Congratulations on your engagement!
This is a really exciting time, and we hope that you’ll enjoy this time organising your wedding.
At the time of booking, we will discuss basic details such as dates and venues and decide on a wedding photography package, but here are a few other things to think about in the few months leading up to your wedding. If you would like to discuss anything then please give us a call, we're happy to chat.
We'll set up a meeting with you both a few weeks before the wedding to finalise your needs and this may even include a visit to your venue(s). If we can't do this in person, then we'll use video chat so we can still talk face to face.
Preparing for the perfect day
We want to be as prepared as possible for your wedding to make sure that you get the best possible photographic memories of your special day. We'll discuss the type of images that you'd like to create and the people you'd like to be involved. These can be formal and group shots, romantic couples’ portraits and/or documentary style images. Do you have family members that have travelled far or special friends with whom you must have that perfect photograph? Does your venue have a fantastic feature or landscape that you'd like to take advantage of? Have you been inspired by another image, perhaps seen something fun and different that you'd like to re-create? Let us know and we can make sure we capture those people and places. It's good to know all of this in advance as some shots need a little bit of planning and time to set up to get that perfect image.
Getting ready
It's lovely to see family and friends coming together and getting the couple ready for their big day, and it's a great opportunity to get detail shots of the suits, dresses, rings and flowers as well as some private moments with the parents before their son or daughter walk down the aisle.
Photography rules
Does your venue allow photography during the ceremony? It can be heart breaking to find out on the day that we cannot capture those personal moments when you say 'I do'. There may be a compromise that we can reach with your venue and so it's a good idea to check this before your wedding day. We will also meet with your officiant before the ceremony and make sure that we don't break any venue rules.
Would you like traditional family group shots?
Reportage and documentary style photographs are our favoured type of wedding photography - we love to capture spontaneous moments, but we also know that families still love a formal wedding photograph that includes all family members.
If you would like formal photographs, please provide us with a list of must have shots.
We understand that families can sometimes be complicated and perhaps don't always get along, so please do tell us if there are some people who would prefer not to be photographed together.
Best Man, Best Men, Bridesmaids' or Best Woman
Let us know whom your right-hand man or woman is, as we may need their help on the day. Ushers can also be very helpful for us in gathering groups together for formal photographs as sometimes key people have a habit of vanishing just when they are needed the most!
Make sure your wedding attendants have everything that you need for the day. It's a great idea to ask them to carry a small bag with some make-up for touch ups, a comb or hairbrush and a travel size hairspray in case it's a little blustery.
Ceremony
Let us know all about your ceremony. Different faiths have different traditions, and we don't want to miss a single important moment. Are you having any readings, special guest vocalists or musicians or are you doing something totally different? Let us know what is important to you and we'll make sure we cover it.
Timing is everything
The timing of your day is very important. We want to make sure that you get everything you want from us, and from your venue. If you are using a wedding planner, he or she will have discussed the timings of your day with you, which will help you decide how much time you want to give the photography. We need to make sure that we have enough time to get the images that you want, so here are
some ideas to discuss between yourselves and your venue(s) before the big day.
- There is almost always a last-minute rush to get ready - one moment it feels like you have hours and the next the cars have arrived and it's time to leave. If you have opted for us to be with you when getting ready it is best to be dressed half an hour earlier than you need to be so that we can get photographs of you, your parents and wedding party before the ceremony. You should aim to arrive at the ceremony venue a few minutes early so that we can take some photographs outside the venue before you meet with your officiant, then you can walk down the aisle at the precise time that you want to without being flustered.
- How long would you like to stay after the wedding ceremony to take advantage of the setting for photographs before leaving for the reception venue? Check with the ceremony venue if they have another wedding booked on the same day, and if so at what time, as we may find that we are unable to stay as long as we'd like.
- If your ceremony venue is not the reception venue, then how long is the journey between the venues? Some couples use this journey to sip some Champagne and have some well-deserved alone time before continuing the celebrations at the next venue. Is there a local beauty spot along the way, or a place that is special to you both? We could stop off and have some couple portraits privately before arriving at the reception venue.
- If you would like formal photographs, then ideally you need to allow 5 minutes for each group shot. Even though the taking of the photograph is quick its the corralling of participants that can take time, and we like to check the image and make sure that everyone is looking at the camera (and no one has blinked) before moving on. Rushing these photographs will not yield the best results.
- At which venue would you like the formal shots to be set? Would you like some at the ceremony venue and others at the reception venue, or all at one or the other? It’s a great idea to serve drinks and canapés to your guests whilst the formal photographs are taking place. We like to do the full group shot first and then let people go when we are finished with them, this way your guests aren't waiting around and can take advantage of the drink’s reception, and we are left with you both at the end to sneak away and do some private shots. Ask your wedding team to make sure you have a drink, and a canapé, brought to you for this moment, we don't want you to miss out on your reception drinks.
- What time of day are you getting married? Be aware that in the winter months we lose daylight very quickly and this will restrict not only the type of photographs that we can take but also the time available to take them. Another option to maximise light is to do a first look shoot (if you are not superstitious) and take some photographs with you both privately before the ceremony begins.
- If the weather forecast isn't kind, it's a good idea to think about getting matching umbrellas, perhaps in your wedding colours. We'll try and keep you as neat and tidy as possible but if we decide to go ahead and shoot outdoors in adverse weather then dresses and shoes may get a little muddy, so it's a good idea to think beforehand whether you want to take that chance or use a space inside your venue. Have wellingtons and umbrellas on standby, a little rain or wind doesn’t have to ruin your photographs, in fact it can enhance them.
- Light is incredibly important, especially as we try our best not to use a flash. When choosing a location indoors the positioning of lights and windows is very important and so it may take a little time to set up each shot and sometimes, we may have to use a flash.
- What time has the venue agreed to serve your wedding breakfast? It's important to leave enough time at the venue to take the photographs that you want so that you don't have to compromise either your wedding breakfast, or us.
- A couple's shoot for around half an hour between dinner and the evening reception can be great fun. We can take advantage of a more relaxed couple and hopefully some lovely light and maybe a sunset.
- It can be easy for us to miss the cutting of the cake or even first dance if we are around the venue photographing your guests, and especially so if you only have one of us. Let us know the full plan for your day, the order in which it will all happen, and approximate times, so we can make sure we don't miss key moments.
- Set aside as much time as possible for your photographs as the more time we have, the better the results will be.
Three words
Think of just three words to describe your vision of the day; we will keep those words in mind as we capture it! If you say fun, we will take every opportunity to document a fun moment. If you say romantic, we'll keep lighting in mind and snap every sweet moment you share that day/night. Yes, we are the photographers, and we know what shots we'd like to get, but it is your day and we want to reflect that.
Feeding us
We'd like to be able to eat at the same time as you and your guests, after all no one needs a photograph of themselves with a mouth full of food! It's a good idea to arrange this with your venue before the day as wedding staff are often fed last, but if we are re-fuelled at the same time as your guests, we'll be ready to photograph the wedding speeches right after the meal.
The internet is filled with wedding ideas, hints and tips and it's a great idea to browse wedding websites and blogs for inspiration. Have fun finding out all you can to help you make your day as stress free as possible!
