Light at Your Wedding. Have You Thought About it?
Four Things You Didn’t Know About Photography That Could Impact Your Wedding Planning
When it comes to wedding planning, there are countless details to consider, and photography is often near the top of the list (at least that’s what I tell myself). But there are a few behind-the-scenes factors that you might not have thought about. Here are four insights to help you make informed choices and ensure your wedding photos turn out beautifully.
Time of Year Matters
It might seem obvious, but the time of year you choose for your wedding has a significant impact on your photos. Here’s how:
Spring: The light tends to be cooler and has a bluish hue. Remember that as spring progresses you’ll get longer and longer days.
Summer: Bright direct sunlight creates harsh shadows, and guests often wear sunglasses. This can be especially brutal around midday.
Autumn: Warm tones of red and orange dominate, creating a cozy romantic vibe. The days will get shorter and shorter as autumn progresses, and possibly cooler, too.
Winter: The sun sets as early as 4pm in the UK, which can limit natural light options. Depending on where yo are in the world, there’s also a chance of snow, which is lovely, but creates a very distinctive look for a wedding.
The seasonal landscape also affects ambiance. A grande tree in summer, full of lush green leaves might look start and bare in winter. Similarly a vineyard can appear birant and lush during peakc season but looks sparse after harvest.
To avoid surprises, if you can, visit your venue at the same time of year as you plan to get married, or ask the planner or venue staff. This gives you a clear picture of how it will look on your big day.
Bonus tip: The British weather is famously unpredictable, so always have a backup plan for rain. And for the planners out there, check out SunCalc. It’s a tool that shows where the sun will be on any given day, allowing you to plan your ceremony, and photos, around the best light.
2. Mixed Lighting Can Be Tricky
Imagine a cake placed next to a window. Natural daylight streaming is quite blue, while the tungsten lightbulbs indoors cast a yellow glow. The result? A mix of warm and cool lighting that can look a bit odd in photos.
While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s worth noting. Understanding how light affects your photos can help you plan your decor and layout — because knowledge is power, right?
In the case of your wedding venue, it may be worth checking if they have darker areas where use loads of artificial light during the daylight hours, too.
3. Beware of Coloured Light Bulbs
Many venues use coloured light bulbs to create ambiance, but these can wreak havoc on your photos. Standing under purple or pink lights might seem fun but it can make skin tones look unnatural
Here’s the issue: if your wedding photographer adjusts the purple lighting in post-production to make your skin look natural, it can throw off the rest of the image. For example, the background lighting — whether daylight or warm-toned bulbs — might turn green and look strange.
The fix? Stick to white lighting for key moments like the ceremony. You can always add coloured lights for the reception to amp up the party atmosphere. If your venue is resistant, politely ask for the coloured lights to be turned off during critical moments like the ceremony and speeches. Everybody wins!
Of course, if you are completely unbothered about colour realism in your photos and would prefer to have a bunch of different colourful lighting areas, that’s great too. There are plenty of films where a huge range of lighting is used and nobody ever thinks: “wow, his skin is a weird colour.”
4. DJ Lights Can Be a Blessing and a Curse
DJ lights are fantastic for getting the party started but can cause issues during your first dance. Laser lights, hearts, stars, and multicoloured dots might sound fun, but they’ll show up on your dress, face, and in every photo. This can make softer, more emotional first dance photos more challenging to capture.
Here’s a simple solution: Ask your DJ to stick to white lights for the first dance. Once that’s over, let the lasers, colours and effects run wild! It’s all about creating a balance between preserving those emotional moments and embracing the party vibes.
Or, if you’re into a psychedelic first dance situation, let’s do that - it’s your wedding after all!
Final Thoughts
A little planning and communication can go a long way in ensuring your wedding photos turn out as beautifully as you imagined. From understanding how seasons affect your venue to managing lighting during key moments, these tips will help you and your photographer effortlessly capture the magic of your day.
And remember, your photographer is there to help. Don’t hesitate to ask for their input on these details — their expertise can make all the difference.
