What Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer in Edinburgh

What Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer in Edinburgh | Q&A With Ryan & Lina White

Hi there! Wondering what questions to ask your wedding photographer in Edinburgh? We’ve gathered all the questions that often pop up when we’re chatting with our lovely couples about their big day. Wedding planning comes with so many exciting choices to make, and we know you probably have a few things you’re wondering about, so hopefully this clears up some of those queries for you.

With our combined photography expertise, 15 years extensive experience as full-time wedding photographers and Lina’s background as an events manager, we bring both creative vision and practical planning knowledge to your special day. We’re here to support you throughout your journey, help ensure everything flows beautifully, and capture your unique love story in stunning images that bring all those wonderful moments flooding back.

It’s a pretty comprehensive Q&A session below, but even if all your questions have been answered, we’d love to hear more about your special day and arrange a chat! Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to check our availability on your wedding date; we’d love to have a conversation to see if we’re the right fit for you and help in any way we can! You can reach us through the contact form below, drop us an email at contact@ryanwhitephotography.co.uk, or give us a call or message on +44 7958 320447 – whatever works best for you.

Get comfy, settle in and prepare to have your wedding photography questions answered!

We hope to hear from you soon!

Ryan and Lina 

Your Wedding Photography Questions Answered

About Our Services

What packages do you offer?

We offer three full-day wedding photography packages in our collection, plus shorter coverage options for weekday and off-season micro-weddings, elopements and vow renewals.

All packages include:

  • Two photographers on the day as standard – Ryan & Lina
  • Individually retouched images provided as high-resolution JPEGs in a private online gallery
  • A black and white edit of your full gallery (some of our favourites!)
  • Unlimited high-resolution digital downloads
  • Online Gallery Slideshow
  • Personal use licence for all images

Full Day Packages, price range between £2500 to £3200

  • Classic Package (7-8 hours) | 300+ images
  • Premium Package (8-9 hours) | 450+ images + luxury 30 page handbound album
  • Luxury Package (9-10 hours)  | 600+ images + luxury 40 page handbound album + £100 prints voucher

Shorter Coverage (Monday-Thursday and select Sunday, Off-Season & winter dates):

  • 2-6 hours coverage starting from £690 for micro-weddings, elopements, and vow renewals

Please note, prices quoted are for 2025-2027 wedding bookings. Where not included, albums, duplicate albums, pre-wedding shoots, prints and extended coverage are available to add to your package, just get in touch for more details.

Can you create bespoke packages?

Absolutely! While our set packages work perfectly for most couples, we understand that every wedding is unique. If our existing packages don’t quite suit your specific needs, we’re more than happy to create a bespoke package tailored just for you. Our packages are also flexible, so if you’d like to add extra hours, include additional services, or make any adjustments, just let us know and we’ll work something out that fits perfectly with your plans and budget.

Do you offer elopement and small wedding photography packages in Edinburgh and the surrounding area?

Absolutely! We love photographing intimate celebrations and capture many elopements, small weddings, and vow renewals throughout the year. We’re regulars at some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful venues including Edinburgh City Chambers, Carberry Tower, Barnbougle Castle, Melville Castle, Dalhousie Castle, Prestonfield House and Cromlix House, where we’ve had the privilege of documenting many beautiful and intimate ceremonies.

 

There’s something truly special about smaller celebrations – the focus is entirely on your love story without any distractions, and we find these intimate moments incredibly moving to capture. Plus, if it’s just going to be the two of you on your special day, we’re more than happy to act as your witnesses too! It’s always an honour to play such an important role in making your day official.

You can read a bit more about our elopement, small wedding and vow renewal packages here.

Do you offer discounts or reduced rates for weekday and off-season or winter bookings?

Yes! We offer reduced rates for Monday to Thursday full-day bookings (between 7 to 10 hours of coverage), as well as discounts for select off-season, winter, and Sunday dates. We also have fantastic value weekday packages (Monday to Thursday) featuring 2-6 hours of coverage, starting at £690. These are ideal for intimate micro-weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Drop us a line to see if your date qualifies for any of our special rates.

Do you work with a second photographer?

