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You've found the dress, picked out the shoes and chosen the venue, however, there's still one thing missing and that's the photographer. You've had a look at some portfolios, had quotes but your still not sure who to pick. We know choosing a photographer is daunting so we had a chat to Jonathan Ryan of Weddings By Ryan who gave us some handy pointers and questions to ask a photographer (and yourself) in order to make your final choice.
The first question has got to be do I like this person? It is important you feel relaxed and at ease around your photographer and you can see them fitting in with you, your family and your big day.
Do I like their work?
Sounds simple, but make sure their work fits in with the style of photography you like. There's such a huge range of different of photography including traditional, reportage and natural. For a definition and description of each, see here.
Can we see some of your pictures?
OK, nobody is going to choose a wedding photographer without seeing their portfolio (you weren't, were you?) but notice a key word in that question your pictures. What you want to see is the photographer's own work where they were the main or only photographer. It's fine for them to get experience assisting another photographer but there's a world of difference between pictures taken while a guest at a friend's wedding or while assisting an experienced pro and their own unaided work.
Can we see a whole wedding?
Cherry picking is great and you'll want to see your photographer's top work but no single day is going to match their 10 best ever shots. Ask to see a whole day. Either on screen, in print or (best of all) in a sample album just like it would be delivered to you.
Will you be our photographer?
This is only really a question for the big studios but it's worth asking of everybody you meet. It doesn't matter if they show you an amazing portfolio of their own beautiful work if they are going to send somebody else on the day.
How would you describe your approach?
Another obvious one - if you tell a photographer you want a hands off guy who lets everybody do their own thing and capture the moment then it's pretty likely that will become their specialty. If you say your favourite is a lady who knows how to take control of groups then hey presto, instant expert. Ask them to describe their approach (are they bossy, friendly, invisible?) and see how that matches your expectations
Can you.....?
Everybody's wedding is different. Everybody has different expectations. If there's something that's important to you then don't be afraid to ask the photographer if they will be able to capture it. And follow up too. "Can you take pictures of our fireworks?". Sure, no problem. "Great, can I see some examples of your fireworks pictures?
What else do you do?
Plenty of great wedding photographers balance their photography with another full time job. It's worth asking if they are full time or not though. If they aren't then you may want to make sure that they aren't over committed and that your pictures will get the care they deserve. Actually, even if they are full time it's worth checking a couple of things. A photographer who shoots 100 weddings a year may be great because she's so popular and in demand. It may also mean he's overworked and will rush things. A couple of questions should enable you to tell which is which.
Do you work on your own or as part of a team?
This one's tricky. Some photographers prefer to work alone and some prefer to have an assistant, a second photographer and a tea boy in tow. Both approaches are fine (though if you're planning a quiet intimate affair then you may not want a 6 person team!) - just be careful that they don't tell you there will be "two photographers" if one of them will be a trainee! And if the photographer favours the large team approach then ask them again "which of these pictures did you take?" and "who will be there on the day?"
How long will it be before we see our pictures?
There is little worse than coming back after a two week honeymoon and being told that it will be "another month or two" before you see your pictures. Even a busy photographer should be able to show you the images within 3 weeks of the wedding. If not they may be over committed - either to another job or other clients.
What do you do if it rains? Or snows, or your camera breaks down or a herd of llamas invades the wedding?
A professional should have an answer to these (except maybe the llamas). Backup cameras (and lenses), planning for wet weather, extra lights in case the pictures need taken indoors, file backup strategies and dry clothes are just some of the reasons why professional charge so much for their services.
What would you like to eat?
Seriously, I generally shoot for 10 hours and it's always nice to know whether I'm going to get dinner or bring my own.
To find a wedding photographer in your area try out a few sites such as Find a Wedding Photographer,
Wedding photographers UK,
and Photographers for You.
Just like in the fashion industry bridal designers show their upcoming collections for the next season at least six months before the trends hit stores. And there's also a Bridal fashion week, which enables them to display their new frocks.
