What was the inspiration for Weddington Boots?

After another wet summer, a good friend had complained that she was having a hard time locating suitable wellies for her wedding.  After searching on the net and finding only plain white abattoir wellies, I decided to design a pretty, pearlescent wedding wellie that would look fabulous in her wedding pictures, customisable to her colour scheme and could be used as practical wellies after the wedding.

What makes your Boots so special?

Ladies, it’s time to rejoice. The days of muddy sling backs and ruined stilettos are over! Your feet are guaranteed to look fabulous on your special day – whatever the weather – when you slip into a brand-new pair of Weddington Boots. 

They add a unique touch to your wedding day attire and photo album, whilst keeping your tootsies comfy and cosy at all times.

Designed with a funky cowgirl cut, the boots look equally adorable worn with jeans as they do under your wedding dress.

What is important to you at Weddington Boots?

We don’t want the English weather to spoil your special day.  Our wedding wellies will make sure your feet stay warm, dry and most importantly, looking gorgeous – no more ruined shoes or stuck-in-the-mud heels! 

Why would I need Weddington boots?

As the Scouts say “Be prepared!” – if there is one item your Maid of Honour should carry for the bride, when planning for unpredictable events, it’s her wedding wellies.  Is your maid of honour prepared for absolutely everything? 

Where does the inspiration for the design of Weddington boots come from?

I wanted to design a boot that was practical yet stylish; fun but won’t upstage the dress. 

And because you’ll want to wear your boots with more than just your wedding dress, you can customise them to match your favourite outfits by changing the removable satin ribbon and replace with any colour or pattern.

Can you do bespoke designs?

Weddington Boots can be customised to match any outfit you like with its changeable satin ribbon.

You can personalise your wellies by having your new married name or a fun message designed on the side of your boots in dazzling diamontes.  Visit the website for further information.

What sizes do your boots come in?

Weddington Boots are available in ladies size 3 through to size 9.  Children’s sizes are under consideration – so please share your thoughts and ideas with us.

Do they fit all size calves as I can’t always find knee high boots on the high street to fit me?

Our cowgirl cut ensures the boots will fit legs of all shapes and sizes.  We have a complete size chart available on the website. 

How long before my wedding should I look to buy my Weddington Boots?

Come snow, rain or shine – if there’s been recent wet weather, the ground outside will be soft and muddy, resulting in stuck-in-the-mud heels!  Weddington Boots protect your feet from the perils of British weather on your wedding day, but can also be enjoyed on your hen night, festivals, even out walking the dog!   As you can use them time and time again, then you can pick up a pair anytime, all year round.  

Where can I see some of your boots?

Our boots can be seen on the Weddington Boots website, and soon to be the High Street, as bridal shops sign up as stockists. 

How much do Weddington Boots cost?

Wedding Boots cost £35 and can be purchased from our website and selected bridal shops.  However, we have some ‘Unique’ pairs, which are available for £19.99, whilst stock last.

Do you have a returns policy if I order the wrong size or they don’t fit?

We certainly do.  Full details are on the website, however, wrong sizes can be exchanged and boots can be returned for a full refund within 7 working days after receiving them, if you change your mind. 

What are Weddington Boots made off?

Features of Weddington Boots are hand manufactured, so no two pairs are the same.  Made from high quality rubber and covered in a pearly coating they are waterproof wellies with a pink soft cotton lining and EVA insole for added comfort. 

How can I get in touch with Weddington Boots?

You can contact us at Weddingtons Boot through our ‘contact us’ form on our website or give us a call.  We always love to hear from our customers and to see your piccies too!

Do you deliver throughout the UK? And overseas?

Yes, we will courier boots anywhere in the UK for only £5.

To find out why you should join read on.  

What is The Wedding Community?

The Wedding Community is an exciting new wedding planning website which is the source of inspiration, support and knowledge for engaged couples and their bridal party. It provides a social networking platform for all members of the bridal party to connect, share ideas and plan the wedding day together. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel part of the big day.  The Wedding Community also has a team of experts from different areas within the wedding industry who provide regular articles for the website.

How did The Wedding Community come about?

