A day in the life of a wedding photographer

I know you’ve all been asking.

That’s a lie. I’ll start again.

I know none of you asked for this, but ChatGPT told me it would be great for SEO and it seems like a fun article to write. So what does a typical wedding day look like for the world’s best documentary wedding photographer? Is it all partying and canapés? Read on to find out.

It’s not all spent at weddings

In fact, the majority of time is spent editing, marketing,  communicating with clients, sorting out business admin, networking with other suppliers, blogging and social media, website work.  Trying to find enough work to pay the bills, basically (or blag or borrow it until you can). It’s dealing with equipment repairs (when there’s so much to service, something always needs reparing or replacing). You will need to sit through 100 little job interviews throughout the year to actually win business.

A one day event will actually be about 5 days work (editing, client communication, preparation), but as most photographers will tell you – the majority of the work is finding the work (A quick google AI is giving me a figure of 90% marketing, 10% photography).

Anyway, this article will focus on a typical wedding day. Although I see less of them and more a mix of people doing things their own way nowadays –  big urban disco parties, Lindy Hop weddings and small intimate wedding celebrations. 

Getting me ready

I actually start getting my stuff ready days before the wedding – so I’m 90% ready to go.

Sometimes I’ve stayed at a hotel the night before, and have often got less sleep and had to navigate the hotel’s breakfast system and talk to people. Not being a morning person this is a nightmare, which is why I give discounted pricing to people who get married close to me.

The morning is a fine balance because I’m so nervous that I don’t want to eat but logic tells me that a wedding breakfast is usually actually at 4 or 5 o’clock, (with the photographer meal often appearing about an hour after that). So it’s best to eat something. But not so much that you’re going to need the loo halfway to the venue.

I drive to the venue, usually having to pull over several times to put my mind at rest because I’m convinced I forgot to pack cameras / batteries / memory cards / shoelaces.

Getting you ready

I love covering people getting ready for a wedding . It gives me a chance to get to know everyone and get them used to having a photographer around. If I’m in luck, everybody’s getting ready at the venue. Which makes logistics really easy. I often leave loads of time in case I get a flat tyre or stuck in traffic – so I can also use the spare time I have to get some venue shots and introduce myself to venue staff.

I do tend to photograph more at this time of day. In the old days, film photographers often used to throw away their first roll of film, as they knew they were warming up and there would be nothing worthwhile on there. I sort of need to limber up and find my flow, like an athlete. It also gets people used to the camera much more quickly too.

A note for couples and their families. You can never be in my way. Whatever you are doing is fine. I also don’t mind mess and don’t mind being chucked out if you decide you don’t actually want a photographer about. (I’ve actually a whole article to help you get ready for the day here)

This part of the day can be pretty chaotic and everything seems to be happening at once. It’s this part of the day and the drinks reception when a second photographer is worth their weight in gold.

The Ceremony

The ceremony is where it all happens. And yet, it’s the one part of the day we often have to stand still. I always try to get a spot at the front where possible, as it gives me a view of the guests as well as the couple. If it’s a bit tight, or the couple are a bit anxious, I will move to the back of the room. This also happens quite frequently in churches

I do love this part of the day. It’s where there are often a lot of nerves and emotion is on the surface.

The Drinks Reception

The drinks reception is often when people are at their liveliest. Lots of hugs, maybe some garden games, the real sense of everyone coming together over drinks and canapés.

This is often when we’ll also try to do confetti, some group photos and maybe even some couple portraits (especially if it looks like the weather may not be on our side later).

The Meal / Speeches

I don’t often cover people eating, as it doesn’t make for flattering photos. I’ve also often been driving or on my feet for most of the day. So it’s a good time to recharge my batteries. Usually I’m lucky enough to get a meal.

I’m also a total introvert and I’ve been trying hard all day to hide just how much of an introvert I am, so please don’t sit me with the guests as it totally breaks me.

The speeches are a wonderful time to capture guests laughing, mum tearing up and lots of real shit.

The couple photoshoot

This is where we tend to get the best photos. The sun is low in the sky, the couple are relaxed, I’m relaxed (did you see how many different things I squeezed into the drinks reception?). It’s time for some relaxed couple portraits.

Dancing

I’m usually shattered by this time of the day, but it gives me a new lease of life capturing the energy on the wedding dancefloor.

At some point in the evening it feels like I’ve got it all. The people on the dancefloor are staying on the dancefloor. The crowd outside doing “your mama” jokes are staying put. It’s time for me to go home and collapse.

I pack up, drive home and if I’m lucky I’ll be home before midnight. If I’m really lucky there will be a fish and chip shop open somewhere on the drive back.

The Next Morning

I usually wake up the next day feeling like I’ve drunk a litre of whiskey and fallen down a flight of stairs. At this point I’m usually regretting my life choices and convinced that there are no good photos from this wedding and my career is over.

Somedays I then remember that I’ve got to get up and do it all again that day.

So why do I do it?

It’s actually wonderful getting to meet so many different people and see so many different stories unfold. No two wedding days are the same.

I also love getting in the creative flow and being able to create something unique and interesting for each of my couples. It’s really rewarding knowing that this is how they’re going to be experiencing the memories of their day for a long time.

(Also, I do recover from the wedding hangover within a couple of days, and always end up with a set of photos I know the couple will love.)