There are many ways to photograph a wedding - if you don't mind spending some time on it, you can get some spectacular results...

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..however, we feel the most important aspect of wedding photography is time.

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Time, on your wedding day, is precious - you really do want to spend most of it enjoying yourselves with friends and family. You probably don't want to spend it posing (for what seems like forever) so that the photographer can get it "everso perfect."

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The right way, we feel, is to let time flow. Go with it, photograph what we see. Sometimes pausing to grab a (relaxed) posed shot, sometimes just shooting the scenery, the people, the day as it happens.

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Of course, we're realistic, we know we still need to gather groups together and get group posed shots but here's the trick; just assume the photographer knows how to get a technically great shot so no waiting around - arms round each other, make a joke, big laugh and hit the shutter a few times in a few positions and there you have it - posed, relaxed, professional and, seemingly candid group shots!



We try not to follow too many cliched shots but sometimes the oldies are the best - we'd love to hear your ideas too - we love a challenge, though if we feel that it would take too much of your (and your guests) time to set up, we may suggest some other ideas for you.



The absolute truth is that there is no substitute for experience in wedding photography and we have years of it



So, how long do you need a photographer for?



Well, every bride has her own ideas (some groom's too!) but let us break the day down into sections to make it easier to choose:



Pre-arrival

Normally 30-45 mins at the bride's preparation place (home or venue)

Sort of shots: Candid and abstract - a couple of very relaxed groups - bride and the preparation party - see our gallery



Pre-ceremony (arrival)

Normally we like to arrive at the ceremony venue at least 30 mins before the ceremony, so we can get shots of guests and the grooms-men and family. We are then well prepared for the bride's  arrival!



Ceremony

This can last anywhere between 20 minutes to over an hour - we don't do 1:1 photography at this point - it's all candid and with long lenses. We have to check with the ceremony officials with what they allow as it varies from venue to venue.

 

The Exit

Candid again (with a couple of quick posed at the door - make sure to remember to hold hands!)



Post-Ceremony known as "Milling around afterwards"

In the sunshine we've known this to take up to 45mins to an hour. However, in the rain it can be 5 minutes! Its the time where you get hugs and kisses and impromptu group shots and lots of candid shots... weather depending!! 

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Sometimes the ceremony venue is at the reception venue, sometimes there's travel, so bare this in mind!



Arrival at reception

You have some welcome drinks and we shoot candid for a bit. It's normally after this period that we start 'the group shots'



The group shots

This is the most hectic part of the day for us - every single time without fail, Uncle Mike (or the bride's brother normally) is either at the bar or in the toilet. And everyone is standing around waiting.

So, some preventative measures:

We try and organise the groups so that you start with the big group shot first (if you are having one) and then 'peel off' the non-core family members and bridal party.

That way, those who aren't in any more groups, know they aren't (because we tell them) and can relax and do their own thing. 

It's a magic art and a fun and hectic time the group shots.

Expect 30 seconds to 3 mins per group shot (Uncle Mike notwithstanding)



The fun stuff - known as "messing about with your mates"

This is where we have 10-15 minutes of having silly fun. We got 'the lift' 'the walk' 'the pose' 'the cracked ourselves up laughing'.



The bride and groom shots - known as "the mantle-piece shots"

This is where we like to take the bride and groom away for 15 mins of so - to get the spectacular wow shots you see on this site.

Alex's favourite part of the day.



The pre-meal candid time

This is the time where we only shoot candid (group/family shots on request) - this time is always longer in the summer than the winter it seems to us.

We get the room shots done (all the little details people have spent time and money on), grab a posed cake shot and anything else you want or catches our eye.



The meal

If you are not having the speeches first, this is normally a point at which we leave. People will be eating and unlikely to want to be disturbed. Therefore, if you can, try and plan the speeches before the meal so we can capture what is often very funny an moving pictures.

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Our packages are designed so that packages one and two will encompass most of the above in terms of time. Package three is designed around staying through the meal for speeches and other events. 



The Evening Reception

The key moments of the evening reception can be covered, first dance can often produce some stunning moments... even in really dark light! We normally capture this, cake cutting and special events such as fireworks etc and then leave the rest of the party pictures to the mass of social media people that will be taking pictures on their phones. We take a couple of last photos of the bride and groom chilling out and then we're off!