Top tips from Witham-based photographer

Based in Witham, Essex, GTS Photography is exhibiting at County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday 2nd October 2022.

The expert behind the camera, Tracey Saville, will be on hand at the event to talk through your on-the-day photography needs. With a wealth of experience behind her, she has a whole host of useful tips which she's picked up first hand photographing brides on their wedding day - and she's shared them for you in this handy guide.

1. Leave plenty of time before the ceremony
Beforehand:
*In the run up to your wedding day you should consult with your suppliers for their advice on timings. Your photographer will be a great source for this, as they see the whole day from start to finish and keep a close eye on the timings all day.
*Check with your hair and make up artists to see how long they need for each person, and agree on overall timings. Consider having your make up done in the middle of everyone, so all of your 'getting ready' photographs aren't with you with no makeup! (also you'll avoid any potential last minute panics should there be any).
*Work out beforehand if you would like a dress reveal with your bridal party? If so then those people will also need to be dressed and ready for these shots too. Don't plan too many shots in this time though, as your photographer will just want to capture you and your bridal party during this time. To ensure your dress and make up stay as fresh as possible.
*Be sure to all be ready at least 30 mins before you're needed for the ceremony/registrar, to allow for some beautiful bridal and bridal party portrait shots and that all important last nervous wee and lipstick touch-up!
*Create a timing sheet for the morning, and make sure you share it with your bridal party and your suppliers present on the day, so everyone is on the same plan. It will help you stay on track and you'll feel better knowing you're not forgetting anything and have plenty of time for everything. Who doesn't love a to do list?!

On the day:
*Be prepared and collect together all your outfit accessories - shoes, jewellery, perfume, hair pieces, veil, garter, personal trinkets, etc. and your bouquet - anything that you'd like your photographer to capture on the morning to save them running around looking for it all (wasting time they could be photographing your morning).

2. Roles for the wedding party: delegate, delegate, delegate!
Beforehand:
*Even the most protective of brides have to give over some responsibility of their precious wedding day when it comes down to it, to help make sure things go smoothly. Pick one or two of your most trusted (and responsible) bridesmaids/ushers/family members to know the proceedings inside out like you do and entrust them to be able to step up if something crops up. Discuss with them some eventualities and what you find acceptable or not, so they don't need to check in with you for every little query.
*One lucky delegate (one that can venture to the ladies with you) needs to carry the 'emergency bag', to contain items such as: touch-up make-up, mints, paracetamol (or any other emergency medicine you might have such as inhalers or histamines), plasters, deodorant, hairspray and spare pins, wet wipes, copies of speeches and family photo lists, if children are in the bridal party then essentials such as spare dummies, snacks, toys, money/debit card for drinks if it's not a free bar, scissors, needle and cotton, sanitary items if needed, spare contact lenses...chuck it all in!
*Nominate the bossiest and or loudest member of the bridal party to help the photographer gather your friends and family when it comes to the group photographs. Save yourself from walking around looking for family members, and make them earn their dinner! Give them the list beforehand and tell them the timings associated with this part of the day too. Introduce your photographer to them on the day, then just sit back and relax!
*Also don't forget...Decide who looks after the gifts for the bridal party and makes sure they are ready for when you give out the gifts; who collects and delivers to your room any cards and presents your guest bring along; who is in charge of getting the signing book/frame signed by all the guests; who is going to look after any elderly or less abled guests so you can rest assured they are looked after and can enjoy their day too.*If you don't fancy your venue (or they can't do it) moving your personal items over to the honeymoon suite then make sure you've asked someone trusted to collect up all your things from the room you got ready in, once you're done, to your honeymoon suit so you don't have to worry in the morning. Extra drink for them if they leave it in a nice tidy state too!

On the day:
*It's worth delegating someone as the precious 'phone holder' for the day. You don't want to be worrying about last minute panic texts from your guests or random emails, you need to be focussing on staying present in the moment of your wedding day (just be sure to give them your screen lock).

Read more here: https://www.gtsphotography.co.uk/post/wedding_day_tips_for_brides

About the event:County Wedding Events' Signature Wedding Show at The Brentwood Centre
Where: Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9NN
When: Sunday 2nd October 2022, 11am - 3.30pm
Pre-register your attendance at: https://www.countyweddingevents.com/signature-wedding-show-the-brentwood-centre