We (David and Kim Herbing) got married in June 2007. When we were planning out wedding, there was not really one website that provided us with everything we needed to plan our day, so we decided to create The Wedding Community as the ‘one stop’ wedding website to use to get inspiration and advice, find suppliers and plan the perfect wedding.

What can I expect to find on The Wedding Community?

The Wedding Community provides:
Social Community
Expert Advice
Individual Wedding Website with RSVP Function
Planning Tools
Supplier Directory
Discussion Groups

Members of The Wedding Community have access to planning tools such as a budget planner, table planner, guest list, calendar, scrapbook (where they can save supplier details, articles of interest, pictures and videos), and the bride and groom can even create their own wedding website for their guests to visit. Experts from all fields within the wedding industry provide regular articles for the site to keep the content fresh and current. The experts are at the forefront of all things wedding, from photography to jewellery, speeches to cakes. These unique articles will show The Wedding Community members what’s hot and what’s not and give them all the knowledge and inspiration to create a day that’s unique to them.  Members can use the supplier directory to find everything they need for their wedding, from DJs to dresses, favours to hen & stag parties. The venue search also provides members with an easy to read table for each venue to show the facilities they offer.

Why are you different to other wedding information websites?

The Wedding Community has a team of some of the UK’s leading wedding industry experts who provide regular articles for the site, meaning the advice and ideas are always current and different from other sites. With the social networking aspect, this allows couples to connect with their bridal party so they can share ideas and plan the day together, which is helpful especially if you have bridal party members or even guests located in different areas.

Can anyone join or do I need to be planning a wedding?

The great thing about The Wedding Community is that anyone who is planning a wedding, part of a bridal party, attending a wedding or even those who just love weddings can be part of The Wedding Community.

Will I get lots of spam from other vendors or yourselves if I sign up and do you send my details onto wedding vendors?

Members of The Wedding Community are free to contact as many suppliers and venues as they like, rather than our suppliers contacting our members. Our suppliers are able to post promotional comments in our discussions forums but only in the ‘Wanted’ section. When our members register they also have the opportunity to decide whether or not they would like to receive our monthly email newsletter and if they wish for their details to be passed onto third parties.

Does it cost me anything to become a member of the Wedding Community?

The Wedding Community is a completely FREE to all our members, with the exception of wedding businesses and services who wish to advertise on the website.

What is your web address?

www.theweddingcommunity.com

There are some great conversations and ideas in The Wedding Community so pop on over and have a look.

Read more to find out why you might want to think about a unique vintage look for your wedding.

What is Love Miss Daisy all about?

Love Miss Daisy aims to provide vintage lovers with excellent quality, well described, clearly pictured beautiful vintage clothing and accessories for all ages, sizes and tastes!

How did Love Miss Daisy start? 

Love Miss Daisy was launched in September 2008 after a year of preparation and research. It is a mother/daughter run business so between us we have 5 decades of first hand fashion experience and knowledge. We wanted to work for ourselves and work in an area we both love, and what better an area than fashion! 

What is important to you at Love Miss Daisy?

Where vintage clothing and accessories are concerned, the most important quality for sellers to have in our opinion, is honesty. The clothes we sell have been around for as long as 60 years, and it is imperative for sellers like ourselves to inspect and describe each item as accurately as possible. Shopping for vintage online rather than in a shop means you have to take the word of the seller and be able to trust their assessment of each item 100%. We constantly receive compliments and comments from our customers  praising the accuracy and quality of our stock, so it seems we’re doing a good job so far! 

Where do you find all those gorgeous vintage pieces from?
 
Vintage sellers will rarely tell you their sources! But I can tell you we source our stock from all over the world, particularly America and Europe. We also travel around the UK on buying trips. Everywhere we go, our eyes are always open! 

Why should I consider wearing a vintage wedding dress?
 
You only have to visit one wedding dress shop today to immediately see that SO many of the dresses look the same! With a vintage wedding dress, you will look unique, and the endless compliments you will receive will make your special day even more special! Our 1950′s wedding dresses are constantly in huge demand, particularly the ballerina length dresses, they are absolutely incredible, and we don’t believe that you should pay ridiculous amounts of money for the most important dress of your life. Our most expensive dress is £600, but most are anywhere between £199 and £400. So you can look more unique for less. Surely a no brainer! 

