Your Wedding Photography Timeline: What to Expect on the Day
Working with Me
Ever wondered what your wedding day will actually look like with a photographer following you around? This page walks you through exactly that — how the day flows, start to finish, so there are no surprises.
From the minute you get in touch, this is pretty much how it goes with me. Nothing complicated, nothing stiff — just a straightforward, relaxed way of doing things, so you always know where you stand and what’s happening next.
I’m all about real moments, proper emotion, and telling the story of your wedding exactly as it unfolds. Morning chaos, happy tears, the big “I’m actually getting married” moments, speeches that go a bit rogue, golden hour, and the dancefloor madness — I’ll be there in the background, catching it all as it happens.
And if you’re camera shy or hate having your photo taken, you’re my kind of people. My job is to make you forget I’m even there, so you can just get on with having the best day.
let me tell your story
with photography superpowers.
I want you to love your wedding photographs, for them to bring back the best memories of an amazing day. Being able to relive the happiness, the love and all the emotion of the day is really important to me. Thats where my photography superpowers come in.
I can help camera shy couples relax and enjoy having their photos taken. If you hate getting your photo taken – I’m your woman!
Time travel
Your photos will bring all the emotions flooding back
No awkward posing
Relaxing photos, capturing your day your way. Awkward is off the guest list.
Stealth mode
For those moments when no one is watching. Those extra special glances, moments, tears, smiles, and laughter – all captured perfectly.
Extra mile
Delivering a personalised, inclusive, above and beyond experience
Your Wedding Photography Timeline, From Start to Finish
My Approach to Your Wedding Photography Timeline
I go all out to ensure you have an incredible experience. Its really important to me that you have the best wedding day. Lets look at each stage of the process.
01.
Before Your Wedding Day
lets get to know each other
When you know…you know!
From that 1st call, chatting over coffee, hearing all about your plans. These are the building blocks for your wedding photography.
My booking in process is electronic, just as easy as amazon. You are firmly in my diary on completion of the booking process.
Closer to the day, we meet again. I LOVE to be organised, so I get all the juicy details of what you’ve got planned – even the secrets you keep from the guests – you want me to capture the moment when the secret is outed – right?
This planning – or pre-meet as I like to call it, ensures that I know everything about your day. I don’t want to miss a thing. I want you to relax on your day and know that I’ve it all in hand.
02.
Your Wedding Morning – Getting Ready
The story begins
The house will be buzzing with all sorts of people. Florists, make up, hair, and me!
Keeping it real – by this I mean, snacks on the table, cups of tea or Prosecco glasses visible in photos. If theres something you want me to avoid, just let me know.
Prosecco shots with bridesmaids, photos into your dress, your dads first look, all captured naturally, telling the story just as it happens.
I may turn the lights off, open the curtains and suggest a better placement for the make-up artist, but this is to ensure that the best available light is being used, which will make your photos awesome.
I’ll also carefully plan and take detail shots of your dress shoes and all your bits and pieces. Got a nice tree – I’ll happily hang your dress on it for a beautiful shot.
03.
Your Wedding Ceremony Photography
lets do this
I like to get there about 45 minutes before it all kicks off. This allows me to chat to the celebrant, capture your guests arriving and grab some detail shots. I’ll also locate your other half and get pictures of them.
This section of the day is full of emotion. Happy tears flow freely amongst the guests. Celebrants who are up for the craic also make for fantastic moments – top tip – watch out for family priests, they can deliver killer punchlines that raise the church roof.
Unplugged ceremonies also work well – the last thing you want is 100 mobile phones in the aisle, when its your moment of glory! You want me to capture you, not 100 mobile phones.
Confetti shots often happen when you come out of the church, they often happen naturally, but sometimes I give some direction. Its all about what way the wind is blowing (I’ve a whole post on how to get the best wedding photos – including tips on capturing the ultimate confetti shot)
04.
Your Wedding Reception at the Venue
let the party commence
Its time to let your hair down and I’ll be there to capture all the shenanigans.
Relax for a while, soak up the atmosphere, chat to your guests. This is your time to shine, talk about your dress, show off the new wedding bands.
I’ll mingle, take lots of candids. Its a great time for capturing funny moments, reactions and deep hugs. I’ll be in stealth mode, grabbing those moments that people don’t even realise are happening.
