Wedding Trends for 2020/2021 to help you with your wedding planning
small and intimate weddings are just one trend going into 2020/21. I did some research into the wedding industry to collect some trends for 2020/21 to help you with your wedding planning…
Weddings are very personal and there is no wedding that fits all, everyone has their own taste and wants something different be it the venue, dress, makeup, catering, styling or flowers. Along with trends people's tastes are changing and what they wish their special day to look like.
I have researched the latest trends in the wedding industry to give you some inspiration for your wedding planning.
RELAXED AND INFORMAL
Informal gatherings are top on the list for 2020/21 weddings. Going smaller with more to spend on quality instead of inviting everyone on your friend's list for your big day is gaining popularity as couples opt for more intimate, meaningful celebrations with their nearest and dearest.
I see more and more bookings for ‘Micro weddings’ meaning having a guest list of around 40 people or fewer. They can be formal or informal, keep with tradition, take a more modern approach or can be a fusion of both.
As there is more budget to spend on the personalisation you can make your wedding bespoke and offer your guests extra entertainment such as wine tasting, some quality favours and a 5 star dinner. You have more budget to add those little extras which make your wedding extra special and reflect your personality.
One of the most important qualities of smaller gatherings, they allow the bride and groom to spend more quality time with each and every guest.
Sami and Lee had a micro wedding at Lusty Glaze last year, what a great place to have a reception with your nearest and dearest
SUSTAINABLE / ECO WEDDINGS
In a world of imminent climate change it is ever more important to do our part to save the Earth’s natural resources. Now more than ever, couples are looking at ways to host responsibly.
This means cutting back on unnecessary waste and trying to be as eco-friendly as possible. There are plenty of 'greener' wedding venues to choose from and a lot of caterers offer deliciousness made from locally sourced food.
Another way to do your part to save the environment is to use upcycled and DIY décor , it doesn't just add a personal touch to your day but has been a wedding trend since a while and continues to grow.
I have also seen a lot of couples going 'plastic free' or even zero waste in swapping plastic straws for paper ones, using dried flower bouquets, compostable confetti or even sharing décor with other couples using the venue. Offering to 'replant trees' or 'giving to charities' as a wedding favour has become popular too.
There is plenty more...please also read my article on:
Dylan and Jake opted for compostable dried flower petal confetti and a dried flower bridal bouquet
GOING BIG AND BOLD ON STYLING AND LIGHTING
A smaller number of guests means you can spend more on styling your venue, so, it’s no surprise that one of the latest wedding trends right now is for oversize decor and giant statements.
Giving your wedding that personal style makes it different and more your day. Think giant balloons, giant centerpieces, floral arches, hanging displays and fancy lights.
Great lighting is often underrated and can transform your wedding venue and your images if it's indoors or outdoors. When the sun sets the lights come on, make them count and create an athmosphere for your reception. Even the simplest venue can start to glizzen with the right lighting installed.
Look at different ways to integrate lighting in a creative way. From exposed vintage style bulbs to funky lampshades, vintage chandeliers or candles in recycled jars to light up indoor and outdoor spaces. There’s lots of different ways that you can bring a touch of sparkle to your evening.
Bold Neon signage and lights have been around for a while and continue to be popular. With plenty of hire companies you can choose what you need to make a personal statement if you have the space.
Lighting can add a great ambience to your room and is often underrated. It also makes the photography more athmosperic. Hanging vintage light bulbs and fairy lights flood the room in a warm and light and can create some beautiful bokeh on your images.
make your wedding stylish with some hanging vintage lights
a warm atmosphere for your reception with the hanging vintage light bulbs
bold neon signage stays on trend if you have enough space to display it
the rustic barn at The Green Weddings in Cornwall with vintage lighting is a unique place for a ceremony
bridesmaids portrait in the old rustic barn with vintage lighting
THE DRESS
We all remember the Megan Markles beautiful wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller it was elegant, chic and modern with a long veil and had a great impact on the wedding gown trend.
Sleeves are also making a comeback. Long-sleeved wedding gowns are often paired with a backless dress to balance out the look, and adding a touch of sexiness.
