Wedding Planning Tips for the Laid Back Couple
Wedding Planning Tips for the Laid Back Couple.
Laid back, stress free and full of fun with family and friends - sounds like the perfect wedding day doesn’t it? More and more couples are ditching the traditional wedding and opting for relaxed and informal weddings, a microwedding or elopement an instead. I’ve compiled a list of 5 tips to planning a laid back wedding that everyone will be talking about for years to come.
Location is Key
One of the most important factors to planning a relaxed wedding day is the venue. It’s one of the first things most couples consider when wedding planning and it sets the tone for the whole day, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.
Are you planning to hire out one of the best wedding venues in Surrey? Maybe you’d rather stick to a smaller venue such as this wedding I shot at a venue called Blake Hall in Essex. Its completely up to you whether you decide to invite lots of people or whether you want to plan on having a small wedding with only a few family and friends. If you’re reading this blog then you’re probably planning a more relaxed event; i’ve listed a few low key wedding venue ideas below that you might consider:
Airbnb wedding
Woodland wedding
Barn wedding
A tipi or a marquee wedding
A wedding at home or an intimate garden wedding
Farm wedding
Beach wedding
If you need more inspiration, I’ve written a whole blog post about some of the best wedding venues to consider in Surrey and Hampshire here!
The guestlist
We’ve all got certain people we feel obliged to invite to events when in reality you haven’t spoken to them in years. This can add unnecessary stress to your wedding day rather than the laid back vibe you’re after. If you don’t really care about chatting to that friend you haven’t spoken to in 5 years or your great great aunt Gertrude - don’t invite them.
Remember your day is about you and the people you choose to spend it with. If you’d rather have a more intimate wedding with only your nearest and dearest then make that a priority. Your wedding day will fly by and I’m sure you’d rather not spend it making small talk with people you don’t normally choose to spend your time with. Relax, have fun and spend the day with people you love and care about. Keeping your guestlist short can have the added bonus of keeping down costs too!
The Food
If you’d rather avoid the headache of creating a formal seating plan, or you’re a shy couple worried about all eyes being on you at the top table, then why not consider alternative dining options. Wedding catering food trucks are becoming more and more popular amongst couples when planning a wedding. No stressful seating arrangements, just a few food vans full of whatever cuisine you fancy! You could even provide home cooked food options if this is something you want to do. This option works especially well for outdoor weddings and allows you and your wedding guests to mingle freely with whoever you want!
Go Unplugged
Imagine walking down the aisle and looking up to see all of your wonderful guests happy and excited to see you - but they’re watching you through their phone camera. It kind of ruins the moment doesn’t it? Many couples are deciding to ban phones and photos during their wedding ceremony. There’s nothing worse than looking back at your wedding photos and seeing people with their phones, or having to experience flashes from photos as you’re walking down the aisle. By preventing guests from using their phones during your ceremony you’re also ensuring that nobody is posting your personal wedding photos on their social media before you’ve had the chance to experience them yourself.
The Photographer
This leads us nicely to choosing your wedding photographer. Knowing how to choose the right wedding photographer can be tricky. Just like how you don’t want your guests shoving a phone camera in your face, you probably don’t really want that from your photographer either. There’s nothing worse than having your wedding photographer showing up with a huge camera lens and interrupting a personal moment with family and friends, or forcing you into uncomfortable poses that really don’t feel like you. To avoid this, it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re hiring the best wedding photographer for you. I’ve written a blog post all about how to choose the right wedding photographer here.
If you’re after an unobtrusive and relaxed photographer who focuses on capturing the natural and candid moments of your wedding day then feel free to get in touch. I cover all areas of Surrey and Hampshire but frequently travel all over the Uk too!
How to Coordinate the Perfect Surrey Wedding
Your step by step guide to help you plan your wedding from the perspective of a Surrey wedding photographer.
Congratulations on your engagement! I’m sure you’ve celebrated with family and friends and now you’re wondering what to do next. Wedding planning can be overwhelming, especially when you search for things like wedding photographer Surrey UK or wedding photos Surrey and see so much information.
Whether you’re planning a small, intimate micro wedding or a larger celebration, this step-by-step guide will help you plan a stress-free day. Along the way, I’ll also highlight key moments when you should think about booking your Surrey wedding photography, how to choose the right Surrey photographer, and things to ask your wedding photographer when the time comes.
