Welcome to…

The 2023 Couples Guide

You made it! Your wedding is almost here, and I’m so happy for you!

To celebrate your big day, I am gifting you my 2023 Couples Guide. It contains the most useful tips, tricks & information I have acquired over the last 15 years of my photography career.

This handbook will help you make the most of your wedding photography experience. It covers what you can do in preparation, what to expect from the couple shoot and why you shouldn’t feel anxious about having your photo taken by me, plus much more.

Go fix yourselves a drink, get comfy, and get ready to dive in.

The guide is broken into three sections:

Before the wedding

On the day

After the wedding

Each section will answer important questions, give you a few things to think about and get excited for. Consider this guide some friendly advice from your photographer to help you have the most fun on the day and calm your nerves (if you have any). Most importantly, these tips will help create the conditions that will allow me to make the very best photographs for you.

Disclaimer: I understand some of you will be working with a wonderful wedding planner who might manage your wedding day in contrast to some of my ideas. I want to work in harmony with your other suppliers, so please check with them first before you implement any changes.

OK, let’s get into it!

- Before the wedding -

You’ve made the booking with me (thank you!) your deposit is paid, your contract is signed and your booking form is filled out. The next thing we need to think about is arranging a pre wedding consultation.

Nearer the time of the wedding I’d like us to have a chat either by phone, video call or face to face to discuss timings and smaller details of the day. Face to face is my preferred option as I’m sure it is yours, but I may be shooting other weddings in the days leading up to yours, in these cases a phone appointment will have to work instead. The summer months can be very full with shooting but I’ll make it work with you as best I can.

Final Balance Payment

Around a month before the wedding I will send you two emails at the same time. The first email will include an invoice for the remaining balance, with my bank details of how to pay - Please check this very carefully - My bank account details may have changed since you made the deposit. Remaining balances must be paid no later than 4 weeks before the date of the wedding. If you have paid your balance off early then I will of course, not be sending you an invoice. If you would like to pay some, or all of your balance off early, please email me and we can arrange this.

Pre Wedding Consultation

This email will also ask you to get in touch with me about arranging the pre wedding consultation. Please note, I really would prefer to chat with you about the wedding as close to the wedding day as possible, I retain important information better this way, plus you will have more details to tell me.

Group Shot List & Instagram Tag Sheet

Along with the invoice you will be sent a separate email with some forms for you to fill out. The forms are your group shot requirement list (more on this later in the guide) and your instagram tag checklist. I need this information before the day so that when I share your images online, the correct suppliers get tagged. If you choose not to have your images online then simply do not fill out the instagram check list. By filling out the tags on the form you are consenting to images being shared on instagram & my website. I would never share anything sensitive, private moments, children etc.

During the pre wedding consultation we will discuss:

✨ Timings of the day, so please make sure you have this information from your planner or venue.

✨ Your group shot list, which you might have created and sent back to me, we’ll just go over it.

✨ Any questions you may have for me or any important details we need to discuss.

- On the day -

Pre ceremony

The day is finally here! During the pre wedding consultation we will have discussed the time of my arrival. First things first, make sure I know your room number(s) in advance or if you’re in a villa I need a pin drop location sent to my phone number.

If you are having pre ceremony preparation photos then please make sure the room is tidy. Empty water bottles, packaging, open suitcases, wet towels etc do not add to the vibe of the photos! Just a quick whip around before anyone with a camera arrives will make the photos (and video) look so much better.

I would invest in some attractive hangers for your outfits, they don’t have to be super expensive with names or initials on them, just something that’s matching will make the image look so much better. Preferably with a hook that twists.

Boys, please try to be showered and half dressed for when I arrive, this means underwear on, trousers on and shirts on buttoned halfway up. We will get started with ‘getting ready shots’ from here.

Girls, if you want your pre wedding photos to look extra special I’d purchase matching pjs or robes for everyone, again you don’t have to splurge on this but something that’s uniform will look great.

If you are staying in an all inclusive hotel please alert the staff at reception that I / we are coming (this will include your videographer, hair & make up team, dress steamer etc too) They don’t allow us to just walk straight in we will need to fill out some forms, maybe get a visitors badge or some hotels even request payment! Check with your hotel what their requirements are and please tell me.

Pre ceremony will be shooting the following:

Outfits hanging (if there is a suitable space for this)

Details, cologne, jewellery, shoes etc

Natural photos of getting dressed, make up & hair

Special moments like opening cards or presents

Popping a bottle of bubbly and celebrating or enjoying a beer

Brides, Ideally I would love a 20 minute window for some photos once you are ready and before you need to leave for the ceremony. If you are having hair & make up professionally done then it is a good idea to speak to your stylist and ask if they can have you ready with plenty of time to spare. I would allow an hour between hair and make up ending and you leaving for the ceremony.

