Wedding photographer: A slightly overcast sky is the best weather for wedding photography.

A slightly overcast sky is the best weather for wedding photography or seek out the shade on sunny days.

Tell any prospective client that you hope it is cloudy on their wedding day and you might forgive them for thinking you're slighly bonkers. But tell them I do, I like to tell it as it is.

The fact is bright sunlight makes for harsh shadows, there are no two ways about it, even when using fill flash or using reflectors. Flat lighting produces the most flattering results. Take a look at my online wedding photography portfolio and you will see most pictures are not in harsh lighting.

When I say cloud I don't mean rain clouds or thunder and lightening, just a thin veneer of cloud which leaves the wedding guests bright and evenly lit and rain free.

In the height of summer light cloud can even be welcomed by the guests as it takes the heat out of the day and is certainly welcomed by the hapless wedding photographer heaving lots of photographic equipment around the church and venue.

When the weather is less helpful and the sun beats relentlessly down a good photographer will seek out shady areas to photograph the bride and groom. Squinting brides and grooms fainting in hot morning suits don't tend to be favourites for the wedding album.