Many bride’s like to have some photography done at their home or in their hotel room to capture the atmosphere of the bridal preparations.
My only constraint is that I have to leave in good time to get to the ceremony – well before the bride is due to arrive. If the bride is in her dress then there is opportunity to do some bridal portraits – if that’s what the bride wants. Some do but others want to keep everything informal. Joanna wanted some more formal shots.
Of course I’m always looking for opportunity to capture the flow of the day and shoot things as they unfold.
Often I find that the “bridal suite” is in rather a state of chaos, so trying to capture those emotional moments can be quite tricky. Can you spot the bride?
Found her at last…
While Rachael was getting her hair done I went to meet up with the boys, as Rachael didn’t actually want me to help her into her dress – can’t think why not?
I left the girls to it and managed to drag the boys out of the bar for a few shots of them in the gardens of the hotel.
Later I went back to catch up with Rachael. Here she’s gets the finishing touches before she is ready to leave for the ceremony.
So photography before the ceremony can take many forms. It can range from recording the events as they unfold or having a few more formal shots of the bride, family and friends. Often there is a mixture of both – it’s up to you. Though the main thing to consider is timing. For the bride, if you want shots in your dress, then you have to be ready wearing it whilst I’m there as I have to leave for the ceremony venue in good time to meet the groom and get in position. For a church wedding I like to be at the church about an hour before the ceremony. This actually gives me about 15 minutes with the groom and his supporters before people start to arrive. If the bride is “on site” for a civil ceremony then the timing is more flexible.
What happens next?
At the church I’ll take shots of the groom and ushers, details such as the flowers and then friends and family as they arrive. I’ll do portrait shots of each as I work on the premise that even if the couple say they don’t want the shots they invariably do later. And the biggest source of complaint to professional associations is that the photographer didn’t take the shots they wanted. Of course I’m also recording anything else that’s going on and capturing those candid moments too.
Here comes the bride:
Lee arrived in her father’s Jaguar – she was going to drive it herself but we persuaded her that it would be better to be driven. In the event she was glad she took the advice as wedding dresses and high-heels don’t make driving easy.
Then I record what’s going on, bride’s maids helping to re-arrange the dress and and the wedding party walking to the church.
Here, Caroline’s running slightly late and the rain is starting to pick from a light drizzle to a pour. That’s why she’s sheltering under the tree whilst the bride’s maids sort her dress out and fix the veil in place:
Of course I’m standing in the rain getting soaked – all in the line of duty.
I was waiting for an un-guarded moment and was rewarded with this shot.
It looks posed but wasn’t, just a fleeting moment frozen in time.
Outside the church there’s a few moments to pause for thought and get ready before entering. Once we’re over the threshold then it’s over to the vicar.
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