Posts tagged crown lodge wedding
Embracing the wedding chaos and turning it into an adventure. How to enjoy planning a wedding.
bride and groom drinks chilston manner

You are getting married yay! But now you are left with the task of choosing a wedding venue, photographer, make up artist you’ve basically become a badass boss on the hunt for amazing people to make your wedding vision a reality right? Thats a lot of researching and reading the same spill on websites and honestly when I was planning my wedding it all become too much. Cue streamlining and simplifying things.

Organising a wedding is like having a second job, I totally hear ya! And before you know it the day has arrived and it’s gone in a flash and what’s left from the day and all the planning? Besides a partner for life is your photos. So make sure you choose with your heart on this one because photographing emotions, preserving those feelings takes skill.

You are likely to missed so much on the day being pulled in various directions so having someone there to document those behind the scenes moments from the day will honestly make you feel like you are getting married all over again only this time in the comfort of your home and in your loungewear. Just promise you will print your images and have them allover your walls!

Part of our journey is hugely based on friendship, I like people and enjoy being around people so learning about each other for me is essential gimme the nitty gritty. It’s important to feel comfortable and that works both ways.

I have put together a top tips guide focusing on mindset and mindfulness so you as a couple can embrace the whirlwind that is organising a wedding whilst still enjoying the process. Cos lets face it weddings can be stressful so its important to surround yourself with suppliers who are simply more than a supplier but an experience in themselves.

Remember to breathe.

embrace the chaos and have an adventure.

So lets get to it here are some helpful tips that easy to implement.

  • I am sucker for stationary especially a planner but then I never use the planner I know I know, I am an official wombat even my child gave me a certificate and everything. But on this journey of buying all the things I thought I needed for a wedding I discovered actually all I need is checklist and somewhere to store links/bookmarks bring me my phone!

  • When searching for suppliers ask yourself and your fiancé what is most important to you? Give yourself 3 keywords for each supplier category each to focus on see if any of your words match up. For example - Venue my keywords were accessibility, barn and vibe. My husbands was abroad, fun and cost somehow we are a match but ya know opposites and all that. However we took the word fun and vibe and well decided to elope. But these keywords will help you focus yourself on what’s important to you both for your big day.

Another example photographer - friendly, informal, creative

  • By focusing on those key features it will half your searching journey trust me. You can gauge pretty quickly if the supplier/venue fit with your aesthetic and their website is usually a good indicator. You want a client experience with your vendors after all you are relying on them to help with the vision of your day.

  • Be realistic in your budget bride book have a useful tool for couples which show average prices for vendors/suppliers. Photography isn’t just a case of turning up and taking pictures it really is an experience and a lot more than just pressing a button. I recommend listing in order what is truly important/essential to you.

  • Book in some you and fiancé time as you can imagine planning and organising a wedding brings out a whole new level of stress and I mean that in the kindest way possible, down time is a must with no wedding talk. You heard of a mini moon before your actual honeymoon well use that notion and have a mini escape and hang out with your fiancé and no going to a wedding fair isn’t the same as hanging out.

  • Book in an engagement shoot. I have one included in my full day package these are lots of fun and its an afternoon with your person with some lovely images of your both which can also be used as save the date cards. Completely unposed and just a little insight into your love story. These take place in and around Kent. I particularly enjoy woodland portrait photography sessions.

  • Get yourself a wedding planner/coodinator it will take the stress out of the day but also the lead up to the day. Most venues have a coordinator make sure you have them onboard to help the day run smoothly.

  • Wedding fairs are great and useful but also an overwhelming experience (make sure you book in a meal/treat afterwards). Now you might find your perfect supplier at one of these events after all it is a meet and greet experience. Reach out to suppliers schedule in a zoom call or go and meet in person if thats an option.

  • Family politics - ask yourself this do I want to someone there who I haven’t seen in years just to please family members? The answer is only if YOU want them too.

  • Book your important suppliers asap if they aren’t available on your date ask them if they would recommend anyone who would fit your vibe.

  • Don’t leave the little details to last minute - diy wedding? get your peeps involved and make a day of it crafting and throw in a little party afterwards - Gin, glitter and stationary = heaven.

  • I have a wonderful photoplan template I like to send my couples leading up to the day containing a timeline which really helps them visualise any gaps in the day.

Hayne house wedding photographer bride on bouncy castle
Taking the camera shy vibes and turning them into photography epic-ness - effortlessly
— My husband

And I repeat and will say it over and over again - the one thing I say to my couples is schedule in some alone time during the day and get those canapés to go. After the ceremony you will hardly spend anytime with each other besides your portraits session which is where I like to bring my romantic A game. Prompts and bringing back the feelings of the day. I also tend to take the Micky out of myself.

  • Have a day/morning/afternoon whichever works with no phone if anything it will help prepare you for on the day when usually your phone isn’t to hand. If having a phone to hand on the day is essential then have a wedding dress with hidden pockets - seriously best idea ever! or simply designate/given a contact number for someone who will be with you and your partner during prep.