Can you help me source something particular that I have in mind or am looking for?
 
We would be happy to try and source any item for you! We can’t make any promises, but we’ll try our very best to find what you’re looking for!

Can you help me create the vintage look for my wedding?
 
We offer appointments for wedding dress fittings, where we will chat to you about the best era of dress for your body shape, we will help you find the right shade of white or cream in our dresses to match your skin tone, and we have a selection of 1950′s veils and headpieces for you to try on with each dress. We also stock a brand called Lily Millicent, which is a collection of beautiful headbands and hair slides, many of which are made specifically for brides or bridesmaids using vintage jewellery, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and other materials. Only yesterday we paired up the perfect headband with the perfect 50′s wedding dress for a bride-to-be, and she unexpectedly left with her hair sorted as well as her dress! 

How often do you get in new items?

It varies. We usually have new items in every week.

Is there anything I should consider when looking at vintage outfits for my wedding?
 
It’s all about what suits you. You may absolutely love 1950′s wedding dresses but they may not flatter your body shape and it could be that a 1970′s dress does. It’s really important to take your time and we always say that the girl doesn’t find the dress, the dress will almost always find the girl.  

How can we get in touch with you?
 
If you have a wedding dress enquiry, please email Terri on terri@lovemissdaisy.com. We have a lot of vintage wedding gowns on our website at www.lovemissdaisy.com but we also stock many that aren’t yet on the website, so please do enquire if you’re looking for something specific!

Here is a stunning example. (For the complete interview, a special offer and some more beautiful maps don’t forget to keep scrolling down!)

How did Hand-Drawn Maps start?

I studied Fine Art at university and have always had a passion for illustration and good design. Then, a couple of years ago my friend got married. During her wedding preparations she searched everywhere for a special kind of map to go with the invitations she had made, but could find nothing except a few American sites that offered the kind of map she had in mind. There seemed to be no UK equivalent. So she asked me if I could design something for her, and of course I was honoured! I realised that, whilst there are plenty of businesses offering wedding invitation and stationary design, there was a real gap in the market for a high-quality, UK-based wedding map service. I believed I could fill this gap so I went for it!

What makes your maps so special?

As you might guess from the name, each map starts as a pen & ink illustration drawn by hand, so there is a real personal touch and creative quality to the work. Not only do I aim to make accurate maps, but I am also creating small, beautiful works of art that hopefully will delight guests and provide the couple with a wonderful souvenir of their big day.
Wedding maps are often overlooked during hectic wedding preparations, or they are an afterthought – just be a boring old photocopy or google map printout – which I think is a shame when so much care and effort has inevitably gone into the invitations themselves. Hand Drawn Maps offers something different, unique and (I think) extremely pretty! It’s a fully bespoke service, so the client gets to choose exactly what they want from their map. Every map is one of a kind, and specifically tailored to the clients’ style of wedding and personal taste.

What is important to you at Hand-Drawn Maps?

To make sure every client is happy with the service they receive, and that they love their finished map! Even though the map may be a small part of the whole wedding, it’s a chance for the client to be creative, to express themselves and to bring together all the little details of their wedding through their map design. One client recently told me that, since her wedding was a fairly formal affair, the map was her only real chance to release her inner-princess and have a little fun!

How can I use Hand-Drawn Maps at my wedding?

They are the perfect way to complete wedding invitations, or can be used as ‘save the date’ cards. You can hand them out to caterers, the photographer or anyone else who needs to find your venue, and even buy a framed, hand-painted original of your map to hang on the wall in pride of place!
Clients’ can also opt for a Personal Web Page (password-protected) which is FREE with any map package, so friends & family can access your map online (and other details such as directions, dates, wedding list details etc).

What if I have a particular theme at my wedding are you still able to help?

Definitely! Since the maps are hand-drawn there is so much freedom in the design process and the possibilities are endless. When making a map I rely on the client to provide as much information as they can about who they are and what they want, to help me can create a design that will really express their taste and reflect their wedding day perfectly. The more information I have the better the map will be!
If you want the design to complement your invitations or a particular pattern, that is fine too. Just be sure to send me a copy and I will work it into the design. I had one client recently who sent me a picture of the door to her reception venue, so I could incorporate this into her map! (It really is a very beautiful door).

