20 Modern Wedding Songs Perfect for Contemporary Couples

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Article by our fabulous sponsors Entertainment Nation; header photo by the magnificent York Place Studios

Ready to throw away tradition, and eschew all those notions of dancing to the tried-and-tested at your wedding reception? New music is emerging all the time – so why stick to what’s already been done on your once-in-a-lifetime day?

If you’re a cutting-edge contemporary couple, or you simply want to make a statement by defying expectations, we’ve put together a list of infectious dance tracks and romantic stripped-back ballads to help inspire your wedding playlist.

From country blues to contemporary pop and dance floor filling house beats, here are 20 modern songs you and your husband or wife-to-be can use to make memories and strut your stuff on the dance floor. They guarantee a night you’ll never forget!

1. Paradise – George Ezra

Your FOOL PROOF wedding photography timeline

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This is a guest article by Jessica Grace Photography. Show her some love with an insta follow @jessgracephoto!

Getting engaged is a beautiful thing. The romance, the excitement. The questions!

Most couples I have spoken to about planning a wedding always say that as soon as you’re engaged the questions start coming thick and fast. Where are you getting hitched? Are you going to have a wedding band? Do you know what colour scheme you are going for? Ever thought about making your own wedding favours? I am going to stop now because the list could go on.

However, I am here to give you a little helping hand and to ease the pressure of planning a wedding. Behold below a wedding schedule that can be used as a guideline for any kind of nuptials that are being planned.

Whether you are having an informal wedding in the woods, a grand stately home shebang or a registry office and drinks at the pub shin-dig – this guideline can be used in whatever planning facility you need. See more...

The BIGGEST regret after your wedding will be… your wedding video

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north west uk wedding videos quality and friendly service by Charlene at Love Gets Sweeter (3)

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A guest article by Lancashire wedding videographer Love Gets Sweeter

It’s true that the biggest regret of newlyweds is NOT having a wedding video. (According to Bridebook 75% of couples go on to regret it)!

Not investing in a professional wedding videographer is the no.1 regret of so many couples, but why?

So yes, I (Charlene) am a wedding videographer and this may seem like a totally biased post so let me share my personal experience too.

We nearly didn’t have a wedding video. We were weeks away and I was getting ever so nervous that we would go on to regret not having our very own wedding video.

My husband, like a lot of us, was very anti wedding video. His comparison was it being similar to a Peter Andre ITV2 documentary having cameras follow us around and annoying all the guests.

For me it was genuinely hating hearing and seeing myself on screen. I hate my voice! BUT, having seen the value in old home movies I hoped I could essentially get over myself so we could have our very own home movie! See more...

Wedding photography can be so old-fashioned. But it doesn’t have to be!

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Reportage and documentary wedding photography - traditions and tips! Martin Beddall Photography (31)

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In 2019, there’s no need to stand still and say ‘cheese’. Have you ever wondered why the registrar will invite your guests up to take a pic of you “signing the register”, or why cutting the cake is such a big deal at weddings? It’s all about the photography, and dates back a generation to the times when wedding photographers had to very carefully capture 12 or 36 images on a film. You could almost count the ‘key moments’ to fit the photos on a roll of old school negatives! Documentary wedding photographer Martin Beddall explains how wedding photography has changed since our parents’ days, and how those traditional moments have become something really quite special in the age of documentary wedding photography.

Weddings have their traditions. Some are even actually old, like the wedding ring or the bouquet. Wedding photography has its traditions too. Or it used to…

In 2019 it really doesn’t need them!

The ‘traditions’ attached to wedding photography date back to an era when the camera technology meant that pictures needed to be ‘set up’ and flashed. “1..2..3, look this way…and smile!” See more...

Does wedding photography need a sense of humour?

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How many wedding blogs make you laugh out loud?

What do you want from your wedding album – a beautifully styled and presented coffee table book? …

…Or a feast of memories of you with your friends and family, laughing, smiling and doing all the wonderful and crazy things you love them for?

Perhaps a bit of both.

wedding photography with a sense of humour York Place Studios

Photographer credit (this image and header pic): York Place Studios

The wedding industry is guilty, to an extent, of portraying weddings as perfectly unattainable dream days. We share swoon-worthy images of styling and design, fashion and beauty, with couples primped and pampered to perfection – more like a vision of heaven than real life – and there’s a danger we’ll lose focus and forget what weddings are all about.

Because don’t you think a wedding is a day to just love to bits? To fill and overwhelm your world view with happiness and companionship and a rollercoaster ride of emotion so bright you’ll remember it forever?

I do. See more...

20 slightly cheesy wedding songs… and why they work so well!

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A lovely marquee wedding in a Sussex village captured by Martin Beddall Photography (50)

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Article by Entertainment Nation; header photo by Sussex wedding photographer Martin Beddall

The world’s most popular music streaming service, Spotify, now boasts over 35 million songs, while the number available for download from the iTunes Store has been rumoured at over 40 million – which sounds like a lot to us! With so much choice when it comes to music, one question repeatedly burns in our minds – why do we keep hearing the same songs at weddings?

Okay, the obvious answer is that they’re really great. There’s no question there! But polls from the last 10 years have shown that many of the old favourites are at last becoming endangered by more recent endeavours in pop, rock and hip hop. We’ll be sad to see some of the classics go – there’ll always be a spot in our hearts for anything by The Rolling Stones and The Beatles – but some won’t be as fondly missed. Y.M.C.A. springs to mind for us… and we’re sure you can name a few of your own! See more...

