Weddings FAQ

How long will Mark and Sue be with us during our wedding day?
Mark and Sue will often travel the day before the wedding so that they are available for a prompt start. They usually start by taking shots of the bride leisurely getting ready (and later the groom if time and venue permits) and they then follow through the events of the day and end their work with photography of speeches or fireworks. Attendance times are flexible, however, and additional requirements can be discussed.

Should Mark and Sue have a long way to travel, and require overnight accommodation who will pay their expenses?
Sue and Mark will pay for travelling and overnight expenses in mainland UK.

Can Mark and Sue be booked separately?
No, they always work together on the same wedding and regret that you are not able to book them individually.

Do Mark and Sue ever work on more than one wedding per day?
No, not at all! They are booked exclusively for one wedding on any one day - thus enabling them to work effectively and capture the whole of your day from almost beginning to end. Depending on the locations they may photograph more than one wedding over a weekend but they never take on other appointments on a wedding day.

How many Photographs will Mark and Sue take on the wedding day?
The wedding day agenda contains no fixed number but on your wedding day Mark & Sue will often jointly take 400+ images of varying type e.g. colour, black n white, etc. The number taken is dependant upon a variety of elements like the number of locations throughout the day and the amount of time between the ceremony and the commencement of the wedding breakfast.

Do Mark and Sue take formal group photo’s as well as candids?
Yes, they do. The group photographs are discussed prior to the day with each Bride and Groom. These informal shots are taken very quickly in a maximum time of about 20 minutes. They often call upon the Ushers and the Best Men in order to help gather the appropriate guests for these few shots. The more organized and prepared Sue and Mark are for these shots, the less time the shots will take and the more time the Bride and Groom will have to mix with their guests.

What do Mark and Sue do about eating on the day?
As they will have been with you all day Mark and Sue are usually ready to eat when you go in for your meal. Depending on the venue they would make their own arrangements to eat in a room nearby, but otherwise they would step out of the wedding temporarily and arrange and pay for a meal, themselves. They do need to be on hand in order to cover the commencement of the speeches where these fall at the end of the wedding breakfast.

How many photographs will we see from our wedding?
Most weddings produce an average of between 175 and 300 fabulous images and these will all be seen by the couple at their own private viewing.

How many photographs would make a great album?
You will probably love most if not all of the images you will see. Most couples choose between 75 and 160 images to put in to their album, but there is no limit. With selections of 200 images or more, Mark usually will suggest displaying the images in 2 albums (Volumes 1 & 2).

How much can we expect to spend on extra prints in our album?
Everyone’s wedding is different, each a unique event, and people have differing budgets. However clients usually spend in the region of £1500 on extra images in their album and approximately £1000 per parent album if also required.

Extra images in the album seem expensive?
Much time, care and attention is paid to producing each finished image. Mark uses only the finest materials with hand finished images. Meticulous attention to detail in the production and design process ensures that high standards are maintained and you and your guests look fantastic.

What cameras do Mark and Sue use?
Mark and Sue use superb Canon professional cameras and lenses. This allows them to work unobtrusively in all lighting conditions, even candle light.

What is the advantage of using digital cameras?
Digital cameras give a great quality advantage over film cameras in low light conditions. Being able to take photographs without using flash e.g. during the indoor ceremony (with permission) and other times throughout the day, allows Mark and Sue to be more creative in natural light conditions. Digital cameras are quieter than film cameras (as there are no noisy motordrives etc) which enables them to work unobtrusively and they have instant facilities to check for blinks etc. The ultimate plus of digital photography is that, having a skilled and knowledgeable production and design department, the finished print quality is exceptional.

Being digital how much manipulation is applied to our images?
Each and every image in its raw state is analysed for colour and tone, and black and white, selective colour and fashion colour options are created etc. Most images will be tidied up to some degree. This may include removal or toning down of unnatural blemishes such as spots or shaving cuts, whitening of teeth if required, and sometimes the removal of fine lines if requested by the client. Digital does not provide an instant ability to take great photographs – you still need to know what you are doing behind the lens! All reasonable editing is carried out as part of the service and is not a chargeable extra. Sue and Mark pride themselves on their reputation and the high levels of service and quality of product.

How much deposit is required to book?
A deposit of £495 is required at the time of booking in order to secure the day. Six weeks prior to your wedding, the remaining balance would become due for payment.

