Your Herts & Beds Wedding - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 78)

Enjoy your dream day with our expert advice HOT TOPIC MOMENT FROZEN IN TIME Q: I want romantic shots of my new wife but I’m very awkward when having my photo taken. How can I achieve a natural set of images? My best advice is take a walk with your new wife and chat, this allows for a beautiful natural photo, no-one will be asking you to smile so you can relax and appear happy without prompting on your wedding day. Whilst I always take shots after the ceremony of you both, my favourite time is golden hour, which is the hour before the sun sets. Julia West | Julia and You | juliaandyou.com SAY ‘ I DO’ Q: We want a non-traditional wedding and my friend mentioned about a celebrant being a good idea, what are the pros to having one on our big day? There are many pros to having a celebrant-led wedding, particularly if you’re looking for something highly personal, different and with the wow factor. The reason being that there are simply no rules in place surrounding location or content. This is because a celebrant in the UK is unable to perform the legal marriage part (declaratory and contractual words that must be said and the signing of the register). Take out the legal aspect and you’re left with all the good stuff including the ceremony, the rituals and anything you want to add or take away.  You can pick any location, time, content and structure to suit your dream wedding – however that may be! The legal bit is done on a separate day at the registry office with just you two, your witnesses and the registrar, it’s simply a formality to register your marriage.  As a celebrant I write every wedding ceremony from scratch after meeting each couple and getting to know them and their needs. We will be in frequent contact throughout the process and you couldn’t ask for a more personal way to show your love and declaration to each other for the rest of your lives. Kelly Hawes | Kelly Hawes Celebrant | kellyhcelebrant.co.uk johnwoodwardphotography.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 101