How My Mouth Works...

Tonight, is the Berkshire wedding networking event and I can't wait. I get a genuine buzz out of meeting new wedding suppliers and of course, catching up with people I've known for years or months is always good too. When you work on your own for the majority of the time, the chance to get together with other (usually) like minded people is one not to be missed and I think it's really important, in the age of blogs, tweets & Facebook pages to really connect with people. I know I do the on-line thing like everyone else and I love it but one of the things I like best about this industry is real people.

Yes, we can have passing contact with people on-line every day - we read their tweets and blogs, we 'like' their posts and we sometimes we see them in magazines and newspapers but for me, there's no replacement for really seeing what someone's like. The on-line world is a funny place sometimes - it can make people with little or no experience into 'experts' and there are so many 'recommendations' floating around based on a few e-mails between suppliers who might not have ever talked to each other or met each other, let alone worked with each other. Now I'm not stupid, I understand how advertising works and I don't have a problem with that at all when it's clear that's what's going on. I don't see a dress designer's full page in a wedding magazine and think that's a personal endorsement from the publisher but I've seen websites who say they handpick the best of the best suppliers to feature when really the only qualifying criteria is your ability to write a cheque - no checks with past clients, no references taken and that makes me so upset. It makes me upset because there are brides out there who believe the hype and pick a supplier who's not as 'handpicked' as they thought. And, let's face it, we all know there are plenty of people who can talk the talk but find walking the walk a much harder task. Fling wedding day tension into this mix as well, the emotion, the pressure, the unexpected things, and someone who always came across as calm can sometimes not be!

However, I know that everyone has to start somewhere and goodness, we've all been there, yet sometimes I wonder where the honesty has gone. No-one likes to admit they're new to the wedding world and it's easy to create a persona that makes you into something you're not (or not yet anyway!). But what's wrong with being 'new' - you can often be fresher and keener and those can be pretty good qualities. Some clients will pick the newer talent, some will pick the old hand - it depends on what they want, how you get on and how you behave. No-one's right, no-one's wrong, it's the client's choice. When it gets sticky is when the client's not had all the information...

So, my mouth works like this - I don't really recommend suppliers unless I've met them, checked them out and ideally worked with them, I might sometimes suggest someone takes a look a website but it comes with the caveat I've not met them and if there's someone I think I'd like to work with, I'll make the effort to meet up. There is a photographer I know who I adore and who I get on with really well but he won't recommend me because although we've met on quite a few occasions, we've not yet worked together and do you know what, I can't tell you how much I respect him for this. Of course, as with all things 'wedding', so much is subjective - what I like, who I like and why I like things will be very different to someone else. That's ok - I'm a different type of supplier to others, I work with different types of brides and do different types of things. That doesn't make me 'better' or 'worse', it just makes me, well, it makes me me. I don't try to be cool (I'm not!), I can't be a 'Londoner' (I'm a country girl through and through!) and that's that. I know whom I am and where I sit and in an industry that's trying to give clients 'their' day, why should we be scared to be true to ourselves? Our mouths, our voices, our fingers tip-tapping on our keyboards, are powerful things, we should be careful how we use them. But we should always be who we are - if you lose that, you've lost everything.

Tonight then is an opportunity for me to meet new suppliers, check out new people and maybe hug a few old (and I don't mean 'old' in age!) 'friends' but there are still lots of suppliers to meet and I can't wait for that either because although sometimes my mouth works in a careful way, it does love a good chat...

Networking Evening - 25th May 2011

Just a quick update - as the London Networking Party has been postponed until the summer after the guest list grew to a point where everyone wouldn't have been able to fit in the original venue, I've teamed up with the fabulous Julie Tooby to host a Networking Evening near Reading on Wednesday 25th May.

We have a great venue, drinks, nibbles, entertainment, a few surprises and a wonderful social media presentation from the guru that is Paul Allen all lined up.  E-vites have been sent out but if you've not received yours, do drop me a line - tamrynkirby@hotmail.com - and I'll get one out to you as soon as possible.