Over the past few weeks we've been giving you a few hints on what to expect next year, with black being our colour of choice with Vera Wang showcasing these. However, it's also good news for those brides that want to stand out and are fans of the short wedding frock because it looks like these are going to get bigger next year.
Amsale and Pronovias both showed these styles off at their shows, while Monique Lhuillier and Kenneth Pool championed the traditional A-line dress with 2011 twists including feathers and ruffles.
We're on a bit of a SATC2 roll over here at Bridalwave today. Now we know we've already given you a list of hints and tips on how to have that ultimate Sex and the City wedding, but brides that want to give a nod to this theme throughout and before the wedding will love this little beauty discount guide (thanks to Wahanda) on how to get the SATC beauty looks at half the price. Get your credit cards at the ready lady as beauty bargains like this won't be coming around too often.
Carrie
Known for her big hair and love of shoes, we salute Carrie's style through and through. Get her look with a celebrity haircut and finish with Michael Barnes Hairdressing - artistic director to the stars, including Keira Knightley and Lily Cole. Prices start from £19.80 - 40% saving.
With an infamous passion for shoes, Carrie's feet won't know the meaning of 'day off'. Make sure your feet look as gorgeous with Pacifica Day Spa's 25% exclusive offer on all treatments including pedicures through Wahanda.com. Prices start from £11.25 - 25% off.
Charlotte
Ever the pristine princess, Charlotte always manages to look gorgeous without making us hate her. Well, perhaps a little bit...now you too can get her immaculate complexion with a free Skin Assessment and Mini Facial at Ark Skincare centres in London - a saving of £25 thanks to Wahanda!
It is clear Charlotte loves to run, but keeping fit alone can be hard. Why not treat yourself to your own personal trainer with The Bankside Health Club's free 3 day trial for you and a friend, which includes over 50 fitness classes, gym and personal training.
Samantha
She may be the oldest member of the gang but Ms Jones is never one to shy away from her body. Dance your way to a more confident you with the sexiest of dances - Salsa. Through Wahanda book a beginner's class at one of London's City Academies, with a 50% discount - just £5!
Keep your figure in tip top condition like Samantha's with three luxurious body treatments rolled into one, including a full body exfoliation, a relaxing massage with essential oils, plus a specific mask/wrap, all for £68 - a saving of 20%, available at the Chelsea Day Spa.
Miranda
Even cynical mother of one Miranda manages to look stylish and stunning...most of the time. Remember that bikini incident in SATC 1? Ensure 'that' holiday blip doesn't happen to you with 20% off all waxing on your first visit to Hydrohealing in Notting Hill, courtesy of Wahanda. Prices start from £10.
Even though Miranda holds down a full time job and baby Brady, she shows it's possible to do it all and still find time to unwind with her girls. Treat yourself and a friend to a proper two for one pamper day at any one of Bannatyne Spas nationwide, which includes a back, neck and shoulder massage followed by a scalp massage, for just £59 - 50% saving!
Sex and the City has hit our fashion shores in waves of frenzied excitement. And it's not long to wait now with the film hitting cinemas tomorrow. However, if you're a bride-to-be we know you won't have as much time as others to really concentrate on the film so why not combine the two and have a SATC themed hen night?
To coincide with the release of the film the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill has created an afternoon tea package complete with a Manhattan-style, reflecting the girls. Treats you can expect to see are cocktails (natch), mini-burgers and New York Bagels, there's also strawberry-flavoured chocolate pink stiletto inspired by Carrie's shoe obsession and a mini pink strawberry cupcake inspired by Charlotte's love of baking.
But don't get too tipsy on those cocktails as after the delights of the tea you'll be whisked off to a nearby cinema in a chauffer driven car. Oooer.
Yesterday we reported on Lara Stone's wedding dress over on our sister fashion site ShinyStyle and promised brides we'd have a get the look special over here.
The model who married David Walliams a fortnight ago wore a specially made dress by Givenchy creative designer Riccardo Tisci at a rumoured price of £30,000. The dress was simple, elegant and gave a slight nod to the medeival look with gold edged chain sleeves and gold detailing on the daring lace thigh high spilt.
