So, I know what it’s like. You are frantically Google searching for everything wedding related, adding things to lists all over the place, looking at prices of all of these “weddingy” things and thinking “right what do I actually need here?! Surely these aren't all necessary?!"
Well, I mean, the fancy cutlery and extra flowers are maybe something you can cut out.
These will not live long in the memories of your guests.
The photographs from your wedding day, however, will be something you, your family and friends will look at for generations to come and will look back on that special day with a smile on your face. So this is not something to glance over.
I have written this post to include all of the things me as a photographer will generally be getting up to during your wedding day.
This will hopefully do two main things - highlight the value in having a professional photographer covering your wedding day as well as putting your mind at ease knowing what I will be doing on the day so you are not thinking “where is he?!”.
Having said this, all weddings are different and things may happen at different times depending on a number of factors including venue, light, type of service etc. All of these things are simply a guide to an average wedding day.
My Arrival
Depending on how long you have booked me for, I will tend to arrive at the Brides prep when you are getting ready. I don’t want to put pressure on you by having a camera pointed at you constantly before you have your hair and make-up finished, as well as your beautiful wedding dress.
For an average wedding day with a ceremony at about 2:30pm, I tend to arrive at Bride prep about 11-11:30am. This gives me enough time to capture some detail shots of the dress, jewellery, shoes, rings and flowers before you get them on. These shots may seem insignificant, however they are a key part of telling the story of your wedding day.
Getting Ready
Once I have introduced myself to everyone and made sure everyone is comfortable with me being there, I will move on from the detail and dress shots to shots of the Bride and Bridesmaids having their make-up touched up and hair finished off. I try to do this just as the make-up artist and hair stylists are just finishing up so that I am not interfering too much with them and getting in your way while you are still getting ready. I will capture the moment that you get into your dress and have your Bridesmaids help with those footery buttons at the back.
Us guys tend not to have much to do in terms of getting ready, so Groom prep sessions are normally quite quick and painless and the images may include putting cufflinks in your cuffs, fixing ties, trying to remember how to tie those very confusing kilt shoe laces, etc. All of these moments are often forgotten about or overlooked but as I mentioned before, they really do begin to tell the story of the day.
Once you are just about ready to go, I normally try and ensure we factor some time in for some portraits just before you jump in the car. This is the moment when your hair, make-up, dress, bouquet and everything else looks immaculate as it has just been finished. We can capture some beautiful images of you in your stunning dress before you head off. This is the time that we can get a few quick portraits of you and your Bridesmaids before the official group shots after the ceremony.
Ceremony Photos
Now, for the main event. For the most part, I will be positioned down the front of the aisle with you both. I will be looking to capture both of your faces with the emotion and smiles that are made during the ceremony. I will also be looking to capture reactions of members of the wedding party, friends and family who will be seated at this point too.
Some ceremonies may include a handfasting or drinking from the quaich ritual and this is something I will discuss with the celebrant/humanist/minister, whoever is leading the ceremony, to ensure I am in the right position to capture that event at the right moment.
Towards the end of the ceremony when I feel it is coming close to an end, I will sneak up to the back of the aisle to capture the first kiss and the newly married couple walking back up the aisle hand in hand.
Confetti Shot
Following the ceremony, something that is becoming very popular is the confetti shot. This is something I love capturing as it is the first thing the newly married couple do, hand in hand, with their closest friends and family.
For something that is over so quickly, it is a bit of a military operation to ensure it is captured effectively and as quickly as possible. Everyone is ready for a drink so the quicker we get this done the better! We will chat more about this on the day.
Group Shots
Wedding group photos are a cherished tradition that captures the joy and love shared among family and friends on your special day. These photos serve as lasting memories, preserving the relationships and connections that are celebrated during the wedding ceremony and reception.
I will ask for you to nominate someone, ideally an usher or bridesmaid, to help identify the people who are being photographed and ask that they bring them to the photoshoot location so that we can rattle through them.
Here are some key aspects to consider when it comes to wedding group photos:
1. Planning and Preparation Shot List
Create a list of specific groupings you want to capture, such as immediate family, extended family, bridal party, and close friends. A time for group photos is ideally after the ceremony when everyone is still present and in high spirits.
2. Composition and Posing
Bride & groom at the centre is the most traditional position with family and friends arranged around you. Consider height differences and ensure everyone is visible.
I always try and capture candid moments and natural interactions, rather than stiff poses, to capture genuine emotions.
- I like to take a mix of formal and informal shots.
3. Inclusion of Key People - Immediate Family
I always capture both sides of the family, including parents, siblings, and grandparents. The bridal side Includes, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers in dedicated group shots.
Couple Portrait Session
Away from the noise of all of your guests for a short while, we will capture some beautiful moments that you can cherish forever. These photos will make for good thank you cards following your wedding or for your first official social media post as a married couple.
Depending on the time of year, this part of the day may often coincide with sunset which will give us that lovely golden light. If your wedding is in the height of summer then this may be too early for sunset, but don’t worry - I will keep an eye on the light and if it is appropriate to do so later on in the night.
Wedding Breakfast
I will always try to get into the dining room just before the guests so that I can capture images when everything has just been set up and is looking pristine. I like to liaise with the staff at every venue I photograph at so that I know exactly when everything will be set up so that I can get in before everyone else. I will also be in constant communication with the venue to make sure everything is running on time. It’s not just about taking photos for me, it's about the day going smoothly for you both and if I can help with that in any way, I will.
Speeches
This part of the evening is the final part before I leave you all to enjoy the food and drink until I see you on the dance floor. This part of the day is very often where there are tears, laughter, smiles, shocked and disgusted faces. There is always so much emotion to capture during the speeches so I always position myself in such a way that I can ensure that I am getting those moments, those funny faces and the smiles not just from the top table but from your guests too.
First Dance
Your first dance as a married couple is an important one to capture. You will have carefully selected a song that is important to you both and one that means a lot to you. There will be emotion there and I want to capture it from the edge of the dance floor. We will discuss the plans for this part of the evening so that I can position myself to capture the dancing in the best possible way.
Following the first dance I will aim to capture plenty of images of your guests including evening guests who will just have joined us. These tend to be the images you laugh at the most.