planning your wedding

Robert Dann’s wedding photography experience encompasses all kinds of celebrations across the UK. Each one has been photographed in his unique contemporary style, its myriad moments of beauty and fun captured forever. And he’s picked up a few valuable gems of knowledge along the way too.

“Plan your timings carefully. Get them right and things will run like a dream, get them wrong and things could get a little flustered. Work backwards: start at the time when you want to be sitting down for the wedding breakfast, and count back from there. The day will go by in a blur – a wonderful, joyous blur, but a blur nonetheless – and you need to catch your breath here and there.”

“One of the most important tips is also one of the simplest… Factor in some time for yourselves, away from everyone else. Just let yourselves be in the moment for a while. As well as taking some big set-up shots, I’ll leave you to just be yourselves, and the resulting images are beautiful and natural. Half the time couples don’t even know I’ve been photographing them.”

“Allow time for photography and for moving between venues. Rushing around is no fun for anyone, unless you’re planning to get married on rollerskates (which can work, but not in all cases). You’ll need time to enjoy the day, and I’ll need a little time to take the pictures that will do you both proud. This is a lasting record of your big day – my role is to take perfect wedding pictures that take your breath away.”

“Don’t leave it too late. If any couple ever tells me they’re tying the knot after 2.30pm, I always ask them if they can make it earlier. Natural light is infinitely more flattering than artificial… if yours is a crisp and gorgeous winter wedding then the ceremony will need to be before 1pm if I’m to do it justice.”

“Finally, and most importantly, trust me. We all know that production line wedding photography is horrid. That’s why I don’t do it. I’ll spend time getting to know you both and learning what’s important to you, and by the time the day itself comes around, you’ll be comfortable working with me and I’ll know what makes you tick. My photography isn’t trying to be like anyone else’s. It’s yours – the wedding photography you’ve always dreamed of.”