You go, Glen Coco!
Wedding Photography: A field Guide
You've found the one. Your soulmate, your player 2, your friend for life. I've put together a quick guide for you to help plan your perfect wedding with ace photos in mind.
Here I’ve put together a whole bunch of info for you about how to get the best out of your wedding photography. From extra pinterest boards to what to do if suppliers ask you for photos, and tips for what to do with your hands and faces when my camera settles on you.
Your preshoot/Meeting
A safe space to try out any ideas you might have, and get to know me without any pressure.
We can chat over zoom whenever you need to, but if you’re nervous about being in front of the camera you can arrange a preshoot. If you’ve not already included one but it’s something you’re considering, please get in touch.
From my point of view, preshoots are an invaluable way for us to break the ice before the wedding day. You’ll have enough going on on the day itself without having to consider meeting me for the first time and feeling nervous about having a camera around. The photos you get out of it are really a bonus, because we’ll spend the time trying out different things and seeing what works for you.
My time is very limited between April and October, so if you’re looking for a shoot during these months it must be somewhere close to me. During quieter months I’m happy to spend an hour or two travelling.
Where.
Rural or urban? What’s your vibe? A fancy bar with awesome decor and interesting lights, or are you happiest in a forest? I love both, and I’m happy to do both.
Wear.
Don’t force yourself into clothes you feel uncomfortable in. Don’t try to wear a beautiful dress up a mountain because you want to look amazing (just change when we get up there). Think about the tones in your outfits and how they might look, but don’t feel like you need to overthink this or be something you’re not.
Preshoot availability
I release several dates each year for preshoots, so I often do a couple back to back in the same location.
Take a look at the list here and if there’s a location/date you’re interested in just shoot me an email and that’s when we’ll meet.
2025 dates tbc
Let me know what you’d prefer at hello@carolinegoosey.com
If Zoom is enough for you then we can have a chat pretty much any weekday evening.
Points are awarded for having a cocktail in your hand, double points if you’re also wearing a onesie.
The Best Wedding Vendors In The World
Good wedding vendors are worth their weight in gold, but it’s no surprise that they can be hard to find. Luckily, I’ve been to hundreds of weddings and I know who’s definitely worth it. If you’re stuck for someone to help make all your dreams come true, explore this list. You never know, you might just find that je n’ais c’est quoi.
Cars and Campers
Boho Brides
Vintage Volks Weddings
DJs, Bands, folks with instruments
24 Live
The Best Men (DJs)
Wedding Jam (DJs)
Brass Monkeys
Michael Mulholland
Heavy Beats Brass Band
Styling
RnR Weddings and Events
Stories Of Events
Photobooths
Birdie Photobooth
Oh! Photobooth
Oh Snap UK
Picturematic Booth
Make Up
Craft Makeup
Kate Valentine
Genevieve Turley
Decor/Signage
Killer Queen Textiles
Sylvie Signs
I Do Hire
Tara Collette
Celebrants
Kickass Gatherings
Meg Senior
Things to Eat
The Hip Hop Chip Shop
OhLaLa Loaded Fries
Coordinators/planners
Kook Events
Worcestershire Wedding Planner
Florists
Folky Dolky
Polka Dot
Olive Owl Flowers
Things to Do
Crazy 9 Golf
Rockstar Magic
Schuggies Ceilidhs
Confetti should come by the fistful. It should be bold and colourful, spreading joy exponentially the longer it stays in the air.
There’s only one confetti company that’s achieved a perfect air-hanging, joy-spreading float.
A little info about giving photos to Wedding Vendors
Wedding vendors, like so many creative businesses, heavily rely on social media to promote their business. It’s probably how you found them. As a photographer, I am in a position where I am frequently contact by other wedding suppliers after the wedding day to see if I have any photos they could post on social media.
As my clients, you are my priority. While I am happy to supply images specifically for social media and their websites for no cost to them, it is important that any supplier looking to share photos from your wedding has consent from you to do so.
If you are uncomfortable with images on social media, please say. You are under no obligation to share any photos you don’t want to from your wedding. In no circumstances will a supplier ever be given any photos to share before you have received your full gallery.
Your wedding day timeline
I heart prep
Starting the day with you is a great way for me to get to know the wedding party. I'm able to introduce myself to some very important people - parents, close family, bridesmaids and groomsmen - and they get to see what I'm like as a photographer. This usually means they'll act naturally later on and allow me to just blend in, rather than standing and posing for photos. It's crucial to allowing me an in, a way to capture your day in a documentary style.
Not only that, but prep photos are usually full of emotional moments. Reactions to the dress going on, toasts from hip flasks, everyone sat in a line doing their own make up - these are the kinds of shots that people tend to cherish for years to come.
The earliest I will arrive for prep is two hours before your ceremony.
A Few Tips about Getting Ready
Prep can get messy
A lot of people getting ready in a tight space can mean clothes and make up everywhere. Ask people in your wedding party to help keep it tidy(ish) so the photos aren't cluttered.
Brightly coloured carrier bags are really bright in photos
Sainsburys is a repeat offender! If I spot these I might ask to just shuffle them out of view.
