Your West Midlands Wedding- Page number 58 - June/July 2021 (Issue 74)

HOT TOPIC: we din worrie Our experts solve your problems SUMMER LOVING Q – We’re getting married next July and are hoping to book our florist. What flowers and colours are popular at that time of year? July is when British grown flowers really hit their stride, so if you’re looking for seasonal blooms, there is a lovely variety to choose from. Most colour schemes are easy to accommodate, whether it’s a classic cream and blush or a festival wedding in bright jewel tones. One hue that can be a bit tricky is blue. Many flowers tend to be on the lilac spectrum rather than a true blue, but in July, you may be able to get blue Nigella (Love in a Mist) and agapanthus. In recent years, I’ve seen a resurgence of colourful weddings, but restrained pastels haven’t gone away either, so like every other aspect of your wedding, you’re free to do it your way. Sadly peony season will be over by July, but there are so many other options. British grown flowers naturally available include roses, snapdragons, sunflowers, cosmos daisies, dahlias in every shape and colour (except blue!), lavender, sweet peas, and this is just a fraction of the loveliness available. Any good florist can advise you on what will suit your style and colours. Don’t worry about being an expert on flowers - that’s what they’re there to help you with! Carole Patilla | Florist | www.tuckshopflow ers.com COUNTING THE PENNIES Q – We want lovely photographs but are limited by our budget. Do you have any suggestions on how to save money? Start by finding a photographer within your budget. Average wedding photography for a full day can be around £1,200 in the UK, so plan your budget accordingly to ensure you get the best. Book early. Photographers usually have an early booking discount if you contact them a couple of years in advance. If you find a suitable photographer, but they’re out of budget, ask them to reduce the coverage. For example, instead of covering from preparation to the end, you can ask them to cover from the ceremony up to the cutting of the cake. Less time means there will be fewer photos overall and should therefore be cheaper. Another way to reduce the cost is to ask for an online gallery rather than a printed version. It can save up to £500, depending on the album prices. Most photographers offer a discount to couples who have been referred by previous clients. Daniel Raad | Photographer | www.raadphotography.com www.sara lejon.com PLANNING SOS Q – Our wedding has been postponed due to COVID-19, and we need to book a new photographer. What do you suggest we ask before booking? We’ve all had to adapt and be more flexible after so many postponements. If you have no choice but to move your wedding date, most photographers should be happy to reschedule, providing they’re available. Here are a few key questions to ask: ♥ What is your policy if we’re required to postpone our wedding due to the pandemic? ♥ Will there be any changes in price if we are postponing to the following year? ♥ What is your policy regarding deposits in the event that you’re not available on the date we would like to postpone to? ♥ It’s also important to check what the photographer’s backup plan is if they were to fall ill on your wedding day. Like myself, most suppliers will have a network of fellow photographers that they can contact if they’re unable to shoot your wedding. ♥ When you’re ready to book, your photographer should send you a contract to complete. Always read the content carefully before signing, and don’t worry about asking any questions if you are uncertain about what the terms mean. Charlotte Mail | Photographer www.charlottemailphotography.co.uk 58