Part 1 – PREPARATIONS
I’ve spent many a morning with the bride and her maids and the groom and groomsmen and I’ve got to say it’s one of my favourite parts of a whole wedding day – Anticipation in the air, excitement, nerves and an opportunity to photograph with a little extra time and consideration with my images – I can set up a shot with dresses and shoes and also photograph candid moments between the wedding party as they get dolled up ready for the ceremony –
I’ve decided to put together some tips for anyone who may be getting married from a photographer’s point of view – covering the ceremony / formal shots and the evening do in part 2, 3 & 4.
Before I’ve even arrived it’s a good time to consider if you want me to photograph the bridal preparations or head to the groom too. If local there’s plenty of time to visit both, if not and you’d like a photographer with the Groom all morning then do let me know – I can get my hands on a second photographer for the day/half day (at additional cost) – If I’m heading to see both the bride and groom then timings need to be spot on (or as good as they can be!) I understand that on a wedding day not everything goes to plan, it does help though that when I get to the groom he’s dressed and just doing the final touches and everyone is there who should be. I’m usually required back to photograph the bride…
I tend to arrive when hair and make-up arrive – capturing my bride as she’s in the hot seat – either having her hair or make-up done – It’s important to ask your stylist in what order they plan to beautify everyone and where the bride fits in – They may arrive very early but have a long list of other people to get sorted first and as much as I’m sure you adore your bridesmaids I like my day to begin with photographs of the bride…
Don’t forget to wear a top that buttons or can easily be pulled down once hair and make up are done you need something easy to take off.
I like to be as unimposing as possible, often scurrying from room to room disturbing the bride as little as I can – Therefore it’s a good idea to have the things I’m going to be photographing together – Preferably in a room that’s made up (the photographs will look better for it) – So… the wedding dress, any jewellery, perfume, shoes, garter etc etc. Once I’ve said my ‘hellos’ I’ll likely photograph the dress as soon as I arrive!
There’s usually a point during the morning where people realise that the time is ticking, and often the atmosphere changes from being relaxed and calm to a mild panic – Being prepared helps so much in these cases, be sure that your bridesmaids (if they’re with you) are ready in time – I leave my bride usually as she’s got her dress on perhaps a few photographs with her bridesmaids too – If I’m not meeting the groom till the ceremony and need time with him then this means that the bride will be required to be ready in good time, it also means that her maids should be ready before her… it might seem that you’re getting ready super early but it’s actually much nicer and calmer that way and I get the photographs I need! – Make sure that whoever gets the bride in her dress is ready too!
Don’t forget to eat – You might not feel like it but you’ll possibly not be eating again until your wedding breakfast much later in the day.
Remember why you’re there. Though brides will often plan everything to the very last detail, try to relax if things don’t go to plan with so many aspects to a wedding day there’s bound to be something that doesn’t go the way you expected, if your Dad can’t find his shoe horn or your bridesmaids have miss matched shoes try to let it go, you’re about to embark on a new journey with the one person you love and ultimately that’s what the day is about.
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