Can I have more than one design in my map?

Yes. I will always endeavour to include whatever designs or ideas the client would like to see in the map, and that often involves bringing together a few different elements, such as theme, borders and colours.
There are 3 map packages available – basic, classic and deluxe – to suit a wide range of budgets and styles. Throughout the proofing process there is also a chance to change and amend the maps before agreeing to the final design, so hopefully the end result will always fit in perfectly with the rest of the wedding.

Can you make special orders?

There are a range of optional extras available to complement the map, such as hand-written directions and invitations. I also offer printing on request. As an artist and painter, I take on special commissions and will consider other related design work, so if you have an idea for something a bit different, please feel free to enquire!

How long before my wedding do I have to order my hand-drawn map?

It is a good idea to order your map at the same time as you are organising invitations, but you could send out the map at any stage before the wedding itself, so it could be done at any point really.
Once an order has been made and I have all the information I need, it will take 7-10 days to complete the first draft. After this it depends on how many changes are needed, and how quickly I receive feedback from the client. I would say leave 4-6 weeks from the date of ordering to receive the finished map.

How do you present my map?

Throughout the proofing process I usually correspond via email, sending jpeg proofs of the map to the client in order to receive feedback and make any necessary changes. Once the work is complete you will receive a printed paper copy of the final map through the post, as well as a disc containing the map as a JPEG and PDF file, suitable for home or professional quality printing.
Printing is not offered as standard, but it is available as an optional extra.

How much do hand-drawn maps cost?

A basic black and white map design starts at just £75! Prices vary depending on the package you choose and the complexity of the map, with the deluxe package starting at £125.
To celebrate the launch of our new website, Hand Drawn Maps is offering 10% of the total price of any map order made before the 30th November 2009 so for a bit of a bargain you need to get in quick!

Can we visit you to see you and your hand-drawn maps in more detail?

Check out the new website at: www.hand-drawnmaps.co.uk
tel: 07989 421 755

Here’s the interview:

What should I consider when thinking about my wedding stationary?

Wedding stationery and particularly your invitation, sets the tone for your big day. It is the first glimpse into what guests will see of your celebration; your style, theme and the atmosphere of your day.
Invitations should create a sense of anticipation, wonder, and curiosity. Its important that wedding stationery is cohesive, has a running theme (even just a colour, flower, location, quote, favourite hobby, love or passion), looks professional, classy and elegant.
Above all, your stationery should be a reflection of YOU – your personality! It should be a design you can call your own.

What stationary do I need?

Wedding invitations, Evening invitations, Save the dates (optional), invitation reply card (optional), map and / or accommodation information (optional), gift registry card (optional), personalised envelope labels (optional but I recommend this as it really is the finishing touch.)
Additional stationery might include menus, wedding programs, thank you notes, guest seating plan/frame, table numbers / name cards, favour tags and seating cards for guests. If you are having a destination wedding, you might also like to think about welcome notes and / or gifts to be placed in your guests’ hotel rooms.

Should it all be matching?

Yes. Elements, colours and graphics should link up to create a package which is identifiable and professional.

About Tini and what makes your designs so special?

After completing a BA degree in Graphic Communication (Loughborough, UK), I decided to go back home – to Malawi, Africa, and pursue my options there. After 2 years of working and freelancing, I got married and moved to Johannesburg.
TB Design was created out of the pure love of graphic design, and a passion for anything which simply looks “beautiful, tasteful and inspirational” – be it fashion, interiors, decor, food or wedding planning.
Most importantly, it was created from the most personal and treasured gift I could give close friends – the gift of designing their wedding and special occasion stationery.
All these happenings have rooted the start of Tini Balambanos Design.
I adore what I do and find so much joy in creating something unique, bespoke, different, of quality and epitomising that wow factor.
I truely believe that when you have the option for something one-of-a-kind and totally you, why go for something commercialised and common?

What is important to you at Tini Balambanos Design?

