What is your most memorable wedding?
Oh my goodness - impossible to answer! Every single wedding is unique and touching - some are crazy, others very traditional, some have hundreds of guests and plush hotels others have just the couple in a tiny old coastguard lookout - there is no way to choose a favourite or a most memorable - they are all amazing!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Relaxed, fun, friendly, attentive, observational.
What about your business are you most proud of?
My 5* reviews and the amazing feedback I get from my couples and their guests after the wedding - knowing that I have captured that very special and intimate moment in time and that those photographs may well be passed down through the family for generations to come gives me a real warm glow and sense of achievement!
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Communication! Talk to your wedding service providers - share your hopes and ideas with them, take them into your confidence and be prepared to listen to them, too, because they will have a wealth of experience and advice and they want your day to go well, so let them help you!
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
There have been so many! One of my recent brides was a horse owner and her mum had two of her own horse shoes decorated to be presented by the bridesmaids. I also absolutely love it when the couple's dogs are involved in the ceremony and, of course, there's the touching moments when couples light a candle to remember those who can't be there.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
There isn't one! I say this simply because I believe every couple is unique and has very different ideas and needs from their whole wedding planning process. However, I will usually try to get as many details as possible from my couple during our first contact so that I can work out a bespoke package quote for them. I then always give them a chance to meet me and have a chat and a browse through my portfolios BEFORE they commit to a booking, just to be certain that they are relaxed and secure with me being with them on their special day. After booking, I'm always available to chat through ideas or answer questions throughout the planning stages, right up to the big day itself. Generally we will either have another meeting just before the wedding or at least a chat over the phone to ensure that there are no alterations or last minute requests - good communication ensures that things run smoothly on the day.
The photography on the day itself is very much governed by my couples and, of course by external forces such as the weather, but I am flexible and relaxed and happy to "go with the flow" rather than sticking rigidly to any preplanned framework. My aim is to get all of the special photographs my couples have specified plus a whole host of extras that they hadn't even thought of, so that they have a rounded and exciting picture of the day.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
Something unique to you - have fun planning some romantic, fun and relaxed photos for your newlywed shoot, when I whisk you away from the guests for a little bit of a breather - the stressful part is over by then and you can just let your hair down and enjoy being married!
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
One of my couples jumped into the swimming pool with all of their wedding clothes on, another wanted photographs in underground caverns, one of my brides arrived in her full length white wedding dress riding on a Harley Davidson ... and of course, because I'm in Cornwall there are always the wonderful ones who jump the waves on our golden beaches!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Stay positive! It's still going to be an amazing day in spite of the weather ... or maybe because of it! If my couples are up for it, I always carry a couple of clear umbrellas and I've captured some fantastic fun shots in the rain. One of my favourite weddings was so wet that the newlyweds just gave up and leaped into the swimming pool fully clothed in their wedding attire! However, if you prefer to stay dry and cosy, there are always stratagies we can use to get your photography done inside, either at the church or reception venue - hey, this is Cornwall, so of course I've got plenty of tricks up my sleeve to cope with our liquid sunshine!