Your London Wedding - September/October 2020 (Issue 73)

TYING THE KNOT We’re having a smaller wedding than planned, how can a celebrant help us make the ceremony extra special for those who can attend? A celebrant conducts a ceremony that has all the elements of a wedding, apart from the legal formalities, which you carry out at your local register office. Having a celebrant means that you can have a ceremony that’s personalised and unique to you – the ceremony you always wanted but never knew you could have. I take your relationship history and turn it into your ceremony, so when you and your loved ones hear it, you’ll instantly recognise the journey you’ve been on together. You can have a bridal party, write your own vows and have religious content, if you wish. You can also incorporate songs and readings that you love and include friends and family in symbolic elements. Your choices are varied and many. For example, you could light a unity candle together, have a hand-fasting, sand-pouring or ring-warming, which is where your rings are passed around your guests to imbue with good wishes. At the end of the ceremony, you can sign a certificate. I’ve been told that my ceremonies are loving, full of emotion, sincere and fun; it also brings me personal joy to create couples’ perfect weddings. Jennifer Patrice | Jennifer Patrice Celebrant | www.jenniferpatrice.com GETTING COMFORTABLE My partner and I are nervous to be in front of the camera. How can we relax on the day? With 101 things running through your mind, it’s understandable if you become anxious. If you’re feeling shy, it can affect how you interact with your photographer and how you appear on camera. Looking back, you’ll want photos that show your loved ones smiling and laughing, as well as romantic couple portraits without feeling embarrassed. The wedding morning can be stressful; hair and make-up has to be perfect and you can’t be late. Before I even pick up my camera, I’ll spend time chatting with you to make you feel at ease. Maintaining that light-hearted approach will enable me to capture beautifully relaxed photos. I’ll always get the newlyweds in a great pose to take some test images. I’ll prompt you to smile and then show you the test images on my camera to help build your confidence and see how great you look. I’ll always make this time a fun experience that you’ll both enjoy. Although I’m an award- winning photographer, I’m actually quite shy myself, and I believe this gives me an insight into how you’re feeling. Edwin Marcow | Edwin Marcow Photography | www.edwinmarcow.com LOOKING DAPPER I want to look suave and wear something eye-catching for my big day. What menswear trends should I look out for? One of the looks we’ve created many times is a cream or ivory dinner jacket with a shawl lapel, paired with black trousers. This originated while throwing around some ideas with Glenn O’Brien of American GQ. He loved the film Casablanca and the classic style of Humphrey Bogart, who wore the same style of dinner jacket. We made the jacket for Glenn, which featured in the magazine. This look is perfect for those who are wanting more formal attire for their big day, but don’t want to go down the usual black- tie route with a traditional black dinner suit. The colour makes it perfect for summer, lawn-style weddings and gives you the flexibility of using the outfit for years to come at celebrations and cocktail parties where you want to stand out from the crowd. Matthew Deboise | Steed Bespoke Tailors | www.steed.co.uk www.edw inmarcow.com Natan Sans Photography EXPERT ADVICE 87