You’ve chosen the venue and the photographer is booked. You’ve found ‘the dress’ and the RSVPs are flowing in. Even the bridesmaids are happy with their dresses! But what about those all-important finishing touches? These are the things that really help you to make your big day your own and stand out from the crowd, and it’s really easy to leave them until the last minute.
As a wedding photographer, I have attended hundreds of fantastic weddings across Manchester, the North West and further afield. I’ve managed to pick up a few tips and tricks along the way from the amazing couples who have allowed me to help them capture the most important day of their lives.
Here are some of my favourite finishing touches and tips for a brilliant wedding day.
Before the big day
Not strictly a finishing touch, but one that you may thank me for as the stress builds! Make sure to take some time out to relax and get ready. Whether that’s a spa day with the girls or a walk in the Peak District with the dog, getting some ‘me’ time before the big day is essential. It will pass you by in a blur, so take some time to get ready.
Personalised gifts for the wedding party
Your closest friends and family have helped you down the aisle so it is nice to thank them on the big day. For bridesmaids, a nice idea is matching dressing gowns for getting ready together (these make great photos too!) There are some nice examples of this in my bridal preparation blog. For the guys, personalised hip flasks can make a nice keepsake.
Dress the room
This is where you and your guests will be spending most of the day, so it’s important it looks the part. It is also one of the easiest ways to make your wedding feel ‘you’. Whether that is with creative table plans and numbers that reflect your passions, or beautiful flowers, these special touches are important.
If you love books, why not theme your tables by your favourite authors? Or if you’re football mad, then name each table after your sporting heroes? I’ve seen some really creative table plans during my time shooting weddings.
Flowers are a great way to make a room feel special, but if you’re on a budget (or allergic to pollen!) garlands can be a brilliant alternative.
Check out our blog on the best winter wedding venues in Manchester for more inspiration – many of them are fantastic all year-round.
Unique wedding favours
Wedding favours are the perfect way to inject some individual flair into your big day. I’ve seen everything from sweets to hangover kits – and they always go down a treat with guests. Favours aren’t just for the grown-ups though, they can be a great way to keep little guests amused. Why not put together a ‘wedding eye spy’ or small pack of age-appropriate toys for youngsters to play with. It’s a brilliant way to keep them quiet during the speeches.
Do it yourself
Sites like Pinterest are full of inspiration for do it yourself wedding ideas. Whether you want to make your own confetti cones for the ceremony or put together an alternative guest book, the options are endless!
Don’t like wedding cake? Be different
Never fear! There are so many amazing alternatives that are absolutely perfect for weddings. I recently shot a wedding where the bride and groom had a Krispy Kreme tower rather than a traditional fruit cake – there weren’t any left! Cheese ‘cakes’ are also really popular and are a great option after your wedding breakfast; they’re also great for evening guests to enjoy.
Keeping your guests entertained
Much like making the room look great, wedding entertainment is the perfect way to put your own spin on your big day. From outdoor games for the little ones (and the young at heart!) to table magicians, there is a lot to choose from.
Our photo booth also goes down really well at weddings and parties alike. Plus you’ll get hundreds of hilarious photos to look back on!
Wedding Inspiration
Over the last eight years, I’ve been really lucky to shoot some incredible weddings. Whether you’re after a traditional white wedding or something really quirky, I’ve probably photographed something similar. Take a look through the blog or my Instagram page for some serious #weddinginspo. I’m also on Twitter and Pinterest if you’d like to see more!
If you’re getting married and would like to find out a bit more about me and my natural style of wedding photography, I’d love to hear from you. I am based in Manchester and cover weddings across the North West, UK and abroad.
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