Hi,
I’m super excited to be photographing your wedding! I know you guys are going to have the best time of your lives and I’m going to capture those memories that allow you to re-live each moment, remember each guest and enjoy the day over and over again. Planning a wedding is no mean feat and you are probably going to have lots of things do decide and arrange. Also you’ll potentially have various people to keep happy along the way. Well it turns out I’ve been to the odd wedding or two in the last few years so I’ve put together this guide to make sure you have all the information and advice you need regarding the photography. I’ve included some general advice on planning and things to consider too.
Top tip from me
Plan the best day of YOUR lives, not the day your family or friends want you to have. Plan the day you want to have. If you think a certain wedding tradition seems odd or old fashioned - then don’t do it! Want to do something completely unconventional - then fill your boots. You’ll only be getting one shot at it - so make it entirely your own.
But then, despite all the planning before hand be prepared to let everything go on the day and enjoy each and every moment and let your suppliers take care of it all. The right people, the right day, in a place you love, having the best time ever celebrating your big day with all those you that matter to you. Be yourselves.
You having fun and enjoying each moment = the most awesome pictures - much more than everything being perfect
Before The Big Day
Around a month or so before your wedding I’ll send you an online form with more detailed questions about your wedding. It will also give you the opportunity to list what shots are important to you and allow you to highlight anything out of the ordinary I might need to know about. For example you may have some specific shots you would like on the day. Other than that I totally appreciate that you trust me to approach your day with an open mind, that way I will create photographs that are truly unique and yours.
I'll call you two or three days prior to your wedding to re-confirm the start time and make sure nothing has changed
Top Tip
If it’s a venue I haven’t photographed before I don’t usually visit the venue in advance of your wedding, although I might arrive early to check out a venue. For me the best photographs are made by going with the flow on the day. Of course I’m happy for you to mention certain locations that you really want to make photographs in the questionnaire.
My Travel Arrangements
Unless your plans make sense to do otherwise, I’ll usually arrange my own travel (and accommodation where applicable) dependant on your preparation and reception locations. If its a destination wedding or outside a reasonable travel distance I will arrive the day/night before and stay close by the wedding venue.
The Morning Preparations
I always like to arrive early, not always from a photography point of view but in order to say hello to everyone and get to know who’s who and see all the relationships and characters that I can then look into documenting throughout the day (and allow for traffic problems). It might initially feel a little odd that some guy with a camera is crashing your wedding but you’ll soon just get used to me and get on with enjoying your day.
I like to capture the things that matter and the moments as they happen - so I want you guys to do exactly what you want and I’ll get on with the story telling. I really want to capture your wedding as it was and how it unfolds so you can remember it that way. So if things are chaotic then don’t worry too much about tidying up, or hiding the ‘chaos from ‘me’ - but if you do want things to be neat and minimal for the photographs then just be mindful of that.
Preparations Continued
If we haven’t already covered this, as a rule for a bride and groom I will be with the girls in the morning and aim to see the guys at the venue. If you'd like both partners covered before the venue or it's a same sex marriage then I'll spend time with both prior to going to the venue. This will all depend on the timing and logistics of your wedding. If the logistics or locations are too difficult to cover alone or it is a larger wedding, a second photographer can be a great addition to your wedding. We'll cover one partner each and then meet up for the ceremony. Then the second photographer will add different perspectives and cover different groups of guests throughout the day. If you didn’t initially book a second photographer and would now like one, no worries just let me know and I am normally able to arrange this. Likewise if you haven't booked preparations and would now like to - get in touch.
Detail shots
In the morning if there are certain detail shots or items you’d like photographed, then try to make sure these items are out on display. This could include things like rings, shoes, flowers, and hanging your dress in a good location. If you’re not to bothered about those things then no worries, personally believe the dress and accessories look better on you anyway :)
The Ceremony
If you are getting married in a church then it is well worth checking with the priest/vicar if they have any rules for the photography. If there are any restrictions then perhaps see if they would allow me to be at the front at least for your entrances and when you see each other for the first time, that is such a great moment to capture. Then I can move out of the way when the ceremony starts. However be mindful that some churches don’t allow the photographer to be anywhere but the back - the important thing is for you to be aware of that in advance to avoid any upset on the day. If the Vicar has concerns, I’m happy to call them and have a discussion in advance. I can if necessary shoot in a complete silent mode and won’t use flash in the vast majority of ceremonies.
