Andrew Newson Andrew Newson

Earth Day 2024 and Eco Weddings

Earth Day 2024 and Eco friendly-ier Weddings

Yesterday was Earth Day and my instagram and Facebook was full of posts that were, quite frankly, depressing.

This got me thinking about weddings and some of the trends that maybe aren’t the best for our planet, and other ways we can make weddings a bit more eco friendly…

Things that will only ever get used once

There are so many personalised items you could get for your wedding but maybe think about do you really need them and could they be used again?

planet polluting flip-flops

I’ve seen so many posts where brides have proudly announced they’ve seen flips-flops in Primark for £1 a pair - bargain! But are they ever going to be worn once, yet alone more than once? I’ve never gone to a wedding without a pair of comfy shoes in my bag. And even if I had forgotten them I very much doubt that a pair of £1 flip-flops are going to be very comfy (they always hurt between the toes!).

This is the big one for me. Having taken part in a few beach cleans there are always certain things you always find - plastic bottles, Fishermans’ debris and random parts of shoes! If I can ban one thing from weddings it would be the basket of flip-flops for later! So PLEASE let this be a trend which disappears in 2024. (Rant over.)

Welcome Signs & Table Plans

If you are having a catered sit down wedding then you are most likely going to need a table plan, but maybe it could be combined with a welcome sign rather than having two separate items that will never be used again. Maybe your table plan could be written on a chalkboard so after the wedding it can be wiped off and used by another wedding couple or for kids?

If you do want a welcome sign then go for a card one that can be recycled rather than the banner stands I’ve seen cropping up a lot more frequently.

bridal party personalised items

PJs or robes with bride/bridesmaid written on the back. Yes they look very instagram-able but will they get worn again? Probably more likely to if they have names and maybe their role in a much smaller writing, or just get matching patterned ones instead? Same with champagne or wine glasses, go for ones with names instead.

Eco friendly alternatives

Confetti

There’s a number of eco friendly alternatives to confetti. Yes you could get biodegradable stuff but want about asking family and friends to collect petals in the run up to your wedding to use instead? Or for something different dried herbs?

What about a basket of petals that everyone takes a handful of rather than multiple plastic bags full or paper cones?

Fake or real flowers?

I suspect fake flowers are probably only more eco friendly if you hire them or buy second hand or are able to sell them on afterwards. If you are going for real flowers then perhaps consider home grown ones rather than imported? There are even places where you can cut your own so you know that they are home grown.

table decor and favours

I love to see wine or gin bottles reused to become the table centre pieces - always like to see what my couples’ tipple of choice is!

With favours, long gone are the days of sugar almonds which probably are not everyone’s idea of something nice to eat. I do like it when I see packets of seeds giving your guests something to plant is going to help offset their carbon footprint.

Hiring outfits

Quite often the men of the wedding party will hire suits, or even wear suits they already have, but it’s much less common for brides to do this in my experience. But there are many options for buying pre-owned or ex samples dresses, or you could hire a dress?

Oxfam has a good selection online but there are shops in your local high street such as Bridesdress Revisited which have a wide range of gorgeous pre-loved dresses.

For the bridesmaids they don’t all have to be wearing the same dress. Pick a colour and let them find their own pre-loved dress or hire one of their choice. Or go one step further and let them wear whatever they want - maybe a dress they already have for ultimate green credentials!

shop local

A really easy one that everyone can do that shouldn’t affect your budget is to use local suppliers! Whilst it may not be possible for your venue to be local to you, you can make sure that the wedding suppliers you use are local to the venue so they don’t have to travel miles - there’s enough of us around for you to choose from!

These are just a few, simple alternative ideas that will make your wedding a little bit more planet friendly. If you have other suggestions I’d love to hear them!

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Andrew Newson Andrew Newson

Registry Office Weddings

Registry Office Weddings

I’m a big fan of registry office weddings. They are perfect if you just want to gather a few close family and friends for an intimate ceremony before heading off to your favourite restaurant for a meal to celebrate. Or if you are planning a larger wedding but your preferred venue doesn't have a wedding license, you can choose to do the legal bit at a registry office before partying at another location.

Registry office weddings offer a perfect blend of simplicity and style. These ceremonies typically take place in buildings which may boast architectural charm and historic significance. Whether it's a quaint town hall or a stately building, the backdrop adds a touch of elegance to your special day without overshadowing the main event – your commitment to each other.

Planning a wedding can be financially daunting, but registry office weddings offer a budget-friendly alternative without compromising on the significance of the occasion.

Lewes Registry Office and Southover Grange Gardens

One of the most appealing aspects of registry office weddings is the flexibility they offer. Unlike traditional venues with rigid scheduling, registry offices often have more availability, allowing couples to choose a date and time that suits them best. This flexibility extends to the guest list, making it easier to accommodate intimate gatherings or larger celebrations according to your preferences.