Absolutely! Ryan and Lina always work together as a husband-and-wife team; there’s no extra cost for having a second shooter. Having two photographers means we can capture different angles during your ceremony, both of your preparations, and more candid moments of your guests throughout the day, and it’s really helpful during your couples’ photo session to have an extra set of hands for the dress and flowers!

What’s your photography style?

We have a combined editorial and documentary photography style, offering a blend of natural, candid images as well as relaxed and creative, editorial-style couples’ portraits on the day. Our style is all about natural storytelling, capturing authentic moments as the day unfolds, so you can just enjoy yourselves while we work in the background. We also love to capture some beautiful, natural portraits of the two of you, without any awkward posing! For your group shots and couple portraits, we’ll guide you to the best spots at your venue and offer direction where needed. We’ll make sure to keep it fun and relaxed the whole way through!

Booking & Payment

How do I book you?

After confirming our availability on your date, just send us an email with the good news and complete our online booking form (don’t worry if you don’t have all the details yet; just put in ‘TBC’ and we’ll update it later). Once we receive your form, you’ll get an email with links to your digital contract and deposit invoice. Then it’s time to pop open a bottle of fizz to celebrate a big tick off your wedding planning list!

What are your payment terms?

We require a 30% deposit to secure your date, with the remaining balance due 8 weeks before your wedding for full day bookings, or 4 weeks before for half day/micro weddings, vow renewals and elopements. Bank transfers are preferred, but can accept card payments via PayPal (5% processing fee applies). For international payments, we recommend using Wise.com for the best rates.

Do you offer payment plans?

While we typically request a 30% deposit to secure your date with the remaining balance due 8 weeks before full-day weddings (or 4 weeks before half-day bookings), we completely understand that wedding expenses can add up quickly! We’re more than happy to discuss setting up instalments to make managing that final payment easier, especially since most suppliers’ invoices tend to arrive in the final three months before your big day.

When should I book my wedding photographer?

The earlier, the better! Popular dates can book up to two years in advance, especially Fridays and Saturdays in summer. If you’ve found us and love our work, we’d recommend securing your date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

You have a 14-day cooling-off period for a full refund of your deposit. After this, if you need to reschedule your date please give us plenty of notice – if you work collectively with us, your venue, and your other suppliers it’s always possible to move your deposit to a new date. Cancellations within 90 days of your wedding are subject to the full contract value, as we turn away other bookings to honour our commitment to you. It’s then a sliding scale of the percentage of the contract value due on cancellation, depending on the notice period. All details will be outlined in your contract.

Coverage & Timeline

How long do you stay on the wedding day?

This depends on your package – anywhere from 7-10 hours for full-day coverage. We typically arrive during bridal preparations and stay through to the evening dancing. For shorter packages, we can cover 2-6 hours focusing on the most important moments of your day.

What do you do during the wedding breakfast?

We’ll take a break during your meal to quickly have a bite to eat and check our photographs and equipment, but we stay on-site and pop in between courses to capture candid moments of you and your guests chatting and enjoying themselves. We will of course be there to capture natural moments during the speeches, be it before or after your wedding breakfast.

How long do group photos take?

We recommend 6-8 groups to keep things relaxed, allowing 2-4 minutes per small group and up to 10 minutes for larger groups of 15+ people. We’re happy to guide you to the best locations at your venue, and we always try to keep it fun and stress-free! Have more than 8 groups? No problem, we just ask that you plan in the time accordingly. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on chatting with your guests or the canapés and fizz, of course! We recommend enjoying part of your drinks reception before starting the group photographs to give you a chance to greet everyone; they will be excited to congratulate you!

How long do couple portraits take?

We usually recommend 30-40 minutes total, which we can split across the day depending on the time of year, light and weather. We want to make sure we get beautiful images of you both whilst keeping it relaxed and enjoyable.

