Planning for Epic Evening Portraits on Your Wedding Day by Bradley Henderson

I think it’s safe to say we’re best known for our dramatic portraiture. It’s what gets the most attention on social media, and probably what grabbed your attention and led you to this article.

Interestingly, the majority of our enquiries mention how much they love the natural, bright aesthetic in our work. But it’s definitely the darker, moodier, almost Vanity Fair-style portraits that turn heads the most. And when we deliver workshops or one on one training, that’s the thing other photographers want to know about - how do we make those portraits happen?

So, how does that work on an actual wedding day?

Well, the honest answer is - it doesn’t, not on a typical wedding day schedule. These kinds of portraits don’t just “happen” in between speeches and dances. If you want something special like this, something wall worthy, cinematic and timeless, like so many of our past couples have chosen, it needs to be planned in advance. We simply need to set aside the time to make it happen properly.

Of course, we don’t shoot dramatic evening portraits at every wedding. For some couples, it’s just not their thing and that’s absolutely fine. Some people don’t love the idea of posing. Others want to keep things purely documentary. If I had to guess, I’d say around 40–50% of our wedding clients don’t opt for the big, dramatic evening shot.

And to those who say they’re not comfortable posing, let me tell you something interesting. Almost every couple you’ve seen in those glamorous, cinematic portraits we’ve shared said something similar to me before their wedding. “Bradley, we’re not big posers,” or “We’re a bit awkward in front of the camera.” Totally normal. The good news? Around 80-90% of the photos we take on the day are relaxed and natural, and don’t involve a whole pile of hands on hips!

But here’s the thing: after 8–10 hours together on your wedding day, we build a relationship. There’s trust. Couples come to realise that I’m not on a mission to make them look or feel silly. Quite the opposite, we’re creating something beautiful together. And most people end up really enjoying this part of the day.

So how do we make it happen?

If a dramatic evening portrait is something you’re excited about, just let us know in advance. Let us know how much you want to lean into it. Are there specific details or people you want involved? A classic family car? A second dress for the evening? The full bridal party? The lads smoking cigars outside? Whatever it is, if it means something to you, we can absolutely work it in.

What’s most important is that we set aside dedicated time for it in the timeline rather than scrambling up and down staircases with light stands and trying to pull off something special in 90 seconds before your first dance. Typically, we plan these portraits after dinner but before the dancing kicks off because let’s face it, once the music starts, people get a little sticky and sweaty… and that’s not quite the look we’re after for your Vogue moment.

As always, if you want to chat through your options or ask questions, give us a shout. We’re always happy to help you plan something unforgettable.

If you have already viewed our Wedding Brochure and would like to check availability for Bradley to photograph your Wedding, please complete the below form. Thanks.

The Perfect Start: David and Toireasa’s Pizza Party at Borgo Consignano, Tuscany 🍕 by Bradley Henderson

Kicking off their wedding celebrations in true Italian style, David and Toireasa welcomed their guests with a fabulous pizza party at the stunning Borgo Consignano! 🍕🇮🇹

As friends and family arrived from all corners of the globe, the excitement was palpable. After a day of travel, many took advantage of the warm, 35 degree sunshine with a refreshing dip in the pool, setting the scene for what was to be a spectacular weekend.

The pizza party, planned to perfection by the talented Simona and catered by the incredible team at Terretruche, was the perfect start to this Tuscan celebration. Guests were greeted with beautifully set tables, refreshing cocktails and an inviting atmosphere that encapsulated the essence of the Italian countryside. We arrived just as the final touches were being made, allowing us to capture the stunning setup before everyone took their seats.

The aroma of freshly baked pizza filled the air as guests mingled and shared stories. David took the opportunity to welcome everyone with a heartfelt speech, expressing his and Toireasa’s joy at having all their loved ones together in such a magical place. He gave a little insight into the plans for the big day ahead before everyone settled down to enjoy a delicious Italian feast, filled with laughter, love and of course plenty of pizza!

The evening wrapped up relatively early in anticipation of the wedding day, but word has it that some guests continued the celebrations into the early hours – nothing a good Bloody Mary couldn’t sort out the next morning! 🍹

It was a truly unforgettable night, full of warmth, laughter and the promise of even more wonderful memories to be made. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll be sharing all the details of David and Toireasa’s breathtaking wedding day. Spoiler alert: it exceeded everyone’s expectations! 🤍🫶

Pizza Party Vendors:

The Ultimate Bridal Makeup Preparation Guide: Top Tips from Rachael Donnelly MakeUp Artist by Bradley Henderson

When it comes to your wedding day, every detail matters, especially your makeup.

To ensure everything goes smoothly, it's crucial to be well prepared. I’ve teamed up with Rachael Donnelly (pictured left), a renowned makeup artist based in Co. Tyrone, to bring you some essential tips that will help you get the most out of your bridal makeup experience.

Whether you're a bride, bridesmaid or mother of the bride, these insights will make sure you’re looking your best on the big day.

1. Set Up the Perfect Makeup Space 💡

Your makeup artist needs a spacious area with plenty of natural light, table space for their kit and a nearby plug for their ring light. A well-lit, organised space is the first step to flawless makeup application.

2. Timing is Everything ⏰

When it comes to scheduling makeup, avoid having the bride go first or last. Rachael suggests starting with a bridesmaid and leaving the mother of the bride towards the end, especially if she prefers a more natural look. Also, ensure that your bridal party is up and ready to go as soon as your makeup artist and hairdresser arrive. Delays can snowball, pushing the entire morning off schedule.

