I have been recently approached by Cosmo Bride http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/cosmo-bride.htm to supply some images from a wedding I photographed in Karijini National Park in the stunning Pilbara region of Western Australia. Cosmo Bride will be running a feature on destination weddings and this issue will be out on October 31^st 2011.

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”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A common dilemma I come across is the timing for the day. If the ceremony and reception are to be held at the same venue couples don’t want a huge gap between them. They worry that the guests will have too big a gap and be at a loss as to what to do.  A few suggestions are:

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.