Above all, I want my clients to feel confident, comfortable and satisfied with the work I do for them. I strive to offer a service which is couture, reliable, and organised.
I use good quality materials, fine papers, pay attention to detail, and love to create something innovative and fresh.
I design around a clients needs, capturing their individual personality. I listen to what your requirements are, and design around what I think is best suited for that.
Or if you have something you like; a picture, a quote, an embellishment, a pattern, I can work with that and fit it into an overall design and package.

Can you design special orders for other events or just weddings?

I can design for any special occasion, celebration, party or event.
I also do corporate work such as designing logos, business cards, corporate identity, brochures, posters, invitations to product launches and year-end functions.

What if I have a particular theme at my wedding, are you still able to help?

Absolutely. Although all stationery is custom designed, I will work with your theme as well as make any other suggestions or find any other elements which I think may be suitable or appropriate to make the overall look uniquely yours. Whatever impression you want to make, I can help you.

How long before my wedding would I have to order my stationary?

As stationery is custom designed, the sooner the better. Typically though, stationary can be ordered 3-6 months before the wedding. Invitations are usually mailed out 2-3 months before the wedding and save-the-dates up to 6 months.

How do you ship my stationary?

Internationally with express postage such as FedEx or DHL. Delivery varies between 1 – 7 days.
Nationally, either with express postage or meeting in person.

How much does your stationary and design cost?

I can work within almost any budget, but I prepare quotes on a ‘by request’ basis, since each project is different – I’ll be happy to do complimentary creative consultations and prepare no-obligation quotes for any readers who would like to hear more.

How would payment and logistics work?

Please contact me for information on how the design process works.
If meeting in person is not possible, we can work around a face to face meeting, thanks to email, phone and skype.
I look forward to hearing from readers and working in the way that best suits each of them.
How can I get in touch with you?
You can reach me on:
Tel: (0027 11) 894 1661
Cell: (0027) (0) 823413109
Email: tinib@telkomsa.net

Sharon has this beautiful barn conversion where she runs her branch of Get Ahead Hats from. With 100′s of hats in stock and a stunning dressing room so you can try on your complete outfit with lots of different hats, it’s a very special place to complete very special outfits. I spent a fantastic morning with Sharon in her showroom, looking at all the stunning hats and hearing all about what makes them so special.

What makes Get Ahead Hats so special?

All our hats are designer hats and many are exclusive to Get Ahead Hats. Made in the UK they are exceptional quality, and often couture, so you can be assured of something truly special.

Get Ahead Hats was started 22 years ago. There are branches throughout the UK, all in beautiful country locations, where you can be assured of a warm welcome and comfort whilst you select your special hat.

What is important to you at Get Ahead Hats?

Helping clients find the perfect hat to compliment and set off their outfit, whilst ensuring it’s an enjoyable experience.

Can you make bespoke designs?

Many of our hats are already exclusive to Get Ahead Hats, and alterations can be made to some hats in stock.

Can I hire a hat or do I have to buy it?

All our hats are for hire or sale.

Where can I see some of your hats?

You can visit the showroom or visit the website for a taster. Between all the showrooms in the UK there are 1000′s of hats to chose from, and we can get hats from each other usually within 24 hours.

You will also be able to visit us at the Blake Hall Wedding fayre on 11 Oct 09, where we will have a selection of hats on show for you to try.

How much do you hats cost?

Buying hats and fascinators start at £40 upto £500 for some couture hats.

Hiring hats and fascinators costs range from £20 – £90, with the average cost being £40

Can I bring my outfit to try on with your hats?

Yes, PLEASE do! It’s hard to find the perfect hat without your outfit, so we actively encourage all our customers to bring all of their outfit, including shoes, handbags and other acessories if they already have them. If you are looking for some accesories for your outfit we also stock a range of handbags, pashminas and jewellery.

How soon before the wedding do I need to think about hiring my hat?

If you are getting married around the time of Royal Ascot, you need to plan ahead and reserve your hat sometime in advance, but otherwise  once you have your outfit, come and have a look as the earlier you come, the more choice you have, but I can always fit ‘last minute’ ladies in too.

How can I get in touch with Get Ahead Hats?

