This got me to thinking that I should have a post on my BLOG to assist those who are having or considering having a destination wedding. I will add a few of my thoughts here (along with a selection of the Karijini images taken at Jen and Chris’ wedding). If you have any questions you are welcome to email me at info@caroldarby.com and I will add the replies to this post.

I will just be covering the photography aspect. Though it goes without saying that you will need to work with a company that specializes in weddings in the area you wish to have your ceremony and reception. As far as outback weddings go you can’t go past the Karijini Eco Retreat http://www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au where Chris and Jen had their reception. There were plenty of accommodation options for their guests and these ranged from budget camping to upmarket eco tents. Whether an outback wedding or one at the beach or on an island most of these hints can be adapted to suit.

First and foremost you will want a photographer who not only can photograph people well but also be a pretty decent landscape photographer. Beautiful wedding photos are obviously the priority but you will also want a collection of fantastic images that really show off your stunning location. You don’t want to be going to all the effort of arranging such a unique wedding and then having photographs that could have been taken anywhere. Start your search nice and early so that you have plenty of time to make the right choices.

You must be prepared to pay the photographers reasonable costs such as travel (including flights if need be), accommodation, meals etc. If this travel takes considerable time there may be an additional fee on top of their normal packages. It may be just one day of actually shooting your wedding but it could mean 2 days or more away from their studio and the photographer missing the chance of booking other work during that time. Remember, it is not a holiday for them. However do discuss your needs and a compromise can probably be reached – one that you are both happy with.

Once you have decided on a photographer communicate with them. Let them know your wishes and expectations. But also be guided by them. Some of your expectations may not be realistic and they can be an invaluable help as to logistics and timing. By working together you will achieve the images that truly reflect your special and unique wedding.

You may wish to consider booking the photographer for additional time at your destination. Prior to the wedding you can take them to the areas of the ceremony and location photography. They will be better prepared on the day and become familiarized with what will be happening. They can advise on positioning to make the most of the light and also the landscape. Most city based weddings involve locations that the photographer is already familiar with.  However a destination wedding may be somewhere totally new to them and the opportunity to check out things in advance can really pay off.

You may also consider booking the photographer for the day after the wedding. The actual wedding day will go so fast, especially with the added travel time that is often involved. Jen and Chris enjoyed what is commonly known as a “Trash The Dress” session the day after the wedding. This doesn’t mean really trashing the dress but you aren’t going to worry so much if it gets a bit dirty. This gave us the opportunity to visit some special locations without the rushed timeline of the wedding day. It was a lovely relaxed time and made for some beautiful images.

Please enjoy these images and contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your “Destination Wedding”.

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During the ceremony it is nice to occasionally look at the minister or celebrant. But it is really nice if you mostly look at each other. You want to share this special moment with each other. It is very important to look at each other or towards the hands during the ring exchange.

During the exchange of vows look at each other. It shares the love you have with each other with the congregation and looks beautiful in the photographs.

When you exchange rings (if you think of it during the excitement) place them on slowly and tilt your hands a little towards the congregation so everyone can see. This allows your photographer and videographer (if you have one) to capture this moment is close up detail. This image always looks great in the album.

And the kiss. Oh the kiss. Couples are so excited when they get to this bit. I have seen them so fleeting. I have seen them so passionate that faces disappear amidst  hair and veil. And I have seen them as the beautiful declaration of love as you are pronounced husband and wife. One (or more) slow and sexy kisses will be that perfect moment of knowing you are one and looks so beautiful.

It may be tempting for you to have your make-up done last so that you are fresh when you depart for the ceremony. This is fine if you are not having photographs at this time. However if you do have the photographer coming to photograph the preparations and to do bridal and family images before the ceremony then it is wise to discuss times with her. In this instance it is best that you are made up first (and also your hair is done) so that you are in the gown by the time the photographer arrives. The bride is usually in most of the images so valuable time is wasted if there is a considerable wait for her to be ready. If you are having lingerie shots you won’t need to be in the gown but you will still need to have your hair and make-up finished. Whilst on the subject of lingerie shots. If you are doing this then wear a robe prior to this shoot. You don’t want unsightly underwear marks on your skin.

Another make-up tip is to avoid glitter. Some girls like to have it on their face, on their decollage or in their hair. Glitter will sparkle in sunlight or flash light. You will look as if you have dandruff , as will anyone you hug – especially the groom in his black suit.

