Your Wedding Ceremony
You're here! I hope the journey was a safe one and it's probably all becoming quite real at this point. In just a few moments you will be walking down the aisle and getting married! The whole reason we are all here today.
During these moments it is important to have a reflection inward to make sure you are fully prepared for your ceremony. Do you need a last minute bathroom run? Check that your hair or make-up is just right and give yourself 5 big breaths.
I will see you at the top of the aisle and remember this - make sure you all walk SLOW and keep your head up. You don't need to look at the ground! This means we all get to see your beautiful face and you can take in the moment.
For the next 30–90 minutes, everything will flow naturally. Once you reach the top of the aisle, your celebrant or officiant will guide you through the ceremony.
My role is to capture these precious moments: readings, the exchange of rings, and any special rituals or traditions you’ve included, such as hand-fasting, the "quaich" cup, or others unique to your day.
Before your wedding, I’ll check in with you about any specific moments you’d like me to focus on, ensuring I’m fully prepared to document what makes your ceremony truly yours. Every ceremony is unique, and I want to honour those details.
Prior to your wedding, it is good to ask the person leading your ceremony if they have any issues with photography or any restrictions on where I can be during the ceremony. I pride myself on being very discreet during the ceremony and I am not there to invade or interrupt the proceedings in any way. Every wedding is different and every celebrant/officiant has their own preferences.
Throughout your ceremony, I will be aiming to get a varied perspective on your day - mixing shots of you two with reactions of your guests, families and wedding party. Try to focus in on the proceedings of the ceremony and if I catch your eye throughout it, odds are you'll see me smiling at you and reminding you to breathe and relax. You're doing great and take as much time as you like going through those vows.
If you are wearing an engagement ring on the day of your wedding, think about moving it onto your right hand until you get your wedding ring on. Then during the signing of your register, it is a good time to switch it onto your left.
Your "first kiss" is one of the most iconic moments of the day, and it's something worth discussing before the wedding.
If you’re having a floral arch or backdrop at the top of the aisle, you may want to request that I capture the kiss from the aisle, looking toward that beautiful setup.
Alternatively, if you'd like to include your guests' reactions in the shot, it might be better to shoot from the top of the aisle, looking down towards them.
It’s a great idea to ask your celebrant or officiant to step aside just before the kiss so that you’re the focus. Take a couple of seconds to make sure they’re out of the way, and make sure to communicate this request during your rehearsal to ensure everything flows smoothly.
And remember - kiss for just a little longer than a second. This gives me enough time to capture the shot and get some great reactions from your guests!
When it’s time for your recessional after the ceremony, the same advice applies as when you walked up the aisle, keep your heads up and take it slow. Your family and guests will no doubt be eager to congratulate you with a pat on the back or a high-five. Let them shower you with love and savour this moment. Rushing down the aisle would mean I’d have to run backwards to capture it, and that doesn’t always make for the best photos!
It’s also a great time to steal a quick kiss as you walk down the aisle. Not only does it make for a beautiful shot, but it captures your guests' joyful reactions, too.
You did it!! You're married!!
