written by
Lee Hawley

The Best Times for Capturing Your Wedding Photos

Wedding Photography 3 min read
wedding photos
Good wedding photos are all about timing.

Your wedding day will be full of socialising, happy tears, cake, and love. You want it to be the most romantic, magical day of your life. Getting good wedding photos is crucial if you and your partner want to be able to look back on your special day together for years to come. Good images are all about timing, so here are some of the best times to capture your wedding photos.

The wedding ceremony

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If possible, try to schedule your wedding ceremony according to the times when there is daylight in the season that your wedding falls on.

This is obviously one of the most significant parts of the day and you will want your wedding photographer to capture a variety of photos. It is therefore crucial to schedule in some time for photography. A civil ceremony will last around 30 minutes whereas a church ceremony might last up to an hour.

You should also consider the lighting of the venue. If possible you should time your wedding ceremony according to the times when there is daylight in the season that your wedding falls on.

If you plan for an early afternoon wedding, you will have plenty of time for guests and mingling. If you are having a winter wedding, don't forget that the sun sets earlier than usual.

Group wedding photos post-ceremony

wedding photos
Speak to your photographer before the big day about setting up group photos with your friends and family.

You will want to agree with how you want group shots to be taken beforehand. Speak to your photographer about setting up ideas for group photos with your friends and family. You could have a family photo shoot with the bride's side, then the groom's side, then all together for a large family photo. Then you can get some group shots with your bridesmaids, best men, and everyone together in a shot. Consider the time that it will take to not only set up the shots but to take them as well.

Couple portraits post-ceremony

You will want to plan some time away from the ceremony to take some intimate couple photos. Spend a little time together and let it sink in that you've just married the love of your life. Take these shots during the golden hour will give a soft glow to your pictures.

A good idea is to find a lavender field to frolic in with your new spouse. It will be a beautiful contrast in colours, and your pictures will look amazing with a professional photographer at your side.

The wedding reception

Your wedding reception is the time to socialise and mingle with your guests, have a drink, and enjoy some good conversations with your loved ones. This is a great time for some charming, candid wedding photos of all of you together. This is the time to get some group shots in good daylight or the golden hour if planned accordingly. Beautiful winter sunset shots will also look amazing.

The evening reception

wedding photos
The evening reception is a perfect time for getting some more relaxed and candid shots.

This is after the meal and speeches where everyone is settled for a night of drinking, cake, and dancing. This is where you can start to relax and settle down with your guests. You want your photographer to try and get the cake-cutting shot, the first dance and any other shots that are a little more personal and candid. This is also a great time to use a little flash photography since people will be dancing in low light.

Beautifully Natural Wedding Photos

To ensure that your final wedding album comes out as perfectly as possible, you will need to work with an experienced professional. Lee Hawley Photography is one of the most reputable wedding photography services in the UK. Contact Lee today to see how he can make your big day even more special.

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