23 Things I've Learned as a Devon Wedding Photographer (One for Every Year!)

It's my birthday today and I'm 23!:) I've been thinking about how I wanted to celebrate on here, and I couldn't think of anything better than looking back at everything weddings have taught me so far.

In the last three years I've photographed almost 100 weddings across Devon, Somerset and the South West. I was a finalist in the South West Wedding Awards 2025 for Reportage Photography, and at the beginning of next year I'll be heading into my fourth year of weddings. That's a lot of confetti, a lot of happy tears and a lot of dancing!

So here are 23 things I've learned, one for every year. Some are practical tips if you're planning your wedding, and some are just little things I've picked up along the way.

Wedding advice from a Devon wedding photographer

Planning your day

1. Nobody remembers if the timeline ran ten minutes late. Your wedding day timeline is a guide, not a rulebook. I keep an eye on the timings and weather throughout the day, so you don't need to worry about any of that.

2. Give yourselves time after the ceremony. I'd always recommend at least an hour and a half between the end of your ceremony and sitting down for your wedding breakfast. Any less can feel rushed, and you want time to properly see everyone, have a drink and enjoy yourselves.

3. Keep your group photos to around ten. Each group takes about three to five minutes, so a shorter list means they're done and out of the way and you're back with your guests much sooner.

4. Pick a group photo helper. A bridesmaid or groomsman with your list who can round up the next group while I'm photographing the current one makes such a difference!

5. Pop all your morning details in one box. Rings, flowers, invitations, the dress, shoes and perfume all together means I can photograph them straight away when I arrive, and nobody has to go hunting for anything.

6. Think about an unplugged ceremony. It's completely up to you, but it means I can see your guests' faces rather than a row of phones, and everyone is properly in the moment with you.

7. Speeches look lovely on paper. Cue cards or paper look so much nicer in photos than reading from a phone.

8. Go for colourful confetti, and lots of it! Biodegradable paper circles or petals are perfect. Give everyone a really generous handful and pop it in baskets so it's easy to grab.

9. Tell your guests to throw it up, not at you. Throwing upwards means it floats down around you, and that's when you get the best confetti photos:)

On the day

10. Rain is good luck! It can make for great pictures, so if you're up for it, embrace it.

11. You don't need to know how to pose. For most of the day I'll blend into the background and capture everything naturally as it happens. When you do need some help, I'll give you simple prompts so you're never left wondering what to do. If you're feeling nervous, my guide for camera shy couples might help too.

12. Your couple portraits can be a breather. They're five or ten minutes away together on a really busy day, not a performance.

13. The nerves always disappear at the ceremony. However nervous you feel in the morning, it all seems to melt away once you're at the top together. It's one of my favourite parts of the whole day.

14. Confetti never gets old. Everyone cheering, colour everywhere, I love it every single time!

15. Some of the best photos happen when nobody is looking. Guests catching up and laughing, often with people they haven't seen in ages, are some of my favourite moments to capture.

16. The dance floor is where the fun really starts. Dance floor candids are honestly some of my favourite photos of the whole day.

17. The little details matter. They're part of the whole story of your day, so they deserve to be remembered too.

18. Reactions matter just as much as the big moments. Your mum's face during the vows or your best mate laughing during the speeches are the photos you'll keep coming back to.

Behind the camera

19. Always bring backups. I bring two cameras and backup lens' to every wedding, and my cameras write every photo to two cards at the same time.

20. A gallery takes time, and it's worth it. I spend around 40 hours on each wedding gallery, culling and editing, so every photo looks bright, colourful and true to the day.

21. Your wedding should feel like a wedding, not a photoshoot. This is the thing I believe most. You should be enjoying your day, not spending it in front of a camera.

22. Looking after couples starts long before the wedding. From your first message to your gallery arriving, I love being there for planning, questions and timeline help.

23. Photographs are really about stories. My grandad's storytelling is a big part of why I do this. Being able to give couples a way to relive all the big moments, little moments and everything in between is still the best part of my job.

A huge thank you to every couple who has trusted me with their day so far. Almost 100 weddings later, I still can't quite believe I get to do this!

If you're planning your wedding or an event in Devon, Somerset or anywhere across the South West and you'd like a photographer who'll capture it in a relaxed, natural and colourful way, I'd absolutely love to hear from you:) Have a look at my wedding photography packages or get in touch here and tell me all about your plans!

Steph, Devon and Somerset wedding photographer covering Bristol, Cornwall, the Cotswolds and weddings across the South West.