Introducing our New Air Booth for 2023.
Would you like a Photobooth for your guests to enjoy at your wedding reception or Party but don't want to fork out Hundreds of pounds on High tech equipment for a couple of hours?
Jay's Photography have now added Air Booth Photography for our Wedding Packages. We are also available for Birthday Parties, Christmas Parties, or anything else you are celebrating. Complete with Curtain Backdrops which can be personalized for any occasion, a selection of various props that are both Wedding and Party related.
Look out for our special offer on Facebook coming next week.
Wedding Timeline Planner
First and Foremost, congratulations on your engagement. Your marriage together is such a special thing, so here is a planner to consider where you should go next. I hope it helps at this very exciting time.
Get Engaged:
You did it, now time to start planning. Here's to you using this timeline to support you along in your journey.
Consider your budget:
You'll gain clarity in decision-making along the entire process if you know how much you have to spend from the outset. Work out your budget, and always factor in a little extra for various items that may pop up along the way.
Guest List:
This task is one of the first things you should consider as it'll have an impact on the venues that you'll go about selecting for your ceremony and reception.
Venue:
The earlier the better! With your venue selected, it' ll make everything else so much easier. Having your date confirmed will allow you to progress with clarity as you move forward in your communications with other vendors.
Ceremony:
Have a think about the type of service that you'd like, book your church, or officiant, and sort the finer details of your marriage, like your wedding license.
Photography and videography:
Seasoned wedding photographers/videographers tend to get booked up very far in advance, quite often up to one year ahead of time, so as
soon as you have the above confirmed, these should be your next move.
Your dress:
Take your family and/or friends with you to shop. When you've found your dress, you can start to think about bridesmaids dresses too.
Flowers:
If cut flowers are your preferred ( other sustainable options available too, like button bouquets), try to meet with your florist to make sure they understand exactly what your day looks like and what you' re looking for
Stationery:
Usually your stationery will be the very first thing that your wedding guests will see for your wedding. Whether you' re taking the do-it yourself or professionally created route, be sure to consider timings for both to ensure that you' re not in for any surprises.
Cake:
Always book a tasting session ( if only to try cake!) to make sure you and your partner are fully contented with the flavour of your cake.
Hair & Makeup:
Book in and trial run for your hair and make up to ensure a more relaxed morning of the wedding.
Groomswear:
At this point, it' s probably about time that you gave your partner some them-time. Consider this as the right time to finalise what the groom will be wearing, along with their ushers, best man, and your bridesmaids.
Entertainment:
You can do this as early or as late as you'd like, just don' t leave it too late. Think about when you'd like your entertainment during the day. During the ceremony? Drinks reception? Or just during your evening reception?
Decorations:
You might have been collecting your decorations since day one but, if not, now is a good time to think about all the décor items you'd like to be present. It can be so easy to overspend in this area, so take care! Quality over quantity.
Transport:
Have you thought about how you will be moving from A to B? Car, Limo, maybe you want to drive yourself? Choose the option that suits you the best.
Rings:
Going down the route of having rings made? Make sure you leave enough time to go through the process of designing and ordering them, ring makers will always be able to give you an estimate of completion - make sure it' s before your wedding day!
Loose ends:
Naturally, there will be lots of little things that are unique to you and your partners wedding. There' s no better feeling than knowing that you have everything under control. Think table plan, order of service, vows, dress pick-up' s, etc. so you can relax throughout your special day.
Hints and Tips for your special day.
Over the past 5 years, I have captured just over 200 weddings, and in that time, I have picked up a few hints and tips on how to have the perfect day.
So with that in mind, I’ve made a list to share with you. These are my own personal recommendations and not something to base your day on. I hope you find some of these helpful.
Wedding Preparations.
At Home -
It’s always nice too get ready at home, especially if you are a little nervous or have small children with you.
De - clutter your rooms as much as you can in the run up to your special day, I know with busy lives and hectic schedules it’s difficult, but you will love your images even more without a basket of washing in the background.
Try and keep a room free for hair and make up. The brightest room in your home is always good as some Make up artists don’t carry portable lights.
It’s always good to have a room with plenty of space to get into your dress too. If you have a corset dress, allow plenty of time to get into it. If your not experienced in lacing, these can take a little while to master. Having a crochet hook will make doing up buttons a lot easier too, especially if you have long nails.
Always go to the bathroom before getting into your dress.
If your having nibbles and drinks getting ready, keep these in the kitchen. There’s nothing worse than having a bridesmaids dress with orange juice down it.
Venue -
When inquiring with your venue about your wedding, always ask to see the preparation room. This might be the Bridal suite or just a Hotel room. Ideally it needs to be spacious, bright and have plenty of room to store bags out of the way. If you’ve had breakfast or have food in the room, make sure room service have cleared it away before you start to get ready or store it in bags in the corner of the room.
Practice sitting in your dress before tightening up.
When organizing your schedule, allow at least 35 minutes before your service for photo’s and meeting the registrar. What ever your timeline, add 30 minuets to supplier times. Nothing ever runs to plan.
Keep your fresh flowers in the bathroom. Rooms can become very warm with lots of people in them and cause the flowers to wilt.
Have on hand any jewelry you will be wearing, your shoes, perfume and an invitation for photo’s.
Anyone who is not in your Bridal procession, kindly ask them to wait at the service venue. Overcrowded rooms can lead to increased nerves and anxiety.
The Service -
Tradition has it that the bride should lead down the aisle with her maids carrying her train behind her. Historians say it’s so that if the groom decides to run, he has to battle not only the father of the bride but also her ladies in waiting, Thankfully this tradition is very rarely used.