Weather & Backup Plans

What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

Don’t worry; we absolutely love a dramatic Scottish sky! We’ve got plenty of experience shooting in all weather conditions and know the indoor and outdoor photo spots at venues across Edinburgh and Scotland like the back of our hands. Before your day officially starts, we’ll already have scouted the perfect backup locations so there’s never any panic or last-minute scrambling. We always carry spare umbrellas and recommend bringing a pair of wellies or backup shoes for potentially soggy grass (even if it’s not actively raining, the ground can still be damp). After 15 years of wedding photography, we’re completely confident in creating stunning images whatever Mother Nature throws at us! In fact, some of our most dramatic and romantic shots happen during light drizzle. There’s something magical about those moody skies and the intimacy of sharing an umbrella.

How do you handle outdoor ceremonies in bad weather?

Most venues will make the call about moving ceremonies indoors with about an hour or two’s notice, and we’ll simply roll with whatever decision is made. If your ceremony goes ahead outside and everyone’s huddled under umbrellas, you’ll find us right there in the thick of it capturing every beautiful moment!

Technical Details

What file formats do you deliver?

You’ll receive all your images as high-resolution JPEG files that have been individually retouched by Ryan. We provide both full-colour and stunning black & white versions of every single image. No AI batch processing here, we give each image the care and attention it deserves!

Timeline & Planning

Do you help with timeline planning?

Absolutely! While we’re experts on photography timing, we’re also happy to help with your overall wedding schedule. Lina’s background as an events manager means she’s brilliant at spotting potential timing issues and suggesting improvements to make your day flow perfectly. We work alongside your wedding planner to ensure everything runs like clockwork.

What happens if our wedding runs over the contracted hours?

We’re incredibly relaxed about timing – honestly, we can’t recall ever charging extra for running over! If you know well in advance that you’ll need us for something special like late-night fireworks, just give us a heads up and we’ll sort out a quote. But for the typical half-hour to hour overrun that happens at most weddings? That’s just part of the service – after all, happy couples recommend us to their friends!

Communication & Contact

How often will we hear from you before the wedding?

We’re always available throughout your planning journey, but we typically touch base a few times between booking and about two months before your big day, then again in the final couple of weeks. We don’t want to bombard you with emails, but we’re always here when you need us!

Can we contact you on the wedding day if needed?

Of course! Every couple gets our personal mobile number and we’ll send you a friendly text in the days leading up to your wedding. Whether you prefer phone calls, texts, emails, or WhatsApp, we’re available for any last-minute questions, worries, or if you need recommendations for suppliers.

Venue & Logistics

Are there any venues you don’t work at?

Not at all; we pride ourselves on being adaptable! Having photographed over 600 weddings since 2010, we’re familiar with most venues across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Scottish Borders, Fife, Perthshire, and Glasgow. Every venue has its own character and quirks, and if your celebrant or venue has specific restrictions, just let us know beforehand and we’ll work around them seamlessly.

Do you need accommodation for destination weddings?

For weddings requiring more than four hours’ travel time, we’ll need accommodation for the wedding night to ensure we can travel home safely the following day. For true destination weddings, we ask for a minimum of two nights’ accommodation. This gives us the opportunity to scout your venue the day before, discover the most beautiful photo locations, and arrive on your wedding day completely refreshed and ready to capture every magical moment.

What about parking at venues?

We know the parking situation at most of our regular venues, but if yours is particularly challenging or you can reserve us a space, we’d be very grateful! It just means we can focus entirely on you rather than hunting for somewhere to leave the car.

Do you visit my venue before the wedding?

Given that we’ve photographed over 600 weddings since 2010, there’s a good chance we’re already familiar with your venue and know exactly where the best photo spots are and how the light works throughout the day. However, if your venue is new to us, don’t worry! We always arrive well before our official start time on your wedding day to explore the location, test the lighting conditions, and identify the perfect spots for your photos. This way, we’re completely prepared and ready to make the most of your venue from the moment we officially begin photographing.

After Your Wedding

How long until we receive our photos?

  • October to March weddings: 3-4 weeks
  • April to May weddings: 4-6 weeks
  • June to September weddings: 6-8 weeks

We always try to get you a sneak preview within a week, though this isn’t always possible during our busiest period (May-August). We will always do our best to get some photos out early; we know how excited you will be to see them! Every single image is individually retouched by Ryan, with no AI batch processing here!

How many photos will we receive?

