wedding photography

How To Have An Unplugged Wedding

While technology is undoubtedly a wonderful thing and often a fantastic addition to your wedding day, there is also a move toward what could be described as an ‘unplugged wedding.’  Think of it as the polar opposite of the techy wedding without hashtags, social media and photo sharing.

There’s certainly pros and cons to this sort of wedding and indeed it may sound a little draconian to some, but it can give the day a much more private feel and you’ll have control over your photos, plus it will allow your guests the chance to actually enjoy the day rather than watching it from behind their phone screen as they take snaps.

Of course, you can always have a hybrid of both, where you might decide to have the ceremony as ‘unplugged,’ and the reception as a selfie friendly zone.

If you’d like to chat about this or any aspect of your wedding day planning or décor, then please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

 

Pros of an Unplugged Wedding

  • The ethos of an unplugged wedding is twofold. Firstly, you want your guests to disconnect from their technology which rules most of our lives on a daily basis and instead just enjoy the day to the full. Essentially you want them to switch off and not see the day through a phone screen.
  • The second major driver of this type of wedding is that you have much more control over what images are shared on social media. You may have waited a very long time for your wedding day and accordingly you want to make sure you are the one who gets to share the first snap of you and your new husband or wife and not some dodgy picture from a guests smartphone.
  • Also let’s not forget, couples fork out quite a bit for professional photographers, so why not really let them capture the day instead of having your well-meaning guests get in the way of the official photographer who is trying to get those all-important shots.

 

 

Cons of an Unplugged Wedding

  • The most obvious hurdle for an unplugged wedding is letting the guests know your wishes. So be clear from the off. Mention it in your invites, your order of service or have signage at the church or ceremony entrance. Or enlist a member of the bridal party to let the guests know about your wishes.
  • While an unplugged wedding is great in theory, it can also mean you miss some spontaneous shots which only guests can capture, as no matter how good your photographer is, they cannot be everywhere at once. Also once you photographer has left, often it’s the guests pictures which capture the evening time fun, so if you are enforcing your unplugged theme for the entire wedding, you’ll miss out on these pics.
  • Some guests might feel a little peeved about not being able to take pictures for themselves at the wedding day. Let’s not forget, most have taken time out to get themselves dolled up for your big day and would like to be able to take a few shots. A good way around this is to have a photobooth at the reception so the guests can have pictures from the day

 

What About A Hybrid Strategy?   

  • As you can see, there are pros and cons to having an unplugged wedding and sometimes it’s best to employ a sort of hybrid strategy. Why not have your ceremony as a tech-free zone, which will allow your guests to actually be in the moment and enjoy this very special time, rather than watching it from behind their screens. It also means you’ve got full control over your ceremony images.
  • Then after the ceremony, you could lift the tech ban and indeed encourage your guests to get snap happy and upload their best selfies and shots from the day with a hashtag. That way you’re going to get the best of both worlds and not miss out on some potentially great guest’s pics.

 

 

 

Techy Wedding Ideas

Technology has revolutionised the way we celebrate weddings. In the past it was commonplace to leave disposable cameras on each table for guests to take photos with, whereas these days almost every guest will have their phone out taking shots of every key moment from the walk down the aisle, to the speeches, the cake and the first dance. Similarly the idea of the traditional photographer has also been updated to the use of drones to capture unbelievable images and videos of your big day. And for those who cannot attend the wedding you can even live stream the key moments.

Of course there will be couples who rail against what they might see as an overly techie wedding and opt for an ‘unplugged’ wedding instead and this certainly has its appeal too. However, if you are open to capitalising on the advances offered by new technology, then they can really enhance your big day.

From hashtags for guest’s photos, to drones, to go-pros and live streaming, we look at some of ways to take advantage of technology for some truly incredible results.

If you’d like to chat about this or any other aspect of your wedding day décor or planning then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me today.

 

Drones

If you want to add a touch of the epic to your wedding day then consider a drone to capture almost movie quality style videos and photos of your big day from above. Yes it can be a bit pricey, but it is guaranteed to give you some never before seen shots of your wedding day.

 

Go Pro

This is a really fun idea and one that will give you a truly different take on your wedding day. Why not have the bride or groom wear a small go-pro camera on their person or even in the bridal bouquet? That way you can capture the special moments such as the walk down the aisle and the speeches from a whole different vantage point! And if you’re involving your four-legged friend in the wedding, maybe as the ring-bearer, why not put a go-pro on their collar?

 

 

Live Streaming

This is a fantastic idea if you have family members and guests living abroad who can’t make the wedding. In the past they would have missed out on the day, but with new technology it’s possible for them to feel part of the wedding through a live stream which they can watch. Think about streaming crucial moments such as the ceremony, the speeches and the first dance.

