Top 5 Wedding Planners, London

Planning your own wedding is stressful. Why not let a London-based wedding planner take that stress off your shoulders?

Getting married in London this season? That’s right! Wedding season is nearly upon us and with it comes a wave of romance. From the pristine perfection of the white wedding to the minimal approach of the registry office: weddings have to be stressful for someone.

Why you need a wedding planner?

Your beautiful big day, the celebration built from gorgeous, scented flowers, perfect makeup, idyllic scenery and stunning tableware – all of it has been paid for in tears. Usually, this role falls to the bride, with some TV shows poking fun at what happens when it is left to the husband.

A wedding planner should, therefore, be an essential part of the wedding day brigade. As vital as choosing the best photographer, the London-based wedding planner will share your vision and take control so that it is executed. They have performed hundreds of celebrations just like yours… it only makes sense to take advantage of this experience and save yourself the anxiety, all in one fell swoop.

The 5 Best Wedding Planners in London

With all of this in mind, let’s talk who the best ones are to hire.

5 – The non-traditional option

If you aren’t the type for a white dress and a big dinner, then the non-traditional wedding planner might be your best bet. Dita Rosted Events are well priced at an affordable rate, have great reviews on Hitched, and are known for providing a solution that matches your budget.

4 – Nemierko – for the big budget

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Nemierko is the firm better suited to the high-class bride. If only the very best will do, this wedding planner in London will step in, take control, and take care of every wedding whim.

3 – The Super Stylish

As voted for by Country & Town House mag, Liz Linkleter Events come in at out third spot. If you want Instagram-worthy shots of your big day, then you need two things: this events company and Gaetano Di Giacomo.  Liz Linkleter is known for out-of-the-box thinking. Think ivy ceilings, outdoor tables, and yurt-style marquees.

2– The Google Review favourite

According to Google reviewers, the best wedding planner in London city is Reverly Events. With 41 five-star reviews, we cannot help but stand in awe. Revelry Events have already won the wedding planner of the year award for 2021, courtesy of the Wedding Industry Awards. They are a real contender for the best wedding planner in London.

1 – Elisabetta White

Being a London-based Italian wedding photography agency, we can’t help but play favourites. Boutique-style wedding planner Elisabetta White and her team are all fully fluent in both Italian and English. They also extend into weddings abroad, in Europe or farther afield. If you are planning a wedding with the grace and elegance of Italian style, then this is the planner for you.

Time to have the best wedding in London!

With a little help from these wedding planners, you are sure to create a celebration that people remember for as long as you both shall live.

Micro-Wedding Covid

Can you still get married during Covid-19? How to hold a micro-wedding that’s well within the guidelines.

We are all at the end of our tethers with this virus, let’s face it. One of the worst things about the global pandemic in London, however, is the missing other people. You can’t see your loved ones, can’t go to a funeral, and definitely can’t get married – or can you?

Although restrictions change regularly, people are always going to have to be able to get married. It’s more than a human right, it’s a bond. It’s the creation of a family. Such a thing goes beyond essential. If you can’t get married when you want to, then your human rights are at stake.

Micro-Weddings in London

Luckily, the government knows this, so they allow micro-weddings as a compromise. You are therefore allowed to marry during the pandemic, provided you stick to the rules. What are those rules for Micro-Weddings in London in 2021? Let’s find out…

What’s Government Guidance for Micro-Weddings in London?

There are multiple rules, but official guidelines have been set. The government have announced that weddings will be only 6 people maximum. Although this might change, at the time of writing we are still in the January/February lockdown period.

The government has advised that we only consider a wedding where it is detrimental to avoid it. For example, if a person is dying and the wedding needs to take place now, exceptions can be made. All others should hold off if possible.

Everyone should stay two metres apart, wear face coverings, and otherwise follow the local guidelines on the situation. Weddings cannot take place in private homes for the moment, nor should you have a party afterwards.

Despite all of this, a great day is still possible. Weddings aren’t about facts and figures, they’re about love.

How to have a Stunning Micro-Wedding

Just because you must wear a mask and distance yourself, doesn’t mean that you can’t have an elegant outfit, a few prosecco’s, the trip to the church/chapel, and the ceremony. Your wedding can still take place via live stream, even if a hundred guests can’t attend in person. There are upsides to the Covid-induced micro-wedding. For example, think of all the money you will save.