 Get Ahead Hats
Goodards Farm
Thaxted
Great Dunmow
CM6 2RF

01371 832025

Email: Sharon.gill@getaheadhats.co.uk
Website: www.getaheadhats.co.uk

Do you deliver?

Our clients normally collect hire hats on thursday and Fridays, returning them on Mondays, however we are flexible.  Clients who purchase their hats take them with them.

How often do you get new stock in?

Our winter stock starts arriving in September, with next spring and summer range arriving in March/April.

Where does the tradition of Wish lanterns come from?

The tradition of wish lanterns is a pretty long and interesting one -  The original Kongming lantern is thought to have been invented in China during the the 3rd century.  The invention is credited to a military strategist called Zhuge Liang, but this is quite probably wrong.  Apparently the Chinese have a bit of a habit of giving credit to people who were already important figures of their society! The lanterns were originally used as signalling balloons, but over the centuries they became used at celebrations as a sign of good luck, which is where we took our Company name from, with the idea of making a wish as you release one.

Why are Wish Lanterns good for Weddings?

We’ve found a lot of people come to us because they don’t want to spend the time or money on organising a fireworks display.  Wish Lanterns don’t need a professional to come and let them off, and it can be a really nice way to round off the reception by getting all the guests outside to let one off.  The feedback we’ve had nearly all mentions how nice the guests thought it was to really get involved in doing something for the wedding!

What is important to you at Wish lanterns?

We believe one of the most important things about or company is to make sure the customer is happy,  all orders that are made before 4pm are dispatched on the same day on a next day delivery service.  There’s always someone here to answer the phone, and we make sure all emails are answered the same day we receive them.  We also follow up with our customers to make sure they’ve arrived on time and everything was fine with them.  People are often pretty shocked when they get their order within 1 day of making it!

How can I use wish lanterns at my wedding or celebration?

There’s a couple of different approaches to using our wish lanterns at weddings.  You can either get a couple for the Bride and Groom to release, whilst everyone watches, either before their first dance or after the ceremony.  Or some people like to go for the mass release of lanterns, where they give each guest at the wedding a lantern and they can be let off simultaneously, this is quite nice as it really gets everyone involved in doing something for the wedding.

Can you do bespoke designs?

We do offer customized wedding packages, which you can see at http://wishlantern.co.uk/wish_lantern_weddings.html.  For these we put a custom insert into each wish lantern, with the name of the couple and the date of the wedding.  You also get wish cards, which people can write messages on or keep as a keepsake from the day.

Do you do bulk orders for weddings?

Our largest wedding package consists of 100 lanterns, but we can do larger bulk orders. Just need to give us a ring or drop us an email and we’ll let you know our best price!

Are wish lanterns safe to use?

Wish Lanterns are very safe to use, one of the reasons we get a lot of people for weddings coming to us is that their a lot easier to organise than a fireworks display.  Literally all you need is a lighter to set them off, there’s no explosions or big bangs or anything like that.  Although of course we wouldn’t recommend children lighting them.

How long before my wedding should I look to buy my wish Lanterns?

Well we can do next day delivery, and our offices are open 9-5 so it’s really up to you! They don’t have a use by date, so you can buy them well in advance or just a few days before.

Where can I see some of your Wish Lanterns?

You can see photos and videos of our wish lanterns on our website www.wishlantern.co.uk/

How much do Wish Lanterns cost?

They vary in price, depending on how many you want, or if you want the customized wedding packages. But you can see the full list of prices on our website, it ranges from £16.49 for a pack of 5 to £159.99 for a pack of 100.

Do you have a returns policy?

We do have a returns policy, if they haven’t been opened we can do a refund minus a £10 processing fee.

What are Wish Lanterns made of?

Wish Lanterns are made of flame retardant rice paper, bamboo, a fuel cell and a very small peice of wire. 

How can I get in touch with Wish Lanterns?

Email us at sales@wishlantern.co.uk or ring on 0845 500 1215 from 9-5.30 Monday – Friday.

Do you deliver throughout the UK? And overseas?

We do deliver to the UK and also anywhere within the EU.

Meet Mark

Here is Mark’s interview:

Why should I have a video of my wedding, I already have a photographer?

