If COVID taught us anything, it was to get wedding insurance. It pains me to start on such a boring note, but give yourselves the peace of mind. It's my biggest regret for my own wedding and I got married back in 2015 - a much simpler time!

Ensuring you have a wedding planner (or someone to co-ordinate your day at the very least) is the only way you can guarantee a smooth and stress-free day. I've seen too many couples over the years who overlooked planning/coordination support only to end up being my most stressed couples, because all the questions on the day were directed to them. Most venues offer an in-house planning or coordination service, but not all of them do - be sure to check if a planner/event coordinator is included!! But be warned, not all venue planners are created equal. My advice is to hire someone who is working entirely for you! Emma Tebbey is my first recommendation in this respect.

Photographers are usually booked quite early on in the planning process and a lot can change before your day arrives. I’ll always check in with you to confirm the essential details closer to the wedding but don’t be shy about reaching out to share updates regarding the running order or other suppliers you have since booked. It’s great to know who I’m working with ahead of the day and also helps me plan for how I’ll capture your day, for example you hire a big brass band to surprise the guests straight after the ceremony… I’ll be sure to have the right kit on me and be stood in the best place!

No judgement here I use it myself BUT, if you plan to tan for your wedding day just go a bit easier than usual. When it comes to editing your images, one of my main goals is to compliment both skin tones. When one of you has fake tan on and the other one doesn't, this becomes much harder to achieve evenly for both.

Consider keeping one of your invites or some of your wedding stationary for use in some detail shots on the day. Also any spare flowers or ribbons that can help bring some depth to the detail shots.

Investing in spacious and well lit places for you both to get ready in is something I can’t stress enough. Not only will this set the tone and feel of your gallery, it can set the tone for your day too. Lots of people getting ready in a cramped space doesn’t allow you room to relax, literally.

Gather all your important/sentimental items into one box/bag so they are ready to be photographed. Think shoes, gifts, accessories etc... anything that you might want to have included in your gallery. If these items are ready for me to grab when I arrive I can take them off to a nicely lit area to get those details shots for you.

In general it's a great idea to keep wherever you are getting ready as tidy as possible. This will help you keep a calmer atmosphere but also means you don't have random pjs or dirty plates and cups in the background of your wedding pictures. Nominate a friend to be in charge of keeping this space tidy for you!

(this one mostly applies to the girls)

Our trusted hair and make up artists bring A LOT of stuff, and make A LOT of mess, it's all part of the process! In an attempt to keep some order in your space try and designate an area specifically for them. Even better if you have multiple rooms and can designate a 'glam room'. Also, as the bride, make sure you are NOT LAST for either your hair or make up just incase things are running behind. Second to last is a much better slot if you're worried about getting hot and bothered.

If possible, identify a spacious and bright area for you to get dressed in towards the end of the morning away from the rest of the morning preparations. This gives you chance to have 5 minutes to yourself as well while you do up those last buttons and wresting with fiddly earrings or cufflinks.

This might sound daft, but as I'm there to capture as much of the preparations as possible this includes documenting the process of getting ready. I love shots like a groom ironing the shirt he's about to wear and a bride stepping into her dress but where is your comfort level?

Question for the bride(s): are you happy for me to be in the room while you're undressing and dressing, or would you prefer to call me back in the room when your doing up the back?

Question for the groom(s): are you comfortable having no shirt on in front of a camera?

Both, have a think about your comfort levels for changing in front of a camera, make sure you let me know and remind me of this on the day.

This tip is about your own experience and not a photography thing…

When planning your morning timeline, aim to be ready AT LEAST 45 minutes before you actually need to be ready, 1 hour would be even better! Sounds extreme but this is your buffer and you WILL eat into this time - it should be there by design. This is your time. Time to breath, take it in, and address any needs like food/water/toilet before things kick off… and hey, if you are ready early it gives us time for some cool pictures pre-ceremony.

