Your South Wales Wedding - March/april 2021 (Issue 78)

Our experts solve your problems HOT TOPIC: WEDDING WORRIES STYLED TO PERFECTION Q – We’re having a rustic-themed wedding in a gorgeous barn. Do you have any ideas of how we can style it? The joy of a barn is that they are often blank canvases. You don’t have the colour of the carpet, curtains or walls to take into account, meaning you often have infinite freedom when it comes to styling. Here are some of our top styling tips: ❤ Create an atmosphere with lighting. We love a festoon bulb strung from a beam. Stone walls look great with up-lighters against them and candles are a clever way of creating an intimate and inviting space. ❤ Use height to your advantage. Barns often have high ceilings and beams on which you can attach decorations. They’re great for hanging flowers, bunting or string lights. You could use draping to create a more glamorous look or cover beams with greenery or floral garlands. ❤ The un-fussy nature of a barn setting lends itself perfectly to a more opulent table display, even if you want to keep the rustic theme, you can go for a more chic look by bringing in elegant features, such as cut glassware. ❤ If you have a large barn, create areas of interest, such as a lounge area or interactive zones. Beth Stretton | Venue stylist www.meganandclaude.co.uk LOVE THROUGH A LENS Q – What should we ask a potential photographer before booking? The first thing you need to do is a little research. Ask friends and family for recommendations and look at various websites to get an idea of what style you like. Every photographer has their own technique, so if you want a particular look, check to see if it’s something they can offer. ❤ We tend to get booked up 12 to 18 months in advance, so start by seeing if your chosen supplier is available on your date. It’s important you meet in person to find out more about their work and decide whether you gel with them. Ask to see a few wedding albums of the whole day instead of just a few select pictures. ❤ What are their packages and prices? How much is the deposit and when does the balance need to be paid? Find out if there are any extra costs for a second shooter or travel expenses. It’s also worth looking at their packages and seeing if they offer half or full-day options. ❤ Do they have insurance? All professional photographers should have Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. ❤ How long do they stay? I usually start around two-and-a-half hours before the ceremony and stay until an hour after the first dance or later if there are fireworks. ❤ Have they shot at your venue before? If I haven’t, I would usually go and check it out beforehand and speak to the wedding coordinator. ❤ Do you need to feed them? Usually yes if they’re staying after the wedding breakfast. A lot of venues will feed the photographer, but some will charge you. ❤ Do you need to make a list of shots? Most do the standard groups, but if you have something in mind, ask your photographer. ❤ Finally, I always recommend that the happy couple take out wedding insurance just in case they have to cancel or postpone. It’s very cheap and could save you a lot of money in the long run. Paul Davies | Photographer www.paul-daviesphotography.co.uk www.pau l-daviesphotography.co.uk www.gar ethscanlonphotography.co.uk  EXPERT ADVICE 43