✨ Pro Tip: Aim to have hair and makeup completed at least 90 minutes before the ceremony. This gives you ample time for photos, touch-ups and getting dressed without feeling rushed!

3. Skin Prep Do’s and Don’ts ✅❌

The morning of the wedding, your bridal party should cleanse their skin and apply moisturiser as usual. However, avoid using oils or SPF, as they can cause unwanted shine in photos. Similarly, steer clear of face masks or patches on the day, as they can leave residue on the skin.

✨ Advanced Preparation: Don’t drastically change your skincare routine right before the wedding. Any new treatments or products should be introduced at least a year in advance, ideally with advice from a skincare specialist. If you’re waxing, do so about a week before the wedding to avoid any irritation or stray hairs.

4. Stay Hydrated 💧

In the lead-up to your wedding, drink plenty of water. Hydration makes a noticeable difference in your skin’s appearance, giving you a natural, healthy glow.

5. Prepare for Any Skin Emergencies 🆘

Stress can cause cold sores, which are the last thing you want on your wedding day. If you’re prone to them, ask your doctor about taking a course of antiviral tablets leading up to the wedding. This can help keep them at bay.

6. Lipstick Touch-Ups 💄

Provide your bridesmaids with the lipstick you’ll be using on the day so they can top up as needed. Make sure they give it to the makeup artist in the morning to ensure a perfect match.

7. Relax and Enjoy the Morning 😌

Once all the preparations are in place, hand over control to your getting ready team. Trust them to handle the details, so you can sit back, relax and savour the excitement of your special day.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and looking your best is crucial. By following these tips from Rachael Donnelly, you can ensure that your makeup is flawless and that your morning preparation runs smoothly. Remember, the key to a stress free wedding day is preparation, so start planning early and on the day itself, take a deep breath and enjoy every moment.

Maximising Time on Your Wedding Day: A Photographer's Perspective by Bradley Henderson

Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime event, and while it's tempting to take a laid back approach, managing your time effectively is key to ensuring everything runs smoothly. From my experience as a wedding photographer, I've noticed that losing time in the morning or during key moments can be difficult to recover later in the day. As your schedule progresses, it becomes increasingly hard to compromise on those special moments you’ve carefully planned.

Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your time on your big day, using the example of a traditional church wedding where the bride and groom are getting ready separately and there’s travel involved to the ceremony and reception.

1. Start Your Day with a Plan

The time you lose at the start of your day is almost impossible to get back, so it’s important to keep control of your schedule. While it’s great to enjoy a relaxed morning with your bridal party, ensure you’re mindful of the time. Having a clear plan for what you want to do and when you want to do it can make all the difference.

Here’s a common scenario where time can slip away: vendors arriving in the morning. It’s become increasingly common for wedding suppliers to capture behind-the-scenes moments for their social media, which is important for their business. However, this shouldn’t come at the expense of your schedule. For example, if you’re about to leave for the ceremony and your makeup artist or hairstylist wants to gather everyone for a quick photo or video, it can delay your departure and throw off your entire timeline. As much as I love working with beauty teams, it’s crucial that these moments don’t interfere with your plans.

2. Utilise Your Bridal Party

Your bridal party is there to support you, so don’t hesitate to use them effectively. If you plan to get dressed at 10am, ensure your bridesmaids are ready 10 minutes earlier so they can assist you without any last minute rush. This will help prevent a chaotic scramble, keeping everything on track.

Throughout the day, assign small tasks to your bridal party. Whether it’s coordinating with musicians or handling last minute details at the venue, this is your day and you shouldn’t have to worry about these things. One of my favourite uses for the bridal party is to gather family members for group photos while we’re taking portraits. This way, everyone is ready when we return, allowing us to move quickly and get you to your drinks reception on time.

 

3. Rethinking the Receiving Line

The receiving line is a time honoured tradition, but it can be time consuming. While it’s a wonderful opportunity to greet each guest personally, it can also be a bit overwhelming and a potential time sink. If you’re concerned about makeup transfer or just want to move things along, here are a couple of tips:

💐 Hold onto your bouquet tightly to create a natural barrier, keeping guests at a comfortable distance, and avoids getting makeup stains on your wedding gown.

😉 If you’re ready to wrap things up, give your photographer a nod, and we’ll help usher you to the next part of your day.

In some cases, couples choose to skip the receiving line altogether, knowing they’ll have plenty of time to catch up with guests later on. This can save you up to 45 minutes, which can be a game changer if you’re running behind or if sunlight is limited in those winter months when sunset is early.

 

4. Cut the Cake Early

Traditionally, the cake cutting happens later in the evening, but I’ve seen couples flip this tradition on its head by doing it as soon as they enter the room after dinner. This avoids the common issue of key people like parents or the best man stepping out for a chat or a smoke, causing unnecessary delays. Cutting the cake early means you can keep the momentum going, get the photos done, and have the cake served without interrupting the flow of the evening.

5. Make the Schedule Work for You

Ultimately, your wedding day should be tailored to your preferences. Some couples love capturing those social media moments with their beauty team, others want to savour every minute of the drinks reception, and some prefer the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. It’s all about finding what works best for you. We provide our couples with a personalised (realistic) wedding day timeline to share with their bridal party. This is agreed in advance and helps keep everyone on track on the big day, so it’s good to chat this through with your vendors in advance so everyone is on the same page. The suggestions above are based on what I’ve seen work well, but it’s your day, and you should do what feels right for you.

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Adventures at the beach, a pint of the black stuff…fast forward a year and we see the wonderful Harvey’s Point as the chosen wedding venue for Shannon and Suzanne. We pit stopped at the Bluestack Mountains enroute for some epic portraits.

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