Some helpful questions and answers
So; you’ve made good progress with your wedding planning. Congratulations on making it this far! The vision is starting to feel like a reality. Getting everything exactly as you had dreamed can be no mean feat, and by now you’re probably starting to have a million questions swirling around your brain.
Let me try and help answer some of those nagging questions.
Here is my little list to maybe calm some of those late night wedding thoughts and help to alleviate any anxieties about your photos.
I hope you both find this list useful!
FAQ’s
Will we speak with Elle before the wedding day?
Of course. I would be completely lost if I didn’t catch up with every single couple before their big day.
You will be emailed a link to book in for a final zoom call with me 28 days before your wedding date, so keep a look out for that. We will go through every part of your day on the call; so there’s no need to send me a long itinerary beforehand.
Can we request specific shots we want?
Please rest assured that I will document the day in its entirety to the very best of my skill and ability, including all the big events such as first kiss, walk down the aisle, confetti, cake cut etc. However if there is something very specific to you guys that you want to make me aware of, then yes of course you can let me know on our call and I will make a note of any special requests.
What time will Elle arrive in the morning?
I start my day 2.5hours before your ceremony starts and this is usually enough time to capture a little bit of both parties’ morning prep. We can decide how to structure the morning when we have our final call, but if you haven’t already booked your morning locations, it is always useful to be as close together as possible for logistical reasons.
Is there anything I can prepare before the day arrives?
One of the first things I will do in the morning on the wedding day is photograph your flat lay. This is all the ‘bridal (and groom) bits’ such as shoes, fragrance, jewellery or cufflinks etc. It is really helpful to have all these things together for me in the morning so I don’t have to rummage around in peoples suitcases to try and find a specific bottle of perfume or Grandma’s pearl earrings.
What’s the best time to get my dress on to leave enough time for photos in the morning.
That last hour before you need to leave goes by SO fast. To make time for all the group shots and bridal portraits, I would advise that your whole party is finished with hair and makeup no less than 45 minutes before you need to be in the car. This allows time for pre dressed group shots with the wedding party plus getting dressed shots, first looks and leaves me enough time to leave and be en route so I arrive at the ceremony to set up before you and the girls arrive.
Where will Elle stand during our ceremony?
I spend most of my time during a ceremony at the front but to the one side so I am not obvious to your guests. I will move around at points, but never to detract from what is being said or what you guys are doing. If you have a reader, I will aim to move completely out the way into the aisle or side aisle.
What about if we are at a Church?
If your ceremony is being held in a church, my movements are very much restricted by the rules of that particular church and vicar/priest. It is a really great idea for you both to have a conversation with your vicar before the wedding date and explain that you do have a photographer and you would like them (me) to be at the front and to the side to have the best opportunity of capturing your special ceremony.
Do you need to visit our venue before the wedding?
As much as this can seem like a good idea, it actually can be more harm than help. I work very much with my creative instincts on a wedding day, capturing the overall vibe of the event and the people within it. It’s always so lovely to work at a new venue and have that creativity flow freely! If I visit a venue before the big day when it is empty, it will look and feel entirely different to when you guys have filled it with beautiful things and people. Plus, my location choices for the formal shots on the wedding day are very heavily based on the weather and where the sun is at any given point during the day. So, my decision on where the family shots will take place is less based on a nice door as a backdrop, and more on, where is the most shade so we don’t have people squinting in your group shots. However, all that being said, if there is an element of your venue that you guys love and want included in some way in your photos, like a great staircase or a cool library or beautiful flower garden, please let me know on our call and I will endeavour to incorporate it in some way during the day. I will be keeping track of where the sun is going down throughout the day and decide where your golden hour shots will be based on where that sunset will be visible.
When will the family shots happen in our timeline?
I don’t whisk you both away straight after the confetti, I let you both say hello to all your guests, have a drink and some food and enjoy that time during the drinks reception. That allows me to capture some lovely candid moments with your loved ones. The formal family shots will start around 45 minutes after the confetti shot.
That being said, if your wedding is from October onwards, we are at the mercy of the natural light. And so it is a good idea to crack on straight away with the family shots to give you the best opportunity of getting beautiful group shots in daylight.
How long will the family shots take?
This can be different for every family depending on their specific dynamics and family set up. However, I aim to have all the immediate family shots taken within 15-25minutes. We will go through all family shots on our final call.
Do you have public liability insurance?
Yes. If your venue needs to see this before the day please let me know and I can email this across to you.
What about PAT testing?
I don’t use plug in lights or anything so this isn’t necessary for my services.
Does Elle have any dietary requirements?
If you guys are providing a supplier meal for me on your day; firstly, thank you so much, this is hugely appreciated! And secondly, I have no dietary requirements, so nice and easy there!
I hope this may have answered any lingering questions you guys have about how everything works on your wedding day. Mostly, I would just like to say that the whole process of the wedding and having some beautiful images created is meant to be a fun and memorable time for you guys and your families. My aim is to make the whole experience enjoyable and stress free so you can truly love your wedding day and look back on the images with joyful nostalgia.
I can’t wait to chat with you both about your lovely plans and create something beautiful with you guys!