With the guests that have already confirmed they're coming, we know it's going to be a great night so if you'd like to get involved, let me know!

Hope to see you there....

The Suppliers Speech - Melanie East

      This week's Supplier's Speech is from the gorgeous and talented Melanie East. Again, I've known Melanie for a few years and we met at a wedding (strangely, we were both guests!) and I can happily say she's a lovely person so I'm thrilled to feature her. So let's hear from Melanie about her wonderful  wedding photography...

Tell me a little bit about your business...

I’m a pro wedding photographer and have been for the last 6 years having previously been a lawyer. Once on maternity leave I realised I didn’t want to go back to the law but wanted to realise my dream of turning pro. I cover Bristol, Bath, Hampshire, Wiltshire, The Cotswolds, Somerset, London and Kent. I also have a base in Southern Spain and am able to carry out weddings throughout Andalucia.  I’ve shot weddings in Spain,  France and Switzerland and adore destination weddings, but a village hall wedding is just as important to me as a wedding in a castle. 

I semi direct my couples. I don’t strictly pose them, but I guide them. I’m not a reportage photographer by any stretch of the imagination but I do shoot in an unobtrusive manner. Brides have often commented to me how at ease I made them feel when being photographed, and that’s part of the skill of a great wedding photographer. I don’t enjoy being photographed and therefore I have the utmost sympathy for those who also don’t love being in front of the camera. I shoot with natural light where at all possible, but I will use my speedlights and my video light depending on the look I am after. I also shoot with the album in mind - I shoot great sequences without the couple being aware of this. Above everything I make sure my images tell a story, with a beginning, a middle and an end. Once the perfect images have been captured I design a totally bespoke wedding album and my clients can be as involved in the design process as they wish. I aim to offer fantastic photography and service to all my clients.

What's so great about working in the wedding industry?

Where to start?  The fact that I am part of the happiest days of people’s lives!  Being able to capture fabulous memories that will be looked at by generations to come. Seeing that “first look” between bride and groom. I could go on and on. I always feel very privileged when I’m asked to photograph somebody’s wedding, because you’re part of such an important day and it’s a very very responsible job.

In your opinion, what are the most important questions brides should ask when they're booking suppliers?

Experience. Experience. Experience! To see a full portfolio, to be able to be put in touch with previous clients. When booking a photographer - it’s essential to see a couple of complete weddings from start to finish. Make sure they were taken at *real* weddings and not at model shoots, and be sure to check they were the main photographer.  Ask yourself do you feel you were at the wedding when you look at the images?  Does everybody look happy? What about the print quality and the look and feel of the album?  Do the bride and groom look relaxed?  What about the black and white photography?  Are the blacks black and the whites white as they should be?  Or are they a mix of muddy grey tones?  Finally, choose a photographer you feel comfortable with - absolutely essential that you gel with your photographer :)  A pre wedding shoot, in my view, is a must to really get to know your photographer.

Have you got any great wedding tips you'd like to share?

Plan the day exactly as you’d like it, but don’t stress if things don’t pan out exactly as you had planned.  Remember that the point of your day is to celebrate the love between you and your groom - it doesn’t matter if a teeny bit of icing falls of the wedding cake - that’s not what the day is about - and besides the only person who notices these things is you! Your guests certainly won’t!   *Don’t* stress about the weather.  You can’t control it - and an experienced photographer will still capture fantastic images.

Oh! Have your speeches before the meal! I’ve lost count of the number of father’s of the bride, best men and grooms I’ve seen who don’t enjoy their meal because they are worried about their speeches!  

What makes a wedding really fabulous?

A great atmosphere. Lots of fun, love and laughter. The fact that all your friends and family have come together to celebrate two people. Aesthetically speaking, I love detail and individuality when it comes to table settings.

Have you seen anything really unusual or unique at a wedding recently?

I've never come across two weddings the same. I loved the bride who opted for a tower of scones for her Cornish themed wedding instead of a traditional cake. And the bride who went for a rugby theme for her groom's love of the sport.

How do you prepare for a wedding?

