With a bit of Sargent Pepper, a dash of class and a touch of retro, Samantha and James planned their Rock n Roll wedding for February this year. The day started out at Melbourne Zoo for the ceremony and concluded at Half Moon, a restaurant in Brighton, Victoria.

“James had been married before so all we wanted from the day was for it to reflect us, for everyone to have some yummy food and drinks and dance all night”, Samantha explained. “It wasn’t a traditional wedding – which was important to us. We both have such a strong love of life and having fun so we selected things that would keep our guests smiling. Both of James’ parents have passed away and my father had passed too, it was important to make the day a happy one and show everyone how important it is to make the most of everyday and laugh and smile.”

“Getting married in the zoo was incredible! We rocked up in a camper van and were married under the most amazing tree, a heritage listed Morton Bay Fig Tree. I walked down the aisle to a cover of ‘Sea of Love’ performed by Cat Power to a very smiley husband to be.”

After the runaway success of the livestream from Portland, my fellow Blogcademy headmistresses and I decided it was high time to do another one. So, on Monday 24th June at 10 am PST / 1pm EST / 6pm GMT we’ll be broadcasting live from The Blogcademy’s NYC HQ!

We will be talking about the lessons we’ve personally learned from teaching The Blogcademy, and engaging in some lively debate about current changes we’re making to our own blogs. After that, it’s over to you and we’ll be taking your questions. To make sure we see yours, be sure to submit them in advance, because it’s easy to miss them when they’re asked live (and we’d hate to miss the one that’s really been plaguing you…!)

If you are unable to attend a workshop in person (sad face) or you’re still not quite sure if the class is for you, then this is the perfect event for you to get a little taster of what this crazy Blogcademy thing is all about.

Tickets to take part in the event cost a measly $7 (that’s a bargainous £4.50!) and you can sign up by pressing the orange button - easy! If you can’t tune in live, don’t fret, your ticket will give you access to a recording of the action forever.

I hope to see you (online) really soon!

When I talk to brides and grooms-to-be, one of their biggest pre-wedding jitters is how they’re going to look in their wedding photographs. For most of us, our wedding day is the first time we’ve worked with a professional photographer and what with it being a pretty important day and all we want to get it right. Not being shy to a camera or two (!) here are ten simple tips from me to you which will ensure you get the very best results possible.

1. Book a decent photographer

“Yeah duuuh!” you’re all thinking, but choosing the right photographer can be a minefield. How do you know who’s good and who’s not? How much is right to spend? Will your friend who’s great at taking photos of cars be good at shooting your wedding? (I think we all know the answer to that one…)

Do your research. Wedding blogs are a great place to start. Look through the real weddings on your favourite blogs, check out the photographer’s sites and make a shortlist. Pricing fluctuates massively depending on the photographer’s location, experience and what kind of coverage they offer, but as a rough guide I’d certainly never recommend someone spend under £1000.

Yes, you can luck out by getting an enthusiastic and super talented newbie, but finding someone like that is certainly the exception and not the rule. The average in the UK for a wedding photographer is somewhere between £1200 – £2500. Spend as much as you possibly can to get the very best photographer. You’ll only regret it if you don’t. The number one thing people tell me again and again when we speak about what we’d do differently if we were to get married now is that they wish they’d prioritised the photography more.

2. Have an engagement shoot

If your photographer offers an engagement shoot as part of the package then take it! They are a great way to not only practice in front of the camera but to get to know your photographer before the wedding day. They’ll also be able to find out how you photograph and you’ll get some cute shots of the two of you to display on your walls or at your wedding.

3. Trust them

Of all the wedding photographers I know, one of their biggest gripes is when a client hands them a detailed shot by shot list of every single thing they want photographed – the dress hanging in front of the window, the shoes, bride getting into her dress, dad looking proud… you get the idea. Trust your photographer. They’ve been doing this a lot longer than you and they will be well aware which shots to get… and if not, refer back to point 1. and book someone else!

Obviously if you have something particularly sentimental or unique that you’d like photographed (maybe a piece of jewellery passed down through your family or a DIY project that you spent days on) then be sure to let them know, but don’t hand them a blow by blow list of every single shot you want. Allow your photographer to do their job and to be creative. They’ll enjoy the day more which will result in better photographs.

