Aerial view of a large, elegant stone mansion in Yorkshire, surrounded by lush greenery. Known among top wedding venues, the building features symmetrical architecture and a pathway leading to the entrance. A cloudy sky looms in the background, adding to the dramatic atmosphere.

My  style is natural, relaxed, documentry photography.  I know when to capture those special moments and also when to capture those candid moments which truly reflect your day

BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

As you plan your wedding I am always available for questions and any help you need.  Some couple will ask me things and ask me to make recommendations.  You might also have booked or be looking at a couple shoot.  These give us an opportunity to get to know each other chat about your wedding day and get some amazing images of you both.

As the big day arrives I will send you over a questionnaire asking all the important information about your wedding day.  Timings, group shots etc, we can than have a Zoom chat and go talk about your wedding day plans.

Four weeks before your wedding your balance is due, which can be paid by via bank transfer. Don’t panic I will send you over a reminder, with exactly how much to pay and how to pay. 

Woman having makeup applied with brush.

PRE-CEREMONY WEDDING PHOTOS

The getting ready part of a wedding day I absolutely love.  This part of the day is always filled with emotion and excitement for the day ahead.  Its the start of your wedding day and the first page not only of your wedding album but of a new chapter in your life.  This is it your big day is finally here!  Enjoy it, soak it up.

Where do I start with photographing it all?

My biggest piece of advice here is timing.  Getting ready can very easily run over.  I normally recommend about 2 hours of preparation photography.  This means things are not rushed and I can capture everything you would like but also keep things relaxed and not rushed.  When I arrive I normally start with the details, things like the wedding dress and shoes.  If you are getting ready at the venue this means I can also get some pictures of the venue and the ceremony room all set up and ready for you.

In terms of times for you, I recommend being dress and ready about half an hour before I need to leave for the ceremony.  I normally aim to be at the ceremony venue about 45 minutes before start time.  This means if its a 30-minute drive to the church I would aim to leave 1 hour and 15 minutes before the ceremony start time.  Pictures of you in your dress before the ceremony are important.  If you would like photos once dressed, reaction pictures etc you will need to allow for this in your timings.   You would be surprised how little things like having to pack a bag for the day, waiting for others to get dressed, a quick touch up, lacing a dress, attaching buttonholes or tying a bowtie can snowball.

Getting ready in a hotel can be a lot of fun, I always advise making sure that there is enough space for everyone to fit.  By the time makeup artists, hairdressers and then, of course, your photographer has arrived it can be a bit of a squeeze.  I am a big lover of natural light if you can try and get a room with good natural light, amazing.  Natural light is also perfect for makeup as well as photography, so a big win win.

Getting ready at home, amazing.  Its always so nice to capture people getting ready for their big day in their own home, in their space, surrounded by their personal things such as photos hanging on the wall.  It almost ads more to the pictures as you will be able to look back at your wedding pictures and remember how your house was.

Wedding invitations with shoes and roses.

GROOM PREPARATION

I usually find it works best to do these photos at the venue. Depending on where your partner is getting ready, we can plan the most convenient spot. I often suggest the groom and groomsmen arrive without ties or waistcoats on, so we can capture those final touches as part of the groom prep shots. It’s all kept very relaxed, and the aim is to get some great images that help tell the story of how your wedding day began.

It’s also a nice opportunity to get a few portraits of the groom and groomsmen before the ceremony starts and the guests arrive. If you’d like full coverage of both sides of the morning, a second photographer can be a great option. This means one of us can stay with the groom and guests as they start to arrive, while the other is with the bridal party. A second photographer is available with certain Wedding Day Packages.

Man in suit, contemplative, lamp in background

THE CEREMONY

I like to arrive at your ceremony location around 45 minutes before the start time. This gives me plenty of time to speak with the person conducting your ceremony, find the best spots for photographs, and capture a few moments of your guests as they arrive.

During the ceremony itself, I tend to shoot from the front. It really is the best seat in the house, and I can do so without drawing any attention to myself. I might move occasionally to get a better angle for certain moments, like during readings, but I’ll always keep things discreet so you can stay fully in the moment.

One thing worth mentioning is that some officiants can be quite strict about photography. On rare occasions, I’ve even been told it isn’t allowed at all, meaning I’ve had to wait outside until the ceremony was over. While my preference is to work from the front, I can still capture beautiful, meaningful images from other positions if restrictions are in place. It’s always worth checking the rules ahead of your big day so there are no surprises.

Groom waiting at the altar, guests seated.
A bride and groom stand at the altar in a large, ornate church with arched ceilings and stained glass windows. Guests fill the pews, seated on either side, witnessing Georgia & Luke's wedding, a beautiful prelude to their Wentbridge House celebration.

