Fun Documentary Wedding Photographer

I've had few couples ask me to walk them through what a general wedding day is like for me but to be honest - it's completely dictated by you.

Everyone's wedding and what is important to people on the day is different, so how I capture your day will depend on your timeline and overall plans.

The weddings I have shot have varied so much the last 4 years.

From outdoor festival themed weddings to intimate city elopements.

From big church weddings and hotel receptions to barn weddings with big parties.

Below are a few key moments of weddings, that most of my couples opt to have covered, to hopefully help you decide if you also want this included in your day.

ALL images in this portfolio are from real weddings.

PREP

As it says on the tin... Photos of you getting ready. OK don't freak out. Most people's reactions are "ooh I don't think I want a photographer there while I am trying to get ready". But I am not in your face taking photos of foundation going onto your face or getting pics of you in ya pants!

A lot of my time is spent capturing the details of your day like your jewellery, shoes, the rings, bouquets and stationery. All the stuff you have spent a lot of money on that is often forgotten about after the day. These are the details of the day that a lot of people have agonised over. I spend the rest of my time hiding in doorways and getting snaps of your friends and family - seeking out those emotional moments you won't even think about again until I deliver your gallery. It's also nice to have the photos so your other half can see what your morning was like - because usually they are not there remember, so it helps them build a bigger picture of the day.

A groom having his bowtie adjusted by his bestman. The groom is laughing

two bridesmaids doing up the back of a wedding dress.

A bride admiring her dress hanging on a hanger.

a bride and her bridesmaid on a balcony in their matching PJ's

a bride stepping out onto a balocony in her bride dressing gown waving her arms in the air.

a bride opening a gift from her bridesmaids

a bride and her bridesmaid sat on a sofa in their matching PJ's

the groom and his groomsmen having a shot of alcohol before the wedding.

a groom looking in mirror doing his hair.

the groomsmen all helping the groom get ready while he is sat in a chair.

bridal shoes sat beside a bouquet of white roses.

a flatlay of wedding stationary including earrings and confetti.

a mum helps her daughter, the bride put her shoes on.

CEREMONY

It's really important to remember that the space you choose to have your ceremony will impact how your final photos look.

The lighting - whether it is natural or artificial, will have an effect on your final photos.

The most common places I shoot ceremonies, are indoor registrar offices, barn venues, outdoor venues and churches. With indoor spaces it is also worth noting that I do not always get an option of where I am allowed to stand - this is usually dictated by the registrar, priest or vicar.

Outdoors I have more space and I am less distracting when I move around so I can get more angles.

Registry offices are often smaller spaces, so I would more likely be stuck to one position due to less space.

Below are a few examples of different ceremony locations.

a bride walking down the aisle with her dad.

a couples daughter stands at the alter with the rings

bride and groom standing at the alter hand in hand looking at the registrar.

bride and groom kneeling at the alter at their church wedding.

bride and groom standing in a church in front of a big stain glass window.

a bride and groom standing at the alter having their first kiss.

a bride walking down the aisle with her dad towards her groom.

a bride and groom laughing during their wedding vows.

an emotional groom waiting for his bride.

a bride being given away by her sister, walking down the ailse.

a bride and groom standing at the alter at their barn wedding, holding hands.

a groom waiting for his bride - looking nervous.

a bride being given away by her dad at an outdoor wedding.

bride and groom standing in front of a broken arch of flowers saying their vows.

2 brides exchanging vows. Both are emotional.

CONFETTI

OK, pin your ears back! If you want a great confetti shot - you need LOADS of the stuff. A big decent sized handful for every guest. If you think you have enough, buy more. If you then think you have enough, guess what? Yep - buy some more again.

There are loads of types to choose from. Dried petals are great and biodegradable, but it does tend to drop fast. Paper confetti falls a lot slower and tends to float down. You can choose a colour to go with your colour scheme but white is always great. It goes with everything and shows up well.

Really dark confetti does tend to get lost against a dark suit so that's worth bearing in mind.

I tend to line up guests to two rows and get you to walk down slowly towards me stopping for a kiss halfway down. The key is to smile laugh and enjoy it and try not to wince as your pals throw things at your face!

LGBTQ couple smile as their friends and family throw colourful confetti at them.

Colourful confetti shot with two grooms laughing.

Forml GROUP SHOTS

Formal group shots are still a main staple of most weddings I shoot and I personally think there is still a place for them at modern weddings.

