Ok so this is not really an “idea” for brides but it’s definitely something to think about…. lighting!! Especially when booking your venue, I talk to too many bride’s who have no idea about the lighting and photography guidelines at their venue. This is very important and will drastically effect your photos. Here are some things to consider when checking out a venue…
1) do they allow flash photography? A LOT of venues do NOT especially churches… ask!
2) where are photographers allowed to be? some places don’t let photographers down the aisle or sides of the venue. Therefor notice the angles the photographer will have to be at to get your photos and make sure you’re ok with that.
3) what will the lighting be like during the ceremony? many brides want a candlelit/ darker-dim setting during the ceremony which might be nice at the time but makes it harder for your photographer… add on NO flash permitted, shooting from the balcony, and NO natural light (window) entrances… and your photos might be a little darker than expected… even with a fast lens. Quick solution, TURN ON the lights! even just a little more than planned and you’ll appreciate the results in your photographers work later, you won’t even remember the exact lighting… just the fabulous work of your photographer. Ask your photographer if they have shot under this kind of circumstances before you book them. Ideally your photographer would go to the venue a week or so before hand to check it out but not everyone does this.
4) what time of day will the ceremony occur? Again, many brides want the sunset wedding… Beautiful for the ceremony but what about after when it’s time to grab those fabulous photos with your new hubby?… It’s dark outside and the venue you spend so much money on is no longer so worthy… another solution to backing the time an hour or so would be the “First Look” check it out under FAQ’s. Also, check out the layout of the venue and where the sun will be at your wedding time, I have had to shoot a couple weddings with sun in the brides eyes or funky shades on faces due to unattractive shadows due to time of day, where as if it were bumped back or forward and hour it would have been prevented.
Sun rises in the East and sets in the West… go and check it out 🙂
Here is a site I found where you can search your date and find your sunset time… plan accordingly
