If you found our wedding blog useful and want more of the same then take a look at these handy links courtesy of Bridalwave. The actual post is getting on a bit now but there's still plenty of relevant helpful blogs to be had here with content from wedding planners to etiquette specialists and general journos.

Unfortunately our Aspinal Keepsake Boxes are now out of stock. Keep an eye out for our replacement keepsakes which we hope you agree are even more precious. We just want to make sure they're as good as they look so we will be putting them through their paces and making sure our wedding photographs fit snugly inside.

We will shortly be getting in contact with all couples who have confirmed a Biggest Bouquet package to let you know which box type you will receive.

We like to make your experience with Big Bouquet Wedding Photography run as smooth possible . Whether you've just booked us or are waiting for your final presentation package you can now access your own Big Bouquet Personal Account.


From today we will be providing all of our couples with their own username and password to log into their unique personal page. From here, not only will you be able to view all of your essential data like shooting start and finish times on your wedding day, you'll also be able to keep up to speed with your payment status, pay off part of, or all of your balance and also access any final album or book proof movie.

This page will also double up as your gallery preview page. After your wedding we will give you a nudge to let you know that your images are up for preview and all you have to do is log-on to your Personal Account.

Simple!

As wedding season kicks into action, now's the time to start planning the smaller details of your wedding. If you haven't already spoken to a florist about your floral arrangements and bouquets, here's a few local florists in the area that you may want to check out:

Lansdowne Florist, Bournemouth, Dorset 
By Arrangement Florist, Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset 
Gloriosa - Wedding Flowers of Bournemouth, Bournemouth, Dorset 
Simonis Florists, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset 
Serenta Flowers, Bournemouth, Dorset 
Penn Hill Flowers, Poole, Dorset 
Amore Creative Floristry, Bournemouth, Dorset 
The Bay Tree Florist, Lower Parkstone, Poole, Dorset 
Edwards and Co, Poole Dorset

Big Bouquet is based in Bournemouth, but we can travel around the country to photograph your wedding.

If you were working with a wedding photographer who shot all their images using film ask them if you can buy the original negatives or slides off of them and they'd probably laugh in your face. Big Bouquet captures all wedding photographs using two professional Nikon Digital SLR cameras, so this means that we are not only able to easy offer you both black and white and colour versions of your shots, but we can also supply you with the full res end images along with your final presentation.

So how does this benefit you? Well, say for example you accidentally split a huge mug of tea over your original images, if you have a disc containing all your original images you can easily print off another copy or hand it over to a developers to get a few re-prints - as easy as that!

Our Royalty-Free DVD discs work in two ways; Pop the disc into your DVD player and you can sit back and remember your wedding day through from start to finish with our bespoke slideshow. This is great if you have friends over as you can pop it on in the background and have a good natter remembering moments from the photographs. Put the disc into your computer and you can easily access a picture folder containing all the final shots from your presentation package.

You're free to share and copy your disc among your family and friends, so it's easy enough to make a back-up and pass one over to your mum for safe-keeping. All we ask is that you don't sell your photographs on without seeking our permission first!

Opt for our Biggest Bouquet package and you will receive a Royalty-Free DVD in your package as standard. However, the discs can be purchased as an extra on top of any packages for a set price of £75 and you can order these after your wedding too. If at a later date you wish you'd order one we keep all of our couples images on secure back-up so we can send one out to you if you drop us a line!

What better way to say 'thank you' to your bridesmaids, best man or even your parents than present them with a little keepsake from your wedding day.

If you want to show your appreciation but don't have the budget to get some extra coffee table books or albums made up then our new 'Thank You' books could be just the ticket. OK, so they're not the most glamorous photography books in the world but with a clear protective front page and ultra glossy pages your wedding photographs will still look fabulous. The wirobind fastening also means they will withstand being flicked through for years to come - far better than an extra set of photos.

These 6" x 8" books are a real bargain at only £18 each, but if you have a few wedding party members to show your appreciation to you can also make use of our 4 for £60 offer.

As with all of our presentation option products, you don't have to place your order before your wedding. With your own Big Bouquet log-in account your wedding photos will be accessible for a whole year after your big day, so if a couple of months down the line you fancied a few extras all you'd have to do is give us a shout!