Even couples who want a completely fun and non traditional wedding, still want at least a couple posed and formal group shots. Usually with parents or grandparents.

A few weeks before the wedding I ask couples for a list of names and my advice is keep the list short.

5-10 group shots is plenty. Remember: by the time the people have congratulated you, thanked , hugged and kissed you both that one group shot can take 3-4 minutes.

Multiply this by 10 and you've just lost 40 minutes of your reception and canape eating time!

Non traditional group shots

Why not keep them fun. If you absolutely hate standing in a row looking at the camera we can add a bit of zsah zsah zoo.

I usually like to do these photos later in the day, after all the essentials are done and everyone is more relaxed.

Bride and bridesmaids standing in a church doorway. They are holding their bouquets in the air and are all laughing.

A bride and her family waving their arms in the air and kicking their legs up and laughing.

Bridesmaids throwing their bouquets in the air and laughing

And bride, groom, best man and bridesmaids run towards the camera holding pink and orange smoke bombs.

Wedding party holding pink and orange smoke bombs. Running towards the camera and laughing.

Groom lies across some guests who are laughing.

A bride lays across her husband and guests who are sitting down. They are laughing.

A bride stands with her new husband and her grown up sons and they are all laughing.

A bride and her bridesmaid are picking up the groom and they are all laughing.

COUPLES PORTRAITS

Most couples want to allow some time in their day for some "couples portraits". Urgh - that phrase just sounds so formal which couldn't be further from what I do. Keeping things chilled and fun we will simply walk and run around and get some natural photos with no forced poses. I like to take you off on your own for these photos for a few reasons.

1 - It will be the first time in your day where you are actually alone (apart from me being a third wheel). This gives you a chance to have a breather and take it all in and soak up the fact that you are now married!

2 - Having your couples photos taken without your loved ones watching is less embarrassing if you are feeling a little camera shy. It will also make your photos a complete surprise for your friends and family to.

30 minutes is plenty of time for the magic to happen.

kids

If you have children, you will are fully aware that they do not necessarily behave as you want for photos.

And on your day it will not be any different. In some cases they are worse. A wedding day is overwhelming for lots of little ones. Lots of people, more noise than usual, having to stand and be quiet for long periods of time. I wrote a blog all about kids at weddings.

The link is below.

SPEECHES

These are great photo opportunities, not only of you giving the speech but your loved ones reactions make awesome photos. All you have to do is make them laugh or cry. Either is good for me. In fact I love shooting speeches so much that if I am only booked for a few hours, I will always recommend having your speeches done earlier, so I can capture them before I leave.

A black and white image of a bride giving a wedding speech.

A groom laughing during wedding speeches.

A bride looking across at her wife during speeches.

A best man clapping and laughing during wedding speeches.

A bridesmaid delivering her wedding speech. She is smiling.

Guests wave napkins in the air as the bride and groom enter their reception.

A groom delivering his wedding speech he is smiling and laughing.

A wedding guest smiling and laughing during wedding speeches.

FIRST DANCE

If you opt for a first dance, right before you hit the floor I recommend you spin and twirl and move as much as possible to give you photos that extra movement.

If your DJ decides to flash coloured lights onto you such as bright green and purple lights I will deliver those images in black and white, otherwise you will look like aliens are trying to abduct you... But I try to speak to the DJ first so this doesn't happen.

Two grooms during their first dance. The6 both have their arms outstretched while looking at each other.

Two grooms during their first dance. One is touching the others face and they are both smiling.

A bride and groom during their first dance. Bride is twirling around.

A bride and groom during their first dance. Their arms are outstretched and she is twirling.

A bride and groom during their first dance. Bride is wearing a low back dress and shows her back tattoos.

A bride and groom during their first dance.

Two brides having their first dance. One is twirling around.

DANCE FLOOR

OK let's talk dancefloors. I get lots of couples tell me they want epic dancefloor shots. And as an avid dancefloor gal I hear ya.

But I can only get these shots if your guests are dancing like crazy people. They are the ones who make these photos.

There are two things things that make people leave the dancefloor and suprisingly is NOT bad music...

The weather! If it's a boiling hot day people won't want to dance.
YOU leaving the dancefloor! As your guests will gravitate towards you.

So try to stay on the dancefloor for at least a few songs after your first dance so I can grab some of the action.

details

All those details and styling that you put so much effort into in the planning stages all comes together on the day. I love capturing all of this for you to cherish.