As the summer wedding season intensifies, a wedding photographer with 12 years of experience is offering insider perspectives on common wedding day practices and providing advice for couples. Buffy Thompson, who has photographed over 200 weddings, shared her insights into guest behavior, photography trends, and the moments that make for the best photographic memories.
Thompson noted a shift towards smaller, more intimate weddings, typically with 30 to 60 guests, a trend she attributes in part to the cost-of-living crisis. She prefers these smaller gatherings, stating they focus more on the marriage itself rather than being solely a large party.
While professional photography remains crucial for capturing candid moments, Thompson acknowledged the increasing quality of smartphone cameras. However, she emphasized that phone cameras cannot replicate the nuanced capture of subtle moments that a professional photographer can achieve by blending into the background.
Animals at weddings, including dogs, chickens, and horses, are generally not an issue for Thompson, provided they are well-behaved. She finds them easier to manage than groups of inebriated or uncooperative adult guests. "People say not to work with children and animals but actually children and animals are a doddle compared to a group of adults who won’t listen!" she stated.
Requests for retouching to make individuals appear thinner or younger are common, particularly from mothers of the bride. Thompson, while unable to alter appearances in such a way, reassures them that they look lovely.
Thompson highlighted the dance floor as a prime location for memorable photographs. She expressed disappointment when couples or guests avoid dancing, as these carefree moments often result in the best candid shots. "I’m always quite disappointed when people don’t go onto the dancefloor because that creates some of the best photos," she said.
Regarding awkwardness in front of the camera, especially for intimate moments like kissing, Thompson noted that most people are not professional models. She often employs pre-wedding shoots to help couples become comfortable with her and the camera, with a few drinks on the wedding day also proving helpful.
Best man speeches are frequently a source of disappointment, according to Thompson. She suggested that training for these speeches might be beneficial, as anecdotes about drunken nights or past relationships rarely land well on the wedding day. Keeping speeches short and humorous is her advice.
Large group shots are among Thompson's least favorite to capture, which she likened to "herding deaf cats." She often relies on helpers to organize guests for these demanding shots.
Thompson also commented on the decreasing necessity of videographers, stating that the majority of weddings she covers do not have one, unless there are multiple outfit changes planned. This suggests that a videographer may be an area couples can consider cutting from their budget.
Finally, Thompson advised against posting wedding photos on social media before the couple has had a chance to share them. While she can take up to two weeks to edit photos, she always provides a few select images to the couple the day after the wedding for immediate sharing. 
