How we shoot a wedding

Firstly, every wedding is different.  We start with a clean sheet of paper and we really don’t work to a formula.  Below is how we shoot a typical wedding, if your wedding is different, then that’s great, we will just slot in around you

On the day before your wedding
Depending on the time of year, we sometimes get a few early morning shots of the venues to get some nicely lit uncluttered traffic free photographs. If we need to we will travel up the day before to make sure we are fresh

As your wedding photographer we usually start the day with you by visiting the bride at the dress up location.  We shoot some informal wedding photographs of the bridesmaids and pageboys, and start leaning the names of the kids

Don’t be worried about us being with you when you dress up, we have no interest in half naked bridal shots!  Remember we work as a husband and wife team, so Elizabeth will be around to help.  The really nice thing about this session is the range of emotions we can capture, both in the bride and the bridal party – a mixture of pleasure and anticipation and the odd tear.  We shoot a few of the details at this point – flowers, shoes, dress, jewelry etc.  If there is a suitable location, we can do a few really relaxed bridal portraits.

On the way to the wedding
Our wedding photographer will then take a few shots of your wedding car, and the bride in the car.  We then zoom over to the church or venue to take some wedding photographs of the waiting groom, guests and a few detailed shots.  Our wedding photographer will always arrive before the bride does, so we can manage to take photographs the bridal party arriving.   Often we have a second shooter that does this, if the timings look awkward. We often have to mix up what we do before the wedding bit to suit the locations and circumstances of the day

The wedding service
During the service, what the vicar or registrar says goes.  Often they forbid wedding photography during the service or limit our ability to work.  We tackle the vicar or registrar before the wedding, and so far, pretty much all of them have let us shoot what we want.  We do have equipment that is quiet and will take a great photograph without flash; however the scope is limited without the cooperation of the officiant

Once the wedding ceremony is finished there is normally a good opportunity to take the more formal shots. We will want a brief indication of any “must have shots” to be taken at this time.  All of the time we will also be taking candid un-posed shots

Once we have taken the photographs of the bride and groom leaving the church, Our wedding photographer  will go to the venue.  If we can we try to get a few “on the road shots” of the wedding car

At the venue
At your venue we take lots of details shots, and guest shots.  When the bride and groom arrive we capture them leaving the car and enjoying the champagne

Depending on the timings of the day, we try to engineer a little time where we take the bride and groom to one side and spend some time photographing them, from a distance, quite  informally.  This is a really nice time for the bride and groom to reflect on the day.  This little session produces really natural romantic wedding photography

Once the reception is in full swing we will be doing a few things – our wedding photographer will naturally cover the speeches, the cake cutting and the details, but we are always photographing pretty much everybody informally from a distance.  In this way we can really capture the emotions of the day.  There usually isn’t a firm plan for the way we approach the rest of the day – we get into the mood and vibe of the party, and shoot really natural, photojournalistic photography

We usually finish about half an hour after the last dance.  At this point our day is not done.  Often we also shoot the evening like an event, using professional studio equipment and a backdrop.  This option is really great if your guests are likely to want to have really formal couple photographs

Our day is a very long one, usually starting in the early hours and finishing late at night.  Everything we do is geared up to providing you with stunning wedding photography

I want to find out more

Do you like the sound of our approach?  If so contact us and check our availability.  We would be delighted to speak with you and discuss your wedding