After the Wedding: Photo Delivery, Editing & Gallery FAQs
Once the wedding day is over and the excitement settles, most couples have the same question:“What happens next? When do we get our photos?”
Your wedding photos are one of the biggest emotional touchpoints after the day, and understanding the delivery process helps you know exactly what to expect. With 18+ years photographing weddings across Manchester and the North West, here’s a clear breakdown of how the post-wedding workflow works — editing, delivery timelines, backups, and your online gallery.
This guide covers the most common questions couples ask once the big day is over.
Planning coverage? Read:
Full-day wedding photography explained.
How long does it take to get our wedding photos back?
For full-day Manchester weddings, the typical editing timeline is:
- Sneak peeks: Usually within a few days
- Full gallery: Delivered within the agreed timeframe (industry average: 4–8 weeks depending on season)
Peak summer months can take slightly longer due to volume, but the timeline is always communicated clearly.
The focus is always on quality — every image is hand-edited to a consistent, timeless style.
Do we get sneak-peek photos after the wedding?
Yes — sneak-peeks are part of the experience.
A small selection of preview images is delivered shortly after the wedding (usually within a few days), so you can share and relive the moment while excitement is still high.
How are the photos edited?
Every delivered image is individually edited by hand — no batch presets, no automated filters.
Editing includes:
- Colour correction
- Tone balancing
- Exposure adjustments
- Cropping for composition
- Fine-tuning for consistency across the gallery
Your final gallery is polished, cohesive and true to the atmosphere of the day.
Do you retouch images?
Light retouching — yes.Heavy “magazine-style” retouching — only on request.
Standard retouching includes:
- Blemish removal
- Softening minor distractions
- Light adjustments to keep images clean and flattering
The goal is always authenticity, not unrealistic perfection.
How many images do we receive?
For a full-day wedding, you typically receive 500+ fully edited images, depending on:
- Guest numbers
- Timeline length
- Number of locations
- Weather conditions
- Level of activity throughout the day
All images are delivered in high-resolution, suitable for printing at any size.
How do we receive our photos?
Everything is delivered via your private online gallery, which is:
- Fast
- Secure
- Easy to share
- Accessible worldwide
- Mobile-friendly
- Downloadable in high resolution
You can download the entire gallery or individual photos at any time.
No watermarks.No pay-per-download restrictions.No hidden fees.
This is the preferred modern approach and far more convenient than traditional delivery methods.
See all delivery FAQs in the Manchester Wedding Photography Advice Hub.
Can we share our online gallery with friends and family?
Yes — your gallery is built for sharing.
You’ll receive a private link that you can send to:
- Family
- Friends
- Guests
- People who couldn’t attend
They can view, download, and enjoy the images without needing passwords (unless you request additional privacy settings).
Can we download the photos in high resolution?
Absolutely.
Your gallery includes:
- Full high-resolution downloads for printing
- Web-size downloads for social media
- Unlimited re-downloading
- No expiry unless requested
Everything is accessible on any device.
How are our images backed up?
Backup and data security are a big part of the workflow.Your photos are backed up:
- On dual camera memory cards
- On multiple hard drives
- On secure off-site storage
- In your private online gallery
This multi-layered approach ensures your memories are safe long after the wedding day.
Can we print the photos ourselves?
Yes — you have full print rights.
You can:
- Print anywhere
- Create your own books
- Frame images
- Share files with family
- Use the photos personally however you wish
Your gallery also includes a professional print shop option if you prefer premium-quality prints, but it’s completely optional.
Do you offer albums?
Yes — but only if you want one.
Today, many couples prefer digital delivery and an online gallery with unlimited downloads. However, if you ever decide to have a physical keepsake later on, you can commission an album at any time — weeks, months or even years after the wedding.
No pressure, no upsell.
Do you ever remove photos from our gallery?
No.
Your full curated gallery remains available permanently unless you request removal.This acts as an additional backup for your peace of mind.
What happens if we lose the files?
Not a problem — your gallery stays online and backed up long-term.If you ever lose your files, I can reupload or resend them.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding photography doesn’t end on the day — it’s the start of preserving your memories for life. With a clear workflow, professional editing, strong backups and a high-resolution online gallery you can share instantly, you receive a polished, accessible collection that’s easy to enjoy and revisit.
If you’d like to learn more about the full gallery experience or check availability for your date, I’d love to hear from you.