Marbella wedding advice

Incredibly talented Marbella wedding photographer Jeremy Standley has been working with us at Fiestasol for many years. We have shared so many epic experiences, wedding and laughs. Here is his best Marbella wedding advice for getting the perfect images of your day. Remember, your wedding photography is the living legacy of your wedding, and should be a collection of images that you treasure for ever.

Over to you Jeremy!

• Get ready close to the venue if possible, it allows your creatives more time to photograph and film you and being closer to your venue is always a good plan.
• Space! Don’t try and get ready with 8 bridesmaids in a small apartment, it will cause stress. Choose a venue with parking, where people get ready relatively close to your venue will reduce extra stress. Don’t get dressed too early! Once the dress is on, things get “real”, sitting down is not a great option with some dresses, allow time for a few quick pre ceremony photos but don’t get dressed 3 hours before your ceremony, take your lead from planner, stylists and your creatives.
• Your photographer / videographer will probably want to document the later stages of your hair and makeup so giving some thought to where this takes place will affect your images, try and pick a cool space with plenty of natural light, great views always helps as well.
• Groom, take a spare shirt, you’ll need it later in the day.
• Chill! Remember to relax and enjoy the preparation, some of the best moments happen during this time, a tiny bit of extra thought can make a big difference to your photos and film and how you feel upon arrival to your ceremony.

• Back off! for outdoor ceremonies and chuppahs try not to  have the first row of guest seats too close to where you will be stood. An extra couple of feet allows photographers and videographers more space to work, so they can stay out of the way, and take much better images, allows better views for your guests, gives you both the feeling of more space. ( I have on many occasions secretly moved the odd row of seats)
• Parasols. Individual parasols look great. Large terrace parasols covering guests at ceremonies look terrible. Most likely your dream ceremony spot will not have included restricted views from parasols? Most good planners can provide smaller individual parasols, your guests will stay cool, and your photos and venue will still look cool just like you imagined it.
• Speakers don’t look great, have them at the side or back of the aisle, not the front, no one needs speakers in wedding ceremony images.
• Microphones, depending on the size of your wedding (and videographer) your celebrant will usually use a PA system. If you need to use a microphone for your vows then consider using a stand ( a pretty one). People generally look better and feel a lot less nervous than when wielding a microphone and holding speech notes. (Your celebrant may also choose to hold the mic for you)

• Always always have a list of your family photos. Your photographer will tell you where and when based on various factors but the more organised you can be, the more you will enjoy your cocktail party and family and guests. We pride ourselves on managing family portraits quickly and effectively to get you back to your guests as quick as possible.
• Depending on various factors it might be better to take portraits nearer magic hour, if this is the case plan this ahead of time with your co-ordinator, and creatives.
• If you have a large bridal party, big family and want a lot of posed photos then have a longer cocktail hour, don’t rush things, allow plenty of time, try not to rush anything on our wedding day.

• Have your speeches at the start or at the end of dinner, especially for large weddings, between courses can be more disruptive for everyone.
• If your want your speeches to look better on photo & film then try and have everyone speak from the same place. Considering the lighting and background will make big difference to how images and video will look. Also consider the background of where you and your new husband or wife will be sat.
• Don’t have people speak near a bar or waiters serving station.
• Use a microphone stand if possible, for your speeches footage especially it looks soooo much better.
• Always invest in lighting for your dancing / party, it makes a big difference.