Your North West Wedding- Page number 50 - June/July 2021 (Issue 68)

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY Q –What are the benefits of hiring a DJ and what should we ask before booking? The main benefit of booking a DJ is the fact that you have someone there to play the songs you like. They also have a huge catalogue of music and can provide a sound system and lighting to help create a party vibe. Before booking, ask yourself will you dance all night? If so, choose specific songs and a DJ you really want. If not, opt for a DJ that will please the biggest percentage of your guests. At the end of the day, if your friends and family are having fun, it will keep you smiling and happy. If your loved ones aren’t enjoying the tunes, then there will be an empty dancefloor and no atmosphere. Take your time choosing a DJ. They will be with you for five to seven hours which may not sound like a lot, but if it’s seven hours of music you don’t like, then it could ruin your day. You may want to give your DJ a setlist or at the very least give them your first dance song plus a few favourites, and don’t forget to tell them the songs you don’t like. Make sure you know what you’re getting. Do your social media research, check their reviews, and, if possible, seek testimonials from your venue and friends that may have used them. Most wedding DJs will be getting booked up six to 24 months in advance. If you want the perfect supplier, get organised fast. Wedding entertainment is now in the top 10 things that couples book first. Will the setup match your décor? If you’re spent thousands on making sure your venue looks just how you imagined, don’t scrimp on a cheap DJ with poor-looking equipment, which will ruin the aesthetics of your wedding. Robin Kershaw | Director of DFC Lancashire www.thedfcexperience.co.uk SUMMER LOVING Q – We’re having a summer wedding and want to capture some seasonal photographs. Do you have any suggestions on how we can do this? During the summer months, the hours of daylight are longer, so make good use of it, especially the lighting around sunset, also known as the golden hour, which will create some beautiful warm tones and soft-lit imagery. ♥ Wearing light, airy and flowy fabrics will work well for a summer theme, as well as keeping everyone cool. ♥ Include seasonal items such as parasols, sunglasses and seasonal flowers that will not wilt in the heat, like orchids, sunflowers or roses. ♥ Capture shots of your guests enjoying refreshing cocktails or grabbing a beer from an ice bucket. ♥ If the British weather is on your side, then your big day might be an outdoor celebration. Garden games like croquet, Jenga or even an egg and spoon race will provide a fun and playful backdrop. ♥ Create a dessert station or hire an ice cream van. ♥ As the night sets in, why not provide some sparklers? Stacey Jackson | Photographer www.darklemoner.co.uk HOLD ME CLOSE Q – Is a pre-wedding shoot worth the money, and what should we expect? The quick answer is yes! Lots of photographers will say that they are a fantastic way for you to get to know your supplier before the big day. Pre-wedding shoots can be a great introduction to working together as the last thing you want is someone you’ve barely met popping a camera in your face on your wedding day. The majority of people find having their picture taken a less-than-natural experience, and one of my aims with a pre-shoot is for you to be at ease and to see me as a friend with a camera rather than paparazzi. That aside, what I feel pre-wedding shoots are really all about is the anticipation of the wedding day and celebrating that journey. Like couple shots on the actual day, these are often quiet, romantic moments in the midst of the beautiful craziness of it all. With so many aspects to plan and consider, a pre-shoot can be an excuse to spend some time together building new memories. Choose somewhere special for the location. It could be where you proposed, a view that you both love or a place you’ve been meaning to visit. Treat it like a date and enjoy your time together and most importantly, make it yours! Bring your dog, climb a mountain or toast with your favourite drinks. At de la Mare Creative, pre-shoots are included in all of our wedding options, and so there is no extra investment. If, however, you aren’t quite ready to book your wedding photography – then you can always book a shoot and expect to have fun, spend time as a couple and take some beautiful photographs. Rachael de la Mare | Photographer www.delamare-creative.co.uk www.dar klemoner.co.uk 50