Are you going to be a guest at a wedding? Read on for handy hints and tips

It is more than likely that at one point you will find yourself in a two to three year spell of constant weddings to attend. All your friends are getting hitched. The thought of it is enough to give you mild palpitations but it’s ok you’ll get through it and have great fun. Weddings are fun!

We’ve plenty of tips in this post which can help you to be a respectful and expert wedding guest from the get-go. Forgive me if that sounds rude. I am not using the word “respectful’ in a bad way but there are certain things that we as photographers have to bring to your attention to ensure the bride and groom get the best out of their wedding photos especially key moments. At the end of the day, this is their wedding and you are there as guests to enjoy it with them.

• Have fun, get dressed up for the occasion. It’s such a great excuse to get dressed up to the nines as it’s not something you do every day or even every weekend. Well not at my age anyway.
• Try and keep that mobile phone and iPad away as much as you can. Enjoy the day and be present. If you are spending the whole day snapping photos of the couple then it is guaranteed you may be in the way of the photographer who’s been paid to capture those key moments. I am not saying you can’t snap photos as most enjoy taking photos these days but please be aware. That is all we ask.
• CEREMONY. Please be respectful of the bride and groom. They have paid to have the wedding day captured. It does not make for great photos to have a sea of iPhones, iPads and cameras floating up in the air and blocking the view. Be present. Have a peek here at what this looks like in photos.
• DO NOT step out into the aisle to get your shot or to congratulate them on the way out. This is their moment. There are many key moments that as photographers we capture during the ceremony. There have sadly been a few times where we couldn’t capture these due to guests stepping into the aisle to get their shot. I am going to come across as rude here and I apologise but I can guarantee you that the photo we will capture will be nicer and much better quality. Again we have been paid to do this and are professionals. Be present for the couple and be respectful.
• If you are needed for photos please stick around. If you decide to disappear this will delay things for the bride and groom which in term means they get less time for their session and less time to mingle.
• I know you are all excited to congratulate and chat to the bride and groom but if you see the photographers standing there trying to bring them along for photos please let them go as weddings are always on a schedule. We aim to get photos done with plenty of time for the couple to mingle so they will be back to have that conversation with you. I find it so awkward to try and get couples away from their guests, as I feel like I am being rude. It would be mighty helpful to notice that they are needed for their photos to make an awkward situation less awkward. Thanks : )
• FORMALS. I’m sorry but if I am a photographer at a wedding you are attending and you are in the family formals, I will kindly ask you to put that arm down and keep your neck as it naturally sits. Hands on hips and neck nearly lying on your shoulder is for nights out with the girls not for family photos which will be handed down and kept in the family for generations to come. Nice and natural is the way to go.
• Don’t be afraid to ask us for photos. We are there to capture the day. Just don’t turn us into your personal family photographer.
• Please don’t proceed to put yourselves down when we take your photos, to ask us to photoshop you into a size 8. Everyone looks amazing on a wedding day!! I can assure you, you will look fab! Women are so hard on themselves. Why not leave those comments aside for the day and enjoy getting some awesome photos taken of you and your friends and family.
• DANCING. Act up for the camera. Have a ball. These shots are most awesome. Tune in at a later date for a post on dancing shots.

So read on and enjoy some of our favourite snaps of guests from 2017.

Don’t be afraid to ask us for a photo or to pose for a photo

I love this snap my second David Ruff captured of these two guests having fun playing lawn games. This will make great memories for the bride and groom for two reasons.

1. Memories of who was in attendance
2. The fact that their guests enjoyed lawn games and had an absolute ball at their wedding.

How fun is this shot?! Have a peek at more of our work here from previous years.

Want some tips on wedding decor. We have blogged about it here.

Grandparents

They are precious! We always make sure to get snaps of them and usually in the moment as this is how you will best remember them. I guarantee you these photos will be the type of photos you will look back on when they are sadly no longer around.

The Children

When they are cool cats like these it makes for awesome photos! Thanks to Zoe Alexandra for snapping these.

When your guests kinda resemble celebrities

Love that the only fellow standing up is a look-alike for Captain Jack Randall from the hit series Outlander. Who is this you ask? have a peek here! you’ll defo agree.

Again kids who are cool as guarding their parent’s drinks during photos.

At the end of the day HAVE FUN!!! Make it a special day for you as well. It’s awesome fun attending a wedding!