17th December… Here come the Brides!

I just wanted to write a little about a wonderful group I started earlier in the year, my facebook Brides Group.

For the last few years I have met so many lovely brides and shot so many amazing weddings. Obviously lots get back in touch once they have had babies or a new event in their life they would like me to photograph but these girls whom I feel I have got to know, spent the biggest day of their lives with, helped secure dresses, helped tidy a fly away piece of hair or looked after their lippy for the couple shots. I have often met my couple at a wedding show; then had a couple of hours of fun with them on the beach on their engagement shoot; then perhaps a few emails and phone calls in the run up to the day; then spent 12 hours with them on the biggest day of their life; shared their photos; we get together to discuss their album; a few phone calls and emails to make it perfect and then I see them again to hand over their album often with a cup of coffee and half an hour reliving their wonderful day. By the end my bride doesn’t feel like a client but more like a friend I have hared the journey with of the event of her life so far! To end it there seems, well, a little sad!

As well as this I find I will often get asked questions about the planning I can’t answer. When it come to the timings for your day, the best light, locations for photos etc I feel I can really help but ask me about chair covers, flower types, bridesmaid dress suppliers then I have to say having not yet planned a wedding myself I am a little clueless!

Once day earlier this year I was sat thinking about all the above, and how nice it would be if all my wonderful brides could talk to each other. Perhaps a 2013 bride can ask for advice about the venue they have booked to a bride who got married at the same place in 2012? What if, a 2014 bride who has no idea where to start can ask what the first thing on her list should be? Maybe a 2012 bride feels their florist was amazing and would like to tell other brides?

And so Katherine Ashdown Brides was born. A place where I can stay in touch with all my previous brides and a place for new ones to get advice, help, ideas in the planning process from lots of ladies who have quite literally been there and done that!

There are many wonderful things to see also:

Suppliers Page ~ (in files) I have spent the year inviting suppliers whom I have worked with and feel are exceptional at what they do. Some even offer special rates when you mention ‘Katherine Ashdown Brides’
Tips Page ~ (in files) written by me and solely focused on tips for your big day many of which will help it to run smoothly or help to get the best photographs (from someone who has attended around 100 weddings!)
Venue Documents ~ (in files) Started recently and written by the brides who have been married at the venues so far we have a great one by Nicole for Chaucer Barn Brides
Spread the Love scheme ~ (in files) An exclusive scheme from me to recommend me to other brides you know
The Best Blogs ~ (in files) A few of the best wedding blogs around for you to check in to for ideas and inspiration
Other suppliers ~ (in files) Suppliers not in the group but whom I have liked their work or a bride has put forward
Image of the month ~ (in Photos) A monthly competition to have the group photo for the month with a great prize

The page is evolving all the time and becoming bigger, fuller and better. If you are a bride and would like to join simply follow this LINK and ‘request to join’.

When I started the group I expected to have perhaps 20 brides take part now we are up to almost 130. Some pop in every day some every couple of weeks but they are all welcome, brides of past, present and future!

Here are just a few of my 2012 Brides in the group…

A divine Carley…