What form of payment do you accept?
we accept all major credit/debit cards (with the exception of American Express) and also cheque and on-line banking. (Cheques must be made payable to 'Mark Wilson Photography' and details for on-line banking can be obtained by contacting Mark or Sue at the studio).

Do you charge VAT?
Mark Wilson Photography is a VAT registered business but all prices quoted are INCLUSIVE of VAT.

After the wedding

Following the wedding how do we choose our photographs?
Prior to the wedding a mutually convenient date will be arranged, for you to come to the studio and view your images. The images are viewed as a show on a large screen and this is like reliving your wedding day all over again! By a process of elimination, you choose your ideal number of favourite images, and lastly you choose your album style, cover and colours etc. The process is great fun and it is not as hard as you would possible think! We are also very good at guiding clients on image selection.

How long will our album take to produce?
It usually takes approximately 6 weeks from viewing your wedding images to receiving your completed album. During that time your album is personally designed by Mark – after initial planning, adjustments and order confirmations the album is ordered and after several weeks of hand made production by their New Zealand and Australian suppliers Mark and Sue receive delivery of the album. From this point the album is hand finished and can be delivered / collected by the client. No expense or time is spared in creating your album.

How will we obtain our finished album?
You are very welcome to collect your album at a mutually convenient time or alternatively it can be collected/delivered, travel permitting. If preferred the album can be sent via courier for a nominal charge of £25 including VAT. Your wedding album is valuable not only in monitory terms but also in time and emotional terms and it is a personal pleasure for Mark and Sue to see the clients’ faces of pure joy when all is unveiled.

How will our parents and friends be able to choose images?
It can be arranged for your parents to view the images at the studio once you have seen them and made your selection. Mark has a wide variety of bespoke albums, frames and canvas wraps and they are welcome to choose whatever they wish. Mark is able to offer help and guidance on finished presentation.

Alternatively, where it is not possible for a guest or relative to attend the studio, they can view all the images from the wedding on the website and purchase any they require. There is also a facility for parents to order albums on line should they so wish.

When will our images go on to the internet?
Usually, within 2 working days of your viewing, the images will be placed on the website for family and friends to see. Should you be lucky enough to travel the world for several months or you live abroad; Sue and Mark can by prior arrangement place your photographs on the website within 3 – 4 weeks of the wedding day.

What if we do not want the images to be put on the internet for others to see? What are our options?
Your images can be uploaded to a unique internet location without links, and you can be sent your own URL. The alternative is not to have them uploaded at all.

How much does a parent’s album cost?
20 images in a fantastic hand crafted leather album costs from £775.
30 images would cost from £1075. The cost is based on £175 for the album and £30 each for the photographs irrespective of size up to 25cm by 20cm, dependant on album size selected.

Why are parent’s albums and reprints such great value?
All the editing and art work has been done already so album prints and reprints can be offered at a discounted price using the same high quality materials.

Are there any other ways we can have images presented in addition to albums?
Yes, Mark Wilson photography has a massive range of tailor made frames as well as canvas wraps of differing sizes and compositions, for example many clients visiting the studio see the lovely multi image frames (containing 9, 12+ images) and decide upon this as an additional way of displaying images. Frames are modern and contemporary and are matched to suite your décor. A firm favourite is a canvas wrap in black and white which has a moody and artistic effect.

Are we able to obtain reprints in several years time?
All images are archived for an indefinite period of time and reprints can be ordered by contacting the studio.

If our album or frames get damaged by flood or fire can these be replaced?
All albums, frames, canvas wraps etc can be reproduced as detailed records are kept of all orders and product design. However, Mark Wilson Photography is unable to guarantee for example, the exact same album cover or colour will be available from their supplier if much time has elapsed as they are continuously developing new ranges and innovative products. Mark and Sue would strive to achieve the most exact match to your album or frame. Mark and Sue do recommend, your wedding album and photographs are insured on your home contents policy.

How long will our photographs last?
Longer than us! If the paper manufacturers, are to be believed. Mark and Sue use photographic printing materials exclusively and paper manufacturers believe that 60+ years without any noticeable change is achievable. In an ever changing era of modern technology who knows what assurances will be available in the future.
At Mark Wilson photography, only materials of the highest quality are used. Mark and Sue are only interested in printing processes that are archival. It is not company policy to use short life imaging materials.