Your North West Wedding - December/January 2023/2024 (Issue 83)

MIND-BLOWING MAGIC We will be having guests of all ages attend our wedding, and are thinking of hiring a magician to keep them entertained. What should we look for before booking a supplier? When considering hiring a magician for your wedding, here’s what you should look for: Experience: Check the magician’s experience, especially in performing at weddings. Ask for references and reviews from previous wedding clients. For example, I have over 25 years of magic experience and will use my expertise to help make your big day perfect. Style: Make sure the magician’s style matches the atmosphere and theme of your wedding. Some specialise in comedy, while others focus on illusions or close-up magic. Here at ACMAGIC, I offer a blend of close-up magic and humour that’s sure to leave your guests smiling. Customisation: A good magician can customise their performance to fit your wedding’s unique needs and preferences. Professionalism: Ensure the magician is punctual, well-dressed, and conducts themselves professionally. They should be easy to communicate with and responsive to your questions. Insurance: It’s a good idea to check if the magician has liability insurance, especially if they’ll be performing in a venue with expensive equipment or delicate decorations. Demo or live show: If possible, attend a live performance or request a video demo of their act to get a sense of their skills and how they engage with an audience. Contracts and pricing: Review the contract carefully to understand the terms, pricing, and any additional costs. Make sure all details are clear and agreed upon. Availability: Confirm the magician’s availability on your wedding date and discuss the duration of their performance. Backup plan: In case of unforeseen circumstances, ask if they have a backup plan or a replacement magician available. Andrew Cooper www.acmagic.co.uk CAPTURE THE MOMENT We’re unsure whether to book an engagement shoot. What are the benefits? I advise anyone thinking of booking an engagement shoot to go ahead and do it. Not only are they a lot of fun, but it’s the perfect chance to meet your photographer, learn how they work, and know exactly what to expect from your wedding day. From your photographer’s point of view, it’s brilliant. As much as you learn how a photographer works, we also learn how you work as a couple, how you interact, your likes and dislikes, and everything in between. One of the biggest things about being a wedding photographer is being able to build a strong rapport with your couples. Without a doubt, an engagement shoot is the best way to do this. The more you know your photographer, the more relaxed you are. The more relaxed you are with your photographer, the more relaxed all of your guests will be. The more relaxed everyone is, the better the pictures will be. Another thing to consider is that time can be a huge constraint on your wedding day. Perhaps you want some killer shots in the mountains but don’t want to leave your guests for an hour. Instead, an engagement shoot is the perfect chance to get those shots without feeling like you are MIA for too long on your wedding day. Make the shoot personal to you; perhaps go on your favourite walk or visit your favourite village or town. Your pictures can then be used for invites, displays at the wedding and guest books. Joe Mather www.joemather-photography.co.uk www.joemather-photography.co.uk FESTIVE CHEER How can we incorporate our winter wedding into our photographs? Adding a winter theme to your wedding photos can create a magical and cosy atmosphere. Here are some ideas to help inspire you: Choose a palette that reflects the season, such as blues, silvers, whites, and icy tones. Incorporate winter elements like evergreen branches, pinecones, and snowflakes into your decorations. Use artificial snow or snow spray to create a wintry ambiance. Opt for rich, warm fabrics like velvet, faux fur, and wool for attire and décor. Select blooms that are in season during winter, such as roses, amaryllis, or poinsettias. Serve hot cocoa, mulled wine, or warm cider to keep guests nice and cosy. Give your guests winter-themed favours like blankets or personalised ornaments. You could also add an elegant touch to your décor by incorporating ice sculptures. Sarah Bainbridge www.westviewphoto.co.uk www.westviewphoto.co.uk 60

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