With nerves!  The day I’m not nervous before a wedding is the day I give it up!  Nerves show to me that I care about the job I am doing.  I format all my memory cards, do a kit check, charge all the batteries, make sure I’ve got any group shot list, mobile numbers, spare camera, flashes and lenses. And Maltesers - essential driving nibbles!

What are some of your favourite wedding memories?

The bride who was so very calm and in control and the groom who the minute he saw her burst into tears.  I love that!   The wedding where it hammered down with rain the entire day, but the bride and groom were so happy it didn’t matter. 

 

What do you think the next 'big thing' in weddings will be?

I think couples are becoming more and more inventive with their themes and making their day really individual. 

If you could give brides just one piece of advice, what would it be?

Enjoy it!  Don’t stress.  Remember what the day is all about.  Take time out to look around you because the day whizzes past. And don’t skimp on your photographer! Cake Eaten. Dress worn. Venue hired.   Photographers? - priceless memories.

If you'd like to find out more about Melanie and her photography...

Melanie East Photography - Exceptional wedding photography.  www.melanieeastphotography.co.uk  www.melanieeastphotography.co.uk/blog  01761 490412  Twitter: @MelanieEast   

The Supplier's Speech - Essentially You

 Before I start this week's 'Supplier's Speech', I should admit to a little bit of bias here because I truly love this week's featured wedding professional - the wonderful Julie Tooby from Essentially You. Julie is a multi award winning wedding planner, co-ordinator and all-around fabulous woman. So, before I get totally carried away like a winning actress at the Oscars, I'm just going to hand over to the woman herself...

Tell me a little bit more about your business...
I founded Essentially You in 2005 and I've now been planning & co-ordinating weddings for over ten years. Our aim, our goal and our business is to ensure that our couples have an amazing, memorable and enjoyable day. Whether we are planning the entire event or just applying the finishing touches, we are professional and committed. Our knowledge and expertise means that all we work with can rely on our excellent advice. We work closely with our couples, to deliver their perfect day but never taking over.

What's so great about working in the wedding industry?
Everything! To me, this industry is something to fall in love with. Meeting with lovely couples and being part of the magic of the day and seeing the smile on a bride's face when she sees her special day come together is priceless. For me, this isn't a job, it's a lifestyle.

In your opinion, what are the most important questions a bride should ask when booking suppliers?
Really, I think they should have a list of what exactly they need to achieve with each specific suppliers and work to a specific budget. It's very important to cover all the groundwork at the early stages and then there's no surprises further along the line. A key question is always costs - do quotes include VAT? Are there any extras such as mileage charges? But mostly, you have to ask yourself if you like that supplier and want to give them the honour of being involved with your wedding.

Have you got any great wedding tips you'd like to share?
Feel comfortable with every one that will be working on your day, especially suppliers such as photographers as you'll be spending a lot of time with them over the months of planning and on the wedding day itself. If your clever with your budget, you'll be able to afford an 'on the day' co-ordinator and they will look after you and make sure the day you've planned is the one you get. It's an affordable but invaluable service.

What makes a wedding really fabulous?
Personal touches. A wedding should be all about the couple and guests should be leaving saying "that was a great wedding because it couldn't have been anyone else's day but theirs".

Have you seen anything really great at weddings recently?
A recent wedding had a fabulous 'secret midnight party' - the majority of the guests left and then the bride, groom and their closest, most party loving friends, went on dancing through til dawn and they had breakfast together at dawn. It was great!

How do you prepare for a wedding?
Prior to the day, I have a comprehensive questionnaire that I work through with my couples and once this is complete, I meet the couple again to run through the day with them. On the day, I work to this planner and check all is correct and and to check that everything is just as they wanted. The aim of the game is that the couple and their friends and family relax and worry about nothing. It should be a seamless day and one full of memories for the right reasons.

What do you think the next 'big thing' in weddings will be?
Right now, whatever happens at the Royal Wedding in April will be big news but other than that, we look to the US for a lot of our trends - they tend to hit the UK 12-18 months later!

If you could give brides one piece of advice, what would it be?
Relax and enjoy the day - it's once in a lifetime.

