Reasons to book a professional photographer for your wedding
Why should you still book a professional photographer, even for a twilight wedding?
In the UK couples can save on their wedding day by booking their chosen venue for a later service commonly called a “Twilight wedding”. Local to me I am aware of several venues which offer “twilight ceremonies” including Oak Farm Hotel and The Barns in Cannock.
With more couples opting for twilight weddings and simplified celebrations, it’s easy to see why some are reconsidering traditional elements—especially photography. Quite often this shift in the planning is due to budget or personal preference to A growing trend on social media sees couples asking whether it’s worth hiring a professional photographer, or if guests capturing photos on their phones and sharing them via a QR code will do the job.
While it may seem like a budget-friendly solution, there’s a lot to think about before skipping professional photography. If you’re planning a wedding in Staffordshire, Cheshire, North Wales, Merseyside, or anywhere across the Midlands, here’s why booking a professional photographer like Andy Fisher Photography is still one of the most valuable decisions you can make.
1. You Only Get One Chance to Capture Your Day
No matter the size of your celebration, your wedding day will be filled with emotional, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Guest photos can be a lovely bonus and even more so if guests have supplied small video clips, but they’re often rushed, blurry, or miss the key memories altogether. A professional photographer focuses on telling the full story of your day—so nothing important is forgotten.
2. Speaking From Personal Experience… I Have Regrets
On my own wedding day, we hired a professional photographer—but only for the ceremony and group photographs. At the time, we were trying to be sensible with the budget, and I thought that limited coverage would be enough. But in hindsight, I deeply regret not having more of the day documented.
There are moments I know a photographer would have captured beautifully—natural, meaningful memories that have faded with time. With time you realise the importance of photographs and this regret is heightened since some of the family members we celebrated with that day are no longer with us. We wish we had more photographs with them, and more images that truly captured the emotion of the day. You can’t rewind the clock on your wedding day. Those photos become your window back to the moment—and when they’re missing, it’s a real loss.
3. Twilight Weddings Bring Unique Lighting Challenges
Twilight weddings are romantic and relaxed, but they can be tricky when it comes to photography. As natural light fades, phone cameras can struggle with clarity, exposure, and colour. A professional photographer has the experience and equipment to work with low light, creating stunning images that feel warm and intentional—not grainy or dark.
.I personally love twilight weddings and capturing portraits at sunset or being creative with my professional equipment, having invested in learning and the equipment it opens opportunity to get something you may not expect.
The photograph below would not have been able to be captured on a mobile phone due to the techniques involved in capturing it.
4. Phones Miss the Emotion, the Framing, and the Magic
A phone camera might catch a smile, but a professional captures a feeling. From the way you look at each other during your vows to the spontaneous laughter during speeches, professional photographers know when to press the shutter and how to frame it perfectly. We also get moments where the action is fast pace and in the blink of an eye it can be missed (even if they are hilarious moments too).
5. Professional Photographers Are Storytellers
When you book a photographer like Andy Fisher Photography, you’re not just hiring someone to take pictures. You’re working with a storyteller who captures your day with artistic vision, consistency, and care. Your final gallery will reflect not just what happened—but how it felt.
6. Let Your Guests Be Present
Asking your guests to act as photographers sounds great in theory, but in reality, it takes them out of the moment. You want your friends and family to be laughing, crying, dancing and celebrating with you—not fiddling with phone settings or being distracted by their phone. Let them enjoy the day. Let me take care of capturing it.
Weddings I have photographed where the couple have asked guests to leave their phones alone and have it as an “unplugged wedding” are some of the best weddings to be at because the guests have put their phones away and are living the moments.
7. Budget-Friendly Doesn’t Mean You Have to Miss Out
If your wedding is smaller, more casual, or you’re watching the budget, there are still photography options that won’t break the bank. I offer flexible packages at Andy Fisher Photography for twilight weddings and shorter coverage—so you don’t have to miss out on capturing those precious memories, no matter the style or size of your day. Often these are my half day packages or a reduced amount of hours which suit budget and length of coverage.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Photography Be Your Wedding Day Regret
Photos are all that remain once the music stops and the cake is cut. Whether you’re getting married in Staffordshire, Cheshire, North Wales, Merseyside or anywhere across the Midlands, investing in a professional wedding photographer means those memories will be preserved beautifully for the rest of your life.
I know first-hand how important that really is—and how painful it is to wish you’d captured more.
If you’re planning a twilight wedding and wondering whether professional photography is worth it—it is. Let’s talk about a package that suits your day, your vision, and your budget.
👉 Get in touch with Andy Fisher Photography – your Staffordshire Wedding Photographer, also covering Cheshire, North Wales, Merseyside and the Midlands..
Looking for a photographer and want to chat?
Having read my tips on how to make your planning easier and more successful, if you feel I would be the ideal fit for your wedding day as your photographer then drop me a message and lets chat. The chat can be over whatsapp, messenger or if you prefer in person at a coffee shop over a brew (and a slice of cake of course 🙂 )
