What you need to know when planning your wedding – Photography
I met up with the very talented Eleth from Mae Photography and asked her to share some tips on what you should be thinking about when it comes to photographs on your wedding day. Here are Eleth’s recommendations:
1. How soon should a couple book their photographer?
Booking around 1.5 years in advance is quite standard, but trends are changing, and many couples now book as little as six months ahead.
It’s important to note that many photographers limit the number of weddings they take on each month. This means that even if your actual date is available, we still may not be able to take the booking. We do this to ensure we give every couple our absolute best—your wedding deserves our full attention, and spacing out bookings allows us to be fully present and deliver the highest quality experience.
So, if there’s a particular photographer you’d love to work with, don’t wait to reach out!
2. What should couples consider with regards to their photographs when choosing the time of year to hold their wedding?
Lighting plays a huge role in photography, so it’s definitely something to consider when setting your ceremony time. Twilight ceremonies (around 4pm) in the summer are becoming more popular, which is amazing for photography because the late afternoon light is just amazing.
For winter weddings, the opposite applies—it gets dark early, so if you want those dreamy natural-light portraits and group photos, an earlier ceremony time is best (around 1.30pm). You don’t want to be rushed or end up taking all your photos in artificial light if you were hoping for natural portraits in daylight.
3. What are your top tips for great photographs at an outdoor wedding ceremony?
Outdoor weddings can be stunning – I love the space it allows for the photographer to move around and get lots of different photos from a variety of perspectives. Here’s how to make sure your photos look their best:
Consider the lighting: Midday sun is harsh and can cause unflattering shadows, so where possible, position your ceremony so the sun is behind your guests or pick a spot with some natural shade.
Think about your backdrop: The setting for your ceremony makes a huge difference to your photos! If you’re planning to stand in front of a large tree, hedge, or wall, try to step back a few meters. Creating that bit of distance between you and the backdrop will add depth to your photos and make them feel more natural and visually appealing.
Microphone stands and speakers: Depending on the size of your wedding these could be necessary to have but they can be a bit of an eyesore in photos. If you can, place them out to the side so they are not prevalent in every shot.
‘Zone’ the space: Outdoor ceremonies can sometimes feel a little out of place in large open spaces, so adding a few decorative elements can help create a more intimate and intentional setting. A few well-placed floral arrangements or decorative features—such as an arch, lanterns, fairy lights, or a statement rug—can help frame the ceremony area beautifully. Placing these elements at the start of the aisle and around the spot where you’ll stand as a couple creates a natural focal point and adds depth to your photos.
4. What advice would you give to help couples overcome a dislike of having their photos taken?
This is such a common worry! My approach is relaxed and natural, so there’s no awkward posing or forced smiles. Instead, I guide you into moments that feel organic—walking, laughing, chatting—so you barely notice the camera.
I would strongly suggest booking a pre-wedding portrait session. It feels counterintuitive to choose to step in front of the camera again, but it’s a great way to ease any nerves and get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day.
Finally, if you have any particular insecurities, raise them with your photographer so you can work together to ensure you receive photos you’ll love.
5. What are the different types of wedding photography styles that a couple could choose from?
There are a few different approaches, and it’s important to find one that feels right for you:
Natural and Joyful: A natural, un-posed style that captures real moments as they unfold. Perfect for couples wanting real memories to hold onto in years to come.
Traditional/Classical: More posed and structured, with a focus on formal group shots and classic portraits.
Fine Art: A highly creative, editorial-style approach with carefully composed and artistic images; something akin to what you might see in a magazine.
Dark & Moody vs. Light & Airy: Some photographers use a darker, cinematic style, while others lean towards bright, romantic tones—it’s all about the vibe you love!
6. What are some of the typical packages a wedding photographer may offer?
Every photographer is different which is why it makes it even more challenging finding the right one for you. Comparing like for like packages is near impossible, but here are some fairly typical options to choose from:
Full-day coverage – From morning preparations to the first dance and beyond.
Half-day coverage – Ideal for smaller weddings and mid-week celebrations.
Second photographer – Some photographers provide the option to have a second photographer join them for some or all of the day. Take advantage of this as there are so many reasons this will enhance your wedding photography.
Engagement shoot – Some photographers include an engagement session as part of their packages, while for others, it’s an optional add-on. At Mae Photography, we strongly believe that an engagement session can be incredibly beneficial—it helps you get comfortable in front of the camera and allows us to build a great connection before your wedding day. However, we also understand that not every couple wants or needs one, which is why we offer it separately rather than including it in all our packages. This way, you have the flexibility to decide what works best for you!
No two weddings are the same, so I always offer customisation options to make sure couples get exactly what they need.
Eleth enjoys working with couples to give them joyful memories of their wedding day. With 10+ years of experience, she covers Colchester, Ipswich and surrounding areas, photographing a wide variety of celebrations. Check out her portfolio here – https://www.maephotography.co.uk/wedding-photography-portfolio
Hello there!
As a member of The Association of Independent Celebrants and fully trained by the International College of Professional Celebrants, I create and deliver beautiful, bespoke and heartfelt ceremonies of your choice to mark life’s key milestones. From weddings, vow renewals and naming ceremonies to unity rituals and funerals. I am calm, kind, inclusive and caring. I will go out of my way to help make sure your special day runs smoothly and is everything you could wish it to be. I can help you write your personalised wedding vows, your commitments to your child or your own eulogy. I am happy to work indoors or outdoors, large and lavish or small and intimate, fun and quirky or romantic and traditional, religious or non-religious.
My Packages
Have a look through my pages to find out more about the type of ceremonies I offer. If you can't find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to give me a call or drop me a line to find out if I can help, I am always happy to chat.
Weddings
Funerals
Renewals
Namings