Wedding dresses with pockets are one of the hot bridal trends for this year. They don't just look great they are also practical for storing things like phones, lipsticks etc...or your hands when you don't know where you should put them during the photoshoot, only joking!
Along with weddings tending more and more towards being unique and personalised comes the trend of a professional tailored or upcycled weddingdress, a way to have your own unique wedding dress like no one else and to suit your style.
Finally, along with the trend ‘going big’, extravagant and unique, flashy red statement lips are one of the makeup trends to look out for too.
Melodie’s vintage style dress was chic and elegant
simple elegance!
back less dress with added accessories
long sleeves are making a comeback!
Jenny’s custom designed wedding dress with tassel handbag , so gorgeous!
red lips are hip!
LARGE FLORALS
Flowers play a major part in every big day.
More and more couples are sourcing their flowers from an independent local florist.
Some even ask for seasonal locally sourced flowers, which is another great way to add a personal touch to your special day.
When choosing your flowers it's all about bold statement colours layered up with different textures and shapes. Speak to your florist about how they can layer up displays with an explosion of colour contributing to your colour scheme.
Add a bit of colour as floral hair weaves for the bridal party.
And when it comes to your bridal bouquet, it’s all about understated tidy bouquets with plenty of overflowing greenery or even add some succulents.
Jenny’s bridal bold bouquet was just stunning!
big flower arches
oh those succulents, I’m a big fan!
colour, succulents and vintage glass, a stylish combination
VIDEOGRAPHY
In recent years I have been asked for videographer recommendations by more and more couples. Having your wedding day captured as a film is becoming more popular and a great way to relive your day.
With videography gaining popularity we also see the rise of drone footage. Perfect for the videographer getting some stunning shots of you and your guests as well as your venue and the surroundings from above.
I have a list of talented videographers I work with, so please email me if you want some tips in the right direction.
FOOD AND DRINK
As everything else becomes more unique and personal so does the food and drink choices. From DIY bars with custom signature cocktails to unique canapés and desserts that reflect the couple's taste. Gin bars seem to be a favourite!
I have seen a lot of variations of grazing and dessert tables instead of a tradional wedding cake. I asked couples why they are not having a wedding cake and most of them answered that the 'cutting of the cake' is the biggest non-event of a wedding and with so much food on offer lots of it goes to waste and a grazing table or cheese tower/board makes much more sense.
So yes, if you want to be hip offer your guests cheese tables with artisan bread and crackers. Cupcake, donut towers are also popular choices or ask your guests to bring some homemade cake and offer a cake buffet. I have seen a 'bake off' competition, where the couple judges which is the best cake offering the 'star baker' a prize so your guets are inspired to bake the best cakes ever!
Homemade Cake crazing table
homemade tastes best!
Winner of the ‘cake bake off’ competition
DO IT YOUR WAY
So these are some of the most popular things I have discovered , but whatever the trends remember this is your day, so make it your own and don’t worry about what’s popular and what others are doing. Instead use it for inspiration, to have your day your way.
Small Weddings - big Memories
a special wedding day doesn’t have to be a big wedding with hundreds of people and huge budget, small weddings and elopements create big memories too along with a host of other benefits…they might even turn into the trend in the near future!
Are you thinking of getting married but don't want to spend the big money?
Are you thinking big weddings have got a bit out of hand?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the wedding planning process?
Then why don't you consider to downsizing? Smaller weddings are not any less special and have many benefits unique to them. They might even be the trend in the near future.
Let's explain the difference in between larger and smaller weddings first. An intimate or small wedding is generally considered to have between 30 and 60 guests. Whereas Micro weddings are much smaller than this, with guest numbers usually in between 10-20. An elopement with just the two of you is considered a 'runaway wedding'. Usually it means getting married without telling anyone especially your parents, but I have also seen a few elopements where couples bring their parents along as witnesses.
Many couples and celebrities are now opting for smaller weddings. It doesn't have to be a big expensive affair to be the special day of your life. Let me show you that a downsized day can not just be more romantic and intimate but also save you cost along with a whole host of other benefits.
A more personal and intimate atmosphere
While every bride and groom would much rather spend quality time with guests, hosting duties usually prevent this from happening. With a smaller wedding, you’ll have fewer guests to worry about and an opportunity to spend more quality time with them. You’ll also get plenty more special moments for the two of you to enjoy alone.
