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Top Secrets For a Fun Wedding Reception

The best way to make your wedding reception stand out is to personalise every aspect of the night event with thrilling moments that keep your guests entertained and wanting more – think of it like a concert, or any other entertainment event – it’s not justb a trip to a restaurant!

For a start, you can take out some of your time to ponder (with your spouse) what both of you represent. Shared interests, travel experiences, and childhood memories are also great sources of inspiration when planning out fun-filled wedding reception.

As much as your wedding is all about celebrating your union with your spouse, it’s also vital that you put your guest’s enjoyment to heart. Here are a few top secrets that will create that spark of excitement during your wedding reception.

NB: If you’re short on time and still want to cop some amazing reception ideas, below are a few areas to put into consideration.

  • Where you both met
  • Your first dinner
  • Mutual interest
  • Your favorite sport
  • Your first travel or holiday trip
Ivybrook Farm wedding first dance

Top 8 Secrets To a Fun Wedding Reception

This list of fun wedding reception secrets is in no defined order as every suggestion is unique in its way to bring some spark of fun to your event.

1.   Strategic Seating Arrangement

As obvious as this idea may sound for a wedding reception, do not make the mistake of discounting the Importance of having a rock-solid seating arrangement. Ensure you strategically place your guests right beside people that you’re sure will easily get along with. This might appear like a matchmaking idea, but you intend to create a more engaging night for your guests.

To make it a little more interesting, you should make your college mates seat beside each other or force your guests to seat with strangers. This will lead to sharing interesting discussions and ultimately an amazing dance party.

Guests cheers

2.   Hire a DJ to Spruce Up The Place

Alright, this appears to be the norm at every wedding reception but there’s the need to make mention of it. This is primarily because music happens to be a crucial part of any enjoyable event. Talk to your DJ about songs that should be played as you don’t want to witness an empty dance floor when an obscure song is being played.

Serafino wines wedding dancefloor

3.   Request For a Song

Do you want your guests to enjoy every moment of your wedding reception? Then proceed to get a request for their favorite song. You can ask all of your invitees to write down what song they would like you to perform on their RSVP card. Another way to go about this is to allow your guests to send their song requests to your email.

If you have a wonderful voice, you can surprise them by performing alongside a live band or take it up a notch by making a duo performance with your spouse. If on the other hand, your voice is not that great, compile the list of song requests and hand it over to your DJ for an entertaining jam all through the event.

Guests having fun on the dance floor

4.   A Short and Sweet Toast Will Do

What other way can you lighten up the atmosphere of a wedding reception other than to make an exciting toast with your guests? When you’re in to give everyone a treat, never undermine the power of a timely toast. Take note of the time when the party enjoyment is building up and pause to make a quick toast that climaxes the reception fun. You can toast to memorable moments shared with friends and family, to carry everyone along with the event

Groom Speech under awning

5.   Step onto The Dance Floor

The perfect opportunity you get to wow your guests is to show them what great dance moves you’ve got. Hit the dance floor with your spouse and start with a slow dance before carefully transitioning into something more energetic like a Latin not break dance song from Bruno Mars.

To leave an indelible mark on the heart of your guests, you can have a few of them join you on the dance floor or challenge a random invitee to a dance battle.

Dancing guest jumping

6.   Prepare The Kid’s Quarter

Remember to keep the kids entertained while their parents have fun on the dance floor. Prepare a designated area for the kids, in a different room and make proper arrangements for a babysitter that will oversee their affairs like organizing crafts, games, and kid-centric parties. A fun wedding reception should be fun for everyone – especially the kids as it keeps them out of the way!

children dancing

7.   Go Neon

There’s no doubt about the charming look of an elegant mirror or wooden sign at your wedding reception. The problem however with these is that everyone makes use of them at their reception. To host your guests in an outstanding way that sends shivers down their spine, opt for a creative sign that communicates your theme. Having a love-centric neon sign as the backdrop of your photo booth will turn the event around for the best.

Bride and groom kiss under neon wedding signs

8.   Map Out a Food Station

Nothing else makes for an exciting celebration other than good food. However, offering great dishes that each guest can customize to their taste makes it even better. Here’s where having an interactive food station comes into play. By considering a sushi rolling setup as well as a mac-and-cheese bar where guests can have suitable bites, you will leave an impression on their hearts that makes them anticipate more fun.