And please don’t tan in the days leading up to the wedding. Unsightly bather marks are hard to hide with make-up and it is a difficult task for the photographer to edit in the photographs and will probably result in additional editing costs. If you decide on a fake tan have it done professionally a few days before the wedding.  I have had instances where the tan was done the day before the wedding and resulted in tan solution staining the dress. Iwould advise a trial as that bright orange look is not very pretty. Unless you are naturally olive or dark skinned a lighter skin tone is a better choice than an overly tanned one.

If the weather is going to be very hot opt for flowers that are known to be robust. If in doubt native flowers or silk can be a great alternative. In my experience the most fragile flowers are of the lily family – especially white ones. Unless you have an exceptional florist you will have them wilting and going brown on the edges. If you must have lilies then ask the florist to remove the stamen tips as they stain badly.

Don’t go for the biggest bouquet you can get. By the end of the day they will feel as if they weigh a ton.

If your ceremony or a big part of your day is to be in the sun, then all white flowers are not the best choice. In full sun they will look like a white blob with no detail.

If the photographer is coming to your home before the ceremony make sure that the flowers are delivered just prior to her arrival. You will want lovely detail shots such as the bouquet on it’s own and with other accessories. Plus you will want the bouquet when capturing those beautiful bridal portraits.

 This image is of a great bouquet for the bride. The roses lasted well and they photographed beautifully. The bridesmaid’s bouquet also lasted well. Note, though, that they don’t show as clearly as the bride’s flowers. If this image had been taken in the sun they would more than likely have had no detail at all.

This bouquet is definitely the worst I have ever encountered. I had suggested to the bride that these flowers were not the best for her hot summer wedding. She did mention this to the florist who informed her that her photographer didn’t know what she was talking about. This not very nice image was requested by the bride so that she could send it to the florist. The bride was not happy – to say the least.

An example of a hairstyle perfectly suited to Perth conditions

1  Have your bridal party photographs taken before the ceremony. This is becoming more popular. Sure you will see each other before the ceremony but traditions are changing quickly. You could spend a couple of hours having beautiful images taken and then travel relaxed to the ceremony. After the ceremony and congratulations you can mingle with your guests and have family and guest photographs taken before the reception starts. You may still like to allow 30 minutes or so for photographs at the reception venue.

 2  If seeing your wife or husband to-be-before the ceremony is a no no then you will need to allow enough time after the ceremony. You can arrange to have very brief congratulations or just have the parents congratulate you. This will allow for enough time to have photographs with your bridal party.

 And of course some lovely romantic moments together.

 3  Allow for a big gap between ceremony and reception. This gives guests time to return home and relax before the evening festivities begin. It allows you to mingle with the guests after the ceremony and maybe have a group photograph is the location is suitable.

4  You can send a list of sightseeing options with the invitations. For example, if the wedding is in the Swan Valley you could include a list of some of the many places they could visit. Maybe organize a bus to take them on a tour.

5  If the budget and time allows you could consider a photographic shoot on another day. On the actual wedding day the time between ceremony and reception can be used for family photographs plus with your bridal party. The next day you can have your own special wedding portrait shoot without the pressure of limited time. You will be relaxed and you won’t be worrying that the dress may get dirty. The following image was taken the day after the wedding and the fact that the gown was quite red by the end of the shoot didn’t matter quite as much.

 The following image is another wedding in the same location taken a little earlier in the afternoon. Full sun is not the nicest of light but least everyone (except for a couple of the bridal party in the gazebo) are in the same light = full sun.

The following ceremony is a nice shady location. However the bridal party is in dappled light which shows in the patchy light on everyone – especially the groomsmen. If they had been positioned with the sun behind them then the dapple effect would not happen and they would have all been in nice soft light. Plus there would have been the bonus of beautifully backlit foliage on the trees.

Beautiful sunny Perth is an invitation for a beach wedding. Consider this option carefully before you decide. The most popular time for a ceremony is the afternoon. Usually it is windy and the light harsh and unflattering. Your guests will be looking into the sun and the photographer will be shooting into the sun. That beautiful blue sky and water will appear very pale in your photographs. There will be patches of bright sun on your skin. This is definitely the time to have your hair in a very firm style with no loose strands which are very unflattering. If you have your heart set on a beach wedding then mid morning is the best. The light is full sun and even, the back drop is stunning full colour and the winds are usually a lot lighter.

The final image shows a ceremony location that has been thoughtfully selected. It was a sunny day but by choosing the staircase in full shade everyone is in the same nice even light. Pleasant for the bridal party and great for the photography.