Our local pros answer your big-day woes HOT TOPIC BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS Our venue’s a blank canvas so we can add our own styling, but we’re not sure where to start. Can you give us any décor tips to create the perfect summer backdrop? Many venues have lovely outside areas with greenery and flowers in the summer so there are a few tips to try and bring that summer garden feel into the venue. •Arches and hoops – decorated with greenery and flowers create a wonderful focal point. These can be used at an entrance, behind a top table or as a photo backdrop. At many venues they can be moved from the ceremony to the reception depending on the height of the doors. I usually use a mixture of high-quality artificial garlands and fresh greenery to keep them cost effective. •Pedestal flowers – These can be used for the ceremony and then moved to any location within the venue. They immediately create an impact and are a fantastic way to create that summer feeling. •Pew Ends – A posy of fresh greenery or faux flowers on the ceremony chairs or church pews is a very pretty touch, especially if scented flowers are used such as lavender. •Staircases, mantlepieces, columns, beams – Using greenery décor on features within your venue is a great way to soften the look and add a garden type feeling. •Bouquets – Opt for stunning country-style bouquets with lots of classic summer Roses, scented freesias, bubbly Gypsophilia and wild greenery. After your ceremony these can be used around the venue. The bridal bouquet looks fab on the cake table and bridesmaid’s bouquets can be put on the top table or gift table or bar. •Table centres – Tall vases brimming with a selection of seasonal flowers and greenery immediately create a wow factor when you walk into a room. They decorate the venue as well as the tables and in summer there are so many wonderful blooms. •Ceremony and top table flower arrangement – Packed full of flowers with greenery flowing down the front of the table look amazing and you can rese them later on in the centre of the buffet table Annabel Grange | Butterflies and Bows | www.butterfliesandbows.co.uk BIG-DAY SHOOT My partner’s extremely camera shy so I’m worried about our photos not looking natural. What advice can you share and how can you help with that on the day? My advice would be to hire a photographer that’s fun and that has great people skills. I’d certainly suggest to meet your photographer a few times before the big day to form a relationship and get to know each other and to also discuss your thoughts and expectations. You could even plan an engagement shoot to get used to being in front of the camera beforehand. It’s important to remember that the best photos come from the natural moments, that aren’t staged or posed. A good photographer will disappear into the background so you’ll forget they’re even there snapping away! If you do feel nervous about the camera pointing in your direction, try and have a joke or a laugh with your partner, take a deep breath, relax, forget what’s going on around you and simply be you! Amy Sheppard | Photography by Amy Elizabeth | @photographybyamy_e EXPERT ADVICE 79
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