A first look is where you give yourselves an opportunity to see each other BEFORE the ceremony. It's popular in America and it's becoming more popular over here, and for good reason. What I regard as the most emotional part of the day - seeing each other for the first time - takes place in a situation completely outside of the photographers control. Meaning the backdrop, the lighting, my positioning and even my view are often restricted and don't make for the best pictures. Not to mention in a room full of people which many find nerve wracking. I love the opportunity to pick a beautifully lit and private area where you can both meet to set eyes on each other for the first time completely alone, allowing an iconic moment for you both to be captured in an appropriately beautiful way. Again, have a think, discuss and let me know before if this is something you'd like me to facilitate as part of your day.

This is a much more common finding at weddings now but still worth mentioning here. I urge you to consider an unplugged ceremony! What I mean by this is effectively banning your guests from taking pictures during your ceremony - specifically including your entrance and exit! Asking your guests to put their cameras/phones away not only ensures they aren't stepping into the aisle and ruining your professional shots it also means they are actually listening to your ceremony and are present for the most important part of your day!

When you're thinking about where to have your ceremony please please please, think about the light!!

The ceremony is one of the most meaningful parts of the day and often they take place in areas that aren't very well lit.

I agree the beautiful barn you love is stunning, but unless it's all glass fronted, a converted barn can be one of the worst lit places for a ceremony. Natural lighting is ALWAYS best, but if there's not a lot available please consider adding some lighting.

An outdoor wedding might sound like a Lake District nightmare but the results are always stunning and I’ve never heard a single couple regret going ahead with an outdoor ceremony.

On the subject of adding lighting, your ceremony might not be the only place you need to add light to. Another example of an emotional part of the day that's difficult to get great images from... SPEECHES! Many venues have an uncanny ability to stick the top table in the WORST possible spot for lighting. Unless you have a massive window of natural light directly in front of you, the lighting will be poor. Frustratingly, so many venue's place the 'top table' with a huge window BEHIND THEM. While I appreciate this can be done to allow your guests to enjoy the view outside, this will not translate on camera as the lighting levels between inside and outside are too different. The result is usually just a blown out background and harsh shadows on your faces. Try and think about this when finalising your layout.

Alternatively adding festoon lighting or candles on tables will be a lovely addition to your decor. Importantly when adding lighting, when you think you have enough lighting... double it. You can NEVER have enough light and if you really want the effect of those hanging lights to show on your images you really have to go big or go home. You can never have too many.

I say the same for confetti as I do for lights; you can never have enough! What you're thinking of ordering... triple it. Those pretty pictures you see with confetti swirling everywhere are only achieved with an obnoxious amount of confetti!

Bonus tip: the bigger the pieces the more they float/swirl and the bigger impact they have on camera - they are also easier to pick out of hair/clothes after the fact!

Be sure to provide me with a list of your requested group shots before the wedding day. It would also be very helpful to have a member of the wedding party who is prepped to help me gather the people you need on the day.

The best format for this is to provide a group descriptor and the names of those included. For example here’s what mine would look like:

Bride & Groom with Daughter (Erin & Ste with Rae)
Bride & Groom with Bride’s Immediate Family (Erin & Ste with Sheena, Phil, Milli, Kyle & Rae)
Bride & Groom with Groom’s Immediate Family (Erin & Ste with Diane, Neil & Gill)
Bride Family Generation Shot (Dave, Sheena, Erin & Rae)
Groom with Cousins (Ste with Lauren, Rob, Becky, Chris & Otelia)
Bride & Groom with Friends (Erin & Ste with Sophie, Alex, Jasmin, Lew, Josh & Gracie)

I advise 6 group shots maximum. It can take around 5 minutes to arrange each group especially when trying to corral people who have wandered off to the bar/toilet/change shoes/check into room etc… trust me people are never where you need them to be when it comes to the group shots and ultimately it’s you that’s stood around waiting.

Wedding party pictures with the bridesmaids and groomsmen don’t need including in this list or format. They are something that we can approach with much more freedom.

Arguably my favourite part of the day, and perhaps what I'm best known for. We’ll strike a balance between convenience and best lighting. The nicer the lighting conditions are, the better your images will turn out, fact. However the running order and your overall enjoyment of your day should remain the priority.

My aim is to take you out twice on your day for two short stints. This works best because it means you don't spend too long away from the party at any one time, and we get to make the most of nicer lighting and a natural lull in the day later on.

