When should I book my wedding photographer?

It is never too soon to start thinking about your wedding photography!

Once you have decided on a date and booked your venue then you really should be thinking about who you want to capture those special photographs. These days weddings run throughout the year and are not just on Saturdays, however, the main wedding season is April to October and if you are planning a wedding on any Saturday during the wedding season you will need to book early. There are only a handful of Saturdays during this period and I would hate for you to be disappointed because I am already booked! I tend to take wedding bookings about a year to eighteen months ahead of a wedding date. I can often accommodate ‘last minute’ weekday bookings and will always try to help if I can.

What happens on the day?

On your wedding day I can be with you for just a few hours or for a full day with two photographers from bridal and groomsmen preparation through to your evening party. I like to capture every aspect of your day while I am with you including all the chaos of getting ready, guests arriving, the ceremony, time for some stunning bride and groom portraits, photos with family and friends, candid shots with guests, the wedding breakfast, the evening party and all the little details. I can even offer you a fun photo booth with a prop box for all your guests at your evening reception.

How do you work?

I usually work on my own although a second shooter is always available if they are required.  I shoot with two Canon 5D cameras, a selection of lenses and flashguns.  All images are shot in RAW format and processed after the wedding day.  I love to capture as much as possible using natural light but sometimes venues and weather do not permit and a flash gun is required!  I am booked to create the story of a couple’s wedding day and in order to do this I quietly and discreetly shoot events as they unfold.  I always recommend a few group photos with family and friends but keep these to a minimum as they are time consuming and keep the Bride and Groom away from their guests.

What happens after our Wedding Day?

This is where the magic happens… following your wedding day I can be found sitting at my Mac for many hours.  Each image is individually edited and processed to get the best from each file.  Your pictures will include black and white and other colour processes if suited to a particular image.  Although I am never able to give a specific number of images for a given wedding a full day’s coverage will result in more than 500 images.  These images are uploaded to an online gallery for you to view and share with family and friends.  You will also receive a USB in a personalised presentation box of high resolution jpeg images ready for you to print.  You will be provided with license to reproduce these image files for your personal use.

If you have included an album/storybook in your wedding package your image selection for this can be made once you have received your USB.  Once I have your image choices your book is designed and a pdf proof page layout of each page is sent to you for approval.  I offer one complimentary design change after this initial album preview after which charges apply for any further changes.  Only when you are completely happy is the design sent to the printer.

Do we need to feed you?

If I am booked for an all day wedding, this can often be ten to twelve hours, a light meal is very much appreciated.  I need to sit down to the wedding breakfast but a crew meal in a quiet corner where I can keep an eye on proceedings is ideal.  I don’t like to be away from everything for too long so any meal must be served at the same time as the top table so that I can return to the wedding breakfast.  If this is tricky just let me know and I will bring a sandwich along with me!

What do we finish up with?

Following your wedding day your finished images are available to view and share in a private online gallery and, depending on your photography package, either all or selected images are available for you on a personalised USB. I can also offer a range a beautiful wedding albums and storybooks as part of a wedding day photography package or as an additional purchase after your wedding day. There is also an extensive range of wall art, prints and photographic products available.

How much will it cost?

I now offer three wedding packages.  However, I appreciate every wedding has its own unique requirements.  Therefore, I also offer bespoke package options in order to accommodate all styles of weddings and budgets.  All prices are inclusive of VAT.

How do we book you?

The first step is to make sure that I am available for your wedding date.  You can do this by phone on 07950 714975 or email at sarah@sarahcookphotography.co.uk.  If you have seen my website or been recommended by a friend and want to book immediately let me know and I will send out the paperwork for you to complete.  Let me know your full names, address, contact numbers, wedding date and venue/s and I will send out the paperwork to you.  If you would prefer to meet up initially for a chat to see if I am the right photographer for your wedding day before booking then please get in touch to schedule an appointment and we can take it from there.  We can either arrange a meeting or chat via Skype.  Bookings are taken on a first come, first served basis.  A non-refundable booking fee of 20% is required together with a signed contract in order to secure your wedding date.  This fee is deducted from your final wedding package fees which are payable one month prior to your wedding date.

Are you insured?

Absolutely! All my equipment is insured and I am also covered with public liability and professional indemnity insurance.