Your wedding ceremony is arguably one of the most important moments of your life. And I want you to be able to enjoy it and be present in the moment without worrying about the photos.
But it’s also one of the moments of the day where I can’t give direction or ask you to walk down the aisle again. And, of course we want the wedding ceremony photos to look good.
Here’s what to expect from your wedding ceremony photos
And what we can do to make sure the photos are the best they can be….
Give me as much freedom as possible
Ceremony spaces come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve shot in all sorts of light and heat, with all sorts of restrictions around where I’m allowed to move and stand. So whatever happens, don’t worry, I’ll make it work.
That said, the more freedom and space I have to move around, the better your wedding ceremony photos will be. Framing, composition and light are pivotal to the quality of the final images. And if I can move wherever I like, it gives me creative freedom to capture better quality shots and all those gorgeous candid moments.
I never want to be obtrusive or take away from the importance of your vows though!
Walking down the aisle
When you’re walking down the aisle, walk slower than you think you should. You’ll be full of excitement, adrenaline and nerves, and you’ll probably want to run down that aisle. But remember, you’ll only do this the once, so slow right down, look around and enjoy it!
Hold hands!
I can’t emphasise this one enough! Because not all vicars / registrars / celebrants will tell you to do this, and it looks kinda awkward if you don’t!
When you get to the altar, don’t feel like you have to stand apart and be formal. You’re getting married, it’s completely ok to be affectionate with each other!
Feel free to kiss and cuddle if you want, but at the very least I’d suggest holding hands. Firstly because it’ll make you feel a lot calmer and more relaxed if you’ve got their hands to squeeze. Secondly because it’s harder to get great ceremony photos if you’re standing a metre apart!
Focus on each other
And your vows, obviously! Just know that I will have all the key moments of your wedding ceremony photos covered – your arrival, the rings, the first kiss and the way you looked at each other to name just a few.
But that’s not all, because I will always be peeping over your shoulders, and in between you to capture the myriad of facial and expressions that are going on behind you with the people who love you. I love surprising my clients with moments they didn’t even know had happened on their wedding day!
ADVICE FOR OUTDOOR CEREMONIES
Outdoor ceremonies are amazing. Beautiful, romantic, and fab to photograph! But if you’re getting married in a hot climate, or at the height of English summer, there are certain practical things to consider.
- When and where.
Bright sunshine isn’t our friend when it comes to photography, especially when it comes from directly above. It’s always best to have your ceremony in the shade if possible. Not only will it make the heat more bearable, it’ll make for much better photos. If it’s a particularly hot climate, it’s also a very good idea to delay your ceremony until later in the day so the heat isn’t quite so stifling.
- Clothing.
Multi-layered dresses, thick suits in dark colours…they may look great in the showroom, but you’ll end up regretting them in 30 degree heat. It’s also worth mentioning on the invitation, just to make sure your guests wear suitable attire.
- Details matter.
Having umbrellas at the ready is a great idea for UK weddings, just in case it rains. Read more about what to do if it rains!
But if it’s hot, a fan or a bottle of water on each chair would be a considerate touch. Your guests will be sitting down and milling around for at least an hour in the heat, so make sure they’re as comfortable as possible, especially if you have older, more frail relatives.
HOW AND WHY TO HAVE AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY
This maybe a controversial opinion for a photographer….but there are some moments in life are meant to experienced through your eyes, and not through a phone screen. And you booked a professional photographer for a reason.
Your guests don’t need their own phone photos of you walking down the aisle. We do not need Uncle Bob in every frame, capturing ‘just in case’ photos with his giant DSLR. And I don’t think you want your aisle shots to be filled with the unearthly glow of a hundred phone and tablet screens.
But not only that, this is a hugely important moment in your lives; you’ve invited your friends and family to share the moment with you, not to experience it through their screens. So at least for the ceremony, get them to put their phones away.
How to prepare for an unplugged ceremony
- Let your guests know ahead of time via the invitations.
- Tell your celebrant/registrar/vicar so they can reiterate this before the ceremony starts.
- Have a welcome sign encouraging guests to put their phones away and be in the moment. Have a look on Pinterest for ideas.
- Eliminate your guests’ FOMO! Let them know you’ll be sharing your wedding gallery with everyone after the wedding. As long as they know they’ll be able to print, download and share photos from the day, they’ll be a lot more relaxed and more present in the day with you.