To find out more about Julie and the services she offers, including the very popular 'on the day' co-ordination, visit her website - www.essentially-you.net or follow her on Twitter - www.twitter.com/julietooby

The Supplier's Speech - Courtenay Photographic

A couple of weeks ago, I went on an eshoot with the ever-so lovely Dorset Wedding Photographer - Courtenay Photographic for a 'behind the scenes' report. I believe that before I tell you someone is good, I should see them work so now I feel very happy to give Courtenay a double thumbs-up.

I'm really happy to bring you this week's Supplier's Speech so you can hear from the man himself. And if the behind the scenes report, this beautiful image, this feature and gorgeous images don't convince you that this man is a little bit of a wizard behind the lens, then keep your eyes peeled for a fabulous shoot that's coming your way in a few weeks time when Courtenay attempts the impossible - to make me look good!

But for now, I give you this week's speaker - Courtenay Hitchcock...

Tell me a little bit about your business...

I've been photographing people for longer than I am going to admit but I've been a professional wedding photographer for ten years, some 500+ weddings now I think. I live in Dorset with my wife and four children (yes, I know four!) and that's where you'll find my studio. I work most frequently through the southern half of England but go wherever my clients want me to go (a Scottish castle, a Welsh manor house and a great wedding in the USA are all in this year's diary).

I'm strictly a wedding photojournalist which means I'm the exact opposite of a bossy line-'em-up photographer. I work without an assistant, without lots of equipment (I don't use a flash, I'm a natural light photographer), I dress to your dress code (if you're wearing black tie, I'll be in mine too) and I've often been mistaken for a guest. I blend into your day, I'm there when I'm needed, I disappear when I'm not.

What's so great about working in the wedding industry?

I work closely with people on the one of the most exciting, emotional, special days of their lives doing something I am utterly passionate about. What's not to love?

In your opinion, what are the most important questions a bride should ask when they're booking their photographer?

First an foremost, ask yourself do you love the images that you're seeing? Are they making you smile/laugh/feel emotional? Secondly, do you like the photographer? You're going to be spending a lot of time with them.

I wrote a blog post recently with all the essential points to consider so please take a look at How to find YOUR wedding photographer.

Have you got any great wedding tips you'd like to share?

Plan your wedding for yourselves - and then enjoy it. Take your time, plan it well, exactly the way you want it, not the way that your friends, family or relatives expect it to be. There are no 'rules' to follow. Whatever you want is totally possible and purely down to your imagination and enthusiasm. When the day comes around, it's too late to worry so just enjoy. If it pours with rain, you want to look back and laugh at the fun time you had, not how the weather ruined your day.

What makes a wedding really fabulous?

A relaxed couple. If you're having fun, your guests will too. Plan the day you want and then enjoy the day you have. On the day, the little things don't matter - once you're there, there's nothing you can do to change it, no-one will ever know and it won't really spoil anything. Just laugh and get on with it! And don't forget the details - make them unique and the wedding becomes about you, taking on your personality.

Have you seen anything really unusual or unique at a wedding recently?

Every wedding is unique - they all have their own rhythm and character. The most unique are those where the bride and groom have really taken the time to personalise the elements. There was the couple who re-created classic love story movie posters for their table numbers, the bride from Tobago in full sari and henna marrying her English groom in tails in a village church, the couple who married on a river boat, had a cruise and then came back for bangers and mash.

We're very lucky that the majority of our couples really go the extra mile to put their personal stamp and imagination into their wedding.

How do you prepare for a wedding?

I talk it through closely with the Bride & Groom so that I know exactly what they're expecting - this will usually happen on the eShoot (a standard part of our wedding service) where I get to know them closely to really understand them as a couple. I always talk to the celebrant so that I know the rules of photography beforehand. I visit all venues, talk to all the other suppliers involved and of course I make sure all my equipment is packed and ready to go. Oh, and I ask my wife to set my Sat Nav because I break it when I do it.

What are some of your favourite wedding memories?

