Corona Virus Postponed Your Wedding
Some Advice if Corona Virus Postponed Your Wedding
Postponed
It has been the most unusual few weeks and for many who have been planning their day you now find that Corona Virus postponed your wedding. Planning a wedding involves a large emotional input. To suddenly find it is not happening has really pulled the rug from under so many couples.
New Date
I have been so pleased to be able to move with my clients, but some suppliers may not be able to. Then the whole process of looking for new suppliers because Corona Virus postponed your wedding starts all over again; but this time it is not with excitement but sadness of what you will no longer be able to have. I know it is going to be hard to muster the enthusiasm but why not look to your suppliers who are moving with you to see if they have any fantastic suggestions.
Meetings
We aren’t able to meet face to face at the moment but you can have some lovely video chats with new prospective suppliers, so it’s nearly like being in the room!
I Have the Date on Everything
You’ve spent ages planning, ordering and getting everything just right and now you have a ton of stuff with the original date on and then what happens? Yep, Corona Virus postponed your wedding!
Well, call me crazy but you could use this to your advantage. Don’t throw it all away and think you have to start all over again. You could make this into a theme for your wedding; so rather than hide the fact you had to postpone…embrace it.
You chose your original date for a reason, bring that date with you and make it a part of your new wedding date, it will sort of join the two together. It could make your new wedding even more special by paying homage to the original date.
Finances
I have re-jigged the due dates for my client’s payments to reflect the new date, I hope your suppliers have done the same if they can. It is a small thing but there is inevitably going to be some extra planning that will require a burden on your finances at a time when you don’t really need it.
One Last Thing
When your wedding day arrives and it will, love absolutely every minute of it; Corona Virus postponed your wedding it won’t ruin it!!
Remember Folks, Stay Home, Stay Safe.
Claire 😊
Suppliers I Love to Work with:-
Emma Tindley – Wedding Dress Designer
Alision J Smith – Hair and Make-Up Artist
Asta Perkins – Hair and Make-Up Artist
Ioannis Crouch – Videographer
Flowerbug – Floral Designer
Elegant Stationery – Stationery
La Maison des Petits Gateaux – Cake Designer
SJW Events – Mobile Bar
Covid-19 what have I been up to?
Covid-19
Well it has been a bit strange since Covid-19 or Corona landed on our shores. This is week 2 of lockdown, so what have I been up to?
Postponed Weddings
The first and happiest thing was being able to move to new dates for my lovely couples who are getting married this year. It has been quite a tumultuous time for them but they now have secured new dates and I am looking forward to capturing their stories. In these unusual times it is good to be as accommodating as possible, and for those that were due payments, I have amended the due dates to reflect their new wedding date. Little things like this help to alleviate the stresses that we are all experiencing at the moment.
Portraits
It has been sad that I have not been able to photograph the newborns that were due to come in, but safety first and to be able to chart a different phase of their first year will be just as exciting. When things do finally lift it will good to get photographing again and I will be bursting with creativity too!
Facebook and Instagram
I am continuing to add images to my Instagram account but my Facebook Business Page is taking a different twist at the moment. It is there that I am posting all the bits and bobs I have been up to. We are all in the same boat, so it’s quite interesting to see how this time is used. If you want to see how things are panning out, pop over there to see if I am keeping up the good work 😊
DIY
Luckily, I had some DIY projects I wanted to complete, already in stock was the paint for two of them and I had stuff leftover from another job to use up so big tick there. The furniture upcycling is going great guns and I should be finished in the next two days. It has been fixed and painted and I must admit I am rather pleased. Next on the list is the re-decoration of one room and the oiling of the chairs is another project that has started. Covid-19 may have limited our physical scope but it doesn’t have to limit our achievements.
Cooking
Well I’ve had a ball watching ‘lives’ from a Facebook friend. He is an amazing cook and after seeing so many dishes pop up on his feed, I jumped at the chance to learn a thing or two about Italian cooking. Gnocchi is my new best friend, I watched a ‘live’ and then made it from scratch. From a dubious foodstuff that I wasn’t a fan of, I now love it. Pasta ‘lives’ have been watched, but I am a bit scuppered until the pasta machine arrives. I can’t wait to try my hand at making this. I am rather hoping for Portuguese Tarts ‘Natas’ at some point, different country but why not. Covid-19 says we can’t travel but there’s nothing to stop the taste buds having a wander. Various food has already been posted on my page…yummy! He runs pasta courses so when I get the link I will be posting it to my Facebook page.
