Today's post is a bit special. This post is aimed at anyone who's engaged, and in the process of planning their wedding, and maybe feeling nervous about everything being on time, being delivered, and making the day just as you want it to be.
I met with my friend Susan recently (who treated me to afternoon tea... she's good like that), and we were chatting about weddings, and what it's like for brides in the run up to their big day. Susan explained that the way she saw it, was as long as she was there, her (now) husband were there, they had someone to marry them, and they had a photographer, that was all that was important to her. And so it was Susan's comment that inspired this post. So thank you Susan, for the scones and the inspiration today.
I decided to ask three married ladies what they were nervous about, and how they felt about those things afterwards. What they would have done differently, and what they feel about in hindsight about their wedding day. Think of it as advice across the threshold of weddings, to brides-to-be from women who've been there, done that, and got the veil.
"I think I'm probably a bit unusual in saying this but I was terrified of being the bride! I hate being centre of attention and am quite shy and reserved by nature. Duncan and mum had to talk me into having a wedding! I wanted to go to Park Circus with two witnesses and no fuss.
Anyway I'm so glad they talked me into it, I had a fabulous day and have many happy memories of being the 'bride' and lots of lovely photos to look back on.
"
- Wendy
"One thing that I wish I'd done differently was delegate - everyone told me at the time to delegate but I didn't trust anyone to do it right and also didn't want to be a burden, so did most of the planning and organising myself, which resulted in a huge amount of stress in the few months leading up to the wedding. I really was a nightmare to be around, especially for Allan, and would fly off the handle at the smallest thing, just because I had so much on my mind and so much to do. People did tell me at the time to delegate, but I just found it too hard to do.
One piece of advice that I held onto and did definitely abide by on the day was to enjoy every moment and drink it all in as it goes by so fast - I lost count of the number of people who told me that. I was determined on the day to just enjoy it and that if anything did go wrong, there was nothing that could be done about it so I would just have to let it wash over me. Luckily, nothing did go wrong on the day (because I had organised everything!) but I definitely did enjoy every single second of the day.
Oh, another thing that might be a bit of a regret is that we meant to do a line up of just Allan and me before the meal, but completely forgot. And I was dancing for most of the night because I loved all the music, so didn't get a chance to talk to most of the people that were there. I feel really guilty about that and worry that people thought I was being selfish, but I was having such a good time. Not sure how I would change that if I could go back, because I did have such a blast on the dancefloor, but I do worry what our guests must have thought of me, if that makes any sense?
"
- Ariane
"I've heard it said many times that people change after getting married, but we didn't think it'd happen to us because we'd been together for 11 years before then and felt no religious or social pressure to marry. We considered ourselves 'as married' already and were just waiting for a good excuse to throw a party for our friends and family and make things 'official'.
But were surprised to notice that we do feel different. For one thing, even almost 6 months on we still get a little giddy when referring to each other as husband and wife. But the biggest change is an almost imperceptible one.
Our relationship is the same as it ever was, but we've grown... closer? More secure? More like a family? Certainly not more grown up, although perhaps a greater responsibility to look out for one another; but that doesn't make sense because we looked out for each other before marrying too! Honestly, I'm not really sure I can put my finger on it. But it's there.
But I'm glad it's there, so I hope my advice won't scare anyone away from getting married!"
- Jenny
Many thanks to Wendy, Ariane, and Jenny for their thoughts! If you've got any comments you'd like to make, advice you'd pass on to brides to be, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment.
Sources of inspiration for Struve Photography, talking about weddings, portraits, and photography.
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Monday, 16 January 2012
Tips from Photographers
If you've ever been in a situation where you've had your photo taken, and you've not wanted to because you know that the result won't be flattering, then this post is specifically for you. I know a lot of people aren't particularly comfortable with the idea of having their photo taken, partly because they dread seeing the result.
So I recently asked some amazing professional photographers to help me with this post, and asked them to contribute a few words to help you when you're faced with a lens pointing at you. Here's their top tips for looking your best in photographs....