Crikey. Far too many! So many moments from hundreds of weddings. Probably the most awesome was an e-mail after a wedding from a lady in Australia - a friend of a friend of a friend has shown her my blog as one of the pictures of the bride looked just like her. She was very excited - the bride turned out to be her sister who she hadn't spoken to for 25 years! It was a great story and fabulous to put them back in touch.

What do you think will be the next big thing in weddings?

Personality and uniqueness. Thankfully we’re all moving away from uniform by-the-rules weddings, and couples are starting to really create their own days. It might be a barn dance in a field, Georgian Dancing in a Castle, or a bunting-draped village hall. It doesn’t matter, anything different is good.

In terms of the ceremony itself, I hope we’re about to see a relaxing of the wedding rules and allowing the couples to marry wherever they want to marry, opening up a realm of possibility.

In terms of photography, we’ve recently professional stills cameras that create HD video, but can see that 3D may well be on the horizon. But, best of all, we're seeing the trends return to excellent photography - simple, stylish, talented. Phew!

If you could give brides just one piece of advice, what would it be?

Enjoy. Enjoy enjoy enjoy. If you're stressing, you're doing it wrong.

If you'd like to find out more about Courtenay then visit his website, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook and of course, keep an eye on my blog for more gorgeous images from Courtenay's camera.

The Supplier's Speech - Knots & Kisses

I have to admit that I absolutely love stationery- new notebooks, note cards, writing paper, diaries, you name it. So, I'm particularly happy that this week's Supplier's Speech is with the super stationer, Nikki Ward from Knots & Kisses...

Tell me a little bit about your business...

I started Knots & Kisses Wedding Stationery just over 2 years ago after helping quite a few friends and family with their weddings and stationery. I finally decided to take the plunge and set up my own business producing 100% handmade stationery. The stationery we offer definitely has a vintage flavour and I like using embellishments such as lace, pearls and diamante. We also offer a bespoke service so a couple can exactly what they want. We operate nationwide but I am based in Essex and will quite happily go to meet clients for bespoke consultations.

What's so great about working in the wedding industry?

The wedding industry is amazing... most people you meet are passionate about weddings, whether that be the couples you work with or other suppliers. Everyone is just so enthusiastic about wanting to create that one perfect day for the couple involved... that's what I love, helping make a couple's day perfect. I think the stationery is the ideal starting point!

In your opinion, what are the most important questions brides should ask when they're booking suppliers?

Certainly, when it comes to stationery, brides really need to find out what the delivery schedule is going to be. Many brides would love handmade stationery but really don't understand that this will mean ordering my further in advance than you may have to for printed. Also, if you are on a strict budget, let your stationery company know from the start. We can then work tightly to your budget, adapt invitations to suit it and always make suggestions to save you money! There is nothing worse as a stationer than working with a couple and creating a bespoke design for them and then they say it's out of their price range!

Have you got any great wedding tips you'd like to share?

Many people make the mistake of ordered one invitation per person. Remember families and couples only need one invitation! Orders of Service can also often be shared between two people if you're looking to save money. Remember to order a couple of extra blank invitations, even if you are ordering stationery with pre-printed guest names, just in case any of your original guest list can't come and you want to send an invitation to someone else.

What makes a wedding really fabulous?
By far and above the most important factor for me for a fabulous wedding is that it 100% reflect the style of the couple getting married. Great weddings always involve a totally relaxed couple having fun.

How do you prepare for a wedding?
The run up to most weddings involves getting their reception stationery ready and producing handpainted table plans to match their stationery. All of these items are delivered at least a week before the big day.

What are some of your favourite wedding memories?
My favourite wedding so far to date has been that of a friend who's stationery I did. She got a licence at a local theatre and had an art deco theme which include a theatre ticket as the invitation. I also produced matching table plans. The day was amazing... she had a red dress and matching top hat and I was thrilled to have been such a big part of the day!

What do you think the next 'big thing' in weddings will be?
Trends in weddings are definitely following those in fashion and interiors. A handmade and handcrafted look is really popular and vintage is still key but it's being pushed to slightly darker and quirkier levels. Victoriana, tweed, circus posters and antique jewellery are great inspirations. I'm also still getting lots of inspiration from Alice in Wonderland and Scandinavian red and white wool items.