Chatting
It has been lovely to have guilt free chats, most enjoyable and something to be cherished.
The Honest Photographer
This is a smashing Facebook group created by the one and only James Musselwhite. He has created a brilliant space for all geeky photographers to hang out. Every week there is all sorts going on and people are going ‘live’ to share creativity and learning. This is such a great way to continue to learn and keep one’s spirits up. Covid-19, you can’t keep this gal down.
Learning a New Skill
Michelle Whitmore a very talented photographer pal, popped a YouTube link to Facebook on learning basic BSL – British Sign Language. It is aimed at children but it’s a language all of us can have a go at. You never know when you may brighten someone’s day with just a little communication in the language they rely on. If you are interested here is the link:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9w889Lid1JHB-AX4dCoQoQ
Elizabeth Harbour
My friend Elizabeth is a very talented Artist, Illustrator, Printmaker and Crafter; she is a regular contributor to Country Living magazine. Elizabeth has started a video channel on Instagram with all sorts of things to try. It’s the ideal time to learn a new skill and poke Covid-19 in the eye; here is the link to while away a few minutes:-
https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth.harbour/?hl=en
Elizabeth has a wonderful website that is worth a browse too:-
https://elizabethharbour.co.uk/
Phew reading this lot back makes me feel shattered!!!
Whatever you are up to folks, make sure you stay safe and why don’t you click on some of the links; it could open up a whole world of amazing things.
Claire 😊
Wedding Dress Shopping
Excitement, you are about to look for the most important dress you will ever wear! Read my guide to help you find your perfect wedding dress.
Budget
If you’ve read my blog ‘Wedding Shopping’ then you will already have a budget that you are happy with for your wedding dress.
If you haven’t then this is the first thing to do before even looking at what’s on offer. With a budget you will know what type of boutique is going to cater for you. One of the first things a boutique is probably going to ask you is your budget, so it really makes sense that you know your minimum and maximum spend. One last thing don’t forget to factor in alteration costs if you are looking to purchase a ready-made wedding dress.
Timings
When do you start wedding dress shopping? I would say that you should be looking to start in earnest about a year before the wedding and perhaps spend about a month or so looking at the boutiques you have chosen. Don’t be tempted to start too early, this will just become tedious and then you will have to start all over again when the new season is released. If you leave it until 6 months before the wedding you will be cutting things a bit fine.
Budget Thresholds
There is so much on offer now it can be really daunting to know where to start. With a budget this will narrow down that search.
I think that budgets fall into the following thresholds: –
£1,000 and under
£1,000 to £1,500
£1,500 to £2,000
£2,000 and above
£1,000 and under
You are probably looking at the budget end of the wedding dress market, so this will be a mass produced, ready-made wedding dress. Some higher end boutiques do offer sample sales from time to time so this could be the ideal time to snaffle yourself a bargain. Watch out for those alteration costs though.
£1,000 to £1,500
You are looking at giving yourself a little more wiggle room with boutique choices; again you are probably looking at a ready-made wedding dress. Most, not all, at this price point will be mass produced and will have names that suggest they are designer dresses so just be on your guard here and don’t be afraid to ask the boutique owner. Those pesky alteration costs may still apply too.
£1,500 to £2,000
I would say this is the most popular price point for brides, so you are now opening up a much larger choice. You are now entering the market of ready to wear and made to measure; there is plenty on offer, which is lovely but also might be a bit daunting. Don’t be fooled there is plenty of mass produced, ready-made stuff at this price point. They are often masquerading as designer gowns but in reality, they are not. The key is to research the boutique and what they have to offer and above all don’t be afraid to ask questions about the stock they hold.
At this price point, you will find some beautiful boutiques, who stock designers who are real people or you may even be seeing the designer in person; how fab is that.
