your
QUESTIONS
Below are the most common questions we get asked about wedding days, but if you are still unsure then pick up the phone and give us a call…
BEFORE BOOKING
CAN WE SEE A FULL WEDDING GALLERY BEFORE WE HIRE YOU?
Absolutely. We 100% recommend that you do. These will give you a good idea of the typical coverage we get at weddings and also show our definitive style.
We have full portfolios of photograph galleries and films available for you to view right here on the website (under galleries on the main menu).
WHEN & HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
Most couples book between 18 – 24 months in advance, we each have a set number of weddings that we shoot each year and once they are booked they are gone.
In order to secure your date, we require a £400 deposit and the remainder of your balance is due two months before your wedding. All payments are made via bank transfer and you can pay in installments if you wish.
DO YOU TRAVEL? (and do you charge?)
We absolutely do travel. We will happily capture your day anywhere throughout the UK, in fact anywhere in the world.
There are no additional travel costs.
The only thing to be aware of is that we do ask you to travel to us for the pre-shoots.
Our team is spread throughout the whole UK from Preston to Brighton and we will always allocate you the photographer closest to you.
Are there any hidden costs, for example VAT or travel fees?
Nope!
Our prices include everything; there are no additional tax burdens or travel fees.
We do require one hot meal on the day to be provided but most venues will provide supplier meals at heavily discounted rates.
do you travel abroad?
TOTALLY.
Destination weddings tend to last a little bit longer and as such we offer two days photography services for the price of one. We do ask for travel and board expenses to be met. Click here for more details…
BEFORE THE WEDDING
Who will be our wedding photographer?
We are a small independent team of creatives but we are VERY selective about who we let join or gang! We all shoot with the same gear and in the same style, and we edit consistently – we are a brand, so whoever is allocated to your day will produce the same photograph gallery or style of film.
You can read all about the team here.
Once your deposit is paid you will be allocated a photographer (or videographer) and they will communicate with you and arrange your pre-shoot. Getting to meet them and form a working relationship before the wedding is really important.
What happens if you get sick?
Being a small team offers the added security that we can cover each other should the need arise, we all shoot exaclty the same and will deliver tha same standard for photos and films.
If your allocated photographer were to become unwell and ALL of the remaining team are already booked, (this has never happened yet…touch wood) then we will do our best to arrange cover for your day with a professional photographer with a similar style. We belong to a large network of photographers who all provide backup in such cases.
Are you insured?
Ofcourse.
If you need copies of our indemnity for your venue we will happily provide them.
CAN WE PROVIDE YOU WITH A DETAILED LIST OF ALL OF THE EXACT SHOTS WE WANT
A few key details that are important to you both? ABSOLUTELY!!
An extensive list for every section of the day? We don’t work that way…. let me explain…
Have you told your cake maker how to bake your cake? Or your dressmaker how to make your dress? Please trust that we are professionals and that we know what we are doing. We are hoping that you have hired us because you have been drawn to our style and our approach and that you have looked at our previous galleries and would like this approach for your day. None of these have been from extensive lists.
There is a lot of information on the internet about what you should ask your photographer to capture and you can find extensive lists on Pinterest and elsewhere, often not created by actual photographers. We do not capture weddings this way. The last thing you need is for your photographer to be more concerned about ticking things off a list instead of being in the moment and reacting to what os happening on your day! Of course, we do make every effort to capture the smaller details that are important to you both but our focus, very much, is on the people who are there and what is happening. If you have a couple of things that are really important (such as a specific piece of jewellery or a particular relative or friend from abroad) please do make us aware, but providing an extensive list will actually be counterproductive for us.
We will go through all of this in detail at our pre-wedding consultation and put you at ease that we know what we are doing xx
THE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT
CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOTS. ARE THEY REALLY FREE? HOW DOES THAT WORK?
Our engagement shoots are, and always will be free, with no obligation.
Marketing and business gurus claim that by giving stuff away you devalue it. We disagree. On your wedding day we don’t want you to have any doubt whatsoever in the type of person you are hiring and the type of images we capture.
It’s cliche but you wouldn’t buy a new car without a test drive. Why should we ask you to invest in us without a test shoot.
