Wedding Photography Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pre-wedding session and do you provide one?

Yes! A pre-wedding session is provided as complimentary to all packages booked. This is a photographic session arranged at some point after booking your wedding photography with us. This takes place at the studio. It is a great opportunity for us to get to know one another better, to have some great pictures taken, and for you to experience just how relaxed, and how much fun our photography is. We find that once a couple have been for their pre-wedding session, even those who are the most nervous of cameras relax, and start getting really excited about their wedding photography after they see the results. The pictures will be shown to you and you will have opportunity to purchase them in frames or made up as a canvas. A framed signature portrait is very popular.

Do you ever photograph more than one wedding during a day?

No. We realize we have a great responsibility in capturing the memories of your special day. We will dedicate ourselves exclusively to your wedding so that we can give you both the best attention possible.

How many photographs will you take?

There is no set number of photographs taken, but it is usual to take around 600-1000 pictures at an average wedding.

How will we see our wedding pictures?

Prior to your wedding we will make an appointment with you to view your wedding pictures on your return from honeymoon. This is presented by means of a slide show to music, and recreates your wedding day in a most enjoyable way. You will be able to choose your pictures for your album and discuss your requirements. A typical slide presentation may contain up to 450 pictures to choose from. This takes place on weekday afternoon or morning.

How many pictures can we have in our album?

The number of photographs you choose for your album is unlimited; you do not have to stick to the number of pictures you booked in your package. Our albums start at 80 images per album and can take up to 250 pictures and if you would like more, we can even provide a second album if 250 is not enough!. Extra pictures can be purchased for your album at the time of viewing for £20 each which includes extra album pages, extra design, and printing. Most couples select between 180-250 pictures for their album. We recommend at least 120 pictures if you would like to tell the complete story of your wedding day.

How long do you stay on the day?

This varies according to the package booked and how your day is arranged. Photographic coverage is provided starting with the groom if he is nearby and going on to the bride's home and continues throughout the day, until the wedding breakfast commences. Most couples want to have the speeches, presentations, and dancing and any other events such as fireworks, and photographs of some of their evening guests, and often book us to stay after the wedding breakfast commences. We can stay up until the first dance, and will be on hand therefore to photograph the speeches etc. If this is the case, the couple need to include us in guest numbers, as by the time the wedding breakfast commences, we would be in need of a good hot meal. It is also advantageous as we are then on hand to photograph the speeches and presentations as they happen, as well as other events that occur. We ask that you have your first dance by 8.30pm and we usually leave shortly after this.

How do you survive on your feet for so long?

We are only human and need feeding and watering occasionally. We do request that you make arrangements with your venue to provide us with drinks and a hot meal during our stay with you.

What about quality?

Quality is the most important aspect both to you and to us, after all- delighted clients recommend us and it is through this avenue of recommendation that most of our business stems. All materials used are of the highest quality. Each print is carefully assessed and printed according to its individual requirements. Print quality is of the highest standard, and our albums are superb. All this provides our clients with the excellent service they deserve.

How long will it take for our order to be completed?

Our albums are of the highest quality, and each one is unique to each client. Once you have made your order, your album will be designed and then ordered. We have our own in house designers which gives our albums that extra special edge. The completed album will be ready approximately two to eight weeks after the design is dispatched to the album supplier, depending on album company with our quickest supplier delivering within two weeks of order. At certain times of the year, such as over holiday periods like Christmas, this may be extended.

What pictures will you take?

Our service is fully bespoke. We will provide you with a request sheet which we will ask you to complete, providing us with instructions of the shots you want taken, including your group shots. This will allow us to plan the photography for the day. In addition to your requests we will also take candid shots throughout the day at other times when not fulfilling your requests. Please note that we cannot guarantee all requests due to factors beyond our control such as venue restrictions, however we will do our best to take the pictures you would like.

How will our friends and guests be able to order their prints?

