Ceremony’s done, everyone’s in a good mood, drinks are flowing… and then someone pulls out a list. Not just a list either… a list. Names, combinations, people you haven’t seen in years, “just one more with…”… and before you know it, 40 minutes has disappeared and you’ve barely had a second to actually enjoy the fact you’ve just got married.

I’ve been to more weddings than I can count at this point, and you start to notice a bit of a pattern. There are things that happen at almost every single one… not because couples love them, but because they feel like they’re part of the deal. And look, if you do love them, crack on. It’s your day. No judgment here. But if you’re on the fence about any of this, consider this your permission slip to quietly stick a few of these in the bin by breaking wedding traditions.

I see it all the time. You get engaged, you start planning, you’ve got about twelve tabs open, and suddenly you’re comparing photographers like you’re buying something off Amazon. They all look pretty similar at first glance, nice photos, similar sounding packages, wildly different prices, and before long you’re thinking, “do we really need to spend that much?”

Most people think they’re booking a Wedding Photographer, someone to take photos of their special day. Nice and simple. Turn up, take a few pictures, go home. That’s the expectation anyway... The reality is very different.

With Mother’s Day this weekend, it got me thinking about something I see at almost every wedding I photograph. Weddings are full of big moments. The confetti, the speeches, the dance floor when everyone’s had a few drinks and suddenly thinks they’re starring in their own music video. But if you watch closely, there’s another version of the wedding day happening at the same time. A quieter one. The version your mum's eyes experience.

Every family has one. You know the one. The relative who turns up to weddings with a camera bag the size of hand luggage, a couple of impressive looking lenses, and the quiet confidence of someone who “used to do a bit of photography back in the day”.

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.

Let’s talk about group photos! They’re one of those parts of the day that everyone knows are coming. Everyone knows they matter. Yet, somehow, they still have the potential to descend into mild chaos if they’re not handled right.

Let us talk money. It is not the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it is one of the first questions couples ask 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.

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?

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.”

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.

Picking your wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Bigger than flowers, bigger than table favours, bigger than whether Uncle Dave gets to sing on the mic after three pints. Your photos are what you’ll still have long after the last bit of cake has been eaten, so choosing the right person matters.

Wedding photography is not about stiff poses anymore. It is about energy, story and personality. Couples book me because they want photos that feel alive and modern, something they will look back on and grin at rather than a gallery of formal smiles.

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

his week it's all about the epic wedding of Tyler and Connor, who were the lucky winners of this years Win Your Wedding through Perfect Brides

Chloe and Bill were looking for a new photographer for their big day, after being messed around by a supplier she'd already booked with.

So it's the turn of the lovely Lance and Angela, who tied the knot at The Boathouse, just outside of Great Yarmouth. The boathouse is a stunning venue that as you would expect looks out over a vast lake. It's a lovely modern venue packed with charm, fantastic views, and a genuinely lovely place to get married.

I wanted to take some time to talk about the wedding of Matt and Corin, which I attended last week at the stunning Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel in Kidderminster.