With a lot of small wedding venues being exclusive hire, you can do everything your way and decorate the whole place the way you like it with less effort than transforming a large venue to suit your style. It's much easier to create a more personal athmosphere for you and your guests in a small venue than a large one. Make it yours, reflecting your style and personality.
Finding a unique wedding venue suiting your style
Lavish weddings with guest numbers of 200+ don’t always ensure the best in wedding venues. In fact, finding a wedding venue to accommodate a large number of guests can be rather difficult – meaning you have to settle for the best of what’s available. Small, intimate weddings, on the other hand, offer plenty of choice and a whole range of hidden gems. One of my favourite venues here in Cornwall is the stylish Lowerbarns Boutique Bed and Breakfast on the Southcoast, a great option for elopements and intimate weddings up to 30 guests. It offers eclectic and unique rooms with private gardens to stay in. Some of them even come with a Jacuzzi. The owners Janey and Mike offer a more personal service than larger venues do and make everybody feel at home in no time. They also have a great catering team to make you some delicious meals. If you're opting for something slightly bigger like 60 guests, there are plenty of venues to choose from here in Cornwall. Lusty Glaze is one of them, located on its own private beach, you can't get closer to getting married by the sea here in Cornwall. They offer everything from elopements to larger weddings. You can hire whole or part of the beach venue for as little or as long as you like and if you book early you can even stay in one of their cottages on the beach. Knightor Winery is a beautiful rustic barn venue with a beautiful courtyard and some delicious food on offer. You can even offer your guests a wine tasting session of Knightor wines. Or you treat yourself to a luxury weekend away at the Scarlet hotel in Mawganporth. There are plenty of stunning locations to choose from here in Cornwall. I have a added a list of my favourites at the end of this article.
Savings on your big day budget
Whether you simply can’t afford the typical costs of a larger wedding or you think a big budget spend is a waste of money, downsizing your day can help you make essential savings. Limiting the number of wedding guests can allow you to focus on what you really want, which could be quality and individuality over size.
Saving big bucks on your wedding day will open other opportunites like a special honeymoon where you can make more special memories.
A more laid back day
Firstly a smaller wedding involves way less planning than a big celebration with 100 plus guests. Even better when you can accommodate all your guests on location and make it a weekend with everybody together. A lot of smaller wedding venues cater for accommodating up to 30 guests. There is also the possibility of renting a larger holiday house and spend the weekend together under one roof with strolls down the beach, dips in the sea, and bbq's with gin and beers.
Small weddings are easier to make more laid back, giving you the opportunity to break free from the typical wedding day traditions if you wish. With a more laid back day and less guests you can spend your special day less stressed and just enjoy the day as it unfolds.
Enjoyment of each and every moment
One of the most common statements I get from couples is that they feel the whole day was flying by too fast. With so many people to see, speeches, cake cutting, dancing and time obsessed wedding planners/managers – the day just disappears. When you downsize your wedding, you don't have to downsize the fun. It is about giving yourself the opportunity to enjoy every moment, spend more quality time with your guests, and enjoy your special day.
My favourite small wedding and elopement venues in Cornwall:
Lower Barns Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Petite Weddings (small wedding venues and planning service for runaway weddings)
If you’re planning a smaller wedding or elopement in Cornwall or anywhere else in the UK please email me for further information. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Get your bookings in for 2021!
get your wedding bookings in for 2021 to avoid any disappointment as my dairy is filling up rapidly!
I can’t wait to get back to capturing your wedding memories. They say ‘good things come to those who wait’, well that might be true for all the postponements I had recently, but if you’re currently planning your wedding I urge you not to wait too long to get the best suppliers the Southwest has to offer. I’m recently getting overwhelmed with enquiries for 2021 weddings! With all the postponements and new bookings I wish I would have a bigger diary or just more days in the year as I’m now already 75% booked!
So if you’re planning to get married in 2021 and looking for a wedding photographer please get your enquiries in as soon as you can to avoid any disappointment.
Here is the direct link to my email
20% off Wedding Albums special offer limited time only!
