The Three Hour Wedding
The majority of the wedding enquiries I receive start the same way “we love your photos but we don’t really know how any of this works”.
Modern weddings come in all shapes and sizes; some people choose to host a full day event for a large number of people ( Package 1 and 2 ) and others want a smaller gathering, which is why I created a unique three hour coverage window with Package 3. This package can also be tailored; some people want to add time and increase their budget for specific things they want to be documented. Sometimes this means that I am with the bridal party (if they are getting ready at the venue or close by) before the ceremony, or it can mean that I attend the first part of the reception and meal.
As a Worcestershire wedding photographer my aim is for my couples to not have to compromise on the style and grandeur of photography just because the coverage window is smaller. I’ve created a walk through of how those three hours can be best spent in order to capture all of the most important moments whilst I’m with you.
I will arrive at the location half an hour before the ceremony itself, this way I can photograph both bride, groom and guests arriving before heading into the ceremony room. This is a great opportunity to capture the anticipation and and excitement of you and your guests as you arrive.
As the groom and guests await the entrance of the bride; sometimes there’s an opportunity of the future father in law to offer a last minute hug and word of advice, other times it’s a chance for the best man to check that he has the rings. The sense of shared excitement and anticipation in the room always creates honest and natural emotions for me to capture.
The two main types of wedding ceremonies are either religious; usually in a Church or place of worship lasting around forty five minutes to an hour or a civil ceremony which can take place in a wide range of locations including local council offices or sanctioned areas of a wedding venue. These ceremonies typically last between twenty and thirty minutes.
During the ceremony I am usually limited to where I can stand and how much I can move around. When readings, music and hymns are taking place, I take advantage and move to get a variety of vantage points and also concentrate on guests who may not have been visible from my original position.
When the ceremony ends and your Vicar or Celebrant are saying the final words, I will have made my way down the aisle or out of the door where you will be leaving the ceremony to capture your first steps as a married couple.
The thirty minutes that follow are busy as there is lots to fit in. First off is the confetti; ushers and bridesmaids are your best bet for getting the confetti distributed amongst your guests as you will be busy catching your breath. After the confetti I give everyone five to ten minutes to meet and greet guests as I move around photographing.
When the time is right I will start the group photos which will take around ten to fifteen minutes depending on logistics and numbers. An ‘all guests’ photo is always a good one to start with before moving onto close family and friends. These are a great testament to who was there on the day and the perfect opportunity to get family portraits.
I like to take advantage of the surrounding area of the ceremony venue; in some cases there are green areas such as parks or gardens, other venues may have a nice stone wall or building facia that we can work with. Regardless of the venue or setting, I will find the best areas to shoot that get you timeless, authentic moments together.
I mentioned earlier that I don’t think the coverage window should affect the style or grandeur of your wedding photos, so after the confetti, group shots and photos of the bride and groom in the areas surrounding the ceremony, we take the time to explore other locations. Sometimes this is in a field near a Church, it can be in the wider grounds of the venue and in some case we travel to somewhere with a great vista locally (these will be discussed and decided upon before your wedding). Not every couple chooses to do this and are happy with the photos captured around the ceremony venue, but it’s a chance for you to get more photos of yourselves in a variety of settings.
Using the example of the Malvern Registry Office there are some great locations within the Winter Gardens in which it is based. A secondary location within ten minutes is Castle Morton offering wide views of the Malvern Hills which are easily accessed and offers amazing scenery to be photographed in.
For the majority of Package 3 weddings, my coverage ends here. Some couples will extend the coverage window so I can capture bridal prep or the drinks reception and some of the meal. Here are some examples of the latter.
This has been an overview of the style of photography that I typically capture with Package 3 based on me being with you for three hours. I treat this style of wedding like any other; I’m there to capture the authentic moments of the day whilst offering guidance when needed to help get the most from my time I’m with you. If you like to discuss your wedding plans please get in touch.