Here is an excellent article from the “weddingsbyzoelingard“‘ blog.

Over the last few weeks as I’ve been looking back at 2008 and going over each of our weddings with a fine tooth comb, I’ve been considering the traditional timings of group and portrait photography at weddings. Most couples tend to arrange for these kind of photos during their drinks reception but there are a number of reasons why this doesn’t work perfectly and so I’ve been wondering whether doing the classic images prior to the ceremony (as is frequently done in the US and elsewhere) is actually a better alternative.

Very often group and portrait photography is the first thing to overrun at weddings and although keeping to time might sound simple, invariably it is not. Following the ceremony, couples are excited to see their guests and reluctant to leave the party just as it’s getting started whilst guests begin to disperse themselves across the venue.  Ensuring ushers get the right people in the right place at the right time can be a tricky exercise (especially when they don’t know who’s who) and asking a friend to bellow out the names of those needed for each shot is functional but can give your wedding a school-trip meets boot camp feel.

Taking time for some photography before the ceremony not only means you bypass all of these problems but you also gain some significant benefits:

•    You’re photographed looking your absolute best, sans smudged eyeliner and crumpled buttonholes.
•    You get to spend the entire of your drinks reception chatting to your guests and soaking up the atmosphere rather than watching from afar as all the champagne gets guzzled.
•    Your drinks reception will be more relaxed and enjoyable as you’ll be free from the worry that you need to get those all-important shots before dinner is served.
•    You’ll get better photographs. Not only can you dedicate longer to getting some really creative images, without the pressure of time you’ll be more relaxed so look better and happier in the shots.
•    Your drinks reception needn’t be hours long in order to accommodate a long photo session; you reduce the risk of bored guests and a flat atmosphere.
•    You get the chance to start celebrations early, spending some quality time with your closest friends and family before the ceremony.

The major drawback to scheduling photography prior to the ceremony is that the first time you see each other won’t be as the bride walks down the aisle. However, this needn’t mean loosing the magic of seeing each other for the first time and does in fact have its own advantages. Seeing each other prior to the ceremony means you get the chance to talk to each other, calming your nerves and giving you the chance to really soak up the ‘we’re getting married feeling’ without being distracted by the wedding planning or ceremony proceedings.

Meeting each other before the ceremony needn’t be a negative thing either – you can make it into a really special moment, perhaps meet somewhere really special or get the chance for 5 minutes alone.

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Good advice there.

I’ve have shot a number of weddings where the classic images were shot before the ceremony. Obviously it’s not everyones cup of tea, but if you are worried about the timing of your wedding day, it’s something to consider when discussing your plans with your wedding photographer.

It’s always at the forefront of my mind, that the bride and groom should be as relaxed as possible on their big day. Please give me a call or drop me a line if you have any questions about hiring a suffolk photographer.

No doubt by now you’ve visit tons of bridal sites, read hundreds of magazines and been confronted by a whole heap of hints and tips regarding sourcing your wedding photograper.

They are all full of helpful ideas about what your photographer should do on your wedding day, but offer scant advice as to what they shouldn’t do. There is one very very important thing that no proper wedding photographer should ever do under any circumstances at all.

Take over your wedding.

You don’t want a photographer who will treat you and your guests like cattle, you want someone who works in conjunction with you to create beautiful images on your wedding day.

It’s one of my proudest claims that I often hear from couples who use my services that their guests didn’t even know a professional photographer was at the wedding. I like to work around all the events and moments of the day, not stage manage them to suit my needs.  Some photographers feel their role at a wedding is to create some sort of universe where they are the centre and everything revolves around them. You very rarely hear magazines and websites warn against this type of photographer who can spoil your day.

From the first moment you contact me with a view to shooting your wedding photos I make it my number one priority to set you at ease, not only with myself but with the process of hiring a professional wedding photographer. Something most of us will only do once in our lifetimes.

The trick to getting the best wedding photographs you can is to be comfortable with the photographer. If he or she is a bossy boots who wants to dictate everything, then no matter how good they are, they are going to rub you the wrong way, and an unhappy bride is NOT what we are after here!

The rapport I have with my clients is one of the things that helps set my work apart from other wedding photographers in Suffolk. I make sure that you are at ease with the process of having your pictures taken and I can promise you that I will never treat you or your guests like cattle.

You wedding is a once in a lifetime event and you should enjoy every moment of it, including having me take wonderful images of you and your loved ones enjoying the day.