A wedding album should tell a story, not just record who was at your wedding. It should convey the atmosphere, the joy and emotion of the day and capture those little moments that make your wedding special and unique.
Not every photograph taken on your wedding day will be a "posed" shot. In fact, most of them won't be. The images that become treasured favourites are almost always the ones that no-one realised had even been taken at the time!
Group shots and bridal couple portraits are great for showing everyone in their finery, looking their best and beautifully lit, with an attractive backdrop. The photographs that depict the dynamics and relationships between people, the warmth of friends and the love for family, cannot be staged and require an observant and attentive photographer.
Sally Marie's style is based on a natural and unobtrusive method of capturing important moments, emotion and expressions of feeling. Like every other aspect of the day's photography, it's important that the couple and their guests feel comfortable in the photographer's presence and are able to relax and be themselves.
This impromptu toast from the groom's workmates was anticipated and captured from a good distance away so as not to intrude on the moment of celebration between friends. It became a favourite choice for the final album!
Whenever there are children at a wedding, you can expect to create some beautiful portraits without resorting to commanding them to "say cheese"! Children are naturally curious and, even when they don't play up for the camera, their fascination of the events around them produces some wonderful expressions.
Of course, sometimes it all gets a bit too much!
The genuine moments that a good wedding photographer can capture, will be treasured for generations to come. Make sure your wedding day story is told by an expert visual storyteller!
To discuss our wedding photography services in more detail, call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail weddings@sallymarie.co.uk.
COMING UP NEXT: Wedding Photography Blog Series - Part 9: The Big Day (Speeches)
All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.
A classic portrait of the bride and groom is what makes a wedding album. It's what everyone wants to see! There are so many ways to capture the "just married" moments and expressions, and bridal couple portraits can be beautiful, traditional, or quirky... whatever the style they will be one of the most creative elements of your wedding photography.
A good time to take your bridal couple portraits is just after the ceremony. At this point in the day you may want to steal away for ten minutes, sip some champagne, catch your breath and take everything in.
Another option is to do the group shots first, then allow your guests to relax, mingle, chat and get drinks and canapes while you and your photographer find a quiet spot to take your couple portraits.
You will find your bridal couple portraits even more outstanding if you've chosen to do a pre-wedding shoot before the big day, as you'll need less direction and won't feel awkward in front of a camera. If you already know your photographer and trust them, you can forget their presence and enjoy a few minutes of each other's company before the partying begins!
For an informal chat about your wedding plans, or to book a complimentary pre-wedding photoshoot, contact the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail 
Make sure you allow plenty of time to get everyone organised for the group shot. Ushers can be a great help in speeding things along here by letting everyone know that they are needed for a few minutes for a group photograph. A high window, steps or balcony can provide an excellent vantage point for getting everyone's face in the picture clearly.
Smaller group shots can be as informal or as formal as you like, but remember it can take longer to direct a group of people so limit the number of smaller groups to what is important to YOU the couple - it's your day and your wedding album after all - and don't allow endless combinations of guest groups to compromise images that may be more important to you, such as the shots of the two of you together.
If it helps, make a list of the essential groups and give a copy to an usher or the best man, and a copy to your photographer. Sticking to a set of important group shots will make this part of the day as smooth as possible for you and your guests.
Each wedding photography package offered by 
To discuss your wedding photography requirements, call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail 
The morning of the big day will most likely be a buzz of activity. It's a huge part of the wedding day story and a part that you'll want to remember.
More and more brides are choosing to have this time documented by their wedding photographer as part of the wedding photography package, and you may want to consider whether this is something you would like to include in your wedding storybook or album.
Some brides like to have the whole preparations photographed, from rollers-and-dressing-gowns through the hair and make up artist's visit to the final transformation in gown and veil.
Other brides prefer a general "before the wedding" feel, with shots of the dress waiting to be put on, details of shoes and flowers, perfume and champagne, which all add a lovely feel and a burst of colour to the eventual album design.
This elegant image was taken as the bride left the hotel lift on her way out to the lobby:
Sally Marie offers bridal preparations as part of the wedding photography service. With a female photographer who specialises in making women look their best on film, it's a relaxed, friendly approach and the images taken at this part of the day are natural, fun and flattering.
