This issue we asked our experts for their top tips when it comes to tying the knot al fresco. Here, Karen Boyle from Andy Boyle Photography (www.andyboylephotography.com) discusses the challenges of capturing an open-air wedding.
Summer is here bringing with it the chance to have your wedding ceremony outdoors. Beautiful gardens or natural woodland, fresh air, sunshine and the birds serenading you as you take your vows. Perfect! From springtime until autumn, many venues offer the option of celebrating outdoors. But, this is Britain, so always have a plan B, as no one wants a wet wedding dress and soggy guests. Most venues keep a keen eye on the skies right up until the last moment in case you have to opt for indoors.
Although you and your guests will be wishing for the brightest sunshine for your wedding day, believe it or not, it poses quite a challenge for your photographer as it creates harsh light and shadows, which we have to work hard to minimise. The other thing we really can't control is the wind, it has a wonderful habit of blowing your veil and your fabulous hairstyle across your face at just the wrong moment! Photoshop is not a miracle worker, and to be honest these natural moments are the true reflection of your day, just like the laughter and the tears.
Enough of the negatives (photographic pun intended), the atmosphere for your outdoor ceremony is magical. Everyone feels more relaxed and that makes brilliant photos; shots of you both surrounded by nature and beautiful light are just wonderful. Your outdoor feeling doesn't have to be confined to the daylight either, with lighting carefully placed outdoors the most amazing effects can be created as day has turned to night.
Experts reveal Wedding Gifts Couples Secretly Don’t Want
In the weeks following Valentine's Day, newly engaged couples start planning their weddings and guests begin quietly doing the maths on a year full of invites. With wedding gift etiquette still causing confusion, gift-giving experts at Personalised Bee have shared their guide on which presents are best avoided and what is more likely to earn a genuine smile on the big day.
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Best UK Venues for a Bridgerton-Style Wedding
If your dream wedding leans into the romance, grandeur and timeless elegance of Bridgerton, then choosing the right venue is everything. Think Gothic Revival and Georgian architecture, sweeping lawns and deer-park vistas, dramatic ballrooms, and that effortless Regency charm that would make Lady Whistledown blush. Below, Nick from Country House Weddings has curated five fantastic UK venues, each perfect for a Bridgerton-inspired celebration, whether you're wanting dramatic ballrooms, actual sets from the show, or exquisite gardens for your big day.
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Tie the knot at Hope Street Hotel in the heart of Liverpool's Georgian Quarter
Set amongst the cobbled streets of Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, Hope Street Hotel offers a distinctive setting for weddings and celebrations throughout the year. Located on Hope Street between Liverpool Cathedral and Metropolitan Cathedral, the hotel combines historic architecture with contemporary design. Five flexible event spaces host ceremonies, dining and receptions, including fifth-floor rooms with roof terrace views across Liverpool and the city's only hotel cinema for intimate screenings. Couples and guests can enjoy dining at The London Carriage Works and 1931, while the spa features a courtyard vitality pool and treatments using Temple Spa and QMS products.
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2026 brides and groom told to remember one important thing
Couples are being warned to think ahead on possible disasters, and what they can do to protect their big day. Whether planning a destination wedding abroad or an intimate garden wedding at home, it is crucial for couples to understand the essential checklist and plan for what could go wrong. The research comes after a survey revealed 26% of those planning a wedding in the next three years would not take out wedding insurance.
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