Advice from a Wedding Photographer (me!)
Nobody wants anything to go wrong on their wedding day, and there are certain things that can be avoided if you read my advice below.
The Pre-shoot
This is a huge time saver, if you have a photo session straight after getting ready (before your walk down the aisle). By getting some of the family and bridesmaid shots out of the way, they won't have to be done after the ceremony, when you have less time to spare.
Being Late
Do I really need to speak to you about this?! Being late for your man is not the best start to a marriage. A pre-arranged “lateness” is fine, for example: you decide together that you will be 15 minutes late walking down the aisle to allow late guests to take their seats. That's fine! But being 2.5 hours late (oh yes, I have experienced this), 1. throws off schedule which is a problem with available light left for photos, 2. is rude, 3.in the heat of our country, leaves your husband-to-be and guests very hot and thirsty, 4.guests get fed up and leave early and 5. your reletives will be highly embarrassed.
Guests in the aisle/ Guests in the way
No one has control over their guests at their wedding and the fact that they want to stand in the aisle to take a picture on their cell phone whilst you are walking down the aisle, BUT fortunately there are preventative measures you can take. Hire an MC.
Your MC can advise guests politely, to refrain from photography until AFTER the ceremony. (do you really need their cell phone pictures?)
Walking down the aisle
When you walk down the aisle, take your time! Don't run! As a rule, do not let anyone walk in front of another. If your bridesmaids are walking in first, wait until they have lined up until you enter.
Do things slowly
Whether it is putting on the rings, or your first kiss, do it slowly, to guarantee it being captured!
Dark Chapel
A lot of lovely chapels are dark, which is a shame. Bear in mind that your videographer /photographer may need to set up studio lights, which can also look a bit intrusive.
Open-side Chapel/Many windows
If you choose to get married in on open sided chapel, although the scenery may be beautiful, it is likely to get lost in the photos/video. The camera will either allow for you OR the background to be exposed for, so remember that what the eye sees, the lens does not necessarily capture.
General
Hold your bouquet low
Don't bunch your shoulders
Your dress will get dirty, stop trying to prevent it because it will show in your face and make you uptight.
Remember good posture.
Don't use glitter as it ends up on your man's face and doesn't look very flattering.
Weather
We all hope that it doesn't rain on your wedding day. Prepare in advance for such eventualities by having a shawl, a pretty umbrella etc. Choose a venue with arches or a lapa, to use in such cases.
Speeches
When your family member decides to make a speech, a word of advice would be to tell them that they are at your WEDDING and not your funeral! The speech that talks about you from birth 'til the age of two and takes 30 minutes will bore everyone. Guests get hungry, bored, and inevitably will leave early, spoiling your party atmosphere.
Never say “I am paying for this wedding so I will take as long as I want”.
Try not to look moody or bored during your speeches.
Your reception lighting
Receptions are usually very dark places. This sets the atmosphere, bus is not a camera's best friend.
To best capture your first dance, it is better to increase the lights so that your movements flow on video and are perfect in photos.
"I believe that wedding photography is both an art and a science. I need to capture the right emotions during key times, and those moments cannot be recreated."
Danielle Pretorius
