Top tips from award-winning photographer, Wedding JY on how to get the best images on your wedding day

We asked award-winning photographer, Jason Yeoman of Weddings JY, to give us his low down on his five top tips every bride needs to know when planning the perfect images for their wedding day.

We loved these images of our real bride, Elisabeth, who wore the ivory crepe Elsa wedding dresses, a slinky slip style dress with spaghetti straps worn with a delicate lace top with slash neck and cap sleeves. Love these images so much, they really capture the mood and moments of the day in such a romantic film-like way. Love the use of natural light. Read on to discover his best tips...

1. Collaborate before the day

Every photographer has a different perspective and eye for an image. Photographs are often reflective of the personalities that capture them, therefore I feel a collaborative understanding of one another as people provides the basis for a very creative space.

It is important for your photographer and filmmaker to have an awareness of your personal preferences and taste in imagery. I create WhatsApp groups with my couples to discuss ideas and develop mood boards leading up to the wedding date. The WhatsApp group enables me to gain an understanding of their relationship with each other, their personal preferences and taste in imagery. This helps me to make small adjustments to my approach on the day ensuring a bespoke and tailored collaboration.

2. Light

Lighting is the most important element in photography. Choosing your venues and hosting locations wisely will help your wedding photographer achieve the best possible photographic results. 

During your preparation locations, a spacious room with large windows preferably facing north (if in the Northern Hemisphere) will provide beautiful soft and flattering light. Having your make-up and hair done nearer this beautiful window light rather than in a dark area of the room or artificially lit bathroom will provide a lovely natural colour cast to your skin tones in photographs.

The higher the sun is in the sky the harsher, more concentrated the light. During summer the sun will be at its highest between 12pm - 2pm. It is not recommended to plan any of the main larger group shots or portraits during this time as you might find people are squinting in harsher light. There are often techniques photographers can use to combat these issues, however it is always best to give yourselves the best advantages of achieving stunning images with great planning.

3. Golden hour

Golden hour is a beautiful time of day to capture wedding photographs. Golden hour takes place an hour before sunset until the sun has dropped below the skyline. I highly recommend thirty minutes is taken for couples’ portraits during this stunning light. Please be aware that sunset and last light may happen sooner than expected if you are having your reception down in a valley surrounded by hills, or outside an urban hotel with tall buildings blocking the light.

I find that photographs captured during this time are a better representative of how the moment actually feels. There is a magic to this time of day that is different to any other. Any pressures that may have been felt earlier in the day are long gone by this point. It is often a beautiful, celebratory moment captured and cherished together. 

4. Suppliers and Presentation 

Spending time on finding the right suppliers and locations for your wedding is worth it! Whether investing in a bridal dress company that exudes timeless elegance or finding a florist that complements and inspires the atmosphere. 

Investing in leading suppliers will provide you with the trust and support that can often be needed more than ever in the lead up to your wedding day. Outstanding suppliers and wedding planners will provide you with inside knowledge and stylistic adjustments that have been developed over years of wedding industry experience. 

A few tips to think about from a photographic perspective could include:

• Choosing photography and videography from the same company. This will ensure your end product is fluid in style and quality. Communication will be much easier. Discounts are often available.
  
  
• Taking your time walking down the aisle. Not only will this give you time to enjoy every bit of that encapsulating moment but it will also show off your incredible dress and give the photographer more time to capture your steps.
  
  
• Schedule enough time for your portraits as a couple in at least two locations at two different times of day.
  
  
• Photographers can often be with the bride and groom throughout their wedding day more than any other person. Therefore I feel it is important that the photographer’s style and approach reflects the characters of the couple.

Now more than ever in this current climate we have the opportunity as suppliers and vendors to work together to ensure that we are providing you with a dream wedding you deserve.

5. Relax and have fun!

A tight wedding day schedule, detailed formalities and concerns over whether family or friends are enjoying the day can all seem a little daunting at times. 

However your family and friends are all there to support you. Weddings are incredible moments in history. There may never be another occasion in your lifetime when such a beautifully diverse mix of your closest friends and family meet all together under one roof. The beauty in these moments deserves to be affectionately remembered in time forever.

Relax, be present and enjoy every moment.

TO SEE SOME OF OUR DRESSES - HERE

TO SEE OTHER REAL BRIDES - HERE