Wedding Photography World

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BBC reports 'Garry and Rachel Keates cross the finish line of the London Marathon after they stopped at the 24-mile mark to get married. 26 April 2009.' Now that's what I call a destination wedding. Arf!

23 January 2009. Figures confirm UK Economy is in recession ie 2 quarters ofnegative growth, and that Q4 of 2008 saw the economy contract by 1.5%, against predictions of 1.2% meaning the contraction is worse than predicted. Growth is unlikely to be seen until late 2010, possibly 2011. It's a grim outlook, more so if you enjoy grim outlooks. So, what do we do in the wedding industry, panic? Certainly not! If like me you are a glass half full type of person, what can we do and where are the positives. Let's look at some practical, positive action wedding photographers can take. Firstly, our industry is robust, no matter what the economic outlook people still marry. Every recession since the 1920's has demonstrated this. Weddings may not be as glamorous certainly, as in the recent past decade, and budgets will be smaller, meaning prices may need to contract also to remain competitive. Big deal: those achieving 30 weddings a year may need to do 35 instead to achieve the same income levels. There are, I believe, may positives, the prime one is a low pound against both the Dollar and the Euro. This is being hugely overlooked. The UK is suddenly a prime wedding destination: our heritage, landscapes, architecture and history lend themselves perfectly to the considerable market that want a destination wedding. The Pound buys alot more for a Dollar or a Euro than it did this time last year. So what can you do, if this is a potential new market for you? Try getting together with a local competitor, a couple of venues and pool your marketing budgets toreach this highly lucrative market. An advert with Wedding Photography World for example, where we not only have a strong UK presence but a growing influence and presence in the international and destination wedding markets, can place you right in front of those looking to the UK as a potential wedding destination. Costs split 3/4/5 ways are substantially reduced, obviously. Approach your local government Development Agency, your local tourist board, to seek any grants available to attract overseas visitors to your area. Trade website links, encourage the tourist board to include a new page in there website dedicated to the UK/your region as an ideal wedding destination. At these times a moral duty exists on allGovernmentto support business and business initiatives. Go forwards together as professionals, photographers, venues, florists etc, and press your case for support. We will support you with lower cost advertising too. Lastly, do not panic. Develop trust with your customers: take deposits and balances by credit cards where possible to ensure your customer has total recompense in the event of oyu going bust: no one wants to discuss this, and no one will, but couples will have done there research and will be more likely to book with you if you can offer total protection. Good luck, and remember, as clichéd as it already is, things can only get better. Craig Ferguson marries Megan Wallace Cunningham. January 2009. You couldn't miss the wedding band on Craig Ferguson's ring finger when he returned to CBS' "The Late Late Show" from his holiday break. Ferguson held his left hand up to the camera and announced that he'd gotten married. The 46-year-old talk-show host said he'd tied the knot with art dealer Megan Wallace Cunningham. over the holiday period. A Vicar in Lewes, East Sussex, of Westgate Chapel, says he aims to help couples in the credit crunch by offering traditional wedding services for just £50, on ebay, a fraction of ordinary costs. Clearly his bookings are down this January, and you would be very hard pressed to find a more lovely town in the south east in Lewes, in which to marry, with some stunning country side nearby, wineries and wedding and reception venues.

A Vicar in Lewes, East Sussex, of Westgate Chapel, says he aims to help couples in the credit crunch by offering traditional wedding services for just £50, on ebay, a fraction of ordinary costs. Clearly his bookings are down this January, and you would be very hard pressed to find a more lovely town in the south east in Lewes, in which to marry, with some stunning country side nearby, wineries and wedding and reception venues.

Details emerge about the Beckhams Wedding Vows renewal.

David and Victoria Beckham renewed their wedding vows two years ago in a private ceremony that was a far cry from their lavish nuptials. News of the event, which took place at the couple's home, 'Beckingham Palace', has only surfaced this week emphasising the private nature of the intimate affair. Guests included a handful of close family and friends, one of which told the Daily Mirror: "We were in tears. It was beautiful and very non-showbiz". Footballer David organised the whole bash himself, right down to the white wedding gown, and only told his surprised wife on the day it was taking place. "David was meticulously planning the big day for months. It was a huge undertaking to keep it all under wraps," added the Mirror's source. Posh and Becks' first wedding took place at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland in 1999. Victoria wore an Ivory Vera Wang dress to the star-studded affair and all guests were asked to don black or white.

1 October 2008. New wider choices for church weddings in the UK. Parishes finally 'open up' to the whole community and not just regular church goers. More choice for church weddings Some fear the changes will create "wedding tourism" Couples in England now have greater choice over where to get married as new Anglican Church rules come into force. The new law makes it easier for brides and grooms to have their wedding service in a church where they have a family or special connection. Previously, couples could get married in a church only if they attended it regularly or lived within the parish. The Church of England said it was now able to offer the "widest wedding welcome" in its history. The new law means couples will find more of the CoE's 16,000 churches open to them. However, it does not apply to cathedrals. Previously, to marry in another parish required a special licence or six months regular attendance there. Now couples can marry anywhere they have lived for six months or where their parents or grandparents were married. 'Good news' The new law, known as the Church of England Marriage Measure, has been a long time in the making. The Church has been debating the issue for several years and the measure had to pass through its own legal system before progressing through both Houses of Parliament and receiving Royal Assent. People who are serious about getting married naturally want a marriage ceremony and a setting which is equally serious - only the Church provides this Bishop of Reading The CofE said the changes were in response to the increasing mobility of society, with many people moving away from where they grew up. It also said there was demand for the change, with the tight restrictions deterring some people from marrying in an church. The Bishop of Reading, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, described the law as "good news" and warned "golf clubs and country houses" that churches could soon be taking their business. He said: People who are serious about getting married naturally want a marriage ceremony and a setting which is equally serious. Only the Church provides this. "Loads of people want something only the Church can offer: God's blessing on their marriage. Now it will be easier to provide it." Welcome message The Reverend Andrew Chalkley is the vicar of St Mary's, Orchardleigh, in Somerset, which has the honour of being the CofE's most popular church for weddings. It has an unrivalled setting - at the edge of a lake surrounded by a moat - and with no electricity, all its services are by candlelight and the organ has to be pumped by hand. Mr Chalkley said while it had been possible for people outside the parish to get married at St Mary's, the new legislation made it "much more simple". "It is sending a good, clear message to the wider community that they are welcome. "We want to encourage people to celebrate their marriage with us and play our part in supporting them not just on the day but in the years to come." Opponents of the move fear it could spark "wedding tourism", with the prettiest churches inundated with requests. But Mr Chalkley said in his experience, couples who want a church wedding take their marriage seriously. "St Mary's can only conduct a certain number of weddings every year and the couples are asked to show they have a particular link with the parish," he added. "Also all CofE churches support each other financially, so churches that are not aesthetically pleasing share the same pot as those which are." The "qualifying connections" for couples are: * If one of them was baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish * One of them has lived in the parish or regularly attended public worship there for at least six months * One of their parents has lived in the parish or regularly attended church services there for six months or more in their child's lifetime * Their parents or grandparents were married in the parish.