Food platter on display

Here you have it! The 8 top-secrets that promise to crack open the shell of excitement at any fun wedding reception. Although there are a dozen ways to achieve the goal of entertaining your guests, our list has been carefully curated to meet the basic needs of any reception theme.

Have Some Fun!

Enjoy every aspect of your wedding reception to the fullest. Dance with the love of your life and save yourself from worries. Make sure that you keep yourself in a good mood throughout the day. Once you’ve assigned the various aspects to the planners, your job is to show up looking great. Ditch the formalities and make the most of the time to have a fun wedding reception!

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Common Wedding Cake trends of 2021-2022

It’s always a bit of fun to look back at some of the wedding trends that take place over the past 30-odd weddings I’ve covered as a wedding photographer – in this case lets have a look at some of the wedding cake trends from 2021 – 2022 I’ve had the privilege of photographing!

A wedding cake is traditionally made to bring good luck to guests and the couple, and in modern weddings it serves as a centre piece of interest at a reception party. As such a wedding cake is a towering tribute to the personality of the couple being married.

3 tiered cakes

As far as wedding cake trends go, it seems to me that the 3 tiered cakes are the way to go over the last couple of years. What does surprise me however is that lack of what was known as the ‘nude’ cake were fondant or icing was used sparingly allowing for the texture of the cake inside to show through to the surface. There werw a few weddings which had this, but not realy as many as there had been in the past.

What was common with these cakes – actuall all cakes in the last few years – is the ample use of floral decorations, creeping up the tiers of the cake, often culminating on top, combining with the cake topper. The use of colour was also quite obvious – with white being the usual traditional choice, accented by pops of colour from eith the colour of the fondant/icing or the flowers themselves.

3 tier white wedding cake on barrel
3 tiered wedding cake
3 tiered white wedding cake
Wedding cake under circle
Wedding cake on display
Wedding cake in front of head table
Wedding cake
Wedding cake on display
Wedding Cheese wheel cake
Wedding cake on barrel
Colourful wedding cake
Wedding cake on display at Ivybrook Farm
Cluedo themed wedding cake

2 tiered cakes

Carrying on with the theme of a heavy use of floral arrangements, the 2 tiered cakes I shot all seemed to use flowers to add a bit of colour to the cake with only a few opting to use the fondant or icing as the colour – but those that did really made a splash!

Wedding cake topped with pink flowers
Wedding cake lined with candles
Wedding cake on display during lunch reception
Wedding cake on display
Flowery wedding cake
White Wedding cake
Green wedding cake
Wedding cake on display in circle
Wedding cake on display 2
Wedding cake at brighton and seacliff yacht club wedding

Single tiered cakes

Many of these single tiered cakes I came across were actually made by either the bride and groom themselves, or a member of their guests – that isn’t to say that they all were but it just seemed to be that way. I actually think it’s a lovely way to involve someone who wouldnt otherwise be this intimately involved with your wedding.

Square wedding cake
mr and mrs wedding cake
Green wedding cake
Wedding cake set up at Krystal Function centre
Wedding cake on barrel
The Robinsons Wedding cake
Wedding Cake on display with Certificate
Wedding cake in front of brick wall
Wedding cake on display at the Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception

Cup Cake Cakes

Instead of going through the fhassle of having to cut up your wedding cake – everyone gets a cupcake! This sort of wedding cake is often topped by a small cake, perfectly suited for just the bride and groom, or their bridal party to share – or even keep in the freezer as a wedding momento. I know I still have a bit of my wedding cake in the freezer 6 years on!

This is another of those wedding cake trends I have mentioned that has seems to lose favour in the last few years – at least at the weddings I have photographed. I know it’s still quite popular though as it tends to be cheaper and easier to personalise, or even produce without the need of a wedding cake designer..

Cupcake wedding cake
bride and groom cutting their wedding cake
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Debunked: 7 Wedding Photography Myths

In the digital age, it’s easy to assume that everything has been done before and there’s nothing new under the sun, but wedding photography myths suggest otherwise. Many of these old-school beliefs simply aren’t true anymore, but brides still believe them, which can result in an awkward and disappointing experience if you subscribe to those wedding photography myths yourself.

Let’s discuss some common wedding photography myths and why they’re no longer valid in today’s society.

Debunked: 7 Wedding Photography Myths

1) All You Need Is a Good Camera

The number one myth is having a good camera will take great pictures. You see it all the time on wedding forums and Facebook groups. “I just bought a new camera; what lens should I buy?” There are so many things wrong with that question. For starters, buying a new camera does not make you a photographer. Just because you own a drill doesn’t mean you can build a house.

