Influenza Free Safety Zone

Whooppy, the invitation for Sophia and Stephen White’s Marriage Blessing arrived. The newly married couple were very considerate to ensure their friends who couldn’t make it abroad were able give their blessing.

The Blessing took place in the midst of the swine flu pandemic and threaten attendees who earmarked on this event with well wishes. Cheers and merriment were had and the evening when off in fine style.

iDeLick Media & Creative Photography where assigned to photograph this wedding and like everyone else were at risk of catching this virus before this fine event. So what did we do to ensure we made it to the Blessing in the best of health?

Take plenty of fluids, mainly water or fresh juice.
Carried tissues – Just in case someone developed a cough – Remembering to catch it, bin it and kill it by washing your hands.

For more information check the NHS Direct website

Standing Tall Throughout Your Special Day

It's late in the evening and the hearty wedding breakfast has just been consumed by the party of family and guest. Time now for the bride to move around and mingle. Oh yeah, and with her husband. But what is truly amazing for the well prepared Bride is that they always seem to be standing tall.

Back in December 2008, My buddy Fraser over at Peartree Photography Rental and iDeLick Media & Creative Photography was assigned to photograph the wedding of Sarah and Daniel Palmer at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wanstead, London. Despite it being the start of winter, the reception was warmly received and in the spirit of a wonderful wedding. Everyone had a great time.

Back at the studio and about eight weddings now attached to our name. I began to notice a reoccurring pattern with brides which relates to their stance and ease of standing tall. The realisation was that it's all about the corset...

However strategically worn, either under or over the Bridal Gown. A corset dutifully gives the wearer that graceful confident stance with an air of modesty.

So, next time you're invited to a wedding or becoming a Bride yourself, I hope you'll find atleast a snippet of advice in this offering and consider a corset.

Your comments are more than welcomed.

Thank you for looking!

Shoes Saga

I was very fortunate to be awarded with a photoshoot for the prestigious bridal wear boutique, Exquisite Bride in Plaistow E13 for their 2009 catalogue. Time came around to begin photographing selected wedding shoes when I noticed I was set aside a range of shoe with different size heals. How peculiar I thought and question the Designer Florence about the range and was surprised by her answer. Well, that's just me thinking about fashion and beauty.

I was informed that after choosing the Bride's dress the next consideration is to find a pair of shoe to compliment the dress. The shoe should be fashionable and classy. But overall, you must consider your Bride will be wearing her shoes for 10 hours or more. Comfort must be the first consideration!

Let's look at it this way. She'll leave the home, jump into the Bridal Carriage for the Ceremony and that's an hour or so. After signing the Marriage Register the Bride moves onto meeting the family and guest. Then, It'll be my part again to take a few photos with the family and guest and then onto the Reception.

By now, should that fashionable and trendy pair of shoes begin to take its toll, there might be time to slip them off in the ride to the Reception. On arrival, our Bride will be moving around before she takes her seat at the head of the Breakfast Table. This is where I would start worrying as a Wedding Photographer hoping to catch as many pleasant smiles as possible and those loving glances toward her hubby. I've heard it once and there is definitely no need for me to hear it again. 'If you want see lady change into a crumbling wreck, give her the wrong shoes, have her walk around for five minutes and hay presto! You'll not only have a wrecked Bride, you'll have crappy features in your photos because of an uncomfortable pair of shoes'.

As a guide, Designer Florence advised shoe with a 5cm heal or lower is a good height. Anything higher, 'you might be taking a big risk'.

Picture This...

So what is in a picture that generate ideas for your special wedding day?

I was assigned to photograph the wedding of Bev and Jason back in August 2009, and to say they had done a fabulous job with the arrangements. I was astounded by a well received ceremony and the emotions approval of the family and guests. I didn't know the family at all and to find out that I was related as a second cousin to the Groom was a real turn of fate for me. During the ceremony I became fixated by the amount of small details that had gone into the planning and choices made.

This photo on viewing holds a significant place in my lexicon for considering that all important co-ordination of that dress, the Bride's Maids and the Maid of Honour's dress. The colour, the contrast and the Wows at the moment the Bride enter the ceremony. With the lighting, the Groom and the Flower Girl, Ring Bearer, Ushers and the decor. It could be enough to make any wedding ceremony look like a Hollywood production.