My favourite wedding trends for 2017

With my own wedding in the planning process for this year, poring over beautiful imagery and trends on Pinterest is all the more exciting! So, I’m multi-tasking on this post, it’s both work research ;) and wedding planning as I bring you my favourite trends for 2017.

Greenery

Starting with the Pantone colour of the year - Greenery, we’re going to see lots of lush leafy details such as gorgeous garlands and foliage style centrepieces. Green is nature’s neutral and the perfect accent to an opulent setting. 

Industrial

I absolutely adore the industrial look, and the homeware elements of copper and marble have now made their way into weddings. This would work really well in a cool and edgy city venue with brick or concrete walls. Organic greenery and succulents are your friend here too!

Watercolour

Anyone who has seen my stationery designs knows how much I love incorporating watercolours - they are whimsical and romantic, and are a wonderful way to add dreamy pops of colour. View samples here.

Boho

If going the traditional wedding route simply isn’t for you, and you are more drawn to a natural boho vibe, there is so much beautiful inspiration out there on how to style your day while staying true to you. I am personally so drawn to the freedom and adventure the boho aesthetic evokes.

Woodland

Granted our unpredictable Irish weather could make a woodland wedding a little tricky, but with ample planning, this perfectly suits the outdoorsy couple who are planning a more intimate wedding or elopement. I can’t think of anything more romantic than exchanging your vows in a stunning forest setting. 

If you are planning a wedding incorporating any of the above aesthetics, they are on my bucket list to photograph, so make sure to get in touch for a really great deal!

I will certainly be incorporating some of these elements for my own nuptials this year!

Images via Pinterest

C & V // Belleek Castle

I so loved capturing this wonderful wedding at Belleek Castle. Caroline & Vin were a gorgeous couple, relaxed and easy-going and it was my first dog-friendly wedding (so exciting!) complete with the gorgeous Bo serving as ring-bearer, what a cutie! All hands were on deck, with Caroline's mum making her beautiful dress, her aunts providing the flowers, and Vin designed the invitations. The grounds at Belleek were fabulous and a little wander into the forest in the late afternoon provided us some beautiful soft light for their portraits. They enjoyed the evening of dinner and dancing in the castle's dungeon setting. 

4 mistakes to avoid for your wedding photography

Not sticking to a schedule

I can’t emphasise enough the importance of being organised and sticking to a planned timeline for the day. This is especially important if everything isn’t happening in the one location. Make a wedding timeline and appoint a bridesmaid to make sure that the morning is running on time. It only happens once and you want to make sure that there is enough time for everything, especially photography. 

My biggest tip is to plan to get into your dress 1 hour before you plan to leave for the ceremony, so let your hair and make-up artist know you would like to be finished by that time. Then you can take your time with those moments like zipping the dress, putting your earrings in, getting into your shoes. Does your dress need to be tied or laced a certain way? Make sure you and at least one of your bridal party have rehearsed this beforehand. Your photographer will usually leave at least 10 minutes before you, so allow time for bridal portraits alone and with your family. You can spend those extra 10 minutes sipping on your champagne and taking it all in before you leave for the church. Being on time means you’ll have so much more time to enjoy your day and mingle with your guests.

Not Getting Help Organising People for Photos

Ahead of the day, designate someone that you trust and who knows your family and friends to be in charge of organising people for portraits. Usually the best man should gather the groom’s family, and the maid of honour gather the bride’s family. They can gather the people needed, direct them on what shots they will be in, and then release them when they're done. It keeps things moving quickly, smoothly, and enjoyably.

Trying to Make Things "Perfect"

Just have fun! Months, maybe years of planning have gone into this one day, but once the prep work is all done, trust that your venue and vendors will be taking care of everything for you. Don’t sweat the small stuff. There may be some little detail that didn't turn out 100 percent like you had hoped, but believe me, no one will notice. On the day, go with it, have fun, and keep smiling. 

Trying to Pose

Many couples have reservations about posing and being in front of the camera. You also want to enjoy your day and trust your photographer to capture those candid moments. As your photographer, I’ll help direct you into flattering poses to get the best shots. The best thing for you to do is relax and act naturally. Be in the moment. Be hopelessly in love with each other! Most couples want candid, natural photographs, but they often feel like they need to look up at the camera. It could be an instinct, but remember, unless the photographer asks you, just interact naturally for the best shots.

It is so important to me that my couples feel relaxed and at ease, and where possible, I will always take the time to meet you so we can get to know each other a little before the big day. Choosing a pre-wedding portrait session is a fantastic opportunity to get relaxed in front of the camera, and feel more comfortable. It helps result in better images for when your wedding day arrives.

If you'd like to talk about your wedding photography or discuss an engagement session, drop me a mail to claire@studiobrown.ie.

R & N // The Millhouse

It was such a pleasure to photograph Rachael & Nigel's beautiful day in June. Their ceremony was held in St. Andrew's Church, Malahide where Rachael's mother is laid to rest. Following the ceremony, we visited the spot in Malahide castle where Nigel got down on one knee! Their initials are carved in the tree on the spot where it happened. Then it was on to the beautiful Millhouse in Slane for a wonderful reception filled with heart-warming speeches and a stunning summer's day to accompany it. 

Having just received their photos, Rachael says:

Thank you so much for helping capture our wedding day in only a way your eye can. The photos are fantastic and we couldn't be happier. You blended in as if you were just a snap happy one of our friends. Really enjoyed your company and loving your work