Your Herts and Beds Wedding - June/July 2020 (Issue 80)

GET THE PARTY STARTED Q: What should we take into consideration when booking a DJ for our wedding?  We’d recommend that couples select a wedding DJ that can demonstrate that they’ll take your day seriously. There are many part- time DJ’s and start-ups out there that may not have the experience or investment in professional equipment to pull off your event. Take time to review their social media or website and arrange a meeting with them so you can feel reassured. Equinox-Storm offers a free studio visit where you’ll meet your DJ, view a picture portfolio, discuss options and experience a live sound and light demonstration so that you leave feeling confident that your wedding reception is in capable hands. It’s important to receive a contract detailing what you’ve booked, make sure that your supplier has Public Liability Insurance and their equipment is PAT tested – these will be requirements of your wedding venue. Never just book the cheapest option, like any other industry, the cost of a DJ varies and so does the service, delivery and ability to perform. If you were having a small gathering for a regular party you may go for a cheap to a medium option, but for your wedding day, you should consider a premium service. As a DJ company, we’ve seen a growing trend in couples wanting to decorate their venues to improve the look and atmosphere for their big day. Our wall drapes and twinkle backdrops help to achieve this and are extremely cost-effective and when coupled with our mood lighting system; Venue Alive can transform a venue and wedding reception. By combining the DJ and décor services you can save money. Gary Huggan | Equinox-Storm | www.equinox-storm.com www.mikebrownphotographic.co.uk SETTING THE TONE Q: I’m so excited about our wedding and want to ensure everyone can make it. When’s best to send out invitations and what tips can you share when it comes to creating a bespoke design? Sending wedding invitations at the right time can be a tricky business! At Pink Peony Weddings, we recommend approximately four months before your wedding date. This allows guests enough time to make accommodation, childcare and travel arrangements but doesn’t give them too much time that they think to themselves ‘oh we have loads of time to return RSVP, I’ll do it another day’ and then completely forget! However, if you’re planning a wedding at a peak holiday season time and on a Saturday, you may want to allow a little more time, somewhere between four to six months. This is where save the dates sent approximately nine to twelve months before can save some worry as gives people lots of time to avoid booking any clashing events! When creating a bespoke design, we always advise our couples to think carefully about their personalities and style of wedding, such as glamorous and sophisticated or fun and quirky. Invitations are the first thing a guest receives and gives a suggestion of what the wedding will be like, so we believe it’s important it reflects the couple. Knowing what you don’t like is as important as knowing what you do. Do some research of the style you’re after to help guide the designer, but ultimately remember they’re experienced, and you should trust them to create a design you’ll love! We particularly love creating individual designs for couples and get very excited when asked to include things like their horse or the groom’s car! So, think if there are any particular defining and recognisable characteristics to you as a couple for a truly special design. Kelly Simmons | Pink Peony Weddings | www.pinkpeonyweddings.com  www.perfect-timing-photography.com CAPTURE THE MOMENT Q: Tying the knot in winter is exciting but I’m worried because it gets dark very quickly, what are the must-have shots?  It’s important to get organised when planning your winter wedding, daylight is limited as the sun sets much earlier. During the summer, I usually do my group photos of the bride and grooms’ family after the ceremony and leave their couple portraits to a later time when the sun isn’t too high in the sky. Taking your photos during that golden hour is ideal. For winter, I suggest you do your couple portraits straight after the ceremony during your drinks reception. You can then fit in any formal group shots you would like after. Even if the weather is bad and you’re doing your photos indoors, getting that natural window light always beats images using flash in my opinion. Once your portraits are done, getting images of your bridal party, immediate family and closest friends are the next important step. Pictures of the venue and décor can be done when the photographer can fit it in, whether that’s during your bridal prep (if you’re getting ready there) or just before you arrive at the venue. Jessy Papasavva | Jessy Papasavva Photography www.jessypapasavvaphotography.com 92