Wedding Day Guide

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! //

>> A FROM THE SMITHS GUIDE TO PLANNING & ROCKIN YOUR DAY WITH TIPS AND SECRETS ON HOW TO GET THE BEST OUTTA US! <<

Oh Hey, it’s lush to meet you both!

We’re so glad you’re here and we’re mega excited to shoot your day and show off all of the hard work you’ve put into planning all the deets. So in this guide we’re gonna run few a things on our side about how we work best and little ways that you guys can help too. Our aim is to cram as much of our experience into this guide as poss to help put you at ease so that you can have fun and enjoy your best day ever! It can not only help things run nice and smoothly on the day but also means you’ll get killer photos to remember your day by and obviously we’re all about that!

// First up, let’s talk about prep! //

You’ve booked a hella cool venue for your ceremony and reception so don’t forget about where you’re gonna get ready. Set the vibe of your day from the start, having a spacious and bright place for prep, somewhere to hang with your gang and feel relaxed will mean that you can chill, be happy and enjoy that time rather than feeling stressed and squashed and it WILL make a difference in your photographs. Some things we LOVE- -funky spots to hang your wedding outfits -tiles -cool interior design -exposed brick and beams -floods of natural light and big windows (mega important) -velvet -textures -plants -cabins -cute morning outfits -white walls -bright colours p.s. don’t forget to make yourself a banging playlist for the morning too.

// FANCY A FIRST LOOK? //

It’s your day and you can get married your way! Throw out all of the traditions that you aren’t bothered about and concentrate on the things that represent you guys and that you’ll love. A first look is a sneak meet with your boo before your ceremony and gives you some time to yourselves (with us creeping on from a distance). We did a first look on our wedding day and it was one of the most memorable parts for us. After you’ve seen each other for the first time and had a few hugs and smooches we tend to spend 5-10 minutes grabbing some portraits of you both before you head off to do the thiiing.

Pros -it can get rid of any pre-ceremony nerves
-you’re gonna remember it forever!
-lush photographs
-it sometimes works better for us to capture both of your reactions when you see each other for the first time than if it was when you’re walking down the aisle due to space restrictions etc.

Cons -none

// CEREMONY //

Ceremony rule #1- enjoy every freaking minute! This is it, you’re doing it, have fun with it…laugh, smile, cry, don’t be frightened to touch, squeeze each other and take it all in. We tend to shoot with one of us at the front and one of us at the back so that we can cover more perspectives but also so we aren’t distracting you. We appreciate a little freedom and space so that we can be creative and we will always respect you guys, your guests and the person performing your ceremony and do our best to be as discreet as poss, it’s a good idea to check in with whoever is conducting your ceremony to make sure they are cool with photographs being taken. Ceremonies are one of our fave parts of the day and it always gets us in the feels when you write your own vows, it’s a little extra work but it’s so memorable and worth it.

// IDEAL TIMELINE //

Weddings are all unique and timelines are totally different depending on what time of year you’re getting married. It’s mega important to take into consideration the sunset time, especially if it’s an autumn/winter wedding cause you don’t wanna come out of your ceremony and it be pitch black or just have a smidge of light left so we’re rushing your photos. FYI we’re totally down to pop out during you meal for an epic sunset and catch some of that insane evening light, even if it means we sneak 10 minutes between your courses, it’s always so worth it!

We work best in natural light and are more than happy to guide you on your timeline if you aren’t sure, don’t worry we’ve gotcha and are here to help so just holla. As a general rule there’s usually a minimum of 90 minutes between your ceremony ending and being seated, if you can extend this then it means more time for you to chill, drink cocktails, take in your day and hang with your guests while we dip in and out capturing all those lovely natural moments as well as everything else. Extended drinks reception gets our vote.

// TOP TIPS //

– be affectionate with each other, kiss, cuddle, dance around, smooch, we aren’t weirded out at all, pinky promise!

-you can never have too much confetti

-let go, you’ve just got married and it’s the best freaking day!

-basically just be the best version of yourself, don’t forget that you look smokin’

-we heart backdrops and love making use of them after the ceremony for photos

-embrace literally everything, including the weather…let’s walk in the rain and sunshine, go with the flow and be so high on life we can’t feel the cold

-always remember its YOUR day, do it YOUR way! If you wanna get ready together, mix up the timings, walk down the aisle alone, eat burgers from a food van, say your vows at the bottom of a waterfall, dress top to toe in glitter or wear matching pink outfits. Just go with it and own your day.

// LET’S PARTY //

GET ON THAT DANCE FLOOR AND GET ALL OF YOUR PALS TO JOIN YOU, WE’LL BE IN THE CENTRE OF IT ALL WITH YOU GUYS! LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL, BABY!

// COOL VENDORS WHO WE LOVE //

Florists //

–Floral & Lace (Hull based – covering 90 minute radius)
–Fleur Couture – Floral Design and Event Hire (North-East England based – covering 90 minute radius)
–Sprig and Thistle (North-East England based – covering 90 minute radius)
–Muscari – wedding stylist and florist (will travel)

Videographers //

–The Costa Sisters (will travel) These guys did our wedding video + we love them 🙂

–Hello There Films (will travel)

– This Modern Reverly (will travel)

Cake Design //

–The Master Cakesmith (North-East England based – will travel)
–Plumb & Rabbitts Cake Studio (North-East England based – will travel)
–GB Cupcakery (North-East England based – will travel)

MUA //

–F.A.C.E Make-Up Artistry (will travel)
–Amy George Make-Up (Leeds based – will travel)
–Victoria Holdstock (North-East England based – will travel)
–Unveil (London based – will travel)

Hair Stylists //

–Emily Hawkes Bridal Hair Stylist (Leeds based – will travel)

Celebrants //

–Starrgazing Ceremonies (will travel)

Planners //

–Pink Palms Events (London based – will travel)

Coordinators //

–Kook Events (Leeds based-covering North and Midlands)

Stationery //

–Rosewood Co (covers worldwide) –Peach Wolfe Paper Co (covers worldwide)
–Geri Loves Emi Paper Co (covers all UK)

Dress Shops //

–The Wild Heart Bridal (Rochester)
–Jean Jackson Couture (Manchester)
–E&W Couture (Cardiff)
–Marrime Bridalwear (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne)
–Lucy Can’t Dance (Essex)
–Accent Original Bridal Boutique (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne)
–Glory Days Bridal (York)

Suit Shops //

–Most Suitable (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne)

Stylists //

–Muscari – wedding stylist and florist (will travel)
–Fleur Couture – Floral Design and Event Hire (North-East England based – covering 90 minute drive radius)

Photobooths & GIF Booths //

–Silver Trailer Photobooth (Herefordshire based – will travel)
–Birdie Photobooth (Cheshire based – will travel)
–Studio Social North (North-East England based – will travel)

Prop Hire & Lights //

–Coco Luminaire (North-East England based, covering 90 minute radius)

Balloon Design //

–Ballon-ilicious (covering all No rth-East England)

Cool Caterers //

–Fat Hippo –Scream For Pizza (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne based, also covers North Yorkshire, Lakes & the borders)
–Big Fat Donut Co (covers most North-East England)