One of my new years resolutions is to post a few pictures from each wedding on the blog…so here goes the 1st!
Taken in January 2010, at the Galgorm Resort and Spa, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
In my opinion one of the most challenging photographs to take at a wedding is of the bride coming up the aisle. Churches can often be dark, flash photography is sometimes banned – and all this while shooting a moving object. Of course, a professional photographer will be able to work with whatever the conditions, but here are a few hints to help.
1. Walk in Slow motion!
No matter how long the aisle is, walk slowly! I’d recommend walking at approximately half-speed. It may seem slow, but it will give your photographer time to take a few pictures. It will also give your guests (and future husband!) more time to admire you.
2. Organise the Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids usually walk down the aisle first, although there is no set rule. Whichever order you choose, make sure they also walk slowly.
Leave a good space between bridesmaids
Most importantly, think about the timing between bridesmaids. If they are too close your photographer will struggle to take a picture of the middle bridesmaid. As a general rule of thumb, the 1st bridesmaid should be three-quarters up the aisle before the second starts to walk up the aisle. For impact, it is often best for the bride and her father to wait until all the bridesmaids have reached the front.
Think about where they should stand when they arrive
At the rehearsal, have a practice run and make sure the bridesmaids know where to stand when they arrive at the altar. Make sure they aren’t blocking the videographer!
Help the kids
Flowergirls and page boys are great at weddings. Depending on their age, you may wish to have a bridesmaid accompany them up the aisle.
3. Smile!
Enough said!
Just about to go up the aisle! Photograph by Peter Thomas Photography
4. Don’t forget the orders of service!
A minor detail, but you may wish to ensure that whoever is officiating the service has orders of service for the bridesmaids and bride. There’s nothing worse than singing a hymn with no words!
5. And the same applies when you are coming back down again!
All of these suggestions equally apply when the bride and groom are coming back down the aisle. It is often best for the bridesmaids to wait until the bride and groom have completed their journey down the aisle before they start. This means that your photographs won’t have other members of the bridal party in the background.
And finally…
Coming up the aisle is an important but small part of your day. The hints above are just suggestions – if you don’t get time to think it through don’t worry – just walk slowly and enjoy!
I regularly get asked questions such as ‘what makes you different’ or ‘what makes your packages attractive’?. So this is the first article in a short series which takes a look at answering those questions. Its not based on my perceptions – rather I’ve based it on a simple premise – things which people mention when they ring me up.
Firstly, people often mention ‘The Box’. This little box isn’t special in itself, but I have to say that brides simply love whats inside. Let me explain.
1. 6×4 prints of all the pictures.
I believe that couples should have their photographs in their hands. They shouldn’t have to load up a CD or play a DVD – the good old fashioned way is the best. I print all the photographs (normally 300-350). Brides comment that it helps them when picking their album – its simply easier to pick your favourite photographs when you can put them out on a table and compare. Secondly, after their album is picked most brides put these 6×4prints into a small album of there own.
2. Album mock-up
Relatively unique to Peter Thomas Photography, we spend a great deal of time creating a mock album-layout for you. Its simply our ideas as to what will look good. Its a great start and usually speeds up the process. Of course, you are welcome to change it as much or as little as you like!
3. The DVD Collection
At the moment, the Box includes 2 DVDs. Firstly (and for a limited time only), we are including the actual files on DVD. This allows you to do your own reprints should you wish to. It also allows you to email photos to friends, put them on facebook – whatever you want! Secondly, we include a DVD slideshow of all your photographs to music. Many couples choose a few songs- often the first dance and a few songs that mean something special.
Conclusion
So there you go – you’ve been introduced to The Box! It’s lovely to get something into your hand when you get back from honeymoon. While you choose your album photographs, you’ll still have something worthwhile to show friends and family.
Over the last few years, I have noticed a real increase in the number of people getting married during the winter. In particular, Christmas and New Year weddings have blossomed. There are many reasons to get married in winter including:
I often get asked about the feasibility of winter weddings, so here’s a brief article on preparing for a winter wedding. With a little thought, winter weddings are absolutely great – indeed I got married on a cold January’s day myself!
1. Wrap up warm!
Many wedding dresses are strapless with short arms – not always so practical for a cold winters day. Brides – look for matching coats or wraps, men – ensure you hire a warm suit. You can always take a layer off should you become too warm!
One brides uses a small coat to good effect (Photo: Peter Thomas Photography, Oct 2008)
2. Location Location Location
While a professional wedding photographer can make the most out of any location and still produce great results, here are a few ideas for your winter wedding. Often hotels with open fireplaces keep the guests happy and make ideal photograph locations. Between November and February there is a good chance the weather won’t be good, so think about the practicalities of indoor photographs. Is there somewhere for group photographs? Are there any unique features? If you’ve already booked your location don’t worry – a professional photographer can make alot out of very little!
