Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2021 (Issue 88)

We both love photography so, from a photographer’s point of view, what should we be looking out for when booking a venue? Meet the expert: Vicky Lewis is an Oxfordshire- based wedding photographer capturing real and beautiful moments as they unfold. Vicky says: Choosing the right wedding venue can take time because there are many different elements to come together. Here in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds, we have some magnificent venues. Special places that spring to mind are the historic www.caswellhouse.co.uk loc ated in Brize Norton that offers stunning photo opportunities at every turn, including a moat and a manicured walled garden. There’s also access to the landscaped courtyards, pretty gardens, a pond with a bridge crossing it, and open countryside boasting panoramic views. The outdoor Loggia is perfect for summer ceremonies and the charming barns are a romantic, cosy option during winter. The property is the ideal choice for those living an eco-conscious lifestyle because the team generate pure spring water and electricity from solar panels. Another favourite of mine is www.strattoncourtbarn. co.uk, flanked by idyllic countryside with a tree-lined drive. The picturesque courtyard offers wonderful photo opportunities, as does the light and airy barn. Be sure to check out www.witneylakes.com; www.wortonhall.co.uk; www.cogges.org.uk an d www. thetythebarn.co.uk. A venue can give you a great feeling on your first visit but read the reviews and view it at different times, including during the evening. 07748 520 838 | www.vickyphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/VickyLewisPhotography www.instagram.com/vickylewisphotography PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL How can I best prepare for being in front of the camera on my wedding day? Meet the expert: Horatio Blajan is a wedding photographer based in Buckinghamshire. Horatio says: A bridal shoot is a great way of gaining confidence in front of the camera before the big day itself and I offer these for brides or couples together. I also provide albums or prints from these shoots which make a wonderful keepsake. My wife is a certified make-up artist (www.cosminamakeupartist.com) an d can also be booked for studio shoots. If your budget doesn’t stretch to a shoot before your wedding then ask to meet your photographer via Zoom because it’s important to build a relationship early on between you all. Engaging with your chosen photographer sooner rather than later is a top tip because with pent-up demand after the restrictions on weddings, they’ll no doubt get booked up very quickly. Horatio Photography | 07471 098 020 www.horatiophotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/HoratioPhotographyUK www.instagram.com/horatioweddingphotography Meet the expert: Rossana Novella is a photographer capturing timeless, natural images in a relaxed style and setting. She documents weddings and special occasions and also specialises in editorial, portrait and boudoir photography. Rossana says: I offer brides-to-be an editorial-style portrait session in my Berkshire-based studio or an outdoor location. The images can be presented as prints, or framed in a large print, and they make a wonderful memory or a great gift idea. On the actual wedding day, time goes by so fast, so it’s wonderful to be able to capture some images beforehand in a relaxed setting. Why buy a wedding dress that you only wear once! Bring it along and if venturing outside, you could have an editorial-style portrait taken on a beach or in a woodland area, the choice is yours and we will work together to create something memorable. 07789 910 862 | www.rossananovella.com www.facebook.com/rossananovellaphotography www.instagram.com/rossana.novella www.ross ananovella.com EXPERT ADVICE 55