HOT TOPIC Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas CHANGING SEASONS Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding editor Olivia Gibson says: Autumn, my favourite season, is a time of immense beauty and relief as summer bids us farewell. The perfect blend of a cooler climate with pleasantly warm days, often extending into September, makes it an ideal time for weddings. The changing colours of the leaves, the crisp air, and the anticipation of the festive season all add to the charm. Sure, your classic burnt orange with brown tones is a wonderful palette for this time of year, especially when you combine it with the ohso-on-trend Pantone’s Colour of the year, Peach Fuzz. But what about thinking outside the box a little? I love a dark, rich red or burgundy highlight with blush and sage green. Or go for this year’s trend of going all-out vibrant with bright, zesty orange annd hot pink. Either way, considering the colours of nature at this time of year is a great place to begin. Pair with oh-so romantic candlelight (venue permitting) with candles in your chosen colours for a magical ambience. There are a few practical pointers you’ll need to consider during this season too, particularly if you’re looking at the latter part towards November. Naturally, the nights drawing in and the clocks going back in October mean you’ll have less natural daylight to play with. Consider opting for an earlier ceremony time to embrace more of the great outdoors. Also, chat with your photographer so you know what to expect when heading out and about for your couple shots. The good news is that autumn typically means duller conditions, which, contrary to what you might expect, is preferable for photographers who have less of a challenge regarding the glaring sunshine and squints of their subjects. There’ll also be more opportunities for glorious dusk and sunset pictures, so devise a plan to make the most of it. Presumably, you’ll have chosen the autumn season aware of the unpredictability of the weather. Not that Britain’s weather is ever predictable; we can indeed experience all four seasons in one day! So, embrace it and go with whatever the conditions give you. Pack an elegant umbrella prop in case of rain and picture amazing veil shots in the wind. If you want to chance an al fresco ceremony, do it! Everything will be well if you’re well-armed with an indoor plan B. With said weather challenges comes the additional consideration of what to wear. If it’s likely to be chilly when you head outside, this is a great excuse to bag one of those funky painted and personalised bridal denim or leather jackets. I’d like to tie the knot in autumn just to wear one! Similarly, remember that your guests are likely to turn up in coats, so ensure your venue can offer a cloakroom so they’re kept from being slung over your chair backs, ruining the look of your reception hall. PICTURE PERFECT How do we choose the perfect photographer for our wedding day? Choosing the perfect wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions for your big day. After all, the photos are the lasting memories you’ll cherish forever. Your photographer should be easy to talk to and available whenever needed. They should understand your vision and proactively plan the shots you want. A good supplier will take the time to understand what you like and don’t like. They should be flexible and willing to incorporate your ideas into their creative process. Weddings often involve wrangling large groups for photos. Your photographer must be skilled at organising people efficiently and engaging with you and guests. This ensures that photo sessions are stressfree, fun and lively, capturing genuine smiles and candid moments. A creative photographer will suggest fun and unique ideas for your photos, helping to capture the spirit of your wedding. They should know how to maximise your venue and the available light. Your wedding is a celebration, not a photoshoot. Choose someone who can organise shots quickly so you can spend more time enjoying your day. The best moments of your wedding day often happen spontaneously. A great photographer is attentive and always on the lookout for those special, unscripted moments that truly capture the essence of your day. This skill sets apart a good photographer from a great one. Howard Chin | Chins Images | www.chinsimages.co.uk Unsplash via Danie Franco www.chinsimages.co.uk 77 ASK THE EXPERTS
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