Don't wear fake tan. It may look fairly natural to the naked eye but it almost always looks orange on a digital photo! Also, if the ladies wear fake tan and the men don't the difference is obvious on the group shots.
- Paula Anne Brown
www.ollievision.co.uk
A smile is in the eyes as much as the mouth - the better you get to know your photographer before the event the more relaxed you will be when smiling and that will shine through in your photos
- Helen Rushton
www.helenrushtonphotograph
A photograph taken from above is always best to avoid double chins and also makes your waist look smaller too!! Just make sure your top isn't too low cut or you might get to see more than you bargained for!!
- Kerry Diamond
www.kerrydiamondphotograph
I tell my clients, "Think like a swan, swans never have double chins"
- Mandy Charlton
http://mandycharlton.com/
keep your arm away from your body, put it on your hip and point your elbow out. stops flattened arms looking big against bodies
- Kathy Dunn
http://www.katherineashdown.co.uk/
Shimmy and relax your shoulders avoids that hunched-like-a-vulture look. And look up into the camera or at your partner.
- Rosie Woodhouse
http://www.littlepeopleportraitsskye.co.uk
When your arms hang at your sides it makes you look wider so always bend them at the elbow and create that little triangle of light between your body and arm. This is a great slimming trick.
- Robin Owen
http://robinowenphotography.com/
I tell clients not to smile because they're having their picture taken but because it's a beautiful day, because they're in love, because they've just married the love of their life. I also tell clients to whisper a compliment in one another's ears or to remind each other of something they noticed about one another on the first day they met, or something they love about one another. When they do this, it always brings natural, genuine smiles to their faces.
- Erika Szostak
www.photomadly.com
Get to know your photographer before the big day, via an engagement or portrait shoot - you will be much more relaxed in front of the camera come the big day and your photographer will have learnt a lot about you and the style you like! (And no red or patterns on clothing at the enagement shoot!)
- Sally Beard
www.thephotographyboutique
I always get clients to raise the chin slightly. That always seems to sort out the "double chin".
- Addey Kehinde
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imagery-by-Addey-Kehinde/139728756082158
Kiss the back of your hand to plump up your lips again after you've been smiling for ages and your lips feel all thinned out.
- Hannah Webster
http://www.lifelinephotography.co.uk/
On my shoots I often say "chin up" as it avoids unsightly shadows under eyes (in natural light) and makes people look more attractive. If you are being photographed try to be mindful of your body and posture, (e.g. what you do with your hands, if in doubt hand on a hip always looks good) but don't concentrate on it too much, as long as you look natural and you're having fun the pictures will look good as well.
- Olivia Vitazkova
www.reverinephotography.co
Always stand with your weight on your back foot and bend your front leg. stand at a slight angle about 45 degrees to camera not flat on unless instructed to do so.
-Emily Walker
http://www.emilyhancock.co.uk
Be honest with your photographer about any concerns you have BEFORE the photo shoot. Do you have a skin condition that you don't want to show on the photos? What about a mole or birthmark that you dislike? It's vital to discuss this prior to the shoot so that the photographer can take action to minimise the appearance of a condition if necessary.
- Paula Anne Brown
www.Ollievision.co.uk
Always make sure you get an engagement shoot before your big day. You'd be surprised at the difference it will make to your wedding pics and how comfortable you feel if you and the photographer have built up a relationship and you have experienced the way he/she shoots. It also gives the photographer chance to get to know how you photograph. Try to be yourself and not to do to much 'posing'. The idea is to capture YOU Don't be afraid to chat, laugh and play around with one another as if the photographer isn't there- these make great shots!
- Emma Thwaites
https://www.facebook.com/
When you're being photographed try to think of your photographer as a funny friend, not a random stranger. The way you look at a funny friend is very different from a stranger. So your photographer is your best buddy. ;)
- Cathie Heart
http://www.cathieheartphotography.com/blog/
make sure the person with the camera is shooting slightly downwards so that your eyes look bigger, close your eyes for a moment before the click so they are fresh, make sure the light is even on your face and you're not squinting and relax!
