Inspirational blogs

If you got married before the millennium, chances are you booked your supplier through the local directory and sort inspiration from a wedding magazine. Then came the 21st century,and the internet came to be part of our lives. The wedding industry expanded into websites which complimented and worked along these traditional stall wards.

The turn of this decade saw a new word enter our vocabulary - blogging.

In their infancy blogs started out as on-line diary's, they have since grown to be electronic pin-boards where the authors document all their internet discoveries alongside personal thoughts.

Wedding bloggers in particular are instrumental in moving the wedding planning goalposts once more, not just offering advice & inspiration, but also setting the trends.

Here are some of my favourites, dive in and get inspired

Georgia's beautiful wedding blog, featured one of my weddings, so i'm slightly biased in my love
http://www.beforethebigday.co.uk/
A diverse and totally inspirational blog, bought to you by the lady gaga of the wedding industry Kat Williams
http://www.rocknrollbride.com/
A UK wedding style diary
http://www.lovemydress.net/blog/
Lovers of all Indie Chic & Vintage weddings
http://ruffledblog.com/
US based wedding site, wonderful images and lots of ideas to copy
http://www.oncewed.com/real-weddings/
Steel-able ideas aplenty from this cool British site
http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/

Offering some perspective for the grooms
http://www.iamstaggered.com/

Want more inspiration, grab a coffee and get surfing
http://www.weddingblogs100.com/

Got the t-shirt - Emma & Will

Emma & Will's big day was at Parklands - Quendon Hall, the forecasted rain showers never materialised and the happy couple and their guests were able to enjoy a pimms or two in the venues magnificent grounds...even the deer made a well timed appearance...here are Emmas thoughts on her big day

In the build up to your big day, what excited you the most and what (if any) anxiety’s did you have?   

The biggest anxiety I had was not knowing how everything was going to look all together and if the venue would do everything the way I wanted it done but they were very good and the whole day came together just the way we had planned it. I also was very excited about the whole day and did not want it to go too fast, unfortunately we could not control this bit but we enjoyed every minute.

Can you describe how the pair of you felt on the morning of your big day?

I as the bride was very calm and could not wait to see Will. I just sat back on the morning of the wedding and took everything in. However Will was the opposite, he was very nervous and did not know what to do with himself J                                               

Past bride & grooms-to-be have told me that any nerves they had on the day subsided the moment they came together in the ceremony room, would you concur with this?
Most definitely once you are together it is almost like the pressure is off and you can start enjoying your day together.

If you had your chance to do it all over again,what (if anything) would you do different?

We would have had the whole day professionally recorded.We got a family member to do this but the video camera broke down before the speeches so we did not capture the whole day, which was a shame because the day goes so fast and we would have loved to look back on it.

                                  

What advice would you give future brides & grooms to be

Enjoy the day and be calm, don't worry about anything as come the day there is nothing you can do, and to be honest, you will not notice if something is not in the right place or even if not everyone turns up.

Also make sure you take time out throughout the day to find each other because the day is about you two and you don't want to look back and think that you did not get the time to enjoy it together.

Ye Olde Plough House

Karen & Kristian's big day was at Ye Olde Plough House, Upminster. First time photographing a wedding 

at this venue, really lovely venue and a huge lawn for the kids to run around safely

Group photographs

Group shots (depending on your way of thinking) are an integral part of the day or a necessary evil.
If your thinking is of the later, it is largely due to experiencing a photographer at a past wedding who hasn't managed their time efficiently.
Group shots that are done swiftly,and with minimum fuss, can play a vital part in piecing together the story of your wedding day.

Take Hugo Burnand's recent royal wedding photographs as an example.


Of the 3 images realised,it was the last group picture of the bride & groom with the children that turned out to be everyone's favourite shot.
There was a degree of posing,but it looked natural and captured the children's oblivion to all the pomp & ceremony going on around them...Hugo Burnand has since explained that he only had 4 minutes to grab this shot,which dispels the commonly held belief that group shots take up huge amounts of time.

The main reason for couples dreading group shots is the fear of being stuck in the same place for ages, forcing a smile akin to Chandler Bing on friends, but it need not be this way.


Each wedding is different,and though there are sometimes requirements to be factored in (ie - parents are separated) but my view is the majority of the group photographs should take no more than 20 minutes to achieve 


There are a group of shots that i always make sure i capture (i have listed them below) These images are your archive,and as the years go by these will be you reference to remind you of the guests in attendance. 


Bride & Groom with: Brides Family(all) immediate (siblings & grandparents) parents (with & without grooms parents)
Grooms family (all) immediate (siblings & grandparents) parents
Friends (lads & lasses separate then together)
Bridal party (bridesmaids, best man & ushers)
                                           

If you wanted more groups photographed -ie sisters/brothers, nans, favourite uncles, stag/hen nights ect,then instead of rooting you to a single spot we can get these done in a more informal manor, utilising the various surroundings of your wedding venue.

Time is so precious on your wedding day, and alongside the groups we need to be sure to get the natural reportage style shots of everyone enjoying themselves, alongside those lush pics of the bride and groom.

Good organisation of your group shots is the key to making sure you have plenty of time to quaff that bubbly with all your favourite people  















  

Got the t-shirt - Alicia & Michael

Alicia & Michaels big day started at Our lady of Lourdes church in Rayleigh, then we all went to Crabbs barn Kelverdon where the drinks flowed and the Bride & Groom pulled off the dance routine they have been practising to perfection...here are Alicias thoughts about her big day.

