2026 Bride Guide

The Awaken Images Styled shoot insights and tips from local wedding pros to help you prepare for your wedding.

A Big thanks to our favourite venue Hockwold hall
Daniella from Daniella's make up
Brides by solo
And our models

Meet Your 2026 Guide

We teamed up with local vendors to create a styled shoot full of wedding prep tips.

Styled Shoot Insights

Our shoot highlights everything from dresses to décor, helping you plan with confidence.

Your Dream UK Wedding: How to Choose the Perfect Venue, Stay Stress‑Free, and Ensure Every Moment Is Captured Forever

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in your life — but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Between choosing the right venue, working out budgets, and keeping track of all the tiny details, it’s easy to get lost in the stress of it all.

But here’s the good news: with the right guidance, the right mindset, and the right people around you, your wedding can be everything you’ve dreamed of — and beautifully documented in a way that lets you relive it again and again.

As a UK wedding photographer (and videographer), I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless love stories across Suffolk and beyond. Over the years, I’ve seen what really makes a wedding run smoothly… and what couples often wish they’d known sooner.

This blog is here to help you navigate three of the biggest parts of wedding planning:

Choosing the perfect venue
Keeping stress to a minimum
Ensuring your wedding day is captured naturally, beautifully, and authentically

Choosing the Right Venue: What Brides in the UK Need to Know

Your wedding venue sets the tone for your entire day — the atmosphere, the style, the photos, the timings, and even the emotions. It’s the backdrop of every memory you’ll look back on.

Here are the most important things to consider when choosing it.

1. Think About the Light (It Matters More Than You Think!)

Natural light is a photographer’s best friend — and yours too. Venues with bright, spacious rooms always create softer, more flattering images compared to darker barns or spaces with limited windows.

Ask yourself:

Does the venue have large windows?
What direction does the light come from during your ceremony?
Are there outdoor spaces you can use if the weather behaves?

You don’t need to know the technical stuff — that’s my job — but choosing a venue with great light does wonders for your final gallery.

2. Consider the Flow of the Day

A good venue allows your day to run smoothly without constant travel or long waiting periods.

Look for:

Ceremony and reception spaces that are close together
A comfortable area for guests during room turnarounds
Easy access for your suppliers (especially the photographer and videographer!)

The smoother your timeline, the more relaxed you’ll feel — and the more natural your photos and video will be.

3. Prioritise the Vibe Over the Price Tag

You deserve a venue that feels like you. Whether it’s a rustic barn in Suffolk, a stately manor, a beach venue, or an urban loft — go with the one that makes you say, “Yes. This is us.”

Sometimes couples choose a venue because they feel they “should”, or because it fits someone else’s idea of what a wedding looks like. But the happiest brides I’ve worked with always choose the place that feels like home.

4. Ask Yourself How It Will Photograph

A venue doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive to look stunning in photos — it just needs charm, character, and workable space.

Some venues photograph beautifully because they have:

Interesting architecture
Beautiful gardens
Clean interior walls
Easy access to natural backdrops

If you’re unsure, ask your photographer for advice. We know how to bring out the best in any setting, but we can also point out spots you may overlook.

5. Venue staff!

Now this could be seen as an interesting one for us to include as photographers. BUT there are some venues we actually don't like working at because of the staff.

We of course stay professional and would never let you know any different but a venue that has staff that works with photographers does wonders for what is captured. We have been to venues where the staff seem to not like photographers at all. Granted that unfortunately there are some photographers who come in like a bull in a china shop and think they own the place and ruin it for the rest of us.

So this is our tip, ask your venue some of their favourite photographers, do they enjoy working with them and so on.

We have sadly been to venues who seem to not want to work with us where we can be in the middle of a break when they for example announce you in without telling us - a moment of your wedding day not captured because of venue staff :-(

Bonus tip: The staff at Hockwold Hall are the best we've come across

Choosing your photographer

Why the Right Wedding Photographer Is Essential (More Than You Might Think)

When the day is over, the food is eaten, and the flowers dry out, your photos and video are what remain. They become the way you tell your story to your children, and your grandchildren.