Wedding Album special offer 20% off usual price. Limited time only. Please contact me for further information…
I have a special offer for all my past couples. If you have ver thought about ordering an album but never got round to doing so, now is the time! I can offer you 20% off all my album options if ordered until 20th of may!
Bound by a team of experienced book binders, these luxurious albums just takes your breath away. Both ink and paper are archival, guaranteeing a lifetime of gorgeous colour. Choose from one of many beautiful, soft cowhide leathers, sourced locally from the UK. Or if leather is not your thing you can choose from a variety of linen covers too. With 6 different sizes to choose from, the luxury book offers great versatility, plus you can now order press printed smaller duplicates with your Fine Art books!
Please contact me for further information…
Postpone don't cancel!
Postpone don’t cancel! It’s hard for some of you who are planning to get married the next couple of months. I’m here to help you make it happen even if we have to postpone your wedding to a new date later on this year…
I’m really sorry some of my clients having to deal with this crisis at the same time as planning their wedding. I know you never expected to be having to do this, and it's uncertain times for us all but together we can get through it! I'm here to help and make it as stress free as possible. If it turns out you have to postpone then I've got a procedure in place to make it as stress free for you as possible...
IF YOU'VE NOT YET SET A NEW DATE - Work with me to make sure I can be there on the new date, I still really really would love to be your photographer with all my heart and soul. This whole episode has just made me even more passionate about capturing the love and happiness in the world, and so grateful to be able to share these occasions with people like you. We are a small network of wedding industry businesses down here in Cornwall and we will do everything in our power to make your wedding happen at a different date later on this year or if not possible next year. September and October can often be nicer down here in Cornwall than May and June, I’m not kidding! And on top of it I offer you a 20% discount on full day (full price) packages if you decide to postpone your wedding to a date in between October 2020 and March 2021.
ONCE YOU'VE SET THE NEW DATE - I will ask you to sign a new contract for the new date at the same price you're paying now - Your initial payment will carry across to the new date with no penalties, so you won't lose out financially at all - I will ask you if possible to pay 50% of your balance payment at the time of rearrangement - times are so hard and uncertain now for tiny businesses like mine and this cash flow will help me get through this blip - Your remaining balance will be due a month before the new date If you've got any questions as things develop, or you just want to have a chat about anything - text, email or call me. We can jump on a Skype or anything any time you want a chat. I'm here to help as much as I can.
Take care of your physical and mental health during this time and I can't wait to see you soon.
Together we are strong and we will make the celebration of your dreams happen!
Sending you lots of Love!
Alexa xxx
Tips to have a more eco friendly wedding
In a world of imminent climate change it is ever more important that we do our part to save the planet! Here are my top tips to plan your wedding more eco friendly…
In a world of imminent climate change it is ever more important to do our part to save the Earth’s natural resources. Here are my top tips for an eco-friendly, plastic-free wedding…
Wildlife friendly wedding favours
Packing and products can use up a lot of the planet’s resources. Think about giving your guests something something useful, and environmentally-friendly instead.
I have seen a lot of Beautiful Wildflower Seed Favours as a gift at last year’s weddings. Your guess will love it when they see their gardens blossom and the bees will find a much needed source of food from the pollen. You can personalise the paper packaging too.
Scented Candles are a lovely gift too. A great supplier of natural candles and bath and body products is Join Store London , made in the UK by Mother Nature and handcrafted using pure essential oils and only natural, plant based ingredients.100% natural and cruelty free, never tested on animals.
Join handcrafted are not just natural but they smell gorgeous too and make great wedding deco elements leaving your venue in a divine scent!
Or you just leave the favours entirely and you make a statement of donating the money to a charity of your choice. Let your guests know and inspire them to perhaps donate too.
Helen & Ed have chosen to donate to the Extra -Mile instead of investing in wedding favours..
Conscious Choice of Decor
Borrow or hire whatever you need. Prop and hire companies have so many beautiful styling items, and you won't need to worry about packing them up and trying to sell them afterwards. Anything you put on the table or decorate with, look at it and think about ways to use natural materials instead of plastic ribbons, place markers and table confetti/glitter. Regarding confetti, use biodegradable. For example Real Flower Petal Confetti Company is natural real flower petal confetti grown in the UK countryside. Biodegradable, environmentally friendly and accepted as non-littering at wedding venues and churchyards. A great bonus as some venues won’t let you use confetti unless its biodegradable more out of the reason that they can’t be asked cleaning it all up after your wedding. The GreenWedding in Cornwall started using homemade pom pom confetti instead, they can look great on your photos!