In fact, if you have been planning a budget wedding for a while, now is the time to maximise those savings.

Besides the savings, here are our hot tips for having a fantastic micro-wedding in 2021 and beyond:

  • Think carefully about your guest list, only 4 others are allowed.
  • Have a wedding planner set everything up before and after you, a coordinated effort could save stress and maximise your happiness.
  • Go through with hair and make-up, it’s part of the big day.
  • Don’t do a meal – but you could do canapés.
  • Don’t have a gathering but make every moment between the buildings and vehicles special.
  • Tell your neighbours about your big day. You might find you get wedding gifts even without the ceremony.
  • Honeymoon at home with wine and fine dining for a week after the wedding. Make sure you still take the time off work to celebrate. You can always have a second honeymoon later.

Finally…

Don’t forget the team here at Gaetano Di Giacomo Media Production when it comes to hiring a London based Italian photographer or videographer for your micro-wedding day. It might be tiny, but you still want everlasting photos of the event.

London Italian Photographer

Need to hire a photographer in London? We have the answers to all your questions!

If you need to hire a photographer in London, then listen up! We have all you need to know about the process, right here. From birthday parties to weddings, school photography to boudoir shoots, here is what you need to consider before you spend your money.

London Italian Wedding Photographers: Things you Need to Know

Finding an Italian wedding photographer is harder than you would think. Gaetano De Giacomo has the flair and style only found among those with the finesse of the classically trained. When you decide to choose Gaetano as your photographer, here are a few things you should know about the process.

You Decide the Subject Matter

With all photoshoots, it is the employer who decides what it is that is to be captured. It may be that you need product photography in London for a new website, it may be that you need a wedding or celebration photographer. Whatever you need him for, you oversee the subject matter within the shoot.

You Will Have a Consultation

When hiring a London-based photographer to create timeless images of your favourite memories, it is usual that you would have a consultation first. You can book a consultation with Gaetano through the website or have a chat with him online.

Your photographer consultation should detail what you want to hire your photographer for, where in London you want to shoot, and when you want to do it. You should ask how much an Italian London-based photographer costs to hire, while you are talking. Prices vary from shoot to shoot.

London Italian Photographers are Hard to come by

There are not that many London-based Italian photographers to choose from. Of those that are available, Gaetano is at the top of his class. He has worked all over the world, providing fascinating, powerful images for those that hire him. Gaetano is one of the few photographers in London that receives consistently high 5-star reviews from past clients.

Photography or Videography?

As well as taking photographs of your celebration, Gaetano is a top-quality videographer, too. He can document an entire wedding, celebration, or special day, through the medium of film. Not only is he highly skilled in the capture, but he has gained acclaim from many a past client with regards to his abilities as an editor and producer. IF you are looking for a London photographer who can do both, Gaetano is arguably the best in the city.

How to Choose the Best London Photographer for you?

If you find yourself in need of a London based photographer with the elegance and finesse that only an Italian can bring, then the choice is obvious. Gaetano Di Giacomo Media Productions can provide exceptional work with a limited time capacity and an affordable budget.

Arguably more importantly, Gaetano Di Giacomo Media Production has helped hundreds of young couples celebrate starting their lives together. He has recorded dozens of first dances, helped countless wives through their big days, and photographed products from middle England to northern Italy. If you could gauge your photographer on experience and happiness generated, there would be no question at all.

Italian Wedding Videographer

Capturing Fusion and Destination Weddings with Elegance and Authenticity Across the UK & Italy

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, deserving of a videographer who can encapsulate the essence of your special day with grace and precision. In the vibrant landscapes of London and the romantic settings of Italy, an Italian wedding videographer stands out as the ideal choice, especially for couples planning fusion weddings in the UK or destination weddings in Italy. And here’s why.

 

Why Choose an Italian Wedding Videographer?

A wedding should be an elegant, classic, indulgent affair. It should be lavish and rich, opulent and graceful, and who better fits into this fantasy scene than an Italian? Italy is the home of cinema. All the way back to Cinema de Paradiso, we can trace the history of Italian videographers, and we can see their delicate touch throughout Hollywood. Whether you’re celebrating your fusion wedding in the heart of London or exchanging vows against the backdrop of the Italian countryside, an Italian wedding videographer brings a level of sophistication, cultural insight, and cinematic excellence unmatched by others.

