DIY: Bridal Party Invites

Anna of Rifle Design has created a fantastically simple step-by-step DIY guide on Oncewed.com, it is such a fun and special way to ask your bridesmaids- click here to view. Enjoy! x

Photo credit: Anna @ www.rifledesign.com for www.oncewed.com

The Wedding Photographer's 10 Best Trends

Recently we teamed up to write an article with wedding photographer Ian McGraw at ‘Veil & Train’ to share trends we are seeing in today’s Wedding Photography & Planning industries.

Over to Ian for his great tips for your wedding photography:

Contemporary Vintage - give your wedding a real vintage look with meaning and a modern twist by using a photographer who specialises in this specific style. Fine art tones and colour shifts – and don’t forget, dogs at weddings are so cool right now.

Photo Booth - A fun idea is to rent a photo booth for the reception so guests can make their own memories for you. Look out for retro booths and ‘blinged up’ versions that stand out to attract guests.

Pre-Wedding Shoots - not only a great fun way to get to know your photographer before the big day but also excellent feature images to show off at your reception. Posed, relaxed, fun portraits in an interesting location.

Reception prints - put your pre-wedding images in a mount & frame or in a guest album. Upon arrival at the reception guests have the opportunity to sign and leave their best wishes in the book or on the mount itself.

Parents Gifts - instead of giving flowers to parents at your reception why not get your pre-wedding images put into a mini albums or coffee table books as lasting keepsake gifts.

Fine Art Photography - Brides love this style because it reminds them of a fashion spread in a magazine. The photographer directs this style to fulfill a specific artistic vision with a view toproducing a final piece art.

Boudoir - designed as a gift for your fiancé. Boudoir photography is becoming increasingly popular. These are basically sexy pictures taken of you, in your own home or hotel room usually in lingerie or even as a nude or as an illusion of nudity.

Proposal Photography - this is an idea where the Groom to be (or sometimes the Bride)arranges with a photographer to photograph the moment of marriage proposal. More akin to the Paparazzi style of photography, where at least one half of the couple are completely unaware of what will happen.

Trash the Dress - some brides choose to vacuum wrap their dress once the vows have been taken and pack them away on top of the wardrobe. How about this option instead? Imagine a photo shoot where your beautiful dress gets completely destroyed, with you in it! The images are a real talking point.

Cherish the Dress - really the complete opposite of Trash the Dress. This is a dedicated fashion shoot designed to show off your beautiful dress in the most elegant way possible.These shoots are pure indulgence, get your hair and make-up done and get photographed in a fabulous location.

Be Inspired:

• John Michael Cooper - Trash The Dress

• Faye & Trevor Yerbury - Boudoir

• Chris Hanley - Cherish The Dress

• Jose Villa, Jesh De Rox - Fine Art & Contemporary with a vintage feel

• Booth Nation - Seamus Ryan's original photo booth

Photo credit: Veil and Train

It's official: I’m married!

After being with Neil for twelve years it was finally my turn to be the bride, an exciting change from being at the wedding as a co-ordinator! We had a wonderful day, the months of meticulous planning paid off and everything was perfect- except the only thing I knew I could not control, the British weather! The morning featured heavy rain and the rolls of thunder added drama to the ceremony, but as soon as we stepped outside as husband and wife the sun started shining for us. It was fantastic to be able to have a team of reliable and talented suppliers, they all did such an amazing job and helped to make our special day so perfect. A huge thank you to you all:

• Venue: Englemere, Ascot http://www.englemere.co.uk/
• Photography: Breathe Pictures, http://www.breathepictures.com/
• Stationary: SGPD, http://www.stephengreendesign.co.uk/
• Music: Euphonic and Straight Eight, http://www.straighteight.co.uk/
• Videographer: Shaun Folds, http://www.beautifullifeuk.com/
• Menswear: http://www.stress3hire.com/
• Flowers: Longacres nursery, Bagshot
• Hair: Natalie Layhe
• Cake: Patricia Cox

Photo credits: All images from Neale James from Breathe Pictures. Make sure you get an amazing photographer. Neale is so talented! His work is original and creative, we don’t have enough nice things to say about him. He made us look our best and, even more importantly, he made us feel comfortable.