Long time no blog from me! I've been putting the finishing touches to my online workshop - The Business of Wedding Photography. Not 100% ready for launch as yet, but hopefully next week.

In the meantime I've been thinking about I would still go out and be able to carry out my photography. So, some thoughts on how I can go about shooting your wedding and how you can start to think about the logistics and planning. These are just my thoughts, so I'm open to input from other suppliers so please get in touch.

I'm being upfront and perhaps blunt and possibly scary. I think that's good though, at times and situations like this avoiding misunderstandings is paramount and a healthy amount of fear helps keep you focussed. I'll be going home to an 81-year mother in law who is staying with my wife and I for the duration. She's on more drugs than Pablo Escobar could sell due to a heart operation last year. Her safety, and that of my wife, are in my head.

My thoughts behind this are minimising and reducing the risk wherever I can whilst maintaining a safe working environment for me and those around me. The same things I think about when mountain climbing, hill walking, dog walking or driving a car.

"Where the Photographer feels something is unsafe they will inform the client of such and take reasonable actions/steps to ensure their safety and that of others. Where the photographer/s feel unsafe, personally uncomfortable or assess the risk to be unacceptable the photographer/s will inform the client and give reasonable time for the issues to be resolved.  If the issues are not resolved the photographer/s reserve the right to leave immediately without further notice."

Emotions

The elephant in the room, so let's get it out of the way. This is strange and different for all of us. So let's remember that things take longer to do. Washing hands with only one sink available for instance. Getting a bride into a dress will take longer. Hair, makeup will take longer. Helping children and elderly will take longer.

My main advice is to limit alcohol consumption.

Yes I know, sounds like a downer - but alcohol decreases the tolerance levels for the majority of people and hence more emotions come out. Alcohol will relax the brain into thinking you are safer than you are and thus the safety measures (handwashing, social distancing, masks etc) will start to be relaxed or forgotten. A glass or two is fine - but seriously limit it to that. It's not often that my weddings get boozy this early but it has been known.

When in the military we had a system known as Shark Watch. One member of the group was to stay sober and stay alert at all times, to look after the safety of the whole group. Back then it was getting shot, bombed or kidnapped. Now it's an invisible virus. I'd nominate this role to a member of the bridal party - COVID Watch?!

That paragraph above in italics is from my contract. If I don't feel safe due to alcohol intake and reducing/relaxing of safety measure because of that, I will let you know and if nothing changes I will walk off the job. Sorry to be so blunt, but my health is more important than a glass of prosecco.

Preparation

A big one this. Prep photos are normally done in crowded environments, lots of people milling around. Lots of people in close contact.

Hairdresser

I'd be thinking along the lines of the bride's hair only. Working around the safety issues (masks, distancing etc) will take longer so unless you want to start earlier this seems sensible. Or potentially two hairdressers in two separate rooms or one large room. Visors for hairdressers would be useful. Gloves are a must, changed for every client. Handwashing at the start (20 seconds!) and handwashing after every client. Sanitising gel on hand.

Makeup

Pretty much the same as brides, and definitely using masks and visors. MUA's have to get much closer face to face wise when applying makeup so a visor is an extra layer of protection. Gloves are a must, changed for every client. Handwashing at the start (20 seconds!) and handwashing after every client. Sanitising gel on hand.

Photography

Masks and visors for me. I've got a supply sorted in preparation for returning to work. Longer zoom lenses to maintain more distance and wider angle lenses to get group photos when I can't get too close. More documentary and candid - I personally think that if you need to wear masks etc then that should reflect your wedding photographs. The images are historical in this regard.

Want to take the masks off for small groups? Not an issue. I'll still be wearing mine and will stand further away so you don't present a risk for me. More outdoor photography perhaps, as outdoors is classed as a safer environment than indoors.

Hand-washing at the start (20 seconds!) and hand-washing throughout the preparations. Sanitising gel on hand along with hand cream - I hate rough hands!!!

Florists delivery

Social distancing when delivering the flowers. Viewing at a distance, placing down and walking away. Collection of flowers - wash hands (20 seconds!!0 before touching and move to a safer place. Leave the flowers in one place until required.

Holding bouquets

Wash hands first, pick up a bouquet and basically don't put it down for the duration. This is going to cause some logistical issues when bridesmaids are helping brides but sensible use of sanitising gel will help.

Gifts.

Got to be hand gel really!!! Give them out at the start of the preparations!

Transport

You may need to think more about transport than you have done. It may not be possible to the social distance in cars for instance for bridesmaids/ushers etc. I would normally volunteer to take up to 4 people - now it's 2 max and those will be wearing masks.

My advice would be bride & parents in one car with bridesmaids being collected by partners if they are available. It may mean less alcohol over the course of the day but in my head, that's a good thing. Handwashing before getting into the cars, masks on at all times.

Church / Registrar Office / Venue

Limit the numbers inside all of these venues. Sit family members together and keep chairs further apart. Masks should be worn in my opinion unless you are the couple, though that depends on the distance between vicar/registrars etc. That also depends on the distance available to keep families together and separate from other wedding guests. If you have lots of space then masks wouldn't be needed perhaps.

I suppose exact numbers will depend on what measures are in place when you get married, so stay flexible and let your guests know that some of them may not be able to attend. If they moan then to be honest why were they included in the first place?

