A guide to getting wedding photos you’ll love forever
Planning a wedding comes with a lot of choices.
Some huge, some tiny, and all totally important. From the venue and dress to those little personal touches that make your day yours, this is your chance to tell your story.
It can feel like a lot, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. I’m here to help, guide you along the way, and make sure the whole experience (and your photos) turn out even better than you imagined.
1. How Far in Advance Should I Book My Wedding Photographer?
Try to book Early, But Don’t Stress!
Wedding photographers usually book 12–18 months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Reaching out early gives you the best chance of securing someone whose style and energy match yours. Booking ahead also lets you plan engagement sessions, timelines, and get to know your photographer—and locks in your pricing.
Planning a smaller or last-minute wedding? Reach out to me anyway, there’s always a chance I could be free, and if not I may be able to help guide you to another photographer who is.
2. How Much Support Do You Get Before the Wedding?
From the moment you book, I’m in your corner. My support goes far beyond just turning up to take photos - I’ll send you helpful guides like this to help you think through timelines, and ways to structure your day so it feels authentic to you.
I’m always available to you, if you have any questions as your plans come together. Whether you’re unsure how much time to schedule for something or need a vendor recommendation. I’m here for all of it, you just drop me a message ot give me a bell.
So by the time your wedding day arrives, we’ll have built trust and connection—so you can show up relaxed, confident, and fully present, ready to enjoy every moment.
3. Choose a Photographer Whose Style You Truly Love, and Fits your Vibe.
Your photographer’s style will shape the entire look and feel of your wedding photos, so it’s important to choose someone whose work resonates with you.
There are many different styles out there - Documentary, editorial, light & airy, dark & moody, or classic/traditional.
My personal style is known as documentary. Which means I’m all about the natural moments of the day, the joy, the tears and the emotion.
As well as blending this with creating stunning styled portraits. Capturing you and your loved ones at your best and telling the story of your big day. Combining this with my classic editing style of colourful photos, which will never go out of fashion.
Make sure their overall vibe, personality and approach fits yours, your photos will look more natural when you feel at ease. I always recomend a chat on zoom during your enquiry, that way we will both be able to judge if will be a good fit.
Trust your instincts: if their work makes your heart skip a beat, you’ve probably found your person!
4. Should I Book a Second Photographer?
Although I have successfully photographed many weddings on my own, a second photographer can enhance coverage, especially for larger or multi-location weddings.
If you have a large number of guests , and/or you are getting ready at different locations and would like both capturing, then it is worth considering booking a second photographer
A second photographer also adds depth, flexibility, and extra peace of mind to your wedding day. While I’m focused on the major moments — like your walk down the aisle — a second shooter can capture all the candid reactions, small details, and behind-the-scenes moments that might otherwise be missed. It allows us to be in two places at once, telling a fuller, more complete story of your day.
And beyond the creative advantages, having a second photographer offers reassurance: if anything unexpected were ever to happen to me, you’d still have a professional there, ready to step in.
5. How many hours of wedding photography coverage do I need?
The amount of photography coverage you’ll need depends on several key factors:
Getting-ready locations: Travel time between where each partner is preparing and the ceremony venue.
Venue size: Larger spaces often require more time to fully document.
Guest count: More guests usually mean more candid moments worth capturing.
Ceremony length: Longer ceremonies naturally call for additional coverage.
In most cases, 8–10 hours is ideal to capture everything from getting ready to your first dance and the crazy dancing! But if your wedding day is a quieter affair, or you are having a twighlight wedding, you may need less coverage. I offer a half day (5 hour package) which is ideal for these situations.
The best approach is for us to talk through your timeline and priorities together to determine the perfect amount of coverage for your day.
6. Is an Engagement Photo Session Worth It?
Absolutely! Engagement sessions are more than just pretty pictures, they’re a way to feel comfortable in front of the camera and get to know your photographer before the big day.
Benefits of an engagement session:
Practice posing naturally and connecting on camera
Build trust and rapport with your photographer
Capture a special moment in your relationship before the wedding
Create photos for save-the-dates, invitations, or wedding websites
Even a short session can make a big difference in how confident you feel on your wedding day.
7. Build a Realistic Photography Timeline & Schedule Enough Coverage Time
Planning your wedding day can be quite confusing. You aren't sure how long each part of the day may take, or your are'nt sure the of the general order of things. A well-planned timeline ensures fewer missed moments and a calmer day.
I have a separate blog which covers planning your wedding day timeline in more detail which you can read here:
Planning your wedding photography timeline
But below are a few basic timing suggestions
Suggested timing:
Aim to be ready at least 60mins before the ceromony
Ceremony 20 - 60 minutes
Afternoon reception: 60 - 120 minutes
Family photos: 10-20 minutes
Couple portraits: 20 minutes
Add buffer time for travel, outfit changes, and emotional moments.
8. Plan Family Photos in Advance
Family photos can get chaotic if unorganised. I will help you to plan these by sending you a wedding questionnaire before your wedding, where I will ask you to list the family photos you would like.
I always recommend limiting the group photos to no more than 10, this gives you more time with your guests, and more time for the couple portraits. Endless group photos will quickly get boring for you and your guests, and they aren't the most exciting photos in the album!
Try to stick to immediate family and very close friends for the formal photos
And we can always grab some more casual group photos later in the day.
9. Don’t stress about the portraits & Make Time for Golden Hour Photos
Even if you feel awkward in front of the camera, I will guide you naturally. We will go for a nice, relaxed walk around the venue, keeping the portraits as natural as possible and making you feel at ease. And its a chance for you to have some time away from your guests, reflect on the day so far and enjoy being married.
This should lonely take 10 to 15 minutes. So I’m not taking you away from your guests for too long. We can do the couple portraits before your meal, after your meal or a bit of both! The weather on the day, and the time of year are also factors to consider.
Golden hour (10–15 minutes before sunset) gives the most flattering, romantic light and often produces your favourite photos. Depending on the time of year, or the weather this may not be possible, but if you have the opportunity for golden hour, its’ definitely one you should take.
10. Be Present and Enjoy Your Day
Your emotions create the magic. When you’re relaxed and present, it shows in your photos.
Unplugged ceremonies lead to cleaner, more meaningful photos, condider asking your guests to keep their phones away until at least after the ceremony.
And Finally - Trust your vendors, relax and soak in the day!
Finally
Planning your wedding photography doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right guidance, a photographer you trust, and a bit of clarity around what matters most, you’ll set yourselves up for photos that feel natural, meaningful, and completely “you.”
These ten tips are designed to help you make confident decisions and get the experience you deserve.
If you’re ready to chat more about your wedding, check availability, or simply ask a few questions, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime — I’m here to help bring your vision to life.
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