If you're getting ready in the same place
then I can cover both of you. If you are in places more than 10-20 minutes apart and want both partners covered then it might be wise to book a second shooter, even if for just part of the day.
Gifts
It's always lovely when a bride or groom give each other a letter or gift to open during prep. It'll create awesome photos, as well as giving you the warm and fuzzies.
It goes by super fast - even if it’s one of the longer ceremonies. You can still be intentional and decisive about how it flows. Have readings you love, play music that means something to you, have your best mate flounce around throwing flowers down the aisle. Walk slowly but look ahead to the person waiting for you, and don’t worry about getting emotional.
The Ceremony
Confetti
You literally cannot have enough confetti. Get as much as you think you’ll need - and then double it.
Paper confetti (discs or strips, doesn’t matter which) stays in the air a lot longer than dried flowers. If you do go for real flowers, pick a mix of different sizes. Full rose petals will catch a drift and float around longer than dried lavender.
Let it hit in you the face. It may well go in your mouth when you laugh - and you will laugh. It’s a lovely moment so keep looking ahead to make sure the full joy is captured on camera.
Having a highlights video? read this.
If you’ve booked me to make a short wedding film alongside your wedding photos then, yay! I love making these little films.
Firstly I’d like to assure you that you won’t know when I’m toggling between videos and photos, because I do it all on the same camera. I don’t bring extra kit with me because I need to be as agile as possible to get right in there on the action. So these scrappy little films are shot hand held, with no fancy tripods or gimbals. They’re rough, ready and fun.
These films aren’t what you’d get from a videographer. They’re much shorter, and no sound is recorded. Instead, the whole thing is set to music - and I’ll send you a few different licensed tracks to choose from. I use songs from Musicbed so that I can buy a license for each film, and it can be shared online without breaching copyright. Getting my mitts on your fave songs by your fave bands is really costly, unless you happen to know a band…but this is a really good solution and they have a huge library to choose from.
If you fancy adding a film to your package let me know.
Couple Photos
By the time we're ready to do your couples photos you'll be a pro at this. We'll have already done your preshoot, so I'll have a sense of your personalities and what does and doesn't work for you.
Some couples like the intimate, snuggly type shots, while it's just not right for others. Whatever your preference is then we'll work together to get a good variety of shots.
I'll make sure we do these away from your guests, and if you'd like to hop in the car and pop out somewhere completely separate to your wedding then let me know.
You’ll be a dab hand
There are loads of factors going on here, but the typical flow of a wedding allows two possibilities - straight after group shots, while your guests mill around with a drink in their hands, and straight after the meal, before the evening reception gets into full swing.
Both work well, but the light is different. If you want golden, glowy summer sunset photos then I'll help you work out the best time to whisk you away for these.
Finding Time
Group photos
Keep the list short and sweet.
I recommend a maximum of 8, because each one can take 5 minutes to co-ordinate.
Standing in a line and smiling is kinda dull after five minutes, so we'll mix it up and have some fun.
Feel free to bring smoke bombs, link arms and walk around like you've had 6 gins - the photos are way better.
We'll get through your group photos quickly so you can get back to relaxing and having fun - and that'll all get documented too.
During your speeches I'll try to get a huge mix of photos - from the two of you and those close to you, to your guests and the room as a whole.
If you have anything special planned, let me know so I can be prepared.
Speeches - when even the photographers cry.
on being a photography ninja:
I live for natural moments. Weddings are chock full of fun and emotion, and aside from confetti, groups and couple photos, I spend the day milling around among your guests, looking for fun things to photograph. I'll do impromptu guest group shots, and then go right back to backing into bushes, hanging out by the bar, and getting in on the action.
Party Time
Usually my full day package is ample to go from prep to party, so I'll stick around to make sure I get loads of fun shots. Not every couple has a first dance, while some choose to choreograph something unique - just let me know what you've decided is right for you.
My shooting style does change during the evening, as I'll usually pop a flash on one of my cameras, and possibly have a video light on the other one if it's necessary. Just don't look at the camera, unless you're ok with being momentarily blinded! But this is how I make sure your party photos look dynamic and fun, and that your video isn't a fuzzy mess.
By this time of the day most of the guests have lost their inhibitions and want to let their hair down. As before, I'll get right in there too!
Things to Remember
This is your wedding.
Not your parents', or your friends'. They'll probably want to help out a lot (and you should totally rope them in) but feel free to assert yourself. If something isn't working for you then you're completely within your rights to drop it.
You've probably never done this before, and it's a big undertaking. If you need any help planning your day, especially to make sure there's ample time for photos, then I'm happy to help. I've photographed dozens of weddings, varying from tiny and boutique to enormous venues on boiling hot days. If you need any help organising the run of the day then hit me up.
The Big Ass Questionnaire
I'll ask you about getting between locations in your big fat questionnaire a month or two before the wedding, but I'm mentioning it here to help with your planning. If you're hiring a bus or have some cool way of travelling between locations, let me know and I can pop along for the ride!
Rain happens!
I would urge you to just go with the flow - literally. There are always contingencies that can happen. Just grab some brollies and embrace the rain - or whatever else the wonderful British weather can throw at us.
