Photographing weddings is one of my favourite parts of my job. The day itself is always the main event, but there is so much more that goes into photographing a wedding and it begins months, even years, before the big day. I wanted to share with you everything that goes into giving you perfect wedding photographs.
First Contact
The first contact is the very first time you’ll come across Charlotte Elizabeth Photography. This could be at a wedding fayre, a wedding blog, a magazine, a leaflet, our website or on social media. However you first come into contact with me, it didn’t happen accidentally. I put in hours of work to make sure that I’m giving you the best first impression possible by making it easy to find me, and show the high quality of work I produce.
Wedding Meeting
If you like what you saw at first contact, the next step is to arrange a wedding meeting. This is an informal chat about your wedding day, and an opportunity for you to see some more of my work and ask any questions you might have about your wedding photography. I talk a little bit about how I work, and what you can expect from me on your wedding day. You’ll also have the chance to see some of my wedding albums. These meetings usually last around an hour and end with instructions on how to make a booking if you decide to do so.
Pre-Wedding Session
After making a booking, the next time we’ll likely see each other is at a pre-wedding session. This is usually a few months before your wedding date, but can be any time. The pre-wedding session is essentially a photo shoot for you and your partner to get used to being in front of the camera. It always ends with some beautiful images of you both too! The session takes between 1-2 hours depending on your location. During this session we’ll also iron out any details we didn’t have at the time of booking.
Within two weeks your images will be backed up, fully edited and delivered to you via a private online gallery. From here you can view your images and give any feedback on locations and poses. There’s also the option to download these images too.
Final Checks
A few days before your wedding date, I’ll be in touch again. This will either be in the form of an email, phone call, a meeting or at the wedding rehearsal for church ceremonies. The final checks run through all the information I have about your wedding day, and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might still have.
The Wedding Day
On the day itself I’ll start work at the time and location we’ve agreed. For a typical full day package I arrive while hair and makeup is under way to capture all the getting ready excitement. After spending the morning together, I’ll head over to the ceremony before the bridal party arrives.
Inside room I say hello to the Groom and his groomsmen and capture a few natural shots of guests arriving before getting into position for the ceremony itself. During the ceremony I photograph everything from the exchange of the rings and vows to guest’s reactions and singing faces. We’ll have previously discussed the photographs you’d like around the register, but before we’re done there’s always the opportunity to add more in.
When you’re officially married we get the whole wedding party together for the big group shot. From here we’ll move onto the smaller groupings, finishing with your couple photographs. Again, there’s time here to add on any photographs you may not have thought about prior to the wedding day. I’ll then start mingling with guests and doing what I love: capturing natural photographs of everyone doing what they do.
Before the guests are called in for the wedding breakfast, you’ll usually have the opportunity to check the room. I take this opportunity to photograph all the details on your tables before everyone comes in. I’ll be in the room while the speeches take place capturing the speakers as well as guest reactions.
After the wedding breakfast there’s a relaxed hour or so before the evening guests arrive. I’ll still be around, photographing your guests and any extra details that have been put out for the evening reception. The natural wedding photography continues until your first dance and cake cutting. The cake cutting is slightly posed, but the first dance is an opportunity to show your best moves!
I stick around until the evening buffet arrives. At that point I’ll come and find you both to check that there’s nothing else you’d like me to do before leaving.
But that’s not the end of the day. When I get home the first thing I do is to back up every memory card three times. Only when I’m completely happy that I have four copies of every image do I allow myself to finish for the day.
Editing & Delivery
Editing wedding images isn’t a quick job. For every hour of photography time, you can expect around 2 hours editing. Your wedding photographs have to be perfect so I spend a lot of time making sure that they’re exactly what you’d imagined. All your edited images are delivered via your private online gallery within 6 weeks after your wedding date. This gallery can be shared with family and friends, or kept for yourselves. When you’re 100% happy with every image I’ll pop them all onto a USB (including your pre-wedding session images) and deliver them to you.
Album Design
If you’ve added an album to your wedding package, you’ll use the online gallery to tell me which images you’d like to go in it. I’ll create a couple of designs for you to choose from and alter. When you’re completely happy we’ll meet again to talk about your cover and personalization options. With those final bits in place your album will be sent to Folio to be made. I’ll keep you up to date with the expected completion date.
The Final Products
When your album and USB is complete we’ll talk about the quickest way to get them to you. If hand delivering is the fastest option then I’ll pop around with your final products. However if posting via special delivery is quickest, that’s what we’ll do. This is the last time you’ll hear from me – my work on your wedding day will be done!
For more information on my wedding packages take a look at the wedding page here.
Need some information on How to Care For Your Wedding Album? Take a look at our tips.