Trust me, one minute you have all the time in the world and the next it’s time to leave. Happens every time! The earlier you can be ready, the less stressed you’ll be.

I usually leave ahead of you because I think it’s better for me to capture your arrival to the venue or church than it is for me to capture your departure from where you got ready. Sometimes I need to figure out parking etc too. This of course doesn’t apply to those of you who are getting ready at the same place as the wedding.

Lastly, relax and enjoy yourself, the cameras are on you so try to smile and enjoy every moment of the morning! If someone is stressing you, tell me and I will discreetly ask them to stop!

- On the day -

Ceremony Tips

The big moment is here! I always get a little nervous before the ceremony so I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling, but one thing I can promise you is, once you set eyes on each other those nerves melt away.

I usually like to place myself at the top of the aisle, from here I tend to get the best view of everything I need. Every venue is different of course so I might change my mind depending on the placement of things but normally I’ll be at the top (by ‘the top’ I mean where the arch would be or where you will stand/sat during the ceremony)

You don’t have to take my advice, these are just some things over the years that I have observed and think make the photos come out better…

✨ When you walk down the aisle make sure there is enough space between whoever is walking before you and yourself. If you walk too soon that person could block you from your soon to be spouse’s view and my lens. Just wait a moment for a clear aisle, this will build a little suspense and anticipation for your arrival.

✨ Walk at a nice pace, not too fast but not too slow, look up and smile. This is your moment, enjoy it!

✨ I would tell whoever is hosting your ceremony to ask your guests not to film your arrival down the aisle. The times I’ve had someone slide their phone directly into my shot and ruin that moment is countless. Plus all I see in the frame is peoples phones, not their faces! If you want this footage, I will respect that, just understand that their devices will be in your photos.

✨ Hold hands where you can, if you’re standing facing each other, give your flowers to a bridesmaid and hold hands. If you’re standing side by side, hold hands or even if you’re sitting, hold hands. It makes you like more united.

✨ Hold the kiss for a few seconds, many couples just go in for a quick peck, maybe this is out of shyness? Hold it for a while and squish in nice and close. A little celebration fist pump is always cool too afterwards!

✨ For your first kiss, it looks so much better if your ceremony officiant / celebrant can move to the side. This moment is about you and only you. I will remind them on the day if I can.

✨ Top tip! Once you’ve walked back up the aisle (through confetti most likely) stop and have a kiss, you might have been given a glass of bubbles, take it, cheers and kiss! Lovely stuff.

- On the day -

Confetti Tips!

If your venue is happy to allow you to have confetti thrown here are my top tips, if you don’t know by now, the confetti moment is one of my favourite parts of a wedding day and I’ll admit, I am slightly militant about how it’s done. I will direct your guests so we get it done right!

✨ Paper confetti looks and falls best, if you can find an environmentally friendly kind then of course that’s best, if not then I’d opt for real petals if your budget will allow or if not dried petals. Check with your venue which they are happiest with, if at all.

✨ Have the confetti ready on the seats for people, saves time wasting and confusion with who is giving it out after the ceremony. Check with your planner first, because they may work in a different way.

✨ Order plenty of it, more is more with these shots.

✨ Walk slowly! So many couples get over excited and speed walk back up the aisle. This is a hard shot to nail, I have to make sure your faces are in focus even though there is confetti flying through the air, peoples arms come into view and block you, so if you walk too fast the chances of me getting a great shot are lessened.

✨ Ask people not to film this part on their phones. I got this!

✨ Try to look up and smile, I know there is confetti in your eyes and face but looking down won’t help us get the shot.

✨ Stop for a mid way kiss or spin around, relish this incredible moment together!

- On the day -

Group shots

I try to make it swift but it’s important. If your wedding is on a hot day then it can be uncomfortable so it’s best that we work together and get it done fast so you can get back to sipping champagne and enjoying time with your guests. I think the best time of day for the group shots is about half an hour to an hour after the ceremony, once you’ve seen some guests and had a drink. It also kind of depends on the layout of the venue and how the venue / planner likes to operate and the sunset time, later in the season we might have to work quicker before we lose the light. If it’s a sunny day it needs to be in a shaded area otherwise people squint and find it uncomfortable and harsh shadows on faces are unflattering.

I’d keep the group shot list to around 10 and under, however, I appreciate everyones family situations are different so this could add extra group shots. I don’t know who people are or who is important to you, so at the consultation please try to have the list for me so I can understand things a bit better and we can discuss if needed.