If you choose our Big Bunch or Biggest Bouquet packages you automatically receive a stunning professional 13 x 11" hardback presentation book as part of your final presentation. It's possible to order extra copies of these books for your bridesmaids or proud parents for up to one year after your ceremony just by dropping us a line.

Keen to offer you as much choice as possible when it comes to presentation options, we're pleased to announce that our pro presentation books are now available in softback as well, for a reduced price. The softback books include the same professional standard of paper quality, printed with the sheen you'd expect to see in a premium coffee table book, but with the added bonus of it being lighter and a little thinner.

Available in three different sizes, prices for the Softback books start at £30 for a square 7"x7" to £50 for a large 13" x 11". With all of our presentation books you get up to 80 pages, each book uniquely designed to suit your own photos. We even provide a handy pre-press check service so you can approve your book before it gets printed.

For more information visit our Presentation options page.

Seeing all you lovely couples getting excited about your big day has stirred up some love in the Big Bouquet headquarters. Ian - the Big Bouquet partner and I have decided to get hitched ourselves, so although it's not until next year expect to see plenty of extra invaluable links and tips on the blog as I take even more of an interest in all the wedding malarkey!

Only one small problem... We haven't a clue who's going to be our photographer!

 

As well as sorting out a photographer, a wedding just aint a wedding without your custom-made bouquets and other flower arrangements to brighten up the day.


If you are based in London and are on the look out for a great florists then check out Arenaflowers.com. By cutting out the middle man, ditching the wholeseller and purchasing their flowers direct from growers they're able to offer flowers at a very competitive price. They're also the first UK florist to be part of the Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FPP) Organisation, meaning that all the flowers are from a good ethical source - that's what we like to hear!

You can view their full range of Designer Wedding Flowers, Bridal Bouquets, Table Arrangements and Buttonholes on their site, here.

If you're getting married abroad, or even just away from home, the last thing you should do is fold and shove your beloved wedding dress into a suitcase - not unless you want to recreate Princess Diana's creased meringue. Plus, if the Terminal 5 shambles of an airport is anything to go by you're going to want to know exactly where you luggage is going!


The Empty Box Company have some perfect Wedding Travel Boxes designed to fit snugly into overhead lockers or for car or train journeys. They come in all sorts of sizes and patterns and are available from £28.90 to just under £50!

Take a look at the full range here

Whilst a luxurious wedding photo album is the perfect way to keep your precious images safe we appreciate that they're a pretty expensive addition to your package. Big Bouquet isn't just dedicated to providing you contemporary wedding photography, we aim to provide you with a fully-rounded service even after your wedding day, no matter how much money you have in your kitty.

We're pretty unique in that all of our packages provide you with a complimentary set of prints. However, these arrive to you loose-sleeved. If none of the albums in our Presentation Options appeal to you, or if you simply don't have the money to spend on them you can now hunt down your very own album and send it to us and we will carefully create your own unique wedding presentation.

Think of it like a gift wrapping service. Instead of receiving a basic set of photographs and get in a mess of photo corners and glue we will order a varied batch of prints in all shapes and sizes to suit the layout of your album page and put everything together for you. Your shop-bought album will be treated with the same respect a £500+ album gets and will arrive luxuriously gift-wrapped. All for £70, this is a perfect service for couples on a budget.

Now, if you book with Big Bouquet we can assure you there will be no need to worry your photographer isn’t going to turn up or delete all your images, but that isn’t to say that you shouldn’t take precautions to cover your wedding.

You’re probably going to spend more money on your wedding than any car you’ve ever bought, and you wouldn’t ever dream of driving that around without insurance so why shouldn’t you take the steps to cover your wedding?

Insurance is the sort of thing a nagging older relative would rant about, rather than your photographer, we know, but we always endeavour to lend a helping hand to every part of your wedding wherever we can. Not only that, but we told quite a sad story at the weekend that’s far too sombre for these pages but nevertheless made us twig we should remind you all to look into insuring your wedding.

It’s not the cheapest by a mile, but we were surprised to hear that good old Marks and Spencer are now offering insurance to cover everything from lost rings, damage wedding dresses even a re-jiggling of dates. So next time you’re in there looking for your special wedding day bra and pants see if you can pick up a leaflet or check out the website.

