Frequently Asked Questions
You are based near Broadway in the Cotswolds. Do you travel?
Our proximity in a central position close to Cheltenham, Stratford upon Avon, and Worcester means that many of our weddings take place in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. We do travel further afield and have covered Scottish weddings, Irish weddings, and a beach wedding in the Scilly Isles. We have even photographed several civil ceremonies on the London Eye.
We are keen to get a photographer who is acquainted with the area and shoots Cotswold weddings. Do you offer advice on locations for photography?
The Cotswold countryside is blessed with stunning scenery and we will happily help and advise you of suitable locations for your photos.
We know the Cotswolds and its beautiful historic villages, such as Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford, intimately. We are also familiar with some the regions most prestigious venues — including Ettington Park Hotel, Walton Hall, Ragley Hall, Dumbleton Hall, Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire and The Queens Hotel, Cheltenham — having documented marriages in them on many occasions.
Would you describe yourself as reportage wedding photographers?
You could define our style as photojournalistic and contemporary with an echo of traditional charm. Above all, our photography is fun, natural, fashionable and real. Put simply, we tell your wedding day story through our images. We’re passionate about what we do and it shows in the quality of our work. Have a browse around the Wedding Galleries section of the site and judge for yourself.
What preparations would you make before our wedding date?
About a month before the wedding we get together with the bride and groom to go over the finer details and finalise the agenda. We will ask you for details of the wedding party; the best man, chief bridesmaid, how many bridesmaids and ushers will be present... We will also discuss family groups and portraits. We visit the venues and check out any other locations that might be used, such as local beauty spots. If you wish, we will happily give you a few pointers that will help give you confidence in front of the camera. This pre-wedding consultation is all part of our service.
Do you photograph winter weddings?
The season of candle-lit churches, log fires and mulled wine, when the light has a beautiful character all of its own, has provided the backdrop for some of our favourite images. We enjoy the challenge. Of course, winter weddings are inherent with their own problems — low light, short days and inclement weather — however, we are experienced professional photographers, used to working in difficult and challenging conditions.
Do you photograph in colour or black and white?
Both! Because we shoot digitally we can maximise our options. Some photographs simply cry out to be presented in black and white. We have a reputation for powerful black and white images that we mix with colour photography to present your wedding day story. Unless instructed otherwise, we will always include a suitable selection of images in black and white. As always, it is your call. We can always convert your pictures back to colour again, or vice versa, for your wedding album or prints.
We were at a wedding ceremony and the photographer took ages photographing group shots. Do you do that?
No we don't. Most of our coverage will be unobtrusive reportage. We do include a selection of traditional family group photographs, however, our advice is that you should keep the choice of any groups to a minimum. In most cases about four to six formal group photographs with both sets of parents and siblings, bridesmaids, best man and ushers will capture the main wedding party. We work positively with our clients to avoid stiff boring line-ups and lengthy calls for endless groups, so that there's plenty of time for natural informal photographs with your guests.
What happens if it rains?
We have never had rain actually spoil a wedding day and it has usually added to the character and fun of the celebrations. We are professional photographers experienced in working in all conditions and throughout different seasons. Even on the rainiest days we can dodge the showers or grab the brollies and go outside — if you are up for it! We can always shoot inside your venue, and we pack professional photographic lighting, just in case. Leah and Simon Rose, who were married in Cheltenham and had their reception at Dumbleton Hall, Gloucestershire, wrote: Simon & I would like to thank you very much for our wedding photos, we are thrilled to bits with them. With the bad weather you had your work cut out for you — but you took it to your advantage and the rain has become a memorable part of the day.
Do you use digital cameras?
Modern wedding photography, incorporating photojournalist reportage, editorial and contemporary techniques, embraces the use of digital equipment. We use top-of-the-range cameras (Anthea prefers to use Canon, while Kevin uses Nikon equipment).
We employ a professional laboratory to produce real photographic prints from our digital files, calibrate our computer screens and attach colour profiles to our images so that what we see on the screen is what we receive back from the lab. The quality of professionally produced photographic prints today is phenomenal. We do not supply inkjet prints that can be subject to surface marking and fading.
Will you retouch the pictures if necessary?
Yes, but within reason. We will retouch the odd facial spot for the album and print orders. We also enhance close-ups to reduce the effects of recent stag nights and hen parties, but I’m afraid we cannot morph the groom into David Beckham. The odd tuck and slimming down is also possible. On an aesthetic note, using digital enhancement techniques we are able to improve images taken under unfavourable conditions, such as dull weather and produce a variety of effects including sepia toning, split toning and monochrome images with spot colour.
I’m worried our wedding isn’t large enough to photograph. Are there any differences photographing a big marriage at a church and a small civil ceremony?
Weddings are first and foremost about the couple, their family and friends. The marriage location, whether at Stratford-upon-Avon registry office, a civil ceremony at Blenheim Palace or a religious ceremony at Tewksbury Cathedral, whilst very important, is secondary to your celebrations.
It’s the people that make a wedding special and it’s the people we focus on. We have photographed a marriage at Birmingham Cathedral, with over two hundred guests; The London Eye, with a wedding party of five; and also a beach wedding, with only the bride and groom in attendance. We have never run short of special moments to document yet.
You are the first supplier we have contacted do you have any recommendations such as for florists, wedding car hire, wedding cakes and videographers?
Wedding Videos
Forget those dreary, out of focus and wobbly videos you may have seen in the past. Plus Pictures is part of a new generation of professional videographers producing high quality imaginative wedding day films, using the latest digital camera technology and editing techniques. Plus Pictures
Wedding Cars
We are happy to recommend Paris Wedding Cars of Alcester, Nr.Stratford on Avon. Their large Silver pre war Classic French Limousines are unique in the UK and offer the ultimate in stylish ' Art Deco ' wedding transport - Tres Chic Paris Wedding Cars of Alcester
Flowers
We are happy to recommend Cheltenham florist www.bumblebeez.co.uk. With years of experience behind them, Bumblebeez take pride in making your very special day as memorable as possible with the help of their flowers.