The Big Day is Coming!
Your Wedding Photography Guide
Pre-Ceremony Prep
The wedding morning.....It’s full of nervous excitement, music playing, hugs, laughter and all those quiet little in-between moments that end up meaning the most.
My biggest piece of advice? Build in buffer time. Everything takes a little longer on a wedding day. There are extra bathroom breaks, makeup touch-ups, friends popping in for a hug, last minute questions, outfit adjustments… it all adds up. Giving yourself breathing room means you can actually enjoy the morning instead of feeling rushed.A few gentle guidelines:
Allow around 30 minutes to get into your outfit. If you’re wearing a dress, things like taping, buttoning or stitching can take longer than you’d expect.
If you’d like your family or bridal party to help you into your dress, ask them to be ready 15–20 minutes before you. That way everyone is calm and photo-ready when the moment happens.
Ideally, the person walking down the aisle (and anyone else having pre-ceremony portraits) should be ready about an hour before leaving for the ceremony.
This gives us time for beautiful individual portraits while you’re still fresh, plus any family or group photos you’d love done beforehand. The more we can capture pre-ceremony, the more relaxed everything feels after.
Timing…
Little Tips for a Smooth Morning
Have your details gathered in one place - jewellery, shoes, dress, suit, invitation, perfume, rings (if they’re with you). That way I can photograph them without interrupting your flow.
If you’d like your dress or suit photographed hanging up, think about the hanger you’re using. It’s such a small detail but it really does make a difference in the final image.
Try to keep the getting-ready space as tidy as possible (as much as real life allows!). It helps create a calm feel and keeps the focus on you.
If you’re exchanging letters or gifts, let me know so we can plan a quiet moment to capture it naturally.
There’s no right way to do the morning. It’s about creating an environment that feels like you.
Ceremony
Timing..
Most couples want to start exactly on time, which is totally understandable!
To keep everything relaxed and feeling intentional, I recommend building a few minutes of flexibility into your ceremony timeline. This doesn’t mean being late - it just gives everyone a chance to arrive and settle in so your entrance feels calm and beautiful.
A little breathing room at the start sets a relaxed tone for the whole ceremony and makes those first moments even more memorable. Your guests will appreciate the smooth start, and you’ll feel ready to soak in every moment.
Travel & Parking
If possible, I usually like to leave a little earlier than you so I have time to find a park and get myself set up calmly before the ceremony begins. As I’m often the last one to leave after prep coverage, having a little buffer really helps everything flow smoothly.
If there’s a possibility or needed for the venue to hold a parking spot for me, that’s always incredibly helpful - especially when I’m arriving with gear and tight timing.
Also, have a quick think about what else might be happening in your area that day - Saturday sport, local events, school traffic on a Friday afternoon. These little things can impact travel time more than you’d expect.
Unplugged Weddings
You’ve probably heard this term before an unplugged wedding is when guests are asked to turn off their phones and cameras during the ceremony so they can be fully present.
I personally love this. It means no phones in the aisle, no iPads popping up during your first kiss, and your guests’ faces are actually visible in your photos - smiling, laughing, crying.
If this feels right for you, let your celebrant know and they can make an announcement just before the ceremony begins.
Light Positioning
If you have flexibility with ceremony placement, think about where the sun will be at that time of day. Soft side light or backlight is beautiful. Harsh overhead sun (especially midday) can create strong shadows on faces.
If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to help choose the exact direction you stand - small adjustments make a huge difference in your photos.
If You Have Little Ones
If you have kids - let them be exactly who they are. They don’t need to sit perfectly still or be taken away the moment they make a sound.
I’ve seen important people miss half the ceremony trying to “fix” a child who wasn’t ruining anything at all - when really, those little moments often make the ceremony.
Let them stand with you, hold onto you, or wander nearby. It’s real, it’s joyful, and it’s part of your story 🤍
Stand Close
During the ceremony, stand closer than feels “normal.” You’ll naturally drift apart when you’re nervous, but staying close (hips touching, hands connected) feels more intimate and photographs beautifully.