So, if you’re getting into wedding photography without any previous experience, then you better have some serious natural talent and know how to use your camera inside and out. But even if you are an experienced photographer shooting with the most expensive gear, it still doesn’t guarantee you will get amazing images on someone else’s special day. A good camera is important, but it doesn’t make amazing images. Great images come from experience and skill!

In essence, it’s prudent that you hire a professional who has years of experience photographing weddings. It takes years to gain expertise in anything, especially when it comes to capturing unique moments at people’s most precious life events.

The SvenStudios satellite wedding photography camera

2) All Wedding Photographers Are the Same Quality

Perhaps the most widely believed myth about hiring a wedding photographer is that it doesn’t matter who you hire because all of them are the same. While there may be some truth to this when comparing different photographers at the same price point, there is a big difference between an amateur and a professional photographer. Wedding photos are one of the few things that you can take away from your special day and cherish for years to come. If you want great images in the future, then hire a professional. This will require spending more money than what your cousin down the street charges, but in the end, you will be much happier with your decision.

Drawing off decades of experience, a professional photographer knows how to work under pressure, keep calm during unexpected events (like rain on your wedding day), deliver exactly what he or she promises, and handle stressful situations without becoming flustered. These are just some of the many reasons why choosing a skilled wedding photographer over a relative bargain shopper can make or break how happy you will be with your pictures. Not every person makes a good photographer!

Bride and groom standing in amongst the sunlight

3) All Expensive Photographers Are Good

There is a wide range of prices out there for wedding photographers. Some photographers charge several hundred dollars for their services, while others can charge thousands upon thousands of dollars for their expertise. Just because someone charges more than another person does not make them better or worse automatically.

The best way to find out if someone is a good photographer is through their portfolio or by asking around to friends who have used them before. It’s just like buying a car; you can pay $20,000 for one car or $50,000 for another car that has the same features and options. The only difference between cars is the brand name and how it looks on the outside. Make sure you do your research before hiring someone for your big day!

A lot of the time an expensive photographer are only expensive as they have a constant inflow of clients and therefore can justify higher prices – this can mean they are extremely talented – or simply really good at marketing, it’s up to you to decide which it is.

bride and groom in Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding vineyard

4) Mishaps Can Be Fixed in Photoshop

Though true, there’s a limit. Many people think that if a photographer makes a mistake, they can fix it later in Photoshop. While this is true to some extent, it’s still better to get it right the first time and avoid any mistakes. If a photograph is out of focus, the photographer will have to recreate the entire image, and this can take hours upon hours. Rather than getting an amateur or even an inexperienced photographer, make sure you do your research and find someone who is experienced and knows exactly what they’re doing.

Groom leading his bride on a walk

5) Professional Wedding Photography Is Too Expensive

When you’re planning a wedding, you need to be able to stick to your budget. And if you’re like most couples, you want the best wedding photography you can afford. But perhaps you think that hiring a professional photographer is too expensive. Don’t fall into this trap! In reality, the average cost of a wedding photographer in Australia is around $2-4,000. This may seem steep at first glance but consider how many hours of hard work go into capturing your special day on camera and editing the images to perfection.

High-quality wedding photography isn’t just a luxury; it’s an investment in preserving your memories for years (and even generations) to come. Plus, these days, there are many ways that you can save money on professional wedding photography. For example, many photographers offer customizable packages so that you can choose what services will best fit your needs and budget.

If you still think that hiring a professional photographer is too expensive for your budget, think again! Professional wedding photography isn’t as costly as most people believe and still provides plenty of benefits. When compared to other costs involved in planning a wedding, such as catering or floral arrangements, it’s more than worth its weight in gold. This is one of those wedding photography myths that really needs to die!

bride and grrom under Bremer Farm arbour at night
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How to Plan the Perfect Surprise Engagement

For many couples, the idea of planning and executing a surprise engagement may seem overwhelming, but it’s actually easier than you might think! In fact, if you follow these simple steps when planning your engagement, then your photographer can capture all the happy tears, hugs, and kisses without having to worry about how to pull off the surprise!

So, read on for some helpful tips on how to plan the perfect surprise engagement, and then get out there and start planning! From finding the perfect spot to pulling off the surprise, this guide should help you create the romantic and memorable experience you will cherish for years to come!

