Franka Photography

Frankly... Amazing!

This has to be one of my absolute favorite set of photo's from a riverstation wedding. 

Not only have the images of the guests and bride and groom be taken in a stunning way but the whole essence of the day has been captured beautifully...

I love the way you see all that worked to make their special day 

If you would like to contact Frances for your wedding please click on this link 

http://www.frankaphotography.com/

Thanks to Paula and Mike for sharing your photo's and being a absolute joy to work with!

x

Wedding Cakes

My father was a baker so I grew up amongst the delicious smell of baking bread and yummy cakes around me, so I have a little soft spot for this subject!

For my wedding cake I had a coconut and lemon favour sponge, decorated with fresh orchids. Unfortunately I can't recommend my cake maker though as I married in Thailand and do like to pug south west of England suppliers!.. having said this we threw a big party on our return and I was very lucky to be given the most beautiful cupcakes from Bath based Country Cupcakes. They were perfect and the most wonderful wedding gift.

I don't think anyone could of missed the cupcake fashion of recent times and they are still as popular as ever. I'm always looking for the next big thing in the wedding industry and I think the cake pop will soon hit it's peak. The Bath cake company do amazing ones! They are like cupcakes but round on sticks!

Cake Pops above from Bath Cake Company

I also love the rise of dessert tables (as why only limit yourself to one!) I have designed a few this year and love them! I've done a rustic style dessert table with a chocolate and berry cake, cheese platter and a homemade morello and almond tart. A traditional wedding cake from Patricia's Patisseries juxtaposed with a cheese cake from Trethowans dairy and my favourite was three carrot cakes (as the wedding cake) with brownies an apple tart and a blueberry cheesecake for My friend Sally's wedding that you can read further about here 

http://pleincommeunoeuf.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/our-wedding-breakfast/

Photo's above with love from Zahir Photography

A pile of donuts looks cool but are not for everyone and I do love a macaroon! Patisserie lelia on Cheltenham rd are the only bakers that do them in the south west. I've used them for children's parties, brand launches and weddings! They are very colourful and always make a lovely addition. 

Picture above taken from http://weddingplannercalgary.ca/

If your looking for a more traditional wedding cake I can highly recommend Anna Tyler cakes based in Bristol as they are simply perfect... 

Other cake companies I think are great


Sarah's Farmhouse fancies




Choccy Woccy Doo Dah


Vintage and Cake




And why not give Cake as favours!


GDesserts...


YUM YUM

X

 When I was asked to think of table centres for a wedding couple, my immediate response was plants! When this was turned down as they really wanted flowers... I started to think instead of me going out to buy vases what containers did I have? Tin cans! How could I possibly turn a tomato tin in to something good enough for a wedding... Well I did and here is how I did it...

I collected as many different sized tins as I could, including tea tins and bottles...

I then covered them in old wrapping paper and used spray mount to stick them on. I often seem to accumulate a lot of ribbon in my job, so I dug some out and wrapped this around also..

Dun..ah...the finished product!

And on the tables for the day..

Flowers by Edward Allen

Since, I have discovered a few people using cans for flowers and food but these must be my favorite to date!

From Hostess with the mostess

Happy recycling..

Photographers

To some the photographs say it all, to others it's just the memory that counts but no one can deni that a photograph helps jog that memory!

Wedding photographers like all things wedding has moved into a whole new dimension. Gone are the days of hours after the service, of family standing outside the church in various groups. Photographing your guests of course still happens but more couples op for natural shots or photographs at the reception so the guests can enjoy some nibbles and bubbly in between pictures.
Photographers also now offer engagement shoots, pre wedding shoots, trash the dress shoots, anniversary shoots etc.

 

Photograph courtesy of Zahir Photography

I've seen the same venue photographed over 10 times and not one photographer has replicated another. It always delights me to see how different they are going to make it!

When thinking about who to choose, think about your style. Are you smart or casual, do you want formal or in-formal? Is the wedding going to be retro? Vintage? Modern? classic? Can the photographer capture this style?

 

Photograph courtesy of Howard Photography

There are a lot of wedding photographers out there but with good research you will find one that suits.
See if they write a blog and you like the style of their writing and pictures. This reflects their personality and it's key that you like everyone your paying money too!
If cost is an issue look for someone who is just starting up. They will be very keen to please and will really listen to what you have to say.
My husbands cousin recently was married and had a near zero balance to put the wedding on. Of course I pulled in lots of favours and all the family members helped where we could but no photographers alas! So she contacted her local uni and found a guy who was willing to shoot the wedding for free in exchange of the experience. This was great for her and him and she was delighted with the pictures.

Amber from Zahir photography has these words of wisdom -

when looking for a photographer I would recommend a few things:

- check whether the photos on their web page are staged with models or taken at real weddings
- talk to the photographer and get to know them to see if they would fit in at the wedding, there is nothing worse than a bossy wedding photographer
- ask the photographer for a list of general shots they take at weddings and make sure the photographer will take any extra photos you want on the day
- ask the photographer why they are different than any other wedding photographer
- get a contract with your photographer and make sure that if your photographer can not make it for what ever reason they will find a replacement!!

Photograph courtesy of Zahir photography

These are some of my favourite wedding photographers that cover the west

Rosie Parsons
Zahir Photography
Lizzy May
Documentary Image
Howard Photography
Sam Clayton Photography
Max McClure

Wooden heart favors and lace cup cakes....

Kate and Phil were so wonderful to work with. Kate's style is very classic and we created her wedding's style around her beautiful lace dress. She made all her guests favors by using a fire pen and wooden hearts! 

They used Queens Park square in central Bristol for her family portraits which is surrounded with large Oak trees and beautiful Georgian buildings. 

As always lots of local suppliers were used, showing what a fantastic forward thinking Wedding lot us West country folk are!

Details are as follows

Dress - Mario Sottero

 Flowers - Edward Allen

 Photography - John from Fotolicious

Chair sashes - Ambience venue styling Bristol