Your Wedding Day

To have and to hold, from this day forward…

An early start
If ever there was a reason for us to arrive early, it surely must be your wedding day! Even when we know a venue we allow plenty of pre-wedding time to walk through the day because every single wedding is unique and that means not leaving anything to chance! We check that we have access to all the vantage points that we will need, observe the light inside and outside and assess how the weather will inform the day. We look for all those little details you have agonised over and adore, then we check in with the venue manager and caterers to confirm that there are no last minute changes or anything we should be aware of.

We will have started shooting the first images, the ‘establishing’ shots of the venue inside and out and the setting up; the florist putting the finishing touches to all the displays, the table decorations, the detail shots.

Richard then finds the bride and starts to capture all of those wonderful ‘bridal prep’ moments…

Bridal prep
This is a very special time where transformations begin and ‘that dress’ is reverentially placed ready! There’s lots of laughter, nerves and concentration as hair is arranged and make-up is meticulously applied. Mothers and aunts persuading children into outfits, bouquets being delivered, corks popping, the bride elated to be wearing her dress and the gasps of those closest to her. All through this happy chaos, Richard works hard to be unobtrusive, rarely ‘directing’ a shot and always totally respectful that he is in a privileged position, after all he gets to see the bride in all her splendour before her father and before her future husband! Whilst always on hand and being with you the longest of any other supplier, Richard likes to think you will mostly forget that he is there.

Then comes a key moment, when a father sees her daughter for the first time as a bride. It is a moment filled with emotions that only a picture can convey. It is also a very close and personal moment and one where the presence of a photographer should not be sensed in the picture, so Richard chooses his position with care. Capturing these moments is one of the greatest pleasures of this job!

Groom prep
Groom prep is a good example of when a second shooter is invaluable: Whilst Richard concentrates on the bride, Christina focuses on the groom.

It’s fair to say that groom prep is altogether very different and usually ranges from military precision to chaos: ‘the boys’ usually need a bit of ‘directing’ in a scene that is often characterised by noisy excitement, a fairly untidy room and with socks, shoes, clothes, drink and deodorant everywhere! Christina works out how the groom and his groomsmen interact so that the images can reflect this. After the ‘tension’ of donning unfamiliar clothes and new shoes, the mood changes. An air of anticipation descends as the groom makes his way to where he is to marry his future wife.

The Ceremony
This is a crucial time in photographic terms – light has to be perfectly managed in-camera, focus points constantly changing as the bride moves up the aisle and as the groom sees his bride, as if for the first time. Mindful of ceremony officials dos and don’ts Richard wants to be close to the couple, yet discrete… and in no way distract from the sequence of moments within the ceremony,  so as silent as possible. One vicar was at pains to show Richard precisely where he may and may not stand, eventually trapping him in a cul-de-sac between a tall lectern and the choir pews. Ever resourceful, he negotiated a different approach, mindful it’s a matter of respect, for the sanctity of marriage, for the occasion, and especially for that particular vicar!

Christina meanwhile, is capturing family and friends taking their seats and their reactions throughout the ceremony.

Confetti & Drinks Reception
Of all the thousands of images taken throughout your day, the confetti (or bubbles or rice) shot is probably the one that captures most, the joy, the relief, the love and the style not only of the couple, but also of the guests. Did you know, for example, that certain types of petal float in the air longer than others (thanks @shropshirepetals!)? Or that confetti colours can be accurately matched to the bridal party’s colour scheme to compliment the bride and groom in the confetti shot? We love detail!

The drinks reception gives us the chance to properly mingle amongst your guests catching those great images of happiness and celebration. As before, with two photographers we can capture more of these lovely guest moments.

The formal photographs (often requested but never compulsory!) still have great relevance and we enjoy taking them. These images are great for framing and parents and grandparents always love them.

Wedding Breakfast & Cake Cutting 
One of the most eagerly anticipated (and most worried over) moments of a wedding day must be the speeches, being a time of emotion and also much laughter. For photographers this is a great opportunity to capture everyone’s reactions but it’s hard not to get swept up in the speeches – we focus not on what is being said but on how that makes you and your guests react.

You may have noticed that we haven’t mentioned the breakfast itself – because who likes to be photographed eating! There is one exception to that rule; the wedding cake… Cutting the cake is a bit of a ritual and can have its moments, but the anticipation of a mouthful of cake being offered to your newly-wed is most tempting to a photographer…!

Once the cake cutting is over we will want to whisk you off for some ‘couple’ shots. Again these are not compulsory, will feel very natural plus they are fun and it gives us a chance to capture you both looking super-stunning in the setting of your venue. We promise not to keep you from your guests for a moment longer than is necessary!

Into the Evening
The first dance is of course another key moment and signals that the fun is really about to get underway! Whether using flash or natural light we like to get down on the floor (so to speak) and find the angles and shapes that the music inspires…

The day moves into the night and all too soon into treasured memories. We try to tell your story just as you imagined it and perhaps to add a little extra magic too, so that when you look back on the images on screen and in an album you don’t so much see it as it was, but feel it as it was.

You were magnificent…

We have the proof!