 

 

Get Social

It’s inevitable that you guests will be capturing the day on their phones and with the best will in the world, you’re never going to get all your guests photos. So why not use a hashtags for Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to get all your guests photos together in the one place? Make sure you let your guests know what the hashtag is and use creative signage as part of your wedding décor too! Plus why not have fun with Instaframes and Facebook frames for your DIY photobooths and why not leave selfie sticks on each table and let the guests snap away!

 

Fabulous Wedding Frames

Frames are the super versatile piece of wedding décor you cannot do without. Easy to source, relatively cheap and with a style to fit practically any wedding theme, they really are invaluable. From framing cute signs, love quotes, or pictures, to using them more creatively as the seating plan, centrepieces, or as backdrops or impromptu photobooths, they are a must.

Search your favourite high street shops for value frames in the likes of Dunnes Stores, Tiger, Ikea, Debenhams and so on, but don’t forget to look for some antique versions in auctions or online too! And if you’re a DIY lover then don’t be afraid to give the frames your own personal touch by either upcycling to decorating them to fit in with your theme.

If you’d like to chat about this or any aspect of your wedding plans or décor, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.https://www.perfect-details.com/wedding-help/

 

Pew Ends
For a new take on pew ends, consider getting smaller frames to hang from each pew. You could fill them with black and white photos of your parents and grandparents as a nice nod to past generations in your family, or indeed fill them with pictures of both of you from when you were children up to adulthood the closer each pew gets to the top. Also think about filling them with your favourite love quotes either.

 

Signs
From signs welcoming your guests, to your favourite love quotes, the story of how you fell in love, signs directing guests to the different parts of the festivities, or details on your guestbook, frames will spruce up these up in an instant. Look for frames that fit in with your theme, be it glamorous, rustic, vintage, barn style, Gatsby, garden or anything in between.

 

Table Plan
Whether you want to have just one large ornate frame with the tables listed or you want to get creative and use lots of little frames laid out on a table or presented on a board, there’s no doubt that frames look fabulous for your table plan. Plus you can find a frame to fit in with whatever theme you have chosen. Don’t forget you can always use the frames again around your home when you get your wedding photos back!

 

Centrepieces
Frames are the perfect choice for your wedding table centrepieces. What’s great is that they can be either the main focus, or they can be just part of the overall look. For example you could have a picture of each of you at the age of the table number in a frame as the main part of the centrepiece. Or you could have a frame with a page from your favourite books on a stack of books. Similarly a still or quote from a film within a bespoke frame, or a framed map of a part of the world you have both been to will work really well. In the same way, frames can also become just an element of the centrepiece by adding a subtle extra with simply the number in a frame that suits the décor. The possibilities are endless.

 

Photos and Photobooths
If you want to get creative then make sure to have some frames at the ready for photo time! You can easily set up an impromptu DIY photobooth with a frame and a camera yourself for lots of on the hoof fun. But also consider using frames in your official wedding shots too. Chat to your photographer about setting up some clever perspective shots with the bridal party holding a frame and the couple situated within the frame from afar, for some truly stunning pictures.

 

 

Great Gatsby Themed Wedding

Getting married around the time between Christmas and New Year’s is becoming increasingly popular with couples for a number of reasons. Rates and availability can be much more favourable, as well as the fact that many people are already off during that time or indeed home if they live or work abroad, so they should be able to freely attend the big day.

If you are getting married around this time, especially on New Year’s Eve itself, then consider giving the day a theme, as at this time of year weddings are crying out for a theme like no other time. In particular, a Great Gatsby style theme is hugely popular, thanks to the recent Baz Luhrmann film adaptation of the classic book, that brought the lavish opulence of the story to life in vivid colour. The gold, the glitz, the glamour and the lavishness of the Great Gatsby is a match made in heaven for New Years’ Eve and with a few small steps using the best of art deco décor, you can transform your reception into a party Daisy and Gatsby would be proud of.

If you’d like to get in touch to discuss how I can help plan any aspect of your day, then please get in touch.

 

Invites
Start how you mean to go on and send your guests an elegantly designed invite with a nod to the Gatsby era. Look out for fan details, golds, black, deco fonts and laser cuts to let your guests know what to expect in terms of your theme. Also don’t be afraid to let them know if you want them to dress in the 20s era attire, or even black tie.

 

Attire
If you really want to bring the theme to life, then don’t be shy about bringing it through into your attire. For the brides this means looking for 20s style dresses with their unique fit and shape, as well as Juliet caps or sparkly headbands. Don’t forget the bridesmaids and think about fan style embellishments as well as daring golds or black to contrast your dress. For the grooms, think pocket watches and bow ties or have them go all out in a white tux. Finally, why not leave top hats and flapper style head bands and feathers for your guests to enjoy as favours.