Once you have selected your prints for your album, a selection of pictures are uploaded to our client pages on the website. Friends and family can make their order online. We will advise you of the web address where you will find your pictures. For those who do not have internet access or wish to order via an alternative method, a printout of all the pictures chosen for the album is supplied, this is meant to be used in conjunction with the album to identify the pictures in the album for ordering.

What would happen if you could not be present to photograph our wedding?

This has never happened yet in 25 years in the industry, but every bride worries about the possibility of the photographer having an accident or something like that. We belong to a group of photographers who are photographing weddings in the same or similar style as us, in the unlikely event that we couldn't attend, we would contact these and endeavor to find a replacement for you quickly. Having this back up system is most reassuring for our couples.

We want to spend as much time as we can with our guests, how long will the photography take?

Most of your pictures will be taken as events unfold during the day. The group shots will need to be organized and we aim to spend only 20 minutes on the group shots. After the groups we spend about 15 minutes with the couple away from their guests, we find this yields the best results, and the couple really enjoy their time together.

You may wish to arrange for some entertainment for your guests during this time. This is why our Premium Wedding package includes up to 90 minutes of magical entertainment by Marc Lemezma ~ The Wedding Magician or one of his team of top-drawer magicians.

Will we have time with our guests?

Yes, its totally up to you how you arrange your day, we work around your arrangements. We can take the group shots whenever you would like us to and only take those shots that you would like us to. Many couples like to have 10 minutes or so after the ceremony to chat to their guests before moving on to the group shots, and often have their day arranged in this way. Couples also like having time to chat at the reception venue before the wedding breakfast commences. Most venues allow at least one and a half hours for you to have your pictures taken and to socialise with your guests and often 2 hours which will make your day very relaxed.

How do we get our album?

Once your album is ready we will notify you. If you would like to collect your album, we will arrange a suitable time to do this, alternatively we can send your album by courier, this costs an additional £20.

Can we order prints in frames?

Yes, we offer a large selection of frames. Often a couple will order several pictures to be mounted into one frame. This provides stunning results, and can tell the story of your wedding day in a fantastic way in the room of your choice. Frame prices start from £125 for a large 10 inch single print. It is also possible to have a framed print of a montage of your couple shots, similar to those in the albums for mounting on your wall.

What would happen if we damaged or dropped our album- could we obtain a replacement?

Yes, all pictures are archived and detailed plans of the album layout are kept. This means that we could reproduce your album at a later date if necessary. The cost of re-producing your album will depend on prices at the time of your request. We recommend that you insure your album on your household insurance so that it is covered in the event of flood or fire or other such event.

Can we order parent albums?

Yes, parent albums are available. The price of these starts at £349 for smaller copies of the main album or alternatively parents can order a different product. Please ask us for a quote for your requirements.

If we book you, who will photograph us on our wedding day?

We do not do consultations for other photographers, therefore if you book one of us, it will be one of us that photographs your big day. We feel that this is very important as it enables us to get to know our clients and we are therefore not strangers to them on the wedding day, enabling them to have confidence and to relax.

How can we pay?

Payment can be made by cheque or visa-debit, or maestro. Extra orders and guest orders can be paid for by all major debit and credit cards.

How can we book our wedding photography with you?

A booking fee of £195 is needed to secure the booking. This can be done by post or over the telephone. Please fill out the booking form and read the terms and conditions, and send with your booking fee. You do not have to decide which package you would like at the time of booking, and can decide this afterwards in consultation with us. Your booking fee is credited towards the cost of the package you order.

Can we book you?

Yes you can. Your booking is secured by a non returnable booking fee of £195 which must be sent along with your completed and signed booking form. The balance is payable in full 7 days before your wedding.

If you decide to purchase additional prints for your album, framed prints, canvases or albums for your Parents the full cost is payable at the time of order.

For further information or to arrange a visit to our studio please contact us on 01303 226400 or email sales@portlandstudios.co.uk