Hi, I'm Sarah!
I love being able to document the raw emotions and excitement of a wedding day and take pride in delivering stunning images that my couples will cherish for a lifetime.
I create a calm and relaxed atmosphere for my clients, ensuring that they feel at ease and enjoy every moment of their day.
Although I'm based in Hertford, I'm not just a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer. I can travel all over the UK (and beyond) for your Wedding!
PLANNING YOUR PERFECT SUMMER WEDDING
Summer is one of the most popular seasons to get married. Long daylight hours, blooming flowers and warmer weather make it a firm favourite. Additionally some of the best honeymoon destinations are at their prime during the summer.
There are a few things to consider when planning your summer wedding, so read on for my tips to make the most of your summer wedding day.
Here are my 6 tips to consider when planning your summer wedding
Summer wedding tip # 1
Start planning early!
Summer is one of the most popular times of year to get married, meaning there is more competition for venues and other vendors (including photographers!) so it's essential you start planning early to secure your chosen suppliers. If possible, start organising and booking the major elements at least a year ahead to avoid disappointment.
Try not to panic if you have less time than this for your planning. It's still worth contacting your favourite suppliers as soon as you get engaged - you might get lucky with last-minute availability. If you have your heart set on a particular photographer or other supplier, its worth being flexible with your wedding date to fit around them during peak season.
Summer wedding tip # 2
Timing is key!
If you've planned an outdoor ceremony, opt for a ceremony time that avoids the hottest part of the day (typically midday). Early morning or late afternoon ceremonies offer more comfortable temperatures for you and your guests. It's also worth remembering that if you've scheduled your outdoor ceremony, or portraits, when the sun is highest in the sky (usually between 11am and 2pm) it can create harsh, unflattering shadows in your photographs. If you can avoid these times altogether, or at least try to choose a location with open shade for these elements, you'll end up with much nicer photographs.
Read more about planning your wedding timeline here.
Summer wedding tip # 3
Keep the dress code lighter.
The dress code is an essential factor for summer weddings. If you’re having best men/women or bridesmaids, make sure that you select suits and dresses made from light and breezy materials such as linen or cotton. A summer wedding is not the time or place for wool suits or material that retains heat.
Remind your guests to wear something light and let them know if your dress code differs from the norm so they can dress accordingly. For example: Let male guests know that they're welcome to leave suit jackets at home. Usually people will only wear shorts if you specifically state that they are welcome!
Summer wedding tip # 4
Embrace the summer vibes.
There is so much inspiration out there for planning your summer wedding. In terms of summer colour schemes, pretty much anything goes! You could keep it cool with pastel toned ice-cream colours or spice things up with hot, tropical hues.
If you've opted for a summer wedding, you're likely to want to make the most of your outside space. Many couples choose an outdoor ceremony if the venue has capacity. Make the most of a warm summers day by serving welcome drinks outside, or consider having an ice cream van, outdoor bar or a barbecue. You could decorate the outside space with bunting or fairy lights and perhaps provide some outdoor games or entertainment for your guests.
It's a good idea to ensure there are some shaded areas for your guests to keep cool on very hot days. You could even consider giving out mini fans as wedding favours, or have some parasols to hand for guests to use.
Summer wedding tip # 5
Invest in décor and food that withstands the elements.
While you shouldn't have to completely compromise your wedding vision, it's important to be realistic about which elements will (and won't) work during the summer season.
Factor in hot weather when planning your food menu and wedding cake. The last thing you want is a melted buttercream wedding cake, so if this is your preferred option, ask your venue to store your wedding cake and other delicate food items somewhere cool until it's time to serve them.
Summer temperatures can also be brutal for your wedding florals - you don't want your wedding photos to be full of wilting blooms, so speak to your florist about which flowers and foliage will last best in the heat and make up a large portion of your florals with those. You could also consider dried or artificial flowers as an alternative.
Summer wedding tip # 6
Plan for sunset portraits!
When you look up wedding portraiture online, you’ll often find beautifully lit, dreamy images of newlyweds; their hair and skin bathed in soft light as they stand together in stunning natural settings. These images are the most prized by couples and photographers alike, and if you've seen any of them then I can imagine you'll want some like this in your wedding album.
These portraits are taken during 'golden hour' - the hour just before the sun sets when the low sunlight is diffused and the light is infused with a golden hue. In the summer, golden hour can start as late 8.30pm, so if getting those gorgeous glowing images is a must for you, planning in a specific time to slip away and capture some portraits is something you'll definitely want to put in your wedding timeline.
By the time you reach the evening reception, you and your partner are completely at ease with the formalities of the day behind you. You're probably enjoying some drinks and chatting or dancing with your nearest and dearest, so if you don't schedule a time for these photos the chance to grab these precious images can otherwise slip by unnoticed, and the moment will be gone.
Couples are usually just starting to really enjoy themselves at their evening reception, so without a prior agreement to sneak away for sunset photos, your photographer might feel like they’re intruding on your fun by trying to pull you away from the party.
If the idea of sunset photos is important to you, make sure to discuss it in advance and plan for it! Your photographer will know the best time based on your venue’s location and the sunset time.
Sunset portraits are some of my favourites of the day. You’ll be fully relaxed, enjoying each other in the beauty of the final minutes of golden light on your wedding day. The light fades fast once the sun slips towards the horizon, so don’t worry—you’ll be back to enjoy your party and dance the night away in no time!
Bonus Tip
Don't forget to have a back up plan for rain!
Here in the UK, even in the height of summer, sunshine isn't guaranteed, so there is still a chance of rain on your wedding day.
You might have chosen a summer wedding with dreams of a beautiful outdoor ceremony, but the great British weather may have other ideas! Speak to your wedding venue to ensure they have contingencies in place for this eventuality. The easiest back-up plan for rain is to ensure you have some shelter and some clear umbrellas, but for a more in-depth look at preparing for rain, have a look at my rainy wedding day blog here!
You can see more Summer Weddings on my blog.
" Look no further for timeless, effortless, natural photography that captures candid moments from start to finish. Sarah played a vital role on our special day - and she delivered! We are so grateful to have had a photographer whose natural flare and attention to detail have produced stunning photographs to pass on to future generations. Sarah's style is non-interventionalist and prefers to be in the background to allow your day to flow more naturally. She is gifted at finding the beauty in her surroundings, which is reflected in her still life shots. "
Robyn
If you're planning a summer wedding, I hope these tips help you to make the most of your day. If you're still looking for a photographer to capture your summer wedding please get in touch. I'd love to chat!
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