Planning your wedding? Get photography advice from one of Scotlands Best Wedding Photographers.
- Communication
- Pre wedding photos
- First look photos
- Pre ceremony group photos
- Ceremony photos
- Capturing the generations
- Group photos
- Photo dash with guests
- Couples photos
- Party, Dance floor photos
1.Communication
Your wedding photographer wants to know as much about you as possible. The more they know about you and your family set up, the more the photographs will reflect you and your day. Family dynamics are all different, as a wedding photographer I want to capture these as sensitively as possible whilst also trying to understand enough to capture a true reflection. I recommend giving as much information as you can in all pre wedding communication, it will make a big difference to your photos and help connect to the real you.
2. Pre Wedding photos
Doing something for the first time is always the most daunting. Once you've done it the first time, the second time feels calmer, easier and more relaxed. It's the same with wedding photos. A quiet stroll in your favourite place with fun chats about your love story and how you met. These photo sessions are super chilled. They will make a big difference to how you will feel on your wedding day.
3.First look photos
I couldn't recommend this moment of the day highly enough. Scrap traditions and do what makes you relaxed. Having some quiet time before the ceremony to see each other for the first time can make all the difference to your day. We can do a quick photo shoot too, giving more time post ceremony for fun chats with your guests. These two said it was such a good decision, they loved the experience, well worth thinking about and I'll support you all the way to make it happen!
4. Pre ceremony family photos
Logistically this might not be possible for everyone, however, if you can, defo do it. Having time with your immediate family before the ceremony is so lovely. On this day we got different combinations of everyone, it was super relaxed. It also meant more time to mingle and socialise at the wedding venue with all the guests. With a few tweaks to your wedding timeline, if you want to, we can make it happen.
5.Ceremony Photos
Plan the first couple of rows of seating. Make sure immediate family know where they are sitting and that they are at the front. This really helps capture gorgeous, natural emotions of your closest people throughout the ceremony. Have chats with the person conducting the ceremony before the day, make sure they will stand to the side at times ( if you want them to do so ) Communicate with you photographer about everything you're doing in the ceremony to make sure they are prepped and prepared to capture it all. Picture taken at Kinmount House
6.Capturing the generations
This is one of my favourite photos from last season. Weddings are a lot for anyone, for the older generations it can be particularly tiring and sometimes overwhelming. With lots of social stimulation, it's super important to make time for precious quiet moments. From years of experience, my best advice is to take photos of older generations before or straight after the ceremony. They might get tired easily and nip away early and the moment for a photo is gone ( they might be on the dance floor cutting shape all night too - haha )
7.Group photos
Have fun! Talk to your friends and family ahead of the wedding day, have a think about what you want to see everyday printed on your wall. From a rough plan, spontaneity can happen and create wonderful moments. If your friends have an idea for a group picture then please share and we can have fun with it. We will have time for more formal photos and fun photos too. On my wall at home I have a photo from my wedding of me and my 5 best pals. Two of them spontaneously jumped on the others backs, yes it's cheesy but we all have genuine smiles of joy and it makes me smile every day when I walk past it.
8.Photo Dash with all your guests.
Picture the scene - loud, upbeat music, excited ( maybe a little tipsy ) guests, 15 minutes before call to dinner, Go Go Go! It's photo dash time and it's so much fun. Your guests are happy as they all feel super included, you're happy because you have a picture with every guest - winner, winner...John Muir Tipis is a perfect venue for this as it has a lot of outdoor space. If the space and logistics allow it, I highly recommend a photo dash, so much fun!
9.Couples Photos
Short and sweet is the aim of the game. Getting those gorgeous, romantic photos of the two of you will be fun and enjoyable. For this wedding we did 3 x 10 minute strolls. The grounds are stunning at Dunglass Estate so we wanted to make the most of all areas but no-one wants to be away from guests for too long do you. We split it up, 10 mins after the ceremony as we walked to the drinks reception ( the light then was stunning! ) 10 mins before call to dinner and then ten mins before the first dance. These short times are a nice wee breather from all the socialising too and a chance to soak it all in. The best advice is to talk with your photographer, make a plan ahead of the day. Also enjoy some spontaneity, if the light is right, trust your photographer if they ask to make a dash for that golden light! Check out more stunning couples photos - Click here!
10.Party, Dance floor photos.
This is one of my favourite parts of the day, so much emotion and love on the dance floor, plus I love to party! To help get epic dance floor pics, after the first dance, keep close as a couple. Enjoy dancing with all your guests but remember to connect as a couple too. This will give your photo the best chance of getting awesome photos. Most importantly, have fun, be free and enjoy every second!