£2,000 and above
This is another very popular price point, but you should be looking for a wedding dress that isn’t mass produced. At this price point you should be looking for something that isn’t stocked in 20 other shops and the further you move away from £2,000 the more exclusive you should be getting.
Top Tips
It’s so exciting trying on your potential wedding dress and it’s also easy to get carried away. I’ve heard all sorts of stories of boutiques offering ‘buy it now’ deals, once you leave the boutique the deal is gone. This is a tactic I personally abhor, frightening you into purchasing something and heightening your FOMO; so many have done it, regretted it and cannot take the dress back.
If this happens to you, walk away; if they want your business, they will honour that price, if they don’t then you have escaped lightly.
Another hard sell tactic in order to make a quick sale is to say that a buy it now as seen wedding dress can be let out or taken in. Well to take a dress in is certainly easier, but if that dress is huge on you, taking it in a lot will make the alterations an absolute headache and much more costly.
Letting a wedding dress out; well on most mass produced wedding gowns, the seam allowance is minimal so in reality you are looking at about 3mm wiggle room on each seam. Be warned when promises like this are made. If it’s too good to be true, it normally is.
Who to Take?
It’s so lovely to have your bride tribe with you when you are shopping for your wedding dress; or is it? Having lots of people with you can be really confusing as everyone will inevitably have a different opinion.
My advice would be to go on your own or take just one other person with you; you will have the time and space to think about what wedding dress you want on your wedding day.
By keeping your dress under wraps, you really do make an impact when you are seen for the first time. As a photographer I love the emotion of the bride tribe when they see you looking just perfect. If they have seen everything the big reveal will be a bit of an anti climax.
One Last Thing – HAVE FUN!!!!
Here are some links to British Designers, all dresses featured in this blog come from Emma Tindley : –
Featured Venues: –
Wedding Shopping - Making a start
You’re Engaged – Fantastic
If you are engaged then you are probably having fun looking for the suppliers that will be just the right fit for your wedding.
It can be daunting working out what you want and how much you want to spend.
Step by Step Guide to your Supplier Budget
Step 1 – Work out your overall budget for the wedding; so, the maximum you want to spend on absolutely everything.
Step 2 – Make a list of the things that you want for your wedding from venue, which will probably be your largest outlay, down to wedding favours. Include everything you want for your wedding.
Step 3 – Sort the list into what is most important and what you want to spend the most on; item one being the most important with the highest portion of your budget.
Step 4 – Now allocate the amount you wish to spend on each item of your wedding.
Step 5 – Add everything up and if you are at your maximum or lower then great. If not, you will need to make some amendments.
Step 6 – Take a breather, have a cuppa, then go back to the list. Look at the bottom least important items on the list. Look at what you have allocated to spend.
Step 7 – Look at pricing for the bottom items on the list and see if the budget you have allocated is realistic for the average price of the item.
Step 8 – Now this is the ‘biggy’, if the budget is very slender you will be looking to book the suppliers who operate at the cheaper end of the market. If that element of your wedding day didn’t turn out quite as you expected, how would you feel? If you say “well it wasn’t the most important part of my day so that’s life”, then you are fine. This item is in the right position. If you think you might be a bit sad then time to think about moving it up the list.
Step 9 – Look at the most important elements of your day with the highest budget. You are looking to probably book in the higher end of the market, so are you really that fussed or can that item move down.
What’s Important
It’s a good way of really thinking about what is important to you both. No two couples are the same and what they want for their wedding day isn’t the same.
There is so much out there at the moment, couples often think they have to have it all in order to have the best day.
Sooo Much Choice
In reality, a lot of the stuff available to couples now can entice them to place most a massive amount of importance in the planning. On your wedding day it actually means nothing and can have you wondering what on earth you were thinking.
Keeping it Real
Being able to think things through before you go wedding shopping means you are less likely to get carried away on the crest of a wave. If you are planning to go to lots of wedding fayres, your list with budget will keep you focussed on what is important to you both.
Have a go, you might be surprised!
