Wedding Photography Guide for Brides & Grooms: Expert Tips & Advice
Welcome to your Wedding Photography Guide for Brides & Grooms, a resource designed to help you capture the essence of your big day. This guide provides invaluable wedding photography tips and insights that couples often overlook, but which can significantly enhance the overall look of your day, both in person and through your photographs. By taking a little time to consider these tips, you can empower your photographer to deliver stunning and meaningful images that reflect your unique story.
Before Your Wedding Day: Consultation & Planning
About a month before your wedding, we’ll have a consultation to discuss your day. I’ll also send you a questionnaire to gather key details like the schedule, venue addresses, and the shots you absolutely want. This is your chance to highlight anything out of the ordinary that I should know.
There’s no need to send Pinterest boards, but if you love certain shots from my portfolio, let me know. I appreciate the trust you place in me to bring my creative vision to your day. This collaborative approach helps me capture moments that are uniquely yours.
Permissions for Ceremony Photography
Did you know that some venues have restrictions on photography during the ceremony? It’s always best to ask your officiant about this ahead of time. Some may not allow photography at all or might restrict it to certain parts of the ceremony. By discussing this beforehand, you can avoid any last-minute surprises and ensure that key moments are captured. It’s also wise to review all your vendor contracts for similar clauses, including makeup artists who might restrict photos during preparations.
On the Morning of the Wedding
I usually start with the bride’s preparation photos, capturing those early moments with loved ones. If you’d like photos of the groom getting ready, this can be arranged too, depending on location logistics. A second photographer can also be an option for a more comprehensive coverage of your day.
On the morning, try to have details like shoes, the dress, and flowers ready for photos. This ensures I don’t miss any candid moments by searching for them. And don’t worry about the room looking perfect—natural moments are what I’m after. However, if you want a more minimalist look, a quick tidy-up can help.
Choosing the Best Getting Ready Location
Your getting-ready space sets the tone for those first photos. If you have a large bridal party or lots of family around, a spacious room helps everyone move around comfortably. It’s also crucial to pick a space with plenty of natural light, which makes your skin look its best in photos. Facing the light when having your makeup done can make a world of difference.
Capturing the Ceremony: Key Tips
During the ceremony, the positioning of you, your bridal party, and even your officiant can impact the photos. For example, having your bridesmaids leave a gap as they walk down the aisle can keep you in the spotlight. If your officiant prefers to lead you down the aisle, ask them to keep some distance ahead of you, allowing for a clear shot of your walk.
Also, consider where you’ll be standing during the ceremony—aim to face the largest source of natural light if possible. It will give your photos a soft, flattering glow, enhancing the emotion of those key moments.
Should You Consider an Unplugged Wedding?
An unplugged wedding means asking your guests to put away their phones and cameras, allowing me to capture those moments without interference. It means fewer blocked views during your walk down the aisle and more focus on enjoying the ceremony. You might also request that no photos are posted online until you’ve had a chance to share your professional images.
The Kiss: Make It Last!
At some point in your wedding, you’re going to hear those magic words, “You may kiss the bride!” This is a moment to savour, and I’ll be ready to capture every bit of it. But I need you to help make it picture-perfect—so don’t rush it! Take a few extra seconds and let the moment linger. A quick peck can be difficult to capture, especially with people or decorations in the way. So, give your guests something to cheer about and let your first kiss as a married couple truly shine. Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and it’s worth enjoying!
Alex & Antoine shares their first kiss as family and friends cheer, a memorable wedding moment. – Wedding Photography Guide for Brides & Grooms
Confetti: Let It Rain!
The confetti shot is a fantastic opportunity for a fun, candid photograph filled with laughter and emotion. When the confetti flies, let yourself go—kiss, hug, punch the air, or share a big smile as your guests shower you with love. Give us something to cheer about! These images can become some of the most joyous memories of your day.
Pro Tip: Not all guests remember or think to bring confetti. Consider adding it to your wedding shopping list or providing some for your guests. Be sure to choose biodegradable confetti, as many venues require this to keep things eco-friendly.
Timekeeping Tips for a Smooth Day
Timing is everything on your wedding day. It’s easy to underestimate how long travel between locations or gathering people for photos can take. Build in some extra time for transitions so that you don’t feel rushed and can stay in the moment. This approach means more time to relax and enjoy, making for natural, joyful photos.
Bride & Groom Portraits: When to Capture the Best Light
The ideal time for portraits is during the “golden hour,” typically an hour before sunset when the light is soft and warm. This time of day creates the most romantic and dreamy images. If weather or scheduling makes this tricky, we can find a suitable time earlier in the day. Most couples find this part of the day relaxing—it’s a chance to connect as a couple away from the crowd, while I capture your genuine emotions.
Formal Family Photos: Organisation Is Key
Formal group shots are important, but they can be time-consuming. To streamline the process, provide a list of desired groupings ahead of time. It’s also helpful to assign someone from each side of the family to help gather people. This way, you’ll get the photos you want without cutting into valuable celebration time.
Reception & Speeches: Consider the Best Timing
When planning your reception, choosing the right time for speeches can significantly affect the atmosphere and flow. Many couples choose to have speeches before the meal, ensuring that tables look their best—free from used plates and glasses. This timing also avoids interruptions during key moments, maintaining an elegant and focused setting. Alternatively, you can opt for speeches after the main course or following dessert. While this option allows guests to relax a bit more, it’s best to stick to one choice for a smoother transition.
Hannah delivers a heartfelt speech, capturing the emotional moment of her maid of honour, who is visibly moved and teary-eyed, showcasing the deep bond they share. – Wedding Photography Guide for Brides & Grooms
Pro Tip: Photographers and videographers typically eat at the same time as the couple. This way, they’re recharged and ready to capture the next key moments—be it speeches, candid reactions, or guest interactions. Keep this in mind to ensure the pacing works well with your photo and video timeline.
Another important consideration is the clean-up process between courses. During speeches held between the main and dessert, staff often, though unintentionally, move across the room or behind the top table. This can interrupt the atmosphere and impact the elegance of your captured moments. For this reason, I and many couples find that having speeches before the starter is often best—it avoids these distractions and keeps the focus firmly on the speakers.
Pro Tip: Avoid placing the DJ booth directly behind or beside the top table. This can be distracting and affect the quality and composition of your wedding photos, detracting from the beautiful moments that make your day special.
After the Wedding: Receiving Your Photos
I’ll send you a sneak peek of about 10 edited photographs within 2 days of your wedding, perfect for sharing with family and friends. For weddings held during the busy spring and summer months, you can expect to receive all your professionally edited photos within 8 to 12 weeks. For autumn and winter weddings, the turnaround time is usually shorter—around 5 to 8 weeks. All your images will be delivered digitally through a private and secure online gallery, which allows you to download your photos directly.
The gallery also features a print store, making it easy for you and your guests to order high-quality prints of your favourite moments or formal portraits. This feature is especially popular with parents, who love having the option to print memories straight from the gallery.
Creating Your Wedding Album
If your package includes an album, you’ll have the chance to select your favourite images directly from your gallery. Albums are a wonderful way to relive the moments of your day, beautifully bound to last for generations. You can also add smaller duplicate albums as gifts for parents.
Conclusion: Let’s Make Your Wedding Photos Unforgettable
I hope you found this Wedding Photography Guide for Brides & Grooms helpful and that it inspires you to plan for those special moments on your big day. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at info@dejijohnson.co.uk —I’m always here to help. If you’re still planning, I’d love to hear your ideas and see how I can help capture the essence of your day. It all starts with a conversation!