8 Brilliant insider tips for epic, on-trend 2019 wedding planning and styling

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Same sex wedding styling boho chic festival inspiration - image credit Emma Hall Photography (1)

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Everyone wants a unique wedding – and guess what? EVERY wedding is unique, because it’s all about you! The more personal your big day, the more exciting and different it will be. So that’s sorted! But unless you’re going to just slide effortlessly into a characterful wedding venue which needs no extra decor at all, you might need a little help getting started with styling.

That’s fine. Remember – none of us have planned a wedding before. It’s new to everyone, the first time! And there’s so much information out there, it’s easy to get lost in the world of Pinterest weddings. If you haven’t a clue where to start with styling your big day, maybe we can help out with a few of our favourite ideas to turn any wedding into a stunning, unique and exciting celebration!

Cavokay House Milking Parlour wedding photographers on English-Wedding.com Photo credit Emily Black Photography (10)

Full shoot: Click here
Photography – Emily Black Photography // Props & Styling – The Rustic Dresser // Flowers – Mrs J Flowers
// Table plan – From Sally with Love

Gifts To Give On The Morning Of Your Wedding

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A guest article with words & images by lovely Amanda Karen Photography

Hello again and it’s lovely to be with you today, particularly as I’m talking about treats and surprises for your wedding day. When you’ve spent months planning every detail of your big day, it’s absolutely wonderful to give a little unexpected gift to your partner on the morning of your wedding. There’s something very special about receiving a meaningful and heartfelt present just before you take your vows and from my perspective as a photographer, I love capturing the moment when these gifts are opened. So, if you’re wondering what gifts to give, here are a few ideas for you (and for your partner!).

Gifts that can be worn on the wedding day itself are always, and quite rightly, very popular. For brides, a beautiful ‘something new’ is always going to make them smile. Earrings, bracelets and necklaces are lovely gifts that can be worn long after the wedding day as a gorgeous memento. Similarly, cufflinks make a fab groom’s gift, particularly designer brands or personalised designs that give your wedding date and details. Take a look at Not On The High Street for ideas here. See more...

11 things you need to know to avoid disastrous images and guarantee beautiful photos of your wedding

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Dorset wedding photographers Robin Goodlad Photography (3)

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Choosing a wedding photographer is something you’re likely to be doing for the very first time. Obviously you won’t be taking the decision lightly: who spends upwards of £1k without considering all the options? Even as a wedding blogger I find the different styles and price brackets for wedding photography confusing… and I’ve seen thousands of sets of wedding pics in my time at English Wedding.

So if you’re wondering where to even begin your search for a wedding photographer, or if you’re about to pay a deposit and book someone, I’m confident this article will be a huge help. I first read these tips over on Dorset wedding photographer Robin Goodlad’s blog – and they were just too important not to share with you here today.

I’ve read so many articles about choosing wedding photographers – this one is so thoroughly brilliant even I was like “oohhhhh NOW I get it” – and I’m sure I’ll be sharing it with couples for years to come!

Seven genuine reasons why engagement shoots are brilliant (and pics to prove it!)

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Do you really need an engagement shoot? Here's why it helps, with Robin Goodlad Photography in Dorset (11)

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Spring comes to wedding bloggers in a flurry of engagement shoot submissions and I LOVE it! At this time of year summer wedding planning hits new heights – couples are ordering wedding invitations and booking those last key suppliers, and it kind of feels like summer weddings will be here before we know it! Many of you will be checking in with your photographers and quite possibly having an engagement shoot in the next few weeks. Yay for you if you are – I promise, you’ll love it! Today I’m sharing some advice with those of you who might not be sure if you need an engagement shoot… because I just happen to have seven pretty solid reasons why engagement shoots are brilliant!

This article was inspired by Dorset wedding photographer Robin Goodlad Photography, whose article “Why you really should have an engagement shoot” makes for inspiring reading! All images shown here are by Robin Goodlad. See more...

What to wear for an engagement shoot and other top tips!

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A guest article by Emily Black Photography

Engagement shoots are not only a great chance to get to know your wedding photographer and how they work, they also really help couples feel at ease in front of the camera. Most of my couples really don’t like the thought of having their photo taken and feel a bit uneasy about the prospect of couple shots during their wedding.

What’s great about having a pre-wedding shoot is that you find how just how natural it can be. You can find out what works for you when it comes to poses and we have the luxury of time so I can guide you on what looks great. Then, when it comes to your big day, you naturally fall into the poses that suit you best.

What to wear for your engagement shoot

When you’re choosing your outfits, keep your location in mind. So, if you’re having your engagement shoot in a woodland then you would want to avoid wearing green!

Choosing Suppliers Like You, by Amanda Karen Photography

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brilliant wedding advice by Essex photographer Amanda Karen Photography (1)

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A rather fabulous guest article by Amanda Karen Photography

Hello – I’m so happy to be with you today! Thank you, Claire for inviting me along to talk about a really important element of wedding planning – choosing suppliers. However, what follows probably isn’t what you might expect. This isn’t going to be a checklist full of reminders to ask for references and to check social media feeds. Oh no, I’m about to explain why choosing suppliers is really a whole lot more personal than that.

Let’s be honest, there are lots of wedding suppliers out there so how do you choose? If we’re truthful with ourselves, we choose to work with people we like. In actual fact, it goes beyond that – we choose people who are like us.

Have you found yourself saying ‘we absolutely clicked’ or ‘we’ve got so much in common’ about any of the wedding pros that you’ve booked? Of course you have and it’s because, if you’ve done it right, you’ll have chosen suppliers who are like you. See more...