Choosing the right photographer ensures you don’t just remember your day — you feel it all over again.

Here’s what truly matters:

1. Choose Someone Who Shoots Naturally, Not Bossy or Forced

You shouldn’t feel like you’re on a staged photoshoot. My approach is natural, relaxed, and discreet. We let moments unfold and guide gently when needed — never interrupting or taking over.

Couples often say:

"We barely noticed you were there, but you captured everything."

That’s exactly how it should be.

9/10 our videography is booked with our photography packages so we work as a team being father and son.
But on the odd occasion I've worked with other photographers and have got to see what they do. One in particular wanted to be in charge of everything. They moved furniture, they gave direction for everything and everything felt very forced.
If this is what you want our style is not for you as we just want to capture it as natural as possible with light direction. But we hope our guide will be helpful for you non the less!

2. A Good Photographer Tells the Full Story

Your day isn’t just the ceremony. It’s:

The chaos of morning prep
The nervous smiles
The hugs from loved ones
The laughter during speeches
The dance-floor energy
The quiet moments between the two of you

These are the memories you’ll treasure most — and they deserve to be documented.

That's why we always have 2 photographers. You will nearly always get us Matt & John!
But we're a family business so we have Matt's wife Catherine and Rachel sister/daughter, trained by us, as back up.

Because we believe if you want your story told, there's no way you can capture if with one photographer.

3. Consider Adding Video (It Brings the Day Back to Life)

Photos freeze moments.

Video lets you hear them. Feel them. Relive them.

A wedding film captures:

Voices
Laughter
Music
Vows
Speeches
Movement

Even if you’re unsure, many couples later say they wish they had it — because some memories deserve more than a still image.

Worried about extra work or inconvenience?
Other than being mic'd up for the ceremony and speeches you would know no difference when you work with us!
We have advanced cameras so we're able to capture video plus photos from the 2 cameras

4. You’re Not Just Hiring a Photographer — You’re Hiring Peace of Mind

With an experienced photographer and videographer, you don’t just get images.

You get:

Timeline support
Guidance
Problem-solving when the unexpected happens
Someone who adapts to the venue, weather, and lighting
A calm presence who reduces stress instead of adding to it

Hair and Make-Up: Feeling Beautiful Without Stress

Your hair and make-up play a huge role in how you feel on your wedding morning — and that feeling carries through the entire day. When you feel confident, relaxed, and like yourself, it shows effortlessly in your photos and video.

1. Book Early and Always Have a Trial

Good hair and make-up artists book up quickly, especially during peak wedding season in the UK. Securing your artist early gives you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.

A trial is essential. It allows you to:

See how your chosen look photographs in natural light
Make tweaks so it feels truly you
Check longevity throughout the day

Your wedding morning should never be the first time you see your final look.

2. Choose Professionals Who Understand Weddings (Not Just Make-Up)

Wedding hair and make-up is very different from everyday or editorial styling. Experienced bridal artists know how to create looks that:

Last through hugs, happy tears, and dancing
Work well with natural and artificial light
Complement your dress, venue, and overall style

They also bring a calming presence on the morning — which is invaluable.

3. Keep It Timeless and Comfortable

While trends can be fun, overly heavy or dramatic looks can sometimes feel dated when you look back at your photos years later. Soft, natural, and timeless styles tend to photograph best and age beautifully.

Comfort matters too. If you’re constantly aware of your lashes, lipstick, or hairstyle, it can pull you out of the moment. Feeling at ease allows you to fully enjoy your day.

4. Plan the Morning Timeline Carefully

Hair and make-up often set the pace for the entire morning. Allowing enough time prevents rushing and keeps the atmosphere calm.

