The very first thing to remove from your belief system is the idea that a wedding day is about a performance. You are not on the stage or putting on a show. At the very heart of every wedding is love. It’s exchanging vows and making a lifetime commitment to each other. That’s it.
You do not need to act in a way that doesn’t feel natural to you, make people laugh, or develop a new extroverted personality for the day. Remember this at every stage of wedding planning. When you are meeting potential suppliers, ask yourselves whether they will help you to stay true to who you are and not need to step too far outside of your comfort zone.
We’ve all seen them. Whether it’s the ‘Must have photos with your wedding party’, ‘Your must have getting ready shots’ or the ‘Must have couple portraits’, every other blog is telling you about the photos you need. The only people who can decide on essential images at your wedding are YOU! Yes, you may need guidance and advice, and yes you might see ideas and shots you want to try online, but these are guides and you have the final say.
Great photos happen when there is a rapport between you and your photographer. Make sure you find a photographer you feel you can share your insecurities with, and whose guidance and instruction you trust. Talk through the key concerns you have and ensure they understand what you want to see, and how you want to feel when you look at your wedding photos.
Certain styles and types of wedding photography coverage lend themselves to certain styles of weddings. Planning a large wedding with lots of animated guests? That will be a reportage photographer’s dream, as they can capture hundreds of candid and fun images that unfold naturally throughout the day. Wanting to spend lots of time posing with each other? An editorial-style photographer might be perfect for you. When it comes to the visual style, think about your preference for bright colours or muted tones, whether you want a vintage look to your day or something super modern.
Wedding photographers are well trained in working quickly and under lots of pressure, but certain images take longer to set up than others. If you want some images of yourself in your wedding outfit before the ceremony, then ask your photographer what time you’ll need to be ready by. Evening shots that utilise quickly changing light, such as the golden hour and sunset, also need to be planned so that your wedding timeline allows. We’re always happy to receive ad-hoc photo requests but cannot guarantee that there will be sufficient time to capture them.
5 Moulsham Barn, Waterson Vale, Chelmsford, CM2 9QE