This depends on your package, but you can expect a minimum of 300+ images for our Classic package, 450+ for Premium, and 600+ for Luxury. It’s usually considerably more than this, we just have to specify a minimum number in the contract. You’ll receive both colour and black & white individually retouched versions of every image in high-resolution JPEG format, with unlimited high-resolution downloads available via your private gallery.

Do you provide all the photos you take?

No, we keep the RAW files and carefully select and edit the best images from your day. We might take thousands of photos, but you’ll receive the cream of the crop, all beautifully edited and retouched.

Do I have the option of deleting or hiding some photos in my gallery?

Absolutely, just email and we will provide you admin access to hide any photos you wish. Some of our couples prefer to hide images that they plan on giving as gifts, and we understand that out of 600+ images there may be a couple that you’re not overly fond of. No offence taken if you choose to hide them!

How long do you keep our photos?

We maintain secure backup copies of all your edited images indefinitely, and your online gallery stays active for at least five years. We always recommend that couples create their own backups too, whether that’s cloud storage, an external hard drive, or better yet, some beautiful prints! There’s something special about holding a physical photograph that you just can’t get from a screen.

Can we order prints years later?

Absolutely! Even if your online gallery has expired after five years, just drop us a line and we’ll sort you out. We love hearing from couples years down the line!

Can we get the RAW files?

We keep all the RAW files (think of them as our ‘digital negatives’; the unedited starting point), but what you receive are the beautifully finished, retouched high-resolution images with full personal usage rights. You can print them, share them, and treasure them forever. Just don’t sell them for millions without giving us a cut of the profits!

Albums & Prints

What albums do you provide?

We provide beautiful handbound leather or linen cover albums with a lay-flat design. They are handmade in the UK using sustainable materials, and have been sourced for the exceptional quality and outstanding print quality. All pages are printed on archival photo paper so you know it will last a lifetime.

Which packages include albums?

Our Premium package includes a 30-page leather or linen album (up to 60 images), and our Luxury package includes a 40-page album (up to 80 images).

Can I add an album later or order duplicate copies for family members?

Absolutely! Albums can be purchased as add-ons:

  • 20-page album (up to 40 images) – £390
  • 30-page album (up to 60 images) – £490
  • 40-page album (up to 80 images) – £590
  • 30% discount available for duplicate albums

Albums are handbound 12×12″ luxury books with leather or linen covers. You can upgrade to 12×16″ for an extra £150, and add more pages in sets of 10 for £150 per set (maximum album size is 60 pages).

When do you design albums?

We typically design albums during our quieter months (November to April) when we’re not out photographing as often. The design process takes 3-4 weeks once you have selected your favourite images via the gallery, then another 4 weeks once approved and sent to print.

Can I order prints?

Yes! You can order professional-quality prints directly from your online gallery. Our Luxury package includes a £100 prints voucher. We’re happy to match prices if you’re considering ordering elsewhere. We use a professional print lab that matches our screen colour calibration, so we know the printed images will be shown at their best.

Pre-Wedding Shoots

Do you offer engagement or pre-wedding shoots?

Yes! Our pre-wedding sessions are £390 for 1-1.5 hours and include 40-60 individually retouched images. They’re a great way to get comfortable with us before your big day and can be used for Save the Date cards or your wedding website.

Where can we do our pre-wedding shoot?

We know some brilliant locations around Edinburgh and the surrounding area, just pop us an email and we’d be happy to share the locations with you. Shoots are usually booked on weekday evenings around 2 hours before sunset when it’s quieter and the light is beautiful.

Practical Questions

How far do you travel?

Travel is included within 60 miles of Edinburgh. Beyond that, we charge 40p per mile. For weddings more than 2 hours away, there may be an additional charge for overnight accommodation.

Are you insured?

Yes, we’re fully insured with full public liability and professional indemnity coverage. If your venue requires a certificate, just let us know and we’ll send it over.

What happens if you’re ill on our wedding day?

We have a network of trusted photographer friends who can step in if needed. You’ll never be left without a photographer; we’ve got your back!

What equipment do you use?

We use professional Canon mirrorless cameras and always carry backup equipment. We bring multiple cameras, lenses, and backup gear to ensure we’re prepared for anything.

Do you eat at weddings?