  • Talking of dresses - once you have found the one, make sure you sit down whilst trying the dress on - you’ll thank me on the day.

  • The wedding dress should fit you, not you fit into the wedding dress - if needs be get a seamstress. I don’t advise being uncomfortable all day by wearing suck everything in pants. Embrace your body and eat that cake!

  • I am a body positive person and fully embrace that mindset on the wedding day. I understand the pressure you may face surrounding losing weight, dieting, all to fit in that dress for one day. Thats a lot of pressure to put on yourself and the diet culture and targeting brides is outrageous and should be banned.

  • I go to every wedding with a sewing kit, pain killers, gel heels basically a mini self care kit I highly recommend having something similar either for bridal prep or in the toilets for guests.

confetti bride and groom with dogs

  • Practice asking for help - daunting I know but its okay to say I need some help, also at the same time having boundaries set in place you can say ‘NO’. You are not here to please everyone you are here with one goal in mind and that is to get married your way.

  • Let your speeches come from the heart - please don’t use google as a template as a photographer I have heard similar speeches numerous times and its not a copy and paste job. I am true supporter in both couples saying some words - consider doing it before you eat so the tables look lovely in the photos strongly advise you do not do speeches between courses urgh!

  • It goes without saying but be kind to yourself, embrace the storm and go on an adventure instead. Look chaos in the eye and tell it to F off. Bring the vibe, if you are enjoying yourselves then your wedding guests are enjoying themselves, happiness, laughter is infectious and will add to the day knowing everyone is having fun. SO bring the ViBE.

  • You can never have too much confetti. 100% the only time where less is more isn’t an option.

A professional wedding photographer is ALWAYS going to be worth the investment. You will never regret investing in your photography. Being based in Kent I have been to some amazing weddings, I have a few favourites and lucky enough to be on their recommendations list. a few are Winters barn, Hayne house, Chapel house estate and Crown lodge all stunning wedding venues in Kent.

Bring the vibe

smile so hard your cheeks ache.

Play and have fun, let your inner child venture out, weddings don’t need to be stiff no matter how you get married be it formal, relaxed, diy, destination just be yourself be silly, soppy, belly laugh and do it all with your favourite person.

bride and wye downs

Well I hope this was helpful. and if you want me for your day please get in touch

winters barn wedding
Rebecca & Simon | Crown Lodge Wedding, Kent

Rebecca and Simon’s wedding was absolutely stunning, I loved the fact she wore blue shoes. These guys were up for anything and were happy to allow me to be creative and fully supporting of various ideas and visions I had. I love the Crown lodge in Wye, Kent the venue is so ideal for a rustic vibe and the views well they are unquestionable. We rounded up the day with the mist gorgeous sunset across the downs. Anyway here is what the couple have to say abut their day and planning. Make sure you scroll down and check out their gorgeous photos.

How did you both meet?
Simons sisters wedding. Knew each before but this is where it all began.

How did you know they were the one?
Rebecca - Because he loves me on my good days and my bad days.
Simon - Because she is selfless, always puts me first, and has mad me into a better man.

Can you tell me how you proposed?
I took Simon to Las Vegas for his 30th, and he proposed the night we arrived in our room with a beautiful view of the strip.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue?
It was beautiful, we both instantly fell in love with it and it had the most amazing views.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/day?
Blue, my favourite colour with everything natural and subtle to match the venue.

What was your first song and why?
Ed Sheehan - Tenerife Sea. We both love the song and it comments on how I look beautiful in my dress.

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be?
Be patient and understanding, and remember if you can get through planning a wedding you get through anything.

What tips would you give to couples to keep that spark alive?
Enjoy the little things and make time for each other. Don’t get lost in every day life but enjoy spending time together.

Wedding Suppliers
Hair stylist: Kay Sharp, from Sharp and Owen in Gravesend.
Website: www.sharp-owen.com/
Make up artist: Alicia Cooper (my cousin)
Website: Facebook - LUXE hair & makeup by Alicia Kirsty Cooper
Brides Dress: WED2B Ashford
Website: https://www.wed2b.co.uk/
Bridesmaids dresses: Quiz
Website: www.quizclothing.co.uk
Brides Shoes: Rainbow Club
Website: https://www.rainbowclub.co.uk/wedding-shoes/bride
Grooms Shoes: Dune
Website: https://www.dunelondon.com/
Suits: House of Fraser
Website: https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/
Florist: Weddings by Amelia (was bespoke floral designs by Amelia)
Website: www.bespokefloraldesigns.co.uk
Venue Decoration: All done by me.
Cake: The Abbey Cake Shop
Website: Facebook - The Abbey Cake Shop
Band/DJ: Karl Vince from KarDan Entertainment
Website: Facebook - KarDan Entertainment
Car/Transport Hirer: My dad and Simons sisters cars for drop off.
Website:

want someone like me to capture your day? Then please get in touch