Your South Wales Wedding - Page number 41 - September/October 2021 (Issue 81)

READY, SET, plan! Our guide to creating the perfect wedding BOOKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER From the outset, it’s important to build a relationship with your photographer. Consultations and an engagement or pre-wedding shoot will help build trust between you. Find a supplier that’s on your wavelength, puts you at ease and understands what you want from your images. Good wedding photographers will want to give you precious pictures that you will treasure for a lifetime and will do their best to help you enjoy the day as, after all, it’s all about you. Keep in mind, if they’re a member of a trade association, that’s usually a good indication that they take their work seriously. How to find the perfect style for you? A good starting point would be to look at the photographer’s portfolio. If you like what you see, then arrange a free no-obligation consultation. It’s important to choose a supplier that won’t impose their style on you. Good companies will listen and produce quality images to suit your preferences. That said, he/she should be experienced enough to make suggestions to suit your needs, make you feel comfortable and supply great images. How long before the wedding day should you get in touch? Most wedding photographers fill their diaries well in advance, so I would say at least 12 months ahead of the big day, and if possible, maybe 18 months to two years before. However, if you’re working on a tighter time scale, it’s always worth asking if your preferred supplier is available on your date. Staying within your budget. This should be fairly straightforward! Do some research and start with a budget in mind. On average, the price of your photographer should be around 15 per cent of the overall cost of the wedding. It’s worth remembering that most decent wedding photographers will over-deliver anyway. What are the latest trends? In recent years, I’ve noticed more candid and documentary preferences. However, I do think it’s important to capture at least some portrait and group shots. You have to remember that wedding photographs are lifetime memories and a record of your special day. I’m not exactly a fashion guru, I, therefore, consulted my good friend and collaborative associate Sarah Meyrick (www.facebook.com/ sarahmeyrickhairbeauty) on the latest trends. Sarah reliably informs me that current trends include pastel tones, blues and pinks, warm, earthy tones and Bridgerton vibes. Anthony Crothers | Photographer www.anthonycrothers.com A lthough planning a wedding is a fun experience, it can also be very stressful. There’s so much you need to take into consideration, from budgets and themes to trying to please everyone. To help, we’ve asked local suppliers for some of their top tips. Images courtesy of www.anthonycrothers.com www.anth onycrothers.com www.anth onycrothers.com PLANNING SOS 41