There is no doubting the importance of having your wedding professionally photographed but I do think having a good quality professional video of your wedding day is equally important. A photo can tell the story of the day and capture a single moment in time but you can’t hear your vows, enjoy the speeches or see the first dance you spent months rehearsing.

What should I consider when speaking to Videographers about my wedding?

Equipment is very important…. Do they film in Standard Definition or High Definition? What audio equipment do they use, shot gun mics, radio mics? How long have the company been filming weddings for? Are they full time or part time? Do they hold the relevant insurances? Don’t forget to ask what experience have they had and to see some of their previous wedding films.

Should I have one or more videographers working at my wedding?

This depends on numerous factors. 70% of the weddings we have filmed have been 1 camera shoots. An experienced wedding videographer will know where he needs to be before he needs to be there and will capture all the required shots. Also if you want a more relaxed feel to the wedding 1 camera maybe what you’re looking for as he/she will blend into the crowd, 2 camera men start to become more noticeable. The advantage of a second camera man is you can have both the Bride and Groom’s preparation’s filmed and you also have the freedom with the second camera to get more artistic shots whilst the main camera man captures the essentials. On the whole the second camera will give you more angles and more shots but is by no means essential.

Do they need to be able to work with the photographer?

Definitely! If you want the best out of your photos and video the camera man and photographer need to be working together and not getting in each other’s way. You will generally book your photographer first so ask them for recommendations of videographers or vice versa.

Will the videographer, direct my wedding?

Hopefully not. Time on a wedding day is limited and for both the camera man and photographer to get the shots they need I find that the photographer needs to act more like the director and we then work around them. This way we also get more natural relaxed shots as your not concentrating on the video but on your photo’s being taken. We will ask for a few shots once the photographer has obtained all he/she needs but this won’t take more than 5 minutes

How long before my wedding should I look to book my videographer?

Ideally if you don’t want to be disappointed I would book at least a year in advance, especially if it’s in the summer season.

How did Lenik Media start?

I graduated from the Northern Film School in 2002 desperately looking for a job as a runner with in a production company. I was living in Leeds with my long term girlfriend (now wife) so was unable to move to London (where most of the jobs in film production are). I took a job in recruitment to save up enough money to buy a camera and edit suite. I got a lucky break with an events company who asked me to cover all of their events which was enough for me to go full time. With regards to weddings, I started out with only having filmed my Sister’s wedding and using that as an example whilst exhibiting at wedding fairs. I was charging next to nothing so I could build my portfolio and gain valuable experience of filming weddings. 250 weddings on, I run a team of 3 and we do around 50 weddings a year.

What makes your films so special?

Over the years I have filmed, directed and edited videos for Adidas, Nike, HBOS, Malibu and Carling and input the same high production value techniques into our wedding films. We use only the best equipment, with an outlay of £15,000 this year on new cameras, audio equipment and stabilisation devices to obtain specialist shots. We have over 6 years experience of filming weddings and have constantly pushed the boundaries to create  elegant, cinematic and professional wedding films. We are hoping to pick up an award in October with our entry into this year’s IOV awards being shortlisted for the open category. We are really proud of this achievement as ours was picked to be in the top 5 out of thousands of entrants. As a company we are constantly trying to push forward and be on the cutting edge of the wedding film industry.

What is important to you at Lenik Media?

Making our clients happy!!!!

How do you present my Film?

Your DVD or Blu ray will be fully authored with menus, chapter selections etc professionally boxed with artwork and packaged as you would expect a consumer DVD to be from Blockbusters, HMV, etc.

How much do Lenik Media wedding films cost?

Our prices for 2010 start from £795 for coverage from the ceremony to the first dance rising to £995 for coverage of the bridal preparations to the evening party. You also have a number of optional extras such as guest messages, bride and groom interviews, post bridal shoot, to name a few, which you can add onto your chosen package.

How long after my wedding is it, before I get my film?

On average you are looking at a 12 week waiting period but this can fluctuate depending on peak periods.

How can I get in touch with Lenik Media?

You can email mark on mark@lenikmedia.com or you can call us on 0113 2505737/ 07886482024

Where can I see some of your films?