A relaxed morning leads to:

More genuine smiles
Better natural light for photos
A smoother transition into getting dressed

I always work closely with hair and make-up artists to ensure timings flow naturally.

5. Prepare for Simple Touch-Ups

Even with the best professionals, small touch-ups can be helpful. A little lip colour, blotting paper, or hair pins can make all the difference between moments — especially before the ceremony or speeches.

When hair and make-up are done well, you don’t just look incredible — you feel incredible. And that confidence becomes one of the most beautiful parts of your wedding story.

A Photographer’s Perspective: As a wedding photographer, I see first-hand how much hair and make-up affect not just how you look, but how you carry yourself throughout the day. Brides who feel confident and comfortable naturally relax into moments — their smiles are genuine, their body language is open, and their photos feel effortless. A calm, well-paced morning with trusted hair and make-up artists often sets the tone for a relaxed, joyful wedding day, and that always shines through in both photos and video.

Many of our weddings are at Hockwold hall and a fellow preferred supplier we see nearly every time we go is Daniella.
She helped us with our styled shoot.

We know knowledge from people like us who live and breathe weddings is incredibly valuable, so we asked Daniella for some of her top tips.

Give them a watch below!

Choosing Your Wedding Dress: Finding The One (and Supporting Local)

Your wedding dress is one of the most emotional and personal choices you’ll make — and it deserves time, care, and the right support.

1. Start Earlier Than You Think

Most wedding dresses take months to arrive and need alterations. Starting early gives you more choice and far less stress. It also means you can enjoy the experience rather than feeling rushed into a decision.

2. Choose a Dress That Feels Like You

It’s easy to be swayed by trends, social media, or opinions from friends and family — but the best dresses are the ones you feel confident, comfortable, and yourself in.

When you feel good, it shows. Confidence photographs beautifully.

3. Think About Movement, Comfort, and the Day as a Whole

You’ll be wearing your dress for hours — walking, hugging, dancing, and sitting down. Consider how it moves, how it feels, and whether it suits your venue and season.

A relaxed, comfortable bride always looks happier in photos and video.

4. Support a Local Bridal Boutique

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a local bridal shop is the personal service. Independent boutiques take the time to understand your vision, guide you honestly, and help you feel truly looked after.

Local bridal shops often offer:

One-to-one appointments
Expert styling advice
High-quality alterations
A calmer, more personal experience

Supporting local businesses also means you’re working with people who genuinely care about your wedding — and that makes a difference.

If you’re unsure where to start, another supplier we work with is Brides by solo.
They exhibit with us every year at Newmarket Wedding show and helped supply the dresses for our styled shoot.

How to Avoid Stress During Wedding Planning (and on the Day!)

Wedding planning can feel like a full-time job — and many brides find the pressure slowly creeping in. Here are simple ways to protect your peace.

1. Choose Vendors You Trust Completely

The best way to stay stress-free? Surround yourself with suppliers who know what they’re doing.

A great photographer doesn’t just take photos — we help with timelines, lighting decisions, family photo organisation, and keeping things smooth throughout the day.

When you trust your vendors, you don’t have to micromanage. You get to be present.

2. Keep the Ceremony and Reception Close Together

Travel is one of the biggest hidden stress triggers. Keeping everything in one location makes life easier for everyone and gives you more time for photos and celebration.

3. Build a Realistic Timeline

A good timeline creates a calm, confident atmosphere. The pacing of the day affects everything from your mood to the quality of your photos.

I always help couples create a photography-friendly timeline that includes:

Time for your dress reveal
Couple portraits when the light is best
Enough time for family photos without feeling rushed
Sunset shots if the weather allows

4. Focus on Moments, Not Perfection

The most magical photos aren’t the posed ones — they’re the candid smiles, the tears, the squeeze of a hand, the look your partner gives you when you’re not looking.

Let go of the idea of perfection. Perfect doesn’t photograph well — authentic does.