4. Think about the light

This is another thing that couples tend to not consider (or not even know they have to consider) but be aware that the light changes throughout the day and different light will result in very different photographs.

For example, if you’re having a winter wedding it will likely start to get dark around 3.30/4pm, therefore you really need to have your ceremony early in the day to give your photographer a fighting chance to get some great portraits and your group shots done before the light starts to fade. Even better, they might offer you the chance to do a ‘first look’ (where you see each other before the ceremony and get your photos taken then). If you’re not superstitious about seeing each other beforehand, this is a great option too.

When looking at venues think about the light in each room. Is the bedroom you’re getting ready in small, pokey and cramped? Are the ceremony room walls covered in dark wood with small windows? Remember, photography is essentially painting with light and if there isn’t any, there’s only so much your photographer can do without using a flash.

5. Think about the ceremony

Your ceremony photographs will undoubtedly be some of the most important shots of the day. Most couples I speak to after their wedding say they were surprised just how much they cherished this part too. It also flies by in a nervous blur and you’ll likely not remember a whole lot about it, so these photos are doubly important. However a lot of vicars, priests and registrars won’t allow ceremony photography, or will insist that the photographer stands at the back of the room the whole time.

As a photographer this is gutting to hear the morning of the wedding so if you really value these images, make sure you speak to whoever is officiating your ceremony to find out if there are any limitations beforehand.

Another thing to consider is to politely ask your guests to not take photos during the ceremony (you can do so in the order of service). Guests holding up mobile phones as you walk down the aisle or flashes going off throughout the vows are only going to be distracting for you and other guests (and/or ruin the professional shots).

6. Book a make up artist

You want to look your best on your wedding day and a professional make up artist will help you do that. I didn’t have one for our wedding and it’s one of the things I wish I’d prioritised. If you’ve never had your make up done by a pro, you’ll be shocked at what a difference they can make!

Don’t go mad on the spray tan (the oompa loompa look is never attractive) and don’t try any new remedies that could likely cause a reaction or break out in the run up. Similarly, if you’re having a pre-wedding pamper session like a facial, do it at least a week before the big day. Post-facial spots are never fun.

Make sure you have powder and lipstick in your bag (or give it to a bridesmaid) for little touch ups throughout the day too. Airbrushing can only do so much (and your photographer will not be happy if you ask them to Photoshop out your shiny forehead or tan lines in every photograph, in fact they’ll likely slap an extra fee on top for the time that it will take).

7. Get creative

Your photographer is not just there to snap away aimlessly. Wedding photographers are a super creative bunch so be open to their ideas and again, trust them! For your portraits, listen to their ideas and don’t be afraid to walk off that beaten path a little bit. These often result in the most amazing photographs! Set aside as much time as possible for this part of the day. The more time the photographer has, the better the results will be.

8. Leave enough time

As I said, time is of the essence and the more time your photographer has the better. They are the experts so ask them how long they think each element should take. Group shots for example are notorious for taking longer than you expect. Having to round up a half-cut usher or a camera-shy aunt for the photos can take a while so make sure your photographer has a list of names and if possible delegate the task of helping round people up to a trustworthy usher or bridesmaid.

I asked some photographer friends of mine about timings and in an ideal world this is what they said would be pretty much perfect:

Getting ready: “Having about an hour and a half with the bride before the ceremony would give me enough time to photograph all the details of the dress, shoes, jewellery etc as well as take some informal photos of everyone getting. There’s always a mad rush before the dress has to go on and I like to have about 15-20 mins after the dress is on to do portraits of the bride with bridesmaids and mum before I dash off. Sometimes this goes out the window because time goes quicker than people expect and its a shame to lose those shots.”

Group shots: “Allow 10 minutes per group shot. Taking the shot doesn’t take that long but you would be surprised how time can go by… and also, like the father of the bride at my wedding on Saturday… people can vanish for ages even if they KNOW they will be needed for photos. Ten minutes each means that they can actually have some time to spend with guests and your photographer has a fighting chance of getting some candid photos of this time too.”

