Wedding photography FAQ's

Below are some ideas & guides to help you plan photography for your perfect wedding day!

To help maximize photo opportunities on your wedding day some planning is essential!

How much time is required for photography?
There are 4 major events in a wedding day to consider; thereby ensuring there is enough time available for photo opportunities:

* Bride and bridesmaids, & then groom & groomsmen getting ready.
* Wedding Ceremony (at a Church or other location)
* Bridal party, and then photos with family.
* Reception, - table shots, cake cutting, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.

Bride and bridesmaids getting ready
It is good idea for the photographer to arrive at the location where the bride is getting ready at least 1 hour before the wedding.
Some candid photographic opportunities usually present themselves while everyone is getting ready.

Formal photographs that are recommended are:
* individual shots of the bride
* individual shots of each bridesmaid
* all the girls together as a group
* the bride and her parents
* the groom & groomsmen getting ready

It is a good idea that you allow approximately - 45 minutes for these photographs.

Wedding Ceremony (at a Church or other location)
Photography will be the last thing on your mind at this stage of the day, and as such there should be no consideration of photography during the ceremony.

There will be ample opportunity for photography simply by the nature of the event, as everyone will be looking their best and love will be in the air. Our job is to simply document and capture the event so that you can enjoy it for years to come.

It is suggested that family photographs are taken, & finished within 30 minutes of the ceremony ending.
Family photographs are very important, and the ceremony is perhaps the only time during the day that you can be certain that everyone will be present.
Allow no more that 30 minutes for family photos, and if there are any special combination's of family you would like photographed together, please make a list.

Bridal group photography
After the wedding ceremony it is time to head to a suitable location for bridal group photography. An open park, garden or beaches are very suitable examples. If time permits it is recommended that 2 or more different locations are used to give you some variety in your photographs.

This is time that we can get creative and capture that special photograph that you will be proud to hang on your wall.

There is a time tested set of images that we like to capture that include:
* bride and groom together in at least 3 different situations
* each bridal party couple together
* the entire bridal group in at least 2 situations
* candid shots of the bridal group

Once we have secured these images, we will try some more adventurous photography!

We recommend that you allow at least 1 hour (excluding travel time) for bridal group photography.

You don't want to rush, as we want you to look relaxed and happy, so allow plenty of time, and bring plenty of refreshments to ensure the bridal group photography is an enjoyable and productive part of your day.
Be aware of when "sunset" happens! - we need at least an hour to photograph you all before this!

Reception:
- At the reception we like to secure photographs of:
* the bridal group entering the reception (while being announced by the MC)
* cutting of the cake
* a group shot of the guests at each table (if applicable)
* Bouquet toss, garter toss first dance..

The only requirement for photography at this time of the day is that you have fun!

Weather considerations
Even though the chances of inclement weather are usually slim, it is a good idea to have a plan (regarding locations) to cope with less than ideal conditions.

All that is needed is to have a nominated location that can be used in wet and/or windy conditions. It is important to do this before the wedding day so that any approval for public areas or buildings can be obtained in advance.

Good examples of suitable locations include:
* a historic building with antique aesthetics for inside photography
* a decorative foyer of a classy hotel
* on old train station (with cover)
* a local pub that has character
* any building that has a large veranda for cover
* a beach sunset location - in good weather!!

Sunset
The time of year and in particular when the sun will set is very important for wedding photography. If it becomes dark too early in the afternoon then suitable conditions for photography can be severely limited.

Sunset can also provide exceptional conditions for photography.
I will let you know how much time we have available on your day - well in advance!






Example itinerary
If you choose me as your wedding photographer, I will discuss the day with you and ensure that a photo itinerary is made.

Below is an example itinerary. As you can see it is simple, but gives a good guide to the day and helps ensure that there will be no surprises.

* Wedding date:
* 12.00pm - Girls photos @ Brides house
* casual shots - getting ready/hair/makeup
* formal shots of bridesmaids
* bride with her parents
* 2.00pm - Girls leaving for Church
* photographer to arrive at church early to photograph Groom and guy's
* arrival of bride at Church
* 3.00pm - Ceremony @ Church
* document all steps of the ceremony
* signing of the register
* 3.30pm - Family photos @ Church yard
* 4.00pm - Bridal group photos @ park opposite church (wet weather option - old Railway under the veranda and foyer of the hotel)
* Botanic gardens
* nightcliff foreshore and jetty
* gazebo ? (if time permits)
* 5.00pm (approximately) - should be finished bridal group photo’s. Leave for reception.
* 6.00pm - Reception.
* Couples entering reception -announced by MC
* cutting of cake
* table group shots
* first dance
* garter toss
* bouquet toss