In the build up to your big day, what excited you the most and what (if any) anxiety’s did you have?   

I was very excited about the church service as I wanted it to be enjoyable for everyone.  


I'd had a few comments from various aunts etc along the lines of "It's not going to be one of those long boring Catholic services is it?"  I don't think a service in which the bride and groom walk out of the church to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, "Who Loves You Pretty Baby?" can be called boring.  


I was so pleased my children were there to sing (I'm a teacher) and that the church was full.
I was also excited about my dress, but also I suppose that is what I was most worried about too.  Even after numerous dress fittings there is always that fear of will it fit on the day?  I just wanted everything to go well and it did.

Can you describe how the pair of you felt on the morning of your big day?

I think we were both looking forward to seeing each other and also excited about seeing family and freinds and having them all in the same place sharing our happy memories.  
I didn't really feel nervous, just happy and excited.  Michael always had in the back of his mind the speech which is what he was most worried about, but there was no need to be as it went very well.

Past bride & grooms-to-be have told me that any nerves they had on the day subsided the moment they came together in the ceremony room, would you concur with this?

I wasn't nervous about anything, I got a bit emotional walking down the aisle but I think I was overwhelmed.  Michael says he 200% concurs.  He didn't realise that was how everybody felt.

What was the best source of advice and inspiration you found in planning your wedding?

Good advice was not to rush into booking things.  Visit as many wedding fayres as you can.

If you had your chance to do it all over again, what (if anything) would you do different?

Different suit shop as we were let down very badly by ours.  Also I wouldn't book Honey Moon with a certain big company as we had quite a few unnecessary problems in this area.

What advice would you give my future brides & grooms to be?

Enjoy every minute of your day, it goes so quickly.  Take it all in.  Have fun.  You can't change anything on the day so relax and enjoy.

Got the t-shirt

Throughout this year i shall be quizzing all the bride & grooms i am photographing. 
I will be asking them how the special day went, and grab any words of wisdom they can give you to help plan your wedding

First up is the lovely Claire and her hubby Colin, they got married at the end of January at the Rochford hotel, here are Claires thoughts:

So In the build up to your big day, what excited you the most and what (if any) anxiety’s did you have?   

TBH I was surprisingly calm in the lead up to my wedding day. Yet I was very excited about the whole event, more so just sharing such a special day with those nearest and dearest to me.

Can you describe how the pair of you felt on the morning of your big day?

Again calm, I was waiting for the moment of panic but because it all just felt so right I knew I had nothing to worry about.

Colin was surprisingly calm also and enjoyed the meeting and greeting.

Past bride & grooms-to-be have told me that any nerves they had on the day subsided the moment they came together in the ceremony room, would you concur with this?

Not for me, this was the moment my nerves hit, I was centre of attention and by the time I was standing next to my hubby to be my legs were shaking uncontrollable under my dress! Colin however could see/feel my nerves so held and stroked my hand then the nerves faded.

If you had your chance to do it all over again, what (if anything) would you do different?

The day itself I wouldn’t change, however little things did go wrong but nothing that I would allow to spoil the day.

What advice would you give my future brides & grooms to be   

I’m an extremely organised person and I lived by ‘budget spreadsheet’. This listed everything and I mean everything that had to organised and paid for, it was also a great way to keep on top of it all and you won’t forget anything, trust me!

Shop around, there are some great bargains to be found, you do not have to get in debt for your big day and you certainly don’t want to start married life in debt.

In the evening you and your husband try to take 5mins out for yourselves, go stand in the corner and take everything in around you. Also don’t panic about trying to get round to see everyone, let people come to you and most importantly enjoy every moment of this special day.

Message for Lee

I was told that when choosing a photographer that it’s important you have a rapport with them and that you feel comfortable in their company. This was instant when we met and because of this you made not only me but my friends and family feel extremely comfortable and also made it enjoyable when taking pictures on our day. I couldn’t have wished for anyone better and was over the moon with the end result. Thank you Lee

Money saving tips - Buffet

So its Friday night, sat in a curry house and your patting the belly in a homer simpson style after devouring a nice lamb dansak, now cast an eye over the table, I'm guessing there's left over bhaji's, a few nan breads, and half a plate of sag aloo...you've over ordered haven't you! 

A common mistake we all make but if you substitute the curry for a wedding buffet, it can also be a costly mistake.

The wedding buffet is essentially self service Canapés, a little top up for your guests to nibble at and will only be laid out for an hour due to waitresses eager to get home health and safety guidelines.

Day guests will have a 3 course dinner satisfying the tummy and the evening guests will have no doubt eaten before they came out, so my advice is to save your pennies by opting for the minimum buffet available, the venues bin men will thank you for it.

Rochford Hotel

Here are a few selected pics to have a nose at, taken at the Rochford Hotel (formally Mason Renolfs)

                                                                                    

    

Friern Manor, Dunton

A popular venue situated in Dunton, Brentwood. These are a selection of images taken at Laura & Joe's recent wedding...Laura is the recipient of the "most nervous bride" award, but she told me her anxiety disappeared the moment she walked in the room and saw Joe...bless her