The Details
I usually take lots of pictures of all the details. Dress, shoes, jewellery, flowers, special brooches for inside the bouquet and so on. Make sure bridesmaids know where everything is. I will have discussed with you at our meeting when you want the dress to be seen first and who by.
Documentary, candid, natural photography
I take these photos quietly, calmly in the background, allowing you to savour this special time.
If you have asked for totally candid, documentary, natural photos in the morning with nothing formally posed, it is important to let the rest of your wedding party know.
Different people have different ideas and thoughts on wedding photography. Someone in your bridal/groom party may suggest formal photos and get everyone to pose. If you did not want this, it can sometimes make things awkward and stressful at this time. Something you do not want just before you walk down the aisle.
Formal /posed photos in the morning.
If you have asked to include some posed photos in the morning, just like for the candid photos, it is equally important to let the rest of the wedding party know. If you want some formal shots when everyone is ready everyone needs to know timings. We will have discussed these at our pre-wedding meeting so that there is no rushing or stress.
Don't leave getting dresses on until the last minute. Always leave extra time to put your dress one. Especially if buttons need to be buttoned or ties need to be tied. Your bridal shop will have discussed timings with you. Don't forget to go to the loo before dress goes on!
If you are getting ready at the ceremony location, bear in mind that the registrar will want to see you approximately ten minutes before your ceremony (bride or the partner that is walking down the aisle last) and all photos need to be taken before this. The registrar needs to start the ceremony on time and wont wait for the photographer! Your partner will be seen approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony in the ceremony room. No photos can be taken during this meeting. After guests have started to arrive there is often very little time for formal photos. This is actually one of my favourite times for candid photos as the guests are being greeted as friends and family meet people they haven't seen for a while.
If travelling to a different venue for your ceremony you obviously need to factor posed photos into your schedule and let the wedding party know timings.
Also bear in mind that if your ceremony is in a different venue, your photographer will need to leave before you. They need to find a parking space, unload and set up. They will be arriving after the majority of the guests and If a space could not be reserved it may mean a public carpark. I always look up carpark codes before hand so that I can pay on the app as I'm walking to the venue loaded down with equipment and ladder. Even if you have a second photographer already at the ceremony venue (I can supply a second photographer on request), your first photographer will need to get to the ceremony on time. You don't need to worry about any of this but it does need to be considered when arranging timings for any formal photographs of the wedding party in the morning before leaving for the ceremony. Everything will be discussed at our pre-wedding meeting. So there is no stress on the day, everyone is in the right place at the right time and all is calm.
A few tips.
Remember to go to the loo and put perfume and deoderent on before you put your dress on.
Place your engagement ring on your other hand, so that wedding ring can easily be placed on the right finger.
Ask one of your bridesmaids to get a towel and dry off the stems before you and your bridesmaids hold the bouquets so that water doesn't drip down your dress. (Your florist will have told you about this.) But I may remind you.