If you could give brides just one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be yourself. Don't be pushed into having 'the norm' when it comes to weddings. If you give me a ring with an unusual idea, I guarantee I won't be one of those suppliers who will tell you it's not suitable for a wedding, I'll think it's fabulous!

If you would like to contact Nikki or find out more about Knots and Kisses...
You can visit the Knots & Kisses website, follow Nikki on Twitter, e-mail her via info@knotsandkisses.co.uk or call on 07976 625201. Nikki also has a blog full of great design ideas.

The Supplier's Speech - HF Couture

I'm so pleased about The Supplier's Speech this week because, as you can well imagine, I absolutely lovely pretty jewellery and beautiful accessories so I'm really pleased to be featuring the fabulous Jane from HF Couture.

And as a wonderful treat, Jane is offering readers of my blog 10% off headdresses ordered before 5th April 2011. Just quote 'Tamryn Kirby Blog' when you order.

Anyway, read on to find out more about Jane, her business and her tips for an amazing wedding...

Tell me a little bit more about your business...

My business, HF Couture is my dream… I have always been artistic it was finding a medium to express my abilities that took me down the accessories path. I have always loved costume jewellery and the grand statement pieces from the likes of Miriam Haskell, Hagler, Schiaparelli to more modern pieces from Monty Don (yes back in the 80s before he started gardening!) and Butler and Wilson influence my style. I also love fashion history from the Art Nouveau period through to Dior's New Look and this can also play a role in my designs – I adore theatrical costumes such those as designed by Jenny Beavan for Elizabeth, The Golden Age.

What's so great about working in the wedding industry?

I do love the wedding industry! When you meet creative like minded people and work with them and meet wonderful brides to be, it's such a privilege to be involved with their special day knowing that whatever you create for them will be seen down the generations and that the piece you have designed and made will become and heirloom... wow!

In your opinion, what are the most important questions brides should ask when booking suppliers?

Brides always need to be honest about their budget and what they like and don't like. Don't be afraid to vocalise these things and it can save such a lot of heartache in the long run.

Have you got any great wedding tips that you'd like to share?

Oh yes! When you're walking down the aisle towards the person you're intending to pledge the rest of your life to, don't run! Walk as ele

gantly as you can manage and definitely don't slouch. Shoulders back, head up, smile and don't clutch your flowers to your chest, it looks untidy. Hold them just over your tummy button!

What makes a wedding really fabulous?

A really fabulous wedding is one that really reflects the personalities of the couple, not the latest 'must haves' that you've seen in magazines. If afternoon tea in the village hall is your thing, do it!

Have you seen anything really unusual or unique for weddings recently?

Unusual as it's not something 'regular' magazines would necessarily cover but I had a bride for whom I made a headdress and circlet in gold and it had dozen of tiny Swarovski crystal flowers coming off it in every colour under the sun and her dress was the most divine olive silk dupion.

What are some of your favourite wedding memories?

My favourite wedding memories are of my wedding. Our darling late son, Richard, looked so handsome in his kilt and his best friend sang the Panis Angelicus for us in church. Both sets of parents were there too and now sadly two of them are no longer with us.

What do you think the next 'big thing' in weddings will be?

I suspect the next big thing will be whatever Catherine Middleton presents us with on her wedding day. I suspect the whole industry is waiting with baited breath for this!

If you could give brides just one piece of advice, what would it be?

Relax! Ok, so you've probably spent ages organising it and have hopefully engaged a wedding planner to take care of things, even if it's just 'on the day'. It will all be ok and remember the whole point of a wedding is just that - the wedding! The moment when you take your vows. Oh yes, get insurance and read all the small print in any contracts!

If you'd like to find out more about Jane and her work, take a look at her website www.hfcouture.co.uk

You can find HF Couture on Twitter - www.twitter.com/HFCouture

Jane can be contacted on 07789 760072 or via e-mail jane@hfcouture.co.uk

The Supplier's Speech - Brown Box Photography

For the first in my new series of interviews with wedding suppliers, I'm talking to the lovely Claire Baggott of Brown Box Photography...

