Question 1

How can we make the most of the season for magical winter wedding photos and overcome some of the seasonal challenges such as bad weather and lack of light?

Accepted Answer

Dom says: The key to enjoying a winter wedding and capturing magical photographs is to be selective. Cold and damp weather, bare trees and windswept landscapes don't lend themselves naturally to feelings of joy and wellbeing, so when planning your big day, try to minimise the impact as much as possible. Stay cosy indoors and focus on what's going to make you feel festive. A professional photographer will adapt to the situation and guide you through. If you're having full-day coverage, shots of your bridal preparations during the morning will be much as they might be in the summer. Although soft, natural window light during the winter actually makes for more flattering portraits. For indoor ceremonies, well-lit rooms are always a boon to photographers. In dark spaces, we need to use camera settings that can make for grainier photos. If it's dry, formal shots might still be possible outside. Use architecture as your backdrop rather than bare trees, and keep in mind that your guests won't want to hang around in the cold for long! There should also be enough space for family photographs indoors – a staircase is ideal for larger groups. Instead of worrying though, why not embrace the rich colours of winter and ask your florist to include seasonal blooms? For your reception, seek out venues with a traditional ambience. Think wood panelling, chandeliers and add decorations like seasonal berries, pine cones and fairylights, all of which can be featured in images of the day.

Question 2

We love the autumn and are planning to get married next October but we're worried if the weather's bad we might not get the full range of photographs we'd hope for.

Accepted Answer

Jessica says: This is my favourite season as it's so cosy and often the weather can be surprisingly good. There are plenty of great photo opportunities too. The autumn leaves provide a beautiful pop of colour, you can have hot chocolate as welcome drinks and firepits for the evening, not to mention the gorgeous golden hour! This is that precious time of day when, for around 20 minutes or so as the sun is setting, there's a beautiful natural glow; perfect for magical shots. You can take a romantic stroll, or stop in some fields while your photographer captures it all. Although an autumn wedding can be stunning, it can require a little more preparation as the weather is more unpredictable than in the summer. As a professional photographer I've seen it all; thunderstorms in July, snow in March and sunshine in September. You never know what our UK climate will throw at us so it's best to expect the unexpected!

Question 3

We've had to postpone our original wedding date due to COVID-19. Now all our plans are in turmoil and we don't know where to start to pick up the pieces!

Accepted Answer

Chris says: If you're planning to get married later in the year, my advice is the same as when the crisis kicked off – have a contingency plan just in case! First contact your venue, especially if it's one that has a large number of weddings each year, your church, if applicable, and local register office for a list of available dates and then all your other wedding suppliers. Prioritise your list of suppliers and base any new dates on accommodating as many of the ones most important to you as possible. The majority I've been chatting with have been rescheduling dates with no financial penalties or suggesting other professionals with similar credentials, if dates clash. We maintain a network of tried and tested names as it's always good to be able to help a couple out if they ask for a recommendation. As a wedding photographer, I've been keeping in regular contact with my couples, just to be present and available, to offer reassurance and discuss options. Online video calls have always been useful for communicating with people who live far away, but lately they've been an integral part of our life. Use them to chat with your team and talk through ideas. It's not only quick and easy, but a great way to stay positive and focused if you're still in the planning stage. Moving forward, most couples will now be aware of cancellation and insurance policies which is a good thing, as all professional businesses should have these already in place and be happy to supply proof on request. You want to know you're in safe and experienced hands right? Don't be afraid to ask about details like this as sometimes it's the small things that can make the biggest impact. Wedding insurance is one thing EVERY couple should have in place before shelling out on any deposits or booking fees and don't forget to check the small print! So stay positive, keep planning and if your upcoming wedding is affected, hang in there, change the date and look forward to it all over again, your day will still be amazing?

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