NOW THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT We’re thinking of booking our entertainment, but we’re a bit worried about booking someone online that we’ve never met. Do you have any suggestions? See the entertainer live if an opportunity arrives, although most function bands don’t play public gigs. If this isn’t possible, have a video call with the band leader, booker or entertainer to get a feeling about them. That way, you’ll get a more personalised approach, while ensuring you can achieve your dream wedding. You can also ask to see videos of the team performing live to get a taste of what they offer newlyweds. Javier Moreno | Los Amigos | www.losamigosband.co.uk CAPTURING MEMORIES We’re getting married next year and want the perfect confetti shot! What advice can you share? For a stunning confetti shot, always opt for biodegradable confetti such as natural petals or paper confetti. Both are great options for your special day. However, paper is best for photos as it falls slowly, allowing maximum time to capture gorgeous shots. Decide in advance when and where to take your confetti photos. For example, you might like to have confetti thrown as you exit the ceremony, save it until later on the dancefloor, or both! Either way, let your photographer know so they can coordinate your guests and be in the best position to capture the magic. Once your big day arrives, it’s a great idea to set up a confetti station or place confetti-filled envelopes on guests’ seats to encourage everyone to get involved. A handy tip is to remind guests to throw up high and overhead as you walk by so the confetti gently cascades down around them. Above all else, remember to smile, have fun and soak up your special moment. That way, you’ll have the most awesome confetti photos to cherish for life! Anne-Marie Larbie | Proper Confetti | www.properconfetti.com WEDDING NERVOUS I’m getting nervous about my wedding speech as I hate public speaking! What advice can you share with me? Speeches can sprawl quickly when you’re trying to cover so much, making them difficult to follow. When planning your speech, it’s helpful to throw many ideas around but then focus on an overall theme or approach. This could be a personality trait, a great joke or a more heartfelt approach. When it comes to content, remember to keep it clean and universal. By all means, poke fun at your subject with a glint in your eye, but consider who may be present and keep the shaming stories for another time. Similarly, consider what your audience can relate to. No one wants to sit through five-minutes of private jokes they don’t understand! It’s challenging to distil a friendship or relationship into a couple of minutes, but you will be thanked for this – I recommend three to five minutes and no more than eight. The groom or bride can allow themselves longer. A clear, tight structure will help you deliver a brilliant speech and leave everyone wanting more. This is equally important on the day itself; do not go off script and meander through your thoughts. If you lose your place, you can pause and refer to your notes, but do not freestyle and make it up as you go along. I have never seen a long wedding speech that has been well received. Listen and respond to other speeches; this is a slightly harder tip to follow, but it will make your speech seem authentic and give it a place among the celebrations. Rehearse enough so you know the overall structure and points off by heart, and then use notes as a guide on the day. Your speech will feel much more natural for this and help you look up and out across the room. Make eye contact around the room instead of with the floor before you, and don’t read off your phone! My acronym for putting the finishing touches on an excellent speech is body language, speed and energy. Once you’ve written your speech, the crucial next step is to rehearse it so you’re comfortable with your material and delivery. Ensure you rehearse in front of the mirror so you can see how you deliver the speech. Watch for any nervous ticks and what your hands are doing. Remember to keep it slow. We have a habit of speaking fast when nervous, making it hard for our audience to follow. I suggest recording yourself so you can play it back and work out how much to slow down. It’s also essential to allow moments to pause for reaction and to take your breath or a sip of water. To avoid monotone delivery, work out the energy of each section in your speech and practise moving between different registers. This will help keep it exciting and ensure your audience follows along. Matthew Shaw | Sauveur | www.sauveurstudios.com https://markhortonphotos.com https://sarahrookphotography.co.uk www.albertoromano.co.uk 70
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