Local experts offer stellar advice on wedding dilemmas HOT TOPIC CAPTURING MEMORIES We’re both a bit camera shy and anxious about photos on our wedding day, but we also want a lovely album to look back on. Can you offer us some advice? As a documentary wedding photographer, my main focus revolves around capturing moments without you even realising; this is especially perfect for those who are a bit conscious in front of the camera. I often show my couples the photos taken, which immediately helps increase their confidence. Everyone is much more relaxed a couple of shots later. Most people don’t like having their photos taken, so slowly building selfconfidence is vital to getting perfect wedding portraits. I also offer prewedding shoots where possible, which not only adds an extra comfort level for lovebirds but an additional set of images to add to the album! Robbie Khan | Robbie Khan Photography www.robbiekhan.co.uk RING THE CHANGES With so many different materials available for our wedding bands, how do we know the difference and benefits between them all to make the right choice for our wedding day? Since the bride’s wedding ring metal should be the same as her engagement ring, choosing a wedding ring can sometimes be easier than expected for the bride! However, the groom has a little bit more to choose from. The most popular wedding ring metals are: 9ct or 18ct white gold White gold is a modern twist on traditional yellow gold. It’s made up of lighter alloys and is plated in rhodium, which is what gives it its bright ‘white’ and chrome-like shine. It’s chosen as a cheaper alternative to platinum or palladium, but it does need plating every couple of years or so (depending on the wearer). 9ct or 18ct gold Also known as yellow gold, this metal is very traditional and 18ct gold costs more than 9ct because it contains double the amount of pure gold. A shiny, bright yellow metal that symbolises the light of the sun. 9ct rose gold Rose gold was popular for lavish jewellery pieces in the 1920s, and this blush metal is returning to fashion. Rose gold looks beautiful on those with olive skin because of the pink, rosy tones and it matches other rose gold and yellow gold jewellery pieces very well. Platinum Arguably one of the most luxurious wedding ring metals, platinum is a very sought-after, strong and precious metal. It has anti-tarnish properties, so it keeps its beautiful bright shine without needing to be replated (unlike white gold). Palladium Palladium is a strong, light and durable metal that’s often chosen for its hypo-allergenic properties. Part of the platinum family but a cheaper alternative, it’s more precious than gold or titanium. Titanium Discovered in Cornwall in the 18th-century, titanium has a slight natural grey colour to it. It’s a wedding ring option if you want something light, strong and hard-wearing. Titanium is much cheaper than other metals like palladium and platinum, so it works well if you’re on a budget. If you do a lot of hands-on tasks or work in a manual labour environment, it could be the ideal wedding ring for you! Natasha House | F.Hinds | www.fhinds.co.uk www.robbiekhan.co.uk 78
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