Client Guide
2022-2023
SCROLL TO CONTINUE
chapter 5
Ceremony
the central event of your wedding day—the part where you say “I do”.
Your ceremony is often where you and your partner's emotions will be the most real and raw. I place a lot of emphasis on capturing these moments at the perfect time, as well as disrupting your service as little as possible.
During the ceremony, I always try to remain stealthy and position myself as strategically as possible. I switch to a telephoto lens (with greater zoom) and try to stand in corners or crouch below eye level.
If there are secondary photographers present on the day, I'll have them stand in complementary positions to capture multiple angles of the same moment. For example, one will capture the groom’s reaction while I capture the bride, or vice versa.
Consider an unplugged ceremony
01
A popular request from couples is for guests to put away their phones, iPads and cameras during the ceremony. And for good reason! It’s far too easy for a personal device to creep into the corner of a photo or ruin a perfect moment. Plus, without the distraction (and the potential of someone forgetting to turn their phone onto silent), you and your guests will be able to focus solely on the once-in-a-lifetime moment happening right in front of them.
Consider your lighting options carefully
02
For church and indoor weddings, try to pick a location with enough natural light. Avoid fluorescent overhead lights, too.
If the ceremony location is dimly lit, I only ever use flash only as a last resort, as the white light is jarring and can disrupt the ambience of each moment. If, for whatever reason, the space is too dark to get decent photos, I’ll always ask for permission before using flash.
OUTDOOR CEREMONIES
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, try to avoid hosting it between 11am and 2pm. During the middle of the day, there is harsh, unflattering light that can cast shadows across your face and even make it difficult to fully open your eyes.
The best lighting for an outdoor ceremony tends to be after 4pm in the afternoon. If you’re unable to accomodate this time, consider getting married close to overhanging trees or under a canopy, as this will greatly improve your photographs.
Prepare for the "walk off" shot
INSTRUCTIONS
03
Making sure the guests throw it overhead and not directly at you. The moment can easily be ruined by a piece of rice in the eye (ouch). Consider handing out bags of confetti with a small set of instructions for your guests to read to ensure you leave your ceremony unscathed and with gorgeous photos to show for it.
While the “kiss” shot is still very important, the “walk off” shot is rapidly becoming one of the most popular photos for many couples. This is when they throw confetti and you walk back down the aisle, with family and friends celebrating in the background. There are a few ways to make this moment look as amazing as it feels:
GO SLOW
Don’t run too fast down the aisle! This is one of the most common mistakes I see couples making. The longer you stand in the confetti storm, the better chances I have of capturing that perfect moment. So take a deep breath, and take it slow.
CONFETTI
Organising for someone to hand out confetti during the signing of the register; you can’t rely on guests to grab it themselves
Wet weather options and rain tips
04
2. EMBRACE THE day
I get excited by the opportunity to shoot in the rain and if you’re game, you won’t regret getting a little wet and running through the downpour with me for some amazing shots.
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! Here's what I recommend if your day is forecast for rain:
3. HAVE A BACK-UP option
Have a backup venue option for your ceremony in case of rain. This could mean having a marquee on standby or choosing a venue with indoor ceremony options. I've been to many weddings where couples plough ahead in faith, only to be totally rained out. If you're a soul who doesn't mind getting a little wet however I'm right with you and throw this one to the wind.
1. CLEAR UMBRELLAS
If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. It also might be good to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light—even if it means heading offsite.
2. FOR YOUR BOUQUETS
Miscellaneous but notable mentions
05
Bouquet are often delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having paper towels or rags handy can help.
1. IF IT'S GOING TO BE HOT
3. CONSIDER THE SOUND SYSTEM
Bringing an Eski of cold waters and snacks can help keep a wedding party relaxed—especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.
Some venues don't offer microphones or a PA system for your music or celebrants. If your ceremony is outdoors, make sure you find one that's battery-powered, or that you have an extension cable.