Yes, please do feed us! We work incredibly hard on your wedding day and really appreciate being looked after with a proper meal. We’re not fussy; whatever you’re having or a bar meal is perfect for us. Unofficial additional image retouching in exchange for a meal!

What do you wear to weddings?

We dress smartly but practically in dark, unobtrusive clothing so we can move around easily without drawing attention. If you have any specific dress code requirements, just let us know.

Do you help with wedding day emergencies?

Absolutely! Torn dress? Button popped off? Unfortunate stain or need help pinning buttonhole flowers? Lina comes prepared with a full emergency kit and is brilliant at quick repairs and stain removal; these skills have saved the day at countless weddings! She’s also fantastic at helping you into your dress and tackling those seemingly endless rows of buttons with her trusty crochet hook at the ready. Plus, she’s a qualified paediatric first aider, which proved invaluable when she had to help a choking toddler at one wedding. We love being there for all the behind-the-scenes moments that help make your day run smoothly!

Can we provide a shot list?

We always ask for a list of your must-have group photos, and we’re happy to hear about any special details or moments that are particularly important to you. However, we’d suggest being careful about being too specific with candid moments; they’re best when they happen naturally!

Will you share our photos on social media?

We’ll always ask for your permission before sharing any of your images on our website, social media, or marketing materials. If you’re happy for us to share, please send us your social media handles.

Do you offer videography?

We specialise in photography, but we know some fantastic videographers and are happy to provide recommendations.

Can you work with our other suppliers?

Absolutely! We love working with other creative professionals and are happy to coordinate with your videographer, wedding planner, or any other suppliers to make sure everything runs smoothly. We have a list of wonderful and exceptionally talented trusted suppliers that we would be happy to send to you.

Seasonal Considerations

Any advice for winter weddings with shorter daylight?

Winter weddings in Scotland require a bit of strategic planning due to our famously early sunsets. We’re talking 3:43pm in December! We strongly recommend scheduling your ceremony earlier in the day, then planning a generous drinks reception of about 90 minutes to two hours before dinner. This golden window is perfect for your couple portraits while we still have that beautiful natural light. As for group photos, we often suggest taking these indoors during winter; it’s much more comfortable for everyone and means you won’t be shivering through 20 minutes of family photos!

What about summer weddings and longer daylight hours?

Summer weddings give us so much gorgeous light to work with! We love to split your couple portraits across the day, capturing some lovely relaxed shots during your drinks reception, then returning to photograph some gorgeous images closer to sunset after dinner but before the dancing begins. That golden hour light in summer is absolutely magical and creates the most dreamy, soft portraits.

Pricing & Value

How do your prices compare to other Edinburgh photographers?

After working together for 15 years, our teamwork is seamless; we can capture those essential group shots efficiently and get you back to celebrating with your guests pronto! We pride ourselves on being competitively priced compared to other experienced photographers in Scotland, and our couples often tell us our rates were more reasonable than quotes they received elsewhere or what their friends paid.

 

As with many things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to wedding photography. While you might find photographers offering lower rates, this often reflects their experience level, equipment quality, or editing approach – some may use AI batch processing rather than the individual attention each image deserves. We believe our extensive experience, creative approach, glowing reviews and the quality of our final product speaks for itself. You’re getting great value for what we deliver.

Awards & Recognition

Have you won any awards?

We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised by the wedding industry! We’ve been honoured with awards from the Scottish Wedding Awards (twice!), VOWS Awards, Bridebook Awards, and Hitched Wedding Awards. These mean the world to us as they’re based on real couples’ reviews and experiences.

Working with Other Suppliers

Can you recommend celebrants or other suppliers?

Absolutely! We’ve built relationships with some truly wonderful celebrants and suppliers over the years. Just drop us an email and we’ll send you our carefully curated list of trusted professionals – they’re all incredibly talented, lovely people who are an absolute joy to work with.

About Us

How long have you been photographing weddings?

We’ve been capturing love stories since 2010! Ryan started as a commercial photographer, while Lina worked in events management before Ryan taught her the art of photography. It’s been quite the journey from there!

What’s it like working as a husband-and-wife team?