Photography Mentor
Photography Mentor
Photography Mentor
Mentor /’mento:/ ~ an experienced and trusted adviser
I have been very lucky to have been mentored by Kevin Pengelly and Kevin Wilson in my photography journey. In all professions it is quite usual to have a mentor and most sing from the rooftops about how their mentor guided and shaped their career. Having a photography mentor used to be quite usual but today it seems that a lot of photographers either don’t have a mentor or they aren’t talking about their mentor.
My Mentors
When I started my photography journey, I gained my first qualification using the anonymous mentor me service provided by the SWPP. For me this was a great introduction to the benefits of a mentor and also getting used to being critiqued; being critiqued is really quite tough but strangely satisfying when you get used to it!
Kevin Pengelly
When I joined the MPA and started the journey to becoming a Master Photographer I was lucky enough to be introduced to Kevin Pengelly as my mentor. I cannot begin to tell you the leaps and bounds that I made during the course of gaining this qualification. Through his gentle guidance I began, for the first time, to see my photography style. This was the springboard that shaped me; I will never forget how exciting that was and to see my style start to evolve right in front of my eyes, it was magical. Thank you for being my mentor Kevin and I will never forget the part you played in my journey.
Kevin Wilson
Kevin’s mentor was Kevin Wilson and in 2016 he kindly agreed to be my mentor. It was a pretty low period for me photographically, so our first chats and sessions were more about my self esteem as a photographer in this ever changing industry. Again, through his gentle advice, guidance and observations of my work I felt a new and exciting generation of change and confidence and I have produced work that he gave me the confidence to explore.
The Role of a Mentor
People often get confused as to the role of a mentor; some think that they should be in charge of their progression and walk them through the whole process, others may think that they should be doing the work for them. For me a photography mentor is just as the definition describes, an experienced and trusted adviser. I was in charge of what I needed to learn and both ‘Kevins’ advised me on my choices. For instance, I wanted to refine my use of reflectors. There are many days one can attend with fabulous models and locations. I did not want to be swayed by these, I wanted to really ‘see the light’ and how gently reflectors could mould this light.
I spoke to Kevin Wilson and said I wanted a training day, nothing fancy, no models just reflectors, boring objects and to really learn this new expertise. Kevin was up for it and we had a fabulous day, wow did I learn a lot and reflectors are a major feature in my work now. The key is, it was me that led the way I wanted to learn and Kevin, as my experienced and trusted adviser, my photography mentor, allowed me to explore that with his guidance.
Why aren’t we Proud of our Mentors?
I do find it sad that a photography mentor is not often mentioned now by the photographers who are influencing the next generation. Years ago, a photographer was proud to talk about their photography mentor and the part they played in their journey. What has happened, why are photographers not proud of the part their photographer mentor played in their journey?
Why Now?
Why am I writing this piece today? Yesterday I had a day where I wasn’t over the moon about my work. For me the industry of late has become very inconsistent and often I am left very confused where my work sits. I messaged Kevin Wilson and to be honest was quite down about it all. Now he didn’t need to do this; he telephoned me and we had a long chat about it all. I feel a lot more confident now but also I don’t feel alone; I am lucky I have a photography mentor my very own experienced and trusted adviser, who actually cares about me and my work. How lucky am I? Very lucky. Thank you Kevin for being a wonderful mentor.
As they say no man is an island, so let’s give a shout out to our photography mentors and be proud of their part in our journeys.
Thank You
I am proud of Kevin Pengelly’s guidance in becoming the photographer that I am today and I am proud that Kevin Wilson is my photography mentor and is shaping the photographer I am and hopefully yet to be.
Who is your Mentor?
Who is your photography mentor? Write about them, be proud of them and be proud of their contribution to you as the photographer you are, don’t pretend they never existed; you wouldn’t be where you are without them.
Have a fab day folks,
Claire 😊
If you want to find out more about my mentors; here are the links to their websites:-
Corporate Headshot Sussex
Make an Impression with your corporate headshot
They say that it takes as little as 7 seconds to make a first impression, and this will include traits like your trustworthiness. Does your corporate headshot create that vital first impression?
In today’s world where everything is on-line, often the first port of call is the web for a person to research you, and this could be where you make your first impression.
How Do I Know This?
