Should I book a second photographer for my wedding?

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This article is by English Wedding member and Hertfordshire wedding photographer Becky Harley Photography

So, you’ve booked your dream venue and secured your wedding date in the diary – yay! What’s next?

Things can be complicated when booking a wedding photographer – firstly there are so many about! First and foremost I think it’s really important to choose someone whose work speaks to you and transports you to a moment, and that you get on with them on a personal level.

Once you’ve found your photographer, some will have various packages and extras that you can book to create your perfect wedding photography package. Today I wanted to talk about second photographers.

Should I book a second photographer for my wedding? Photo credit Becky Harley Photography (9)

You may have heard the term ‘second photographer’ bandied about by some people, but what does it mean, and why would you want to book two photographers?

There are several reasons that booking a second photographer might be a really good idea for your wedding.  See more...

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It’s a MILLION TIMES MORE than just a dress

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On behalf of TDR Bridal, Birmingham

There’s nothing like that feeling, on your wedding day, of wearing your once-in-a-lifetime dress and saying ‘I do’ before all of your family and friends. It’s the most incredible, dream come true kind of sensation – absolute bliss and joy and love. That’s why your wedding dress won’t be “just a dress”. It’ll be so very much more.

A wedding dress represents everything about your wedding. Look at your dress on its hanger when it’s in your home, days before your wedding and you’ll see more than just a beautiful gown. You’ll feel that shiver of excitement, anticipation and even a little overwhelm as you picture the wedding day to come. You’ll look at your wedding dress and see the love in your groom or bride’s face as you walk towards them to say your vows. That dress is about the two of you. It’s about your day and it carries all of the joy in every tiny detail.  See more...

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The -1 year wedding Anniversary: Ideas to Celebrate Your Wedding Date on Lockdown

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This is a guest article from our friends at Truly Experiences

As Forrest Gump’s mother wisely said “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Looking at the current situation of the world, I think you’d agree she’s quite right.

Think back to a few months ago, when you were planning your wedding. Who would have thought that you’d be forced to change your wedding date until next year?

While I know it’s not exactly ideal, I’m a firm believer in another popular saying. “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Just because your wedding isn’t happening on your original chosen date shouldn’t mean you shouldn’t give it the recognition it deserves! Think of it as your ‘-1 anniversary’ – your first wedding anniversary before you’ve even gotten hitched!

Rather than sulking around the house, thinking of the day you’d be walking down the aisle, use it as another day to celebrate your love. Here are some fun ways to celebrate your would-be wedding day on lockdown.  See more...

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Smashing the patriarchy on your wedding day – 18 brilliant tips with photos!

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Not all weddings are created equal, folks… and on your planning journey you can expect to hear some ‘interesting’ opinions about things brides ‘should’ do / have and things grooms ‘should‘ say / wear… because the preconceptions about weddings are HUGE!

Opinions come from all sides: families, the more traditional suppliers, the wedding press (you know, the pink magazines which are all about brides?) – and they’re steeped in tradition. Weddings have so much patriarchal baggage it’s a journey in itself to tackle the preconceptions head on and come up with a day that’s just right for you both – in equal measures!

Smashing the patriarchy on your wedding day is about both of you. It’s about picking and choosing the traditions you’ll keep, and switching everything up to turn the more misogynistic rituals on their heads. Here’s some tips to make your equal wedding super awesome. We’ve dotted this post with some glorious images by super London wedding photographer Jordanna Marston, whose fun, vibrant, alternative wedding photography style fits this theme beautifully. You can check out Jordanna’s wedding portfolio here.  See more...

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Genius tips for your first dance – with real bride + groom photos!

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This fabulous article is by Somerset wedding photographer Simon Biffen Photography

groom epic lift of bride during first dance, image by Simon Biffen Photography

It can be some people’s idea of a nightmare, but for others a chance to cut loose and go wild. The first dance is a wedding tradition that’s not going away anytime soon. There are so many ways that you can tackle this particular moment on your wedding day that I thought I’d share some of the wonderful first dances that I have witnessed, and why they are all perfect in their own way.

So let’s begin with the why. Where did this tradition come from? Turn the clock back a few hundred years and imagine the scene: a grand ball in a fancy stately home, guests from high society gathered and after a sumptuous meal the music begins and two distinguished guests are invited to open the evenings entertainment with a dance. Fast forward to weddings today and the newly married couple are the most important people present and they have the honour of opening the evening proceedings, which has now become a feature of weddings the world over.  See more...

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Covid-19 – a bridal boutique owner’s insight

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As we find ourselves in a situation we could never have dreamed would ever happen, the coming together of the wedding industry has been immense, heartwarming and wonderful. This piece by Rebecca at TDR Bridal is a must-read right to the end, lovelies.

With love,

 

So I had been watching this cruel, incomprehensible disease rage through the world, slowly at first then gaining momentum hoping and praying it would never, surely reach the UK? How wrong was I?

On Saturday 21st March, at the end of a very busy day, I remember looking at my girls and thinking, I can’t honestly say for the first time ever, I’ve got your backs, you’re safe with me, I am doing my best for you.

I went home that night, knowing I had to make a decision, probably one of the hardest I have ever had to make as a Bridal Shop owner, but sometimes doing the right thing can also be the hardest thing.  See more...