 

Cake & Champagne
It wouldn’t be Gatsby without champagne or some kind of bubbly drinks, so why not serve you guests some bubbles in retro glasses on arrival? Think about dipping the rims in edible glitter and have fizzy drink versions for the kids. When it comes to the cake, think about Rockefeller inspired art décor designs to really channel the theme.

 

Table Décor
This is where you can get really creative. The era and the film were defined by pearls, feathers, glitter and glam, so think about incorporating those elements into your table. Why not go for a feather centrepiece instead of flowers, or use glitter table clothes? The contrast of black and gold works really well too.

 

Photo Props
Finally don’t forget your pictures! There’s no point in going to all that effort to channel the Gatsby theme on the day if it’s not reflected in your photographs, so make sure to have some related props on standby. Have the guests throw glitter and sparkles and have some streamers ready for an action shot and if your budget and venue allows it, fireworks would be the Gatsby style icing on the cake and perfect for the chimes at midnight!

Glitter Wedding Decor

Let’s face it, winter brides and grooms to be can afford to be liberal with the glitter. At this time of year, more than any other, you can really go all out and inject lots of glitzy accents and glitter wedding decor into your day. While summer has its obvious charms, there is just something about this time of year that makes for a uniquely beautiful atmosphere and with the festive season on the horizon, winter weddings just naturally lend themselves to a touch of glitter. And it’s also quite amazing how the right balance of colours and glitter can make a room feel warm and cosy when it’s cold outside! Never forget glitter doesn’t just have to be gold!

As an award-winning wedding planner, I’ve helped dozens of couples to bring their winter weddings to life with a touch of seasonal glam. So if you’re a total glitter-fiend, then this post is for you, as we look at lots of amazing ideas for décor, centrepieces, photo props, table plans and much more to whet your glam-loving appetite. In the meantime, if you’d like to chat about how I can help with your big day plans, then please get in touch.

 

Ceremony
There’s no reason why you can’t add a touch of glitter to your ceremony, be it in a church or another venue. Just check in advance if the venue are happy with the glitter aspect as it may require some clean up. Think about glitter aisle runners, or just glitter sprinkled on the aisle or to the side near the pews for a more affordable option. Glitter frosted pine cones and winter flowers make for ideal pew ends, as do sparkly chair covers or even glitter stars to adorn the aisle.

 

Table plans & Escort Cards
When it comes to table plans and escorts cards and glitter, the sky is the limit for how creative you want to get. Everything from a straightforward glitter dusted table plan, to feathers dipped in glitter for escort cards, glitter pegs with guests names attached and even some fake fruits such as pears, sprayed with glitter make a stunning impact. There’s not much that glitter can’t make better!

 

Centrepieces & Table Décor
You can really go to town with the glitz and glitter when it comes to your table décor. For some budget friendly DIY options, why not vamp up some winter branches with glitter? They’ll look stunning in a large vase. Sprinkle glitter of varying sizes or sparkly shapes on the table itself, dust birdcages, mason jars or candle sticks with glitter for an eye-catching centrepiece, or if you really want to make a splash, why not use a glitter ball for the centrepiece or some glitter tablecloths!

 

Foodie Favors
Nothing brings a smile to someone’s face like an edible treat dusted in glitter. It makes for a really fun effect and once you get your hands on some edible glitter, the world is your oyster. Think doughnuts, cupcakes or cakepops which make perfect foodie favours, or indulge your guests with a mini bottle of bubbles at their seat covered in the glitter of your choice.

 

Photo Props
Finally don’t forget to capture the beautiful glitter effect in your wedding photos! Have cones of glitter for guests to throw when the camera is shooting, prepare a glittery backdrop for a photobooth, or glitz up some fun photobooth props too. Use some glitter dusted LOVE or initial signs and don’t be afraid to get creative and maybe have the bride or groom take off their shoes and walk in the glitter to make some really creative shots. Chat to your photographer in advance and they’ll have lots of ideas on how to maximise the glitter effect.

The First Look Pros and Cons

Last week we chatted about the rise of the Escort Card and this week we’re looking at another wedding trend that’s come from the other side of the pond, namely the ‘First Look.’ For any bride or groom who are active on social media, and sites such as Pinterest, they’ll no doubt have seen lots of talk of this new phenomenon. But what is a ‘first look? Simply put, it involves the bride and groom sharing a quiet moment and seeing each other before the ceremony with a ‘reveal’ set up which is generally caught on camera.

It can be a lovely idea to consider and has plenty of positives, but of course, there are many reasons why couples would prefer to stick to the traditional route of seeing each other for the first time at the top of the aisle. Whichever you choose to do, it will be a special moment, but make sure you decide on an option for the right reasons and what you both want, rather than just following a trend.