Letting your attendants walk down first is a great way for photographers to capture clear images of you and the person who is giving you away. Your maids walk down two at a time, slowly. And once they reach the bottom, they then move to the left side, turn and watch as you make your way down the aisle. Take your time, Focus on the person waiting for you, enjoy the moment keeping your head up and smile. :)
Once your in place, Hand your flowers to your maid of honour or place them on the table in front of you while your other maids straighten the back of your dress. ( this is nearly always overlooked. )
Relax and Breath.
When it is all over, and you are walking back up the aisle, stand tall, feel proud and smile, and again, remember to hold your head up.
Another thing to think about is mobile phones. We all have them and we all like recording memories on them but would you like a photo album full of photo’s with your faces blocked by Phones? There’s nothing worse than a couple walking back down the aisle to rows and rows of hands holding Mobile phones. I’m sure you would much rather see your guests beautiful faces. Having an unplugged wedding is so much more enjoyable to see. Your guests will have plenty of opportunities to capture their own images once the service is over.
Think about how you would like to exit your service venue. Do you want to walk through a shower of confetti? Do you want to exit first and your guest’s follow? Venue’s are very accommodating these days and love anything that is different.
If you’re getting married in a church, see if there is a back or side entrance that you can walk into whilst you guests make their exit. Your photographer can then get everyone in place with confetti for your grand exit.
Alternatively, at an outside venue, place confetti bags on the chairs so when you walk back up the aisle, your guests can sprinkle you with happiness.
Formal Images -
Always scope a venue for the best place to have your photos done. Are you happy with gravestones in the background? You might have to use a brick wall or a car park if space is limited. Would they be better captured back at your reception venue?
Your formal images are the part of the day that most guest don’t look forward to. Lots of hanging around and waiting to see if they are needed. So my advice would be to get your group image done first. This way anyone who is not on your formal list, or has to be at the reception venue first to set up can leave ahead of everyone else. The group image is the hardest and most time consuming image to capture as you’ll find guest wander off so its a good idea to have your registrar or vicar announce before you leave your venue that the group photo will be done straight away.
Your main formal images should consist of :
Bride and Groom
Bride Groom and Maids
Bride. Groom, Maids and Best-men
Bride, Groom, Best-men, and Ushers
Bride and Groom with Parents
Bride, Groom and Grandparents.
These people and formations are known as the Bridal Party and should be captured first. Once these are done you can then go on to do other family members, guests and friends.
Keep an eye on your timings for formals and try and appoint someone to help gather people together. It does help photographers a lot to have a list to work from for your images. If you can, those who you would like images with, let them know beforehand so they know to hang around whilst other guests can make their way to the reception or enjoy the drinks and canapes.
Don’t be afraid to have some fun with your maids and Ushers in your pictures.
Couples Photoshoot -
This is a good way of having a time out from your day. Just the two of you. Be loving and romantic with each other, remember why you are at this part of your lives together and don’t be afraid to be emotional.
If your driving to a specific location, Check ahead for parking, Fee’s and Charges not only for your bridal car but your photographer as well. Will it be extra busy because of holiday season or an event?
Some Photographers like to go that extra mile to capture the perfect image for you so don’t be afraid to get you dress or shoes a little dirty. You may have paid thousands for a dress but that one amazing shot your photographer gets you,will be admired for years and will be priceless. Dresses can be cleaned, Your photographer only gets one chance on the day.
Reception -
Speeches are best done before you have your wedding breakfast meal. It helps those who are nervous relax and enjoy their meal more. Most people who are giving a speech rarely eat a meal because of nerves, Also suppliers who are with you all day, some for up to 12 hours, need a break too. This means they can relax, check itinerary and any footage they have already captured. Your guest have waited this long, another 10 mins won’t notice.
Those doing speeches are best sat on the top table or close by. Photographers love reaction shots of the guests as well as the Groom from the dreaded Best man’s Speech. If your presenting gifts, try and find a space to hand them out if you would like it documented in your images.
Use a microphone if your venue is very large. Your guests at the back would like to hear the stories as well.
Cake cutting is traditionally done before the first dance. I personally like to do a mock cake cutting during the afternoon reception after the speeches. The lighting is so much better, Plus once you DJ gets going with his Hydra Wash X19 all singing all dancing lights, your faces will we covered in green and blue spots.
The In-Between -
If you have some time in – between receptions, use it to take 5. If your staying at your venue, go check out your room, sit and have a cuppa. Your day will go so fast you will need time to take it all in.
Check on your suppliers to see if there are any problems, and forgotten images or new ideas your photographer has. Also check to see if they have eaten. ( this gets overlooked by venue staff sometimes )
Evening Reception -
By 7pm, your evening guests will start to arrive. Have a walk around your room and look at the set up. Make use of all the things you have paid out for. Use the Photobooth, Grab a bag of sweeties for later, hide a doughnut in your purse for that midnight snack.
Say Hi to your DJ and check he has the correct song for your first dance and the right time. Your Dance is usually done around 8pm so your guest can then hit the dance-floor and enjoy the rest of the evening.
All eyes will be on you both for your first dance so make it special. You don’t have to do a full choreographed routine, but adding a little spin or a dip will keep your guests attention. If you don’t want to dance alone, Invite your guests to join you after a minute or two.
Whilst this list is only things that I, a Wedding Photographer, have come across, it is in no way a rule book to base your special day on. The most important thing is that you marry the love of your life, you have fun, and enjoy your day making beautiful memories.
Jay x