Planning a wedding in London? From iconic city landmarks to hidden gems, your day deserves to be captured authentically — not condensed down into a selection of posed or staged photos. As a documentary wedding photographer, I’ve spent years capturing real, unscripted moments across the city — and I’ve learned what makes the difference between 'nice photos' and genuine, authentic storytelling.
Here are my top 10 wedding photography tips every London couple should know, to help you feel comfortable, stay present, and get timeless, beautiful photos — without turning your day into a photoshoot (and yes, that is possible!).
1. Choose a Photographer Who Matches Your Energy
This is a big one. You’re not just hiring a lens — you’re choosing someone who will be with you all day. Yes, you need to love someone's photos and be able to visualise yourself in the kind of photos they make. Ideally you'll have an idea of how they make their photos, so you know what to expect on the day. But, the biggest thing, is having someone with you on the day who you actually want to spend the day with! Do they match your energy? Do they make you feel even more excited about the day? Do they fit your vision for the day? Do they put you at ease? If the answer to those is yes, you're onto a winner!
📌 Tip: Meet for coffee or Zoom beforehand. Look for someone who blends in and makes you feel at ease. And read their testimonials. Do they sound like they're describing the kind of person you want to work with?
2. Skip the Shot List (Except for Family!)
As a documentary photographer, I capture what’s really happening — not a Pinterest checklist. Really think about the photos you want and ask yourself; "Do I actually want this photo, or is it just one I'm 'supposed to have'?" - for example, your dress hanging up somewhere. It's on the traditional list, but honestly, it's pointless! Your dress was made to look good on you, not on a hanger! and if someone asks you what your dress was like, you won't show them a photo of it hanging up on a bookcase, you'll show them a photo of you looking epic in it! Right?
📌 Tip: Share only must-have group shots. Let the rest unfold naturally.
3. Plan Time for Moments, Not Just Photos
When you're putting together the schedule for the day, it's so easy to cram it full of stuff because you 'don't want people to get bored'. These are your closest people, spending their day celebrating you, they're not going to get bored! Instead of filling every 15-minute block of time with 'stuff', plan some big windows of time to just go and hang out with everyone and relax.
Those natural, authentic moments don't happen if you're always rushing around and onto the next thing. If you've got time to chill out with everyone and have some proper, meaningful time with them, those moments will just happen, and your experience of your day will be so much richer than it would be if you spend 20 mins away doing your champagne tower.
“Honestly Matt, choosing you to document our day was hands-down the best decision we made! Your energy was everything we didn't know we needed! THANK YOU!!"
Sara & Alex
4. Trust Your Photographer
This is probably the biggest one of the lot! Having your photo taken is a big deal and a really personal thing, and 99% of us fall into the bracket of "I hate having my photo taken". So if this is you, you're not alone. Finding someone you have a connection with is so vital to achieve the best photos on the day, because you'll get the best out of each other. But trusting the person with the cameras is so important. They've got you!
📌 Tip: Remember, you booked your photographer for a reason. Stay true to that, and trust that person to create magic for you.
5. Consider 'Style' Carefully - It Makes A Difference
If you're shopping for a wedding photographer, you'll no doubt be being bombarded with buzz words like "Editorial", "Documentary", "Fine Art" or "Traditional" to describe people's wedding photography style. But here's the thing; style has a massive bearing on your experience of the day. Editorial and traditional photographer may well have you away from the party for some time making lots of curated (posed) photos, which I'm sure will look beautiful, but are they so beautiful they're worth being away from the party for?
Documentary photographers (like me) fit those photos into a schedule that prioritises you having maximum time with everyone else you've asked to be there, because we know, that's where the real gold is!
📌 Tip: When you're talking with your favourite photographers, ask them how they plan the day. This will give you an idea of how much time you'll be away.
6. Embrace The Weather, No Matter What
Yeah, I get it, rain on your wedding day can be a pain. But, regardless of that, you only get this day once, so don't let a bit of rain get in the way of a damn good time! Lean into whatever you get, plan for good and bad weather, and remember, everyone there with you will hug you just as hard whether it's sunny or not!
7. Appoint a Group Shot Wrangler
This will save you SO MUCH time when it comes to the group photos. If you have siblings, they're perfect for this, but anyone who knows your friends and families well will work. Ultimately, if you're the ones going into the crowd to find people for photos, you're gone and you're not coming back! Leave your designated people and your photographer to get all the key people together while you carry on having fun.
8. Get Ready Together (If It Feels Right)
One of my strongest memories from our wedding was how odd it felt to be sleeping apart the night before and getting ready separately the morning of. We'd have been so much more comfortable, less nervous and definitely would have slept more if we'd stayed together the night before. Couples getting ready in the same space can create some of the most intimate and relaxed images of the day. If you're open to ditching tradition, consider it—it’s beautifully real.
9. Stay Present — That’s Where the Magic Is
This is a pretty simple one really. The best moments happen when you’re fully in them, not thinking about the camera or mentally ticking things off your timeline. Remember, this isn't just about having some awesome photos to share on the gram. Your wedding day is one of the best experiences you'll have, especially if you can stay present and be in the moment.
📌 Tip: Breathe. Laugh. Hug your Mum. I’ll take care of the storytelling.
10. Trust the Process, and Let Go
Yes, I know it's another one about trust, but it really is that important! Because you've done all the organising, decision-making and inviting, it's SO easy to go onto 'host mode' on your wedding day. DON'T! You're not hosting everyone. The venue, caterers and all your other suppliers are hosting them. You guys are the guests of honour. Trust the team around you to deliver. You just go, be present, and soak it all in. We've got you :-)
