It's a fact your wedding day is a big day in your life and you will be excited and a bit vervous, which brings on butterflies.  First, think of nerves as excitement and it makes them more acceptable.

Then understand what's happening.  When you're nervous your body releases adrenalin and redirects blood to your muscles ready for the fight-or-flight response.  This is what causes butterfies in your stomach. 

Take 3 really deep slow breaths at a time.  Really deep breaths to the bottom of your lungs and out again.

By taking deep breaths you send good doses of oxygen in for the rest of your body, which helps reduce butterflies and effects of nerves.

Also drop your shoulders.  Tension often goes to your shoulders and they can become hunched.  So I might say to you to give your shoulders a big shrug, right up to your ears and then drop them.  

Do it a couple of times.  It'll also make you all laugh.  You'll be amazed how much better you feel (and look) after that.

Stand like your waiting for someone.  When you put your weight on one leg and let the other leg relax, it actually helps you relax.   This also gives your dress, suit, clothing more natural and interesting lines and angles.

The key is to turn 45 degrees to the camera.  Avoid standing square on the camera, which is our natural go-to when a camera is pointing at you.  Standing straight on to the camera can make you look like a guard on duty.  While, this stance is useful in some situations (like being on duty) your wedding day is not one of them.

Giving your body interest and shape can be as simple as turn 45 degrees to the camera.   

Oh! did I say that before?  You noticed :-). Great 'cos this is my #1 tip.

And turn slightly towards each other if you're with your partner.

If you're a bridesmaid or groomsman turn slightly towards the bride or groom i.e. the person you're supporting.  This gives a much more interesting shape to both your body and the group.

If appropriate, putting one hand in your pocket, can help you relax.

Rather than standing straight you can also lean on something e.g. a wall, car, gate or doorframe.  This stance immediately changes the look and give an element of shape and interest to your body and the situation.

If seated lean forward and rest your elbows on your legs. 

Or rather than sitting with your legs straigt in front of you, turn you body and legs slightly to one side. 

Or lean with one elbow on the arm of a seat.

Tilting your head very slightly shows interest and makes you look like you're listening and engaged. 

You'd be amazed what happens as soon as we are in front of a camera.
We pull our chin in and hey presto suddenly 3 chins appear that we never had before.
So you might hear me say "chin out a bit", which means push your chin slightly forward away from your neck (not up).  It doesn't take much and makes a huge difference.

Contrary to popular belief you won't be standing still for many of your wedding photos.  We'll be on the move, walking, chatting and having fun.  In those moments it will all happen naturally and you'll be in the moment and perfectly relaxed. 

I'll give you prompts, if needed but otherwise I capture all the natural moments that happen spontaneously.

A great pre wedding relaxer in your photos is to practice your 1st dance or favourite sport.  This leads to some great moments.

I encourage anything that is fun and reflects who you are in your wedding photos.  The days of formal standing in line is long gone.

If you want to be able to walk on a beach or through a garden for romantic wedding photos remember your clothes, dress and shoes need to allow for this. 

If you've got 6" heels bring a pair of trainers or sandals too for walking.  You can pop the heels on when we get there.

If your dress has miles of tule, hoops, corset or other embellishments that make it harder to move easily and quickly we need to allow extra time.   When you try on your dress at the dress maker you are usually standing on a box in front of a mirror.  It's a very different matter to running along a beach or climbing into a helicopter.  We can do it all but need to allow extra time.

Also bring shawls and jackets for outdoor adventures.

And sunblock for nearly every day in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I mean REAL close.

Turn towards each other or snugle up.  NO space between you for your couple photos on your wedding day :-)

Whether you're walking, standing or chatting, keep your eyes on each other.

If there's no connection between you I probably won't put the photo in the collection (unless you're both looking in the same direction at the same thing) because, on your wedding day, connection is everything.

Wedding days are fun. 
Yes, the ceremony is a serious matter but it can also be fun and the day that surrounds it is as much fun as you make it.  

Before the wedding you'll naturally be nervous, excited and adrenalin will be running high.  After the ceremony something changes, the adrenalin drops and it's all fun. (Unless you have speech of course and then you might have a reserve of adrenalin for that).

I'll give you prompts, if you want them, to get you in the mood for fun things to do in your photos.  These are based on what we've discussed beforehand and the type of vibe you're looking for.   I don't suggest you to do crazy things I don't think suit your vibe.

Your bridal party are usually keen to help you enjoy every moment too so I'll help create the relaxed vibe that suits you.

Check out the silent disco on the beach.  Always a guarantee for hilarity.

No I don't do "trash the dress".  I'm not into paintball or wanton ruination of a beautiful gown for the sake of it.  

But if you're more of a natural couple, also called "fearless bridal" or "rock the frock", and are happy to walk, run or dance barefoot (or with shoes) on the beach or through the long grass or rustling autumn leaves, to play in the snow, climb into a helicopter or walk on wild mountain then I'm there with you, with bells on.  Let's do it.  The dress will be fine.

There's nothing like sharing a joke and a jolly good belly laugh on your wedding day, espcially to relax you during your photos.

I'm often a long way off on a long lens and thinking about light so I can't hear your shared words, which makes it all the more natural.