The wedding party celebrations begin welcoming the bride and groom to their tables with cheer.

This year has been one of the most fulfilling in my 7 years as a photographer. In the past 12 months, I’ve photographed 9 weddings in Spain, Oxfordshire and all over Devon. Delivering thousands of images and meeting the most beautiful people along the way.

I've also gained priceless insights that have profoundly influenced how I approach documenting one of the most significant days in many people's lives. Understanding the flow of a wedding day, how to get the most out of it, and realising that capturing beautiful images is just the beginning – the true art lies in infusing them with carefree and magical moments.

Below are some of the key lessons from both photographing and celebrating at weddings in the past year.

Devon wedding venue higher holcombe getting married under the trees

Who you hire will directly affect how you experience your day.

One lesson that became abundantly clear is everyone who is a part of the team of your wedding day, venue and catering to registrar, planner, to musicians and photographer/videographers can create the atmosphere and memories you want for yourselves as the Bride and Groom as well your most cherished family and friends.

I appreciate for many people the wedding ‘gig’ is just a transactional experience, but really it’s so much more than that. Showing up for the couple and all of their guests, no matter who they are, being the professional who is welcoming and going the extra mile goes a long way in not only your experience as a service provider, but knowing you’re making the couples day that much more easeful and enjoyable won’t go unnoticed.

This is why I’ve learnt the importance of connecting with couples via a video call or in-person casual meet up is so important. If you’re a couple looking for a photographer/venue/caterer/live band/etc I highly recommend reaching out for a no-obligation chat and see how you connect as people. Having those little connections will only make your day 1000x more incredible by having people who are on similar wavelengths and you can build trust with.

And, if anyone is wanting you to put a deposit down to lock in your date before having a ‘getting to know you’ call to hear more about your day and what you’re hoping for RUN in the opposite direction!

Adding in Extra Buffer Time:
Mitigating Stress and Ensuring Smooth Transitions

One thing that stood out in the chaos of a wedding day was the need for extra buffer time. From getting ready to transportation between venues, unexpected delays can and do occur. Building in additional time between scheduled events not only allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere but also provides a cushion to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. This simple adjustment has been instrumental in reducing stress and ensuring that every moment is captured with the attention and care it deserves.

three generations at a devon wedding with cocktails

Feed Your Vendors When Your Party Is Served

Thinking about something like this may not be front of mind until the day itself and it’s always best to think intentionally, working with your vendors, particularly the photographer/videographer as they will be there from start to finish capturing the key moments and will be so grateful to have a moment to recharge their batteries (camera and themselves!) so they can do their best work.
What happens often is vendors don’t get fed until after the wedding party has been cleared. Meaning, your photographer won’t have a chance to eat before the guests are either ready for speeches or getting up to begin the next phase of your day.
And let’s be honest, most people don’t particularly like their photo being taken mid-mouthful (There is also only so many pictures you may want of your guests eating).

Good Light is Everything:
Embracing the Golden Hours & CANDELS!

Photography is, at its core, a play of light and shadow. Recognizing the significance of good light, especially during the golden hours, has been etched into my mind for years shooting models, families and couples in indoor and outdoor environments.
Whether it's the soft, warm glow of sunrise or the magical hues of sunset, these moments offer the most flattering and enchanting light for capturing stunning portraits. Embracing the natural beauty of these lighting conditions has elevated the quality of my work and added a touch of magic to the wedding albums.

When it comes to lighting, always natural and candlelight over the dreaded LED (LED lights create the worst lighting for photos and video!).

Clear the Space for Your Getting Ready Photos:
Enhancing the Visual Storytelling

Getting ready photos are an integral part of the wedding day narrative, and the environment plays a crucial role in shaping the story. Clearing the space of unnecessary clutter allows for more focused and aesthetically pleasing shots. Working with the couple to choose a well-lit and uncluttered space for getting ready not only results in visually appealing photographs but also contributes to a smoother workflow, ensuring that no precious moments are missed.

Have a Couple of Printed Group Photo Lists:
Streamlining the Group Photo Process.

Group photos are a staple of wedding photography, but orchestrating them efficiently can be a logistical challenge. Having a couple of printed group photo lists to hand out to the maid of honor and groomsmen helps streamline the process. Designating responsible individuals to organize and gather key people ensures that group photos are captured swiftly, allowing more time for candid moments and reducing the chances of anyone being inadvertently left out.

As I reflect on my first wedding season, these lessons have not only shaped my approach as a photographer but have also enriched the overall experience for both myself and the couples I've had the privilege to work with. Each wedding is a unique story waiting to be told, and by embracing these lessons, I've discovered new ways to capture the essence of love, joy, and celebration that define these special occasions. As I look ahead to the seasons to come, I carry these insights with me, eager to continue learning, growing, and creating lasting memories through the lens.

If you have any questions or would like me to expand on any of the things I mentioned in this blog post, please feel free to DM me @daisydavidsonphoto or email me here I’d love nothing more than to talk them through!

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