Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 82)

DESIGNER LOOK I really want a showstopping bouquet for my autumn wedding day. What blooms do you suggest?  Danielle says: No matter your overall wedding theme, autumn and winter floral decorations have come in to their own in recent years, no longer over-shadowed by the popular summer nuptials! Enhance a rustic wedding day with a wild-looking bouquet of textured grasses, or wildflowers that look straight out of a field. Soft, muted hues will never lead you astray either, no matter the time of year, but don’t be afraid to branch out of the typical autumnal palette: bright red, orange, and yellow blooms all make for major head-turners, and you can even pare them down with greenery and pastels for a sleek seasonal contrast. Whatever design you opted for, big and over-flowing, or structured and demure top off the look with a piece of velvet ribbon - perfecto! Consider: anemone, aster, astilbe, carnation, chocolate cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, freesia, gypsophila, hydrangea, lilies, lisianthus, orchids, ranunculus and roses, asiatic lily, celosia, orange gerbera, purple alstroemeria, calla lily, chrysanthemum, disbud, leucadendron. Danielle Harvey | Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding editor | danielleh@county.wedding PERFECT MATCH What’s your top tips for finding the right wedding photographer for our wedding day? Tonja says: I frequently look at online wedding forums to better understand what is important to couples. The main and very pertinent questions seem to be ‘How to choose..’ and ‘What is a good price…’. Most importantly you need to find a photographer you really trust! You need to ‘click’ with a person; after all they will accompany you throughout an emotional and unique day and whilst offering you a professional service, they should also feel privileged to be with you. Your trust will be based on considerations like how well they respond to your wishes and expectations. You will also want to check the photographers’ portfolio, to make sure they deliver the style and quality you want in the time available on the day. After all, you should spend the day with your guests, not the photographer. Additionally you will want to know about details like the equipment used, insurance, service/products on offer and professionalism. It’s also really important that the photographer is not a ‘one man band’, so you can be assured that your photographer can provide an equal replacement, should he/she be unable to attend. To that extent, you should always be offered a contract that spells out what they will be providing to you. It may seem bureaucratic, but it will ensure clarity and manage expectations and above all, avoid misunderstandings and disappointment. And what about the budget? This is an emotive subject, no doubt, and also a very personal one. I’m always worried when I see requests on the forums for a full day coverage for a very low price, that deal that seems too good to be true. The photographers offering those deals will have to operate well under the minimum wage. Everyone is on a tight budget and it is well worth shopping around. Be realistic though and consider what you are asking for. It may be a low cost, but are you confident that you are going to get those images that will remind you of a fabulous day for years to come? The truth is, wedding photography is an investment. If the overall cost seems a bit out of your range, consider asking for payment options, as spreading the cost might help. Never hesitate to discuss the cost with your photographer, they will understand your concerns. Lastly my top tip; make a scrapbook to show your photographer with images you like, wherever you find them. It will give them a good idea of what you are after. Don’t hesitate to speak to your photographer repeatedly about what’s worrying you, so they have a chance to help with any questions. Tonja Fritz-Johnson | WPW | 07876 293 377 | wallingfordportraits.co.uk 84