The wedding car can be a big part of the day. Don’t panic if you struggle to get into the car in your dress, most brides do and will get in with a little help from their Dad or bridesmaids. If the car has a stereo ask if you can play some music on the way to the church or venue. Record a CD that’s ready to play on the day, some stereos may even accept an iPod! 
But don’t be disappointed if there is no stereo after all many wedding cars are vintage, so long as the wedding car can get you to the church on time!
These old cars are not wedding cars you will be pleased to hear! They just happen to be ‘parked’ in the grounds of the fabulous country pub and wedding venue The Crooked Billet. If you are looking for a quiet country pub for your wedding venue that serves the most incredible food then look no further. Kate Winslet even had her wedding reception here!
Wedding
A little tool that may save the day! #Weddings
Buttoning up the brides dress is always a crucial moment, often when you might be running out of time. Try and allocate someone (who is calm) to do it for you and even ask them to practice beforehand. On several occasions bridesmaids have become unstuck when it comes to buttoning up a dress because they have not practiced or worried about damaging their fingernails. Understandably! The best advise I can give is to buy a crochet hook to help grip the loops that go around the button.
It’s a great tool to use for buttoning up dresses and something I have seen several mother of the brides pull from their handbag! I would suggest for every wedding photographer who reads my blog to buy one now and tuck down the side of their camera bag. It can save a lot of time and help the bride get to the church on time.
This shot was the first time I ever saw a mother of the bride use a crochet hook on the dress. The picture was taken at Taplow House Hotel
It’s raining….. So what? #wedding #photography
With the current British weather I’m sure several brides will be worrying about it raining on their wedding day.
Unfortunately this is not something any of us can change and what will be will be. However, a rainy day can make for some stunning photography if everyone is prepared for it. Check with your venue to see what their wet weather plan is, see if they have a load of umbrellas or whether you need to buy some for the bridal party. We bought a job lot of clear umbrellas for our wedding day which thankfully we didn’t really need but it’s one less thing to worry about if you have some. Also, remember the grounds of the reception venue may be waterlogged if there has been flooding or a lot of rainfall. I would suggest getting yourself a couple of pairs of wellies, Hunter do some very trendy ones now so treat yourself to a pair, if you don’t use them on the wedding day then I’m sure they will come in handy another day!
But most of all, don’t let it get you down. Just smile and remember it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day!
Pre-wedding shoot with a twist…
Since Christmas I have been very busy booking weddings for 2014 and 2015, meeting couples and shooting pre wedding shoots. Although the weather has been pretty shocking we have been very lucky on the days the shoots are booked for, with some nice winter light and some lovely wintery colours. All of my clients who book a pre wedding shoot near to my home are advised to bring wellies this time of the year. We can get away without going off road too much but some industrial rubber on the soles of our feet will mean we can venture further.
This is a picture of a footpath where I regularly take my clients for photographs so you can see suitable footwear is advisable!
Just over a week ago I had the pleasure of photographing one of my couples who’s wedding will be at The Tythe Barn later this year. Paula and Dan booked my services over the internet and then came to see me to discuss their wedding day and for their pre wedding shoot. Paula had given me the ‘heads up’ that they had a bit of a theme to their wedding and would be bringing a balloon to the shoot. How cool I thought! I am not going to give the game away before the big day but all will become clear when you see the wedding pictures I post later in the year. We were blessed with a beautiful morning for the pre wedding shoot and got some wonderful images.
Here are a few of my favourites from the shoot.
The vintage look I apply to some of my pictures worked really well at this shoot and the most important thing to me is Paula and Dan loved them. I am really looking forward to their big day!
See more of wedding photography and family portrait photography for Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
You may not get a chance to say thank you to everyone…. #Weddings
A wedding is a busy day, especially if it’s your wedding day! Don’t worry if you do not get a chance to say thank you to everyone on the day, they will understand.
Most weddings have an average of 100 people at them so it is almost impossible to go around to everyone for a chat. Many weddings have a receiving line where the bride and groom and sometimes parents and bridal party greet everyone as they go through for the wedding breakfast.
This is a great opportunity to say ‘hi’ to your guests but it is important to keep the queue of people moving so not to hold up the proceedings in the kitchen!! It is also a great opportunity for your photographer to get some lovely reaction pictures of you and your guests.
Here is one of my favourite receiving line pictures from a wedding last year at The Tythe Barn.
#Wedding #Flowers
Your wedding flowers are such a beautiful part of your wedding day, take time to smell your flowers before the wedding service or ceremony, they will help you relax as you will have chosen some of your favourites and maybe they will even remind you of your childhood, parents or grandparents gardens.
Find a few minutes to take in all of the wonderful flowers at your venue and see how spectacular they look. Often the church or venue will smell of the flowers you have chosen. Speak to your florist about your favourite flowers, what is in season and what they are able to get as you plan your big day. Choose flowers that remind you of your loved ones who are perhaps no longer with us.
Some of my favourite florists in the south Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire area are listed below. Check out there websites for more information.
http://www.theflowerfairies.com
http://www.hotflowersandart.co.uk
http://www.thedaisychainprincesrisborough.co.uk
Here are some ideas to help you with your wedding flowers
See more wedding flowers and more of my work on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
#Confetti and the grandmother
A lovely little sequence of images of a very enthusiastic grandmother at a recent wedding. Caroline and Greg got married at Ambrosden church with their wedding reception at The Tythe Barn, one of my favourite Oxfordshire wedding venues.
The last photograph in this sequence makes me smile as the grandmother checks to see if there is any more confetti in the box.
Every wedding needs a cool gran!
Mark Lord Photography 