DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY What style of music would you suggest to please everyone? Include all genres on your wedding day, from soul and Motown to funk. Spice it up with house music and nu-disco for the under 40s. If you add in some current chart pop music, everyone will be happy and dance the night away. Simon Levi www.simonlevisax.com Getty Images CAPTURE THIS We’re clueless when it comes to photography; is there a list of shots we should ask our photographer to capture? Absolutely! While every event or occasion is unique, there are some common shots that you can ask your photographer to capture. Such as wedding prep, guest arrivals, important details like family heirlooms and key moments like cake cutting, speeches and first dances. If any special activities or traditions are happening during the event, tell your photographer about them so they can capture those moments. These are just suggestions, and it’s important to communicate your specific preferences and requirements to your photographer. Discussing your vision and any specific shots you have in mind will help them understand your expectations and capture the moments that are most important to you. Joni Rogan www.iloveyouthirteen.com www.iloveyouthirteen.com THE GREAT OUTDOORS What are your top tips for planning an outdoor wedding? Probably the biggest challenge you’ll face when planning an al fresco wedding is – all together now – the weather! But if you plan, plan, and plan some more, you’ll find ways around it, while still having the best open-air celebration you could wish for. Make sure everyone’s adequately informed. When you send out your invitations make sure you’re clear which parts of your day will be celebrated outside, so that guests know to make their own arrangements, in terms of attire and protection. Keep an open line of communication with your suppliers too and collaborate with them on wet-weather backup plans. For example, at which point will you be prepared to make the decision to take it all inside? Who is going to be responsible for moving the whole shebang? Check on the access to your venue. If you’re tying the knot in a field, is there parking nearby? Are there accessible roads and paths to get to you? If not, have a think about how you can overcome these challenges. Perhaps you need to lay on extra transport from a local car park for example. Also, think about accessibility from a point of view about any less able-bodied guests you may have coming. Sound tends to drift away in the open air, so make sure you have all the tech in place to ensure everyone can hear you as you say, “I do.” You’ll also need to check with the venue whether there are any restrictions on late-night music, as you don’t want to be disturbing the local wildlife or residents! Also on the tech front, do you have all the creature comforts in place such as loos and generators? Have a think about what cover you want to provide for you and your guests. This is, of course, crucial for the comfort of all, not only in terms of wet weather protection, but also from the sun – we’ve had some scorchers in recent years. Once you’ve settled on a vibe for your nuptials, this should all become clear. An elegant, lined marquee is ideal for a classic wedding, whereas a tipi is the perfect choice for a boho or rustic vibe. When it comes to styling, really look at your setting and plan ways in which you can complement it with your theme. Nature can do an incredible amount of heavy lifting on this front if you strive to work with it, rather than against it. Melissa Cullen – Editor of Your North West Wedding www.yournorthwest.wedding 52
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