Re-use or borrow stuff, it can be surprising how willing people are when it comes to offer things from their own weddings. Wood and wild seasonal flowers are always a beautiful sight at weddings. You can collect some lovely coloured glass vases from charity shops, or collect jars. I have seen gin or wine bottles too. Slices of wood with names carved into them make a great table decor and you can take it one step further and ask the National Trust for off cuts from their land managing programme.
And be aware when it comes to your decor balloons are one of the worst environmental issues.
Helen & Ed had a ‘green’ wedding at the Eco Park Porthtowan with locally sourced flower petal confetti from Cornish Gardens Confetti…
Vintage bottles collected from charity shops used as vases and tea light holders…
Wooden center pieces with wild seasonal flowers in recycled jars…
a great DIY table plan made from wooden pallets and pheasant feathers for a farmer’s wedding in St Ives.
Ask for eco-friendly wedding gifts
Avoid plastic packaging and explore other gift ideas instead.
If you’ve got everything you need why not ask your guests to donate to a charity of your choice instead. You can set up your own page with JustGiving . Or ask your guests to donate towards your honeymoon. On Honeyfund you can set up a custom page where you big day and your honeymoon can be funded your own way.
But if you do have a wish list then ask for eco-friendly gifts and make sure you only ask for things you really need and will use.
Use recycled paper for invitations and go digital
Make sure you search for stationary companies that use only recycled paper. Or even better, don’t use paper invites at all and set up a wedding webpage with all the relevant information for your wedding and use e-invites. The webpage is great way to send your guests directions and contacts for your big day and after the big day you can set up a photo gallery for everyone to relive the day.
Regarding your wedding photos, don’t print them all, just the ones you want for framing or an album. Most photographers gladly deliver their photos digitally these days anyway. But if you want a printed album ask your wedding photographer for eco friendly wedding albums.
Buy Ethical Wedding Rings
Try and find wedding and engagement rings in antiques shops or search for suppliers that use recycled gold or fairtrade silver.
Visit Friends of Earth for their guide on buying ethical jewellery.
Choose locally sourced organic food and drink for your wedding feast
One scary wedding statistic is it takes an average of 1,500 miles for food to get from farm to table. So when it comes to your food, the most eco-friendly thing to do is source food locally.
Search for a supplier that uses local, seasonal and organic food or ask your caterer to do this for you. Plus locally sourced food is likely to come with less plastic packaging. Many Cornish venues and caterers are now offering locally sourced food for your wedding meal. Or you could take it one step further and have a vegetarian or vegan wedding meal so your food is not contributing to climate change. I know vegan and vegetarian is not everyone’s thing, but if you do have a meaty feast planned, think about finding suppliers who provide organic lamb and beef, locally reared and maintaining high levels of animal welfare. A great example is the award-winning Nancarrow Farm near Truro, their feasts are absolutely delicious and completely organic and reared on the farm. A stunning wedding venue too!
Another way is to ask you guests to contribute to your meal, it helps to keep the costs down too. Have a ‘best cake’ competition!
Don’t use disposable grocery and recycle whatever you can. You can buy cheap mix and match grocery from charity shops or if that’s not your style think about hiring before using disposables. Don't use straws or plastic cutlery, full stop. Perhaps get a few paper straws for people who really want one, and use wooden cutlery that's later collected up and can be composted.
For evening food, takeaway boxes can be replaced with bagasse boxes or cardboard boxes, depending on what food is going in them. Your caterer will know which one is suited best.
Part of a Vegan Wedding Buffet at Ecopark Porthtowan. So delicious! It’s amazing what their skilled chefs can create…
If you have a meat feast wedding meal make sure it’s organic and locally reared like at Nancarrow Farm.
A cake buffet supplied by wedding guests
A fun thing to do: let your guests bring some home baked cakes along and make it a competition!
