No thanks to COVID and the associated restrictions we have been living with for the past year, wedding planning has become more than a little a chaotic. In normal circumstances it’s common for couples to book their wedding photography months, even years, in advance of their big day. Many are still planning in this way. However, because the plans of so many have been disrupted, short notice, last minute, wedding photography bookings have become normality too.
Last minute wedding photography bookings have also come hand in hand with a trend for much smaller celebrations. As restrictions have limited the number of guests permitted to attend weddings, more and more couples have chosen to embrace a micro wedding.
Without the distractions of a bigger event, micro-wedding couples truly have eyes for each other as they make their vows! These more intimate celebration have been a revelation and a privilege to witness. The St Albans register office is a lovely local venue for an intimate service.
Beautiful bridal prep at St Michael’s Manor. Big wedding or micro wedding, the morning is always bursting with happiness, excitement and anticipation!
Learn more about the Pike Photography micro wedding package.
With these smaller weddings on the rise, and couples waiting for suitable windows in restrictions, last minute bookings have become more frequent than ever before. Smaller weddings, even the tiniest of micro weddings, are no less special than a huge no holds barred wedding day (read about why I think micro weddings are amazing).
When you strip away the many facets and complications of a big event you are left with a besotted bride and groom and a very small VIP selection of their closest loved ones and dearest friends. The photos that have resulted from these weddings say it all. There is no stress, no distraction, just true love and happiness beaming from every image.
And, to that end, couples absolutely deserve beautiful wedding photos to remember their special day by. In fact, the photos have become more important than ever during this time, since not all friends and family are able to be there on the big day.
Booking a last minute micro-wedding wedding doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your wedding photos. A wedding photo-shoot after you’ve said “I do” enhances the sense of occasion. St Albans has a wealth of beautiful outdoor spaces perfect for beautiful wedding photo-shoots.
It is still just as important to book wedding suppliers who will make your day every bit as special as it should be. The wedding photographer is no exception from this. So, despite the shortened lead time for a last minute wedding, it is still important to find the right person to be there with you on your day. At the very least, have a good chat on the phone or meet virtually using Zoom.
Sopwell House, an elegant and photogenic St Albans wedding venue and a Pike Photography favourite!
It won’t always be possible at short notice, but if you can squeeze it in, why not add on a pre-wedding photo-shoot? This is a great chance to meet the photographer, take some nice photos in a relaxed setting, and to talk face to face about your upcoming wedding day.
There won’t always be time for short notice bookings, but wherever possible, a pre-wedding photoshoot is a great chance to have a practice, celebrate your upcoming wedding and to meet your photographer.
Top tips for making a last minute wedding photography booking:
Get in touch as soon as you can. Because of the backlog of COVID postponed weddings, supplier availability is going to be more limited. I recommend getting in touch even if if your date isn’t set in stone yet.
Look at a full wedding day gallery. Before you book any photographer be sure that you have seen what a full wedding day gallery looks like, not just the edited highlights. You should be confident in how they will record your story and understand what type of coverage you can expect.
Meet the photographer. Okay, you might not be able to meet over coffee owing to time limitations or COVID restrictions, but at the very least have a good chat about your wedding on Zoom or FaceTime.
Find out how your wedding photos will be delivered. Particularly if you choose, or are restricted to having a smaller wedding, there are likely to be loved ones unable to attend eager to see your day. I curate a private online wedding photo gallery for every couple. This is the perfect means by which to share your wedding day with friends and family further afield.
If the lead time is particularly short consider using paperless invites, it will be quicker and guests can RSVP immediately online.
Go big! With restrictions set to lift later in the summer, big weddings will be back on the cards before we know it. If you are organised there is noting to stop you from planning a big wedding at short notice. If you aren’t so organised, hire a wedding planner to do it for you. Trust me, they will be worth their weight in gold.
With COVID restrictions set to lift later this summer, big wedding days could be back on the cards before we know it. If you are organised there is no reason why you can’t plan your dream last minute wedding day. Otherwise, hire a wedding planner to help. They can be worth their weight in gold!
Big wedding days may feel like a distant memory, but with restrictions set to lift in the near future, they could be coming back soon.
Planning a last minute wedding is inevitably going to result in a whirlwind rush of activity. Don’t forget that this day is about you and your partner, don’t try to please everybody and enjoy the ride together! Getting married at short notice usually results in a more romantic and intimate wedding day. In my experience the pictures are always testament to this. Go for it and enjoy every minute!