You can gently hold hands the entire time - it keeps you grounded and connected.
Hold the Kiss
When your celebrant says “you may kiss,” go in… and then hold it for a few seconds longer than you think. One quick peck can feel over before it’s even begun.
A slow kiss gives me time to capture it properly - and gives your guests a moment to cheer.
Walking Back Down the Aisle
When you’re walking back down the aisle as newlyweds - take your time. Walk slowly, soak it in, hold hands tight.
If it feels natural, stop for a kiss, a little dip, or a kiss on the hand moment. Those in-between seconds are often some of the most joyful, genuine photos of the whole day.
There’s no rush - this is your first walk together as a married couple 🤍
Confetti Timing
If you’re doing confetti, let guests know to throw it high (not directly at your faces) and all at once. I’ll usually guide this, but it makes the moment much more magical in photos.
Choose a Joyful Exit Song
Pick something that feels celebratory and uplifting. The energy of your aisle exit really sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon and your guests will feed off that vibe.
Family photos/Group shot
Family photos can sometimes feel a little chaotic (and totally normal if they do!), which is why having a simple plan makes them quick, relaxed, and over before you know it - so you can get back to celebrating.
The best time to capture family photos is right after the ceremony, while everyone is already together. One big tip though: make sure you allow a little time after walking back down the aisle for hugs and congratulations - this moment always takes a few minutes and it’s such a special part of the day.
If you’d like a full group photo of all guests, we’ll usually do this first. That way everyone can head straight to cocktail hour afterwards while we move into family photos without keeping guests waiting around.
The easiest approach is to break photos into small groups, usually working through one side of the family at a time. Most couples include combinations like you both with each parent, with siblings, and then one with the immediate family altogether. We then repeat the same structure for the other side.
If there are grandparents or any special combinations that are important to you, we can absolutely include those too. Keeping the list short and intentional helps everything flow smoothly and keeps the focus on enjoying the day.
A big tip: choose a family photo captain (a sibling, close friend, or someone who knows everyone). They can help gather people and keep things moving so you don’t have to think about a thing.
Closer to the wedding, feel free to send through your list and I can help refine it so it feels easy and seamless on the day.
Your Couple Portraits
Timing
How long you dedicate to your photos is completely up to you. I work quickly and can achieve a lot in about an hour, but if you’re planning multiple locations or time to relax in between, you may like to allow a little longer.
If everything is happening on the property - perfect. It keeps the day feeling easy and flexible. Just remember to allow a little buffer time if travel is involved, as moving people around always takes a bit longer than expected.
Later in the evening, we can also grab a few flash photos - they’re super quick and always such a fun addition to your gallery.
A First Look
If you choose to do a first look and see each other before the ceremony has some lovely advantages. We can capture your couple and bridal party photos earlier in the day, which means you’ll have more time to relax and spend with your guests afterwards. You still get that special, emotional moment together, and I’ll gently guide and coordinate everything so it feels natural and easy.
Party Time…
Timing
Your reception is totally up to you — speeches before or after dinner, it’s your choice! If you’re nervous about speaking, get it done early so you can relax and enjoy the night. Don’t forget to check sunset — if you’d like, we can sneak out for a few quick sunset photos.
This is your time to soak it all in — I’ll be like a fly on the wall, always within arm’s reach if you need me, capturing it all as it unfolds.
Tips
Shirt change – A spare shirt keeps you feeling fresh, especially on warm days.
Little ones – Hire a babysitter or assign someone to keep the kids happy, fed, and calm.
Photo moments – Candles, fairy lights, and cozy spots photograph beautifully. Sit close, hold kisses a beat longer, dance like nobody’s watching, and steal a quiet moment together — these make for some of the best shots of the night.
Final Thoughts.....Your wedding day is all about celebrating your love and enjoying every moment - the big, the small, and everything in between. I’ll be there quietly capturing it all, helping wherever needed, but mostly letting the day unfold naturally. Trust your timeline, take a breath, soak it in, and know that we’ll create beautiful, timeless memories together.
