HOT TOPIC: Our experts solve your problems COUNTING THE PENNIES How can we plan the perfect eco-wedding on a budget? Getting started: There are several tricks and steps you can take to plan a sustainable, unforgettable wedding without breaking the bank. Start by making a list of priorities and grab a pen and paper to calculate how much you hope to spend on your big day. Split everything into different categories to get an overview of how much all your wedding components might add up to and check if they fit within your budget. Once you have determined how much you can afford, you will be able to prioritise what is truly important to you. Have you always dreamt of tying the knot in a fairytale-like castle? Place it at the top of your list. Not too fussed about desserts? You can save money on the cake and opt for a cheaper sweet treat to end the banquet. Rings: A wedding ring is what you need, at least symbolically, to actually get married. So it is only natural to want to find a classy piece of jewellery to seal such a special moment in your life. If you are looking for something unique but can’t afford to overspend, think about opting for a vintage wedding ring. The good thing about vintage rings is that they are more sustainable than fresh, contemporary jewellery. This is because you are giving a new lease of life to a ring, rather than consuming a new product. Flowers: From pastel and blushed-tone blooms to rich-coloured, vivacious sprouts, there are many types of flowers you can pick to adorn your ceremony. But if you want to do so sustainably and in an affordable fashion, choose seasonal flowers for your wedding. These are more readily available during their peak-growing season and will reduce the distance they need to travel to make it to your wedding, minimising your carbon footprint. Katie Livingstone-Evans Lowes www.langleycastle.co.uk/en/weddings-for-two A MAGICAL MOMENT Guests of all ages will be attending our wedding; how can we keep them entertained? A magician is a great way of keeping everyone entertained. The younger guests generally enjoy making the magic happen with their own two hands and the older ones like mind-reading tricks, which also amaze the adults. I often treat children to their own magic show while the speeches are happening, leaving the parents to enjoy the day without the distraction of bored children. Martin Duffy www.martinduffy.co.uk www.emmastoszkowskiphotography.co.uk WEDDING WORRIES www.dianemakepeacephotography.com CAPTURE THE MOMENT How can we ensure our videographer is the right fit for our big day? The most important thing is to make sure you have a good relationship with your videographers, as they, along with photographers, will be there throughout your whole wedding day. Meet them over a drink before making a decision. It’s crucial not to hire someone without a prior meeting. We always make it a point to connect with couples beforehand to ensure that we’re a good fit. Videographers have different styles, both visually and in terms of the shooting experience. We focus on creating a fun, relaxed atmosphere to capture your special day and like to get you laughing and having the best time ever. While some videographers may direct more and prefer posed shots, it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Jodie and Davy www.gravityfilms.co.uk www.gravityfilms.co.uk 51 ASK THE EXPERTS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=