Congratulations on your engagement!
You're both filled with so much love and lots of joy as you embark on this incredibly exciting journey planning your dream wedding day together
I am a luxury wedding photographer and have experienced capturing many weddings for over ten years in and around The Cotswolds, UK.
I'm here to help you both by sharing valuable tips that will not only help you both in achieving stunning wedding photographs but also ensure that your wedding day is a smooth, enjoyable and memorable experience - I understand the importance of capturing beautiful lasting memories, your story and all of your exquisite details that you will have spent so much time to make your wedding an unforgettable, beautiful and truly memorable day
Whether you are looking for a Cotswolds wedding photographer or searching for general help and advice with regards to your wedding photography these top tips are designed and curated to help make your day stress free, memorable and enjoyable
1. your Pre-Wedding Consultation
Building a trusting rapport with your wedding photographer is crucial step to ensuring you both feel comfortable and ease throughout your day.
You'll be able to discuss your wedding day timeline, your venues, specific photographs you'd like capturing, your family dynamic and lots of other useful information about your wedding day
As your luxury wedding photographer my aim is for you to both feel at ease and relaxed with me capturing your wedding day; a warm familiar face you both feel comfortable with
I offer consultations in person, via zoom (which is exceptionally popular) or occasionally by telephone.
2. hire a wedding planner
Many of us live incredibly busy lives and whilst wedding planning is such an incredible journey to take together sometimes having professional help can be a blessing
A wedding planner can help you source trusted and reliable suppliers for your wedding and are proven to produce exceptional results
They're there to collaborate with you and help with organisation; bringing your wedding day vision and dreams to life
Wedding planners are well rehearsed with facilitating the smooth running of your wedding day and will help curate your timeline to ensure you're able to enjoy each and every step of your day and journey with lots of enjoyment.
3.PLAN YOUR WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
Planning your timeline is key! Work closely with your wedding venue, planner and photographer to create a wedding day timeline that allows you plenty of time to feel unhurried including the wedding photography aspects of your day
I'm sure you've heard many people say that the day just flies by so quickly - plan in time to pause and enjoy each aspect of your wedding day
Your Preparations - Allow yourself time for portraits before you leave for your ceremony - many brides or grooms love to have photographs with their family and bridal party before their ceremony
Drinks Reception photographs - Official group photographs always take far much longer than you anticipate them taking. I work efficiently and have devised a streamlined way to ensure these are captured as painlessly and quickly as possible. This aspect of your day is one of the biggest time eaters and I'm very mindful that I would like all of my couples to enjoy a drinks reception, canapés and time with their guests relaxing before dinner
Your Wedding Reception - Allow time for your wedding photographer to capture reception room photographs and details before you sit for dinner - you've put so much thought and effort into your dream day; capturing those details and visual memories is a fundamental aspect of your wedding photography adding to your story
Seasons & Timings - Be mindful of the time of year you are getting married and your location - The season, sunset times, first look are all factors to think about when considering your timeline
4. Have an engagement session
These are invaluable sessions to help you both relax with your photographer and feel more comfortable in front of the camera
An engagement session not only provides you with another opportunity to meet with your wedding photographer but you'll also have beautiful memories and stunning photos to lovingly look back on
There are delightful locations in and around The Cotswolds, Oxford, Bath, Malvern, along the River Severn and more
Parks, pretty Cotswold villages, walks, cities, galleries and woodland all make the perfect setting and backdrop for your pre-wedding session
5. Consider your wedding venue and photography locations
I've photographed weddings at such a varied number of locations throughout the Cotswolds and UK from Castles, Barns, Private Estates, Exclusive Use Venues and more
If I am unfamiliar with the venue I will research the venue online, speak with the couple (and sometimes the venue/planner) and usually arrive a little early and have a quick look around the venue and be inspired by my surroundings
Photographing venues new to me is exciting and inspiring, I'm always on the look for beautiful locations, pretty light and opportunities to create the perfect photographs and memories for couples
6.plan your group photographs - delegate
As mentioned above - this time of the day can be a big eater of time after your ceremony or during your drinks reception
My wedding photographer top tips for easy, efficient group photos:
Appoint a trusted family member or friend to help coordinate your group photographs
Plan and create a list of group photographs ahead of your wedding day - ensure your photographer and appointed person has a copy of this
Don't overdo the number of group photographs - be mindful that organising guests and capturing group photographs really does take a lot longer to coordinate than anticipated
Be guided and open minded as to locations for your group photographs - variables such as distance, the lighting conditions and weather will all have an impact on the ideal location
7. trust your wedding photographer
Remind yourselves that you have chosen a luxury wedding photographer for their expertise and experience along with the creativeness and artistic vision
Trust them and their instincts, they will creatively capture your wedding day along with those wonderful candid storytelling moments, the details or your day and most importantly the love between you both
8. Have an unplugged ceremony
Encourage your wedding guests to be in the moment with you and have an unplugged ceremony
Ask them to put away their phones and cameras for this moment
It not only allows your families and friends to be there with you both whilst you say your promises and vows to each other it also allows your professional photographer(s) to capture real, genuine moments and emotions, your expressions and details without distractions or obstacles
This results in more intimate, genuine photography
Bear this in mind for your confetti walk too - I've witnessed so many times couples walking down the aisle or the most amazing moments during confetti walks sadly hindered by well meaning guests with phones, iPads or cameras
9. Relax and enjoy your day
Enjoy each and every moment of your wedding day - relax, take time for the two of you to enjoy together and take it all in
Trust that your photographer will capture all of those well thought out details you've taken care, time and effort to plan
Your wedding photographer will capture all of those wonderful moments, emotions, stories and guests plus your love too
Genuine, real moments are frequently some of the best captured - those real smiles, laughs and tears all add to the feels and story of your day
10. your Post wedding experience
Newly married, it's time to relax. Have a bottle of champagne chilling for the arrival of your wedding photographs and set an evening aside together. Enjoy reliving all those amazing moments, seeing things for the first time and sharing all of the wonderful memories from your wedding day and celebrations together!
Choose a wedding photographer who offers luxury wedding albums to help showcase your favourite memories
Your wedding day is a celebration of your love
By following the tips above it will help ensure that your wedding photography experience is not only a relaxed and enjoyable one but it will result in beautiful, timeless, elegant photographs filled with treasured memories for you to look back on together year after year with lots of love of your special day and for each other.
Are you searching for a luxury wedding photographer?
I'm a relaxed luxury wedding photographer capturing weddings in The Cotswolds and around UK
I capture beautiful, elegant, timeless memories of your love and wedding day story
I can't wait to be a part of your day by capturing your love and memories for you both
Please get in touch via the button below to schedule a consultation
I look forward to hearing from you and working together
Hayley x