I’ll try for entire group photo if I can, for weddings with over 80 people this can be very difficult to organise and some venues don’t have an adequate space for this so please be aware it might not be possible for your wedding, but I’ll do my best.

Another great idea is to give the shot list to an usher, brother or best man with a loud voice or someone who knows who everyone is and can help me gather. People love to be given a job at a wedding! Even better if you have an MC.

Usually I make the family shots a little more formal and the wedding party shots a little less formal. We’ll have a bit more fun with the bridesmaids and ushers!

Here is an example group shot guide:

Couple + Parents

Couple + Parents

Couple + Parents + Siblings

Couple + Parents + Siblings

Couple + Parents + Siblings + Grandparents

Couple + Parents + Siblings + Grandparents

Couple + Parents + Siblings + Grandparents + extended family members

Couple + Parents + Siblings + Grandparents + extended family members

Couple + wedding party

Entire group photo

I should mention, if you are happy to spend more time doing group photos then so am I, this is your day after all and I am there to shoot whatever you ask for, so if your group shot list is way more than what I have suggested above then lets do it! Just as long as you are happy with the time it may take.

- On the day -

Couples Portraits

Ok, this is the big one, this is your moment, the photos you’ll probably spend the most amount of time looking at so let’s make sure we nail it! Sit comfortably, because I’ve got a lot to say here..

I find the best time for couples portraits is ‘golden hour’ (around 45mins / 1hr before the sun sets) this goes for weddings basically anywhere. The light is soft, glowy and usually it falls around a good time for the wedding day itinerary. Of course you could get a cloudy or rainy day in which case we’ll work around this and creatively do what we can but usually, this time of day works best.

You’ve probably had a few drinks, you’re having a great time but you could now do with a bit of one on one time together, that really is the best way to approach this. Think of this 20-30 minutes of some quality time that you’re going to need together on your wedding day, to reflect on how fabulous its been so far.

I should probably mention here, I like to photograph you both together throughout the day as mush as I can so you have photos together during other moments other than the couples portrait shoot. For example, it might be nice for you to see the dining set up before your guests are seated (and mess it all up!) so a little walk through the tables is lovely or if you clink your glasses for a little moment in-between chatting to guests or a little kiss when you are seated before dinner. These are all lovely moments.

My favourite motto when shooting a wedding is…

‘Every moment is a moment’

… So basically, I’ll be observing you all day.

Ok so back to the actual couple portrait session. As I previously mentioned I shoot very naturally, I’m not into overly posing my couples and I often work alongside your videographer. We need movement and emotion. I’ll ask you to walk, quite a lot, I love a good walking shot! Hold each others hands, link arms, squeeze waists, smile, laugh, connect, be cheeky with each other, nothing you do here is wrong. Juts try not to look at the cameras and focus on each other.

If I am not saying anything or not directing you, that’s because what you are doing is perfect and there is no need for me to interrupt, It’s not awkward so please try not to feel like it is, if I am silently snapping away behind the camera and not telling you what to do, it’s because you’re doing exactly what I need from you in that moment. Then, once we’ve done enough with that pose / shot / location I’ll pipe up and we’ll move on.

Also, just remember, I’m looking at the light, the shadows, zooming in, zooming out, walking backwards, trying not to trip over, trying not to get in the videographers way, thinking about the next backdrop, making sure my camera settings are correct, ensuring the shot is in focus, not taking my eyes off you incase you do something fabulous… So the more you guys can entertain each other and be in your own moment the better.

It will feel a little repetitive but that’s because I am switching up backgrounds, focal lengths and lighting, I might be focusing in on your hands or a whisp of hair, getting artistic and shooting the details. So although you might think “hmm are these all going to look the same Tash?” or “what on earth is she doing?!” I promise they won’t look all the same. Just remember the more comfortable you can be with each other the better, please don’t feel awkward and shy, I do this all the time there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, the more connected you can be with each other the better. The best couple shoots really are the ones who just ignore me and don’t even notice if I’m there or not because they’re so into each other. Those are the moments I’m looking to capture.

Some tips of how to ‘be together’…

✨ Walking, smiling and talking, linking arms squeezing in close to each other

✨ Dancing, spin around and have some fun, a little practice before the first dance

✨ Looking at each others wedding rings

✨ Kissing hands

✨ Moving hair from the face

✨ Holding the face during a kiss is super romantic

✨ Move your hands around over each others shoulders & waist whilst talking or looking into each others eyes

✨ Tell a funny joke or story, maybe something funny happened in the morning you could share. Maybe save something funny that happened to tell for this moment

✨ Thank each other if you brought gifts or cards from the morning

- After the wedding -

The Previews

Included with your package is a preview album! This is a selection of my personal favourites from the day. Depending on the size of your wedding this will be around 80 images. If you are having an assistant photographer their photos may not be included in the previews, their photos may only be included in the full collection (all the rest of the photos) The reason for this is, if they are shooting on their own memory card they will need to take it home and back it up before I get hold of the images at a later date.