Your wedding budget
Start by setting your budget for the whole day. A wedding photographer is one of the few vendors whose work you’ll look back on for years to come; your wedding photos become heirlooms. As you build your budget, make sure you include a photography budget that allows you to hire someone you genuinely think will capture the real moments of your day.
Look for Ideas and inspiration
Pinterest, magazines, and blogs are great places to gather ideas. While you’re exploring, pay attention to the kinds of wedding photos you love; candid, documentary, classic, editorial, or a mix.
As you collect ideas, make a note of the style of photos you want, as this will help when you’re ready to search for a photographer whose work matches your taste. I specialise in candid and documentary photos which you can see examples of here.
Choose a Theme (and Think About Photos)
Picking a theme helps inform everything from the colour palette to the vibe of your wedding day. As you think about your theme, imagine how you want your photos to look when you look back on them.
Do you want relaxed, natural images that feel like real moments? Or are you drawn to more formal, posed photography? Knowing this early helps guide your photographer search later.
The Venue (With Photos in Mind)
Your venue sets the tone — but it also affects your photos. Whether you’re choosing a grand estate or an intimate town venue, think about:
Natural light and backdrop opportunities
Portrait locations nearby
Cozy indoor spaces for rainy days
If you need inspiration, you can check out this blog on Surrey’s Bush Hotel wedding photography, which shows how a venue’s character enhances the wedding photos Surrey couples treasure.
The Guest List and Photographer Timing
Once you know the type of wedding you’re planning, start thinking about your photographer’s role in the day. If you’re having an intimate guest list, you might lean toward more natural, documentary photos where everyone feels relaxed. If you have a larger event, consider discussing coverage and timeline with your chosen photographer earlier rather than later.
Booking Your Photographer
This step is important. Wedding photographers in Surrey get booked early. Many couples secure their photographer 12–18 months before their date. When you’re ready to start reaching out, you might want to check out my guide on how to choose a wedding photographer in Surrey without feeling overwhelmed to understand the kind of questions you should ask your photographer.
Key things to ask:
What’s your availability for our date?
Do you specialise in candid or documentary-style photography?
How many photos will we receive and how are they delivered?
You can expand with the questions to ask your wedding photographer from the guide mentioned above as well.
Planning Your Suppliers
Once your venue and date are secured, it’s tempting to feel like you need to lock in everything straight away. My advice is to prioritise the suppliers who will have the biggest impact on how your day feels, not just how it looks. Your photographer is one of those people.
You’ll spend a large portion of your day with them, during the quieter moments as well as the celebrations, so choosing someone whose presence feels calming and supportive really matters. When you feel comfortable, everything flows more naturally, and that’s when the most meaningful photos happen.
Leaving Space for Real Moments
One of the biggest contributors to natural wedding photos isn’t the venue or the styling, it’s time.
A relaxed timeline gives space for moments to unfold without rushing. It means you’re not constantly thinking about what’s next, and you can actually enjoy where you are.
If candid, documentary-style wedding photography is important to you, this breathing room is what allows real moments, emotion and connection to shine through in your photos.
Trusting the Process on the Day
By the time your wedding day arrives, the planning is already done. The best thing you can do then is let go and be present.
You don’t need to worry about posing, looking a certain way, or performing for the camera. A good photographer will quietly observe and step in only when needed, allowing you to focus on the people and moments that matter most.
This is where experience and a calm approach make all the difference.
Why Your Photos Will Mean More With Time
Your wedding photos aren’t just about capturing details, they’re about preserving feeling.
Years from now, it won’t be the styling choices you return to first. It’ll be the way someone looked at you, the laughter, the emotion, the fleeting moments you didn’t even realise were happening.
That’s why choosing a photographer whose approach aligns with you is so important.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Surrey Who Keeps Things Relaxed and Natural?
If you’re currently planning your wedding and looking for a wedding photographer in Surrey, I’d love to hear about your day.
My approach is calm, candid and documentary-led, focusing on real moments rather than staged ones. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, you can explore my portfolio to see real weddings I’ve photographed, or get in touch for a relaxed, no-pressure chat.