With an Italian wedding videographer, you’re not just hiring a professional; you’re entrusting your memories to an artist capable of capturing the elegance, emotion, and unique beauty of your special day. We Italians have the sort of attention to production values that you would expect to find in big-budget movies, and always come prepared with a myriad of equipment.

Most importantly, our ability to weave the stories of two cultures into a single, coherent narrative ensures that your wedding film is not just a record of events but a timeless story to be cherished for generations.

 

Fusion Weddings in London: Why a Multicultural Wedding Videographer Matters

London fusion weddings are a beautiful blend of cultures, traditions, and languages. These multicultural celebrations deserve a videographer who not only has an eye for detail but also an understanding of the nuances that make your day unique. An Italian wedding videographer, fluent in both English and Italian, offers the perfect solution for Italian-English couples. They bring sensitivity to cultural intricacies and possess the linguistic skills necessary to capture your day seamlessly.

Multicultural weddings come with their own set of challenges, from incorporating personal cultural details to managing guests who may not speak the language. An experienced Italian wedding videographer can navigate these complexities with ease, ensuring that every moment, whether it’s a traditional English vow exchange or an Italian family ritual, is captured with authenticity and care.

 

Destination Weddings in Italy: The Importance of Local Knowledge and Bilingual Communication

Choosing Italy as your wedding destination means you’re not just selecting a venue; you’re embracing the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and historical ambience of the region. To truly capture the spirit of your Italian destination wedding, you need a videographer who is not just a visitor but someone who understands the local customs, language, and best-kept secrets of the area.

An Italian wedding videographer with experience in English weddings provides the advantage of bilingual communication, making it easier to coordinate with local suppliers and ensure your international guests feel included. Their familiarity with Italian and English customs, combined with their expertise in capturing the beauty of Italian landscapes, transforms your wedding video into a cinematic journey that reflects the essence of your celebration.

 

A Great Videographer makes a Great Document of your Wedding Day

Hiring a videographer is akin to hiring a photographer for your wedding. You could leave it up to a friend, but you know you will not get the level of satisfaction that you would from retrieving the finished film from your videographer. It will not be high-quality, it will not have a professional edge, and it will not have the same production values.

Your wedding day should be something you look back on with admiration. It should be a day made as easy as possible for you. All you should need to worry about is showing up, saying your vows, and enjoying your party. At Gaetano Di Giacomo Media Production, we specialise in capturing fusion and destination weddings with a blend of Italian charm and cinematic flair. Our expertise in both English and Italian weddings, combined with a deep understanding of multicultural nuances, makes us the ideal choice for couples looking to immortalize their wedding day.

When you meet the love of your life, they say there are no bells and whistles. There is no nervousness, no feeling of panic. They say that when you meet the love of your life, there is only a quiet, resounding calmness. This is the same feeling you will get when you find the right Italian Wedding Videographer for you. If you’re planning a fusion wedding in London or dreaming of a destination wedding in Italy, we’d love to hear from you (and hopefully give you the same feeling!).

Get In Touch

How to Propose to your Partner?

Is it time you popped the question? Here’s how you do it in a variety of different ways.

If you have decided that this is the year you finally propose to your partner, then we want you to read on. We have scoured the internet to find the best ways that people propose to their partners. 2021 is the year of all things digital, and it’s time we stepped up and joined the micro-wedding trend.

If you want the hottest hints and newest tips on how to propose to your partner, you are in the right place. Let’s talk about romance… how can you propose without being a cliché?

Proposing to your Partner in the Best Possible ways

Without a doubt, the best way to propose to your partner is by picking up the engagement band and biding your time. Overwhelming numbers of people propose in a moment when it feels right to do so. When they are having a lovely day and the moment is perfect. In an ideal world, this is how we would all propose.

However, life isn’t always like that. You can buy the ring and be waiting for full years – but never have it with you when the moment is right. You could be toing and froing on the issue, scared of the rejection, or too shy to ask. Whatever your reason for delaying the proposal, you eventually build it up to be something much more than it should be. You imagine that no scenario is good enough. If you keep on this track, that ring will still be in your top drawer long after the lady/gent that it was intended for has gone.