She later changed into a little gold sequined number also by the designer for her alcohol free reception at Claridges where the bride and groom had their first dance to Disney's Beauty and Beast.
Take a look at our gallery to see similar styles to Lara's white frock.
Are you a North London bride-to-be who wants a designer wedding dress at a not so designer price tag? If the answer (as we suspect) is yes then head down to North London boutique's Morgan Davies Sample Sale.
The event, which takes place on Sunday from 10am 'til 4pm will give bargain hunters a range of designers to choose from including Jenny Packham, Alan Hannah and Augusta Jones and prices are amazing. They range from £600 - £1000 and many are also dry cleaned.
And it gets better because you don't even need an appointment. Get there early ladies.
Despite there being a range of different wedding themes from brides to choose from many are still going for the traditional princess get up.
And we're not condoning it. After-all if you can't be a princess on your wedding day, when can you be? No we know finding that perfect princess place can be difficult so we couldn't wait to tell you about Goldsborough Hall.
Hidden away in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, the venue offers a grand yet intimate setting for any wedding. The Hall was built in 1625 and was the former home of Princess Mary, aunt to Queen Elizabeth, making it the perfect setting for a fairy-tale wedding.
The stately home is licensed for civil marriages and partnerships and can cater for up to 160 guests in both the Princess Mary Drawing Room and the Sir Richard Hutton Dining Room. Couples can also consider getting married in St Mary's Church adjoining Goldsborough Hall, with its own private royal entrance to the grounds.
Guests can enjoy reception drinks on the terrace overlooking the beautifully landscaped 11 acre gardens, which is also the ideal setting for wedding photographs. The Hall also features an original Jacobean oak-panelled library, which transforms into a parquet dance floor for guests in the evening.
To ensure a truly memorable day, the Hall is hired on a private and exclusive basis and guests can take advantage of the special overnight rates in the six individually designed luxurious bedroom suites, which include 8ft four poster beds and whirlpool baths.
What more could a princess to be ask for?
We're having a little bit of a celebrity and bridal cross over today at Bridalwave. First Mischa paraded around in dresses for Rosa Clara and now Kelly Brook is on the case.
However, this time it's for those all important bridal undies.
The model and TV presenter, who was announced as the face of Ultimo a while back has also been given the task of modelling the brand's new bridal range, which includes sexy corsets complete with suspenders ad matching white knickers and bras.
Take a look at the new products and tell us what you think, and don't let your other half see these either. After all anything to do with him seeing your atire before the big day is bad luck, well that's the excuse we're using anyway.
White is slowly being drowned out in favour of black while some prices are going down to help budget brides designers at Barcelona Bridal Week have said.
Rosa Clara, who has hired Mischa Barton to walk down the catwalk and the designer who is pioneering black, however is ignoring bride's hopes of cheaper dresses.
She told Spanish paper Eitb: "As for 2011 we have completely ignored the crisis. We continue with our collections. Today we introduced much more innovative collection. It is very new. We have even introduced other colours like black, which is very revolutionary. So I think we have to forget about the crisis and start to look forward. A period of crisis means a period of opportunities. And we need to know how to be there."
However Estanislao Solsona said that when the economic crisis hit he decided to lower his prices to attract clients.
"A girl who wants to get married will do it anyway but with a much tighter budget. So we have tried to adapt to this situation. We are offering our services these days at a lower price, " he said.
With such mixed views we're not sure what next years pricing will be like, but one thing is for sure. Black is no longer a frowned upon colour when it comes to your wedding dress.
If it's not celebrities wearing bridal dresses for A-list events, it's celebrities modelling them.
Mischa Barton has gone from acting to the catwalk and has begun modelling wedding dresses for Spanish brand Rosa Clara at this year's Barcelona Bridal Week.
The star has donned a range of frocks including a full-skirted strapless numbers in organza to mark the 20th anniversary of Barcelona Bridal Week and we've managed to get hold of some of the pics, which not only show Mischa in her full bridal glory but also give a preview of the bridal trends we can expect to see next year.
Take a look at the mini gallery below and tell us what you think of the styles.
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