< PreviousLincolnshire Today Wedding Guide FLOWERS 40 T he language of flowers, though intricate, is widely recognized. Each bloom carries its own meaning, and many have specific associations. By thoughtfully combining different flowers, you can tell a unique story or create a distinct theme for your wedding. Like all aspects of your big day, the floral choices you make will reflect the formality of the event and complement the style of your attire—whether you're aiming for a romantic, elegant vibe or a more relaxed The floral touch Flowers have been a symbol of romance for centuries, and they continue to hold a special place in weddings today. However, their significance goes beyond just their beauty. © stock.adobe.com/Wedding photographywww.lincolnshiretoday.net FLOWERS 41 and casual atmosphere. While there’s plenty of room for creativity, florists can offer expert advice. The flowers you select should align with your personal preferences, but remember that if you choose blooms that aren’t in season, costs may rise due to reduced availability and quality. Traditional wedding flowers often include the formal posy - an elegant, compact, rounded arrangement typically featuring roses. Another classic choice is the large, inverted teardrop- shaped bouquet, where flowers cascade toward a point. This timeless style has been popular for generations, although petite brides may find it a bit overwhelming in size. A contemporary favourite is the freestyle bouquet, which features long-stemmed flowers loosely gathered to create a natural, informal look. This arrangement is beautiful both up close and from a distance, and you can choose nearly any flower for this style to achieve a charming, relaxed effect. Selecting the perfect flowers can be a fun journey. While florists can offer helpful suggestions, the final decision is all yours - ensuring that the floral arrangements perfectly reflect your vision for your wedding day. © stock.adobe.com/Kristina Kirsten/Wirestock Creators © stock.adobe.com/ver0nickaLincolnshire Today Wedding Guide TRANSPORT 42 © stock.adobe.com/Achiraya W hile it may be tempting to follow the old adage of being fashionably late, when it comes to your wedding day, it’s probably better to aim to be fashionably on time. Fortunately, when it comes to transportation, couples in Lincolnshire have a wealth of options. Whether you prefer classic, modern, rustic, or something a bit more unconventional, the choice is yours. Choosing your transport often comes down to finding a balance between style and practicality. You might dream of making a grand entrance via helicopter or arriving on horseback, but both options require careful planning and are dependent on the facilities available at your venue. A dramatic arrival on horseback might offer plenty of romance, but you’ll need to think about where to keep the horse during the festivities - and whether it will need feeding and care while the wedding carries on. Unlike a chauffeur, a horse might not entertain itself for hours! Get me to the church on time The couple are the star of the show, and everything about them should reflect their uniqueness - this includes how they make their entrance. www.lincolnshiretoday.net TRANSPORT 43 Sometimes, practicality has to trump romance, and if you’re working on a tight schedule, arriving on horseback might not be feasible. However, if you’re set on the idea, you could always compromise - take a car for the majority of the journey, then finish the last stretch of the trip on horseback. For most weddings, the only horsepower involved will come from cars - and there are plenty of options to suit your style. Vintage Rolls-Royces and Bentleys still hold a timeless charm, but if you’re looking for something more quirky, there are fun alternatives like a 1960s camper van, a vintage bus, or even a fire engine! Lincolnshire’s wedding transport specialists offer a range of stunning vehicles, but if you’re opting for a particularly unique choice, make sure to check the insurance - and double-check that it’s guaranteed to start on the big day! You’ll also need to think about how the rest of your wedding party will get to the venue. The last thing you want is your best man scrambling to find a ride at the last minute. If your wedding takes place across multiple venues, consider arranging transportation for your guests as well. After all, if there’s a chance someone might get lost, you can bet someone will! © stock.adobe.com/Alex_Kalin © stock.adobe.com/RaivoLincolnshire Today Wedding Guide PHOTOGRAPHY 44 With the rise of smartphone photography, everyone can snap a quick picture, but there’s a significant difference between your cousin with an iPhone and a professional photographer. T he first thing to remember when planning your wedding photography is that not just anyone can handle it. While it’s true that nearly everyone has a camera in their phone and will undoubtedly take plenty of photos during the day, you’ll still need someone you can count on to capture all the key moments— and capture them well. Even if you know a guest who’s handy with a camera, it’s still a smart move to hire a professional photographer. After all, your guest’s primary role is to enjoy the celebration, not to work behind the lens. You wouldn’t want to miss a crucial moment because they were off at the A thousand words A thousand wordswww.lincolnshiretoday.net PHOTOGRAPHY 45 © stock.adobe.com/vincent20044 bar, and it wouldn’t be fair to ask them to be on-call all day. Wedding photography is a specialized skill that goes beyond general photography, and your guest may not be familiar with what needs to be shot or how to do it. Professional photographers have extensive experience with weddings, meaning they know how to get the best shots with minimal disruption. The best ones have the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, yet know when to fade into the background. This ensures your guests won’t have their view blocked by a camera or lighting rig, and you won’t be forced into a long, uncomfortable photo session. Today, there’s virtually no limit on how many photos can be taken, and instant previews mean you don’t have to wait for the film to develop. This greatly reduces the chances of poor-quality photos making it into your album. While the album may no longer be the only way to remember the event, the charm of a beautifully crafted, definitive collection of memories remains. Sure, your guests will still capture plenty of fantastic shots, but having a professional photographer ensures nothing is left to chance, giving you peace of mind that all the important moments are covered.Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide STATIONERY 46 I n today’s world of social media, mobile phones, and emails, it’s tempting to question whether formal invitations are even necessary. After all, it’s easier than ever to contact friends and plan an event. However, the beauty of marriage lies in its traditions, and sending and receiving wedding invitations remains an exciting and essential part of the journey. The invitation isn’t just about providing the basic details - it’s the first tangible glimpse of your big day, and it sets the tone for the entire event. The design you choose will often carry through to the rest of your wedding stationery, including seating plans, menus, and place cards, subtly communicating the overall style and feel of the celebration. While it’s true that most of us can now create decent-looking invitations at home, it’s still highly recommended to work with professional stationers. This doesn’t mean you can’t add your own personal touch, but professionals can help avoid mistakes, ensuring everything looks polished. A fresh set of eyes can easily spot typos or missing information that you might have overlooked - after all, you’ve been Please RSVP Marriage is a ceremony rich in tradition, and it’s worth embracing a bit more formality than usual when it comes to invitations.www.lincolnshiretoday.net STATIONERY 47 immersed in the planning and might know the venue address by heart, but your guests won’t. Plus, a specialist designer can guide you on what information to include and the best way to present it. While you don’t have to follow it strictly, there are traditional wording conventions most couples tend to stick to. They can also advise you on how to incorporate additional details, such as dress codes or menu information, without causing confusion on the big day. Some couples may feel uncomfortable sending a wedding gift list with the invitation, as it can come across as asking for gifts. Instead, a subtle suggestion that a list is available should be sufficient. As for timing, sending invitations too close to the wedding may result in guests having prior commitments, while sending them too early might cause people to forget. Typically, about two to three months before the wedding is ideal. However, if you're getting married during peak wedding season or on a weekday, sending “save the date” cards well in advance can give your guests more time to plan. It’s always a good idea to order a few extra invitations. That way, if space opens up due to cancellations, you can invite others who weren’t initially included. Additionally, consider sending invitations to those who may not be able to attend, such as people who are ill or live far away, to let them know you’re thinking of them and would love for them to be part of the celebration in spirit. The process of sending wedding invitations can be just as fun as the wedding day itself and offers the perfect opportunity to start building excitement for the big event. So, make the most of this special moment and set the tone for a beautiful celebration. © stock.adobe.com/Alewiena High Quality Print & Design in Lincolnshire PRINTING | COPYING | GRAPHIC DESIGN • LOGOS • BRANDING • BUSINESS STATIONERY • FLYERS & POSTERS • BROCHURES • NEWSLETTERS • A0 COPYING & SCANNING • OS MAPPING • CAD & PLAN PRINTING • PRINT FINISHING N 01522 546118 E sales@lincolncopycentre.co.uk www.lincolncopycentre.co.uk If you have any questions regarding your printing requirements or would like a quotation please contact one of our team who are here to help.Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide LEGALITIES 48 I n the midst of all the romance, it’s easy to forget that a wedding is, first and foremost, a legal ceremony. While the paperwork doesn’t impact the dynamics of your relationship, staying on top of these details will help ensure that the early days of married life run smoothly. For brides who plan to adopt their husband's surname, the process is straightforward since it’s a time- honoured tradition. Once the marriage certificate is signed, all the necessary institutions will update your records when you notify them. However, there’s one exception: the passport office. You can apply for a passport in your married name up to three months before the ceremony. While the passport won’t be valid until the wedding day, it will be ready by the time you head off on your honeymoon, preventing any travel confusion. This is especially useful when travelling, as having matching names across all your documents will make going through customs a breeze. Of course, there are alternatives. Many brides choose to keep their maiden name, and in this case, there’s no need to change anything. Signing the marriage certificate won’t affect this choice. Another growing trend is the decision to combine surnames into a double-barrelled one. However, this isn’t officially recognized when signing the marriage certificate. To make it official, you would need to do so through a deed poll. One possibility is to finalize this before the wedding or have the groom sign it in advance, so the bride can take on the new name during the ceremony. Ultimately, while the paper trail won’t change your relationship, it’s important to remember that, legally, the key purpose of the wedding is to sign the register and make it all official. Down to the letter While it may not be the most exciting part of the wedding, the legal aspects are crucial for avoiding future complications. www.lincolnshiretoday.net LEGALITIES 49 © stock.adobe.com/Anatoll PaveelNext >