5 Things You Don’t Want To Forget When Planning Your Wedding

Syon Park Wedding - Katie Rogers Photography

Wedding planning advice for those who feel so excited but slightly overwhelmed!

5 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN WEDDING PLANNING

Wedding planning can feel pretty overwhelming can’t it? ALL the things to think about, should you do this, should you do that?!

But, what little things can really make a big difference to your day and your wedding photos? I’m glad you asked friend, because I have put together a little list of things to think about that can help.

So much has changed since I planned my own wedding SEVEN years ago, your wedding really can take any form that suits you. You can add in what you want, take out what you don’t want. Here’s a few things below that I recommend you spend a bit of time thinking about to really ace your wedding photographs and have the most relaxed but fun, best day ever.

  1. GET ORGANISED ASAP

That sounds obvious right? It might be, but it is the best thing you can do to help feel less stressed before the big day, get your ducks in a row sooner rather than later.

One of things I always do to help my couples is catch-up before the big day to make sure your timeline is in place, that you know what group shots you might want, and if there’s anything else I need to know to help your day go without a hitch.

Think about your day from start to finish and if there is anything you can delegate, for example, give your friends small jobs throughout the day like ‘clear the bridal prep space of all clutter and crap’, trust me this is so worth it for gorgeous getting ready pictures. Ask another friend to get the confetti ready, and always assign someone to help with the group shots (they will probably know more people than me at your wedding after all). Your catch-up call with me is the perfect chance to go through all this, I’m here to help in any way I can.

TOP TIP: Plot 15 minutes of time in to grab some banging pics of you and your besties! Think about a champagne spray for example, super quick and super fun!

Champagne spray at wedding venue Buxted Park


2. CONFETTI

You know confetti doesn’t just have to be for after your ceremony, right? Confetti cannons can be a great way to spice up your confetti, but also can really give your first dance a bang, especially if you’re feeling nervous! Get four of your most trusted pals to set one off at 30 second intervals of your first dance, it looks amazing and breaks up any ‘awkwardness’, taking the attention away from you a little. Plus it’s just good fun watching everyone’s surprised faces when they go off.

TOP TIP: Golden rule - you can never have too much confetti! Order more than the suggested amount. A lot of suppliers will use the term ‘handfull’ when looking at dried flower confetti for example, this often is the tiniest amount in my experience. It always looks best to have too much, than not enough. Want some options? Just hit me up boo, or click the link below for my fave confetti cannon.

3. CLEAR UMBRELLAS

Weather not with you on your wedding day? Grab some of these clear umbrellas. They don’t block light or cast shadows on your faces, and look way chicer than white or multi-coloured golf umbrellas! Snuggle up together under one of these for a few super cute photos. Your dress can be dry cleaned, your make-up can be touched up, your wedding photos will never happen again so embrace that drizzle for a moment.

TOP TIP: I always carry a couple, but it’s never a bad idea to have a few more for your bridesmaids and special people! Link below to get my fave clear umbrealls tried and tested by yours truly.

SPEECHES

Dreading your speech? I implore you not to go straight to Google for tips on how to write one, us wedding suppliers see the same ‘safe’ jokes and things mentioned all the time that must have come from a well-meaning blog post out there somewhere. For your speech, the golden rule is to talk about your loved one more than anyone else - think about doing a 70/30 split. For 70% of the time, talk about your loved one. Talk about how you met, the silly and slightly embarrassing times together, your favourite thing about them, what you hope for the in the future. For 30% of the time, do your thank-yous and talk about your other loved ones and your mates. The point of your wedding is to celebrate you two, your speech should reflect that. If there was ever a time to let your guard down, to show everyone exactly how you feel about each other on this very special day, it is your speech.

TOP TIP: For any cheeky members of your party doing speeches (I am looking at you Best Person) pass this tip onto them: Ask yourself ‘would I be happy making this joke/telling this story in front of my own gran?’ If the answer is no, bin it!! Don’t be remembered as that twit that made the bad joke everyone remembered for the wrong reasons.


4. SPARKLERS

These can be such a fun way to get your guests together in the evening, either to really kick-off the party, or as a cute way to end your night and say goodbye. Get the LONG HANDLE, GIANT sparklers, they last a lot longer (the small ones really do go out super quick), and give more light! Double check your venue is cool with sparklers before your big day as occasionally for insurance reasons they won’t be allowed, or you’ll need to do them in a certain place away from the building for example. Bit chilly on your wedding day? I promise these will be so worth getting your faves outside for, you won’t regret it!

TOP TIP: Make sure you have several long handle lighters to hand, and a bucket of sand to dispose of them.

5. TRADITIONS

Not feeling cutting the cake? Don’t want to say your personalised vows in front of everyone one? Not fancying a bouquet toss? Whatever doesn’t feel quite right for you in terms of the more traditional elements of a wedding, don’t feel you have to do it. Just d on’t include it in your day, or look at ways you can switch it up. Some of my couples have chosen to say their personalised vows on their portrait session away from the guests, some of my couples have ditched speeches altogether and done a pub quiz after dinner instead!

TOP TIP: Don’t fancy everyone gawping at you while you cut the cake? Take the cake table outside and give everyone sparklers or confetti! More confetti you say?! Yeah why not, it’s your wedding after all…

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