But actually, and even more importantly, as much as we are skilled at our craft; we know light, we know composition – what we don’t know is YOU. Having a pre-shoot helps us work out the best way to photograph you both and your unique relationship. The more anyone does of anything the better they get, so enable us to get the BEST images of the pair of you at your wedding by allowing us a pre shoot!
If you like us and if you love the images we create then all of the images are included in your wedding package. If we are not a good fit then we part company with no hard feelings.
If you are not happy at your engagement session then your deposit is 100% refundable with zero questions asked. This decision is too important to get wrong – hiring your photographer is not a tick box exercise – make sure you get the right one.
(And ofcourse – these shoots really are AWESOME!)
How long do these shoots take?
These shoots typically last 60 – 90 minutes and ideally, we like to do them 1-2 hours before sunset for the best light.
Don’t fit these in a rush!! Use is as an excuse to have some quality time together. You will be looking lovely so why not book dinner and maybe even a hotel and make the day all about your wedding!
When should we arrange it?
We allocate your photographer about 12 months before the wedding, as soon as they are allocated we suggest getting the pre-shoot booked in.
Where should we arrange it?
We travel all over the country for weddings, with no additional travel costs. We do, however, ask that you come to us for the pre-shoot. Our photographers are based all over the UK and where ever possible we do our very best to allocate you the closest person.
This can be a nice excuse to visist somewhere new and go on an adventure!
Your photographer will liaise with you regarding locations.
but we're rubbish at having our photographs taken...
Well then this pre shoot is even more important.
It is our job to help you feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. Alot of our couples, almost all infact, tell me they feel uncomfrotable having their photographss taken, even the ones in my portfolio who look super chilled out. But with gentle direction, not posing and nothing cheesy, you soon forget this is a shoot and sink into yourselves. We go somewhere pretty, we explore, we chat, we shoot. This is when we get some really beautiful images.
Can we bring children or pets to the pre shoot?
These pre-shoots are really important, they serve a real purpose: we need time to put you at ease in front of the camera and also work out the best way to capture your uniqueness. It is always best if we can do this without distraction.
There is no problem at all with us taking some family shots or shots with your favorite pet after the shoot for a few minutes, but we will require the pair of you to be undistracted during the majority of the session. So – if you have a friendly grandparent or relative on standby who can either walk the dog or babysit that is fine, but we will need you both, alone, for atleast one hour.
DURING THE WEDDING
WHY DO YOU CARRY A TEASOON IN YOUR CAMERA BAG?
Ask again when you are struggling with that last, fiddly button.
When is the best time to do formal Photographs?
One of our priorities is to ensure you spend more time enjoying your wedding with your guests and less time standing around while we organise hundreds of family photos.
We achieve this through communication and setting realistic expectations.
Your photographer will go through your shot list at your pre wedding consultation.
Our Suggestion, broadly speaking is as follows:
Immediately after your ceremony, we complete the confetti photos (if you are having them) and also the one large group photo of everybody. Doing this straight away is ideal because everyone is already in one place and you don’t waste precious time trying to re-round everyone up.
We then have 3 smaller sets to work through and all timings stated are for the photography, rounding people up can add extra time – we strongly suggest you allocate 2 key responsible people to help your photographers get the correct people ready in a timely fashion.
- Family Formals (10-15 minutes)
Ideally Family formals are also done immediately after the ceremony.
Once the whole group shot is done the majority of your guests can go and enjoy the drinks reception and the key family members are kept behind for some lovely family images.
We suggest keeping these limited to nuclear family members only; So think Grandparents/Parents/Siblings /Kids (with partners) if you start adding in great aunts, and cousins etc this list can grow quite rapidly.
Family shots typically take about 15 minutes and you will end up with some lovely family groups and also key individual shots with important family members. If you want more than suggested you will need to allocate more time for this.
You can take a bit of a breather and do the other sessions after a short break or even after dinner.
- Wedding party Shots (15 – 20 mins)
If you have a large bridal party it is also nice to get great images with them – again approximately 15-20 minutes will result in some lovely images with your tribe.
