Just got engaged!… Now what?

Shooting an Elopement, Town Hall or Registry Office Wedding is very different to that of a traditional church wedding. The officiant may have special guidelines on where a photographer should stand during the ceremony. My approach when shooting a traditional wedding day is far from the “stand here & do this” approach. I aim not to influence a scene. For the most part, I let the wedding story unfold to capture those "blink-or-you-will-miss-them" moments that are important to re-tell the story. I know that capturing the wedding details and spontanteous acts by relatives and quests are very important as they can be easily missed. I watch and look for beautiful moments which can be fleeting.

I am often asked by my engaged couples what is my photography style and what equipment do I use to capture the photos showcased in my online gallery. I shoot in an editorial or documentary photography style: editorial are for couples who loves the camera, happy to do what it takes to get the photo; documentary, shooting the moment as it happens. The equipment is just a tool to get me results. However in case you want to know I am a Canon shooter using full frame and crop camera bodies. I use these not because they are recognisable brands but rather they help me achieve the look I desire for my clients. For lighting, I use a combination of natural light - weather and season permitting- for that light and airy feel and I use flash for after dark sessions to get that dramatic feel. Posing - natural or formal - is dependent on the environment and the moods of the individuals in front of me.

This is such an exciting time, and it's totally okay if you're not sure what to do next after getting engaged. I hope I can help to get you started (without the stress). Your wedding planning journey can begin by

Celebrating the Moment

Take it all in—this is big! Share the news with your family and friends whatever feels right. Maybe throw a little engagement get-together if that sounds fun. You deserve to soak up the love!

I personally wished I had done an engagement shoot for socials. Making one big announcement across the board across the socials would have give me more time to oogling Pinterest.

Talking about more time.

2. Chat About Timing

Start talking about when you both imagine getting married. You don't have to lock in a date right away, but having a general idea helps shape everything else.

Having had the experience of being a bride, a bridesmaid and a matron of honour, I do understand the highs that comes with planning a wedding along with receiving and viewing a wedding photo gallery. I was blessed to have wonderful photographers at my own wedding (We had to budget wisely as I got married on the beach in Jamaica and in Suffolk where my lovely in-laws lives).

3. Figure Out the Budget

Money talk isn’t the most fun, but it’s super important. Figure out what you're both comfortable spending, and if anyone else is helping out, have those conversations early.

4. Choosing a Wedding Photographer

In navigating a very saturated UK photography market, as an engaged couple, you will find (this is the case for Buckinghamshire Wedding Photographers!) that the decision in choosing the right photographer lies with your budget and the style of photography you gravitate to.

Upon initial contact about my wedding photography services, my aim is to learn about you and how you envision your day. I communicate who am I, what I do and what you can expect from me so that you determine whether I am suitable. Upon being commissioned to cover the wedding, key information is obtained during the wedding planning phase. I keep in contact right up to the wedding day to ensure timings are finalised and to learn of any other new changes or developments.

5. Start Dreaming Up Your Day

Do you want something formal or informal? Once you know your style, it’s easier to plan the rest. Start putting together a guest list, even if it’s just a rough draft.

6. Pick Your People

Think about who you want standing next to you on your big day. When you're ready, ask them to be part of your crew—they’ll be honored!

7. Find the Perfect Spot

Start looking at venues you love. Popular spots book up quickly, so once you find one that feels right, grab it!

8. Line Up Your Vendors

Photographers, florists, caterers, DJs, planners—you get the idea. Do a little research, read reviews, and meet with a few people to see who clicks with your vibe.

9. Snap Some Engagement Pics

You may have captured some images for your socilas a lovely way to celebrate this chapter in your lives. A bonus is that you can use them for save-the-dates or just to look back on this moment.

10. Dress the Part

Start browsing for wedding outfits early! Dresses, suits, whatever your style—it’s good to allow time for fittings and any last-minute changes.

11. Handle the Legal Stuff

Look into your area’s marriage license rules, and if you're planning on changing your name, start gathering what you'll need for that too.

12. Consider Pre-Marital Counseling

Not a must, but it can be a great way to connect even more deeply before the big day. It’s about building a strong foundation for your future together.

Wedding Photography inspiration

Should an agreed time out of the day is set to take portraits of you both alone away from guests, I take inspiration from editorial magazines to create dynamic portait images. For this reason my photography style for portraits will attract a specific type of bride. Having a good experience with me on the engagement shoot goes a long way when the big day arrives.

In your search I suggest that you request to see a complete wedding gallery that has been shot from begining to end in different situations. My online wedding photo gallery showcase a combination of colour and black and white photography, the work I have done in past years. In our industry, its important to display curated images of our best work online to entice you to learn more about our services. Therefore it is for this reason that in your search you must find a wedding photographer whether in London (or in your local area) who can shoot not a lovely bouquet and a portrait of the couple on their wedding day but can document the ceremony, reception, formals and other things in-between. Consider wedding online blogs that list photographers by county or general location for example search for wedding photographers in Buckinghamshire, regionally, by genre "documentary wedding photographer" or get word of mouth recommendations. These are great places to start in your search.

13. Plan the Honeymoon

Dream up a getaway you’ll both love—whether it’s tropical beaches or a cozy cabin. Booking early often means better deals and more options.

14. Stay Organized (but Keep It Chill)

There are a ton of great wedding planning tools and checklists out there. Pick one that works for you and keep everything in one place—it’ll make things easier as you go.

15. Don’t Forget to Enjoy It

Seriously—this is such a special time in your lives. Amid all the planning, take moments to just be together, dream, laugh, and soak it all in.

My hope is that I will be creating images that a client will happily give to themselves or a love one to remember the moment in the years to come.

I still pull out my albums to relive those memories and enjoy the emotions each image evoke when I look at them. I desire the same for a bride, the joy of looking through her album just like me and reliving the day.

Choose to use me as your wedding photographer because you like my work. Should you not choose me, I wish you all the very best with your wedding plans.