3. Check out the Christmas Decorations
Hotels often put Christmas decorations up early – so be sure to ask what the hotel does for the festive season. I often use christmas decorations as seasonal backdrops for my pictures, but you may regard early november as too early for Christmas! If you are having a civil ceremony in the hotel, be sure to ask about decorations in the room.
4. Timing
After the clocks change in October, there is limited time to get your photographs taken outdoors. As a general rule of thumb, light starts to fade around 3.30pm. Having said that, you might be fortunate and have a nice, bright day. If you want the majority of your photographs outdoors, its often best to schedule your wedding early. 12 noon is a popular time. In late February/March, you will have until about 4.30pm before the light fades. If an early wedding isn’t possible, don’t worry – your photographer can take a few photographs outdoors and leave the rest for inside. If your wedding is later, you might consider allowing your photographer to attend the ‘brides house’ before hand to get some outdoor photographs of the bride, bridesmaids and parents.
New Years Eve 2008 in Belfast City Centre (photo: Peter Thomas Photography)
5. A Cuppa Tea goes a long way
Your guests will feel the cold too – so why not provide a tea or coffee mid-afternoon. Hot punch can work well during the festive season.
6. Think about the bridal party
You will hopefully be pumped with joy and adrenaline – chances are you won’t feel the cold too much! But spare a thought for your bridal party. Ask your photographer if he/she can take the bridal party photographs first, allowing them to go inside quickly. Don’t have them standing around outside for long periods of time. Be especially aware of page-boys and flower girls. It is often a good idea to bring along normal coats which can be removed for the photographs.
Keeping the Bridal Party comfortable results in great photographs (photo: Peter Thomas Photography, Feb 2009)
7. And finally…
Have a great time!! If I’m your photographer, please feel free to call with any questions or comments. If anyone reading this has other ideas or suggestions, just let me know!
Meet our competition winners!
Fabio and Nicola
Fabio and Nicola from Belfast entered our competition at the Kings Hall Wedding Fayre. Little did they realise that they would win our Diamond Package! The prize includes a storybook album and 4 parent books.
I recently met up with Fabio & Nicola, and they were delighted with the prize! The wedding is in May 2010 at Castle Leslie.
Fabio and Nicola look through a storybook similar to the one they won.
To celebrate the launch of our new website, we are running a competition to win your wedding photographs!
The lucky couple will win our fantastic Diamond package which includes:
The competition is open to everyone – so why not enter here.
While every bride and groom hope for a nice day, in this country its far from guaranteed! So in the first of my ‘Getting Ready’ series of blog posts, I give some hints on what you can do to prepare for the worst.
1. Don’t worry!
One great thing about our ‘mild’ climate is that it rarely rains all day. Our weather tends to showery, and so its usually possible to get at least some of the photographs taken outdoors. And even if it does, some of the most moody shots I have taken are of people walking under umbrellas or standing in doorways looking out at the rain. Dramatic skys can often be great!
2. Get a professional!
Over the years, I’ve got good at taking photographs on wet days. I’m not writing this to plug my own services – but indoor photography is about 100 times more difficult than outdoor photography – so make sure you hire a full-time, professional photographer. They’ll be able to handle whatever the day throws at them! Whoever you choose, ask for a few examples of wet weddings. Many photographers will have online examples of wet weddings.
3. Get an umbrella!
I usually try to carry a few umbrellas with me, but why not buy a few wedding umbrellas. No need to spend a fortune -I wouldn’t spend any more than £20.
For ladies: I normally try to get a ‘bird cage’ umbrella – something like http://www.simplyumbrellas.co.uk/umbrellas.php/products_id/150 .
For men, a plain black umbrella will do.
I always carry a white towel, so that if it rains I can always dry off seats and protect the all important wedding dress!
4. Think Location
If you haven’t already hired your reception, you might want to take a good look inside. Fireplaces, a nice bridal suite, stairs, old windows and brick walls are all great props. Some couples spend their wedding night at a separate hotel – if that’s the case you may think about visiting that hotel too (but make sure you get permission first!). An example was a recent couple who had their reception in Shu, but booked their wedding night in the Merchant Hotel. It rained all day – but we were able to go to the Merchant for a few photographs. There are also some houses available for rent – Redhall (Carrick) & Kilymoon Castle (Cookstown) are examples.
5. Plan for time
You don’t want to spend your whole wedding day taking photographs – but I’d suggest leaving a little buffer time in the schedule. This allows you to stop if a shower comes, then go back outside again later. If you’d like 1hr of photographs at your reception – why not leave 1hr 30mins in the schedule. If you don’t need it, you can always use the spare time chatting to your guests!
And Finally…
No matter what, just enjoy your day! We’ve done lots of wet weddings (including one the day this happened – and guess what, the photos were great!).
