It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
How to capture the romance and beauty of winter in your professional wedding photos.
Winter weddings are becoming more popular as couples embrace the romantic vibe at this festive time of year. From twinkling fairy lights to mulled wine and hot chocolate, there’s something incredibly special about marrying in the cold. If you choose to marry in the run-up to Christmas, you may find that your wedding venue is already adorned with yuletide decorations. Wedding outfits tend to be more colourful at this time of year, the bride herself might opt to wear red or another vibrant colour, whilst your guests will likely don plenty of textures in a bid to stay cosy. Of course, one thing that a winter wedding has in common with a spring or summer celebration is that you’ll still want your photographs to look stunning. Here are some tips and considerations to make sure you get the best out of the season.
Natural Light
Unless the weather is truly appalling, you should be able to change some outdoor shots even in winter. But a wedding photographer Chelmsford professional explains that you need to make the most of the natural light available, which is somewhat reduced during the winter. Ideally, you’ll be able to schedule a morning shoot, but if this doesn’t work with your timings, aim to take some shots as soon after the ceremony as possible. Photos taken using a reflector and a tripod are your best bet if light is scarce. Use an off-camera flash gun with a diffuser to soften the effect. You also need to be wary of your subjects casting long shadows if the sun is visible.
If It Snows ….
Many couples who have chosen to get married during the winter simply dream of waking up on their wedding morning to a snowy backdrop. This would certainly make for the most marvellous landscape shots as you’ll have a clean, crisp background to work with. To brighten up the shot, particularly if the bride is also wearing white, make use of colourful props such as the bouquet, brightly dressed flower girls and some nearby evergreen trees with berries. It’s also important that the bride and groom are comfortable – they may be happy to handle the chilly temperatures, but it wouldn’t hurt to suggest that the bride wear wellies or Uggs underneath her dress, which wouldn’t be visible in the photos.
Heading Indoors
If the weather really is too dreadful or just if you’d like some more intimate photos taken inside your venue, you’ll still be able to get some breath-taking shots if you head indoors. You might like to take a happy couple’s shot in front of a decorated Christmas tree, or in front of a roaring fireplace. Indoor shots capture a lot of atmosphere on camera, and being warm and snug helps the bride and groom to feel comfortable and at ease when they’re posing, which creates truly authentic chemistry in your winter wedding photos.
Winter is a stunning time of year to get married in and there’s no reason why your wedding photographs won’t reflect that. Work with a professional who has photographed winter weddings before, and always be prepared to have a Plan B up your sleeve in case the elements turn against you. But remember that whatever happens, the romantic atmosphere will always shine through in your shots!