Winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and it’s not hard to see why. For one thing, tying the knot in the wintertime usually means lower venue prices, but other reasons include the lack of expectations surrounding weather conditions or wanting a wedding to coincide with a special occasion such as an anniversary or Christmas.
Aesthetically, winter weddings are all about the atmosphere, and the combination of twinkling fairy lights, cosy interiors, and the frozen wintery backdrop can make for some wonderfully romantic wedding photographs.
Of course, the shorter days and inclement weather can also make winter weddings a challenge to photograph, so here are some tips for getting started with winter wedding photography.
1. Plan ahead
Because there are fewer hours of daylight during the winter months, it’s important to know when each important event will be happening and where, so you can think about how you can best capture each scene.
For instance, if you’re hoping to shoot the couple and group portraits outdoors, you’ll need to set aside an adequate amount time around midday when there will still be plenty of natural light available. Of course, you can take these portraits later on too, but bear in mind that they will likely be a lot darker and moodier. Although this isn’t a bad thing, it is something you should discuss with the couple beforehand so you can manage their expectations.
Another thing to keep in mind is that flash photography can be too intrusive during a wedding ceremony, so if the ceremony being held in a dimly lit church, you’ll need to have access to fast lenses as well as a sturdy but lightweight tripod.