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Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Herts and Beds Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourhertsbeds.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Picture-Perfect Images
| Q | What is your advice for a spring wedding? |
| A | Jo Quint says: Spring weddings have a unique charm that sets them apart. With longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, blossoming flowers, and vibrant spring bulbs, they create a stunning and uplifting atmosphere filled with colour and joy. Whenever you're getting married, one of the big issues that can play on couples' minds is the weather, especially if you're planning an outdoor ceremony or much of your day will be outdoors, the weather can be hugely influential. If there's one thing that's certain about the British weather, it's the unpredictability. March winds and April showers can come at any time of year, so contingency plans are always a good idea. There's no need to dwell on it, but if you have a backup plan, you can relax and enjoy your day, knowing that even if the rain does come, it won't dampen your spirits. I love the drama of a downpour of rain or a gust of wind. It can give your photos an extra something, especially if everyone's embracing it and having fun. |
Jo Quint, Quintessential Photography
Picture-Perfect Photography
| Q | We're getting married soon, and I'm worried that I won't be able to look natural in the photographs. What should I do? |
| A | Sophie Askew says: It's important to look around and choose a photographer whose style you love. There are so many different photographers with various approaches and editing styles. Think about what is essential for you and your day, and go from there. For example, I class myself as a documentary style with a hint of editorial; this means that I try to capture your day authentically as it unfolds, occasionally giving light direction to offer the best locations or angles for certain shots while mainly focusing on the genuine moments to tell the story of your day. Getting to know your photographer a little before your day is important to ensure you get along well and are a good fit. After all, you spend most of your day with the supplier right by your side, so you want to make sure that they're someone you'll feel comfortable with, maybe even someone who feels like they could be a part of your bridal party. For my clients, I always recommend having a video call before booking to ensure we get along well and to talk through your plans so that I can best serve them on their special day. Additionally, it's a good idea to book an engagement shoot with your photographer before the wedding; this allows you to meet in person and start making those vital connections with each other before one of the most special and important days of your lives. Picking the perfect photographer will help you feel comfortable and, therefore, look natural in the photographs. |
Sophie Askew, Sophie Askew Photography
Caught on Camera
| Q | We're both a bit camera-shy and anxious about photos on our wedding day, but we also want a lovely album to look back on. Can you offer us some advice? |
| A | Julia Walters says: For many couples, their only experience with a professional photographer is their school photos; in many cases, this isn't a great one! Choosing the right wedding photographer is the key to feeling relaxed and confident about your wedding photos. Before booking a supplier, research their work and choose three to four companies that appeal to you. Read testimonials and see if these resonate with you. Ask for a full wedding gallery to see all the photographs taken at a wedding. If possible, meet with your short list of photographers, ideally in person or over a Zoom call, to see if your personalities fit. Fear of the unknown raises anxiety. This can be greatly reduced by having a pre-wedding photo shoot with your wedding photographer to build your relationship and give you a small taste of what having professional photographs feels like. When it comes to your wedding day, relax and enjoy it! Laugh, cry, live and breathe the rollercoaster of emotions and have the best day. Your professional wedding photographer will capture all the magical moments you can relive and retell. Your wedding album is a complete wedding day story and will become an heirloom for generations. |
Julia Walters, Fairytale Wedding Photos
Rainy Days
| Q | We're getting married in a marquee. How do we prepare for this and ensure we still get gorgeous images? |
| A | Caroline Acaster says: There's no need to worry about a bit of rain on your wedding day; it's considered good luck and forces your guests to mingle together. Come the evening, the dancefloor would be filled, creating an authentic party atmosphere. That said, I would suggest a few things if the forecast was looking a little soggy. •Umbrellas and wellies: Inject fun into your bridal party shots with colourful wellies to match your wedding theme and clear brollies to keep all important hair and make-up perfect all day. You can even dress your umbrella dome with flowers and foliage to match your bridal bouquets. •Golden hour couple shots: After the rain comes a beautiful sunset! Plan time in your day to capture a couple of shots with your photographer during golden hour – I promise you won't regret it! • Embrace and enjoy: You can't control the weather, so embrace and enjoy every minute of your special day. If you're feeling brave, dance in the rain together. It will make for some truly romantic images, and you'll feel so high on life after! |
Caroline Acaster, Caroline Acaster Photography
Finding The One
| Q | What questions should we ask our photographer before booking? |
| A | Scott Hammond says: I've always believed there are two questions to ask before booking a photographer. Firstly, does the photographer's style fit what we're looking for? This speaks for itself, as photography as an art is subjective, and ultimately, the first thing a couple will be attracted to is what they see. Check what packages they offer, if any, to fit your budget. Money is always a taboo subject, but it's an important one to have in the world we live in today. As long as you strike a great balance between getting what you want and paying for quality, this should be an essential part of the decision-making process. |
Scott Hammond, Scott Hammond Photography
Capturing Memories
| Q | We're on the hunt for our dream photographer; what should we keep in mind? |
| A | Natalie Martinez says: If you have a few photographers in mind, don't make a decision purely on the shots you see on their website. Ask to see a full wedding gallery from start to finish. You'll want to see images of all the special moments throughout the day, like the couple getting ready, the ceremony, the first dance, the reception and detail shots. Photographers cover several events throughout the day in different lighting, so decide how well they cover all of these key moments, not just the couples' photos. A good photographer will always be happy to show you this and answer any other questions; you only have to ask. |
Natalie Martinez, Natalie Martinez Wedding Photography
Picture Perfect
| Q | We want our wedding photos to be memorable and beautiful. What advice can you share for the perfect confetti shot? |
| A | Alice Jones says: We've all seen the picture of a couple basking in the pure joy of just being married while their loved ones shower them with confetti. But how do you get those perfect confetti shots? Location is key! A beautiful backdrop will ensure the image has a big impact. Be sure to check with your venue in advance, as many have restrictions on where confetti can be used. Bright-coloured confetti always stands out and looks fabulous in photos. My favourite is bio-degradable tissue paper as it's environmentally friendly, comes in various colours and floats beautifully. Avoid anything too large like rose petals as they tend to be heavy, drop quickly and block faces. More is better when it comes to confetti! One or even two handfuls per guest is preferable. I always recommend that loved ones form a tunnel for the couple to walk down; this gives everyone a chance to throw their confetti and multiple opportunities to get different shots. Enjoy the moment! Try not to look down; walk slowly, look at each other and have fun! For more intimate weddings, have guests gather around and throw confetti while you stand still. |
Alice Jones, Alice Jones Photography
Capturing memories
| Q | So many photographers are out there – how do we choose the right one for us? |
| A | Sarah Whyte says: Firstly, shortlist photographers whose style grabs your attention. Look at their website and social media pages to get an idea of their work before asking to see a couple of wedding galleries too. Typically, you only see a few highlights from each wedding on social media or their website. So, seeing the full range of what they can offer is ideal. Consider if you prefer a more natural style or lots of posed and dramatic images. Hiring someone you get along famously with is no good if their editing style doesn't match what you're after. A light and airy photographer will not want to edit your photos in a dark and moody style or vice versa. Ensure you're happy with what they typically offer and you have a shared vision for the day. Always read reviews from couples who have used the company to give you an idea of how they work and might fit into your day. Try to meet the prospective photographer in person before booking them, as it could ruin your wedding if you don't get along well with them. |
Sarah Whyte, Purple Kite Photography
