Preparing For your Wedding Day

Let’s get you prepped for your wedding day—confidently, elegantly, and beautifully.

Decide if you want your photos to show how your wedding LOOKED or FELT?

Whilst very wedding can look beautiful in pictures, decide if you want to capture the feeling or the look of the day? The difference is visible in the way it is captured, as in feeling comes through from movement, for the more “I was there and this is how it was”. Compared to the equally aesthetically beautiful way that it can be photographed to show the details and less of the experience. LET ME KNOW YOUR PREFERENCE or if you would like a combination.

Try not to relax your face during the ceremony

I don’t mean this horribly, however if you were to ‘Zone Out’ you may looked glazed over. Rather than this, try and maintain your smile with your eyes. Nobody likes a resting bitch face, and if you only notice this in your photographs it is too late!

Stay Close

During the day and photos especially, stay close to one another. During the ceremony be close enough to comfortably hold hands and not have to stretch.

Getting out of a car

If you are planning to arrive to your wedding in a beautiful wedding car or taxi be sure to get out SLOWLY. This will allow time for your driver or whoever is opening your door to get out the way of your arrival photos. Alternatively, if your father or bridesmaid is opening the door it will give them time to position. Try and be elegant, use one fluid movement and the look around when you are out. Perfect!!

Think about your exit

When exiting your ceremony think about how you want to look. Energetic, excited, relaxed or even relieved. Know in advance if you will be looking for high-fives, punch the air, or if you’re planning a kiss half way down the aisle, or even if you just want to get out. Try and remember to walk instep with each other and nice and slowly. This will allow you to take it all in and get great photographs.

Plan for me to move to the back

If you are booking me to shoot alone (no second shooter) try to accommodate me to move to the back of the room for a short period during your ceremony so that we can get a variety of images. This will possibly rely on the registrar/vicar allowing for this too but you will thank me for suggesting it.

Table layout and Speeches

When putting together your table plan be sure to put you and your partner NEXT to each other rather than opposite, across the table. This way I can be sure to capture your reactions to speeches together rather than only one of you. Also, I will be able to capture candid moments you have together organically throughout and after dinner.

Never think square on unless prompted

Whenever you are doing your portraits, either couple shots or group photos, remember to NEVER stand front on to the camera. This always gives ‘football wall’ vibes and doesn’t look quite as comfortable with others around you. Just a small twist makes all the difference. If I have an image in mind that I want you to look at me for I will let you know to be camera facing.

Laugh & hug

Laughs and hugs are the best way of natural touch points. It is the best way or outwardly showing affection without kissing or being overly affectionate.

Think editorial

If you are looking for a more editorial style of imagery, think editorial. By this I mean think how the difference between Vogue/Tatler alongside casual snaps appear differently. Think a little more structure and composed, attitude, with a cohesive visual narrative. Using Pinterest and instagram boards is the best way to collect and share your vision with me. Whist I will photograph through the moments, you may want to do a few pictures which are a little more directed and stylised.

Keep moving (slowly) unless busy

During your photographs, if you are able to continually keep moving this will elevate your photos and allow me to capture a series of images that are different. This also will help with videographers, as the movement with show better in video, rather than you rigid like a monument.

Hold your dress when moving and cross ankles when still

When ever you are walking you will want to lift your dress to keep it clean. When doing this, before you leave the place of preparation (home/hotel etc) have a look in the mirror at where is best to hold it from. Whist every dress has its own “loop” do NOT use this to walk along with your dress during the day. You will hide the beautiful detail in your dress, instead, pinch the dress and pull up an inch or so. Every pinch will also look different. Also, when you are stood still, try and remember to cross your ankles – it will help to shift weight onto your hips and relax your stance.

Sunglasses

If you are getting married mid Spring/Summer don’t forget to bring your sunglasses. We may use them for style points, or you may just decide that you want them for the afternoon reception anyway. Sunglasses are way cooler than squinting!

Shoulders back – Posture

Try and remember to keep your shoulders back when you are stood still. During the ceremony, during the drinks reception, whenever you aren’t moving. It will elevate your posture and make you look naturally more elegant.

