Just as there are many styles of wedding, there are many ways that a wedding can be photographed. The approach, or mixture of approaches, that you choose is an important decision.

We've put together a brief guide to the approaches that can be offered. Of course, you should always discuss your reqiuirements with your photographer.

This is the most traditional form of wedding photography. Closely arranged shots of the bride and groom, the families, bridesmaids and the whole party.

The fact that the formal pictures are posed and static means that they are great for showing who was at your wedding but they don't show the spirit or the energy.

We would always recommend that you have a number of formal photos although blended with other styles.

If you opt for a set of formal photos only, this will minimise the length of time the photographer is with you.

If the formal style is like portrait photgraphy in the way that it is posed then Reportage is most like promotional photography.

The pictures are still usually posed although with much greater freedom than in the formal style. The aim is to show the people in the context of the event.

This style has grown out of the semi formal pictures of the key moments during a wedding. Examples are :- the arrival of the bride, the first married kiss, sigining the register, cutting the cake etc.

In recent years this style has been made more popular by the increase in Celebrity Magazines. In general the images they show are in the Reportage style.

The key consideration with this approach is that, without the large group shots of the formal style, you need proportionately more pictures if capturing everyone is important.

Using the reportage approach will mean that the photographer is with you for longer. At the same time the balance of time spent being photographed will shift with more time spent at the reception than with formal photographs

This style differs from the other two in that the photos are not posed. Instead of setting up the picture the essence of the approach is to find the pictures as the action happens.

This approach most easily captures the energy and spirit of the day. As the photographer moves amongst the guests they capture the small moments; a laugh, a hug sometimes a tear. It is these small moments which create the atmosphere.

As with Reportage it is possible to cover the entire wedding in the photojournalist style. If you make this choice you should be aware that there will not be any of the posed "traditional" wedding photos that many people would expect. What you will have though is an intimate record of your wedding day.

This style requires the photographer to be present for the longest of all the approaches. Unposed pictures mean that many more photos have to be taken to ensure good coverage and a good range of images for you.