Advice for your wedding day
There’s absolutely no right or wrong way to have a wedding. You do you!!
That also goes for your wedding photography. There’s absolutely no right or wrong way for you act in front of the camera. You’ve booked me because you love my natural, candid style of photography so I want you to be as relaxed and natural in front of the camera as possible. I’ll be there to guide you whenever you need it but for most of the day you do you!!
But, here are a few things you might want to think about in advance of your wedding day that might make my job just a little bit easier and your photos just a little bit better. I definitely don’t want you panicking about any of this stuff on your wedding day. If you read this e-mail and never give it a second thought on your wedding day that’s absolutely fine. I’ve deliberately limited this advice to 3 quick and simple things for each of the major parts of the day. It’s just food for thought, there are no hard and fast rules, everyone is different but if you want to embrace some of these ideas on your wedding day we’re going to have a lot of fun together and get some absolutely amazing wedding photos.
Morning preparations
Getting ready in a tidier room means less distractions in your photos. Obviously I don’t want you running round tidying up on your wedding day but if your bridesmaids could be slightly conscious of it, that would be a real help.
Better light generally results in better photos. If you’re in a darker corner of a room, consider moving towards a window before putting on a necklace or cufflinks etc. Working with light is what photographers do. Working with darkness isn’t as much fun!
Never worry about how you’re going to look in the photos. Sometimes I’ll take unflattering photos of you before your makeup is perfect or before you’re fully dressed but don’t worry. I’m the only person who sees the thousands of photos taken on the day and I spend a long time going through them to make sure the only the best ones make it to the final edit.
The Wedding Ceremony
Standing in front of all your family and friends can make some people nervous but you’re in this together, you’re there to celebrate your love for each other so show that love by getting close to eachother. Don’t be afraid to hold hands and stand shoulder to shoulder.
Again, you might be feeling the nerves but try and remember to smile and enjoy the moment. Not just because of the photos but your wedding day will be a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life so enjoy it. Remember why you’re marrying the person stood in front of you and hopefully that will bring a smile to your face.
When it comes to the first kiss you can forget there’s anyone else in the room and just go for it. Pull each other close, close your eyes and kiss like you did at the end of your first date. The longer the better. You can even go in for a second kiss if you feel like it. This is your first kiss as a newly married couple so enjoy the moment.
Drinks Reception
Embrace your guests
Keep people entertained
Mingle
Confetti
There’s no such things as too much
Smile and laugh
Stop for a kiss
Family Portraits
Prioritise your family
Once we’ve started, don’t move too far
Three
Couples Portraits
Be yourselves
Inter act, talk and be silly
Kiss as often as you want to
Speeches
One
Two
Three
Cake Cutting
This is one part of the day where I can probably give you the least advice. Couples often look to me when they’re given the knife and they ask me what I want them to do. All I say to them is to cut the cake and enjoy it and that’s all you really need to do. Just remember to smile as you’re cutting and possibly have a kiss afterwards.
First Dance & Dancefloor
When it comes to the first dance this is another chance for me to say you do you!! Whether it’s a slow hug and twirl or you have a full choreographed routine, get on that dancefloor and do whatever makes the 2 of you happy. All I ask is that if you’re planning any kind of elaborate dance, please warn me in advance so I can be prepared to capture all its glory.
