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I assisted wedding photographers in the early 90s and even back then couples paying upfront was standard practice, if for no other reason than it ensures all post-production is completed expertly and promptly. Since photographing my first wedding in 1996 and covering 700+ since it has always been my practice. Another reason is becuase all costs are incurred by the studio prior to a couple collecting their photographs, albums and artworks, and over twenty-five years (believe it or not) I have had dozens of couples not collect their albums, prints and artworks and had they not been paid for upfront; we would be out of pocket by tens of thousands of dollars.

Hope that helps provide a little clarification. The practice is nothing sinister, it is simply a case of making sure the money is there for a studio pay the costs of expert and prompt post-production (not to mention albums and artworks etc) whilst loved-up couples are off enjoying married life and fabulous honeymoons.

Cheers, Dale

DC Images

In short yes but as always rain, hail or shine the trick is to get a couple/bridal party etc having as much fun as possible and then a lot of these concerns tend to take care of themselves. A warm wrap is a given and when I've photographed weddings in the snow before (ie: New Zealand, Thredo) Bel for example had a gorgeous white jacket with a wool lining and collar, it looked unreal and I'm told was super warm - most brides also changed their glamourous high heels for warmer shoes (even boots or gumboots) when we wandered around the snow for the pictorial shoot (remembering the boots/gumboots were hidden under the dress or shown off with great delight). Other tips:

1. simply standing on the down wind/sheltered side of a building will avoid a lot of the chill
2. I would encourage you to stagger your time/images outside by ducking out for 10-20 minutes here and there (ie: not being outside for an hour or more in one go and warming up inside before you do head out)
3. cuddle your husband/bride even more
4. any photographer who knows what they are doing will control the light so no one should look blue
5. re goose bumps they never appear straight away I've found so I would start with the closer portraits first then if goose bumps do appear maybe look at capturing the more distant images, ie: panoramics, silhouettes etc
6. lastly most if not all wedding venues are just as pretty inside as they are outside so when it gets too cold for you snap some photos using a stunning natural window light for example

Hope that helps. Remember rain, hail or shine there are amazing images to be had no matters what the conditions and/or location.

All the best, Dale & the DC Images team