- Jo Blackwell
www.joblackwell.co.uk
and finally, two tips from me...
If you're short (like me!) ask your partner to put their arm around your waist, rather than placing their hand over your shoulder. If it's on the shoulder, it can end up looking like you're being pushed down further, whereas round the waist makes you look closer to their height.
Ladies, try to avoid holding bouquets/handbags too high. Holding a bouquet under the bustline hides the outline of the waist and can make even a slimline lady look wider than she is. By keeping arms long and relaxed, you elongate your figure.
I hope you've found these tips helpful... feel free to add any you've picked up or know to the comments box below, and I may do a follow up on this post!
So I recently asked some amazing professional photographers to help me with this post, and asked them to contribute a few words to help you when you're faced with a lens pointing at you. Here's their top tips for looking your best in photographs....
Don't wear fake tan. It may look fairly natural to the naked eye but it almost always looks orange on a digital photo! Also, if the ladies wear fake tan and the men don't the difference is obvious on the group shots.
- Paula Anne Brown
www.ollievision.co.uk
A smile is in the eyes as much as the mouth - the better you get to know your photographer before the event the more relaxed you will be when smiling and that will shine through in your photos
- Helen Rushton
www.helenrushtonphotograph
A photograph taken from above is always best to avoid double chins and also makes your waist look smaller too!! Just make sure your top isn't too low cut or you might get to see more than you bargained for!!
- Kerry Diamond
www.kerrydiamondphotograph
I tell my clients, "Think like a swan, swans never have double chins"
- Mandy Charlton
http://mandycharlton.com/
keep your arm away from your body, put it on your hip and point your elbow out. stops flattened arms looking big against bodies
- Kathy Dunn
http://www.katherineashdown.co.uk/
Shimmy and relax your shoulders avoids that hunched-like-a-vulture look. And look up into the camera or at your partner.
- Rosie Woodhouse
http://www.littlepeopleportraitsskye.co.uk
When your arms hang at your sides it makes you look wider so always bend them at the elbow and create that little triangle of light between your body and arm. This is a great slimming trick.
- Robin Owen
http://robinowenphotography.com/
I tell clients not to smile because they're having their picture taken but because it's a beautiful day, because they're in love, because they've just married the love of their life. I also tell clients to whisper a compliment in one another's ears or to remind each other of something they noticed about one another on the first day they met, or something they love about one another. When they do this, it always brings natural, genuine smiles to their faces.
- Erika Szostak
www.photomadly.com
Get to know your photographer before the big day, via an engagement or portrait shoot - you will be much more relaxed in front of the camera come the big day and your photographer will have learnt a lot about you and the style you like! (And no red or patterns on clothing at the enagement shoot!)
- Sally Beard
www.thephotographyboutique
I always get clients to raise the chin slightly. That always seems to sort out the "double chin".
- Addey Kehinde
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imagery-by-Addey-Kehinde/139728756082158
Kiss the back of your hand to plump up your lips again after you've been smiling for ages and your lips feel all thinned out.
- Hannah Webster
http://www.lifelinephotography.co.uk/
On my shoots I often say "chin up" as it avoids unsightly shadows under eyes (in natural light) and makes people look more attractive. If you are being photographed try to be mindful of your body and posture, (e.g. what you do with your hands, if in doubt hand on a hip always looks good) but don't concentrate on it too much, as long as you look natural and you're having fun the pictures will look good as well.
- Olivia Vitazkova
www.reverinephotography.co
Always stand with your weight on your back foot and bend your front leg. stand at a slight angle about 45 degrees to camera not flat on unless instructed to do so.
-Emily Walker
http://www.emilyhancock.co.uk
Be honest with your photographer about any concerns you have BEFORE the photo shoot. Do you have a skin condition that you don't want to show on the photos? What about a mole or birthmark that you dislike? It's vital to discuss this prior to the shoot so that the photographer can take action to minimise the appearance of a condition if necessary.
