Your wedding photography is locked in!

The vendors you love can book out well in advance, especially videographers, makeup and hair artist, florists and celebrants. If you’ve found someone whose work and style you love, reach out early. 

Beautiful natural light is your best friend on your wedding day! When choosing where you’ll get ready, look for a space with plenty of large windows and soft, natural light. Bonus points for a room that’s spacious, uncluttered and has enough room for everyone to move around comfortably. Your photos will thank you! 

If the typical getting-ready photos aren’t really your thing, that’s totally okay! Why not make this part of the day a little more you? For the guys, that could mean grabbing a coffee, heading to the barber, taking a walk along the beach or simply hanging out somewhere you love. These little moments can make for some of the most natural and fun photos of the day. 

Your getting-ready location is also the perfect place to capture all those beautiful little details that make your wedding uniquely yours. One of the first things I’ll do when I arrive at your getting-ready location is photograph all those beautiful little details that help tell the story of your day. Think personalised ring boxes, ribbons, invitations, perfume, jewellery, shoes, your veil and any other meaningful pieces. 

Having these details gathered and ready when I arrive means I can get straight into creating those gorgeous detail shots before the getting-ready fun begins! 

First looks don’t have to be just between you and your partner. They’re such a beautiful way to slow down and share a special moment with the people who mean the most to you — whether that’s your parents, children, grandparents, partner or someone else special.

Whether it’s happy tears, huge hugs, big laughs or a very enthusiastic “WOW!” — these little moments are pure gold and make for some really beautiful photos.

Your ceremony time can have a big impact on the rest of your wedding day — especially when it comes to photography. The light changes throughout the year, so choosing the right ceremony time can help ensure we have beautiful, natural light for your photos

I’m always happy to help you work out the best timing for your ceremony based on your wedding date, location and the kind of photos you’re dreaming of.

My recommendation

Personally, I recommend having an earlier ceremony where possible. 

As a general guide: 

• Winter weddings: Consider a ceremony around 2:30pm

• Summer weddings: Consider a ceremony around 3:00pm

An earlier ceremony gives you a little more breathing room in your day. After the ceremony, you can spend some relaxed time mingling with your guests, enjoying a drink and soaking in the moment before we head off for your bridal party and couples’ photos.

It also means we’re not rushing through your photos to chase the last light of the day.

Most importantly, these times are simply a starting point. Sunset varies throughout the year and from location to location, so I’ll help you work backwards from sunset to create a timeline that gives you beautiful light and plenty of time to enjoy your wedding day.

The goal? A timeline that feels relaxed, allows you to be present with your guests, and gives us the best possible light for your photographs.

When you’re choosing the perfect ceremony spot, think beyond how it looks in person. Where will the sun be? Will you and your guests be squinting into the sun? Is there shade nearby? A beautiful backdrop + beautiful light always makes for beautiful photos.

I usually recommend allowing around 20–30 minutes for bridal party photos, followed by 45–60 minutes for your newlywed photos. I’ve found this balance works really well — it gives us enough time to capture a good variety of photos without making the whole experience feel rushed. Most importantly, that extra time for your newlywed photos gives you both a chance to step away from the crowd, slow down and have a little time together before heading back to the celebrations.  If those soft, glowy, romantic photos are what you’re after, the hour before sunset is the best time for your newlywed photos.  

Family photos are always so special, but a little planning goes a long way! I recommend keeping your list to around 8–10 group combinations so we can get through them quickly and get you back to celebrating.  In your final questionnaire, there’ll be a section where you can list all of your family photo combinations or alternatively you can email them separately.

Want to add a little extra magic to your wedding gallery? Creative night photos are a favourite! They usually take 15 minutes and the best time to do these photos is after you’ve had dinner, this is the perfect time to sneak away from the party and capture something a little different.

Not only do these photos stand out in your gallery, but it’s also a beautiful opportunity to have a few quiet, uninterrupted moments together as husband and wife.  Often your guests don’t even know you’ve left.  

These are often some of my favourite images from the entire day — and very often become yours too. 

If you’re looking for a few ways to make your photos a little more fun, colourful and uniquely you, there are so many creative touches we can factor into your day.  

Maybe it’s a champagne spray with your bridal party, a confetti exit straight after the ceremony, bubbles with the kids, sparklers at sunset or arriving in a classic collectors car. These little moments bring so much movement and personality to your special day — and, most importantly, give you an excuse to have a bit of fun!

You don’t need to do anything just for the sake of a photo — but if there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, let’s do it!