Your Sussex Wedding - October/November 2020 (Issue 87)

HOT TOPIC Local experts offer stellar wedmin advice www.fionamillsart.com. WHEN THE STARS COME OUT What are your suggestions for creative night-time shots? The first point of call is to look at the environment for slithers of ambient light that can be used to create a scene. During the consultation stage, I get an idea of any themes and styles that can be brought into the image to complement the couple’s vibe for the day, and creatively use what’s around me to create images to reflect that. In my camera bag, I carry a variety of external light sources that I can use to bring more light into a scene if required, and smoke can also enhance the atmosphere of a darker scene. One of my couples’ wedding took the theme of The Walking Dead , so we re- created a car park scene for them using the cars as props and posing of the bridal party to mirror the scene from the series. There’s a particular moment as the night draws in called Nautical Dusk, which is the ideal moment to head outside as the sky becomes the most beautiful deep, dark blue. Any later and the sky texture is lost in the black sky. Another firm favourite is the sparkler exit – everyone loves to get those sparklers lit and celebrate the newlyweds as they leave the venue. Fiona Mills, www.fionamillsart.com TREASURED MEMORIES I’d love to keep a memento of my bridal bouquet. What are the options and can you explain the process? Your flowers are such an important part of your big day and to be able to keep the actual blooms afterwards is something that so many people love to do. Whether it’s taking one single flower and creating a paperweight, or having your whole bouquet preserved and designed to sit in a bespoke box frame, it’s a beautiful memento to keep forever. Ideally the flowers must be received within a couple of days after the event, whilst they’re still fresh. They’re then photographed before the bouquet is carefully dismantled, and all the flowers and foliage preserved in 3D. After several weeks you’ll be invited to choose your design and frame. Working with your ideas, colour theme and budget, an individual design can be created just for you. Marina Hudson, www.actualflowers.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 69