A common question, and sometimes a myth, is whether your photographer should visit your wedding venue beforehand. We asked the professionals themselves if they typically visit the venue before the big day.
Do you need to visit my wedding venue beforehand?
21 professional wedding photographers give their opinion on whether they need to visit your venue before the wedding.
I don’t visit venues beforehand anymore, mostly because I don’t need to. With around 35 weddings a year for the past 8 years, plus an additional 4 years of shooting venues for other reasons, I feel confident in my ability to figure out the venue as the wedding unfolds. Planning photography in advance hasn’t worked for me, as lighting conditions can change significantly and I can’t predict how the couple will set up the venue on the day.
For example, I might plan for beautiful shots against a charming wall, only to find a bar set up against it on the wedding day. Or, a venue visit might occur on a grey, rainy day, while the wedding day could be sunny, altering my photography options. Additionally, I often shoot all over the UK, Europe, and beyond, so visiting every venue in advance isn’t always feasible.
The key to wedding photography is being able to adapt quickly and not waste time deciding on camera settings; they should be second nature. My best work often comes from thinking on my feet – capturing unique moments rather than relying on predetermined locations. Whether it’s sunny or rainy, there are always opportunities for memorable photographs.
No, there’s really no need for that. As a documentary photographer, I’m where the action is, so I don’t need to scout locations beforehand.
After a decade in the game, I can pick out the best spots for portraits and group photos in just a couple of minutes. Plus, the ideal spots can change based on the weather, lighting, and time of year, so it’s often best to just see what the day brings.
Absolutely, it’s a good idea, especially if the venue is new to me. Visiting beforehand with the couple lets us discuss their plans and how they envision the day unfolding. Plus, it gives us a chance to scout for alternative shooting spots before the big day.
Always. Even if I’m familiar with the venue and know the best spots for great portraits, we like to spend at least 30 minutes with my second shooter capturing the ceremony and wedding breakfast setups before guests arrive. These areas will be looking their best without any crowds. We also take time to photograph the buildings and surrounding grounds during quieter moments.
We travel across the UK and often arrive the day before the wedding to check out and photograph the hotels and grounds. Rest assured, we never deliver ‘staging’ images with people who aren’t associated with the couple’s wedding.
I’m very familiar with about 90% of the venues in my area, but I still make it a point to meet with the couple at their venue a couple of weeks before the wedding. We’ll go over the day’s schedule and take a walk around together. It’s important for me to know exactly where I’ll be at different times and to have a contingency plan ready in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.
If we haven’t worked at the venue before, we always go and take a look beforehand. If the venue is miles away from where we live in The Cotswolds, we either arrive super early on the day or visit the day before if we’re staying overnight to shoot the wedding.
It’s important for us to see what backdrops the venue offers, both inside and outside, in case the weather is unfavourable. If it looks like it’s going to be a wet day, we do encourage grabbing an umbrella and wearing wellies!
If the couple are lucky enough to get a sunny wedding, we like to know where the sun will be at various points of the day. This helps us check for shade for family group shots and identify where the sun sets for an arty Bride and Groom sunset shot!
If I haven’t been to the venue before, I always visit beforehand. I need to see the space where you’re getting married, understand where the light will be and how it will be lit on the day, and identify the best spots for photos. I also check the reception area, gardens, and any other locations where great photos of the couple and group shots might be taken. I take a few shots on my iPhone or note down any ideas I get during the visit to refer back to.
I need to understand the logistics of the day, such as where the bride will enter the ceremony, where confetti might be thrown, and what the dancefloor area is like. This helps me determine what lighting equipment to bring.
Yes, I always try to visit a wedding venue I haven’t been to before. This might be a few weeks ahead or sometimes the day before, when I can also take photos of the wedding setup. I look for photo opportunities, build rapport with the wedding planner and other staff, and map out in my mind how the day will unfold in terms of timing. I also identify the best spots for group photos and check for any potential issues that I can address before the wedding.