The Wedding Dress
One of the biggest waste of resources at weddings is the wedding dress. It costs hundreds or thousands of pounds and will only be worn one day! Think about buying a dress a little different, something you can wear again. You can stand out from the crowds in not wearing a traditional white dress…Or you could buy one second hand from vintage shops or ebay. Same for the groom’s suit and bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories, buy something you can wear again. And consider selling it afterwards if you don’t wear it anymore.
Another option is to choose your wedding dress supplier wisely. Claire L. Headdon's bridal wear collection uses silk fabrics that are all organic, eco-friendly and fairtrade. Handmade in Cornwall, her beautifully designed gowns are ‘environmentally friendly’ and you can still look stunning on your wedding day!
Bella’s gorgeous Ballroom style wedding dress! Something you can wear again on a special night out and such an eye-catcher compared to the traditional white dress! Phil is wearing his scottish kilt, no words needed ;-)
Seasonal flowers
Try to choose flowers which are locally grown and in season. Also ask your florist to avoid plastic ribbons etc and instead use natural materials. Or consider using a bouquet with dried or silk flowers which lasts forever and can be used afterwards as decoration in your house.
Choose an organic wedding cake
As your baker or wedding cake maker to use organic local ingredients in your cake. You could even have a dairy-free cake that will be suitable for vegans and better for the planet. Try not to waste food with a cake that only gets half eaten, consider using it as the main dessert or think about having individual cupcakes or a cheeseboard instead.
Oh this cake! Love it, and 100% organic too!
Environmentally-friendly transport
Ideally find a wedding venue close to home to avoid any unnecessary travel. At least stay in the UK where your guests can car share or use public transport instead of flying. Regarding wedding cars, think about making a statement and hiring a horse carriage, very classy! Or turn up at your wedding with an electric car or even a bicycle.
Encourage guests to consider leaving the car at home if possible and use public transport or you could hire a bus for them– it means they can enjoy a few drinks too!
Choosing the right venue
Choosing where to tie the knot is a big decision. Your venue sets the scene for everything else on your wedding day and we are so lucky to have plenty of beautiful venues on our doorstep here in Cornwall with many of them taking big steps towards becoming more sustainable.
Cornish Tipi Weddings for example is set in beautiful scenery of woodland and lakes to bring you a fairytale venue. They have no electricity on-site (except in the timber-decked marquee), and restricted car means guests are using minimal resources.
Green Weddings at Eco Park Porthtowan Cornwall. A stunning hill top position overlooking the Cornish Coast. Perfect for an informal celebration with the environment in mind. They are passionate about ensuring your wedding leaves as little mark on the world as possible. The wedding menus are 100% Vegetarian and /or Vegan using locally and ethically sourced ingredients. And believe me they are mouthwatering delicious!
The Eden Project one of the most stunning venues in the UK! And weather proof too as you will be in a mediterranean biome where it never rains, definitely a bonus with the unpredictable weather here in Cornwall! Eden is a charity, so everything you spend with them helps to further their transformational social and environmental projects locally and internationally. And the food, oh so delicious! Of course locally sourced too.
Nancarrow Farm Set in a secluded valley near Truro 5 lovingly converted 5 barns create a beautiful venue. They have an in house catering team providing a tasty menu from locally sourced produce and all the meat comes from animals reared on the farm. Also a host of the infamous Nancarrow Feast Nights, which I highly recommend!
There are many more venues who are doing great work to go ‘greener’, but I would sit here all day to list them all. If you are keen on a ‘greener wedding’ please email me and I will send you a list of eco-friendly suppliers.
Featured on Shotkit! Camera Gear of the World's best Photographers...
Proud to be featured on Shotkit a page to show the inside of the camera bag from the world’s best photographer’s. There is a lot of information and useful tips about camera gear and where you can buy it plus so much more…
Here is the link: Shotkit
I have to add that after I said I have used Canon all my career, I have now made the the decision to switch to Sony mirrorless for less weight and a few other reasons like focusing reliability. Also a lot of my gear needed updating. I kept one of my old trusted Canons as a backup.
My trusted gear up to the end of 2019
Best of 2019!