This time last year we were fighting the crowds on Bournemouth beach during what was probably the hottest Easter weekend for a long long time. Today, I am sat here writing this blog with the heating on full belt and with two chunky jumpers on, it's that cold!

Unfortunately (but exciting too), the Big Bouquet wedding season starts this weekend and it looks like it's going to be a bit of a wash-out to say the least.

Whilst you can't avoid the notorious British weather, there's no need to panic about your beautiful hairdos and silky dresses if you're with us - this photographer is prepared.



We're now fully stocked up on these wonderful completely waterproof parasols which we will gladly loan out to our couples and their special guests (just as long as you don't mind us looking like trainspotters in our Kag In A Bags) so there's no need to worry about hiring or buying your own. We're sure there's enough to worry about. So, as long as it's not torrential you shouldn't be restricted to indoor shots.

Of course, parasols look great in the summer too, for those elegant garden party shots. So if you fancy using them, just let us know and we'll get them out!

If your wedding plans are starting to get on top of you, you're starting to get nervous about your big day or budgets have started to spiral out of control then we recommend a dose of 'docu-therapy'.


OK, so we're a little bit late on catching on to this one, but we chanced upon 'Don't Tell The Bride' on BBC3 last night. If you think you've got it bad, spare a thought for these poor brides. The concept of the show is that the couples are given £12,000 to spend on their wedding under the condition that the groom carries out all the preparations, chooses a dress etc? What a nightmare!

If you missed it and want to see what we're talking about then you can watch last night's show on BBC iPlayer here. We're looking forward to next week's and it should make you feel like your preparations are going as smooth as a silky, female-picked bridal gown!

Finding a wedding photographer who can capture photographs in a style you like is one obvious thing to look out for when on the hire hunt. However, what happens after the wedding is just as important. You should be asking yourself questions such as 'how long is it going to take to get my pictures back after the wedding day?' and 'will I have any say in the final presentation?' There's nothing worse than not knowing where you stand weeks after your wedding.

At Big Bouquet we will work closely with you to ensure your final package lives up to all your expectations. If you're happy for us to create and order your final presentation package, without further consultation, we'll endeavour to get your bits and bobs out to you within 2-3 weeks. However, if you'd like to have some say in presentation options such as photograph books we will make the checking process easy enough to OK in an internet cafe whilst you're still away, or as soon as you get home.

We don't waste time posting you out drafts of books. This can add weeks onto your final bundle. With our book preview feature, checking the layout of the page is as easy as flicking through real pages.

All you have to do then is give us the 'OK to go', or let us know if there are any pages you'd like tweaking!

After getting into a discussion on honeymoons and honeymoon destinations at our last four wedding consultations, we happily passed over details of a really great site we'd found for finding some unique travel destinations.

So passionate did we sound about the website it must have seemed like we were on some sort of sales pitch. Of course, that isn't true - we just love sharing the word on a good find. As well as wedding photography, holidays come high up on the list of favourite things to talk about so it's envitable this was going to spring up some time or other.


Anyway, if you really want to go somewhere special on your honeymoon then check out www.travelcollection.co.uk. Here you'll find a whole host of unusual destinations and activities from Journeys Into The Amazon to Maldivian retreats. The best thing about this site is that the price quoted includes not only accommodation and some excursions, it also includes departure tax and flights too.

We're not on commission However, for couples who have already told us they've booked from our recommendation, don't forget your photographer - send us a postcard you lucky devils!

A Happy Valentine's day to all of you... It's a nice thought to think that if you're reading this now, we know you'll be having a lovely day.

We’re pleased to announce that there are now a couple of new presentation options available to our couples. Let’s start with the shiny stuff... You now have the option to get your favourite wedding photos printed on luxurious pearl paper – a wonderful idea of you’re interested in framing and hanging your favourite image. This amazing paper gives your wedding photos a high gloss appearance, with an almost metallic quality.

We’re also offering couples the chance to upgrade their standard hardback wedding books to a gorgeous, padded album book. Containing pages 2mm thick and printed on both sides, your photographs will look stunning printed on Kodak Eudora Satin super-durable paper. If boring black really isn’t your scene then you’ll be pleased to hear that these wedding books, covered in the finest Italian leather is available in a range of vibrant, head-turning colours (see below). This photographer can’t keep her eyes and hands off of them - they're so luscious!


For more information on sizes and pricing visit our Presentation Options page.