Tell me a little bit about your business (where you operate, how long you’ve been operating, maybe a bit about your style etc)
My name is Claire Baggott and I have been working as a professional wedding photographer for four years. My company, Brown Box Photography, is based in Reading, and I cover weddings in Berkshire and surrounding areas. I often get asked why the company is called Brown Box, and to tell you in a nutshell, it is named after a very shabby and gorgeous brown box which contains a diamond and sapphire ring left to me by my Grandmother – I thought it had a nice ring to it (excuse the pun!), and it has great meaning to me. With a real passion for all things wedding, I strive to capture the true story and emotion of a couple's wedding day, delivering stunning images and excellent customer service. My style combines a mix of classic, contemporary and reportage photography, tailored to the needs of each couple that I work with.

What’s so great about working in the wedding industry?
For me, it is fantastic to be able to do a job that matters so much to someone. Nothing beats the look on a bride's face as she sees her wedding photographs for the first time, it's priceless. Weddings are such fun and happy occasions; it's a privilege to be able to do this job.

In your opinion, what are the most important questions brides should ask when they’re booking suppliers?
I know this might sound a little negative, but be sure to ask about the worst case scenario. It is easy to ignore this as we don't want to think about it, but all your suppliers are human, and it is possible that due to illness or injury they may not be able to honour their agreements with you. But a good supplier, where possible, will have a back up plan for if the worst should happen. Ask your suppliers what would happen if they were unexpectedly unavailable for your wedding day, and think about whether this provides you with the level of assurance you are looking for. I always tell the couples I meet with about my contingency plans, and so many of them say that they would never have thought to ask about it.
Another good tip is to check that all the things you are expecting or wanting to get for your money are included in the price quoted. In terms of wedding photography, I always tailor my quotes to reflect exactly what my couples are looking for – this way they are not paying for anything they don't want or need, and everything they do want is included in their package.

Have you got any great wedding tips you’d like to share?
A little bit of forward planning goes a long way to make your day run smoothly. In terms of your photography, always provide your photographer a list of the formal group shots you would like ahead of your wedding day so that no one is missed. Think about timing; if you have a tight schedule, try to prioritise the shots that you want. After all, this is your day to enjoy, you don't want to be rushing around trying to squeeze in a huge number of group shots into a ten minute window. Even if you do have plenty of time, it is still important to prioritise what shots you want, as you don't want to be having your photo taken for too long and miss out on mingling with your lovely guests. Plus, the time you spend having a nice glass of bubbly and chatting to your friends and family is perfect for some wonderful reportage shots.
I am finding more and more couples enquiring about having engagement or pre-wedding shoots. Not only is it a fantastic way to get some photographs of the two of you together (so many couples tell me that they have hardly any nice pictures of just the two of them), but it is perfect for those couples who don't feel at ease in front of the camera – it's like a practice run and does wonders to boost your confidence and helps you to relax on your big day.

What makes a wedding really fabulous?
The most fabulous weddings I have photographed are the ones that are a true expression of the couple and their affection for one another. And the great thing about this, is that it doesn't matter if you are on a shoestring budget, or have all the money in the world. As soppy as it sounds, a really fabulous wedding is one that is all about love, and this always comes across in your photographs. Also, the finer details also make a wedding day what it is. Whether it is the flowers, the table decorations, the shoes...all those little touches that are the result of so much time and effort are a real favourite for me when it comes to photographs.

Have you seen anything really unusual or unique at a wedding recently?
I photographed a wedding last summer that was really unique, and was a great reflection of the bride and groom's personalities. The marriage ceremony was an intimate affair in a gorgeous town hall, and then everyone continued on to a 'festival' themed reception. The groom's parents had a paddock to the side of their home, and it was there that the bride and groom hosted their guests in a brightly coloured marquee filled with sunflowers and bails of hay. As well as a dance floor, there was also a corner with huge scatter cushions for sitting and relaxing... I can still picture the bride sitting on the floor with her two bridesmaids with a glass of bubbly, it really was lovely.