If you’ve garden games, this is a fab time to get some classic shots of kids and adults having the craic.
05.
Couple Portraits – Real Moments Together
Relaxing time out
Sometimes couples have the portrait session on the way to the venue, stopping off at the beach or at a place that has meaning for you. These don’t take that long. However if you have a venue with incredible grounds, then I recommend to stay on site.
I promise that you will relax and even say you enjoyed them. I get that most people declare a dislike of all cameras, but I’ll show you a few on the back of my camera and you will quickly see how incredible you look. Before you know it, you will be rocking that inner supermodel
This is also a time where you get to be alone – just the two of you. (ok and me with my camera). Its usually the only time of the day where you don’t have all your guests with you. I love it, as those intimate moments occur naturally, and I get to capture it perfectly.
06.
Family Photos – Organised & Stress-Free
the ones everyone dread
Most people have a love hate relationship with family photos – hate the time it takes, but love and want the photos!
I get it. You are having the time of your life, and suddenly theres a photographer suggesting that you stop the party for some photos.
I call them dreaded – most people do not look forward to this stage of the day. They can seem to go on for hours, but they are totally controllable.
This is the one set of photos I always plan out – indeed, I have the list ready, checked and triple checked in advance of your day. We agree who is in them, where we will take them, and the time to take them at. Then its boom, boom, boom, done – and you can all head back to the party.
07.
The Large Group Shot
AKA herding cats
Lots of people love a large group shot – one photo with all your guests. I personally really love them.
Some venues have the perfect location for them, with me taking the shot from a balcony or upstairs window.
As a heads up, they can take time – especially when key people are at the bar, checking in, or in the loo! But they can also take less than 10 minutes if we are super organised – and some venues have this down to a fine art.
If you want one, I’m happy to take it!
08.
Wedding Speeches & Reception Moments
open mic
I adore wedding speeches. They are fun filled, emotionally fuelled, stories of love and laughter.
Wedding speech photos really bring the craic of the wedding day back. When I’m editing a wedding, I often find myself laughing out loud at a facial expression that tells a story in the best way.
Do the speeches your way, there is no rule book to this. Mixing it up a bit makes for fab photo opportunities, which I will be all over. The best part about photographing the speeches is that people are so busy relaxing and enjoying themselves, they don’t see me with my camera!
Real raw emotion!
09.
Wedding Meal
Downtime
Theres not too many people who want their photo taken, whilst eating.
I take this opportunity to refuel too. Many couples offer me a meal and a place at the table, which I am really grateful for – but I much prefer eating it in the lobby alone. This allows me time to recharge batteries, back up files and prepare myself for the evening ahead.
10.
Evening Portraits
where the magic happens
I love taking 10 minutes for photos when the sun has set and the stars are in the sky.
You have fully chilled, are soaking up the fun of your wedding day and have embraced your position of being the most important couple in the room.
Just before the dancing starts, we can take some time outside, just us, no onlookers.
It’s at times like these where magic happens.
11.
The Dancefloor – Evening Party Photography
Air guitars at the ready
Want photos of all the movers and shakers? You got it!
I love a dance floor. Dancing queens, Travolta, and a bit of rock the boat (well maybe less of that).
I join in the party, get stuck in the middle of the floor, moving my hips like theres no tomorrow. You and your guests are so busy on the air guitar, you don’t see me shimmying up close and bang, craziness captured.
12.
Your Wedding Photos – Delivery & Experience After the Day
one heck of a story
Within 48 hours of your wedding, a sneak peek will magically appear. A handful of photos to gush over until the full set arrives.
Your full gallery will arrive with a fanfare of trumpets, around 6 weeks after your big day. Gather round, pour a glass of vino, and view them together. Theres nothing beats looking over photos of THE BEST PARTY EVER!
We then work together on your wedding album, showcasing your day from beginning to end, highlighting all the juicy bits. A book all about you – whats not to LOVE.
Frequently asked questions
Get in touch
Love the sound of this? Take a look at my collections and pricing to find the right fit for your day.
I’d love to chat about your wedding, just hit the button below, fill in my contact form, and I’ll be back in touch asap.
Alternatively, drop me an email, or lift the phone. I love a good chat, so feel free to call.
hello@ursulamccollamphotography.co.uk
07870560481
