TIPS FOR COUPLES.
As you might imagine I've picked up a few useful tips in my 16+ years, and I'm more than happy to share them with you to help make sure all goes perfectly, no matter who your chosen team for the day is.
Finding your venue
There are so many venues out there to chose from you could go dizzy just trying to choose. I recommend keeping to the following...
Finding the perfect Photographer
The 3 P's are key for this, which work for Videographers too I'd say...
Before and on the day
After the day
Finding your venue
There are so many venues out there to chose from you could go dizzy just trying to choose. I recommend keeping to the following...
- Start with deciding what type of wedding you would like to have. Large/Small, Outdoor/Indoor, Barn/Hall/Tepee/Church, UK/Europe/Further afield.
- Once you know which type of wedding/venue you want, start to shortlist by reviewing websites/Socials.
- When choosing keep in mind the light. For the best results from your Photos/Video your venue needs plenty of natural light. Dark venues can look beautiful but the images will also be dark (or captured using flash) so if you don't like dark images keep this in mind and if you do choose a dark venue, ask the Photographers you are considering if they have any samples of images from dark venues.
- Consider the aesthetics of the venue - for example if you want light and airy and creamy images/video then don't go for venues with bright coloured walls/floors
- Areas for Photographs/Videos - are there some good locations both outside and inside (in case of bad weather). The outdoor areas are they also separate from where guests park to avoid cars in photos/videos. The indoor area(s) do they have good natural light.
- Accessibility - if you have any guests who have a physical disability of any kind, is your venue suitable for them to feel comfortable.
- Location - will your guests and suppliers be able to find the venue without too much difficulty and park up.
- Kitchen/Bar - I honestly hear it a lot as a supplier at venues, guests irritated by the cost of the drinks. Check the bar menu of your venue get an idea of the costs to ensure you feel your family and friends will be happy. Is the kitchen or catering option(s) good quality and tasty - do a tasting with them make sure you're happy - read reviews.
Finding the perfect Photographer
The 3 P's are key for this, which work for Videographers too I'd say...
- P number one is most defiantly, person; be sure to chose a Photographer who you like as a person, who's personality gels well enough with both of you, who you feel comfortable around. This is so important as the last thing you want is a Photographer who makes you feel uncomfortable as they're one of the most involved people in your entire day other, you need someone who can help make you feel at ease and happy, stress free!
- P number two is, portfolio; this might seem obvious, but you must like their work i.e. don't book one Photographer but ask them for the editing style of another. Go through their work ensure you're happy and you can also see growth. Growth/improvements in their work shows they're still passionate about what they do and want to keep improving... so scroll back on their socials. Also, it's a sad fact that often Photographers work is stolen and used to advertise people less skilled who are offering rates which seem too good to be true - usually are, so watch out for this. You can do this by checking for sneak peek or full galleries to check for consistency and of course check reviews.
- P number three, last but not least, price; this is the least important as often Photographers can try to amend packages a little to assist with requirements and budgets, or will have sales on at set times of the year such as New Years or Black Friday. In my opinion you can also try to discuss the price, however, respect the artist, do not be cheeky.
- Don't ghost! I know it's hard to say no to people but please always do this... think of it like you having a job interview - all the prep all the hard work all the anxiety and nerves of the interview. Time goes by, and nothing... how would you feel? Always let anyone you've enquired with especially if you've had a call, know it's a yes or if it's a no.
- A little p.s. on this section - don't worry if they have captured your chosen venue before or not. Most Photographers love a new venue as that brings with it exciting new opportunities, they'll look at the venue with cleaner eyes than a Photographer who captures it often.
Before and on the day
- Pick a good 'tribe' i.e. your Bridesmaids (BM)/Groomsmen (GM). Choose reliable and helpful people who you know you'll have a good time with. They're there to help on your day so you want people you know you can ask for help, and ladies, that includes attempting to go to the bathroom while in your dress - not easy in most so you'll need to good bestie for that. Your BMs and GM should also be happy people - seems obvious right, well not always... I see BMs/GM who disappear at big moments because they 'don't want to' or who cause friction on the day. So choose wisely.