We’re living proof that holiday romances can work out; we met on a beach and haven’t looked back since! When we’re not photographing amazing couples, you’ll find us adventuring with our two wonderful children, Rhys and Erin, and our energetic springer spaniels, Indie and Jessie. We’re passionate about travel, the outdoors, and especially anything involving the ocean. Diving and sailing are our absolute favourites. There’s always another family adventure being planned!

Getting Started

Can we meet before booking?

We’d love to meet you! Whether it’s a coffee in Edinburgh, a video call, or a phone chat, we think it’s important that you feel comfortable with us before your big day. We’re also available on WhatsApp if you’re based abroad.

What happens after we book?

A few months before your wedding, we’ll send you our planning form to help us understand your day and the important people we need to photograph. Closer to the date, we’ll have a call to go over all the final details and make sure everything’s perfectly planned.

How do we get in touch?

Drop us an email, give us a call, or send us a WhatsApp – we’re always happy to chat and answer any questions you might have. You can reach us through our contact form or directly at the details on our website.

Hints and Tips for Your Wedding Day

We’ve photographed hundreds of weddings, and here are our top tips to help your day run smoothly:

Before We Arrive: Gather all your beautiful details in one spot: your dress, shoes, jewellery, invitations, perfume, and rings. This saves precious time and ensures we capture everything perfectly! Try to have hair and makeup completed about an hour to 90 minutes before your ceremony or departure time. If possible, schedule the bride’s makeup to start before we arrive; this gives us time to capture those lovely finishing touches and allows plenty of time for getting into the dress and some relaxed family photos.

Confetti Considerations: Large biodegradable rice paper confetti or fresh flower petals photograph beautifully and show up wonderfully in images. We’d suggest avoiding small dried flowers as they don’t show up as well and can occasionally stain dresses.

During Your Reception: Take a moment to breathe and soak in those just-married feelings before diving into group photos; we recommend at least 15-20 minutes to simply enjoy being newlyweds! For large group shots with all your guests, the ideal time is often just before dinner is called. Do bear in mind we’ll need an elevated position like a balcony or window for the best angle with groups over 30 people.

Group Photos Made Easy: Six to eight groups keeps things relaxed and flowing, though we’re happy to photograph more if you’d like; just factor in the extra time needed. Small groups take 2-4 minutes depending on size, while larger groups of 15+ people need about 10 minutes. We’ll guide you to the best spots at your venue, or you can let us know if you have preferences!

Making the Most of Couple Portraits: We typically spend 30-40 minutes on your romantic portraits, and we love splitting this time across the day to work with the best light and weather conditions. Pack a comfortable pair of shoes or wellies for potentially venturing off the main paths – we want to protect those gorgeous wedding shoes from muddy ground!

Speeches and Dancing: Consider having speeches before your meal if possible; this creates a lovely natural break for additional portraits or a quick breather before the dancing begins. When it’s time to dance, fill that floor! A packed dance floor always creates the most joyful, energetic photos, so don’t be shy about leading the way.

Our Best Advice: Take a deep breath, embrace every moment, and let yourself be surrounded by all that love. Trust your suppliers to handle the details; we’ve absolutely got your back throughout the day. Most importantly, remember this is YOUR wedding, so feel free to do things exactly as you want them. There are no rules you have to follow. Make it uniquely yours!

If any questions pop up before your big day, we’re always just an email or message away. Thank you for considering us to capture your love story – we would be honoured to be part of such a special chapter in your lives.

Still have questions? Don’t worry – we’re here to help! Get in touch and we’ll be happy to chat about anything that’s on your mind. We can’t wait to hear about your plans and hopefully be part of your wedding day.

 

Ryan & Lina

 

 

Wedding Photographer Edinburgh Scotland - Areas Covered

Edinburgh Wedding Photographer, covering East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian, Fife, The Scottish Borders, Glasgow, Perthshire and across Scotland.

Edinburgh photographer available for Full Day Weddings, Elopements, Vow Renewals and Small Celebrations in Edinburgh the surrounding area.

Ryan White Photography, Wedding Photographers Edinburgh Scotland 

 

0131 218 1658  |  0795 832 0447  |  contact@ryanwhitephotography.co.uk