IT’S PARTY TIME My hubby-to-be and I want to wow our guests with a photo booth. What should we ask before booking? Having a photo booth at your wedding will provide lots of fun and laughter for your guests, and it’s a superb way to record happy memories. Here are some questions you should ask before booking a supplier: What type of photo booth do you offer? Think about what is going to fit into your venue, and tie in with your theme and budget. Also consider how many people you want to accommodate in a photo at any one time. Do you provide attendants? The answer to this question should be yes. You don’t want to worry about having to keep things in order and ensuring the guest book is updated etc. Do you provide props, and if so, can themed props be provided? The quality of props can vary, so make sure you ask to see a sample before booking. Can our photos be personalised with wording and borders? You might want to include Mr & Mrs and the date of your wedding or incorporate a theme or particular colour into the design. What is included in the packages? Check if mileage needs to be added on top of the package price. Keep in mind that you need to make sure everything is set up before your guests arrive, and some companies will charge you for the time that the photo booth is sitting idle e.g. whilst speeches are made, so take this into consideration before committing. Kayleigh and Helen Burgess www.picturethisphotoboothno1.co.uk TIME TO CELEBRATE We’re struggling to find a musician that’s appropriate for our ceremony. Do you have any suggestions? I often get asked about music choices for the ceremony, and I always say that live music is the best. The harp, in particular, can really set the tone for the day in a way that recorded music can’t. It creates a calm atmosphere whilst your guests are waiting, and a live performer is flexible, so they can respond to the situation and keep playing if the bride is a bit late. With a harp, you’re not limited to classical pieces, as pop songs work really well too. I always love learning a couple’s special song for their ceremony, and seeing their guests’ faces as they slowly realise that the tune being played is a familiar one, recreated on an instrument that they’re not used to hearing it on. Be sure to talk to your prospective musician in good time. Find out what their usual repertoire is, tell them any specific songs you want for the big moments, and make sure they understand the tone that you’re going for. Sarah Wragg-Davies www.sarahdaviesharpist.com ESPECIALLY FOR YOU We want heartfelt vows that we will remember for years to come, but we both struggle to put the words together. Do you have any suggestions? Your vows will not only play an important part on your day but are also a reminder of the promises and commitments that you’re making to each other. A good starting point is to think about the type of ceremony you’re having, i.e. is it a traditional religious ceremonies, civil ceremony, humanist celebration or a non-legal wedding ceremony? Churches are more willing to be flexible and will include some personal vows as well as the traditional format, however, the content is at the discretion of the minister marrying you. Many couples are now choosing to have two ceremonies, a legally binding civil ceremony followed by a bespoke service with family and friends, which is led by a celebrant or a person who is special to the couple. When it comes to the vows, think about elements that are important to you both, for example, family or cultural traditions. Start your vows by setting the scene, addressing each other by name and confirming your feelings for each other. Next, explain what you know and adore about your partner, their qualities, how they inspire you and the characteristics that you love. Thirdly, what is special about your relationship, and what distinct things do you share? Think about what promises you want to make to each other, go for a minimum of four and a maximum of six and mix up the serious promises with playful ones. My advice is to then move onto the visualisation of your marriage. What will you do for each other? How will you help each other through challenges? What will this look like? Lastly, finish your vows with a confirmation, a traditional blessing or a simple declaration to each other. This could even be your favourite words from a song, a book quote or your favourite poem. Vow writing can be tricky, however if you follow this format, you will soon find that the words begin to flow. Adam Doyle www.thewritingforge.co.uk www.christopherlewisphotography.com 46
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