What a year it’s been! We fought the elements from torrential rain to high winds and bright sunshine, incoming tides, steep cliffs, made our way through muddy fields, ran away from cows…just to get our ‘poster shots’. I photographed intimate elopements with just the two of you and huge gatherings with family and friends from near and far. Sorry for all of you having to put up with my messy hair at the end of the day! I enjoyed being a part of every single celebration and feel honoured to document so much joy and happiness. I can’t tell you enough how blessed I feel to have such a great job. Thanks for confiding in me and have a great 2020, can’t wait to meet all the couples booked in with me this year soon! Love to you all you soppy lot!
Here is a collection of my favourite moments in 2019, I hope you like it… xxx
What to do when it rains on your Wedding Day in Cornwall
What to do when it rains on your wedding day in Cornwall…here are a few tips to stay up beat about the weather and have the best day ever come rain or shine…
It's every bride's nightmare - you plan a beautiful summer wedding but when the day itself comes, you look out of the window and instead of bright blue skies you’it's pouring down with rain! No matter how much you wish for a sunny wedding day the elements might not play their part – especially here in the UK. It can change so fast as we are so open to storms coming over from the Atlantic here. You can't control the weather, but you can control how you feel about it.
So here are a few tips on how to make sure that the wet weather doesn't spoil your big day.
PLAN SHELTER
Making your day a success all comes down to preparation and planning and that goes for the weather too. Make sure you take the possibility of rain into account. Of course, it would be lovely if your guests can play garden games and sip Champagne in the gardens of your wedding venue, but if does rain, is there somewhere else that they can go? Check with the venue and make sure they can accommodate all your guests in the case of a downpour.
Regarding the garden games, there are great indoor activities for an alternative.
DON’T FORGET UMBRELLAS AND WELLIES
Make sure you have plenty of umbrellas - especially for the wedding party. Some venues provide them, so it's worth asking beforehand. For the wedding couple I suggest to gor for a stylish white one as coloured umbrellas can cast a light on your faces which is not so flattering for the photos.
Wellies are a good accessory to have when you venture out for some couple portraits. You can walk comfortably and don't have to worry about ruining your dainty wedding shoes. The photos always turn out more natural when you can move freely. For the rest of the guests, put the ushers in charge of rounding up a range of umbrellas to have on hand and have them hand them out to those that need them.
WORK WITH YOUR VENDORS
Confirm with your vendors to see how they work on a rain day. Will the florist need to reconsider their wedding flower ideas, will the live music still be bale to perform, does the venue have an indoor ceremony alternative. The important thing to know is that you’ve hired a group of professionals who you can trust they will deliver a memorable wedding whatever the conditions.
If you're having a marquee, think carefully about the flooring you choose. Coconut matting is a cheaper option but if it rains, it can be difficult to walk on, especially in heels. Wooden floors are the best even though slightly more expensive, but you'll weather-proof your venue against even the wettest of days.
PLAN WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Here comes the fun part. Rain can produce some of the most atmospheric, romantic shots. Disappointing as the rain is the lighting is softer and can produce better images than on a bright sunny day. An experienced photographer will be able to make you pop in photos. Most photographers will sort out a wet weather plan before the big day. Maybe there is a nice door way you could stand under or there might be some woodland that is sheltered from the rain? As mentioned before, bring wellies to be able to walk comfortably. Umbrellas can be a fun prop in the photos too! Most importantly if you're having a good time it reflects in the images!
BE FLEXIBLE AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE FORECAST
Keep an eye on the forecast up and until your wedding. You may find out that it will only rain during certain times of the day. This will allow you to adjust your wedding day timings accordingly to fit your plans while taking account of the weather.
Ask the caterers beforehand if they are flexible with timings. If it's showery, it might be worth moving the dinner forward half an hour so guests can be inside while it's raining and head out afterwards once it clears.
Same for the photos, you can plan to have them all done before the meal, but if the weather is just better later in the day, it is worth being flexible about it and trust the photographer when is the best timing.
CREATE A WARM ENVIRONMENT
There’s nothing better than cozying up on a rainy day. Serve favorites like hot cocoa and warm cider and set up heat lamps or fire pits to keep your guests warm and toasty.
Rain can invite plenty of wind, so you and your guests will appreciate the extra blankets and towels to stay warm between activities.
