The following are a couple of tips that help to make your ceremony photos special.

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.

Sunlight and shade do not mix. To my knowledge there is not a camera that would cope with this exposure range. This is an example of a beautiful ceremony location spoilt by the light. Suggestions would be to discuss the location of the ceremony with the manager of the property. Is there another option for ceremonies? If your photographer is familiar with the location she maybe able to suggest an alternative. Sometimes changing the ceremony time would have prevented the problem. In this case an hour earlier would have had them all in full sun.

 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.