- Couple Session (20 -30 minutes)
And finally – it is nice to get some lovely images with just the two of you. Ideally about 20 minutes and away from the crowds so you can relax and not feel intimidated. This can be done during your drinks reception or later in the evening especially if there is a gorgeous sunset.
CONSIDERATIONS
Weather
Primarily in the UK, the weather will dictate when it is best to do these sessions and that is totally out of our control. Your photographer will liaise with you on the day and be keeping a close eye on the weather.
Locations
Where do you want your images? At the church versus the reception? You can of course split this – and do your group photos at the church and the wedding party shots at the venue.
Very Hot Summer Weddings
In Midsummer you have a lot more light and therefore time to play with – in peak summer sunset isn’t until 9pm so there is plenty of time to get these images.
Shots done at midday can be tricky – especially if extreme heat and glaring sun. Shots in the evening will have magical light that looks stunning. But Just bear in mind guests can be harder to round up after dinner, especially if champagne has been flowing, also outfits and makeup may be a little more worn. My advice is to talk to your photographer – YOU know what YOUR guests are like, and whether doing photos before or after dinner is best but remain flexible – things change – a rainy day can turn sunny and your photographer will react accordingly.
Winter Weddings
Natural light is much more limited in Winter.
If you want images taken outside try to time your day with an earlier ceremony and later wedding breakfast so there is as much time as possible in the light for photos and still leave time for you both to enjoy your drinks reception.
Timings
Try not to be too rigid with your timings, and also err on the side of caution. Everything takes longer than you realise.
If your day is planned out by the minute there is no room for any flexibility, and wedding days always need flexibility.
A top tip I have seen is to factor in a fudge factor for every part of the day, let me explain:
So instead of: “Hair 0900 – 0930, make-up 0930 – 1000”
Try instead “Hair 0845 – 0915, then make-up 0930 – 1000”
By adding in these natural fudge factors throughout the whole day, your wedding will suddenly become a lot less stressful.
I hope this all makes sense and helps you plan, but ultimately please don’t let it cause any stress – we shoot weddings every week and can handle any weather/last minute changes that are thrown at us xxxx
You will go over all of these points with your photographer at your pre-wedding consultation.
ARE WE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A MEAL FOR YOU?
Yes, please.
We do require a meal when shooting your day, nothing fancy, a simple vendor’s meal and a cold drink will suffice (caterers often supply these at very reasonable prices). We used to say that we would bring our own but realistically, a cold sandwich or a pot noodle for 12+ hours of shooting just wasn’t cutting the mustard!! And believe me – we shoot so much better when we are refreshed and not hangry.
We work our absolute socks off throughout the whole day and having that 20 mins to sit down and recharge with a decent meal means we can be ready to capture some amazing party antics late into the evening!
HOW LONG DO YOU STAY FOR?
We do not count hours or clock watch. We provide wedding coverage for your whole day. If your day is over running the last thing we want you to worry about is us or any additional charges for extra hours.
We tend to arrive about 2 – 2 1/2 hours before the ceremony which is plenty of time to get some lovely shots of the venue and also the preparations!
We stay until we have got enough decent dance floor shots. This is typically the first set of the band or disco; we do not run out straight after the first dance but we don’t need to stay until the very end as people’s dance moves can become quite repetitive.
AFTER THE WEDDING
How safe are our images?
We get quite obsessive about back ups!
We all shoot with dual card slots – this means that as soon as we press the shutter we have two copies of your files immedialty and we always use trusted and proven equipment.
We have back up of our backups uploaded within 24 hours of your day.
How long do we have to wait to see our images/films?
All couples receive a preview within 5 working days of the wedding. You will receive a link to the high-resolution files and also a social media preview for easy sharing (which of course you can opt-out of).
You can order prints and thank cards direct from your preview gallery.
Trust us, you do not want to receive your images TOO soon! You actually want a little time to pass so this allows you to get excited about the prospect of remembering your day all over again.
Your main photo gallery will be delivered within 12 weeks, and we will keep you updated as we edit.
Wedding films take a little longer and we say 16 weeks for wedding films.
We always try to beat these times but leave ourselves a little wiggle room for busy seasons.
Can we get a wedding album?
YES ABSOLUTELY!