Bride and groom portraits: “For a couple shoot I like to have at least half an hour. A good tip is that there is usually a bit of down time between dinner and the evening reception too. This is a good time to get a few extra photos and the light is usually yummy as the sun is starting to set. The couple have often had some wine and are a lot more relaxed by this point too!”

9. Feed them!

Contrary to popular belief, photographers are people too and people need food or they get very grumpy indeed. After working on their feet for eight hours straight I don’t think it’s too much to ask to send some grub their way.

Your photographer will usually ask to eat at the same time as you do (no-one needs photographs of themselves stuffing their faces). The wedding staff are often fed last, but if you ask for them to be fed at the same time as the wedding party they’ll be done and ready to photograph your speeches directly after the meal.

10. Follow this how to pose guide

I wrote this post two years ago now but it’s still one of my most popular ever articles. Knowing how to pose in your wedding photographs is something a lot of people worry about. Obviously a great photographer will also offer positions that are the most flattering, so again make sure you listen to them, but it doesn’t hurt to know what pose is going to make you look like a beached whale and what will not…  Plus you get to see me looking pretty darn awful in the ‘before’ photos, so surely that’s worth a click!?

So, photographers have I missed anything?

Tyson and Allie’s Florida wedding had a music themed wedding with touches of Halloween, New Orleans and vintage. They didn’t want a stuffy and regimented wedding, they wanted a wedding that was a massive celebration of all the things they love. “Halloween is my favorite holiday however I didn’t want to make that the main theme”, explained the bride. “I wanted to add a touch of elegance. My first inspiration was our favorite place, New Orleans. We went on our honeymoon there and instead of making the wedding really obviously Halloween themed, we added the vintage New Orleans spin. It turned out to be the perfect mix!”

“We spared no detail in designing our theme. We were Rock n Roll because almost the whole bridal party was (ourselves included) or is either in a band, plays music or is affiliated with it. Tyson and I even got a coordinating tattoo on our first tour with the band to honor our love and commitment to each other.”

“We DIY’d everything”, she continued. “My mom is a flea market and yard sale genius and Michael’s craft store was my savior. I did tons of research (mostly on Rock n Roll Bride!) until I put together the perfect silk flower and feather bouquets. All the girls had mini Victorian hats with feathers and birdcage veil. The guys had boutonnieres made from guitar picks, bottle caps and feathers – each different to match their personality.”

“For the tables I printed the table numbers on sheet music and held them up with mini glitter styrofoam skulls. We found metal candelabras for $1 each, spray painted them black and glued moss, peacock feathers and flowers to them. We finished the look with mardi gras masks (which we also designed with silver beading, ribbon and feathers) and flameless glitter candles. The favors were Hershey kisses and custom guitar picks printed with a logo I designed with our initials and date.”

Are you ready for some unapologetic girlishness mixed with cute button and origami details alongside a kick ass heavily tattooed couple, pink dreadlocks, animal onesies and an awesome backyard setting? Well then you my dear are in luck because that’s exactly what I have for you today!

Soya and Skip met in a rock club in Lincoln and after just a year of dating she proposed on 29th February!  ”From the beginning we knew we didn’t want a traditional wedding”, the bride began. “They are lovely and all, but they can really lack personality. We used things that we love to decorate. My favourite part of the whole day was the ceremony. It was emotional but with lots of light-hearted laughs. Our readings and vows summed us both up perfectly. We even had mention of our ever growing number of pet rats, Batman and Robin and a zombie apocalypse in our vows which were followed by a hand fasting.”

The afternoon reception was held in Soya’s parent’s backyard and the evening party was in their local social club. “I was amazed at how beautiful the marquee looked”, she explained. “It was even better than I imagined and looked like something I had been looking at on Rock n Roll Bride for the past year… but it was actually OUR wedding! The table decorations where collected from eBay, charity shops and car boot sales. I love of kitsch ornaments so it was an excellent excuse to collect them!”

“We got rid of all the traditions we didn’t feel were important and in fact the only ones we kept were that Skip didn’t see my dress beforehand, I wore white and my Dad gave me away! We had popcorn at the ceremony and a wedding cake pinata instead of cutting the cake or the first dance. We had vegetarian pizza as our wedding breakfast and I did the speech!”