The lady you see in this blog came to me because she was very unhappy with her corporate headshot; she is a specialist Lawyer in London. It did not show her personality, her professionalism and her approach. She came to me to get the right set of images for her corporate headshot. I knew what kind of impression she wanted to make and we discussed how I would approach this. She left the session having seen her images and knowing that this was how she wished to be presented.
Your Corporate Image
Can you imagine losing business because of the image you have on your web site and social media is not giving you that vital first impression that is so important?
You aren’t even getting the chance to meet your potential clients and to chat to them about why you could be the right person for them; all because your corporate headshot did not do you justice.
Phones are so Good Today; I can do it Myself
Yes, you can but no matter how good a phone is, no matter how good you are at selfies; this will still be a selfie on a phone. Is this the first impression you want your clients to have of you? A first impression that you are happy just to snap away on your phone. Could this give them the idea that your commitment to them could be just as transient? These are all questions worth asking yourself, it’s amazing what assumptions can be made in 7 seconds.
Why Choose Me?
Firstly, I am a professional photographer, using professional equipment. I am a Qualified Master Photographer and people are my thing! When you come to me, it will be about getting the right corporate headshot for your business, the right look that will appeal to your clients and most importantly making the right impression in that vital 7 seconds.
This is going to be expensive!
No, a corporate headshot doesn’t have to be. I have fabulous individual mini sessions and 2 high res images with full commercial reproduction rights at just £65.00. If you are looking for several people to have their corporate headshot then I operate on an hourly basis, again with full commercial reproduction rights of the images supplied, as this is a more cost-effective way to photograph several people.
Remember it only takes 7 seconds…
Claire 😊
Jeremy's Borde Hill Gardens Weddings
Alexander House Hotel, East Grinstead
Before the fun begins at Jeremy’s Borde Hill Gardens, Alexander House Hotel is the ideal place to get ready for a wedding. The rooms are spacious with lots of light for the hair and make-up artists. This was a scorcher of a day and it was already hot before we even arrived at Alexander House!!
The bridal party preparations were well underway and there were some very interesting cocktails being sipped whilst everyone was getting ready.
St Margaret’s Church, West Hoathly
We then headed off to the church to find the boys and take some photographs of them before the arrival of the bride. It was great to see all the guests arriving some were enjoying a couple of summer drinks in The Cat Inn, a very convenient pub!!
Once our lovely bride arrived with her Dad, the most important part of the day could begin. The coolness of the church was a welcome relief to have the coolness of the church. The ceremony was lovely with fun elements that reflected my bride and groom’s personalities, they did make me giggle behind the camera!!
I do love St Margaret’s Church, not only for its beautiful country location but for the views. We planned some portraiture after the service as the view was a very special one for my bride and groom. It also gave them some much needed time together before joining their guests at Jeremy’s Borde Hill Gardens.
Jeremy’s Borde Hill Gardens
We arrived to the most amazing sound; a steel band, with the weather this was just so perfect. Cocktails were being served and the whole wedding had such a tropical feel. My bride and groom had hoped for a day like this as they wanted a tropical themed wedding and they could not have asked for a more perfect weather in the perfect setting of Jeremy’s Borde Hill Gardens. There was lots of time to relax and sip a cocktail or two before settling down to a magnificent barbeque. The marquee was open on all sides, everything was just magical.
The evening fun at Jeremy’s Borde Hill Gardens!
We had loads of fun in the evening; I think a cocktail or two may have helped things along a bit!! It is a great time to be a bit silly and capture some fun photography; and my oh my was this fun!!!
There was another full barbeque for the evening guests with some very special entertainment and nope I cannot say more!!!
Once the sun had gone down, it was time for us to go and we settled in to the glorious coolness of the air conditioned car to make our way home and chat about another glorious wedding at Jeremy’s Borde Hill Gardens.
Claire 🙂
xxx
Awards and Qualifications - Why are they Important?
Qualifications and Awards
Awards and Qualifications; should you care? There are so many photographers out there now, it must be baffling for any client to try and decide on the best one to choose for their portrait or wedding. More often than not nowadays it will come down to cost; but with anything price shouldn’t always be the overriding factor.
Why Choose a Qualified Photographer?
