Night Time Arkansas Wedding | Taylor & Garrison

We have photographed a few weddings over the years at night time. Like, the sun is fully gone and the ceremony is at night. As a wedding photographer - full transparency here - it can be a very intimidating thing. Being a wedding photographer is about documenting things in situations that you don’t always get to control. Sometimes you have to adapt and overcome in a situation that wouldn’t be considered ideal. Sometimes things happen in full harsh sun, and sometimes it’s literally night time.

When Taylor shared with me their plans for a night time ceremony AND no first look, I had no idea what to expect. Of course I always try to make sure I am maximizing the conditions that we do have available to use to make sure we are getting photos that have become pretty customary for a wedding day, you know, like the couple having a single photo taken in the day time together. But I think the results speak for themselves - you truly can make a wedding day exactly what you want.

In Taylor and Garrison’s own words:

1.    Can you talk a little about planning a ceremony that was after sunset?

Planning a wedding after sunset was a bit scary at first. I couldn’t envision how photos would look- I was terrified thinking about artificial lighting washing us out… After taking with Heike (owner of Cold Springs) and seeing the Edison lightbulbs in the reception area, I knew it was going to be a WHOLE MOOD, we just needed someone comfortable shooting in that light. The lighting was so dreamy romantic and nothing I had ever seen before. My pinterest board started filling up with high flash and moody night-time wedding pictures.

2.    What were some of your favorite wedding details and plans that you made for your wedding day? Maybe talk about the first touch and how important and fun that was for you two?

Some of my favorite wedding details were: waking up early to have a slow morning, mimosas and brunch in the bridal suite with my bridemaids, writing each other letters, and our first touch. Garrison told me early on in the planning process that he didn’t want to have a first look because he wanted me walking down the aisle to be the first time he saw me that day. I had seen pictures of brides/grooms back to back on a door and them holding hands around a corner, but I really just wanted to hug him and be with him for a few minutes. We decided to sit beside each other on a pew facing opposite directions so we could take it all in together. We got to see how nervous the other person was, laugh, talk about the day and just be together. It was the sweetest moment that whole day.

3.    What advice would you have for couples planning their wedding in 2023?

I would say to not sweat the little details- easier said than done. Reflecting on my favorite details from that day, they were all moments I experienced with my people. Don’t stress about the pictures and making sure you get all these poses/ideas you’ve saved for years on your pinterest board. Let your photographer do their thing! Sit back and enjoy every detail of the day because it goes by so fast.