These two times are typically, between the ceremony and sitting down for your food/speeches, and again later in the evening before the sun sets/before your first dance... whichever is first.

Don't forget to have spare shoes handy for comfort or to keep your wedding shoes clean, and have jackets and brollies on hand too incase of wet weather.

I’ve been asked the question more and more lately and so figured it was worth adding in here.

Assuming you’re not planning to do the speeches at a different time altogether like after the ceremony, then my advice (and I can’t believe I’m saying this because I’m usually STARVING at this point) is to arrange your speeches BEFORE your food.

Doing speeches during or after your food service means dirty plates/messy tables in your pictures. Equally the catering staff will be walking about clearing plates from some tables creating noise and a distraction without meaning to. When the speeches are first it means that the tables are all still set nicely, your guests and those speaking are distracted and it also means anyone who might be nervous about talking in front of people will be able to relax and enjoy their food.

I know this is in my T&Cs but it's easily forgotten so this is just a friendly reminder that I work best when I've had chance to refuel.

Please ensure that myself (and second shooter if you're having one) have appropriate arrangements for food and drinks on the day.

Regarding the food provided, my only requirement is that is it a warm meal. I don’t expect to be fed the expensive wedding breakfast your guests are being served, nor do I need 3 courses!

If your caterer offer a supplier meal that’s more than enough for me, unless it is their preference to serve surplus wedding breakfast.

I generally try not to photograph people eating, unless it's for a laugh, so once the speeches are over I’ll find somewhere to take a break (often my first and only opportunity of the day).

Good lighting is key to ensure the best possible pictures.

Natural light and ultimately shooting outdoors as much as possible will ensure the best results.

I’m happy to shoot in all conditions and do encourage you to have the same attitude (especially for couples portraits) however, again it’s about striking a balance between the best possible images and your overall enjoyment of your day.

Be sure to have spare shoes/clear brollies/warm layer handy so that we can take advantage of the outdoors for your pictures, but only up to the point you’re happy with.

On the topic of footwear, when it comes to whatever you’ve got on your feet please be mindful of how dirty you’re prepared to get them.

If you’re planning to wear a pair of shoes that you don’t want to get dirty or wet at all be sure to have a back-up pair arranged and handy on the day.

There are a few suppliers that have the potential to impact how I am able to capture your day for you and in those cases it’s certainly better if you can let me know about them as soon as you’ve booked them, particularly if they have been booked after our agreement.

Be sure to let me know if you book or make any changes to the following suppliers:

• Planner/Co-ordinator

• Celebrant

• Videographer

• Content creator

Here's a few fun ideas/advice you might want to consider too, all with the aim of either bringing something fun or unusual to your day with the added bonus of making for great pictures too, or helping you make some decisions:

• Confetti streamers - an unusual take on typical confetti and MUCH easier to clean up, better for the venues and better for the environment!

• Ditch the round tables - using rectangular tables instead of round ones opens up a whole new world of opportunity for layouts and table design, and dang it they just look better too. Round tables are big and awkward with loads of dead space, there I said it!

• The guest list - adopt some rules of eligibility for a daytime invite for example 1. You've both met them 2. You've seen them in the past 6 months 3. You've spoken to them in the past 3 months. Less important for the evening invites.

• You don't want a receiving line - trust me! Admittedly a less common occurrence, but some venues/family members can make you feel like this is something you need to do. You don't. You'll have the same forced 10 second conversation with every one that walks past you, wouldn't you rather mingle with your guests naturally?

• Alfresco cake cut - too often cakes are shoved into the corner of the room with bad lighting. Take the cake outside (weather permitting) and you can cut it there and go straight into a first dance... lit by the moon or festoon lighting or in the summer months the fading setting sun! Glorious!

• Interactive first dance - whether you're dreading all eyes on you while you shuffle round in a circle or you're hoping to wow everyone with some practiced spins, getting your guests involved in your first dance is WAY better than just having them line the dancefloor. I've been asking guests recently to get their phones our and turn their torches on, much like you would at a concert! It's fun, it gets people involved and it provides some really gorgeous lighting for your images too! Essential if you're having an alfresco first dance. Tell your wedding party and whoever might be announcing your first dance this plan so they can brief your guests!