- Paula Anne Brown
www.Ollievision.co.uk
Always make sure you get an engagement shoot before your big day. You'd be surprised at the difference it will make to your wedding pics and how comfortable you feel if you and the photographer have built up a relationship and you have experienced the way he/she shoots. It also gives the photographer chance to get to know how you photograph. Try to be yourself and not to do to much 'posing'. The idea is to capture YOU Don't be afraid to chat, laugh and play around with one another as if the photographer isn't there- these make great shots!
- Emma Thwaites
https://www.facebook.com/
When you're being photographed try to think of your photographer as a funny friend, not a random stranger. The way you look at a funny friend is very different from a stranger. So your photographer is your best buddy. ;)
- Cathie Heart
http://www.cathieheartphotography.com/blog/
make sure the person with the camera is shooting slightly downwards so that your eyes look bigger, close your eyes for a moment before the click so they are fresh, make sure the light is even on your face and you're not squinting and relax!
- Jo Blackwell
www.joblackwell.co.uk
and finally, two tips from me...
If you're short (like me!) ask your partner to put their arm around your waist, rather than placing their hand over your shoulder. If it's on the shoulder, it can end up looking like you're being pushed down further, whereas round the waist makes you look closer to their height.
Ladies, try to avoid holding bouquets/handbags too high. Holding a bouquet under the bustline hides the outline of the waist and can make even a slimline lady look wider than she is. By keeping arms long and relaxed, you elongate your figure.
I hope you've found these tips helpful... feel free to add any you've picked up or know to the comments box below, and I may do a follow up on this post!
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
The 2012 Wedding Predictions
As we're only a touch over a week into the New Year, and I'm still managing to feel all New-Yearsie (that's a word, right?), I thought I'd dedicate today's blog entry to predictions for the coming year for weddings and ceremonies. I decided recently to ask a hand-picked panel of wedding industry businesses to help me with this particular post. I wanted to know their ideas and thoughts and insights into what they think will become the big trends and themes for the year ahead.
Having started my business about 15 months ago, it's been amazing to me to watch how quickly wedding fashions and trends come and go. Some have a natural limited lifespan, while other trends have such longevity, they're easy to adapt and evolve into something new.
So what do we think we can see in the next 12 months?
Over to the experts....
Weddings will still be concentrated heavily on detailing for most weddings. Less Shabby Chic more Elegant and sophisticated. Brides dresses shall become focussed either around a fashion influence for the 2012 which is Drop waist (1920s styles) due to the two films ; The Artist and The Great Gatsby our this year. Or the dress will take on longer sleeves, lace and A-line from the influence of the Royal Wedding Dress from Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge. The wedding colours will be fresh/clean for spring/summer and towards the latter months the pantone colour of the year (burnt orange) will be more widely used with bold colours.
- Mel, Homegrown Bride Blog
http://homegrownbride.com/
‘Uplighting and mood lighting will be big for 2012. Following on the trend from American weddings, I predict brides will be keen to personalise their function suite and make it more atmospheric by adding LED uplighters, fairy lights and candles. They can also enhance the space in accordance with their colour scheme too!’
-Laura, LFT Events
www.fabulousweddingshow.com
- Sophie, I Heart Flowers
http://iheart-flowers.blogspot.com/
Top trend/reception detail that I am seeing a lot of interest in is speciality stations. Whether that is a dessert bar, a candy buffet, speciality cocktails/signature drinks or all together. This has been influenced by the american wedding cocktail hour. A Scottish twist can be added with a scottish favourites bar - dumpling, tablet etc.
- Alison, Plans and Presents
http://www.mrspandp.com
Over the years styles of favours have changed from sugared almonds to lottery tickets. Why not try something a little more personal... handmade bracelets can be created to tie in with colour schemes of your day or particular styles.
