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”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.