Wedding photographers and venues get the best reviews by waiting for the right moment: for photographers, when the couple receive their full gallery or album, and for venues, once the couple are back from their honeymoon and have had time to look back on the day. Ask by email with your Google review link, and in person if you see the couple again. Reviews matter a lot in the wedding trade, because most couples are booking a photographer or venue for the first time, often well in advance, and rely heavily on what other couples say.
When to ask
Asking on the wedding day itself is too early and usually out of place. The couple are busy, and they haven't seen the photos or the final bill yet. Waiting until everything is wrapped up gives them time to write a fuller review that's more useful to the next couple reading it.
- Photographers. The day the full gallery is delivered, or when you hand over the album. That's when the couple see the whole day for the first time and are most likely to want to say thank you. A sneak peek of a few photos shortly after the wedding is lovely, but wait for the full set before asking.
- Venues. After the honeymoon, when the couple are home and settled. Couples often come back the morning after to collect decorations, gifts and leftover cake. They're tired then, so a warm thank you is enough, and the review request can follow by email a couple of weeks later.
- Other suppliers. Florists, caterers, bands and hair and make-up artists can follow the same pattern and ask once the couple are back and have seen their photos.
What to say
An email works best for most wedding businesses, because the couple can read it together and take their time. Here's one you can adapt:
"Hi Emma and Tom, I hope you've enjoyed looking through your photos. It was a real pleasure to be part of your day. If you have a few minutes, a Google review would mean a lot and helps other couples find me: [review link]. Best wishes, Sophie"
Ask both partners. Reviews that mention both names, and specific moments from the day, read as genuine to other couples. Our review request email templates have more versions and subject lines.
Google and wedding directories
Couples also use wedding directories and planning apps to find suppliers, and many of those sites collect their own reviews. If you get a lot of enquiries through one of them, it makes sense to keep your reviews there up to date too. Google reviews show up when couples search for photographers or venues in an area, so they're worth having either way.
Asking a couple to review you on two sites at once is a lot. Either pick the one that matters most for each couple, or give them the choice. Our multiple review platform cards (£25) open a page where the couple choose which site to use when they tap their phone on the card, which suits a photographer handing over an album in person. Our guide on choosing where customers should review you covers the trade-offs.
In person
Venues see couples at viewings, planning meetings and on the morning after. A Google review stand (£35) on the reception or events office desk gives couples a quick way to leave a review whenever they're in, and it also catches people who've been to a wedding or event there and want to say something. Photographers who meet couples for an album handover can keep a Google review card (£30) in their camera bag. Each arrives programmed with your own link, with no monthly fee.
Things to avoid
- Offering free prints, an album upgrade or money off a future booking in return for a review. Google doesn't allow incentives, and paying for reviews is illegal in the UK.
- Linking a review to the return of a venue's damage deposit, or delaying the photos until a review is left.
- Only asking couples you know were delighted.
- Asking friends, family or other suppliers to post reviews for you.
Replying to reviews
Thank both partners by name and mention something specific from their day, such as the weather holding off for the confetti or the first dance.
If a couple are unhappy, perhaps about photos arriving later than promised or something going wrong on the day, reply calmly, say you're sorry, and invite them to talk it through by phone. Our guide on how to respond to Google reviews has examples.
Common questions
When should a wedding photographer ask for a review?
When the full gallery or album is delivered, as that's when the couple see all their photos for the first time.
When should a wedding venue ask couples for a review?
After the honeymoon, by email, with your review link. A thank you on the morning after is fine, but the review request can wait.
Should wedding businesses ask for Google reviews or directory reviews?
Both can be useful. Ask for the one that matters most for your enquiries, or let the couple choose.