Planning a wedding has a funny way of creeping up on you. You start with excitement, ideas, big smiles and a vague sense that you’ve got time. Then one day you’re deep into planning and suddenly everything has a price attached to it. Some expected. Some… not so much. If you’re planning a wedding in 2026, you’ve probably already realised that budgets don’t stretch quite as far as you hoped. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re planning a wedding in the

A couple of years ago, I tried something a little different. Instead of doing things the usual way, I opened the door to skill swaps. Photography in exchange for a service or product another business offered. No awkward haggling, no favours owed, just two business owners backing each other. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve done since starting Jonathan David Photography. Not just from a business point of view, but on a human level too. The connections,

Grateful, knackered, inspired and ready for what’s next. As the year winds down and the inbox finally quietens a bit, it feels like the right time to stop, breathe, and look back on what’s just flown past. Because honestly, this one went fast. One minute it was the first wedding of the season, the next I’m realising I’ve eaten far too many mince pies and I’m somehow writing the final blog of the year. This year has been full of everything I love about weddings. Proper belly l

Because forced smiles are banned and joy is the whole point. There's something magical about this time of year. Half the country is fuelled by mince pies. Fairy lights are everywhere. And suddenly you can't walk past a Christmas tree without wondering if someone is about to drop to one knee. If you've just said yes to your favourite person over the holidays, massive congratulations. The excitement officially begins. Now the planning starts. The Pinterest boards. The venue tou

Why your aisle moment deserves real connection not a screen grab. Picture this. You take that first step down the aisle. Your heart’s thumping. Your partner’s trying not to ugly cry. It’s the moment you’ve waited for. You want to remember exactly how they looked right then. The nerves. The smile. The love. The everything. But what you actually see is… 📱 A sea of glowing rectangles 📱 Someone waving an iPad like it’s a shield 📱 Uncle Barry filming vertically for Facebook 📱

(An honest guide for anyone about to pop the question) Right then. We need to talk about proposals. December and New Year are basically engagement season. Mariah Carey defrosts, the fairy lights come out, and suddenly half the country is dropping to one knee like it is some kind of national sport. And look, it is beautiful. Cold noses. Warm hearts. Cosy vibes. The perfect time to ask your best mate to marry you. But it can also feel like the most terrifying thing you have eve

I’ve got no idea who first decided that shouting “cheese” was the magic trick for a good photo, but they owe all of us an apology. The second someone says it, everyone tenses up. Shoulders rise. Eyes go wide. Smiles freeze into that weird, slightly panicked grin you used to do in primary school photos. And honestly, nothing kills a real moment faster than that. Your wedding day isn’t a staged photoshoot. It isn’t a corporate headshot session. And it definitely isn’t the time

Let us talk group photos. They are one of those parts of the day that everyone knows are coming, everyone knows matter, and yet somehow they still have the potential to descend into mild chaos if they are not handled right. Here is the truth. Group photos are important. These are the ones parents frame, grandparents treasure, and you look back on in ten years thinking“Wow, look how young we looked and how questionable Tom’s haircut was.” But they do not have to be stiff, stre

Let us talk money. It is not the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it is one of the questions couples ask first and probably the thing that causes the most raised eyebrows. You start looking around and suddenly realise there are photographers charging anything from a couple of hundred quid to prices that make you wonder whether they arrive by helicopter and shoot on cameras made of solid gold. So where does the real answer sit, and what should you genuinely expect

Here is the thing. No one has planned a wedding before they start planning a wedding. There is no secret handbook, no cheat code, and definitely no magic download button that suddenly makes you an expert. So how on earth are you meant to know what actually helps you get stunning wedding photos and what quietly works against you? That is where I come in. After photographing a lot of weddings, you start to spot patterns. The magic moments that happen naturally, and the little u

One of the biggest surprises couples have when they start planning their wedding is just how early photographers get booked. You secure your dream venue, start getting excited about outfits, décor and the general vibe, and then suddenly you realise suppliers are disappearing faster than the last roast potato at a Sunday dinner. And honestly, I do not blame you for being surprised. Nobody tells you this stuff until you are already knee deep in Pinterest boards and timeline str

Let’s be honest. Most couples aren’t models. You probably don’t spend your weekends practising poses in front of the mirror (and if you do, no judgement). So when the thought of a camera being pointed at you all day comes up, it’s totally normal to think: “We’re going to look awkward.” Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be photogenic, confident, or even particularly comfortable with cameras to get amazing wedding photos. You just need the right approach and the right photogr

If you’re planning a wedding in the UK, let’s be honest: rain is basically a guaranteed guest. But before you panic about soggy dresses and ruined hair, let me reassure you — rain on your wedding day doesn’t mean your photos are doomed. In fact, some of the most magical galleries I’ve ever delivered have been from weddings where the heavens opened. This is your couple’s guide to rainy wedding days, and why it might actually be the best thing that happens. Embrace the Umbrella

Picking your wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Bigger than flowers, bigger than table favours, bigger...

Wedding photography is not about stiff poses anymore. It is about energy, story and personality. Couples book me because they want photos...

First of all, congratulations! If you're reading this, chances are you've just said "Yes!" and are basking in that post-engagement glow....

Planning your wedding day can be an exciting but overwhelming task. One key to a smooth and stress-free celebration is crafting a...

Why Cutting Corners Could Cost You More Let’s be real – weddings aren’t cheap. From the dream dress to the picture-perfect venue, gourmet...

This past weekend, the Jonathan David Photography team packed up our cameras, albums, and maybe a sneaky bag of snacks and headed to the...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Ringing in 2025: Big Smiles and Even Bigger Plans! Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! The confetti’s barely hit the...