The Ultimate

WEDDING DAY GUIDE

 01.

Beginning with the prep

Your wedding morning is often a mix of excitement and nerves, but with the right guidance, it can become one of the most enjoyable parts of your day. I always meet my couples before the wedding to talk through a typical timeline. Since it’s usually your first time and very much my forte, this is one of my favourite conversations to have.

A few simple steps can make all the difference:

Create a space for details: Have a tidy spot in your room for your dress, shoes, and accessories.

Think about the backdrop: Hanging your dress somewhere with good light or a clean background makes the photos extra special.

Enjoy the atmosphere: While you’re having fun with your bridesmaids and getting your hair and makeup done, I’ll be capturing those natural, candid moments alongside the beautiful details.

This way, your morning feels relaxed, and you’ll already have stunning imagery before the day even begins.

 02.

Choosing your getting ready location

Your getting ready location can make a big difference on the morning of your wedding. If you love the idea of capturing special moments in a family home, that’s perfect, the familiar surroundings add a personal touch to your photos. If you and your partner are getting ready close to each other, I’m always happy to photograph both preparations. Often, the lads are some of the easiest people to photograph, and it can create some truly blissful and relaxed moments, whilst getting the key shots. Consider whether your wedding venue offers early morning access or an overnight stay. This allows you to enjoy a relaxed breakfast, a drink, and getting ready without the stress of traveling. Not only does it save time, but it also ensures you’re calm and on schedule for the ceremony, avoiding the stress of traffic or rushing last minute.

wedding day

 03.

THE FIRST LOOK

One special moment I’ve personally witnessed and love capturing is the first look reveal. Traditionally, a bride might have a first look with their mum, dad, or another important person in their life, but planning a first look with your partner can be truly magical.

This is a moment just for the two of you: full of anticipation, emotion, and pure excitement as you see each other before the ceremony. Not only does it make for incredible photographs, but it also eases the nerves of walking down the aisle. You get a private, intimate moment to connect, laugh, maybe shed a few happy tears, a memory you’ll treasure forever.

 04.

Handwritten vows are magical

Handwritten vows are truly everything when it comes to creating a meaningful foundation for your married life. Over the years, I’ve photographed countless weddings, and nothing touches the heart more than a ceremony with a celebrant or humanist reading that tells your story. They often share how you met and your journey together, it’s like your life story unfolding in front of the people you love most.

Adding handwritten vows takes this to another level. Beautifully written by you, they capture your love, your promises, and your bond. Reading them aloud to each other is a deeply personal moment that symbolizes the life you’re about to build together, a memory you’ll treasure forever.

 05.

Family photos time

The meet and greet is that special moment just after you’re married, when you walk down the aisle and share hugs and handshakes with the people who made it to your big day to celebrate with you. A neat trick I’ve learned over the years is to get family photographs done as soon as possible. These can often be the most time-consuming part of a wedding day, family members may wander off, get lost without their phones, or head to the bar. The excuses can be endless trust me lol.

To avoid this, I always meet my couples about 4 weeks before their wedding to plan out these potential issues. My recommendation: after the meet and greet, keep your family close by for the photos, and let the rest of your guests enjoy the drinks reception. Not only does this save time, but it also gives you more moments to relax and enjoy your day without worrying about chasing people for photos.

 06.

making the most of your wedding photography

I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from brides about long, exhausting photoshoots, endless posing, and feeling like they’re constantly performing for the camera. Your wedding day should be about enjoying the moments, not stressing over pictures. Depending on the time of year, you might be up against fading light, a late ceremony, or a fast drinks reception, which can make it tricky to fit everything in. That’s why having the right wedding team and a smart timeline is so important.

My goal is to use the time we have wisely, capturing all the key moments and photos without making you feel rushed. We’ll work together to get everything done while still having fun, enjoying yourselves, and soaking up the day. Sometimes, you may even miss a small portion of the drinks reception, but with careful planning, I can ensure we get all the shots you want while still leaving time for you to enjoy your guests and the party.

 07.

The intimate photoshoot

The intimate photoshoot is my own take on capturing you both together, a slightly romantic and special moment in your wedding day. Over in about 20–30 minutes, I focus on creating a mix of picturesque moments, epic landscapes, and up-close, intimate shots that showcase the genuine love you have for each other. I’ll capture candid, raw emotion, and occasionally guide you with a smile toward the camera, but mostly, this time is all about you being yourselves. Whether it’s laughter, quiet moments, or cringy glances at eachother, I’m there to capture it.

This session is often the golden part of any wedding day I photograph and forms a huge part of the key moments you’ll look back on and treasure forever.

wedding day

Drenagh Estate Wedding day with Katelyn & Weston

 08.

Planning those speeches

When booking your wedding venue, one detail that’s often overlooked is the speeches timeline. I always recommend doing speeches before sitting down to eat. Why? If you or anyone in your party suffers from anxiety or isn’t comfortable with public speaking, having to wait until after the meal can make it even more stressful. Guests also struggle to relax if they know they have a speech coming up.

A simple solution: speak to your wedding coordinator and request that the speeches happen first. This way, everyone can enjoy their meal and the rest of the day with a little less stress.

 09.

the last minute moments

One neat trick I always share with my couples is allocating time for those last-minute shots that might otherwise be missed. A wedding day timeline is never random, every minute is valuable, and the day can fly by in a heartbeat. I don’t want you to miss a single precious moment. Those small but meaningful shots with your best friend, work colleagues, or other special guests, are often the ones you’ll treasure the most. I always plan time after the meal to capture any little moments we might have missed and to ensure the bigger shots you’ve been dreaming of are taken.

If you’ve always dreamed of a golden hour portrait, we’ll make it happen at the perfect time, whether that’s before or after your first dance. I coordinate with the band and other vendors to make sure the day flows smoothly, everyone working together, so you can enjoy your wedding and have the best day of your lives.

 10.

First dance haven

The first dance is such a special moment, and I always aim to capture as many shots as possible while you’re on the dance floor. I’ll grab a few shots of you both smiling and moving together, with your guests enjoying the background, these candid moments often become some of the most treasured images of the day. This is also a fantastic opportunity for creative venue shots, whether it’s a hanging chandelier, ambient lighting, or motion blur to capture the energy of the dance floor, the results can be stunning. After your first dance, the band will usually bring your bridal party onto the floor, and maybe even the entire room. This is where I can really capture dynamic, motion-filled shots that showcase the party atmosphere.

A helpful tip: if you’re planning a father-daughter or mother-son dance, consider doing it immediately after your first dance. This keeps the flow of the evening going, gives your guests more time to hit the floor, and allows you to enjoy the rest of your night without interruptions.