This is a bit of a read but I feel it’s valuable information for you when choosing your photographer and it gives you some info on how wedding days generally run. Having shot 100’s of weddings I know how things run on a typical wedding day. For most people this is the first time getting married so here’s a brief run down on how things play out and how I photograph weddings and capture it as naturally as possible. Please stick with me here…
Morning prep – I Aim to arrive around 2 hours prior to your ceremony. This part is important because it gets folk used to me being there, me getting to know everyone and everyone getting to know me. I’m not here to take 2000 photos of you putting on your make up. I’m here to capture whatever is going on at this time and of course some of this is hair and make up being done so I will document some of this. I’ll also photograph all the little details too. None of this is posed at all.
Ceremony – Again, nothing posed here. I document your ceremony as it happens. You wont even know I’m there.
After ceremony – You’re both married, everyone is happy and everyone wants to hug you both. I’m there to capture this. I love this part of the day because this is when I get to document some great images for you. None of this is posed and this all happens naturally as your friends/family want to congratulate you and give you a big squeeze. Once everyone has seen you, you’ve had a chat to guests, had some canapés and a drink, I’ll then do some formal group photos for you and your families ( more on them in my FAQs page ) and aim to have these done as quickly as possible. After this I’ll take you both away for 20mins to get some photos of the both of you, these are also shot as naturally as possible, we’ll go for a walk, find a nice location and shoot away. Trust me when I say this is painless. You will then have time to head back to you guests and enjoy your day. Easy Peasy.
Speeches and Dinner – 99% of the time the speeches come first, and then the dinner. I would 1000% recommend this. I’m there to photograph your speeches and all the reactions from everyone. I love this part of the day too as I get to capture more natural reaction’s from everyone.
Reception and Party time – After dinner there is generally a little turnaround time for the DJ/band to set up. This allows more time for you to mingle and enjoy yourself, possibly greeting your evening guests if you have any arriving. If the light outside is pretty and your up for it, we can head out for 5-10 mins and get some more photos of the both of you. Some of my favourite “couple shoots” are around this time, especially if we’re lucky enough to have an epic sunset. You’ll see lots of these types of images scattered throughout my website. Then it’s PARTY TIME and I’ll be there to capture all of this, from your first dance as a married couple to everyone on the dancefloor busting some sweet moves.
Your day will go by so so fast so soak it all up and enjoy every minute of it. I like to blend in at weddings and not be noticed as “The Photographer ” as this allows me to capture everyone naturally. I do this by being super friendly to your guests and talk to them as anyone would on a wedding day. Most of the day is photographed in a relaxed, candid style. For me this is the best way and if you want to hear what my other couples say about me I’d recommend having a wee read here.