EXTRA ADVISE

Bridal Prep tips

You’ve invested in that once-in-a-lifetime gown, perhaps more than you ever imagined. It deserves to be treated with care. Avoid crumpling or squeezing it into a tight space after it’s been stored perfectly for months. Choose a prep location with thoughtful planning, clear, spacious, and photogenic rather than scrambling in cramped, unflattering corners.

** Smart Tip:** Avoid staircases that are too narrow for your dress. I’ve seen brides trip in graceful gowns and delicate shoes, preventable mishaps that spoil the moment.

Arrange an Elegant, Well-Lit Prep Space

Opt for a bright room, think bay window, living room or kitchen-diner over pale or patterned backgrounds, for flattering light that elevates every shot. A neat, clutter-free space makes all the difference for timeless images. You’ll want to coordinate with your photographer and hair/makeup team to allow movement without chaos.

“Location, location, location… let there be LIGHT… Try to minimise the clutter!”

Build in a Relaxed Portrait Window

Allow a calm 20–30 minutes before you must depart for the ceremony. This buffer enables peaceful, unstressed portraits with dad, bridesmaids or solo plus gives your hair/makeup team time to capture social content without interfering with the schedule.

Take It All In and Walk Slowly Down the Aisle

Pause, breathe, and visually cherish the aisle moment. Walk at a pace that lets you savour the room, connect with the faces around you, and enjoy the significance of the moment your loved ones, your partner, your shared journey.

Don’t Skip the “Dad Kiss”

That moment at the altar, when you pause, look to your dad, and give him a tender kiss—is one of the most poignant images of the day. It’s a fleeting gesture, but one loaded with meaning, emotion and visual narrative.

Make That Kiss Count, On the Day, and Beyond

When it’s your kiss moment (at the aisle, reception entrance, or photographer’s cue), lean in for a full embrace. These are the pictures you and your guests will remember forever.

Laughter Over Smiles

Candid laughter makes portraits magical. Encourage inside jokes or a quick ten-second “laugh trigger” during your mini-session, authentic belly-laugh shots are far more powerful than staged, toothy smiles.

Keep Eye Contact During the Ceremony

Stay connected to your partner and the moment by holding eye contact, even when rings are being exchanged. It grounds the emotions and gives your photographer the space to document genuine connection.

Hold Your Bouquet—Not Your Phone

Let guests capture candid shots for you, while you focus on being present. Hold your bouquet until later to avoid water damage to your dress, and keep your hands uncluttered so you can be fully in the moment.

Kiss Like You Mean It All Day Long

Love the documentary style? Then give every kiss your full attention. Let your photographer capture the real, unscripted affection, these are the images that become treasured memories.

Napkin Wave Reception Entrance

Kick off the party by asking guests to wave napkins or balloons, paper planes, confetti during your reception entrance. It raises energy and makes for fabulous, joyful photography.

Check Your Prep Space for Visual Distractions

Scan the room for bins, kettles, clutter or branded materials that photograph poorly. A quick tidy before getting into your gown ensures every shot feels polished.

Dress Tips for Photogenic Movement

Hold the hem slightly to accentuate shape and texture.
Swish your skirt during portraits to add dynamic motion.
Use pockets (appropriately)—for hands, not phones, to create natural poses.

Bonus Expert Tips for Unforgettable Photography

Detail Shots & Prep Atmosphere

Create a detail box with your accessories, shoes, jewellery, rings, invites, heirlooms for beautiful flat-lay shots upon your photographer’s arrival.

Refined Timelines & Portrait Buffers

Aim to leave 30 minutes buffer before each milestone to account for delays, makeup touch-ups or impromptu moments.

Soft Light & Scenic Background

Schedule portraits during “golden hour” just before sunset for warm, flattering light, soft shadows and depth. Seek out charming surroundings on your venue grounds to tell your story.

Balance of Candid & Posed

Authentic emotion is the heart of wedding photos. Blend posed moments with candid, emotive shots to create a rich narrative of your day.

Family Shot Strategy

Prepare a shot list and assign a dedicated helper, a bridesmaid or family friend to gather relatives efficiently. This keeps the flow smooth and stress-free.