How I Capture Your Wedding Day

I recognise that you have been dreaming of and planning your wedding day for a long time. For me, it is very important that you feel that you are in control of your day and not being directed by your photographer. To get this balance, I think it is it is essential that you have a great relationship with me that will be there for the duration of your wedding planning, your wedding day and also after your wedding.

I am here to answer questions and offer guidance on any aspect of your wedding photography or any aspect of your wedding for that matter. I do love talking all things weddings and work with and can recommend lots of excellent suppliers in the industry.

All weddings are individual, unique and of course beautiful, and as such, you can expect the following from me.

Initial Discussion

We have an initial discussion after you have contacted me - please do let me know how you found out about me, so I know where those marketing blood, sweat and tears have worked. I work to promote my business through this website, my Facebook and Instagram pages as well as exhibiting at some carefully selected wedding fayres but largely now through referrals and word of mouth.

Our early discussion can be on the phone, email, zoom or face to face. There is no obligation at all of course.

Meeting Up

I love to meet face to face so I can hear lots more about your plans for your day. I will also discuss with you how I work to capture your day and show you some examples of my recent work.

I do recommend you see a number of wedding photographers, as we all have different styles and personalities. Of course, at the end of this process, I hope that you pick me but don't be afraid to let me know you have selected someone else and if you can, why you made that decision. You are so lucky in The Cotswolds area to have so many amazing photographers to choose from. In the end, It has to be the photographer that "feels" right to you and offers the service you want for your day.

Booking Me

If you decide to book with me, I will send you a wedding agreement containing the terms and conditions, a short initial questionnaire about your wedding and invoice for the initial payment. I ask for a 25% booking fee which is non refundable to secure your date. Payment options are pretty much all of the standard types including bank transfer, debit cards, credit cards, paypal - all apart from cake - although I'm still considering that as an option!

Once your date is confirmed and booked the next step is to relax and congratulate yourself on a job well done. You have ticked off another significant "to do" on your wedding plan.

Pre-wedding Shoot

The pre-wedding photo shoot is complimentary; I find this stage invaluable as it gives us a chance to get to know each other ahead of your day. You can see how I am behind the camera and I can capture some lovely shots of the two of you for you to keep.

You can request the location for the shoot to take place at a site that is important to you, such as where your proposal took place, or somewhere else that is special to you both.

All of the hand-edited images are yours to keep from the session.

Final Payment

Four weeks before the wedding the final balance is due - this can be paid earlier if required or in instalments and is under your control via your link to the online payment system. I will also send you a final questionnaire which includes details of timings for the day and the list of group shots that you require (a suggested basic list can be found on the FAQs page).

Your Wedding Rehearsal

If you are having a church ceremony then normally a day or so before the wedding you will have a rehearsal, I like to attend this, diary permitting, so I can have a brief chat to the vicar about where I can stand during the service. If you are having a civil ceremony, then I have this chat with the registrar on the day of the wedding.

Your Wedding Day

I will turn up at the agreed time to capture bridal preparation. I will be with you for the rest of the day and most of the evening, but I stress I will not be interrupting your day, I will be unobtrusive but always there for questions, encouragement and a big smile. Rest assured I will be working hard to capture all of those beautiful moments of your day.

At some point in the evening - well after the first dance, usually around 10 pm, I will come over to see if there is anything else you would like me to capture for you. If not then it is time to say goodbye and to have a hug with the bride and a firm handshake (or a hug) with the groom. You will then carry on with the party to the small hours I'm sure.

I will return home and do a full backup of all the photographs, to my editing suite, to a further backup hard disk, to a cloud backup and to a memory stick which goes into a fire safe until your wedding photographs have been fully edited and delivered to you. I know how precious these images are and I take their safety very seriously!

Editing Your Wedding Photographs

Editing is a large part of my work during the weeks following your wedding. I start by selecting the best images that I am going to use to tell the story of your wedding day.  Every one of these chosen photographs is edited. I use a light touch approach to editing, with few effects being used. I go for sharp, colourful images. I do some photoshop work as required, this is usually removal of fire escape signs and other distractions as well as removing any excessive shine on faces. After final cropping of the image I then decide which ones are going remain colour, be turned into black and white or provide one of each.

All of the images are then exported from my editing suite and uploaded onto your online gallery ready for you and your family to view, download, share and print as you wish.

Delivery of Your Wedding Photographs

On return from your honeymoon, I will contact you to let you know how the editing process is progressing; I will aim to complete your photos and deliver them to your password protected gallery between 2 - 4 weeks after the wedding day.

I will send you access details for the gallery which you can share with family and friends and can download full resolution versions of your photos for safe keeping.

Ongoing Customer Service

Anything else you need, I'm always here.

Considering a wedding album for instance? I suggest that you spend some time after your wedding getting to know your photographs and then, if you decide you do want an album, the just contact me to look at options. I will ask you choose between 100 - 150 images. We will then meet at my home and design the album face to face. Delivery of my handmade in the UK leather albums takes around 6 weeks from sign off of the final design.

And…do stay in touch

The final thing to say is, please do keep in touch. I love to hear about your honeymoon, key family events such as little ones arriving and hearing about how you all are.

Cotswolds Wedding Photography

by The Lemon House

I 'm a Cotswolds wedding photographer based in Gloucestershire.

I capture documentary style wedding stories with real imagination, creativity and natural but vibrant imagery. I work throughout the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and across the whole of UK

I work with couples who love and see the value of beautiful wedding photography. People who want to have their story captured forever to share with family, friends, and future generations of themselves. If this sounds like you then please do get in touch.

I am based in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire