ESPECIALLY FOR YOU Our wedding planner has suggested we hire a celebrant for our big day, but we’re not sure what the role of a celebrant is. Should we book one and what are the benefits? You may think that the role of a celebrant is to simply turn up, read a script and disappear again once you have walked back down the aisle. Independent celebrants offer so much more than this, which is why your wedding planner has suggested you consider booking one. We are very different from other officiants, and while we cannot create a legal ceremony, we can offer something that the majority simply cannot. We offer you time. Time to meet you, often over coffee, to listen to your love story and to write it into your ceremony so others can enjoy it too. We offer time to get to know you and for you to get to know us. We make time to learn about what makes you tick, to meet your family and friends, and to support and help them overcome nerves. We make time to help you create the words you are about to promise to each other for the rest of your lives. We also make time to research your favourite songs, films and books, looking for creative ways to include your favourite lines in your ceremony. We have no rules or restrictions that you need to abide by and because we don’t tend to take more than one wedding ceremony a day, our time on the day is all yours. We can help with things like wiping down wet chairs, attaching buttonholes and helping calm your nerves. Karina O’Donnell www.celebrant-uk.co.uk www.stevebarberphotography.com CAPTURE THE MOMENT We’re looking for a wedding photographer, but we’re a bit worried about booking someone online that we’ve never met. Do you have any suggestions? It’s ideal to be able to meet with your photographer in person, but if that isn’t possible, then I suggest arranging a video call with them. I find it much more personal than just a phone call. That way, not only does it feel more like we have met, but I can also show you some examples of my work and hear all about your wedding plans. If you have any questions at any point after this initial contact, I am always here, either by email, phone, or video call. I like to build a relationship with my couples as much as possible to make them feel at ease, so that on their wedding day they are relaxed and I can get the best photos of them on the day. Nicola Tulip www.nphotography.co.uk LIGHT UP THE SKY We’d love to have fireworks at our wedding, but how do we find the perfect supplier and what do we need to be aware of before booking? When booking fireworks, you first need to check whether your venue allows them. Secondly, it’s a good idea to clarify if they will allow full-noise or prefer lower-noise fireworks. You can then check with the firework company to see if this is something they can cater for. Venue restrictions, proximity to wildlife and neighbours are always worth considering and any reputable company should be able to advise you or your chosen venue as to what is allowable and at what specific times of year. The perfect supplier should ideally have a great reputation, be able to discuss all elements of a display, or be able to offer you pyrotechnic alternatives where no displays are allowed in the first instance. Do not be suckered into using a company that is happy to do a show for cash; you get what you pay for, and a decent company should be VAT registered and be happy to charge VAT. Adrian Walters www.ajpyrotechnics.co.uk www.nphotography.co.uk 60
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=