You are getting married yay! But now you are left with the task of choosing a wedding venue, photographer, make up artist you’ve basically become a badass boss on the hunt for amazing people to make your wedding vision a reality right? Thats a lot of researching and reading the same spill on websites and honestly when I was planning my wedding it all become too much. Cue streamlining and simplifying things.
Organising a wedding is like having a second job, I totally hear ya! And before you know it the day has arrived and it’s gone in a flash and what’s left from the day and all the planning? Besides a partner for life is your photos. So make sure you choose with your heart on this one because photographing emotions, preserving those feelings takes skill.
You are likely to missed so much on the day being pulled in various directions so having someone there to document those behind the scenes moments from the day will honestly make you feel like you are getting married all over again only this time in the comfort of your home and in your loungewear. Just promise you will print your images and have them allover your walls!
Part of our journey is hugely based on friendship, I like people and enjoy being around people so learning about each other for me is essential gimme the nitty gritty. It’s important to feel comfortable and that works both ways.
I have put together a top tips guide focusing on mindset and mindfulness so you as a couple can embrace the whirlwind that is organising a wedding whilst still enjoying the process. Cos lets face it weddings can be stressful so its important to surround yourself with suppliers who are simply more than a supplier but an experience in themselves.
Remember to breathe.
embrace the chaos and have an adventure.
So lets get to it here are some helpful tips that easy to implement.
I am sucker for stationary especially a planner but then I never use the planner I know I know, I am an official wombat even my child gave me a certificate and everything. But on this journey of buying all the things I thought I needed for a wedding I discovered actually all I need is checklist and somewhere to store links/bookmarks bring me my phone!
When searching for suppliers ask yourself and your fiancé what is most important to you? Give yourself 3 keywords for each supplier category each to focus on see if any of your words match up. For example - Venue my keywords were accessibility, barn and vibe. My husbands was abroad, fun and cost somehow we are a match but ya know opposites and all that. However we took the word fun and vibe and well decided to elope. But these keywords will help you focus yourself on what’s important to you both for your big day.
Another example photographer - friendly, informal, creative
By focusing on those key features it will half your searching journey trust me. You can gauge pretty quickly if the supplier/venue fit with your aesthetic and their website is usually a good indicator. You want a client experience with your vendors after all you are relying on them to help with the vision of your day.
Be realistic in your budget bride book have a useful tool for couples which show average prices for vendors/suppliers. Photography isn’t just a case of turning up and taking pictures it really is an experience and a lot more than just pressing a button. I recommend listing in order what is truly important/essential to you.
Book in some you and fiancé time as you can imagine planning and organising a wedding brings out a whole new level of stress and I mean that in the kindest way possible, down time is a must with no wedding talk. You heard of a mini moon before your actual honeymoon well use that notion and have a mini escape and hang out with your fiancé and no going to a wedding fair isn’t the same as hanging out.
Book in an engagement shoot. I have one included in my full day package these are lots of fun and its an afternoon with your person with some lovely images of your both which can also be used as save the date cards. Completely unposed and just a little insight into your love story. These take place in and around Kent. I particularly enjoy woodland portrait photography sessions.
Get yourself a wedding planner/coodinator it will take the stress out of the day but also the lead up to the day. Most venues have a coordinator make sure you have them onboard to help the day run smoothly.
Wedding fairs are great and useful but also an overwhelming experience (make sure you book in a meal/treat afterwards). Now you might find your perfect supplier at one of these events after all it is a meet and greet experience. Reach out to suppliers schedule in a zoom call or go and meet in person if thats an option.
Family politics - ask yourself this do I want to someone there who I haven’t seen in years just to please family members? The answer is only if YOU want them too.
Book your important suppliers asap if they aren’t available on your date ask them if they would recommend anyone who would fit your vibe.
Don’t leave the little details to last minute - diy wedding? get your peeps involved and make a day of it crafting and throw in a little party afterwards - Gin, glitter and stationary = heaven.
I have a wonderful photoplan template I like to send my couples leading up to the day containing a timeline which really helps them visualise any gaps in the day.
“Taking the camera shy vibes and turning them into photography epic-ness - effortlessly ”
And I repeat and will say it over and over again - the one thing I say to my couples is schedule in some alone time during the day and get those canapés to go. After the ceremony you will hardly spend anytime with each other besides your portraits session which is where I like to bring my romantic A game. Prompts and bringing back the feelings of the day. I also tend to take the Micky out of myself.
Have a day/morning/afternoon whichever works with no phone if anything it will help prepare you for on the day when usually your phone isn’t to hand. If having a phone to hand on the day is essential then have a wedding dress with hidden pockets - seriously best idea ever! or simply designate/given a contact number for someone who will be with you and your partner during prep.
Talking of dresses - once you have found the one, make sure you sit down whilst trying the dress on - you’ll thank me on the day.
The wedding dress should fit you, not you fit into the wedding dress - if needs be get a seamstress. I don’t advise being uncomfortable all day by wearing suck everything in pants. Embrace your body and eat that cake!
I am a body positive person and fully embrace that mindset on the wedding day. I understand the pressure you may face surrounding losing weight, dieting, all to fit in that dress for one day. Thats a lot of pressure to put on yourself and the diet culture and targeting brides is outrageous and should be banned.
I go to every wedding with a sewing kit, pain killers, gel heels basically a mini self care kit I highly recommend having something similar either for bridal prep or in the toilets for guests.
Practice asking for help - daunting I know but its okay to say I need some help, also at the same time having boundaries set in place you can say ‘NO’. You are not here to please everyone you are here with one goal in mind and that is to get married your way.
Let your speeches come from the heart - please don’t use google as a template as a photographer I have heard similar speeches numerous times and its not a copy and paste job. I am true supporter in both couples saying some words - consider doing it before you eat so the tables look lovely in the photos strongly advise you do not do speeches between courses urgh!
It goes without saying but be kind to yourself, embrace the storm and go on an adventure instead. Look chaos in the eye and tell it to F off. Bring the vibe, if you are enjoying yourselves then your wedding guests are enjoying themselves, happiness, laughter is infectious and will add to the day knowing everyone is having fun. SO bring the ViBE.
You can never have too much confetti. 100% the only time where less is more isn’t an option.
A professional wedding photographer is ALWAYS going to be worth the investment. You will never regret investing in your photography. Being based in Kent I have been to some amazing weddings, I have a few favourites and lucky enough to be on their recommendations list. a few are Winters barn, Hayne house, Chapel house estate and Crown lodge all stunning wedding venues in Kent.
Bring the vibe
smile so hard your cheeks ache.
Play and have fun, let your inner child venture out, weddings don’t need to be stiff no matter how you get married be it formal, relaxed, diy, destination just be yourself be silly, soppy, belly laugh and do it all with your favourite person.
Well I hope this was helpful. and if you want me for your day please get in touch
