on air, of which I was very grateful.


My condolences and love goes out to Dawn & Johns family.

Friday 15 October 2010

Time to get hitched

So the question's been popped, the preparation starts now, and you will no doubt be starting to get a little plan together as to how you want your day to unfold.

Your big day will whizz past, and before you know it you'll be shaking off stray bits of confetti in the hotel room. 


So when deciding on a suitable time for your ceremony, it's always a good idea to map your day out and allocate timings, this will ensure you best utilise what precious time you have.


It's not much of an issue if you are getting married and having the reception in the same place, but if you are marrying in a church and moving to another venue, then there are many factors to consider when choosing your time.


For example, if you are employing a toastmaster, you will probably be wanting them to arrange a receiving line, this on average takes around 20 - 25 mins (depending on the size of your party).


Once everyone has received a peck on the cheek or a sturdy handshake, 30 mins will have elapsed, and had you not allocated this time,it would have eaten into valuable drinking time and the chance for extra pictures. 


The best way to find your perfect ceremony time is to work backwards, starting at when you would like your evening guests to arrive. I have put an example together using a previous wedding I have attended, where it was  decided to take the majority of the photos at the venue rather than the church.


7pm onwards - guests arrive
6.30pm - Speeches
4.30pm - Dinner is served
4.00pm - Receiving line
2.30pm - Photos, mingling and quaffing the bubbly
2.00pm - leave church on route to venue after being photographed & peppered in confetti
1.00pm - Ceremony (approx 40 mins) 


Bride - 12.30 - Leave for church (approx 20 mins)


(Things to do in advance - Arrange for when the hairdresser, make up artist and photographer are to arrive).


Groom - Fry up, get scrubbed up, get to the church in good time