In the UK, registry office weddings are legally recognized, providing couples with peace of mind and assurance that their union is official and binding. The process is straightforward, with registrars guiding you through the necessary paperwork and legalities, leaving you free to focus on the emotional significance of the moment.

Tunbridge Wells Registry Office And Calverly Park

While registry office weddings may be simpler in nature, they still offer ample opportunities for personalization. From selecting meaningful readings and music to incorporating cultural traditions or personal vows, couples can infuse their ceremony with unique touches that reflect their love story and values.

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but registry office weddings alleviate much of the pressure associated with elaborate ceremonies. With fewer logistical complexities and a more relaxed atmosphere, couples can truly savor every moment of their special day, surrounded by loved ones and focused on the joy of beginning their journey together as spouses.

Crowborough Registry Office AND Downsview Vineyard

It has to be said that not all registry offices are equal. Lewes is probably the best all rounder I’ve been to so far with Tunbridge Wells being a close second. I’m looking forward to shooting a wedding at Brighton Town Hall later this month as well as a return visit to Lee and Southover Grange Gardens in August.

I’d also love to photograph a London wedding at some of the iconic buildings such as Islington, Marylebone, Hackney or Lambeth Town Halls so if you are planning a wedding at these or any others then get in touch!

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Andrew Newson Andrew Newson

Landscape Portraits

Landscape Portraits

Some of my favourite wedding portraits I’ve taken are more landscapes than portraits. For the purpose of this blog I’m calling them landscape portraits. It probably won’t catch on.

Landscape Portraits - what am I talking about? What I mean are a gorgeous, wide landscape shot with the couple in the scene, usually pretty small. They can be posed or unposed like the photo above which was taken at Deana and Andy’s wedding at The Gardens in Yalding.

I thought I would post a few on instagram but as generally people use their photos to look on instagram I decided I needed to blog them too so that they can be viewed bigger, as that’s how they need to be seen. Plus I can share more here!

It’s not just wedding photos they work well with. The above photo is me! At Brede High Wood near Hastings, taken by my husband Andrew Newson, just out for a dog walk. I love how it shows the scale and the majesty of the woods and also I’m not so keen on photos of myself so the fact that you can’t see me close up is ideal for me!

It doesn’t always have to be green and pleasant land(scapes) scenes. They can work equally as well in front of buildings or in front of aeroplane pressure chambers (or something like that!) like this one taken at Sue and Martin’s wedding at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey.

Here’s some of my favourites and the locations. Please click on the photo to see it bigger. Enjoy!

Top row (L-R)
Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst / Bishop Lions Farm Hotel, Hailsham / private garden / Plumpton Village Hall / East Sussex National, Uckfield

Bottom row (L-R)
Hendal Manor Barn, Uckfield / Downsview Vineyard, Crowborough / Chafford Park, Tunbridge Wells / Calverly Park, Tunbridge Wells / The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells

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Andrew Newson Andrew Newson

Becci & Dan's summer (?) wedding at Trading Boundries, Sussex

It's like ra-i-n on your wedding day 🎶

In this country rain on your wedding day isn’t really ironic. But it is quite annoying particularly if you choose your venue for it’s outside space and book a July wedding and it rains ALL DAY.

But did that stop Becci & Dan from have the best day ever? No of course it didn’t!

Becci didn’t stop smiling and laughing the whole time despite not getting her outdoor ceremony. Her and her bridesmaids looked amazing - I especially liked the different colours and styles of dresses that they all wore.

If you’ve not heard of Trading Boundreis before, not only is it a wedding venue but it is also a shop selling all sorts of beautiful home decor bits, plus a cafe that also has other events on such as live music. It has the most stunning pergola which you can get married under weather permitting, and also has a small accommodation block which is ideal for getting ready in and staying in after the wedding. The couple bought in outside caterers to serve curry themed canapés and main meals and an ice cream van for desert. The wedding cake I can confirm was delicious!

Becci & Dan decided not to have a first dance with just the two of them but to get everyone on the dance floor - and they didn’t leave as the band were incredible!

The dream team for the day were -

Here’s a few from the special day, clic k on the photo to see it larger.

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A summer wedding at The Gardens, Yalding

A beautiful July wedding at The Gardens, Yalding near Tonbridge.

I was delighted to be asked to photograph Deana and Andy’s wedding at The Gardens in Yalding near Tonbridge. It is such a beautiful location, the grounds are just stunning. And with the weather we had on that day it was just perfect! Deana, her best lady and her daughter bridesmaid had their hair and make up done by the ever expert Louise Large

Deana’s wedding dress was from Meryl Bridal in Crowborough who I highly recommend you visit if you are looking for your wedding dress as she has some amazing dresses and is also a lovely person who will help you choose the perfect dress.

I can genuinely say that the speeches were some of the funniest I have heard at a wedding (and I have heard a lot!) and the food was great!

I would love to photograph another wedding at The Gardens as I feel there’s more grounds to explore for portraits . Also when it’s darker the gardens will look lovely lit up with all the festoon lights so get in touch if this is your venue!

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