You can visit our website which is www.lenikweddingfilms.comwhere you will find lots of video examples. Also we upload new videos to our blog from time to time. Alternatively We can post you a show reel DVD .

Are you happy to travel all over the UK and further a field?

We are more than happy to travel anywhere in the UK and abroad (subject to travel fee’s)

This film is titled Laura’s Wedding Dream, it takes sometime to download but is worth the wait, so set it off and go and make a cuppa to have whilst you watch it.

Laura’s Wedding Dream (Sony EX-1 with Magic Bullet Looks) from Mark William Lenik on Vimeo.

To kick off these interviews I am really excited to be featuring an interview with the Biscuiteers crew, who make and deliver the most delicious biscuits.

How did Biscuiteers start?

Biscuiteers started 2 years ago.  We came up with the idea when on trip to NY – we saw there was a gap in the market for a completely new iced biscuit gift company

What makes your biscuits so special?

 A great deal of time and love goes into making each and every biscuit, they are completely handmade by biscuit-mad Biscuiteers so you can be sure they will always taste and look delicious.

What is important to you at Biscuiteers?

Spreading a little biscuit love and making really beautiful, imaginatively designed biscuits- we enjoy sending biscuits to people nearly as much as you all love eating them!

How can I use Biscuiteers at my wedding?

We have a beautiful range of wedding favours that can be used for all sorts of things – invites, place settings or just as a thank you for coming! All our wedding favours can be adapted to suit your theme or colour scheme and can be found at Biscuiteers. Please contact Izzy on 08704 588 358 or at Izzy@biscuiteers.com and she will be more than happy to help you with your big day.

Can you make special orders?

We offer a bespoke service that is a perfect way to add that special something to your wedding. Our biscuit icers are experts and can recreate almost anything in biscuit form! So if your fiancé is car crazy or you would like to add a bit of personality to proceedings, please get in touch and we can design some original biscuits for you. Possibilities are endless!

How long before my wedding would I have to order my Biscuiteers favours?

You are more than welcome to place your order whenever it suits you and many brides contact us up to a year in advance,  but we would certainly advise that you get in touch with us at least  a month  before your wedding

How long do the biscuits stay fresh?

Our biscuits will stay fresh  for 4 months, but we challenge anybody to keep them for that long!

How do you present my biscuits?

We offer a variety of packaging options for wedding favours. If you are giving the biscuits to your guests as gifts we can present them in our beautiful biscuit card boxes or wrapped in cello and tied with a ribbon. Our keep-sake tins are also available as a lovely way to offer the biscuits with after dinner coffee.  

How much do Biscuiteers wedding favours cost?

Our favours start at £2.75 each and we have a minimum order of 50. Bespoke prices are based on design complexity and quantity, please get in touch with Izzy for a personalised quote.

Can we buy Biscuiteers biscuits anywhere else?

Our biscuit cards and tin collections are available to buy online at Biscuiteers. We are also stocked in Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, Fenwick and John Lewis. You can also find us in Galerie Lafayette and Colette in Paris.

What ingredients do you use to make your biscuits?

In our yummy biscuits you can find –
Biscuit: flour, butter, sugar, golden syrup, pasteurised egg, the best cocoa powder, vanilla pods or all spice.
Icing:icing sugar, water, meriwhite meringue powder, food colours*.
Crunchy sugar:confectioner’s glaze, carnuba wax, food colours*.
Allergy advice: contains wheat gluten, eggs and milk.
Our biscuits are made in kitchens that also prepare lots of delicious things that include nuts and sesame seeds. We use natural and naturally derived colours wherever possible (carmine, carotene, beetroot extract, red cabbage blue, paprika, carbon and caramelised sugar) but your biscuit collection may contain up to 4 of the following: E129, E124, E122, E104, E110, E133, E155, E153, E102. As all our biscuits are handmade, there may be some small variations in colour and design in each tin. We think this adds to their charm – we hope you agree!

Here are some teasing glimpses of how delightful their biscuits look and be sure to check out the Biscuiteers website to see more of their delicious biscuits!

 
If you know of someone who offers weddings services and they would like to be interviewed for the blog, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.