Must Have Photo’s For Your Wedding Day

Photographer on wedding day | Essex Wedding Planner

Choosing your wedding photographer is an important decision to make when planning your wedding. They will capture fun moments from your pre-ceremony preparations, tender moments as you exchange vows, emotional moments throughout your speeches and not forgetting the fun that was had during your evening reception. But, booking your dream photographer is just the first step in ensuring you have photos which capture the emotion and fun as well as each tiny detail of your big day.

Once you have chosen your photographer you should discuss your wedding day with them so they fully understand the wedding you are planning. How many guests are you inviting, are you planning on including lots of entertainment, do you have large families and therefore require extra group shots and how much of your day would you like them to capture?  Discussing these details with your photographer will help them advice which photography package is best for you and whether or not you require a second shooter to ensure each precious moment is captured.

Wedding day’s are packed full of amazing photo opportunities, so your photographer will ask you to provide a list of your must have shots as well as recommend any that you may not have considered, or that they think will work well with the style of wedding you are planning.

Whilst there are a number of popular images that couples are aware of, there is also an abundance of wonderful images that some couples may not of considered . So, to help you put together a must have list for your photographer, I’ve shared below a number of suggestions to inspire you:

Pre ceremony prep

As every couple knows their wedding day begins with pre ceremony prep. So, consider having your photographer with you as the fun begins. Your photographer will capture the hair stylist and make up artist in action, the bride sharing a glass of bubbles with her bridesmaids, as well as emotional moments such as the bride getting into her dress, reading a card from her fiancé and the proud moment the father (or mother) of the bride sees their daughter ready in her dress for the first time. They will also take photos of the bride with her parents and bridesmaids as well as the exciting moment that everyone is all set and ready to leave for the ceremony.

Let’s not forget that groom’s have fun getting ready too, so make sure their prep is included on your short list. Your photographer can capture touching moments of the groom with his parents and fun lighthearted moments of the groom with his groomsmen.

If you are getting ready in the same venue then this will be easy for your photographer to arrange. However, if  your pre ceremony preparations are taking place in separate locations this is a perfect example of how a second shooter will help ensure each precious moment is captured.

Details

After spending months and quite possibly years planning each tiny details of  your wedding you should consider including lots of detail shots on your final list. Close up photo’s of the bouquets and button holes, the brides dress, shoes and accessories are great ways to capture each tiny detail. You may also like to ask your photographer to take a photo of your invitation suite (you will need to give this to them in advance), any wedding day signage, close up images of your table settings including your table numbers, menus, wedding cake and any additional styling that you may have incorporated into you day. It’s also worth remembering that you may not see the interior of your venue before your guests take their seats for dinner, so asking your photographer to take a photo of the venue set for wedding breakfast prior to guests arrival will allow you to see the beautiful set up without guests mingling in the background.

Ceremony

Your ceremony will provide an abundance of precious moments for your photographer to capture from the bride arriving at the church, the groom waiting at the altar, the bridesmaids tending to the bride just before she walks up the aisle, the utter cuteness of the flower girls and page boys and of course the groom’s reaction when he catches the first glimpse of his bride and that’s before you exchange vows, the first kiss, sign the register and the all important just married shot.

Guests

Guests play a huge part in your wedding day, so it’s only right that they should feature in your wedding album. Speak to your photographer about the group shots that you would like, remembering to include your bridal party, close family members, special friends your confetti shot and a large group shot including each of your guests. You may also wish to speak to your photographer to discuss candid shots of your guests relaxing and having fun, as well as their reactions throughout your ceremony, speeches, cake cutting and first dance which would normally be the job of  a second shooter whilst your main photographer is capturing key moments of the happy couple.

The newly weds

If your photographer has worked at your venue before they will be able to suggest the perfect locations for your couple shots. There could be a meadow which is perfect for your sunset photos, or maybe a secluded secret garden where you can take some time out, walking and chatting whilst your photographer discreetly snaps away. As well as your photographer’s suggestions you will probably have seen images of other couples who have married at your venue, so discuss any that you particularly love with your photographer and ask that they use this as inspiration when planning your couples shots. There could be a statement wall or a favourite feature such as a staircase or fireplace that you would like to use as a backdrop for a selection of your images together. Or you may want in incorporate a smoke bomb into some of your outside shots to get those extra fun images. There are also individual photos of each other to consider such as the finishing touches to bridal prep, (putting shoes, jewellery or perfume on), and the groom positioning his buttonhole, as well as selection of images once you are both ready to leave for the ceremony.

Wedding breakfast & evening reception

The wedding breakfast & evening reception will makes up a large part of your big day and includes lots of key moments such as your speeches, cutting the wedding cake and first dance. There are also many other moments which you may want captured such as being announced in to your wedding breakfast, images of your entertainment , the bouquet toss, you and your guests partying and finally the sparkler shot once the sun has set.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my short guide on the must have photos for your wedding day, and if you are planning your wedding and think that I could help you further I would love to hear from you. I am a wedding planner based in Brentwood Essex. I plan and co-ordinate weddings and special occasions throughout Essex, Suffolk, Kent, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, although I am able to travel a further afield if required.

Image Credit: Terri & Lori Fine Art Photography & Film

 

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Essex wedding planner Hayley Jayne Weddings & Events in garden

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Hayley Jayne Weddings & Events
Brentwood, Essex

01277 226785
07889 171453
hayley@hayleyjayneweddingsandevents.co.uk

About Hayley

With a keen eye for detail, organisational skills that are second to none and the love of a “to do” list it was inevitable that Hayley would become an events planner. She started her career within the legal profession and was a Personal Assistant for 14 years before training with the UKAWP to become a professional wedding and events planner and then going on to launch “Hayley Jayne Weddings & Events”.

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Hayley Jayne Weddings & Events trained with the UKAWP