Your South Wales Wedding - January/February 2025 (Issue 101)

45 OUTDOOR WEDDINGS PICTURE PERFECT Outdoor weddings look stunning in photographs. To help you get the most out of your day, we asked local photographer Christopher Bassett from The Life Lens Weddings to share his advice (https://thelifelensphotography.mypixieset.com). British weather is unpredictable at best, but that doesn’t mean your big day can’t be amazing. A tipi or a clear marquee will save the day if it chucks it down or the sun decides to bake everyone. Plus, it keeps the vibe cosy while still showing off the views. Treat your guests to brollies, blankets or hand fans. Practical and Instagram-worthy – what’s not to love? Time it right and avoid the midday scorch or drizzle. Late afternoon or early evening weddings usually give you the best light and happiest guests. A bit of prep goes a long way towards a stress-free, weatherproof celebration! Why fight against the great outdoors when it’s already dropdead gorgeous? Keep it natural: Rustic wooden furniture, twinkling fairylights, and flowers that look freshly picked (even if they’re not) are all you need. Nature’s doing most of the heavy lifting here. Golden hour magic: Schedule some photos just before sunset. That warm, dreamy light makes everyone look like the leads in a romantic film – no filter needed. Fun and games: Break out some lawn games, acoustic tunes, or a firepit for toasting marshmallows. Because nothing says ‘best wedding ever’ like a bit of s’mores action under the stars. An outdoor wedding is all about relaxed, fun vibes, so let the setting shine and your guests will too. https://thelifelensphotography.mypixieset.com https://thelifelensphotography.mypixieset.com DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY If you have your heart set on hiring a DJ for your outdoor wedding, then there are several things you need to take into consideration. To help, we’ve asked June Gould (DJ June Cecilia) from SGDJ Weddings (www.sgdjweddings.com) for her advice. In order to give you the best advice, I would need to ask questions regarding your venue and what the area is like. How level is the ground and how dry is it? If the weather is changeable, will there be any shelter provided? I would always recommend a plan B, as this is the UK, and we have the most unpredictable weather of anywhere! How large is the wedding space? Are you planning to let guests wander freely over a wide space, or do you plan for them to stay together in the same area? This may determine the provision of equipment. If you’re planning to have connected outdoor spaces, will the sound reach the different spaces? Is there a mains power supply that will reach, or will the DJ need to source power? Generators can be noisy and smelly, but there are battery packs that can be bought or hired. The battery life might have a limited time, so if no mains power is available, the length of the DJ service that can be provided could be limited. Keep in mind that some battery-powered speakers will last a good while after charging. If you’re having an afternoon into the evening or twilight reception, then the lighting that can be provided will be important. Batterypowered lights can last for a good number of hours. Are you looking for a specific vibe? Remember that your music will play a big part in that. www.unsplash.com/@srosinger3997 www.unsplash.com/@andozo www.unsplash.com

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=