HOT TOPIC Wedding worries Our experts solve your problems MADE WITH LOVE I want to preserve my wedding flowers and give them to my bridesmaids as gifts. Do you have any suggestions of how I do this? Get in touch with your supplier as far in advance as possible to secure your date. A week or so before your wedding, your preservation artist will be in touch to discuss what designs you would like. You’ll then receive information on the postage and packaging of your flowers. This is likely to be the last thing on your mind after your wedding, so nominating someone from your bridal party or a family member to oversee the postage of your flowers will take the pressure off, after all, you’re likely going to be super excited about heading off on your honeymoon. Some brides provide bridesmaids’ bags as gifts the night before their wedding, so why not pop a little note in there to say a thank you gift is being handmade for them with the flowers after the wedding? Once your blooms have been posted, let your preservation artist do the rest. Emma Cross www.encapsulatedmemories.com MOMENTS THAT MATTER What should we expect from a pre-wedding shoot and is it worth booking one? When you mention a pre-wedding shoot or an engagement shoot, I think most people envisage cheesy posing that looks a bit silly and doesn’t feel like them. Dismiss that notion immediately because that’s not what we’re going for! When I book clients in for a pre-wedding shoot it serves three main purposes; we get to know each other and build a rapport before your wedding, we will test out a few different posing ideas so we can see what works for you and what kind of ‘looks’ you like and finally you will have some lovely images to incorporate into your wedding plans. The first two points are (in my opinion) the most important. Weddings are hectic; there are so many moving parts and lots of emotions going on, so if you already know your photographer well, feel comfortable around them (and maybe have a few inside jokes), then it’ll feel less like having a stranger in the room with you. Your wedding day will go very quickly, therefore it can save a bunch of time if you and your partner already know which kind of photos you like and how you’re going to pose. It also makes it way more fun! Claire Roige www.claireroigephotography.co.uk www.claireroigephotography.co.uk COUNTING THE PENNIES We want to book our photographer and were wondering how we can keep the price down without compromising on quality? The first thing you need to do is decide on a realistic budget. You can pay anything from £500 to £2,500 or more. Keep in mind that the most expensive photographer is not necessarily the best and the cheapest may not be the worst. Start by speaking to any friends or family that have recently been married and find out what they paid to give you an idea of the cost. Next, decide how long you would like your photographer to be at your wedding. Do you want preparation photos, a full day up to your first dance, or just to the wedding breakfast and speeches? This can help lower the price. Before reaching out, check out a photographer’s website to see if their style fits what you’re looking for. Remember to send as much information as possible to a photographer when asking for a quote and keep in mind that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is! Paul Davies www.paul-daviesphotography.co.uk www.paul-daviesphotography.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 63
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