Bridal Notes

Here are some tips and ideas to help prepare for the wedding day.

 

  • Sentimental Details

    Some of the lasting memories are the in the tiny mementos used in the lead up to the wedding. It might be a kept train ticket from your first date, or a memento from your first holiday together, a scrapbook of your journey together. Please bring along anything additional that is sentimental to your wedding day you would like photographed such as rings and jewellery, heirlooms, invitations, flowers, perfume, speeches, wedding planning and other notes.
    Make sure there has been a space cleared for these photos. I prefer a window to work from as natural light looks best.

  • Bride Prep Photos

    Set aside an area for the wedding dress to be hung and photographed. A big window, a doorway, or even outside on a tree. Please have a photogenic area clear for bridal portraits by a window or outside doorway. If having the ceremony at home, bare in mind where guests may be arriving and clustering so it does not potentially affecting the photo session.

Ceremony

After your rehurstle you might change a few components of the ceremony. Let me know of any changes including approximate run time, how you are arriving, who is walking you down the aisle and if there is anything unique to your ceremony so I am sure to be in the best position to capture the action.

Un-Plug Ceremonies. Ask your guests to refrain from using mobile phones and tablets during the ceremony. It also gives me the opportunity to capture the raw emotions and reactions to what is happening. It’s a shame to witness emotional moments unfolding while a guest photobombs a special moment, peoples faces are hidden behind a small screen or seeing guests just too engrossed in operating their smart phone camera to even realise what is going on around them.

Once being announced as Mr & Mrs and it’s time to walk down the aisle. I love something dramatic at the end of the aisle whilst you have all your guests in the background. This might be a dramatic kiss, a twirl, a pick up and spin, or even pop the champagne.

Family Photos

Please inform the people who will be needed for the pictures before the day. You can pre- assign one family member of friend who knows the people in the pictures to help round them up. It takes some time to gather and position each person, so plan for about 3 minutes per pose set up. You may also need a couple of chairs to assist anyone with mobility limitations.

A week before the wedding send me a list of who you would like in each photo, and this will help ease confusion on the day. A typical scenario might be
Bride + Groom + Brides Parents
Bride + Groom + Brides Parents + B Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Brides Parents + B Grandparents + Siblings
Bride + Groom + Brides Parents + B Grandparents + Siblings + Siblings Partners + Siblings Children
Bride + Groom + Brides Parents + B Grandparents + Siblings + Aunts & Uncle …… etc
Bride + Groom + Grooms Parents
Bride + Groom + Grooms Parents + B Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Grooms Parents + B Grandparents + Siblings
Bride + Groom + Grooms Parents + B Grandparents + Siblings + Siblings Partners + Siblings Children
Bride + Groom + Grooms Parents + B Grandparents + Siblings + Aunts & Uncle …… etc
Bride + Groom + Friends or overseas guests

Make the most of the Sunset 

Sunset in WA is the most beautiful and sought after time of day for photography. Make the most of the luscious rays and include even just a couples photo session at sunset. This might be leaving the reception for 10 minutes just the two of you.

Reception Tips

When planning your Reception, have all the formalities at the beginning - Cake Cutting, First Dance, Speeches. With the formalities out the way, you and your partner can relax the night away without having to stick to a schedule. Also anyone with an early curfew won’t miss out.

A new “Photo Bomb the Couple” game which has a few variations is sweeping the receptions. This can be organised by the DJ, and it’s a great way to get a photo with everyone and get everyone up on the dance floor. So in essence the bride and groom are on the dance floor, and the DJ will call each table up to have a photo (or photo bomb) with the couple. It’s done with a time limit, so it’s fast, fun, messy and guaranteed to get everyone moving. This can be done with me as the photographer, or a selfie if you haven’t hired a photographer for the reception.

First Dance. Please let me know where the important parts of the first dance are happening - twirls, dips, lifts, sparklers, smoke etc so I can be sure I am in the BEST position to capture this.

Don’t forget to send me through the Reception time line if your DJ/MC has made any changes.