As the London-based Italian photographer firm of choice, we have seen and heard about more than a decade’s worth of proposals. We sorted them into simple but clean and extravagant and luxurious, below.

A simple proposal with maximum effect

For the simplest proposals that have maximum impact, try some of the following ideas:

  • Taking them to the spot where you first met.
  • Taking them to their favourite place, or to a high point so that you have a gorgeous view to set the scene.
  • Prepare to propose in a restaurant by getting the staff in on the gig. This works for any venue you like, be it bowling alley, museum, or village store.
  • Using sentimental older jewellery to be melted down for the ring is a cheaper yet highly effective way of saving on a proposal.
  • Have an ‘anniversary’ party and propose in front of all your friends and family.
  • Some might not want a public proposal, so do think about your partner and about whether to go down on one knee or not.
  • Keep it a secret! Surprising your partner is the best way to be romantic.
  • Ask their parents – if it’s possible.

An elaborate proposal with maximum effect

For an elaborate proposal that you have money to spend on, try some of the following ideas:

  • Have a personal video made of you two, one man made a whole film.
  • Have the question written by a skywriter.
  • Hire out the whole restaurant, bar, or lounge.
  • Take them abroad and propose on holiday.

Some of our other favourites, here at Gaetano Di Giacomo Media Production, include proposing after food poisoning, an epic case where the couple fell out and she didn’t arrive at the airport, and a couple who lost the ring between the floorboards of the porch of their log cabin.

It’s not only the rejection you have to be prepared for.

How to Organise a 10k Budget Wedding ?

Want to get married without the price tag? Here are our top tips on planning a budget wedding

Here at Gaetano Di Giacomo Media Production, we specialise in the videography and photography of weddings. WE have more than a decade of experience in this area, with an extensive background in wedding photography both here and abroad.

Asides from making some of the best London photography images around, we can also speak with some authority on all matters wedding. One of those matters is how to organise a budget wedding. We know what you can scrimp on and what you can’t.

Believe us when we tell you this: your images and video of the day are two things you do not want to scrimp on. Having evidence to commemorate the big day is as vital as having an official there to join you two in matrimony. There are other things that should also be considered to be indispensable, or that could be left out of a budget big day.

Tips and Tricks for a Great Wedding on a Low Budget

Take some of our advice and you could have a brilliant budget big day, without feeling like you have lost out. We put together some money-saving tips for having the best wedding day possible, without spending a fortune.

The Venue

You can save a lot of money on a venue by hiring a town, village, or church hall. Once decorated, this makes an ideal venue for the reception. With an alcohol license, a good playlist, a few bubble machines and a day’s worth of events’ liability insurance, you could get the lot for under five hundred. If you use the local church to marry in, you can save even more.

The Transport

A single coach taking people there and back from a central location should cost around £200, depending on how far you are going. Your guests will be safe and happy and you can be sure you don’t lose any between venues. Otherwise, save money by having your guests make their own way there.

The Entertainment

You don’t really need a full pipe band or even a wedding DJ, you just need access to the sound system, a little time to figure it out, and a willing wedding guest. Put on your wedding playlist and dance the night away. Have a strict no interference rule so that nobody can change the tunes halfway through or hog the mic.

Karaoke machines are cheap to hire and can make up the end portion of the night. Other reasonably cheap features like photo booths with props, giant jenga, chocolate fountains and even bouncy castles all make for fantastic – yet memorable – touches.

The Food

There’s nothing wrong with a good, old-fashioned, cold food buffet. You can have one made for 60 people from around £200 upwards. You can also decide to invest that £200 in a meal for the close friends and family through the day. Remember, if you have a buffet, include sweet things like pic-a-mix and make more than you think you will need.

Other Helpful Hints to save Money on your Wedding

Other tips include making your own favours, having a loved one make the cake, and renting suits and shoes for the day. You can find a bunch of other brilliant budget big day tips over on Money Saving Expert.

How to Build a Wedding Guest List?

If you are getting married and in a panic about your guest list – stop! We have the answers you need about who to invite.

Planning a wedding is a lot of work. From buying dresses to hiring venues, there are a thousand little things that can go wrong… and all of them take up more time than you would like to spare. One of the things about wedding planning that can easily spiral out of control, is your guest list.

