{"id":3426,"date":"2012-11-02T23:23:40","date_gmt":"2012-11-02T23:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/liamkidney.com\/blog\/?p=3426"},"modified":"2020-03-06T13:23:36","modified_gmt":"2020-03-06T13:23:36","slug":"advice-for-couples-for-their-wedding-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liamkidney.com\/blog\/advice-for-couples-for-their-wedding-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice For Couples For Their Wedding Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I decided to write this piece to give advice for couples for their wedding day.\u00a0 This is practical advice that I have built up from experience over the past decade as a wedding photographer.<\/p>\n

Bi Ullamh(Be Prepared):<\/strong> The old Scout \u201cMotto\u201d is very important on your wedding day!<\/p>\n

Photographer:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If possible try and meet your photographer before your big day to discuss your wedding plans in detail. It is important that you work out how much time you want to spend getting your photos taken. Check out locations with him if he hasn\u2019t covered your area before. I store all the locations for a wedding in my SatNav and this reduces the chances significantly of getting lost on your big day.\u00a0 \u00a0Make sure you share the Postcode of key locations and don’t\u00a0 mix up the Zeros with the O’s!\u00a0 Have a fine weather plan and a plan B if it is raining.\u00a0 Work out accurate timings for the day with your photographer.\u00a0 If everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet it makes the day run smoothly and will be easier for all involved.
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I would also recommend an engagement shoot near the wedding day. This gives couples an opportunity to get used to being photographed together and by themselves before their big day. It builds up trust and confidence with with the photographer as well. These photos are often used for invites and signature pictures for the wedding. You can read more about the advantages of doing an Engagement shoots
\non my blog here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Family Shots:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let your families know when you plan to do the family shots. I normally take them in the church or on the church grounds because it is easier when everybody is in the one spot. Trying to findyour siblings in the hotel bar, toilets or rooms can be a bit of nightmare at times, believe me!<\/p>\n

Normally Family shots consist of the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bride and Groom &Bride’s Parents<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom, Bride’s Parents & Bride’s Siblings<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom, Bride’s Parents, Bride’s Siblings, partners and children.<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom, Bride’s Parents & Groom’s Parents<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom, Bride’s Parents & Groom’s Parents<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom & Groom’s Parents<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom , Groom’s Parents and Groom’s Siblings<\/p>\n

Bride and Groom , Groom’s Parents, Groom’s Siblings, Partners and Children.<\/p>\n

If there is Grandparents you would normally include them in the family photos. You generally don’t include the extended family(Aunts and Uncles, cousins etc) due to time constraints but most photographers will include them if asked.\u00a0 They do add a bit of time to the group shots.<\/p>\n

Flowers:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I would recommend ordering one or two extra flowers for the wedding party. I have seen the flowers break when being put on the suits the morning of the wedding!\u00a0 Also the pins for the flowers should not be more than a inch and half long. I have seen some over two inches long and they cause a big problem if the groom is wearing a suit with a narrow lapel. I would also recommend the magnetic flower Catch(instead of pins) for the mothers of the bride and groom.\u00a0 Sometimes you may have to use both or do without (or she can wear something on her wrist) depending on the mother’s outfit.<\/p>\n

Men wear the flowers on the left and the women on the right!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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General Advice:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You should have some basic equipment on standby by for your big day. I would suggest having some large plain coloured umbrellas (without sponsorship if possible!) in the wedding cars. A couple of times
\nthis year the groom\u2019s men have ferried guests to the car using umbrellas.<\/p>\n

A nice wooden hanger for the Bride’s dress is good for photos. Also, the bride should remember that she will be photographed before the wedding dress is on and should be dressed bearing that in mind!<\/p>\n

A few white towels are good if the bride wants to sit down on the grass or a bench for a few photos. Also, a few baby wipes are great for emergencies in case of a spillage on the dress!<\/p>\n

If you are going to a location like a beach for a shoot, sometimes runners, flat shoes or Ugg boots are a good idea. These will be hidden under the dress. I also recommend extra jackets if it\u2019s cold for the
\nbridesmaids and bride. These can be taken off just before the photographs are being taken.<\/p>\n

Make sure your bridesmaids know how to tie up the back of your dress. Practice it outside the shop before the day of your wedding!! Some dresses can be complicated and time consuming to get right!
\nThere is nothing worse than a bride panicking because her sister can\u2019t remember how to tie up the dress forty minutes later. Also, make sure they know how to \u201ctie the dress up\u201d for the dancing later. There
\nhas being many a first dance delayed by this!<\/p>\n

Unplugged Wedding Ceremony<\/strong><\/h2>\n

With the rise of camera technology i.e. Mobile phone, Ipads etc many guests are totally distracted from the ceremony and are spending their time trying to capture the moment on their devices rather that witnessing it with their own eyes.\u00a0 I have seen this particularly during the bridal procession at the beginning of the ceremony where the professional video person and I can’t see the bride and her father because the guests have leaned out and stood out in the middle of the aisle.\u00a0 I had a case recently where guests were actually standing on the seats in the church so they could get a picture of the bride going up the aisle.\u00a0 I think they are ruining one of the nicest moments of the day without even realising it.\u00a0 I have suggested to couples that they announce something like this before the ceremony.<\/p>\n

“We invited you all to be here today to witness our marriage ceremony.\u00a0 We\u00a0 ask you to turn off all mobile phones and camera devices so that you can watch the ceremony through your own eyes rather than through your devices.\u00a0 We have hired our favourite photographer to capture every detail of the day so you don’t have to.\u00a0 The last thing we want is the only images of you to be behind a camera or device.\u00a0\u00a0 You will have a opportunity at the end of the ceremony to get a photo of the happy couple!”<\/em><\/p>\n

On The Day Of Your Wedding:<\/strong><\/h1>\n

I know on the morning of your wedding you will be nervous but it\u2019s important to eat a good breakfast.\u00a0 It will set you up for the day!<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t fret over the weather.\u00a0 You have no control over it so just \u201croll\u201d with it.\u00a0\u00a0 It makes our job as photographers a little tougher because all the photographs are inside but any qualified photographer should be able to work in all weather conditions.\u00a0 For the record the best light for photographs is when it is overcast and dry.\u00a0 The light is very soft which is great for photos.\u00a0 Sunshine causes as many problems as rain because of the harsh light and glare etc…. A lot of time you end up putting the couple in the shade!<\/p>\n

Hair and Makeup:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is very important the Bride get’s her Hair and Makeup done First<\/strong> rather than waiting for the Bridesmaids or sisters etc.\u00a0 (Some hairdressers and Makeup artists prefer to leave the bride till the end)<\/p>\n

The reasons for this are as follows:<\/p>\n