CAPTURE THE MOMENT Jane Stewart Photography (www.janestewartphotography.com) is run by local photographers Sarah and Nigel. We asked them to share their advice for capturing beautiful photographs in the great outdoors. Our personal experience with outdoor weddings has taught us to always be prepared for the weather! We check the forecast a week in advance and then daily (also contacting the couples if things are going to get wet). We always double check with the venue for their rain contingency plans, and if it is going to be showery, we (or the venue) shall use beautiful umbrellas for that cuddling in the rain shot. Never let a drop of rain spoil your perfect day; it could be much more fun than you think! Then there is the full-on but very rare British heat wave! Again, we think about these things. The newlyweds, group shots, guests shading, etc. We contact the venue about shade, parasols, a marquee, access to fresh water and soft drinks close by. There would be nothing worse than having a guest faint, or worse, the bride. We take our research on your venue very seriously indeed. FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Catering is a big part of your day and if you’re having an outdoor wedding, you may want to go for food that suits the environment or time of year. To help give you some advice, we spoke to local catering expert Emma Boubaker from Bayfield Catering (www.bayfieldcatering.co.uk) and asked for her top tips. When it comes to outdoor weddings, there are lots of things to think about and although we rely on the weather to be sunny and warm, it cannot always be amazing sunshine. Two things to think about for the weather are having some shade available, especially for the older members of your party or family, and having parasols or umbrellas at the ready. Consider the time of your ceremony. Lunchtime services outside can be hot, so pre-visit your venue on a good sunny day to see how it feels. Have a backup plan ready if there is bad weather. Our summers here in the UK are unpredictable, so have another plan just in case there is a last-minute change in the weather. Have insect repellent available. At many weddings we have attended, guests have been nibbled at, especially when eating outside. Food and drink wise, as caterers, we always ask for good facilities to cook from. A good catering tent means lots of room and equipment for us to use. Provide plenty of ice for drinks if you do not have a bar. We are happy to organise the ice-and-drink service for you if needed. At some point in the day, the sun will go down, so maybe think about having some firepits ready for the evening and providing some blankets or throws for your guests to use. Last but not least, providing plenty of lighting outside is a necessity. It gets very dark, so lighted walkways to the toilets, bars, or other facilities are a must. www.janestewartphotography.com www.janestewartphotography.com 62
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