Tips for getting great photographs of your outdoor ceremony

An outdoor wedding ceremony can be very romantic and allows you to pledge your love for each other in some spectacular locations with incredible views. Along with that, comes some unique challenges for the photographer to make sure the conditions are right to capture wedding photographs that you will love. Here are a few things to think about to make sure your photographer can document your big moment beautifully.

Here comes the sun

When you visit your wedding venue to discuss the location of the ceremony, consider the time of day and the location of the sun. Sun direction and height will depend on the time of year, and it can be beneficial (if you're planning well ahead) to pop along a year before and check out what the sun is up to at your proposed ceremony time.

You can decide whether your guests will face into the sun, or if you prefer for the sun to be shining on you (be careful of bright midday sun causing you to squint or cook in the heat). The key is to try for even lighting, rather than a mix of shade and bright light.

In sunshine or rain

Of course, there are some days where it's not the sun that's the problem. When it comes to weather, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Consider providing umbrellas or shelter for your guests if it's wet. And if it's really howling or there's heavy rain, an alternative such as moving inside or a marquee might be necessary. Discuss your plan B with your photographer ahead of your big day so that if the weather doesn't play ball, it doesn't throw you off your stride.

Look out behind you!

You can hold outdoor ceremonies in some incredible locations providing a fantastic backdrop for your photographs. When you're choosing the spot to exchange your vows, have a close look at what will be behind you. If you're on the beach, the time of day will dictate what the tide is doing, and you'll also need to think about if there will be other people around. Try to think of every eventuality to avoid things like vehicles cropping up in your backdrop.

The golden hour

As the last of the sun drops down to the horizon at sunset, is hands-down the best time to capture the most beautiful wedding shots. When the sun is low, the light is filtered through atmospheric particles that scatter the blue light and allow for warmer light to pass through and swathe your wedding party in flattering golden hues.

Ryan