Tips and tricks when planning your wedding day.
Some helpful advice from me covering all aspects of the planning process.We all want your day to be perfect.
If I can help you have the perfect wedding then I’ll do it. In fact, every supplier you choose wants this too. If you’re happy, then we’re happy.
Here’s a fairly long list of helpful advice that will make sure you’re doing everything you can to ensure the planning process, and your day runs smoothly, and without too much stress and sleepless nights
Everything you didn’t know you needed to know!
The most basic thing first. Do you want a city chic, vintage, traditional, quirky or even just simple ceremony in the countryside? – have an idea in your head because it will help you in the long run. As a wedding photographer in north Wales it helps me if I have an idea of what you are planning.
Weddings are not cheap. I guess you probably already know that. Some things you can DIY, some things though you really need to hire the best professionals you can afford. Photographers for instance (yes I know, I am one), do you want to trust this ‘once in a lifetime’ event to the cheapest quote? Same goes for dresses, make-up and even wedding entertainment. The old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ has never been truer.
Yes, before you book anything get wedding insurance. It’s not expensive, and it may just be the best thing ever if you need to claim. Terrible things almost never happen, but insurance is a must!
Meet every single supplier face to face. Either at their studio, office or venue. If you can’t do that, then video calls are a good alternative.
Consider having your wedding ceremony and reception in the same place. A church ceremony is always beautiful, but so are civil ceremonies these days. You’ll save on transport costs and you’re less likely to lose an aged auntie on the way. A great hotel like Wigfair Hall would be an ideal place to do this.
Flower arrangements and bouquets are as individual as you are. Research what you like and visit a few to check out their own styles, and if is exactly what you want. Andrea from Luna Flower says “As an experienced florist we will be able to advise you what flowers are available in your colours and when they’re in season. We’re more than happy to meet you at your venue too, to offer ideas on decorating it.”
If you want to keep a track of all your wedding emails, and keep your regular email account free of it, just set up another dedicated email account. Something along the lines of tonyandanwensweddingstuff @ gmail dot com will do nicely. It’ll help your suppliers too, as they will instantly know it’s from you and it’s less likely to get missed or deleted.
Drones are getting more popular at weddings. As with all things though you need to research this thoroughly. Professional drone pilots have to be trained and licenced to comply with all kinds of regulations. I don’t offer this service, but I can certainly point you in the right direction.
In the morning, when you and your bridesmaids are getting ready you’ll want a great uplifting soundtrack playing. Put this playlist together in the weeks before your wedding so you can really enjoy the build up to your ceremony. As a wedding photographer in North Wales I love music and you’ll find me singing along (yeah, sorry about that).
Wedding days are generally hectic, long, fun, and you’re on your feet most of the time. Those Jimmy Choos looks amazing but you’ll need a change or two. If you’re going off road for some portraits bring a pair of flat shoes or walking shoes (nobody will know if they are hidden under your wedding dress). Flip flops or comfy flats will help you dance long into the night. Your feet will thank you for it.
It’s the groom’s wedding day too. Guys, if you’re not happy with a certain aspect of your day, say so in the early stages, before things get booked. If you’d rather have a relaxed no-jacket look instead of tails and a top hat, then say so.
Don’t micro manage everything! Let the day do what you’ve planned and enjoy it. If little things go wrong it makes for great stories in the future when you think back to your wedding day.
Venues, hair stylists, photographers, make-up artists and videographers all book up really early. You don’t want to leave these decisions too late, and miss out on your favourite.
Opinions are like heads- everyone has one. Be prepared for your family, friends, and even strangers to offer you advice on what’s best for you. My advice is to listen to it with a smile, say thank you (you don’t want to be rude right!) and then carry on with what YOU want.
Why not get in someone who’s been there, done that, and has a proven record in arranging fabulous weddings. They will also be able to give you so many great ideas that you may not have thought of yourself. Plus, they can be there on the wedding day to make sure everything runs smoothly, leaving you to enjoy your day.
If you work with a great wedding planner you won’t need to worry about this bit, but if you don’t, then about a week or so before the wedding you should confirm everything with all of your suppliers and important people. Send an email with your timeline, and your wedding day contact list to everyone involved. Many of your suppliers will appreciate this.
These are a great place to get started. You can have a chat with suppliers without having to make an appointment. If you don’t ‘click’ with them it’s easy to move on to the next one. If you do find someone you like the look of you can make time to see them at a later date and dig a bit deeper into how they can make your day the best it can be.
This is a BIG tip from me, a wedding photographer in North Wales! During the ceremony I want to see your guests faces. So will you in your pictures, not the backs of phones, iPads or other cameras. The easiest way is to ask the ceremony official (vicar, priest, celebrant or registrar) to make an announcement saying that there are to be no photos until the ceremony has finished. Everyone then will be ‘in the moment’ and actually part of your wedding ceremony.
You WILL photograph better if you allow yourself to be guided by someone like Keena Roberts, a make-up professional in North Wales. She explains “Even for those brides who wear little or no makeup on a day to day basis, I always recommend having some applied for the photos.”
If you find a supplier that offers may things you want for your wedding it makes sense to book them all with them, instead of lots of different suppliers. For instance Event lounge in Llandudno offer DJs, a fun casino, photobooths, and magic mirrors. They offer many different packages, all of which means you only have one company to deal with.
If you’re getting married in North Wales, make sure you and your photographer get a chance to make the most of the stunning scenery here. You’ll only need a few minutes, but those minutes will absolutely be worth it. Have a look at some of my own favourite beautiful North Wales weddings RIGHT HERE TO SEE WHAT I MEAN.
It’s not just the bride being photographed and your wedding day. The groom should spend a bit longer on his personal grooming than usual. Get a fresh haircut, treat yourself to a professional wet shave, trim eyebrows if they need it. When you look at your wedding photographs it’ll make that little extra effort seem like a worthwhile job.
This is real life remember, not a Disney film. Things can, and do go a bit wrong sometimes. It can rain, cars do break down, guests can fall over, something can get misplaced. IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD! You’ll still marry the love of your life, and that’s the most important thing. In the end it’ll be a funny story to tell people about in the future.
Lastly, and most importantly, take time during your wedding day as husband and wife to take it all in. A moment of solitude in the hustle and bustle of your wedding day to just enjoy it. Go for a walk in the grounds, tell everyone to let you have a moment alone. It’s your day after all!
PHEW! That’s a lot of advice.
That covered pretty much everything, but if you need any more advice about your wedding planning, please do not hesitate to ask me.