If your wedding is anywhere other than a church then there are generally very few if any restrictions, and if there are any it’s usually from the registrar. In the vast majority the registrars are accommodating to the photographers requirements. But do check with them and I will speak to them on the day too.
Top Tip
Knowing when to live the moments
I’m totally happy for your guests to take as many photos during your day as they like - but for your parents and/or close relatives encourage them to put down the camera for the important moments, they need to see you as you really are, and photographs with phones or cameras in front of there faces aren’t the best.
Group and Family Photos
You may like to get some nice photos of those people who are genuinely close to you in group shots. Depending on the schedule and the weather, a good time to do this is usually between the end of the ceremony and before you sit down to eat. We can finalise the groups you want in the questionnaire I’ll send out to you in due course.
How long will group photos take
On average groups up to 6 people take around 2-3 minutes each and larger groups could take up to 15 minutes each.
No-one likes standing around and with that in mind I’d advise as few group shots as possible as the less time spent wondering where auntie sue is and the more time celebrating and mingling with your guests the better. Also II’ll be capturing your friends and guests as the day proceeds and you can always tap me on the shoulder if you’d like a photo with guests when everyone is relaxed and having fun later on. All images from the day will be available for all guests to download or buy images after the day.
6 groups (around 6 or so people) = 20 minutes
Confetti shot = 10 minutes
If you want a shot of the entire group allow another 15 minutes
Top Tip
If you want to keep the time to a minimum have around 6-8 group shots and don't have a group shot of the entire party - after all with such large groups you'll hardly see their faces anyway
The Reception
Depending on your booking I will be usually be working up to either the first dance (10 minutes after) or for the whole evening - and a hungry photographer is a sad photographer. So I’ll either need to prepare a packed lunch or you may like to feed me :)
Either way let me know so I can prepare in advance. The best time for me to eat is when you do - it’s really the only time I stop taking photos. If you are supplying a meal this is usually served straight after all the guests are served their mains and most venues have an allocated place away from the main eating area.
Documentary Photography
The key to natural documentary photography is acting as if I wasn’t there. A lot of the times you won't notice me anyway but if you find yourself looking at me, just look away! It may seem strange at first but I promise you’ll soon forget the clicks. I can take a different approach during any planned portrait sessions and I will direct you a little more. But even then it’s really about being yourselves. and capturing your personalities.
With that in mind a lot of the portrait session is natural too, every couple is different and I’ll be aware of this when taking your special couple shots.
A Natural Approach
The shots have to reflect who you are, capture the real emotions and that way they’ll be more meaningful to you and those that are close to you. I'll be looking out for all the special moments, tears of joy, smiles and laughter, kids playing and much much more
Your Party
If I'm booked until the first dance I'll stay a few minutes to get some of the fun on the dance floor. If I'm booked all night the advice here is simple - have an amazing party and go as crazy as you like. I’ll be on the dance floor- and at the bar - and outside - wherever the action is. Capturing you and your amazing guests having a great time together.
You can add upgrades anytime before your wedding
If you haven't already then consider an album, it's a great way to show off your wedding with beautiful large printed images. They start from just £200. You can order after the wedding but the price is £100 more for each album. Or add additional parent albums - you'll get a discount of up to 50% on albums when ordered with the main book.
A second photographer or a videographer (highlight video or full video) can be booked too. Prices start from £150
After Your Wedding
I always aim to provide some sneak previews a day or two after the wedding on my facebook/instagram page - or to you via email/message. This means you’ll have some professional images to share on your social media if you choose. If I’ve not managed to do so already please tag yourselves. If you share I’m also appreciative of a tag. If you prefer to keep your photographs private then just let me know.
Amazing Slideshow
You'll also receive a beautiful slideshow of your day around 1 week after the day to music - relax together and if possible watch it in front of a large screen with a bottle of your favourite plonk. Here's a slideshow example, bare in mind it's compressed for web - you'll receive a full high quality slideshow in HD
On-Line Albums
Your on-line albums are normally available around 2 weeks after the day, they will be fully backed up and you will also be able to download them all to any device
During summer or if I have a holiday planned it can take longer but I promise the images will be worth the wait.
Stunning Black & White
Plus a set of duplicate images in my signature Black and White style
And that's about it - phew
Let me know if you have any queries, anytime
All the best, Adrian