We love seeing our images printed, and being able to physically hold your images really brings them to life.
All of our photography packages are delivered via an online secure gallery which is linked to a professional printing lab where you, and your loved ones, can order prints and albums direct to your door with the click of a button. There is no excessive mark up with our prints starting from as little as 49p and they really are fantastic quality.
Designing wedding albums is a very personal thing to do, and our albums are very easy and intuitive to design, using a simple drag and drop method direct from your gallery. (This can be fun with a glass of wine for an evening but make sure you proof it the next day before hitting purchase). By enabling couples to design albums themselves it means we can offer these at greatly reduced prices. Our stunning professional albums start at £249.
We do have an in house album designer, Sam, who will get in touch with you after you have received your gallery to discuss your exact requirements, and if needed she can offer a wedding album design service if you are just too busy.
Click here for more information on our wedding albums.
Can our guests order prints or gifts?
YES, AGAIN, ABSOLUTELY!
Whoever you decide to share your gallery with will have access to the same quality prints and frames as your selves.
We also offer gift vouchers should you wish to add wedding albums or frames to your wedding gift list (and the beauty of this is that your relative can enjoy gifting this but you get to design it so it works perfectly for your home)
Click here for more information on our wedding albums.
How do you choose the music for our highlights film?
To ensure that we comply with copyright regulations and respect the artistic work of musicians, we have partnered with Musicbed, a renowned platform that offers a fantastic collection of licensed music. We cannot use unlicensed or chart music in our films as the copyright fees can go into the thousands and any infringement can have a hefty fine.
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, ideas, or suggestions you may have regarding the music selection or any other aspect of your wedding film. If there are any films on our website that you are particularly drawn to we can incorporate that style into your film. Alternatively if you wish to describe the type of music you are after (upbeat, chilled, classical etc) we can work around that. However please rest assured we are very skilled at matching the right music to the vibe of your day.
WHY DO PHOTOS AND FILMS TAKE A WHILE?
We are a busy team. Collectively, we book 90+ weddings a year and we all utterly LOVE it. Despite these numbers, we will never sacrifice our quality.
Due to this demand, we do end up with ALOT of editing and there are a number of factors that affect how quickly we can turn weddings around….
Firstly, our weddings are never evenly spaced throughout the year – we tend to have a very busy period from April to September with 85% of our weddings squeezed into 6 months. During these busier months, we are working flat out, shooting weddings and engagement sessions and editing. So, obviously Summer weddings will tend to have a slightly longer turnaround compared with Winter weddings.
Secondly, the majority of our packages are combined photography and film packages. Editing films is very labour intensive and takes a large portion of our editing time.
Finally, there are only so many hours in the day – our editing ‘working hours’ are 9am to 5pm on weekdays and in peak season we are also regularly shooting weddings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and often have to travel the day before and/or after. We occasionally take mid-week days off on lieu to rest and recover from an extensive shooting schedule, and we also have to fit in family commitments and the occasional holiday, so please do bear this in mind if it takes us a few days to respond to emails or messages.
Can you re edit some of/all our photos to a different editing style?
We have a very specific editing style. It is our brand and part of the reason you chose us. So unless we have made a mistake and edited in a way that isn’t consistent with the images on our website then a re-edit to a different style is not included. We would hate for you to be unhappy with your images and so if you still would like a different edit applied we can have arranged but the cost is not included in your package.
Will you photoshop our images/can you make me look 'better'?
Part of the professional service is making your day look great!! For key images we can photoshop out unfortunate blemishes on the wedding couple but hopefully the make artist will have already done most of the work. None of the images on our website include any alterations to physical appearance, we have been asked in the past to make people look thinner or remove double chins and this is not part of our edit. We will capture your day as it happens. But please be assured – any physical hangups you may have will be addressed at your pre-shoot and we will show you how fantastic you look with real raw emotions.
Can you make some amendments to our film(s)?
All of our films are edited consistently to our style, as showcased extensively on our website and the reason couples decide to choose us. We edit our films to music so even small adjustments will have a big effect on an entire section of your film (your film is built around the music so it flows nicely). If required, we include one round of minor amendments that are consistent with our brand.
