It's no secret that jaw dropping wedding photos can be influenced by your location. Creating the the right ambiance is as important as choosing the right dress. Does it reflect your personality? Does your style match an urban boutique hotel or a park-like setting? Regardless of your choice, here are a few pointers to use when location scouting. These guidelines will help your photographer move with ease and create the photos you've dreamt about.
1. Limit the photographer to two locations. As much as photographers love to please their clients, running from your hotel room, to the beach, to the church and then to the ballroom can have a photographer too stressed out. It depletes the time they need to adjust to new environments and set-up to capture the crucial moments.
2. For remote locales such as island or beach settings make sure the photographer has proper transportation and time to get to the ceremony and reception site. Don't forget to mention the 1000 steps to the beach locale or the small dingy that gets everyone to the private cove.
3. Go for naturally lit venues or bright open spaces at least for part of your day. Plan to have most of your important photos during daylight hours. Outdoor receptions at night should have ample soft lighting in addition to candles or tiki torches especially if you are cutting the cake and doing your first dance in low light conditions.
4. For beach settings consider the time of day of your ceremony. The middle to late afternoon sun can cause ugly harsh shadows and squinting bridesmaids. The best light at these locations is in the early morning or during the "magic" hour just before dusk.
5. Winter weddings are cozy and lovely but try to find a location that's not too dark. A candle lit ceremony at night in a stone church or lodge sounds romantic but your photos will be dark regardless of how expert the photographer. Photographs taken with flash can tend to look artificial and flat.
6. Be mindful of ceremonies under trees. Lighting could be dappled, uneven, or spotty.
7. Select a venue that has a few options for a good backdrop and quiet spots for formals and groups shots. This location would preferably be away from the traffic of guests.
8. Lastly, you should consider a venue that hosts only one wedding a day. This will eliminate the need for your photographer to compete for the perfect angle or backdrop for formals and portraits.
Don't be afraid to be creative when it comes to selecting your venue. It can add so much more interest to your photos and your memories.
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