At Big Bouquet we will provide you with a complimentary couple portrait with every consultation. This can be a perfect print to mount and lay out at your wedding for all of your guests to sign.

If you can't face the camera until your wedding day then there are some great alternatives available. Check out this unique photo album from Adesso Albums. Doubling up as a photo album and guest book it can be used to combine Polaroid instant photos and hand written notes from your guests.


There are kits for sale that include a new Polaroid ONE and sleeves to keep it safe for storage.

Not only is it a great little keepsake to take with you on your honeymoon so you can have a nose straight away, we reckon it's also an ideal way to give put out Uncles and Dad's a little mission if they're upset they haven't been given the role of wedding photographer.

We always like to share good finds with our couples. If you are looking to go that extra mile for wedding and would like to find the very best in opulent wedding accessories and gifts then take a look at the SheerLuxe shopping directory.



The directory is updated on a day to day basis and it should be the first port of call to take a look at the latest boutique ranges. You can guarantee that every retailer featured in the directory is of the highest quality, and it's perfect for tracking down some more unusual gifts and accessories.

There's a separate section for weddings with everything from Wedding Stationery, Bridal Accessories and Wedding Shoes to more original decorations and albums for your photographs.

We realise that hiring a wedding photographer isn't just about the photography package. The little extras are important too.

It's now easier than ever to see exactly what you can get for your money with our full 2008 price list, which you can now view on our Packages & Prices page.

The price list not only details the various wedding photography packages but you can also check how much extra prints will cost you and all the different choices you have when it comes to presentation albums, boxes and books.

We're currently looking into supplying our couples with a whole new batch of ways to remember their wedding day. There will be some new exciting and charming keepsakes coming your way soon. Of course, we'll keep you up to date with any new additions on our blog!

Whilst arrangements such as a great wedding photographer, beautiful wedding dress and a great venue for your ceremony are essential to ensure your day fills all your expectations, don't forget to think about all the smaller details that will polish off your day to perfection.

Here's a nifty site for getting in some ceremony must-haves like confetti and balloons - www.thepartycatalogue.co.uk

www.thepartycatalogue.co.uk is a supplier of party products, party supplies and decorations for special occasions, including Weddings and Engagements. They have the widest range of scope of any online party supplies site with over 5,000 products for weddings, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, themed parties and every event you can think of.

We're told that over the next twelve months, the number of products on offer will rise to 12,000, with over 1,000 of these being solely for weddings. Products are laid out simply giving you clear pictures, dimensions and other details.

The staff are a helpful bunch and will offer next day delivery so that you can have peace of mind on your big day. If you can’t see what you need, you can call them on 0800 612 9404 and they will talk you through what they can offer to make your wedding fabulous.

2007 proved that you can't rely on the British summer for a dry and pleasant wedding, so is it any wonder that more and more couples are choosing to get hitched abroad?

Although you shouldn't have to worry about the risk of drenching your bridal gear in mud if you are planning to get married in a sunnier climate, you will need to dedicate a lot more time to your initial plans.

We've tracked down a couple of great 'getting married abroad' guides that take you through all practicalities like fixing visas, marriage blessings and affidavits. You can also use these sites to get some inspiration on destinations.

Log onto Weddingguideuk.com and Confetti.co.uk for more details.

Remember, although Big Bouquet is based in Bournemouth, Dorset we will be happy to travel to any destination to carry out your wedding photography. Just drop us a line to find out about our reasonable rates.

Just a note to say that we will be out of the country Christmas week and so we will be unable to answer your enquiries during this time.

We will endeavour to answer all wedding photography enquiries as soon as possible after the 2nd January 2008.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Big Bouquet.

As we're fast approaching Christmas and well and truely in the midst of winter, next summer feels like a lifetime away. However, if you're planning a wedding for next year you don't need us to tell you how quickly the months will whizz by. A fast approaching summer may be great news for those who can't bear the long, dreary nights, but for a soon-to-be wed couple it's a daunting prospect. Many couples will be hunting for a wedding photographer for the next wedding season during December and January and we advise you to follow suit to avoid any disappointment. It's easy to get in touch with us, just fill in your details on our Contact Us page and we will give you a call back to chat about your big day.

For ultra-organised couples we are now also taking bookings and queries for late 2008 and early 2009.