There are many photographers out there claiming to be qualified and having trained with the best; weirdly they don’t seem to want to display their qualifications or who they hold them with on their websites. Any photographer who has spent years gaining qualifications and awards will be proud to show them on their website.
So why choose a qualified photographer; for the same reason you would choose any other qualified professional because they know what they are doing. They haven’t just picked up a camera and called themselves a photographer, they have been critiqued by some of the best in the industry and they have passed a rigorous criteria to obtain a level of expertise. I love aiming towards qualification as the process helps me to finesse my craft, develop new techniques and style and as they say it is about the journey not the destination and this holds true in my industry.
Why do Photographers Enter Competitions and Awards?
For the same reason really, to pit their wits against their finest competitors and to see how their works sits with their peers in the industry. This process also helps a photographer to develop and improve so both qualification and competitions really do sit side by side.
In other professions they have something called Continual Professional Development (CPD), this is a requirement for them to be able to continue in their chosen field; it’s a way of ensuring their knowledge remains current. Entering competitions is a form of CPD.
Why do photographers continue with their training?
We come back to CPD once again as this helps to ensure a photographer’s skillset remains current. Trends change, processes change all the time and continuing training helps to ensure that your images are using the latest processes and trends possible. Every photographer will have their own style, but it is ensuring this style moves with the times.
One Last Word
When you visit a photographer, it should be for them to create something truly special for you. Something that you or you pals can’t snap on a smart phone; the images and the experience should go hand in hand as a memory for you so that every time you look at the products you have purchased you remember the reason you visited.
If you can, try to look for a qualified photographer who is happy to display their qualifications and awards on their website. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are more expensive either but you are getting a qualified professional who you can rely on to capture something that will really stand out from the crowd.
Claire 🙂
Love this image taken in the Bridal getting ready suite at The Ravenswood; what a fabulous place to have at your disposal on your big day.
I hold an Associateship with the BIPP, I am a Craftsman of the Guild, a Licentiate with the MPA and and I have an Associateship with the SWPP
Marquee Wedding - Sophisticated and Fun
If you are looking for a unique atmosphere then a Marquee is your wedding.
There is no defined style for your marquee wedding, you can be a festival wedding or an English country garden wedding. It’s the feeling of bringing the outside in that will attract you.
Location
You might be having a marquee in your parents garden, so many memories here and new ones are being made today. It feels so wonderful to see your wedding venue as you look out the window, there it lots of activity to make your day perfect.
When you leave the house you know that you will be coming back with your partner as a married couple.
Drinks Party
Think glorious summer days, flowers in bloom, trees in leaf and that lovely feeling of being under canvas but the most luxurious canvas you could wish The champagne smells delicious and oozes celebration and happiness. You chat to your guests as you wander through the grass. Your catering team are wandering around with the most delicious canapés, carefully chosen by you. You love seeing your guests enjoy them and In the background there could be an acoustic band or a string quartet; even a steel band. Children are playing with the lawn games and everything is oh so relaxed. You are having your photographs taken with the most glorious views and then it’s time to celebrate.
The Meal
Your caterers bring you the amazing dishes that you lovingly selected, the gentle warmth surrounds you as the musicians continue to play. Amazing flowers adorn the tables, their delicate fragrance gently radiating around the marquee. Everyone is laughing, then you have the speeches filled with emotion and hilarity.
Dusk
As the day gently fades there is time to wander around as dusk approaches. Perhaps you take this time for some more portraits, making more memories with the softest of lights to be had at this time of day. This is also a time for reflection to just stop, look and remember this moment in time on the most special of days.
Let’s Party
The evening celebrations begin, as the sun starts to go down it’s time for you to cut your cake have your first dance, perhaps under a starlit ceiling. Now it’s time to party, from the outside your marquee looks amazing lit up. It is a beacon of welcome to all those that come along. Sometimes it’s nice to have some photographs taken at this time, all those special lighting touches that you chose together come into their own and the whole area takes on the feel of an Enchanted forest. Stand back look and then go back in to party the night away with your family and friends. This was our day, this was our unique location this was us and tomorrow we will have another celebration here before we jet off to relax.
IS THIS YOUR WEDDING?
