arloc1959

Fast lens. Mono-pod. Flash with diffuser. Watch for the distracting shadows. Use of available light. I actually use reflectors for night images. To redirect light from shop windows etc..... Shoot manual baby! Nothing looks worse than auto exposure with flash at night. And have fun with things such as HIGH SPEED SYNC. Change it up. Wide angle lens can give creative night shots. Keep the subject's away from the frame edges with wide angle unless that is your intent for effect.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

A pratice will help you loads. Yes you are crazy for taking on such a hard assignment. I think the couple is also crazy An outdoor wedding in the middle of winter in Ohio who wwowuld have thougth.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Man, you have your work cut out for you. It could be snowing a blizzard, it could cloudy, so no moon, it could be raining. I wish you only the best and truly hope the mother and mother-in-law don't expect miracles. And if you survive it, as I know you will, just think of the stories you can tell your grandchildren! :)

ace-mt Loc: Montana

What kind of lights are you planning to use. I'm curious to know if there is a temperature at which strobes dont work well. Im sure that you will be shooting raw, so the snow wont cause a white balance issue. The snow could make for some interesting lighting situations, how much light it reflects. I think that the earlier advice to leave a second camera and lens inside, is good advice. Good luck and please post some photos.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Get a bucket of speedlites, stands, flash diffusers and bring a helper to move lighting in and out of position. If you don't shoot manual, learn how to use speedlites in ETTL. During the dance, try 2nd curtain flash. Use a tripod. I'd practice on family or friends in a dimly lit park. I wouldn't just practice once. Keep practicing. Have backup camera and lens at the ready and keep plenty of batteries at the ready.

vanis Loc: Toledo, Ohio

Wow! I'm quickly becoming a huge fan of your site. :) Thanks for all the advice so far!

I will respond to the individual posts this afternoon. Thank you so much for posting!

Anyone else with suggestions, I'll be responding to all of these soon, I'm off to a shoot! You guys are so awesome!

Opus Loc: South East Michigan

I think I would have turned the job down. First, bring plenty of batteries for your flash, and it needs to be a good flash. Make sure you use a diffuser, use a lens hood in case it snows so the snow stays off the lens. If you have a back up camera make sure you have it and at least one extra battery for the camera.

Swede Loc: Trail, BC Canada

Cold weather, solution Captain Morgan, hot.
I think it's a great idea, Wedding outdoors in the winter,right on. How cold does it get in Toledo in December, I know in my neck of the woods it can get bitterly cold. Remember thats why they invented jackets.
Swede

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

No need to respond individually. Take what you can use and discard the rest. Let us know how the wedding came out.

Bill gomberg

Bookmark .
No disrespect but that you need to ask such a question prompts me to wonder if you're qualified to do the job .Think of the consequences for the bride and groom if you don't nail it . If this advice makes you at all nervous then I urge you to not do the shoot.

Martys Loc: Lubec, Maine

Hi Vanis and welcome to this wonderful group,...theres a lot of combined talent and knowledge here.

I shot weddings for many years and only took outdoor formals once or twice in the winter,..and they were just quick ones of the bridal couple.

First thing I would do is tie down exactly what they have in mind for outdoor images,...they have the answers to the questions that will matter when you shoot the job. Have them fill out a request sheet of exacly what they foresee for pictures and what they expect you doing,...could save your bacon if any misunderstandings occur.
Next I would definitely familiarize myself well in advance with the site and its desirable locations that have potential. Go over these locations with the bridal couple also,...they are initiating your expected photographic coverage and they should be involved and understand any and all of your limitations considering the winter conditions that will prevail.
Timing will be an issue as far as sun/moon being involved and thats obviously dependent on weather and/or sky contitions,...have backup plans should weather intefere with planned pics,...

If the entire bridal party is involved,...good communications and efficient time management will be essential to minimize uncomfortable expressions throughout the session while outdoors.

I never shot digital weddings but your camera and accessories will be getting quite cold,...familiarize yourself in advance with exactly how your gear performs in identical tempratures well in advance. Battery life cold versus warm, how to maintain and or keep your batteries at the proper temp to perform. Condensation on your lens upon entering the outdoors,....then again on reentering the indoor environment is a biggie,..specifics are readily available and very important to familiarize yourself with to avoid fogged lenses that require returning to ambient and usable condition.

Theres much more involved, these things come to my mind immediately though.
Could have some fun tooo,...if the couple is open to utilizing winter conditions in humorous pics,...boots and ski hats,... huddled together,..winter coats, long johns, ....Many possibilities,..its all beteen you and the couple to do your homework together,.....or else wing it and take pot luck,....as long as the bridal couple agree,...in writing.
Just my thoughts

Good luck,...keep us all posted.
Martys

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

I don't think this is the OPs first rodeo,,,I checked their website out. But like most things, there is a first time for everything. I have been doing weddings for years, and have yet to do one outside in the winter (in a snowy location). Doesn't hurt to ask for suggestions,,,maybe someone else has done it and has something to offer. I'd be the first to admit,,,,I don't know it all. Although, I know people that think they do :)

Cherihorn Loc: Toledo

Really? It's Toledo. Chances are this couple doesn't have several thousands of dollars to spend on a photographer that has lots of experience with taking wedding photos in the dark, in a backyard, in the dead of winter, in whatever weather Toledo might throw at you. I've washed my car in short sleeves on Dec. 31st (have pics to prove it) and watched it snow like crazy! Many of the replies Vanis has gotten so far proves that there aren't a lot of people out there who can say, oh yeah! I've done that and here's what I wasn't expecting! lol!

photosbysexton Loc: Knoxville, TN

recommend a good professional photographer who has done this type of shoot before.

Fla Walt Loc: Delray Beach, Florida

Use a tripod. They don't shiver in the cold. Is there an alternate indoor location in case there is a blizzard?