CANDID CAMERA Fatma Keeley from Smiley Huseyin Photography (www.smileyhuseyinphotography.com) says: Candid photos have always been a fabulous way to document the realness of weddings, which in turn provide couples with actual memories of the joy and excitement experienced on their special day. This type of photography can be achieved as long as couples are out there enjoying their wedding party with their guests. In the past two years since weddings have been back in full swing, I’d noticed a massive emphasis on group photos with couples having endless lists of shots they wanted, as they valued every member of their wedding party and so wanted to make sure they have a photo of each and every one. This in turn meant they’d have less time to enjoy their pre-breakfast drinks and also meant that there were very few candid shots with their friends and family. Towards the end of 2022, I noticed a change in photo requests, couples are still wanting some group shots, however, what they really want is to enjoy their wedding and to get on with being in those natural candid moments. I predict this will continue into 2023. SMALL AND PERFECTLY FORMED Becky Bosman from The Lost Village of Dode (www.dodevillage.com) says: Following the forced scaling back of weddings during the pandemic, we’ve certainly seen more couples looking to continue with this trend of keeping things small, intimate and simple; sharing the day with those who really matter the most. Along with the current rise in cost of living, having a scaled-back wedding can also help with those budgets, but remember, just because a wedding is small it certainly doesn’t mean it’s any less magical. www.smileyhuseyinphotography.com www.holliecarlinphotography.com PICK OF THE BUNCH Kate Blott from Atlas Flowers (www.atlasflowers.co.uk) says: Gypsophila is one of the most popular filler flowers used by wedding designers, and has long been a top choice for centrepieces, bouquets and hair adornments, along with several varieties of eucalyptus. While roses, gypsophila and eucalyptus are all still very popular with brides and florists alike, it’s clear that many couples have been inspired to try something new. Meanwhile, searches for ruscus and bunny tail grass has grown 37 per cent and 21 per cent respectively between summer 2021 and 2022. There’s no single reason why ruscus and lagurus ovatus have surged in popularity, but a quick glance at Instagram and Pinterest make it clear that their popularity is still snowballing. For dried grasses in particular, we’re sure that some of the fresh interest has come from influencers like Mrs Hinch and Stacy Solomon showcasing pampas and other similar grasses in their own homes. The shift towards artificial and dried bouquets that happened throughout the pandemic also looks like it’s here to stay, with the popularity of these long-lasting options still outstripping interest in other bouquets by a considerable distance each month. Aside from the fact they can be prepared and viewed well in advance of the big day, they also come with the benefit of easy, long-term storage should you decide to keep it as a memento. Some budget-conscious couples are also looking for floral options they can resell once the big day is over, to recoup some of the cost of the event. www.rachelmannsweddings.com 74
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