Some suppliers you may be interested in:-
Super Events – https://www.superevent.co.uk/
Emma Tindley – http://www.emmatindley.co.uk/
Richmond Events – https://www.richmondcreativeevents.com/
Graysons – https://www.graysonsrestaurants.com/
Jeremy’s Borde Hill – https://www.jeremysrestaurant.co.uk/
Beautiful designer Lingerie and nightwear for your wedding and honeymoon:-
Country House Glamour & Fun
If you are looking for a backdrop of splendour then a country house is your wedding.
Waking Up!
You as the bride could be waking up on your wedding day in the best suite in the country house, you snuggle into a fluffy robe and have breakfast in bed. Your girls are down the hall and the boys are having fun elsewhere.
Soon the preparations start, you have your lace and silk cover up to get ready in style; hair and make-up is started whilst the champagne is opened. Your dress is hanging safely in the oversized wardrobe and this is your time. Soon the photographer will be here to capture the fun of the preparations, all those little details that you spent time choosing will be photographed along with the most important dress you will ever wear; your wedding dress. Before you know it, the time has come to marry your amazing partner.
As the groom you will arrive wearing an amazing suit, there will be time to head to the bar to catch up with family and friends. Your photographer will capture those all important photographs of you and your boys, buttonholes will be attached, ties perfected and before you know it you will be waiting at the end of the aisle, as you turn there they are at the door and this glorious sight is enough to take your breath away. They walk up the aisle towards you and at that moment you are the luckiest man in the world.
Drinkies and Fun
In your country house the weather doesn’t matter; if the weather is not so good the guests can wander around the many wood panelled rooms taking in the splendour of your wedding venue. On a warm sunny day, drinks are served on the immaculate lawns, waiters mingle with canapés. Your guests chat and laugh, stories are told, jokes are shared and there is a sense of merriment in the air. Whatever the weather you are mingling together and everyone is so happy for you; you are the most beautiful couple. Your photographs are taken in the grounds or the house and you can start to appreciate all that your venue has to offer. This is a little time for you, a little time to say….eeeek we are married!!!
Your Grand Entrance
Before you know it the announcement is made to be seated in the ballroom for the wedding breakfast. A little more time to freshen up and be ready to make your grand entrance through the wood panelled double doors. There are cheers, claps and whistles as you walk through the room with everyone so happy for you; please be upstanding for the new …l
Amazing food is served by the resident country house chef; you have chosen this and you remember that day at the tasting, the excitement you felt and here you are on the best day of your life. The speeches go down a storm and you might cut your cake before coffee and petits fours are served.
Before the Party
Gradually you and your guests leave the room, the doors are shut whilst a magical transformation takes place. This is the ideal time to have some photographs in the evening sun or the dusk when a warm glow pervades the house. Perhaps you can take a sneak peek at the honeymoon suite, perhaps you can have some beautiful classical portraits there to remember this amazing room. A little freshen up…
Let’s Party!
Now it’s time to get excited for the evening; the double doors open once more and your ballroom takes on a whole new look, it truly is magical. The guests flow in to much ooohs and ahhhs and then it’s time to make another grand entrance and to welcome your evening guests just before your song comes on. The first dance to your song, your special song the room is full of people but you are so in the moment it’s just you dancing together on the best day of your lives.
The music tempo changes, this is the time to party. The boys are dancing the only way boys can after a few beers. The girls kick of their heels and pop on their filp flops ready to dance the night away. Outside cigars are smoked; photographs are taken, fun is had, this truly is the time to be silly. This is the best day, this is our day, this day will live forever in our hearts.
IS THIS YOUR WEDDING?
Featured Venue: –
Buxted Park Hotel – https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/buxtedpark
Some Suppliers you may be interested in : –
Emma Tindley – http://www.emmatindley.co.uk/
Flowerbug – http://www.flowerbugdesigns.co.uk/
Pollen – https://www.pollen4hire.co.uk/
Odyssey – https://odysseysl.co.uk/
Beautiful designer Lingerie and nightwear for your wedding and honeymoon:-
Emma Tindley Designer On-Line Shop
La Maison des Petits Gateaux – http://www.lamaisondespetitsgateaux.co.uk/