Why a Pre-Wedding Shoot?

Popular wedding photographers nowadays offer wedding couples more value-added services to not only deliver a professional product but also to ensure that they themselves have an easier task on the day to create the images both the wedding photographer and the couple wants.

A lot of wedding photographers offer pre-wedding or engagement shoots either as part of their packages or as a separate add on. You might wonder what the purpose or benefits of a pre-wedding shoot is and why you should consider having one.

Wedding photography is an art form and good wedding photographers will aim to tell the story of the day in images that are candid and captures the moments as they happen during the day. But most of us are strangers to being photographed by a professional photographer, so we don't know what to expect when faced with an intimidating black lens pointing straight at us.

The purpose of a pre-wedding shoot is for wedding photographers to get to know a couple and put you at ease in terms of being in front of a camera and having to look comfortable, spontaneous and of course romantic. Since posing doesn't come natural to most people, it is the job of professional wedding photographers to do as much as they can to ensure that a couple is totally at ease come the wedding day. That why it is also important to like your wedding photographer since she will be spending more time with you than your groom on the day of your wedding! Most grooms feel the pre-wedding shoot is unnecessary and in my experience it is not something they are looking forward to. Yet, at the end of the session both the bride and groom normally had so much fun that they are looking forward to the photo session on the wedding day.

Couples in love like to be romantic but it is my task as wedding photographer to make sure that you are also at ease getting flirty with someone present. The more romance you can put into your posing on the day, the more beautiful your images will look. During the pre-wedding shoot we have more time to play than on the actual wedding day. I therefore spend a lot of time explaining to couples what it is I want them to do to create a certain look. We laugh and joke a lot, act silly and generally have an awesome time. It is very common for couples, come the wedding day, to already know what I want before I even ask them what to do. Time spend during the pre-wedding shoot therefore saves a lot of time in terms of directing a shoot on the wedding day.

I encourage couples to go to a little bit of trouble when planning their pre-wedding shoot. Sure, you are organizing a whole wedding and you are not likely to have a lot of time on your hands. But doing things a little bit different in terms of outfits and location will ensure you have a gorgeous pre-wedding couple shoot that will produce images you will cherish a life time. It is also common nowadays for couples to use photos from the pre-wedding shoot for table decor, guest books or sign posters on the wedding day.

Hannalee is a wedding photographer from Johannesburg, South Africa. She offers couples unique storytelling imagery and shoots weddings across South Africa and abroad. Hannalee also offers resources to photographers in terms of product offerings and for marketing themselves.
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What is a Pre-Wedding Photography Session?

The pre-wedding photo session (or 'Engagement Shoot') is a fun way for you to build rapport with your wedding photographer before the big day and to help you feel more at ease with being photographed on your wedding day. Seeing the results of the pre-wedding session will help you feel confident that you will both look fantastic in the wedding photos.

The session also helps the photographer to get to know you... what works for you, how affectionate you are with each other, how relaxed you are, whether you are laid back or more formal in character... what's the best angle to shoot you from in order to flatter you best.

It's a nice idea to have this session on location at the wedding venue itself so that you can walk around with your photographer, discuss ideas and finalise plans and timings. A good photographer will be open to ideas so if you have a favourite rural or urban location in which you would like to be photographed do let them know! Most couples dress casually for the session but hey... if you want to wear a party dress in the middle of a forest or by a canal to create a fashion shoot feel then why not! Make sure that you pick a photographer who is creative enough to create the look you want.

A spring pre-wedding shoot is ideal. After the pre-wedding shoot you will have an opportunity to buy images from the shoot. Some photographers will offer a free enlargement as part of the price. Some even mount the print for you and then display it at the wedding so that guests can sign (or simply admire!) your gorgeous engagement photo.

For more information on wedding photography and pre-wedding shoots in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Home counties please vist Mikaela Morgan Photograph

Wedding Trend - Pre-Wedding Cocktail Hour

Weddings are so much fun! Not only do many couples feel like they never want the celebration to end, some also want to get the festivities started as soon as possible. In addition to the post-wedding brunch, one of the ways to make even more of your wedding weekend is to kick things off with a cocktail hour before the ceremony.

There are a variety of reasons why the concept of a pre-wedding cocktail hour has taken off. The main one is that it is just plain fun. Your guests will love the chance to mix and mingle while sipping a cool beverage before the formal service begins. It can be a great way for people from the bride's side and the groom's side to get to know one another a bit before the reception later on. In addition, it is just a very hospitable way to welcome your guests to your wedding.

There can be some practical advantages to having a little cocktail hour before your wedding, as well. These days, many couples are choosing to have their formal wedding portraits taken before the ceremony, and the cocktail hour would give you the perfect opportunity to do so while your guests are otherwise engaged. The nice thing is that everyone will look their freshest, with the bride in her un-wrinkled wedding gown and fabulous bridal jewelry, and the bridesmaids still feeling fresh in their crisp dresses and pretty bridal jewelry. This can be particularly smart if the bride and her attendants are wearing fabrics that crease easily.

If you are one of those people who is always running fifteen minutes late, this can be another benefit to a pre-wedding cocktail hour! At least your guests will not mind being kept waiting as much. Guests who are chatting and enjoying a drink or a glass of Champagne are going to be a lot less antsy than those sitting impatiently in their seats wondering if the bride has made a break for it.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you do decide to have cocktails served before your wedding ceremony. The first is that the bride should definitely plan to save her grand entrance for the ceremony. You will have plenty of time to mix and mingle with your guests after the service, especially if you take care of most of the photos beforehand.

Another thing to remember is that you do not have to make your pre-wedding cocktail hour very elaborate. You can choose just a few drinks to serve, and save the full bar for the start of the reception. A nice idea would be to choose a signature drink, perhaps in one of your wedding colors. You can round things out with glasses of Champagne, and a non-alcoholic "mocktail" for those who are hoping to remember the wedding ceremony.

The pre-wedding cocktail hour is a trend that is only going to get more popular. This is especially true for brides and grooms who have their ceremony and reception all in one location, as it is very easy to set up. How wonderful to begin your wedding festivities in such a hospitable fashion!