GROUP FORMAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Let’s talk about group formal photographs. I honestly think they’re such an important part of your wedding day. How often do you have so many friends and family in one place, all looking their absolute best? It’s a rare opportunity, so I always recommend making the most of it with a set of stunning group shots. My goal is to keep the whole process as relaxed and stress-free as possible. I’ve got a few little tricks to make sure we get the images you want, without it taking over your day.

A few tips for group formals:

  • Aim for 8–10 groups. This usually gives us a nice mix of combinations — close family, extended family, the wedding party, and of course a big group photo of everyone. As a guide, each group photo takes around 4 minutes, so it’s worth allowing the right amount of time in your day’s schedule.
  • Let me find the spot. The weather can make a big difference to where we shoot. If it’s raining, we might need to head indoors. If it’s bright and sunny, I’ll look for a shaded area — no one wants to be squinting into the light.
  • Nominate two photo helpers. This is more important than it sounds. Pick people who know both sides of the family, give them the list, and while we’re taking one photo they can be gathering the next group so everything flows smoothly.
  • Relaxed moments are gold. I’ll get the formal shot with everyone looking at the camera, but often it’s the moments just before or after — the chatting, the laughter — that create some of my favourite images.
  • Work big to small. I usually start with the largest group and work down to the smallest, but we can change this if needed. For example, if you’d like to prioritise older relatives, that’s absolutely fine.
  • Enjoy it. It’s your day, and I’ll make sure the group photos feel like part of the fun rather than a chore.
Bride with bridesmaids holding sunflower bouquets.
Group celebration at rustic wedding venue
Outdoor wedding party with green dresses and suits.

COUPLE WEDDING PICTURE 

I really love this part of the day. For me, it’s a chance to get creative and capture some beautiful images of you both that you’ll look back on for years to come. I know it’s your wedding day, and you’ve got all your favourite people there — so I won’t keep you away from them for long. Usually, 20–30 minutes is plenty.

Afterwards, a lot of couples tell me they really enjoyed this time together. It’s often the first chance they’ve had to step away from the busyness, breathe, and actually chat to each other. I usually plan your couple portraits after the formal group shots, but the weather sometimes has its own ideas. If it’s raining, we might use your venue’s interior or grab a couple of umbrellas and head outside. If it’s been wet all day and we get a dry patch, I might ask if you’d like to nip out for a few minutes to take advantage. The same goes for the heat — if it’s a blazing summer day, we might wait until it’s cooled down a little for softer light and a more comfortable session. I’ll always look for the best moment in your schedule to get the most flattering images.

We might also split your portraits into shorter sessions. For example, if there’s an incredible sunset or something unexpected happens that would make for amazing photos, we can be spontaneous and grab a few extra shots.

My couple sessions are always relaxed and fun. A short wander around your venue can lead to some great opportunities. We’ll stop at a few spots for portraits, and while I’ll offer a little light posing to get the best results, my favourite images are often the ones where you’re just being yourselves — laughing, smiling, and forgetting I’m even there.

Couple under white umbrella at night with lights.
Bride and groom walking in garden, holding hands
A groom in a brown suit gently kisses the bride, who is wearing an off-shoulder white wedding dress. They are embracing against a green, wooded backdrop at Whitley Hall Hotel. Text reads "Dave Waller Photography" in the bottom right corner.

CANDID IMAGES 

So far I’ve talked quite a bit about the more formal and posed images, but I absolutely love candid photographs. For me, they’re the glue that holds the whole wedding story together. It’s those little moments — the girls getting ready, laughing and joking; your great aunt quietly wiping away a tear during the ceremony; the groom’s expression as the best man tells a story that has everyone in stitches.

Formal shots have their place, of course, but there’s something extra special about capturing the people who mean the most to you in the moment, just as it happens. If I had to guess, I’d say around 80% of the images I take on a wedding day are completely unposed. I love blending in, getting close to the action, and catching those big moments as well as the tiny ones you might have missed.

People dancing and laughing at a lively party.
Smiling woman speaking at a wedding event.
Woman laughing joyfully at a dinner table.

TWILIGHT IMAGES

Twilight images are an amazing way to end the night with some amazing images.  These images do take a little bit more time to set up, you might see me disappear to set everything up before asking you to join me.  Normally I will only borrow you away from your guests for about 10 minutes.  These images by there very nature take place a little later in the day but can really produce something a little different from your wedding day.  My twilight image normally form the cover for the wedding album.

Couple creating heart shape with sparklers
At Whitley Hall Hotel, a bride and groom gaze into each other's eyes at sunset. The bride wears a lace wedding dress and the groom is in a suit, framed by the warm orange hues of the sky—a perfect setting for romantic wedding photography.