Photos by George, Welcome

It is my intention to place here some hints and tips regarding something we appear to have lost sight of - Wedding Etiquette. To illustrate the point. I am sure all "brides to be" watched the recent wedding of Prince Andrew to Catherine Middleton.

As a wedding photographer, was delighted to see that Pippa Middleton, apart from looking stunning - in that dress - also performed her role as chief bridesmaid in an exemplary fashion.
Pippa was particularly good at always ensuring that Catherine Middleton's fantastic wedding dress, and in particular it's associated train, was always displayed at it's best. Pippa also ensured that she held the train when Catherine negotiated steps both on the alter and at the exit to the Abbey.

This is a real honour bestowed normally by the bride and tends to be either a family member or a best friend. It demands time and effort to assist in the organising process. Her job begins early on in the process helping to shop, (not normally an issues of course), for the bride and fellow bridesmaids, flower girls etc and organises the Hen Party. She keeps the bridesmaid in line on the day – in fact she is the brides right-hand ensuring the brides dress is beautifully displayed at all times and holding the bouquet at various times during the event. Naturally she normally counter signs the marriage certificate along with the Best Man.In short she has an integral part to play during the whole procedure.

The Grooms best friend can of course be a women as well as a man, again is involved from the outset and ensures the groom has a safe Stag Party – my suggestion – never the night before the wedding for obvious reasons! Looks after the groom at all times and also any groomsmen/ushers ensuring they are aware of their roles and duties both before during and after the wedding. Importantly he stands beside the groom, (until instructed to do otherwise) during the ceremony and hands the all important rings to the groom when requested to do so. I always try to use the Best man as a point of contact when organising group photographs as they tend to be familiar with at least one side of the family. Remember you can of course have more than one should you wish. The best man has of course the task of giving a speech my recommendation is to buy a book or at least search the web for suitable examples and whilst you can embarrass the groom but do so without causing alarm.

Their job is to look stunning, not too stunning of course, but to cooperate with any task given to them by the Chief Bridesmaid and to ensure they work with the photographer to ensure that he is able to take great photographs. Please try and be patient and not wander off whilst the photographers is taking images of the wedding party and family groups. That of course goes for the Bride and Groom, Chief Bridesmaid and Best Man of course.

The ability to communicate is key to the role of usher. Why?
Well the ushers – usher people into the ceremony location, which may involve being a car park attendant for the first part of the day! Obviously their role is to ensure that people sit on the correct side of the location where the ceremony is being carried out – Church, Kirk, Hotel, Football Ground or whatever and hand out the Order of Service.

Please remind your guests that it is my job to ensure you look your best and that I am given sufficient time to complete my project of recording the event. I don’t have any problem being heard and will ensure that people are aware when I require their services. I will utilise the Best Man and Bridesmaids to round people up where necessary and issue a polite word where required to ask people to move out of the way whilst I ensure I get the required shots.

At some point I will take the Bride & Groom away from the throng to concentrate on their images and I would be grateful if you would make your guests aware that I would appreciate some privacy during this period.Before I leave the event and if there is sufficient time, I will be available to take images required by your guests should they so wish.

Equally you will be asked whether I have any additional shots remaining before I leave the event and it is the client’s responsibility, at this stage, to ensure that they are happy we have not missed any family member or guest.

Consequently we insist that the Bride & Groom sit down with the photographer prior to the event and agree a list of images you would like. This is normally done before our pre-wedding meeting which takes place one month prior to the event at the venues. We can also agree on appropriate locations for imagery and I will point out locations where photographs can be taken in the event of bad weather – something common in Scotland!