It entirely depends on each shoot. Usually, I wouldn’t visit the venue beforehand, as I actually prefer to arrive early on the wedding day and see the grounds and buildings then. Things can change, and I’d rather view the location with fresh eyes and assess the weather conditions on the day.
If we haven’t visited a venue before or haven’t shot there for a while, we always check it out before the wedding day. We try to do this relatively close to the wedding date, mainly because of light, features, staff insights, and even the plants (a bit odd, I know!).
Light is crucial to photography and it changes how it hits a venue throughout the year – it’s a sun thing! While we can make decisions based on the light on the day, it’s nice to be prepared. The same goes for the greenery – it changes. We look for what elements we can make the most of throughout the day and where the stunning spots for photos are. That’s what we’re after.
No, it’s not very helpful for us or the couple. You can never predict the lighting or weather conditions accurately, and of course, a venue looks completely different when a wedding is in full swing with all the guests and staff present. So, we just react to the situation on the day as needed which helps keep things feeling very relaxed.
If it’s a venue I haven’t worked in before, I would visit to check out the photo opportunities about a month before the wedding. Sometimes I do this with the couple if we haven’t met before, or even if we have. It’s a good opportunity to get to know each other and discuss the exact requirements before the wedding.
Absolutely, I always visit all my wedding venues about two weeks in advance to gather information about the best spots for shooting the couple. The lighting at the venue, both inside and out, can vary depending on the time of year, so I wait until two weeks before the wedding.
I don’t want to get a false impression in July if the venue looks completely different in November, so it makes sense to keep it close to the date and seasonal. I also make sure to speak with the wedding manager or coordinator, introduce myself, and get to know everyone.
This is something I used to offer, but unfortunately, I can no longer do so due to my busy calendar. However, I always conduct a lot of research on the venue beforehand. As mentioned previously, I always arrive much earlier to survey the venue and capture destination pictures. It’s crucial to look for good lighting spots, decide where to take family portraits, find beautiful landscapes for the couple’s portraits, and have a backup plan for rain!
I only visit the venue if the couple specifically requests it. It’s not essential for me, and unless the conditions on the visit day are exactly the same as on the wedding day, the visit often just helps to put the couple’s mind at ease.
I visit wedding venues when possible. I often arrange to meet my couples there a couple of weeks before the wedding to walk around, say hello in person, and review the final plan for the day. This helps me get a feel for the layout of the venue and scout ideas for family shots and couple portraits.
It depends. Unless there are specific requirements, I usually don’t visit the venue beforehand. However, if the venue isn’t too far, I try to check it out before the wedding or arrive a little earlier on the day.
When possible, I prefer to visit the venue with the couple before the wedding so we can discuss logistics and planning with them, spot the best photo locations inside and outside, and share my ideas on how to shoot the day.
Absolutely! I always like to familiarise myself with the wedding venue, generally around 4-6 weeks before the big day. During my visit, I check out the best locations for photographs and review the lighting variables in different settings: the bridal prep room, ceremony room or church, outdoor gardens, and the area for dining and dancing.
I also make it a point to introduce myself to the venue staff and start building relationships. Understanding how the wedding will flow at that specific venue is crucial for ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
Not always. If the venue is local and I haven’t been there before, I’ll go and take a look. I scout for locations for couple photos, check out the rooms I can use in case it rains, and note where the sun sets to get an idea of the lighting for the day.
If I can’t visit the venue beforehand, I’ll research it online and then arrive a bit earlier on the day to have a walk around and get my bearings.
Damien Mower
Buckinghamshire
From £1899
It’s a question I get a lot, but it’s not necessary. The venue will be very different on the day, including the setup and lighting. I prefer to arrive with a fresh set of eyes and no preconceived ideas about how the couple’s story will unfold.
I rarely visit the venue before the wedding day. Having photographed around 600 weddings across the UK, I can assess a venue, church, or location within moments of arriving. The best places to stand or photograph the couple can change with the shifting sunlight, and I’m able to adapt to capture the best photographs regardless.