Do We Really Need To Leave Our Wedding Guests For Photos?
One of the biggest worries couples have before a wedding is this:
“Are we going to disappear from our own wedding for hours taking photographs?”
And honestly?
For some photographers that probably is true.
Some photographers love travelling to epic locations.
Some photographers love long portrait sessions.
And look, I completely understand why.
Ireland is stunning.
We have:
- mountains
- lakes
- forests
- cliffs
- winding roads
- rugged coastlines
You could honestly pull in almost anywhere in Cork or Kerry and suddenly it feels cinematic.
So of course photographers want to use that scenery.
But Your Wedding Day Still Belongs To You
I think that part is important.
Your wedding day belongs to you.
Not the photographer.
If you want to climb mountains for sunset photos then brilliant, let’s go on an adventure.
But if your biggest fear is missing the party?
Then honestly, we only need minutes.
That is how I photograph weddings anyway.
Sometimes The Photos Are Actually A Breather
Funny enough, most couples actually relax once we slip away for a few minutes.
It is the first chance all day to breathe properly.
To actually look at one another.
To take in:
- the dress
- the suit
- the flowers
- the fact you are finally married
The wedding day moves so fast that these few quiet minutes together can actually become one of the calmest parts of the whole day.
We Usually Stop For A Few Minutes Only
If there is a beautiful location between the church and venue, brilliant.
We stop for a few minutes on the way.
Twenty minutes is honestly more than enough for me most of the time.
If the bridal party can join us, great.
If not?
Just the bride and groom is perfect too.
And if everything is happening at the hotel?
Even easier.
There is nearly always:
a quiet corner
nice light
a garden
trees
a dramatic staircase
somewhere calm away from the madness
We really do not need hours.
Family Photos Should Not Take Forever
Usually after the ceremony, before everybody attacks the bar, we quickly run through family photographs.
Honestly?
Ten minutes usually does it.
Then maybe another ten minutes with:
- bride and groom
- bridal party
- a few relaxed portraits
And there you go.
Twenty minutes.
That is usually all we need.
The Craic Is Happening Back Inside
And honestly?
That is part of the reason I never want couples away too long.
Because the craic is happening back inside.
For the bride it is usually her friends dragging her away telling her how beautiful she looks.
For the lads?
It is usually more:
“Era ya scrub up well ya bollix.”
That is Irish weddings.
That is the atmosphere.
People hugging.
Laughing.
Talking shite.
Telling stories.
Roaring laughing at old memories.
That is the life of the wedding day.
Little Moments Always Win
Of course couples want beautiful portraits too.
They want:
- images for the walls
- photographs their parents proudly show friends
- pictures where they look incredible together
And rightly so.
But honestly?
The little moments always win in the end.
The candid moments.
The laughter.
The madness.
The hugs.
The grandparents smiling quietly in the corner.
The people who may not even be with us years later.
That is why throughout every wedding I try my best to photograph everybody at least once.
Because photographs become keepsakes far quicker than people realise.
You Cannot Control Everything
If you are reading this article at one in the morning stressing about timelines…
Go to bed lol.
No honestly.
Do not try to control every tiny thing that might happen during your wedding day because it is impossible.
There are simply too many moving parts.
I have honestly never seen a complete disaster of a wedding day.
These things always work themselves out.
At the end of it all couples are usually left wondering:
“Why was I stressing so much?”
The important thing is:
- be present
- relax
- trust your photographer
- enjoy your people
- enjoy your day
Because at the end of it all, those are the parts you actually want to remember.
You Control The Day
I think couples sometimes forget this part.
You tell us how your wedding day goes.
Not the other way around.
If you want:
- epic scenery
- sunset adventures
- dramatic portraits
Amazing.
If you want:
- fully candid coverage
- quick portraits
- to stay with your guests all day
That works too.
We work around you.
And honestly?
The best weddings are usually the ones where everybody relaxes and simply enjoys the day exactly as it unfolds.
If you are looking for a relaxed Cork wedding photographer who focuses on natural moments, candid storytelling and keeping you connected to your wedding day instead of dragging you away from it for hours, you can explore more of my work below.