Why Surprise Engagement Photography Matters

Planning a surprise engagement is one of the most memorable milestones in a couple’s journey. The emotions are raw, genuine and unrepeatable, making it the perfect moment to capture through professional photography. At SvenStudios, we understand that these first reactions are priceless. The joy, the tears and the overwhelming excitement all deserve to be preserved beautifully.

Surprise engagement photography allows couples to relive the very moment their new chapter began. Unlike staged portraits, these images carry the spontaneity and authenticity that make them timeless. With our discreet yet attentive approach, we ensure the surprise element remains intact while still delivering high-quality photographs.

Every couple deserves to look back and feel the rush of emotions from that day. By choosing experienced engagement photographers who value both big gestures and subtle details, you can trust that the story of your proposal will be told in its most genuine form: a keepsake to cherish for a lifetime.

What to Wear for Your Surprise Engagement Photoshoot?

Choosing the right outfit can make a huge difference in how your surprise engagement photography turns out. Since the moment itself is spontaneous, the clothing should feel comfortable yet stylish, reflecting your personality as a couple. Coordinating colours without being too “matchy” works beautifully, as it brings harmony to the images while still keeping each person’s style intact.

For a surprise engagement, it’s better to avoid loud prints or overly bright tones that may distract from the emotions of the moment. Instead, opt for soft neutrals, pastels, or classic solid shades that complement the setting. Accessories can add a personal touch, but they should not overshadow the genuine reactions being captured.

Ultimately, the goal is to let your emotions shine. Wearing something you feel confident in ensures that when the big moment happens, your joy and surprise take centre stage, with your outfits simply enhancing the memory rather than overpowering it.

Tips For How to Plan the Perfect Surprise Engagement Photography

Learn how to plan the perfect surprise engagement photography so you can capture every emotional moment beautifully.

1) Choose The Location

Your journey towards a surprise engagement will start at your perfect location. Whether you’re deciding on an indoor or outdoor setting, you want to pick somewhere that has sentimental value as well as some privacy. Whether it’s visiting one of your favorite restaurants or going on a hiking adventure, you’ll want to choose something that is special to both of you and where you can go early before your photographer arrives. That way, your engagement day goes by like any other day; no one will suspect what is in store for them! Moreover, if you do opt for an indoor location, such as a restaurant, then make sure to arrive early enough so that you have plenty of time alone.

This extra planning ahead makes all the difference when trying to pull off a surprise wedding proposal! Overall, if you want your photographer to capture those precious tears and smiles in photos instead of missed opportunities on video, then always plan ahead and schedule plenty of time alone together with low lighting during their engagement session.

Belair National Park engagement photo

2) Choose The Time of Day

Timing is everything, and when planning for your surprise engagement, you want to choose an early time in order to avoid crowds. For example, if you choose a restaurant for your location, then ask about lunch or breakfast reservations. If you go on an outdoor adventure, then you’ll want to check sunrise and sunset times first. By doing your research ahead of time and making sure that no one else will be at your special location during these prime times, you’ll be able to achieve complete privacy during your photoshoot!

Plus, don’t forget to always plan plenty of extra time just in case things take longer than expected or any issues arise. That way, if there are any delays getting back home after your shoot, you won’t need to rush it and miss any opportunities along the way. When all is said and done, though, be realistic with how much time you actually have; rushing through certain aspects of your process could lead to interruptions or incomplete details – both of which could ruin what should be a perfect surprise!

Sunset proposal

3) Choose Who Will Be There

Choosing who you invite will be an important step towards your surprise engagement. While it’s usually best to keep it small, there may be times when you want extra witnesses around for your big moment. For example, if you’re planning on surprising your partner at a restaurant, then consider inviting one of his/her closest friends or family members for support.

On the other hand, if you want to keep it even more private and intimate, then plan ahead with only your photographer and perhaps one or two people who know about your plans. When planning for your perfect location, make sure not to inform anyone else about any details of your big day; otherwise, there is a chance that someone could accidentally spoil it before you are ready!

One Tree Hill Engagement shoot

4) Get A Professional Photographer

Hiring an experienced and professional photographer is one of the most important steps when planning for your surprise engagement. By hiring someone who knows what they’re doing, you can rest assured knowing that all of your precious memories will be captured perfectly. If you’re not sure where to find a qualified wedding photographer, then SvenStudios is your best bet! Our team prides itself on providing exceptional photojournalism at some of Australia’s best photo studios!

Moreover, we offer packages specifically designed for couples wanting beautiful engagements photos taken in unique locations around Australia; if you need any further information about these options or would like us to capture your perfect proposal, please reach out today!