If you never considered planning a wedding guest list to be a difficult task before, then think again. It starts with trying to invite every aunty and uncle on each side so that nobody’s parents get offended and ends with you having to explain to dear old Jeanie, your second cousin’s ex-husband’s next door neighbour, why she didn’t get an invite in the post.

Wedding guest lists are difficult, fact. Let’s try and make things easier for you with a guide on how to (successfully) build your wedding guest list.

A Short Guide on Planning your Wedding Guest List

If you follow our advice, you might just end up with the best wedding guest list any couple ever created.

Step 1: Decide on a number and stick to it

There are only so many people you can afford to cater to. Similarly, there are only so many people you can fit in your evening venue. If either of these numbers is exceeded, you have too many guests. Use this as a hard-and-fast limit.

Step 2: Decide on the Essentials – and stick to it

Next, you have to figure out who actually MUST be at your wedding. Your essentials should include close family members such as the bride and groom’s siblings and parents. Grandparents may be included, and best friends shouldn’t really be forgotten about.

Now, if you are having a wedding that is strictly family, you can get your wedding guest list down to the essentials. You could have the parents, siblings, and grandparents, and have a wedding of less than 20 people.

Step 3: Deciding who your best friends are

Now comes the tricky part. There are in your life who you won’t want to invite, but who feel like they are owed an invitation. You must be strict about this. The people who attend your Big Day should be those that you genuinely want to be there, not those who have guilted you into an invite. Be strict and cut them out.

Step 4: Optional Extras

Once you have figured out who you cannot live without, you can start adding in optional extras. These are in your life but who don’t play a major part. It is at this point that dear old Jeannie has a chance. If you do not have the budget for this, that’s fine… There’s one last trick reserved for just such occasions… Don’t invite them to the service, just for the evening reception once the meal is finished.

Don’t forget your photographer!

When you finally have a guest list and have planned a wedding to die for, don’t forget who helped you with the planning! A good photographer is hard to find, but you can have a London-based Italian photographer and videographer at your wedding simply by getting in touch. It might just be the perfect complement to round off the perfect day.

Wedding DJ or Band?

Should you have a DJ or a Wedding Band at your wedding?

If you already read our article on how to pick the perfect playlist for your wedding, then you are already familiar with the wedding DJ versus wedding band argument. Both have merits, both have flaws. We took a more in-depth look at the pros and cons to give you more information.

The Pros and Cons of Wedding DJs

Wedding day DJs are a blessing for those with a well-prepared wedding day playlist. They represent the easiest way to make sure you hear the songs you want on your big day.

Some of the pros of hiring a wedding DJ is the price, which usually costs less, the space they need, and the equipment they use. All of it should come as part of the deal. The DJ is great for those who don’t have time to make playlists of their own as they should have a pre-set wedding list. If you are providing them with drinks while they are with you, they will cost you less in bar fees.

Some of the cons of hiring a DJ include relying on one person for your whole nights entertainment, spending a lot of money for what is essentially someone to man a computer and sound system all night, and the occasional DJ who thinks they know better than to play songs on their pre-arranged playlist. Besides from artistic differences, if your DJ gets caught in traffic, the show will have to go on via a willing relative.

 

 

The Pros and Cons of Wedding Bands

Wedding bands, on th

e other hand, give you a nice live venue-feel. Many of them are well-versed in the wedding classics, with set lists that include plenty of breaks to make the set last all night long.

Some of the pros of hiring a wedding band for you

r wedding celebrations is that they have

that authentic, live atmosphere that feels like a festival. When you see a band, your guests know that they are in for a wild night and an event they will remember. When you hire a band the equipment is provided, the set can be issued, and songs can be learned in advance. Besides all the rest of the comments, wedding bands are ideal for your first dance.

On the other hand, wedding bands aren’t all roses. They can be late, get stuck in traffic, and have much more chance of technical malfunctions than a DJ will. They may require rehearsals, giving you something else to do through the day. They may not play long enough for the eve

nt to finish and your guests to go home. As well as all the above, a wedding band might not be able to play every song on your playlist.

Don’t forget technical staff

Your photographer and/or videographer is equally as important as the DJ or band that you choose for your wedding. We area London based Italian photographers with years of experience in wedding day bliss. Visit Gaetano Di Giacomo today to learn more.