- Jo, Jo's Highly Strung
http://www.coriandr.com/shop/joshighlystrung
I see a move from Vintage to boho/shabby chic weddings with lots of hand made details by the bride and friends. I love this as it allows people to get creative, pool talents and resources and create their own style. Fun to organise and fabulous to photograph!
-Jaz, Jaz Ampaw-Farr Photography
www.jazampawfarr.com
2012 will see the tradition of having lace in the Wedding Dress continue as many Brides took inspiration from Kate Middleton in 2011. This will develop from lace in the dress to softer, more romantic accessories with flowers in the hair, more muted colours in the Wedding decor and softer edges to Wedding Cake design.
- M.T., Edinburgh Brides Wedding Guide
www.edinburghbridesweddingguide.com
Feel free to add any predictions you think we'll see in weddings in 2012 - would love to hear from you!
Having started my business about 15 months ago, it's been amazing to me to watch how quickly wedding fashions and trends come and go. Some have a natural limited lifespan, while other trends have such longevity, they're easy to adapt and evolve into something new.
So what do we think we can see in the next 12 months?
Over to the experts....
Weddings will still be concentrated heavily on detailing for most weddings. Less Shabby Chic more Elegant and sophisticated. Brides dresses shall become focussed either around a fashion influence for the 2012 which is Drop waist (1920s styles) due to the two films ; The Artist and The Great Gatsby our this year. Or the dress will take on longer sleeves, lace and A-line from the influence of the Royal Wedding Dress from Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge. The wedding colours will be fresh/clean for spring/summer and towards the latter months the pantone colour of the year (burnt orange) will be more widely used with bold colours.
- Mel, Homegrown Bride Blog
http://homegrownbride.com/
‘Uplighting and mood lighting will be big for 2012. Following on the trend from American weddings, I predict brides will be keen to personalise their function suite and make it more atmospheric by adding LED uplighters, fairy lights and candles. They can also enhance the space in accordance with their colour scheme too!’
-Laura, LFT Events
www.fabulousweddingshow.com
- Yellow, either on its own, or mixed with greys, creams or pastel shades.
- Vintage - still big, but particularly accents of patterned retro fabric and the inclusion of vintage books. People seem to be focusing on using more props to make table decoration more interesting or themed and vintage/childhood memorabilia seems to be a strong theme. I'm also often being asked to source vintage glass and silverware for my couples.
- Sophie, I Heart Flowers
http://iheart-flowers.blogspot.com/
Top trend/reception detail that I am seeing a lot of interest in is speciality stations. Whether that is a dessert bar, a candy buffet, speciality cocktails/signature drinks or all together. This has been influenced by the american wedding cocktail hour. A Scottish twist can be added with a scottish favourites bar - dumpling, tablet etc.
- Alison, Plans and Presents
http://www.mrspandp.com
Over the years styles of favours have changed from sugared almonds to lottery tickets. Why not try something a little more personal... handmade bracelets can be created to tie in with colour schemes of your day or particular styles.
- Jo, Jo's Highly Strung
http://www.coriandr.com/shop/joshighlystrung
I see a move from Vintage to boho/shabby chic weddings with lots of hand made details by the bride and friends. I love this as it allows people to get creative, pool talents and resources and create their own style. Fun to organise and fabulous to photograph!
-Jaz, Jaz Ampaw-Farr Photography
www.jazampawfarr.com
I think lace is going to stay popular in 2012 and lots of plummy and purple shades for the bridesmaids.
- Wendy, Flossy and Dossy
2012 will see the tradition of having lace in the Wedding Dress continue as many Brides took inspiration from Kate Middleton in 2011. This will develop from lace in the dress to softer, more romantic accessories with flowers in the hair, more muted colours in the Wedding decor and softer edges to Wedding Cake design.
- M.T., Edinburgh Brides Wedding Guide
www.edinburghbridesweddingguide.com
Feel free to add any predictions you think we'll see in weddings in 2012 - would love to hear from you!
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