WEDDING GUIDE
Help & ideas
Making the most of your wedding photography
THANK YOU for choosing me!
When you confirmed you wanted me to photograph your wedding I did a happy dance. You are my choice too! I want to share with you what I have learnt. Getting married can be stressfull but with these tips hopefully it will be a bit easier. On your wedding day I will be the person on your side, your person, your day your way is in my best interest.
I want to share your excitement and get to know you!
I'd love to hear about your excitements, updates and things you're planning. I want to get to know you! If you have a pinterest board share it with me. If you'd like to be friends on facebook, friend me, I'd love that. This is me: https://www.facebook.com/jesicacroberts I totally get that you may want to make lovely unique things for your weddings. Making your wedding you is important. Your wedding day will be a whirlwind, the detail will be the last thing you care about. You will be marrying your best friend and all of your friends and family will be there. It will be amazing. My advice is create things you enjoy creating. Don't stress over ambitious projects and don't feel pressured into doing things you don't want to do. Stay in touch, share things! I often get mistaken for a friend at weddings and this is because I do become a friend!
Getting Ready TOP tips! Have
fun and enjoy getting ready with your favourite people.
Getting ready in a room with Have your
natural light will make for more flattering photos.
make up done near a window
If possible Keep all your photos.
lights off, these can cast shadows and create a yellow tinge to
Encourage your bridesmaids to be in their dresses and ready half an hour before you put your dress on.
Remember to eat and drink it's a long day and hydrating actually helps to slow down the day so you can enjoy every second. From the moment you are getting ready enjoy every moment as the day passes by in a blur, don't waste time or energy worrying about anything.
First look What is a first look? A first look is when the couple see each other before the ceremony. Some people choose to do this because they want the first time they
see each other on their wedding day to be intimate, and just for them. Some feel it more confidence.
united to see each other before the ceremony, it gives them
Having a first look can also save time later and reduce the time you may spend doing the couple portraits.
Everyone has a camera these days. A lot of couples are now opting for an unplugged ceremony. So instead of seeing a line of cameras when you walk down the isle or say your vows you see all your friends and families beautiful faces. Putting something like this in your order of service and asking the officiant to remind people usually works! This was my favourite wording -
"We are asking for an "unplugged" ceremony" when ....... walks down the isle she wants to see all your beautiful faces not cameras, phones or ipads, Please can you be fully present as we exchange our vows and start our life together? You are welcome to take photos during the reception but please leave the ceremony photography to our amazing photographer Jessica Roberts and be courteous of her shots as she continues to document our celebration throughout the day."
The ceremony
If you would like me to photograph the ceremony please make sure the Reverend, registrar or officiant knows your wishes and that they allow it. I have had a few weddings where I've not been allowed to take any
This is such a shame, So
glad they have these photos as the important and beautiful pass by so quickly.
many couples tell me they are so ceremony that are so
photos.
moments in the
Depending on the venue I either position myself at the front or at the back with a long lens. I will only use flash if I absolutley have to. Only once in over 60 weddings have I had to use flash in a ceremony.
Family Photos and important people
Having family photos are such an important part of the day. I totally get that you've booked me because your looking for a photographer that is a bit different. I don't do stuffy, formal photos with cheesy fake smiles. Natural is more me. If sunny I will choose an open shady place. This part of the day is important as it is how future generations know who was who. In my questionaire that you recieve a couple of months before your wedding. I suggest 12 combination of family shots, this of course can be altered. I usually suggest we do these after the ceremony or in summer after dinner. I usually speak with your parents and get them on side and then I can arrange and shoot these photos in 15- 20 minutes. It's really important that you tell me who is important to you and I will make sure I capture them naturally during the day. There is a part in the questionaire that includes this.
Couple photos I love doing the couple portraits. It is a great chance for you to take a breather and reflect on such a busy day. When we do these photos we will usually be away from your wedding party. It is no secret that where I choose to
light is extremly important to me and it often has a lot to do frame you in these photos.
Often couples will spend 20 minutes or so with me before they sit down to dinner and then in the hour before it gets dark... the golden hour we can spend another 20 minutes or if time is tight we can just nip out when the light is beautiful. I will always tell you if the light is gorgeous and give you the choice. In the summer if the weather is nice it can be quite fun to do the immediate family photos after dinner as everyine is relaxed and the light is beautiful. If you would like to hop in the car and drive somewhere close for these, that is fine and I am happy to drive!
Those moments
I love watching people. I love catching those moments. A ressuring touch, a smile, a wink, children laughing, old friends catching up, friendships being formed, emotional exchanges. Anticipation, I love it! One way of not missing a moment is opting for a second shooter. I hire another skilled photographer they charge me 200GBP this is what it costs you. It also captures your wedding from a another creative angle an you will get more photos. I love confetti, I can't really explain why because I guess it is a funny tradition. I love the natural and spontaneous happiness. I love big colourful confetti. Confetti canons / poppers are the best if you love confetti too or tissue papper cut into retangles or squares work well too.
Wedding timings and Meals!
Setting realistic timings for the day is a must. Most weddings I attend don't run to plan and I adapt. Do let me know if you you need any advice on this. I don't mind if you want to seat me at a table or by myself, it is totally up to you! I am flat out all day and am on my feet for most of it, I am very grateful for the food and water you provide me throughout the day. Most caterers and venues don't allow me to bring my own food on site and if I had to go out to eat then I would certainly miss some of your wedding. It is really important that I get my food when you do. At weddings the caterers will always serve the married couple first and then do table by table and this can be a half a hour difference. If I am eating when you are not then I could be missing something. It is best to speak to the caterers in advance about this and then give me the name of the person I can liase with on the day.
After the wedding Throughout your wedding day I will be backing your photos up on an electronic device. Then when I get home I back up your images another 2 times. After your wedding I aim to put a few sneak previews on facebook within 2 days. These are completely optional, most people would rather the first photos on facebook to be the professional ones instead of grainy unflattering ones. 10 days after your wedding I will email you your own personal URL with a slideshow of around 200 images of the day. I will then blog it a few days later. Within 6 weeks you will recieve the full set of images. I archive and always keep a copy of your images but after I email them to you, they are your responsibility. Please download them and then back them up in a cloud and by all means print them! If you have paid for an album or would like to order one then the first drafted design will be provided to you within 6-8 weeks of you selecting your favourite 100 photos. This time frame can be less depending on how many weddings I have on.
Thank you and I hope this helps!!!
I hope more than anything this guide helps you. By all means this is your wedding for you to do your way! I can not wait to get to know you more and photograph your wedding!!!