If you’d like to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning, then please get in touch.

 

The Pros of the ‘First Look.’

There’s plenty of reasons why the ‘first look’ has become a super popular phenomenon in the United States and has spread to this side of the Atlantic. Here’s just a few to consider.

Break The Mould – The ‘first look’ gives you an opportunity to break with convention, which for many brides and grooms is exactly what they are looking for and if following the same old traditional route is not your thing, then a ‘first look’ is perfect. It can really help to give your day an extra special and unique dimension to it.
Photos – One major plus is the photos. You will have a huge amount of control as to how you want to set up the reveal. Just Google a ‘first look’ and you’ll be bombarded with a horde of creative ways to do your ‘first look,’ everything from standing on different sides of a door, to a tree, to blindfolds to even using a bunch of balloons! The sky is the limit on it and it’s perfect for those who love to be super creative. It may also free up some time post-ceremony as you’ll already have lots of photos in the can
Nerves – Finally nerves can play a huge part in your wedding day and walking down the aisle can be one of the scariest parts. So if you don’t want your nerves to overcome you, opting for a ‘first look’ is one definite way to ensure you’ll be calm and relaxed for the aisle. Also you’ll have the private moment between both you as a couple, minus the guests.

 

The Cons of the ‘First Look.’
The ‘first look’ may have its pluses, but for many couples, the traditional route is still the more preferred option. Here’s some of the reasons why a ‘first look’ may not be for you.

Anti-climax – Going for the ‘first look’ can mean you end up losing the magic of waking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time. The whole aisle part can just end up being a bit of an anti-climax, when really it’s something you’ve been both looking forward to as a couple for many months and sometimes even years.
Staged – While the ‘first look’ is supposed to capture the reactions of both parties when they see each other for the first time, it can sometimes feel a bit staged, with the photographers and possibly videographers lenses on you as you wait to capture this ‘private moment.’ Of course they will also have their lenses ready if you decide to wait until you walk down the aisle, but in truth with the gaze of the guests and everything else going on, a good photographer wont even catch your eye as he or she quietly takes position and captures the natural reactions of you, your husband or wife to be and the guests.
Tradition – Finally, there is the old notion of tradition. Tradition is not necessarily a bad thing and there’s no sense in breaking with it just to follow a trend if you’re not 100% happy. If you’ve dreamt of walking down the aisle and seeing your partner for the first time, then why not just stick with it and enjoy the special moment.

Reasons to Love a November Wedding

For many couples the months of July, August and September are the most popular times to get married. However, it can be difficult to secure your preferred dates and venues during those months due to the popularity. Getting married in the so-called off peak winter seasons, such as in November bring with it lots of positives you may not have even thought about. Rates will be significantly reduced and the availability of everything from bands to venues should be much easier to secure. It’s also a time of year when people won’t be away on holidays and so you don’t have to worry about your close friends being away when you say ‘I do.’ The winter landscape can also look truly stunning in your photos and who doesn’t love the crackle and roar of a cosy fire as you toast to your new life together with family and friends.

As an award-winning wedding planner, I’ve helped to put together dozens of beautiful November weddings. If you’d like to discuss any aspect of your big day, then please get in touch.

 

Reduced Rates & Availability
This is a key factor for choosing an off-peak wedding, such as in November, especially if you’re a little short on planning time or are keeping to a particular budget as you’re likely to make big savings on everything. You’re also likely to get your first choice of venue, church, band, photographer and much more.

 

Winter Décor
Don’t worry, winter decor doesn’t automatically have to mean Christmas decorations. In fact, there are so many amazingly beautiful ideas for winter décor that don’t have anything to do with Christmas! Banish thoughts of red and gold and instead think of chic palettes of greys and purples, offset with winter pinks for a really modern look. Plus candles can really come into their own for a truly stunning effect, as well as things such as hanging tealights and chic fairly light backdrops etc. And let’s not forget the cosy appeal of a roaring fire which will look amazing in your pictures too.

 

The Weather… Yes Really!
When it comes to planning a wedding in Ireland, you just cannot tell what the weather is going to do. Let’s be honest, you are as likely to have monsoon style weather in June, as you are to have a crisp sunny day in November. That said, you must still bear in mind that November is winter time and it is possible it could be snowing too! But for many couples the idea of a winter wonderland also has its own appeal. Finally, if you’re a bit of a sweaty Betty at the best of times, then consider that shimmying through the day in a big gown etc, on a warm summer’s day could be a disaster.

 

The photos
The natural beauty of the winter landscape is not for everyone, but if you and your partner are happy to take advantage of that, then you are guaranteed to get some stunning shots you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get in summertime. Talk to your photographer in advance about the time of year and how it will affect your pictures and if he or she has shot at your venue in the winter, then check out their previous work for some great ideas.