- Assign jobs; by this I mean to specific people for the day i.e. task one of your BMs/GM with keeping the room where you're getting ready in the morning tidy/organised/decluttered. Assign someone with the last of helping people be seated for the ceremony. Assign someone with the task of helping ensure everyone's around when it's time for the 'formals'. Assign someone with the task of keeping you hydrated. You get the point - plan it out in your head write a list and initial the person responsible - and make sure you tell them in advance what their job(s) is/are.
- Prepare a list for your formals. Formals are the group shots, the more traditional family shots etc. Prepare the list and distribute that list to everyone on it around 2 weeks before your big day so they know they'll be needed. Have one person for each of you who know between them know who everyone on the list of formals is - get them to introduce themselves to the Photographer after the ceremony to help with the organising. Also have someone in charge with encouraging guests not involved in the formals to not hover/watch/distract where the formals are being captured - let them enjoy a drink at the bar while they wait.
- When ordering your stationery including your invites order a extra set. Have this extra set of stationery ready for your Photographer in the morning along with any of the small details such as jewellery and perfume. Having all this ready means your Photographer can capture perfect lay flat images of your details.
- Have an unplugged ceremony. Honestly it looks terrible on your professional photos when people are all watching through their mobiles/cameras in the background of all your images - leave it to the professionals.
- Groom/Groomsmen - Empty those pockets! Don't leave your phone/wallet etc in your pockets for any main moments or any of the photographs.
- Remember - It's YOUR DAY, nobody else's. Do not let other people dictate to either of you what you do or when you do it (within reason in terms of venue timings of course). The day is about you two and your love, it should always be about what you want not what will make someone else outside the two of you happy.
- Distribute your timeline. Be sure to give all your bridal party and all suppliers a copy of your timeline around 2 weeks before the big day and update everyone if anything changes after this. All your key people knowing what is scheduled to happen when makes sure everything stays on track.
- Be yourself... I see it time and time again, for example a Bride who decides to 'try something new' when it comes to her make up for the day, only to feel uncomfortable on the day, or a Groom who is in a suit which he can hardly move in and is sweating cobs. A big one for this is also shoes - don't buy shoes that make you want to cry just because they have 'that' label on that you wanted... and either way wear them in at home ahead of time. Be yourself... you want to feel special, yes, but still you. Finally on this subject, don't have your wedding for the 'likes' and for others to judge, have it for you!
- Don't worry, be happy. Accept it now, it's likely at least one thing, or likely a few will not go perfectly and that's ok, it's totally normal. Accept all that comes with the day and embrace it as your day warts and all, you'll look back on the 'mistakes' or things that didn't go to plan in years to come and laugh at the memories.
- Don't worry about the weather! I know, I know, it's unlikely you want it to rain...however; firstly, rain on your wedding day is good luck. This belief is rooted in various cultural traditions. The symbolism behind rain on a wedding day includes ideas of cleansing, renewal, and fertility. In some cultures, it's also thought that rain signifies that the marriage will last, as a knot tied when wet is harder to untie, symbolizing the strength of the bond. Also embrace it if it happens - grab a brolly and get out in it, rain photographs are STUN-ING when done correctly - trust your team and don't worry about clothing, shoes, feet getting a tiny bit wet, it will definitely be worth it.
- Find time to have some quiet just the two of you. Weddings can be very overwhelming and there's so many people to interact with that often couples forget to do that with each other. Speak to your venue beforehand see if they have somewhere away from guests and suppliers where you can have 15mins to yourselves with a drink and some canapes after your formals/portraits.
- Provide all your suppliers with a list of the day's suppliers, better yet their social media handles - this will help your suppliers.
