Frequently Asked Questions...
About your Wedding Day coverage
When will you start and how long will you stay?
Start and finish times are by mutual agreement and totally flexible. Coverage of the Bride's preparations usually begins about 1 – 1 1/2 hours prior to the time of the wedding, If you require the evening reception covering (extra) with dancing, I usually leave about half an hour or so after the first dance, but if there is something special happening later on, such as fireworks, then I could stay later. We discuss your day in detail at the pre-wedding meeting and I issue a timed outline of the day from a photographic perspective which ensures that you know exactly what will happen, and when.
How far will you travel?
I cover weddings throughout the UK and overseas. All travel expenses within the mainland UK are paid for at 60 pence per mile.
I am getting married abroad, how far will you travel and what will it cost?
I will travel world-wide. My usual fee’s are chargeable for the wedding day itself. If you require additional coverage on other days then there is a fee for this which is dependent on your requirements. All travel and accommodation expenses will either be charged at cost inc VAT if I settle the bill or can be purchased/settled directly by you. Depending on the territory there is a subsistence charge to cover food and incidental expenses. This is usually in the region of £80 per day or part thereof that I am absent from the UK. Any chargeable expenses (e.g. excess luggage, necessary inoculations etc.) are invoiced at cost inc VAT
For overseas weddings I expect to arrive a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the wedding in order to familiarise myself with the location and become acclimatised to the weather and time zone.
How many photographs should we have in our album?
This depends on the style of the album you choose. Traditional albums will hold up to 100 prints, Picture book albums require up to 100 images whereas storybook albums can use anywhere between 30 images and 300, more in some cases. Albums are designed to tell the story of the day, and this can be done with as few or as many pictures as you wish.
How big will our Album be and how many pages will it have?
Again this depends on the style of the album you have chosen for your wedding. Traditional albums utilise individual images whilst picture book and storybook albums are unique and are designed around the pictures you choose. Details of flowers, or the dress for example, are often featured as small 'accents' while the section containing your portraits may feature larger pictures. If you choose to include lots of pictures of friends, then I might design a single spread that encapsulates the drinks reception using small 3" x 2" images. The album I design for you will take into account which pictures you would like portrayed within your collection.
When do we get to see our photographs?
We meet up as soon as possible after your return from honeymoon to go through your pictures and choose your album. Your pictures are presented as a slideshow and set to music; a fantastic way to re-live the day. You get a copy of the presentation on DVD. Also the images are displayed on our website for enable all your family and friends to share your memories.
How long will the album take?
Once you have chosen the pictures for your traditional album this will be completed in most cases within 14 days. If you have chosen a picture or storybook, I design it and send a layout to you for approval. Usually your album will take 4 - 6 weeks from approval to delivery.
I am having a very large wedding; can you supply an additional photographer?
Yes. Usually I can cover weddings of all sizes quite satisfactorily on my own, however, there are instances where the requirement to be in two places at once means that an additional photographer can be advantageous. However, I will only work with selected photographers, so early reservation is important to ensure I can provide this service if required.
How many photographs will you take?
There is no fixed number as each wedding is different and you shouldn't confuse quantity with quality! The determining factors are usually the number of locations, the time between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast, and the number of guests; I try to capture each guest or couple at least once. You can expect to have over 300 pictures to choose from, but at larger weddings which have an early start I quite often take over 500.
About your album and after the wedding We like the informal reportage style but will you take some more formal group pictures?
Yes! A few formal groups of the key members of the family and bridal party are often important to my clients. I take these as quickly as possible with the minimum of fuss. This is discussed in detail at the pre-wedding meeting in order to ensure that this can be completed painlessly, in the minimum time: how many, who will be in the groups, when and where they will be taken. Usually formal groups take no longer than 10 minutes and I recommend restricting the 'line-ups' to a minimum, offering fun groups - particularly of your friends, bridesmaids and ushers - later in the day when everyone is more relaxed and stressful events, like the speeches, are out of the way.
Do we need to give you a meal?
Yes please! If I am with you all day I need something to keep me going! When I do so, I will take photographs of the food so you have a record of it. Many clients invite me to eat with their guests at one of the tables, but this is not necessary and I am happy to eat in another room nearby. Obviously I need to be fairly close in order to be on hand to photograph the speeches and cutting of the cake. If I'm not eating with your guests then the caterers need to be made aware that I should receive each course at the same time as you so that I am not still eating when I am needed to take photographs!
Do you use digital or film?
Digital has some fantastic advantages over film in certain conditions, particularly in low light. So the answer is that I make the most of the systems available and use them to create a fabulous selection of images.
How do we get our album?
If you live locally I will usually deliver the album in person, but if this is not possible and you are unable to collect it, I can arrange for it to be couriered to you. There may be a small charge for delivery. Albums can also be sent overseas.
Can our parents choose different pictures for their album?
Parents can either choose pictures via the internet, or alternatively, I am very happy to visit your parents to help them make their album selection. Alternatively, they can choose from the same options you have and I can prepare an individual quotation.
When will our pictures be available on the internet?
Your pictures are usually available on line within 48 hours of your wedding. If you are going to be away on honeymoon for a long time you can view the pictures whilst you are away. Access to the online album can be by password, and you control to whom you give the password, alternatively you can choose open access. I supply cards for your family and friends to enable them to locate your pictures online. Most of my clients also include details of the online album with their thank you cards. I can supply wording for this.
Do I have to have an album?
NO. We offer albums as an additional cost if you choose the print option. Albums are included in the price for picture and storybooks.
Can we have additional copies of the CD-ROM?
Yes. Copies of a CD-ROM, with or without the reference numbers for each image are available for a nominal £15 each. If you would like to give a copy of the CD as a gift it can be put in a special case with a 5" square photograph of your choice for £24.99. Postage and packing is £1.99. All images displayed on the CD rom are low resolution images and are not suitable for printing purposes.
How long will you keep the negatives?
All negatives and files are kept indefinitely. If your album is damaged it can be repaired if possible or replaced, as accurate records are kept of each album ordered. However, the cost of replacing an album means that I strongly advise that your Album is insured on your home contents policy.
Additional services
What framing options to you offer?
I offer a complete framing service. Many clients have one or more enlargements framed or reproduced as a modern, frame-free canvas print. Favourite options are multi-frames, where 3, 9 or 12 prints are displayed.
Can we have thank you cards printed?
I can provide two options for thank you cards. You can either have cards printed or you can opt for hand-made cards featuring an actual photographic print. Prices start from £2.50 per card.
I've heard about signature mats; can you do these?
As an alternative to a Guest Book I can provide a mat containing a framed print from your pre-wedding shoot (or leaving room for a wedding picture) which your friends can sign on the day.