Wedding Tips

Wedding Tips For Your Celebrations

As an experienced Wedding Photographer who has photographed weddings worldwide, I know how much hard work and time is required to plan a wedding.

Therefore, I want your photography experience to be the most relaxed process in your planning.

I have created this guide, and I hope you find it helpful and informative.

ios wedding photography groom helping the bride

General Tips

  • If you are getting ready at home, a hotel, or the ceremony/reception venue, choose a location with beautiful natural light coming in.
  • Add cushion time to the timeline – to allow any unexpected things to happen.
  • Have as many of the party as possible ready before you so they can help and look good in the photographs, too. However, you also don’t want to be last, especially if the timeline is tight.
  • Eat a good breakfast. It might be several hours until you sit down to eat.
  • Take a comfort break before getting into your outfit.
  • If you want photographs of you getting into your outfit, it will look nicer if your helpers are already dressed and which takes place close to a window.
  • Allow enough time to get photographs of getting into your outfit, especially if the ceremony is at another location.
  • Things might go wrong. That’s normal, so don’t stress. No one will notice.
  • Time management becomes even more crucial if the wedding happens in several locations. You don’t want to be stuck in traffic.
  • Relax, have fun and enjoy yourself. It will show in the photographs!!!

Moments And Emotions

Weddings can be emotional roller coasters (good ones!). The ‘in-between’ moments narrate your story beautifully and uniquely. But with so much going on, it’s hard to see your day’s ‘big picture’.

That’s my job. I have an expert eye for capturing spontaneous moments – raw, undocumented and unscripted. So, I inconspicuously collect the reactions, gestures, and interactions you see and don’t see. 

From the joyous, unbridled laughter to the bitter-sweet smiles as you remember those who couldn’t attend.

Getting Ready

Having photographs from this part of the day helps to tell the complete story of your wedding day.

Have trusted family and friends ready for any last-minute delegation of tasks. Relax and enjoy the start of the wedding day with your family and friends.

The time will fly by. The ideal getting-ready space would be light, spacious and free of clutter. Don’t worry if it isn’t spacious or free of clutter.

Bride getting ready

Good Light

Good light makes a big difference in the photographs. Ideally, you want your makeup done where natural light falls onto you (and your bridesmaids).

Do check if the place you are getting ready has natural light.

If it doesn’t (windowless rooms exist), consider moving to another room that has better light.

couple portrait in nepal
Zante Post Wedding Session
The Painted Hall Wedding

The Ceremony

The part of the day why everyone is here. Check beforehand for any photography restrictions at the ceremony location so you are not disappointed afterwards.

Please ask if the officiant in charge of the wedding is happy to have your vows photographed. Sometimes, restricted photography is only allowed. For example, photographing from the back of the church. (I have been sent to the back of the room before, and in a few cases, a total ban on photographs during the ceremony.)

Be present and enjoy the moments during the ceremony and day. Enjoy the celebratory happy hugs and kisses from the guests.

Planning lets you ensure the confetti/sparklers are captured perfectly.

Go Unplugged!

An unplugged ceremony is where the guests have been politely asked to put down their cameras and
electronic devices so they are present and in the moment during the ceremony.

Also, I rarely use flash during a ceremony, so when the flash from a guest goes off, it can overexpose the photographs
I’m taking and ruining the moment.

You can have the officiant inform the guests just before the ceremony starts.

The Group Photographs

The ideal time for Group Photographs is either just after the ceremony at the venue if there is space or at the reception venue (if it’s different).

Each Group Photograph usually takes 4-5 minutes, so you might want to keep this to a minimum if you’re going to spend the maximum time with your guests.

To speed things up, it’s advisable to have designated people round up the guests for each group. Let the people involved in the Group Photographs know when they are required. 

Group Photograph at Oxford University
couple portrait madrid wedding
buckhurst park wedding

The Couples’ Portraits

Whether you are camera shy or super easy in front of the camera, this part of the day is an excellent time for you both to get away from all the guests. and have some quiet time together.

You decide how much time you want to spend getting fantastic portraits for your walls and albums. The portraits can be divided to provide different looks throughout the wedding day.

One of the best times for couples’ portraits is during the golden hour sunset (assuming a visible sunset). The light is natural and beautiful, and the sun’s rays are diffused and soft, typically more flattering.

Portraits In
The Rain

Embrace the rain.

Unique portraits can be made in nearly any weather condition, and the beauty is that they will give the photographs in your album a different look.

The Reception

It’s time to relax and celebrate with your guests.

Make the reception a reflection of who you are and add touches to make it unique.

Think about the backdrop for the photographs where the speeches will take place. Are there big pieces (usually floral) on the table obscuring you or the speaker? If so, it will make it harder to photograph anyone behind them.

Having the speeches after the main course and just before the desserts will allow your guests to relax and enjoy their food and drinks. Also, asking for the plates to be cleared and not having the wait staff on the floor produces cleaner images. 

the groom's speech at The Fennes
groom crowd surfing during the party

The First Dance & Party

The first dance at Lillibrooke Manor

If you feel stiff and clumsy, practice dancing to the song before the wedding day.

If you wear a wedding dress, consider bustling it with a long train so you won’t trip over it.