lanning a wedding can sometimes feel like trying to organise a military operation.
There are suppliers to coordinate, people to organise, places to be and a schedule that somehow has to keep everything moving.
And then someone asks:
“When are we actually going to take the photographs?”
Don't worry.
You don't need to know.
That's part of what your wedding photographer is there for.
While every wedding is different, having a rough idea of how photography fits into your day can make everything feel much less stressful.
Getting Ready
Photography can begin while you're getting ready.
This isn't necessarily about photographing every minute of hair and makeup.
It's about capturing the atmosphere.
The dress hanging in the room.
Your shoes.
The rings.
Your bridesmaids helping you.
The nervous excitement.
Parents and friends arriving.
Those little moments that happen before you ever walk down the aisle.
The Final Moments Before the Ceremony
As the ceremony approaches, everything starts to change.
The excitement becomes nervous anticipation.
Your photographer may photograph the final preparations before stepping back to allow everyone to get ready for the ceremony.
And then it's time.
The Ceremony
Obviously, the ceremony is one of the most important parts of the day.
But there is much more to photograph than simply the vows.
There are reactions.
Your partner seeing you for the first time.
Parents watching.
Friends laughing.
Tears.
The rings.
The kiss.
And finally, that wonderful moment when you walk back down the aisle together as a married couple.
Family Photographs
Once the ceremony is finished, it's usually time for the formal family photographs.
These don't have to take forever.
The secret is preparation.
That way you spend less time shouting:
“Where's Uncle Bob?”
and more time enjoying yourselves.
Your Wedding Portraits
This is where things can become much more relaxed.
Once the formal photographs are finished, you can have some time together.
We can use the venue, gardens, streets, architecture, landscape or whatever else surrounds you.
You don't need to be models.
You don't need to know what to do.
We'll guide you.
And importantly, you should actually enjoy this part of your wedding day.
Back to Your Guests
Once the portraits are finished, it's time to get back to the party.
Your photographer can continue capturing candid moments as people mingle, drink, laugh and celebrate.
These photographs are often some of the most enjoyable to look through later.
Reception and Speeches
The reception brings a completely different atmosphere.
There are speeches, reactions, laughter, hugs and plenty of opportunities for photographs that you simply can't recreate.
Your photographer should be looking beyond the person holding the microphone.
Often the best photograph is the reaction of the person listening.
First Dance and the Party
Eventually, the formalities give way to the celebration.
The first dance.
Parents dancing.
Friends letting loose.
The dance floor filling up.
This is when the photographs become energetic, spontaneous and fun.
And if you've hired your photographer for longer coverage, this can be a great way to finish the visual story of your wedding.
There Is No Perfect Timeline
The most important thing to remember is that your wedding doesn't have to follow someone else's timeline.
Maybe you want a first look.
Maybe you don't.
Maybe you want to spend an hour taking photographs.
Maybe you'd rather spend that hour drinking champagne with your friends.
Maybe your ceremony is at lunchtime.
Maybe it's at sunset.
That's okay.
Your wedding should work for you.
Let Your Photographer Help
A good wedding photographer doesn't simply turn up with a camera.
Experience means knowing when to photograph, when to step back and when to quietly help things move along.
After more than 25 years photographing weddings, we've seen plenty of things go exactly to plan — and plenty that haven't.
And that's okay too.
The best wedding days aren't necessarily the ones where every minute runs perfectly.
They're the ones where everyone enjoys themselves.
Your wedding. Your way.
