by Jason de Plater
Planning your wedding day involves countless decisions, and one of the most crucial is selecting the perfect location and timing for your photos. Whether you dream of a serene beach ceremony, a vibrant city backdrop, or a tranquil park setting, the right choices can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll guide you through essential tips for choosing the ideal ceremony location, timing your photos to capture the best light, and creating a smooth timeline.
The Ceremony Location
Choosing where you’ll exchange your vows can be overwhelming due to the many options available.
Start by considering locations that reflect your personality. What places do you and your partner enjoy visiting on weekends? If your happy place is the beach, you might want to consider getting married on the sand or atop a coastal cliff. If you love spending weekends in cafes or strolling through city streets and markets, an inner-city neighborhood vibe might suit you. For outdoor enthusiasts who cherish greenery and trails, a location like Centennial Park could be ideal, offering nature without a strenuous hike.
Next, consider whether the location is free or requires a paid permit from the council or park. A paid location can reserve the space, eliminating any surprises on your wedding day.
Time of Day
Photography is greatly influenced by light, and certain times of day can impact both the quality of your photos and your comfort. Light is typically harsh between 11:00am and 2:00pm on sunny days. If your ceremony falls during this time, ensure it takes place in the shade to avoid squinting or harsh light on your face.
When planning your ceremony time, you can google the sunset time for your wedding date. This helps you maximise your photography opportunities and ensures your guests enjoy the scene at its most flattering time.
If you’re chasing that elusive golden light or simply want to ensure you have enough daylight for photos after the ceremony, aim to start your photography 2 hours before sunset. In cooler months, sunset is around 4:45pm, while in warmer months during daylight savings, it can be as late as 8:00pm.
Timeline
With Weekday Wedded Bliss, you have two hours of photography, which is generally sufficient to capture key moments and portraits without feeling rushed. This provides a good balance between being present with your partner and guests and still walking away with beautiful moments preserved in photographs.
To efficiently organise family and friend group photos, designate someone who knows the guests to round them up. The photographer can then focus on posing and expressions, making the process quick—usually within 10 minutes.
Here’s an example timeline for portraits after the ceremony, assuming a sunset time of 5:00pm. Some couples prefer to do portraits before the ceremony, which is also perfectly fine.
3:15 – Location establishing photos
3:30 – Ceremony begins
4:00 – Ceremony ends, congratulations from guests
4:15 – Family and friends group photos
4:30 – Couple portraits around the surrounding area
5:00 – Sunset
5:15 – End of photography
If you’re having an elopement with Weekday Wedded Bliss, you’ll have 1.5 hours of photography. An example timeline could look like this:
3:30 – Location establishing photos
3:45 – Ceremony begins
4:00 – Ceremony ends, sign paperwork
4:15 – Couple portraits around the surrounding area
5:00 – Sunset/End of photography
Moments Over Poses
I often joke that I’ve never met a couple who haven’t said, “We are so awkward together in front of the camera!” This is a completely normal reaction, which can actually be a good thing as it often leads to genuine moments filled with laughter.
Posing has evolved over the years to become about inviting spontaneous moments between the couple, rather than traditional posing. For instance, I might suggest, “Take your partner’s hand and go for a walk together in this direction.” When you’re walking you are distracted by each other and where you’re going, so you quickly forget you’re being photographed.
If you want some practice and variety, consider an engagement shoot. This relaxed, one-hour session at a different location with casual clothing provides a chance to get comfortable with your photographer and provides casual photos that will make you remember the time before you tied the knot.
Top photo: Kerri & Tony at the Blue Mountains Clifftop, Photo by Jason de Plater
Lucy & Nic’s Centennial Park Sydney Wedding, Photo by Samantha Heather
India & Samuel at Cape Byron Lighthouse, Photo by Kat Rollings
Joanne & Nihar’s Sydney Wedding, Photo by Jason de Plater
Photo by Jason de Plater
Sam & Dan’s Sydney Harbour Wedding, Photo by Samantha Heather
Brooke & Paddy’s South Coast Wedding, Photo by Kat Rollings
Lies & Cody’s Kurnell Beach Wedding, Photo by The Paper Fox