Half day WEDDING QUESTIONNAIRE


We're getting close now!

With just a few weeks to go until your wedding day, it's finally time to start planning all of the little details that will help everything run seamlessly.

This questionnaire allows me to gather all the important information about your day, from timings and locations to family photographs and any special moments you'd like me to be aware of. The more information you can provide, the better prepared I can be to capture your wedding beautifully and ensure nothing important is missed.


Please complete this questionnaire only after your final meeting with your venue or wedding planner. By this stage, most of the details of your day should be confirmed, meaning we can work from the most accurate information possible and avoid any major changes later on.

Using your answers, I'll create a personalised photography timeline and run sheet for the day. This helps me plan ahead, work efficiently and ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment.

You'll also find a few helpful tips throughout the questionnaire, designed to help you get the most from your wedding photography and answer some of the questions couples often have during the final stages of planning.

If you're unsure about anything whilst completing the questionnaire, please don't hesitate to get in touch. And don't be afraid to include plenty of detail, I love hearing all about your plans and getting excited alongside you.

I can't wait to see everything come together and capture your day.

Arabella x

A FEW TIPS FROM ME


DURING PREPARATIONS


I usually begin by photographing your dress/ suit, shoes, jewellery and other meaningful details before moving on to the natural moments happening around you. To make this as quick and stress-free as possible, it would be incredibly helpful if all of your accessories could be gathered together in one place before I arrive.

If you'd like detail photographs, you may also want to include items such as your wedding invitations, vow books, perfume, heirloom jewellery or any other special keepsakes that are meaningful to you.


KEEPING YOUR GETTING READY SPACE TIDY


I know wedding mornings can be wonderfully busy and full of excitement, but if possible, try to keep one area of the room relatively clear of bags, packaging, drinks and anything you wouldn't like to appear in your photographs.

If you can nominate a bridesmaid, family member or trusted friend to help keep things organised, it makes a huge difference and allows me to create beautiful, clean images of those special moments.

And please don't worry, I'm always happy to move things around and help tidy spaces if needed!


FAMILY GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS


Family photographs are incredibly important, and I always recommend including the people who matter most to you.

However, it's worth remembering that each group photograph takes time to organise, gather and photograph. A list of over 10 combinations can easily take 45 minutes or more, which is valuable time that could otherwise be spent celebrating with your guests.

My advice is to keep your formal group photographs focused on your closest family and the people you'll most want to look back on in years to come. This allows us to create the important images whilst leaving plenty of time for you to enjoy your drinks reception and spend time with your guests.


CONSIDER AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY


One of the best gifts you can give yourselves is asking guests to put their phones and cameras away during the ceremony.

Not only does this allow everyone to be fully present in the moment, but it also means your photographs won't be filled with phones and tablets held up in the aisle as you walk towards one another.

Your guests can relax and enjoy the moment, knowing that everything is being professionally documented for you..


SPEND TIME TOGETHER


One of the most common things couples tell me after their wedding is just how quickly the day passes.

Whilst it's lovely to spend time with your guests, don't forget to spend time with each other too. Some of the most meaningful moments happen in the quieter in-between parts of the day, whether that's walking between locations, sharing a drink together after the ceremony or simply taking a moment to pause and soak everything in.

Those are often the moments that end up meaning the most when you look back on your photographs.


THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL


The timeline, the flowers, the dress and all the little details are important, but the thing you'll remember most is how the day felt.

Take a moment every now and then to pause, look around and soak it all in. Spend time with your favourite people, laugh, dance, hug your loved ones and enjoy every second.

The day will pass far more quickly than you imagine, and those genuine moments are the ones I can't wait to capture for you.

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What would you like me to call you on the day? E.g. Olivia but prefers to be called Liv.

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Please prove a name & number of someone who will be present with you on the morning of the wedding, just in case I need to be in contact and you are busy getting excited for your wedding!

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E.g. Emma - Bridesmaid, Bonnie - Flower Girl

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Please provide a first name and a number of someone who will be present with you on the morning of the wedding, just in case I need to be in contact and you are busy getting excited for your wedding!

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E.g. Tom - Best Man, Charlie - Groomsman

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Please give full address including postcode. What 3 Words is great too if its tricky to find.

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E.g. a reading, a singer etc

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Please keep in mind venue restrictions on types of confetti and venue restrictions on areas you can throw confetti

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Because of the format of the form, please use a numbered list! E.g. 1. B&G + Bridesmaids 2. B&G + Groomsmen etc. Feel free to use guests first names also. I recommend 10 groups, each group shot takes at least 5 minutes and I would love for you to relax and have time with your guests during the reception also. If possible, please give the list to a guest who knows everyone and could help me gather the people needed for photos :)

E.g. family members who may not want to stand side by side, or possibly a wheelchair user so we need easy access location etc

Do you have a Pintrest link for your portraits, send me it here :)

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As you have booked half-day photography coverage, I recommend scheduling your speeches before the meal so that I can photograph them as part of your collection.

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Who is speaking?

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The time dinner service begins

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Please provide instagram handles (or website if IG not available) for Florist, dress shop, MUA, Hair, Stationary, Cake etc

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One of the greatest compliments you can give me is allowing me to share a selection of your wedding photographs on my website, social media and other marketing materials. It's how many of my wonderful couples discover my work and allows future couples to see the beautiful weddings I have the privilege of photographing. That said, your privacy is incredibly important to me and will always be respected. If you would prefer your wedding photographs to remain private, simply let me know and I will honour your wishes completely. When sharing weddings, I rarely post photographs of guests and instead tend to focus on couple portraits, details, venue imagery and key moments from the day.

If you're happy for me to share your photographs (thank you!), please include your Instagram handle(s) above so I can tag you where appropriate.

Please include some of your favourite images of mine, or the ones that made you book me, it really helps me understand your vibe!

That's Everything!


Thank you so much for taking the time to complete your questionnaire.


Reading through your plans is one of my favourite parts of the process, and I genuinely love seeing all of the little details come together as your wedding day approaches. It helps me understand what's most important to you and allows me to prepare thoroughly so that you can relax and enjoy every moment.


Over the next few weeks, I'll review everything you've submitted and begin creating my run sheet for the day. If I have any questions or need any additional information, I'll be in touch.


In the meantime, try to enjoy these final weeks of planning. The countdown is officially on!


Before you know it, you'll be surrounded by your favourite people, celebrating one of the most special days of your lives, and I cannot wait to be there to capture it all.


See you very soon,


Arabella x