I decided to write about “the basics” — a bare minimum perspective on weddings. Surprisingly and perhaps a reflection of how sophisticated or elaborate weddings have become, I got stuck on where to start!
It’s a very subjective thing and you will probably disagree with me I think! I do have a bit of an unusual view on certain things, like for example having a legal marriage certificate — but a fresh perspective is always a good thing, even if you don’t agree but it gives you a few ideas.
I wrote a little list of what you need for a wedding to the optional extras and fripperies you can choose to decorate your day! Here’s a little taster:
The very basics
- Partner
- Recognition (religious or legal acknowledgement)
- Enjoyment / relaxation
The ‘usually required’ list
- Food & drink
Optional extras
… and for the record I did wonder about photography, but we’re talking real back to basics here:
- Photography
- Flowers
- Hen & stag do
- Bridesmaids
And nice things you don’t need!
- Calligraphy
- Favours
- Fireworks
There’s more to each list in the new Get Grounded! section of the website — have a read and use the comments forms on each page to share your thoughts!
Wedding priorities in Get Grounded!
Hello! I’m Claire and this is my 
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Most things in a wedding can be economised, but PERSONALLY I would never skimp on a photographer.
You have memories of course, but a photograph is a forever reminder of that special day, the emotions, things that may have passed you by, the details of the day.
I think a good photographer is vital.
I totally agree Alison, a photographer is almost more important than the food in my view. Your wedding is only one day of your life and so you need to be able to cherish those memories forever. Yes friends and family all take photos but I personally would have been so upset if I didn’t have professional photos from my day. I always get my wedding album out to have a look at on a rainy day or when friends are round and it makes me smile from ear to ear.
A photographer is definitely not something you should cut out of your budget in my view
Beth Lodwick
When I got married I didn’t have a wedding photographer and it’s my biggest regret ever! We had a very small intimate wedding (only 15 people including us). Being a photographer was somewhere deep on the back of my mind then and I just didn’t think about having a professional to document our day. Now I am a wedding photographer, and I’m honestly pulling my hair out when I want to look at our album that we don’t have. So, guys, doesn’t matter how small your wedding is, doesn’t matter how basic you want it to be — get a photographer! You are not just getting a professional service — you are getting lifetime memories that you will appreciate more than anything!
Dasha´s last [type] ..SHEILA AND ASH– 25072010
Saw your post about this via someone via twitter (@willablett) and even though I’m a photographer myself, I don’t think you ‘need’ to have a photographer at a wedding. After all, a wedding can be remembered in the memories of the people who were there and there could be an argument that that is actually a better way to remember it. The reason for having a photographer, in my view, is to preserve that memory in a visual form so that it doesn’t get eroded and distorted over time, as memories often do. And the idea being to capture that memory without enhancing, falsifying or distorting it in the first place.
Not having a professional to take pictures at your wedding is one of the biggest wedding regrets couples have. There are a lot of things you can do yourself, but photography is one of the things in a wedding that lasts much longer than just the day of the wedding.
TJ McDowell´s last [type] ..GPS – The Greatest Technology For Photographers Who Travel