The preview album will be sent to you via a link, open the link to access the photos. This same link will eventually contain the full collection too. So within your personal online gallery you’ll have 2 folders ‘Previews’ & ‘Full Collection’

I will try my best to get the previews to you as soon as possible. Please remember I could have another wedding the day after yours so it may take an extra day or so to get the previews to you. But I hope they will be worth the wait! Please tell me in advance if you are not happy for me to upload some of these previews to my instagram. I will NEVER share any photos of your wedding online until a) you have seen them first & b) you have given me the green light to do so.

- After the wedding -

The Full Collection

Ok the end goal! This is it, you’re getting your WEDDING PHOTOS! As I edit each picture individually, this is my process…

Download the memory cards

Backup the precious images

Cull (delete anything that is out of focus, unflattering, eyes shut etc)

Colour correct all images

Individually adjust the crop, lighting & colour tones of each photo with my personal colour blend

Export images

Then I examine each photo to see if anything needs to be removed / retouched. For example, blemishes, mosquito bites, street signs, power lines, drain pipes etc

Then I’m finally ready to upload the photos into your gallery link. I edit most photos in colour, but as we all know sometimes an image looks so much better in black & white so occasionally you’ll see a black and white image amongst the colour ones.

The official waiting time is 4 to 6 weeks for the full collection, I know you will be desperate to have them and I am desperate for you to have them too. But please, try not to chase me for them. I find it quite stressful when I am chased, because I really am doing my best to edit them properly for you, whilst also finding the balance of shooting other peoples weddings, rest & enjoy some of the summer too.

I don’t outsource my editing, I do it all myself to ensure that you are getting what you paid for and that I am happy with the final result.

- After the wedding -

How to download the images properly

Try not to screen shot the images off your phone, you loose so much quality by doing this. Quality that you have paid a lot of money for so don’t compromise on this when you’re ready to show the world your wedding! Here’s how to do it step by step:

Mobile

✨ Click on the photo you want to download.

✨ Click on the arrow facing down at the top.

✨ ‘Download high res photo’

✨ ’Download to mobile’

✨ Then the image will load, this might be slow if your internet connection is poor but it will load. These images are high res after all.

✨ Then press and hold on the photo to save it to your photos. I use an iPhone so this may be different for other mobile brands.

✨ Then the photo should be in your phone photos ready to share!

It should look something like this…

- After the wedding -

How to download the images properly

Desktop

✨ Click on the photo you want to download.

✨ Click on the arrow facing down at the bottom.

✨ ‘Download high res photo’

✨ It will simply download to your computer.

It should look something like this…

- After the wedding -

How to use and operate the online gallery

So you’ve got the link with either just the previews or both the previews and the main gallery and you know how to download them high res. Here’s what else you can do within the gallery…

You can open this link on mobile, tablet & computer.

You can give this link out to everyone and anyone that you want to see your wedding photos.

You can ‘favourite’ the best images using the love heart. Those images will go into your ‘favourites’ folder.

I ask all my clients to download all the photos onto a hard drive (demo below) That way you’ll always have a copy if for some reason you don’t have an internet connection, cant find the link or if in the distant future I need to remove your gallery to make space for new galleries (you will be warned if this needs to happen, don’t worry)

There is an online shop. The shop doesn’t really have much to do with me, I don’t see the orders getting processed, everything goes from the lab straight to you.

Final thoughts…

These images are yours, you own them, however some printing companies may ask you if you own the rights to these images, don’t worry, this is normal, they might ask for written permission from your photographer, which I can provide for you. It doesn’t happen too often anymore though.

As I mentioned, these photos are yours so technically you can do as you please with them, but it does break my heart a little when I see people sharing the photos (that I spent hours editing and colour correcting) only to then see an instagram filter over the top of…

Thank you

Thank you for choosing me to shoot your wedding.

I know you probably had other options so I really am so thrilled that you chose me.

I take my job very seriously, my only hope is that I can deliver to you the wedding photos that you have dreamt about. I love what I do so much, I love everything about weddings, love and people.

I cant wait to meet you all, see some of you again, hear all the plans and get stuck in!

Tash x

My contact details

✨ Phone or WhatsApp: 07716616791 / Email: hello@natashamarshallphotography.com ✨