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Rethinking your wedding with self care in coronavirus times

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This article is from our friends and #englishweddingmember Truly Experiences
Image credits Westlake Photography – see this sunrise elopement here

As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates and the powers that be continue to enforce social distancing and restrict gatherings, scheduled weddings have become a big question mark for a lot of engaged couples.

Brides and grooms around the world are understandably panicked as they are forced to consider postponing or rescheduling their big day. So many of you are worried about future plans for your wedding; there’s a lot we can learn from the experiences of couples who’ve had to reschedule their weddings from April and May. Now’s the time to (virtually) gather your friends around you for support, and check out our guide to rethinking your wedding in coronavirus times.

1. Remember you’re not alone  See more...

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Overcoming awkwardness: advice from the heart for camera-shy brides and grooms

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If you’re super confident having your photo taken, you can read something else instead. This one’s for the rest of us: we’re just a teeny bit nervous we’ll feel awkward having our photos taken. Am I right? You’d be surprised how many couples mention Chandler from Friends in chats with their wedding photographer… loads of us think we freeze up and go weird in front of the camera. The good news is, that’s not going to be the case for you when you’ve read this blog post. We – ie me and lovely Jordanna Marston Photography – are here for a friendly chat about how YOU can enjoy your wedding day, forget about the camera and LOVE your photos!

Old school wedding photos were all about smiling at the camera. Faces directly to the lens, fixed grin, eyes wide open (no blinking!) and ‘click’! Just enough time for a Chandler-style face-freeze to kick in… But did I say old school? Yes I did – because there’s a BETTER way now. Wedding photography isn’t just about portraits of the two of you. That’s not what you want to remember, trust me! You want to remember your whole day: the guests, the atmosphere and the general vibe of it all… and you want to see yourselves having the time of your LIFE, bang in the middle of it all.  See more...

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The cool couples’ choice: 10 awesome wedding venues outside London

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What’s your fave wedding venue style? Barn or farm? Festival or field? Stately home or grand hotel? Or none of the above? Are you looking for something different – and not just ‘different’ to mean quirky, but different to mean actually unique, tailored to you? Perhaps your dream venue is a little ‘preloved’ around the edges, or an eclectic and creative space? Or maybe your vision is city chic with a slice of urban cool? Whatever your tastes, there WILL be a brilliant wedding venue just waiting for you to discover its charms… and we’ve spent the morning discovering ten of England’s coolest wedding venues for you to fall right in love with. 

Inspired by – and with fabulous images from – our lovely friend and amazing documentary wedding photographer Jordanna Marston Photography. Jordanna is based in Northamptonshire and has the heart of an adventurer, travelling around the UK to capture the coolest weddings for awesome couples like YOU!

1. Walcot Hall

The cool couples’ choice: 10 awesome wedding venues outside London (3)

Where:

Shropshire

We love it for:  See more...

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The hottest tips and trends for epic wedding entertainment in 2020!

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Guest article by Entertainment Nation
Images by Martin Dabek Photography – real wedding here

2020 marks the beginning of a new swathe of trends, and some revivals, as we ring in a new decade. The major wedding trend will be sustainability; something which will likely influence the wedding entertainment choices of the year.

The main thing, trend or not, is to make an impact on your guests with wedding entertainment that stands out, and suits you as a couple.

What we’re seeing, though, is that there are 10 wedding entertainment trends that are proving particularly popular in 2020. Read on to find our top trends for wedding entertainment in the UK this year:

1. Festival-style folk bands

Still riding the folky high brought about by the likes of Mumford & Sons and… well, Mumford & Sons, festival-style folk bands bring a touch of high-energy, summery fun to a family wedding.

Fitting with a more traditional tone, folk bands, with their largely acoustic instruments, will complement the natural tones likely to be found at a sustainability-driven wedding.  See more...

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7 practical and achievable tips for planning an eco-friendly wedding

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A guest article from HeadBox
Header image by Becky Harley Photography – full feature here

With human damage to the environment increasingly under the microscope, more and more couples are planning eco-friendly weddings in a bid to cut down their carbon footprint, and it’s not hard to see why.

According to the Green Bride Guide, the average wedding can rack up a massive 400lbs of waste and a frightening 63 tonnes of CO2 – the same amount that five people would produce in an entire year!

Additionally, research from EventMB and MeetGreen suggests that wedding guests can throw away up to 1.16kg of waste that goes into landfill. As you begin to do the maths on the number of guests you want to celebrate your special day with you, the amount of waste really begins to add up. This all has a severe impact on the environment.  See more...

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60 simple tips for a more sustainable wedding

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We should all be planning a sustainable wedding in the 2020s. Our responsibility to the planet doesn’t stop on our wedding days! So is your wedding goal to be plastic-free, zero waste or just to not have a bad impact on the world around you? Wherever you are on the sustainability scale – and let’s be realistic, we’re not all ready for composting toilets and vegan banquets – we have 60 simple, easy and sustainable wedding ideas which will work for YOU today.

Grab a cuppa, find your wedding planning journal and get ready to plan your little-bit-greener wedding!

1. Keep it intimate!

Sustainable weddings start with a small guest list. Having fewer people travel to your day will cut down on your wedding’s carbon footprint and wastage. And hey, intimate weddings are less stressful to plan and wonderfully relaxed and laid back! What’s not to love?  See more...

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