How do you prepare for a wedding?
Photographing a couple's wedding is a very big responsibility, and so preparation is really important. For me, the preparation starts from the first time I meet with a couple. Getting a good understanding of what a bride and groom are looking for from their photography, means that from that point on – everything is tailored to their needs and expectations. I will always go to the wedding venue a few weeks before the wedding to have a look around, and if the couple can join me that's even better. The day before a wedding all my equipment is prepared, packed, triple-checked and ready to go for the following day. I then make sure I have my schedule for the day, as well as the list of photographs from the bride and groom printed out to bring with me. I also have a fantastic little SOS pack in my bag for the bride – tissues, wet wipes, safety pins, lip gloss... perfect!

What are some of your favourite wedding memories?
My favourite memory from my own wedding, is the very last dance of the night. I was adamant that I did not want a slow soppy song, so my husband and I went crazy to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now for the last few minutes of our wedding day. We spun around and jumped and laughed – it was magic, and I really didn't want to stop.
My favourite memories from weddings I shoot always come from the more informal reportage photographs, where the bride and groom are just enjoying their day and you capture a beaming smile, a laugh or loving look when they have no idea you are there. These are the photos that always make me smile when I come to edit a couple's images.

What do you think the next ‘big thing’ in weddings will be?
Without a doubt, a lot of brides will be taking some fantastic inspiration from Kate and William's upcoming wedding... that is definitely one to watch. Wouldn't it be great if they had giant jenga out on the royal lawn?!!!

If you could give brides just one piece of advice, what would it be?
Your wedding day will go so fast; there are lots of people to speak to and so much fun to be had. My biggest tip, is to make sure that you and your brand new husband try and find just a few minutes to take a walk together, have some quiet time just the two of you to truly take in the magic of your day and the realisation that you are now Mr & Mrs. This is also one of the biggest reasons I love wedding photography, as your wedding images allow you to transform that one day into a beautiful album that will continue to tell the story for years to come.

If you'd like to find out more about Brown Box Photography...

Visit the website www.brownboxphotography.co.uk/weddings

Contact Claire on 07585 218 627 or contact@brownboxphotography.co.uk

Follow Claire on twitter http://twitter.com/brownboxphotos

Like her on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brown-Box-Photography/129977307019374

And obviously all images in this post are courtesy of Brown Box Photography!

Wedding Suppliers In Love!

So yesterday I took part in a ‘tweetchat’ about Wedding PR and a comment I made has been my most re-tweeted post ever...

“Twitter is like a very long job interview. Clients read everything so if you’re looking for business, stay professional.”

This seems to have struck quite a chord with lots of people, wedding pros and brides alike and some of the comments I’ve received from people have been really interesting. Now I love Twitter – it’s a great way to connect with people, to ‘meet’ people you wouldn’t usually and to find out about new ideas and yes, it’s great for laughs and support too (especially when you work on your own and end up talking to the kettle for company on some days).

However, it’s certainly true that Twitter is also a ‘shop window’ – if you’re a wedding supplier, brides are reading your Tweets and ‘checking you out’. Do you know what you’re talking about? Do you come across as someone they want to work with and are you ‘their kind of person’? This is especially true for people like wedding planners who ARE their product – clients have to like you before they want to work with you. The same is true of photographers, florists and anyone who has direct, face to face, interaction with their clients.

Because it’s important, so important, that brides love their suppliers – wedding pros love it when their clients love them because we’re all the same, we want our clients to be beyond happy. It’s not good enough to just do enough – brides deserve to have their expectations exceeded, to have suppliers working with them that have a genuine desire to give them a great day. Being a wedding supplier isn’t purely about paying the bills. Yes, we all have to make a living but wedding suppliers get a huge kick from making other people happy. And we like it when people love us...

So, if Twitter is a big on-line dating vehicle for brides and suppliers, let’s all clean our teeth, put on our best outfits and go and knock all our potential dates for six with our pure fabulousness!