“The décor was definitely a group effort, I could never have done it all on my own! We had help from friends and family with the origami cranes, the pom poms, the ribbon wands, the button bouquets and buttonholes and the amazing photo booth. My mum collected all of the crockery, sugar bowls and salt & pepper pots, as well as all the records to make bowls and cake stands. Skip’s Mum made tea cup candles and his Dad made us a splat the rat game. The day would never have been so amazing without everyone’s efforts, we are so lucky to have such awesome friends & families.”

“Making all of the decorations ourselves saved a huge amount of money and was really worth doing”, she continued. “My parents bought a marquee instead of hiring one, which sounds like it would be more costly, but it was in fact MUCH cheaper! It’s been used since the wedding and they are planning on hiring it out too. The bridesmaids dresses were bargains from New Look, and the boys were asked to wear their own grey trousers and we just bought their Converse. Not having formal suits or dresses saved hundreds of pounds, especially with us having a large bridal party! We made all the bow ties and jewellery as well as the invites (screen printed teatowels).”

“I found it really hard to avoid getting sucked into the ‘wedding machine’ and feeling pressured to choose things that the magazines tell you you should have, even though I’m not one to go with the crowd!! Soya concluded. “I totally see why so many weddings end up so generic, it does get to you! I found myself wondering if our decisions were right… if things were going to work or if our guests just wouldn’t ‘get’ it. But I’m really glad we didn’t change our ideas, as it all worked perfectly. Everything was so ‘us’ and that is EXACTLY what a wedding should be! Stick to your guns, if it’s personal to you, it WILL work on the day!”

It seems like a lifetime ago, but just as I’m ramping up to head off to America again this week, Made U Look Photography sent over the photos from our Disneyland adventure in April. I’d never been before and on hearing this revelation Gala encouraged… nay insisted that they take me there for my birthday. Well who am I to turn down an invitation like that?!

Our first stop, again on Gala’s insistence, was The Haunted Mansion. It was as weird and wonderful as I expected, and even the ride breaking down midway through couldn’t dampen our spirits!

Next on the agenda was ears! Anyone who’s been following the three of us for a while will be well aware that we all have an unrelenting and unexplainable obsession with wearing them at any opportunity. So clearly, Disneyland is our Mecca! We all opted for silver sequin numbers. Silver sequins are a neutral don’t you know? These go with everything!

Ever the tour guide, Gala took the reigns again. “Where to next?” we asked, “Why, Sleeping Beauty’s castle of course!” she squealed…

There’s always time for a quick Instagram op…or two…

Christina took the time to take these portraits of me as we hung out by the Dumbo ride and then again at Minnie’s House in Toon Town. I mean, damn gurrrrl, where does she get off being so talented?!

This might just be my favourite shot of myself… er… ever. It is terribly uncouth to actually say that? Check out that rainbow action!

We also stopped off to visit the Cheshire cat. He was always one of my favourites!

And took a stroll around Tarzan’s Treehouse…

In need of a pick me up I grabbed some candyfloss. It made for the perfect photo prop too of course!

We posed against a perfect turquoise wall…

…although this dude had no qualms about barging right through to get to the water fountain!

Shauna went nuts for the avant garde styling of the It’s a Small World Ride (ps BABE!)

And Michael Jackson of course! Captain EO was 80s-tastic and a definite highlight. Shauna (who is MJ obsessed) has seen this about 437 times and she still grinned like a loon the whole way through!

It was hot, over-crowded (going to Disneyland over Spring Break is not recommended!) and I wore shoes that killed my feet but we had an utter blast and laughed the whole damn time. I love these girls so much and I’m so excited to see them again next week!!

I have so much love to the Made U Look babes, and I know I shouldn’t have favourites but to Christina in particular – I LOVE YOU ENDLESSLY. I truly feel we have some weird kind of psychic connection. We’re so similar it’s scary…

Tired but happy girls. Phew what an adventure. Disneyland, I’m sure we’ll be back soon!

It may be a massive generalisation, but in my experience no-one does engagement shoots like those creative folks in The Philippines. It’s very rare that I featured these kinds of shoots any more, but when I’m presented with something like this, there is no way I’m going to turn it down!

So what do you think? Would you ever do something and over the top, awesome and creative as this for your own pre-wedding shoot?