BE PRACTICAL ABOUT HAIR AND MAKEUP
Rain may not be beauty’s best friend, no one likes runny mascara amd frizzy hair, but you can still look flawless on your wedding. Your hair and makeup experts will be able to waterproof your makeup and give you a trendy messy bun or similar that won’t fall apart from water and wind.
EMBRACE AND ENJOY IT
So it might not be what you had envisioned for your day and it's perfectly okay to be upset about the rain, but don't let the feeling overtake you. You are the center of attention and if you stay upbeat about it so will your guests.
Think about what really matters. It's not going to be a disaster if everything doesn't go completely to plan and you do end up with rain on your wedding day. This is about the two of you sharing your big day with friends and family, having a blast and not even a rainstorm can ruin that! You are getting married to the love of your life – rain or shine. Embrace and enjoy it!
Why to take your dog to your Wedding
There are so many reasons why you should take your beloved dog to your wedding day, but there are also a few precautions to take..
We all adore our furry companions and it's not a surprise that many couples want to include their pets in their wedding day.
Anne & Simon took their beloved Cockerpoo to their hotel Tresanton Wedding...
Let's face it, there is nothing more adorable than a french terrier in a tux! And if dress ups are not your thing, there are so many cute decoartive items you can buy. I've even seen custom made wedding collars or special flower arrangements to be fitted on lead and collar. Make sure you check with your florist though as some flowers are poisonous for dogs. Also any other dress up items should fit perfectly and not cause any discomfort, and ensure that any accessories like bow ties don't come loose and pose a choking hazard to your pet.
ask your florist to add a flower piece for your dog's collar..
matching outfits anyone?
If you're planning to include your dog, there are a few more precautions you need to take to keep your pet safe and happy during the day.
Consider your pet's personality, he can simply be a guest of honour or you can give them a specific role like ring bearer, flower girl or page boy. I photographed a wedding in St ives last year, where George the french bull terrier was the ring bearer of the day and they created a great short film to be shown at the ceremony. I hardly ever seen so many people laughing at a ceremony! The story was the following: It turns out that the best man forgot the rings at the ceremony! So he calls George to save the wedding day. George, lazy as he is, still in bed, gets the wake up call and has to chase through St Ives to get to the venue in time with the rings.. The film was not just funny and a great contribution to the ceremony, but also showed off the surrounding area and St Ives beaches beautifully. George became famous after the wedding as the film went viral on youtube with over 55000 views!
Here is the link:
George the french bull terrier and faithful ring bearer during the ceremony at St Ives Harbour Hotel
But before you give your pet a starring role, think about if this will be an enjoyable experience for him. Even a most friendly and well behaved dog could be overwhelmed by a crowd of guests, so it's reasonable to organise a pet sitter. You can hire them or choose one of your friends who is familiar with your dog. It is just one thing less to worry about.
Make sure you include your pooch in some of the couple portraits. It's usually a great time of day where they can stretch their legs and come along with us for the photoshoot. I love getting them involved, they make some great shots!
At the reception you could include photos of your dog in the decoration, or make wedding favours in tribute to your pooch. I've also seen couples collecting and donating money to animal charities like the greyhound trust, which is a nice gesture and serves a good cause.
some table decoration ideas including your pooch..
With a lot to tick off your 'to do' list, it's easy to forget this simple-yet important step, check with the venue if your pet is allowed. You don't want to show up on the day with your four legged ring bearer in tow only to be told he needs to stay off the property!
And if you manage to take your furry friend to your big day, what's better than a fresh air dog walk in a beautiful setting to cure the hangover the day after..
doesn't he look pleased to take part at his owner's ceremony at The Green Cornwall Wedding & Events?
Melodie enjoying the day with her pooch at Polhawnfort
A tender moment flowergirl and wedding dog, just adorable…
Becky and Alex enjoying a stroll on Lusty Glaze beach just by themselves with their adorable German Shepperd …
Dog friendly wedding venues in Cornwall:
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Welcome to my blog, here you will find my latest work, previews of recent weddings /elopements and some tips to plan your special day.
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When searching for your wedding photographer, you’ve probably fallen in love with a particular wedding photography style — whether that’s documentary, editorial, film-inspired, or something with a fine art edge. Choosing a style you love is important, but beyond the aesthetic, have you thought about which moments from your wedding day you’ll want to relive forever?