What If...

What if the registras won't conduct your service, but your venue is still ok? Well, in that case I have a cunning plan...

Celebrants. Yes, celebrants. These amazing people do non-religious non-legal non-judgmental all you services. They are amazing at putting together something wonderful and special that is more YOU than a typical church or registrar service usually is. And guess what? I know a few, Create Ceremonies being one of the best I know.

The celebrant will conduct your service in the way you want (bearing in mind any Government guidelines). For the legal bit you nip down to the local registry office as soon as you can, a lunchtime perhaps, and do a quickie wedding. Takes 15 minutes, sometimes less.

Yeah it's a PITA having to do it this - but it means you still get to have your wedding party. In all honesty, I think this is the way forward for couples who don't want a religious service.

Best man / Ring Bearer and rings

Keep the rings in the ring boxes or in a soft bag. Use some hand gel just before putting the bag / box on you hand and extend you arm fully towards each couple in turn, who will take the bag/box from you. Hand gel afterwards.

Live Streaming

Yes, that's correct. I've invested in the kit to be able to live stream your wedding over YouTube A wireless internet connection is required (I'm doing some testing with using 4G) but it's an option that I will do if we can. No extra charges for this, though I can't guarantee it will work 100% for every wedding. Lot's of factors involved but if it's possible to do it we'll do it.

Main Photography

My initial advice is to think about your guest's list, as I already alluded to earlier. Then think about family units who you would like photographs of. I can 'probably' do some Photoshop magic to bring different groups together providing the background is the same. I say 'probably' because each venue will be different. It's not going to the same cwtched up groups we used to have.

Example

Social distancing of couples / family groups. I take a photo of each group separately...

And then using some Photoshop magic I combine them...

Being able to do this depends on the background, the space etc. It is possible that I wont be able to do this, but it's an option. It also depends on the weather - it's safer outside than inside. If the weather is bad enough to force us all inside then I'm afraid it's small family groups only.

Wedding Breakfast / reception

Much of this will be down to venues, however my thoughts would be...

1. Each family group on their own table. Your numbers may have to be reduced depending on the venue size.
2. Meals will be delivered, as usual, to tables. Staff will be wearing masks.
3. Drinks orders will be taken at each table. Please asks you, guests, to be patient as this will take longer. Also let your guests know that alcohol intake may be limited by the venue, for the same reasons I've mentioned above. I'm usually very liberal about guests consuming their own alcohol (i..e not bought at the venue) - I won't be and I will report any abuses I see. You may wish to remind them about that paragraph in italics at the top.
4. Toilet facilities will be different, again due to social distancing so again, let your guests know to be a little more patient.

Top Table

I'd be thinking about a "Sweetheart" set up with the couple (+ any children) on one table, with other bridal party family groups at others close by.

Wandering around during the wedding breakfast

I'd advise your guests not to. By all means talk to the tables around them, but stay at the table they have been assigned unless they need toilet facilities

Hotels have a duty of care towards their staff as well as guests. They will be following the usual HSE guidelines as well as any government (whichever government that is - Welsh, Irish, Scottish or Westminster) guidelines. I can pretty much guarantee that any hotel management will be very strict on this aspect to avoid legal issues if things go wrong. I can also envisage a situation where hotel management would cancel the event if the advice wasn't adhered to.

Speeches

I'll be doing my usual stuff with long zoom lenses so all is the same there for me. I'll be wearing a mask as I usually wander around a bit to get better angles. I may have to do more of this as the people delivering the speeches will most likely not be at the top table as we know it.

First Dance / Disco

Obviously fine for the couples first dance. I'd advise that people ensure social distancing around the dance floor if possible. If that isn't possible as whole family groups my (facetious) advice would be for the ladies to gather around the dance floor! Masks on if required.

General Thoughts

Doorways & other choke points. These are going to be an issue, it's a blockage area. Again, ask your guests to be considerate of your suppliers. They are usually moving to get from one area to another for a specific reason - probably to do something for you as a couple. Be it cakes, photos, flowers, DJ etc. That consideration goes a long way to mitigating time delays.

Guest photography. I love guests taking photos alongside me; however, they will have to be careful of the social distancing and be wearing masks. If I ask them to move I'll do it nicely. Once. Remember it's about ALL of our safety.

Communication. It's not easy communicating via a mask. Luckily, I have a powerful voice! Seriously though we need to have patience and understand when talking to each other using masks especially the N95 / FFP2 types.

Pets. Dogs do not social distance.

Spatial Awareness. When I'm using zoom lenses people will inadvertently step in front of me or into my shot. We all need to be more aware of what is going on around us and use clear communication at all times.

In Summary

I've got this. If you want me to be there I will. I have masks, visors etc to protect myself. I have hand gel etc. More importantly I have common sense in droves and a background in being careful around invisible 'enemies" such as nuclear, biological & chemical stuff from the military (I was an instructor to train other soldiers on this.)

Yes, it is scary, but it can be done and we can get amazing wedding photographs from it as well. It just takes longer and more thought and planning - and you know me, I have a plan for everything!

If this is the short - medium future then we take control of what we can, and we can control a lot. We shape it, we mould it and we make it work for us. We stay in control and do not let this control us.

Drop me a line if you want to chat more details, I'm there for you.

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