Smoke backdrop for couple

Wrapping Up

It’s not hard to see why planning an engagement is so fun, but it can also be a lot of work! Remember to plan ahead as much as possible getting your photographer involved early on is one of your best tools for success when you plan the perfect surprise engagement. And remember that once you’ve set everything up with them, then it’s time to concentrate on having fun and making sure that you surprise your partner properly.

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Personalise Your Wedding Day With Engagement Photos

Are you gearing up to get married in the near future? If so, congratulations! Along with all of the other big decisions that need to be made, like finding a wedding venue and registering for gifts, you’ll also want to consider how to incorporate engagement photos into your wedding day. Engagement photos, also known as fiancé or fiancée photos or couple photos, are meant to preserve and commemorate the love you have for each other before the formalities of a wedding are in place.

As I’m about to outline, you can personalise your wedding day with engagement photos in a number of different ways! They aren’t just to sit there on your USB collecting dust!

6 Awesome Ways to Personalise Your Wedding Day With Engagement Photos

1) Place Photo Collages On Each Table

If your wedding venue has glass tops on their tables, make sure to incorporate them into your engagement photos. Nothing sets a stage like a few scenic props under each table. Randomly place pictures of you and your fiancé’s favorite things or of trips you took together so that guests can see how much you both love each other and all that you have in common! To further incorporate the idea of a collage, play around with shapes and sizes of pictures to specifically fit your wedding venue glass tops. This gives the impression that each table is its own mini, personal version of your collage and helps establish a theme that can easily be carried throughout your entire wedding!

Maybe incorperate your engagement photos into the table numbers – or maybe make a coaster with a photo on it? All these little things really make people smile on a wedding day!

Intercontinental Hotel wedding table

2) Create a Photo Wall with Your Engagement Photos

Not only do engagement photos serve as a great way to share your story with family and friends, but they also serve as an excellent piece of decor for your wedding venue. If you are worried about how your engagement photos will look displayed at your wedding, don’t be afraid to use them in a less-than-traditional manner. Another great way to display these photos is to create a photo wall full of your favorite images. This is a fun way to personalize the space while giving guests yet another space to celebrate you and your fiance’s relationship. You will be surprised by how much attention this display garners and how many compliments you receive on it!

Wedding Photos

3) Use Engagement Photos as a Wedding Guest Book

Wedding guest books are a great way to remember who was able to attend your special day, but they can also be a bit boring. If you have engagement photos, why not use them as a unique and personalized guest book? You can display your favorite photo at the entrance of your venue or get creative and ask your photographer to create a collage of photos for you to use instead. Allow guests to sign around the photos with their favorite wishes for the future. This can be framed and used as another piece of decor in your home after the wedding is over.

4) Use Engagement Photos for Wedding Ceremony Programs

Another fun way that you can personalize your wedding day with engagement photos is by using them in various ways throughout the day. If you choose to create printed programs for the ceremony, consider including an engagement photo on the program’s cover or back page.

This is a great opportunity to share one of your favorite photos from the shoot and give guests something interesting to look at as they wait for the ceremony to begin. You can also use social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram to share engagement photos and give guests a sneak peek into the romance that led up to this special occasion.

Belair Train Station engagement shoot with train

5) Use Your Engagement Photos as Save The Dates

Your wedding day will be all the more memorable and fun if you incorporate your engagement photos into save the dates. If you are planning a destination wedding, consider using one of your engagement photos as part of the save the date card. This will give guests an idea of what to expect from your wedding day before they board flights or make other travel arrangements!

Alternatively, you can create a collage for each guest to include in their own set of save the date cards. This is another great way that you can use engagement photos throughout your wedding experience!

Invite

6) Use Engagement Photos as Wedding Invitations

If creating invitations is something that you want to do yourself, why not use some of your favorite engagement photos? Your photographer may have taken many different shots over time, so it won’t be hard at all to find some that are just right for this purpose. You could even take multiple sets from different angles and combine them together to create a unique invitation set with several variations on one theme.

Remember that even though these invitations will only be opened during the ceremony and reception, everyone who attends will still see them – so choose carefully based on how important certain images are to you!

Bridesmaids going crazy over engagement ring

There are infinite ways to personalise your wedding day with engagement photos, but hopefully this little list sparks some sort of idea in your mind on how best to use yours! Love to get in touch to shoot some engagement photos for you!