There's a lot to plan for your big day - the venue, the rings, THE DRESS, the bridesmaid dresses, the suits, the flowers, makeup, hair, photography to capture it all; lots of elements come together to make your dream wedding a reality! Feeling overwhelmed? Well at least I can help explain the photography side of things, which in turn sheds light on all the other elements - I obviously cannot speak for ALL photographers, but I can certainly explain how I usually do things! Also if you're interested I can recommend a few suppliers at the end of this post who deliver excellent quality service. So let's take the big day one step at a time, beginning with bridal prep (hair, makeup and putting on the dress).
I normally arrive two hours before the ceremony, to capture you having the finishing touches applied to your hair and makeup, photograph your dress, the bridesmaid dresses, the flowers and the rings. While you are putting on your dress, my second photographer will go and photograph the groomsmen preparing too - straightening button hole flowers, fastening their cufflinks, reading the letter you wrote to him with a tear in his eye... that kind of thing. Then it's time to head to the ceremony.
At the venue I will be waiting at the alter with your husband-to-be; my second photographer will be outside when your car arrives to capture your arrival. The two of us will capture your ceremony from different angles, from your slow walk down the aisle, to your first glance at each other, to your laugh as he mispronounces something in his vows, to the exchange of rings, to the kiss, then your grand exit. Then we capture the confetti shot!
Here, with the help of your ushers, we will usher everyone into two rows leading out from the venue doorway, confetti ready in their clenched hands. You will walk slowly towards us and get sprinkled with flower-petals, paper hearts and horse-shoes, all kinds of things! This is one of my personal favourite moments of the day. Usually after this we begin the formal group portraits.
We recommend a maximum of eight formal group portraits, usually the following:
1. Bride & Groom with Grandparents (do this first so we don't keep them waiting)
2. Bride & Groom with Bride's Family
3. Bride & Groom with Groom's Family
4. Bride & Groom with Bridesmaids and Groomsmen (including Flower Girls and Page Boys)
5. Bride with Bridesmaids
6. Groom with Groomsmen
It is best to limit the number of formal group portraits to keep the momentum of the day and not have people waiting around too long, especially the older folks (who may struggle to stand around) and the children (who often get bored and want to play). After we have captured these formalities, I'll usually whisk you and your new husband off on your own for 20-30 minutes for a private portraiture session on the venue grounds, or if the weather doesn't grace us: indoors in your gorgeous venue.
For these portraits my main aim is to keep you at ease and natural - I don't do strict 'poses'; I give direction, to capture your natural personalities and the spirit of your relationship. I'll likely ask you to stand facing one another, hands on each other's waists, look at each other, get him to tell you his naffest joke, then ask you to kiss.
At this point, you will likely be quite hungry and ready for your wedding breakfast - while you eat; we eat (I'm yet to find a way to take a flattering photograph of somebody eating). Sometimes our couples provide a meal for us; sometimes we order for ourselves from the bar menu - either way is fine for us.
Following the food is the proud bit for your father, the nerve-wracking bit for the groom, and the fun bit for the best man: the speeches!
We will capture the laughs, the cries, the groom's face in his hands as his best man looms over him with a big grin, the full gamut of emotion as the party raise their glasses to your love. After this, it's time to mingle.
After the speeches, everyone tends to flock to the bar as the Wedding Breakfast room is turned around for the evening Reception party. This is our opportunity as photographers to capture your guests enjoying a good laugh together!
Our next job is to capture you cutting your wedding cake together and then your First Dance! - And then, it's Party Time!
Here we capture your wedding guests having a good dance! - and then it's time for us to go home and leave you to enjoy the rest of your night. You'll go on your honeymoon, and six-to-eight-weeks after the wedding you will receive a link from us to an online gallery of memories! You will download them; you might print some; you might ask us to print an album of your favourites - it's up to you.
I hope you've found this little blog helpful in planning for your wedding day. If you are interested here are a few wedding suppliers we have worked with over the years, whom we would highly recommend:
WEDDING DRESS
Lytham Bridal Boutique - https://www.lythambridalboutique.co.uk
Amelia's Bridal, Clitheroe - https://ameliasbrides.com
FLORISTRY
Milly Davey - https://www.millydaveyflowers.com
Felicity Farm Flowers - http://www.felicityfarmflowers.com
CAKE
The Sweetest Thing Cakery - https://www.sweetestthingcakery.com
ACCESSORIES
Jen's Rustic Wood - https://www.facebook.com/jensrusticwood/
HAIR
Michaela's Hair Studio - https://www.facebook.com/Michaelas-Hair-Studio-194365543913857/
Angelagh Houston - https://www.facebook.com/HairbyAngelagh
MAKEUP
Nicola Jane - https://www.nicolajane-makeupartist.com
Be Beautiful, Preston - http://www.bebe1.info