Wedding Day Timings: How to Get the Best Out of Your Cotswolds Wedding Photography

Wedding day timings - you’ll often start to consider these in the later stages of planning. It’s a job that slots in neatly with creating your ceremony playlist and designing your seating plan. But there’s more to it than simply knowing your ceremony starts at 2pm. Here, I’d like to share the tips I’ve picked up as a Cotswolds wedding photographer with you.

The wedding morning

For many couples, your wedding day arrives with an early but oh-so exciting start. The dressing gowns are donned, Champagne bottles popped and beauty team called in.

This is also the perfect moment for your Cotswolds wedding photographer to arrive. Now is the time to bottle all that emotion and all those giggles up in a series of stunning photos.

Pose for some, smile on unaware for others. As your Cotswolds wedding photographer, I seamlessly combine the most flattering angles, backdrops and light for natural pictures you’ll love.

If both members of the wedding party are getting ready at the same venue (these country house wedding venues are a great starting point!), it’s easy to ensure both of you feature beautifully in photos before the big day.

But if you’re preparing at separate locations, there’s no need to worry, your Cotswolds wedding photographer can enlist the help of a second shooter. Then we really can be in two places at once!

The ceremony & couple's portraits

If you've booked a second shooter, ask your photographer to ensure they are available for the ceremony too.

This means you get sought-after photos of you gliding down the aisle, showcasing both the front and back detail of your dress, as well as those ultra-romantic pictures of the moment your groom sees you.

And if you've booked just one Cotswolds wedding photographer, don't worry! I've had hundreds of weddings to practise slipping around the room silently, so I'll make sure every moment is captured exquisitely for you.

When it comes to your couple's portraits, the key is to time them right and there are two sides to this story. I like to divide this into 2 sections - the first is while canapes and Champagne are flowing. Your guests will be happy grazing and catching up, so you can slip away without being missed. And then again during golden hour, after the speeches are done, the food has been eaten, and the thought or escaping from the busy crowds for 15 minutes is so appealing. This is when we get those really dreamy photos, when you are at your most relaxed and the lightis just perfect.

The second is to allow enough time. Whether you want formal posed photos, naturally romantic shots or the best of both, getting the light and moment just right takes time. You won't need to be away from your wedding party for long (those canapes have your names on them too!) but you also don't want your pictures to be rushed.

Speak to your Cotswolds wedding photographer for advice timing the gap between your ceremony and meal. They'll be able to help you to complete your order of the day with ease.

Dinner and speeches

Natural, documentary wedding photography is one of the best ways to capture your wedding breakfast.

As your Cotswolds wedding photographer, I’ll work the room without you even spotting me. Behind the scenes I'll snap away so that every laugh, toast and speech is there for you to treasure.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, these tend to be the wedding photos that are priceless. They're packed with emotion and spontaneity.

Sunset and beyond

What time sunset falls could vary enormously depending on the season in which you say ‘I do’. Golden hour in the depths of winter can be just a few hours after your ceremony. In the height of summer, on the other hand, you could have hours in between.

Check the weather and factor in the golden hour when planning on-the-day coordination with your venue. If you can, aim to carve out time for romantic sunset photos when other entertainment is provided for guests. This ensures minimal disruption to the celebrations while you capture those dream sunset portraits.

Choosing your Cotswolds wedding photographer isn’t only an important investment in your wedding budget. It’s also a hugely emotional decision that will affect the way you forever remember your day. With these wedding day timing tips, you should be perfectly prepped to capture the day of your dreams. Enjoy the magic!

For more wedmin advice, be inspired by this gorgeous garden real wedding and discover how to plan the perfect marquee wedding.