Your Sussex Wedding - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 77)

Tom says: I love working with couples who are planning their big day and ensure I capture every little beautiful moment in telling their wedding story from start to finish. Getting married is special any day of the year, but saying the vows on Valentine’s Day feels so fitting and even lovelier. So it’s really important when creating a wedding film that the couple’s personality and love comes across. Don’t get carried away with the notion of Valentine’s Day and go down the cheesy route, which means over-the-top staged pieces to camera. Your videographer’s role comes in with the music, the way the film is shot and picking up those perfect moments when the love between you both is clear for all to see. That’s what we do best! Tom Zanelli creativebungalow.co.uk A romantic epic Tom says: Live music for the “I dos” adds such a personal touch to the occasion, having someone playing live as your guests arrive makes them feel welcome and helps create the romantic ambience and anticipation of the ceremony to come. As a classical guitarist and singer, I find having some beautiful classical guitar for the ceremony adds to the sense of occasion, and creating a one-of-a-kind arrangement of your chosen song makes your ceremony a personal experience that’s hard to replicate with a CD or MP3 player. The right musician will happily play your other requests for the signing of the register and give a great, joyful musical accompaniment for the recessional as you enter the world as a married couple for the first time. For the drinks reception and photos, you can relax and enjoy a drink, often outside during summertime. For this, I enjoy singing some laid-back, happy songs from across the decades, taking requests from guests young and old. Tom Butterworth tombutterworth.com THE FOOD OF LOVE Country elegance Mariella says: If you’re getting married in a barn venue, we suggest making use of the beams by adding romantic drapes, twinkling fairylights or festoons of fresh foliage. The benches that line your ceremony room can be used for hanging wooden hearts or posies of flowers from, while the aisle can be scattered with rose petals. Another nice addition to ceremony room décor is a beautiful bespoke floral arch, which could incorporate traditional red or pink roses. If you’ve always dreamed of getting married outside, don’t be put off by the weather in February – a clear and crisp winter’s day can provide a stunning backdrop. If your venue offers a year-round outdoor space in which to get wed, they should offer rugs, blankets, patio heaters and the like – as we do here at Southend Barns – to ensure guests are kept cosy throughout the service. To continue the romantic theme, why not treat guests to heart-inspired wedding favours and go for a red velvet cake? You could even fill your venue with flowers or dress it with coloured paper lanterns and oversized helium balloons in shades of red, pink and white. If you’re after a magical effect, a fairylight canopy cascading from overhead looks breathtaking and perfect for the most romantic day of the year. Mariella Fleming southendbarns.co.uk bevdownie.photography 90