- Clear communication with your Photographer/Videographer specifically about your portraits. At some stage in your day, often two occasions in the day (after ceremony and during golden hour) your Photographer and/or Videographer will want to get your couples portraits. If you've 'had enough' just say, speak to them, they're there for you and want to help you enjoy your day and get the shots. It's absolutely fine to want to be with guests rather than capturing more photos/videos, however, remember two things 1. be polite not stressed when communicating this and 2. you'll want at least some portraits from the day so don't cut them out completely. If you're not really a camera person and feel ahead of the day it's highly likely you won't want many, let your Photographer/Videographer know ahead of time so they can prepare a plan to capture super quick but effective results.
- Familiarise yourself with your suppliers T&Cs including your Photographer/Videographers turnaround time.
- Have fun! Don't forget to have fun, enjoy your day. A lot of work goes into planning and paying for a wedding - don't have regrets, enjoy every moment.
After the day
- Triple check your venue/room to ensure nothing has been left behind - Task some of your bridal party with checking the venue for you.
- Drop a message (you could prepare this ahead of time and keep it as draft) to your bridal party, close friends and family and any stand-out suppliers/staff, to thank them for joining you on your big day, personalising them where you can. It's always nice to be nice.
- Then it's time to enjoy your first few days as a married couple, sit back, relax and await your sneak peeks from the day...and enjoy your honeymoon if you're going on one
General, less personal tips:
1. Set a Realistic Budget
1. Set a Realistic Budget
- Determine Priorities: Decide what aspects are most important to you, such as the venue, catering, or photography, and allocate your budget accordingly.
- Include Hidden Costs: Don’t forget to account for taxes, tips, and extra costs like alterations or last-minute changes.
- Book Key Vendors Early: Popular venues, photographers, and caterers get booked quickly, sometimes over a year in advance.
- Create a Timeline: Outline all the tasks you need to complete from engagement to the wedding day, setting deadlines to stay on track.
- Stress Reduction: A planner can help manage details and coordinate on the big day, allowing you to focus on enjoying the moment.
- Vendor Connections: Planners often have relationships with vendors that can lead to discounts or exclusive options.
- Write Your Vows: Consider writing your vows to make the ceremony more meaningful and personal.
- Incorporate Unique Traditions: Blend cultural traditions or create new ones that are meaningful to you as a couple.
- Start Small: Begin with your closest family and friends, and then add others if the budget allows.
- Send Save-the-Dates Early: Especially for destination weddings, giving guests plenty of notice helps them plan.
- Think About the Atmosphere: Decide if you want a formal, casual, indoor, or outdoor setting.
- Visit Multiple Locations: Don’t settle on the first venue you see; compare a few to ensure it fits your vision and budget.
- For the best photos I recommend avoiding overly dark venues or venues with dark or coloured flooring and walls. Lots of natural light makes for the dreamiest photographs.
- Comfort is Key: Provide amenities like fans for an outdoor summer wedding or blankets for a winter ceremony.
- Food & Drink: Ensure you have enough variety to cater to all dietary preferences and restrictions.
- Backup Plan: Always have an alternative for outdoor weddings in case of bad weather.
- Seasonal Considerations: Think about the time of year and how it might impact travel, attire, and floral availability.
- Hire a Professional Photographer/Videographer: These are the memories you’ll look back on, so invest in quality.
- Create a Shot List: Provide your photographer with a list of must-have shots, including special family members or moments.
- Take Breaks: Wedding planning can be stressful. Take time for date nights and activities that don’t involve the wedding.
- Embrace Imperfections: No wedding is perfect, and that’s okay. Focus on what matters most—the celebration of your love.
- Stay Healthy: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise, and get plenty of sleep leading up to the big day.
- Delegate Tasks: Don’t try to do everything yourself. Rely on your bridal party, family, or friends for support.
- Book Early: Like the wedding, start planning your honeymoon early to get the best deals and availability.
- Relax First: Consider waiting a day or two after the wedding before departing to recover and enjoy some downtime.
- Stay Aligned: Regularly check in with each other about decisions and stress levels to ensure you’re on the same page.
- Express Gratitude: Throughout the process, take time to appreciate each other and the effort put into making your day special.