Photographs are an essential part of your wedding day. Let’s make sure they are epic but finished in the shortest amount of time, so you can get back to the bubbly.
Here’s our well rehearsed list of traditional group shots – arranged so the elderly aren’t waiting too long, you have your alone time and everyone gets their time to party. You don’t have to take all of these or any of these, but a few of the traditional shots are always much appreciated by the families. Tip: send the order to all people involved so they know when they are expected – and don’t forget to share with your photographer!
Your wedding day has arrived! POP open the champagne because today is going to be the best day of your life! To make sure you have everything you need, here are some bits and bobs you might want to whip together – get your Maid of Honour, AKA the superhero, to hang onto them so you don’t have to.
Basic:
Band-Aids
Cash
Comb
Clear nail varnish (goodbye laddered tights or buttons that are about to fall off)
Extra earring backs
Hair Pins (try bringing brown and black, so you can work with a variety of hair colours)
Hairspray
Makeup – cover up, lipstick and anything else you might want to touch up
Lighter (if a hem is showing a bit of loose thread or if any candles need re-lighting)
Mints (fresh breath is always a good idea, especially if you had your favourite garlic bread for lunch)
Mobile phone
Nail file
Paracetamol
Perfume
Q Tips
Safety Pins
A small sewing kit
Small phone charger
Stain remover
Straws (especially if you are sporting your signature lipstick and don’t want it to smudge!)
Pack travel-sized versions of everything and it won’t seem like that much. Summer or winter wedding? Here are some more ideas depending on when you choose to celebrate.
Spring/Summer:
Baby powder. A bit of baby powder will stop your arms chafing against your dress. You’ll be chafe free when rocking the dance floor later too.
Important for an outdoor wedding, and an indoor one, if photos are outside – opt for scent-free. Then it’s already packed for the honeymoon.
Bug spray. Depending on the location – but around dusk, bugs can become incredibly active and protection becomes necessary (again opt for scent-free).
By Ten Twenty One
Autumn/Winter:
Lip Balm is a major necessity, especially in the winter months, when lips start chapping.
Hand Cream. Cold air dries the skin on your hands. So if you’re not wearing gloves, get those babies moisturised.
Anti-static spray. If you are changing in and out of warmer clothes, the spray will stop the static.
As your W-Day draws closer and closer, you might start checking the weather forecast. But WHO CARES… your wedding day is the best day of your life whatever the weather. So let’s just make sure you’re excited and prepared for any wind, rain, snow – because all of them can make your wedding day even better than you could possibly imagine. So enjoy!
By Ross Harvey
1) Consider your venue
The simplest rule is to always make sure you have a marquee or venue big enough to fit everyone inside. So long as guests are warm and dry, they will have an awesome time so simply plan for that. For marquees, make sure it has sides that can be pulled down if it is a little windy, so you can really get that party started. Sorted!
By Cinzia Bruschini
2) Brollies and Wellies
“Every cloud has a silver lining.” If rain is expected, embrace it! Why not get guests to bring a pair of wellies? Or if you have a little budget to spare, give them multi-coloured wellies as favours (you can find cheap ones online) – you could even ask their shoe size on the invite. Or have your names and the wedding date drawn on brightly coloured brollies for people to take away with them, et voila! Imagine your whole guest list in wellies and brollies – the pictures will look amazing! Oh and ladies, keep yourselves (and your stunning shoes) from sinking into the wet ground with heelstoppers!
By Chris Giles Photography
3) Dark skies are superb for photographers
Photographers LOVE a stormy sky. It makes for amazing lighting, so enjoy creative and unique wedding photos! A little wind will make the billowing veil look incredible, snow will make everything much more intimate and cosy, while raindrops look amazing in photos. Go outside, dance around, laugh and stay happy, you’ve just married your best friend!
By Allister Freeman
4) Cross fingers for snow
If you are lucky enough to have a winter wedding AND it happens to snow then definitely embrace it! Think of all the possibilities: you could wear a stunning fur coat, you can cosy up to your beloved in the middle of a snowy field… And think about the photos; your wedding will look like a fairy tale!
By David Pullum Photography
5) Hot or Cold?
Your wedding day is set to be scorcher – picture the sun shining and drinks flowing. Just make sure there’s lots of water kicking about and maybe turn your wedding programme into a fan – just so you’re looking out for those guys in morning suits and elderly relatives. Everyone will be happy so you can get back to your party in the beautiful sunshine.
If the temperature is looking a little cold for your big day, you can easily rent an extra heater even a week to go before the wedding so there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone is going to be so hot from dancing they won’t notice anyway. It just means people will party harder!
By Richard Skins Photography
6) Ask the ushers for help
That’s what they are there for! Get the ushers to shelter you with an umbrella as you go into and leave the ceremony. And if you arrange for them to have towels, they can even give the aisle a quick wipe down ready for your entrance = flawless dress. Bonus.
By Ross Harvey
7) Now go and have fun!
Final tip: don’t worry about the beautiful white dress and the smart suit – they can always be cleaned. This is the biggest party of your life so go and have fun; your guests are definitely going to – rain, snow, wind or shine!
Wedding photos are an essential part of your big day. Let’s make sure they are epic but finished in the shortest amount of time, so you can get back to the bubbly.
Here’s our well rehearsed list of traditional group shots – arranged so the elderly aren’t waiting too long, you have your alone time and everyone gets their time to party. You don’t have to take all of these or any of these, but a few of the traditional shots are always much appreciated by the families. Tip: send the order to all people involved so they know when they are expected – and don’t forget to share with your photographer!