Destination Wedding

Getting married? Going abroad could be the ideal way to cut that guest list by half!

Picture this: Instead of rushing around planning a wedding for 140 people at a local venue, you go abroad. You take only cherished friends and family members… you put the money you save on wining and dinging more than a hundred guests into the flight costs of only your nearest and dearest… think how much easier the whole process would be… Right?

The destination wedding is going to make a comeback and, when it does, we will be ready for it. To prepare, we discuss the pros and cons of a destination wedding, below.

The Benefits of a Destination Wedding

It’s everyone’s dream to get married in a big white wedding, isn’t it? Just think that through… Those of us with overwhelming shyness can’t stand the thought of an aisle filled with onlookers. Some of us would rather elope, not out of disrespect, but out of fear.

As well as the shyness angel, there are savings to be made by going abroad. The guestlist is smaller, the group is tighter, and the chances are that those you do invite will enjoy a more intimate setting. They will get to know one another better, dance the night away, and truly take time to join two families together.

A Destination wedding means you are already on your honeymoon, that you can marry on the beach if you want to, and that you can have an outdoor celebration. However, regardless of this, many of we Londoners are afraid to opt for a wedding abroad because we assume it will be more hassle than a home wedding. In fact, the opposite is true!

How do you get someone to officiate a wedding abroad?

It’s very easy. You should visit an establishment of your own choosing in advance or communicate via email or telephone. Try to choose a country where at least one of you speaks the local language. If you are marrying in Italy, for example, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone in your wedding party who speaks Italian.

What about flowers?

Again, there are florists all over the world, not just in the west! Similarly, if you choose an outdoor wedding at the right time of year, you could take advantage of the blossoms that are naturally prevalent in the area.

How do I find a photographer for my international wedding?

That’s an easy answer too. You can book a photographer in London that will travel out with you. They will put the expense of their flights on your tab and you may need to take care of their room and board, but just include them as a guest to ensure costs are covered. If you need an internationally well-travelled photographer from London, don’t forget about Italian videographer and wedding photo specialist, Gaetano Di Giacomo.

Other considerations to make when marrying abroad

There is bed and board for your guests, meals, how long their stay will be paid for and guest health to consider. If you are having a destination wedding, be sure to choose a reputable hotel with English speaking staff who can help you out at a push.

Otherwise, get booking and have a fantastic wedding adventure!

Why it pays to invest in a wedding photographer for your big day.

We know that weddings can be expensive and if you are working to a budget, or you want to keep the costs down as much as you can, then chances are that you are going to be thinking about what you really need and what you don’t.

There are certain things that weddings can still be perfect without, however, there are some things that are truly worthwhile investing in, and we believe that a good quality wedding photographer in Buckinghamshire is one of these things.

So, with so many other things to pay out for, why do we, here at Gaetano Di Giacomo wedding photographer, think that you should plan in to spend out on this service?

A wedding photographer can help you to make memories

You will never forget your wedding day, however, as time goes by you are likely to find what you can remember to be a little fuzzy around the edges. When you book in a wedding photographer you are helping yourself to make memories, to capture images that you can then revisit later on in life and remind you just how amazing your big day was.

You can see things that you didn’t know about

When you are busy getting ready for the wedding, separated in the morning or perhaps wrapped up in other things during the celebration; it is too easy to miss other special moments. When you hire a wedding photographer, particularly a wedding documentary photographer, you will be able to see snippets of the day that you didn’t get to experience first-hand.

They will make you look amazing

Of course, every single couple will have a beautiful glow around them on their big day, however, with a top quality wedding photographer they are going to know exactly how to pose in a way that showcases you both perfectly and against the right backdrops too.

You will bring people together

Whilst styled shots are not for everyone on their wedding day, in the most part these organised group photos are actually a great addition. They allow you to bring people together that you might not have a chance to take a photo of again; such as distant friends or family members. Not only this, but how often do you get the chance to take a photo of your whole family, without someone being missing? With a wedding photo shoot you are going to be able to make sure that no-one has to dip out to take the photo and everyone can be in it together!

Now you know why it is so important to book in a wedding photographer for your big day, why not check out the very best wedding photographers in London? Whether you are looking for a natural wedding photographer or a documentary wedding photographer then we can promise you that we will help to create some treasured memories of your special day that you can treasure forever.