As a wedding Photographer, I have obviously attended my fair share of weddings and had the honor of being behind the scenes and seeing all of the highs and lows of the day that is otherwise only witnessed by the wedding party and the family. I also usually become not only the photographer, but a wedding planner or problem solver as well at some point. The more weddings I shoot the more qualified I become to take on that role and also the more I learn about what you should, and should not do to have a beautiful day that runs smoothly, avoids bumps in the road and of course…results in photographs that you will cherish for years to come. Since a lot of these tips are most helpful during the planning stages, I thought I would share them.
1) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: The location can easily make or break your big day…and your wedding photos. How fancy or expensive the location is isn’t actually important at all. Some of my very favorite weddings that I have photographed were actually at parks shelters!
And can you believe this wedding was in the groom’s parents’ backyard?!!
When checking out locations keep these things in mind-
Is it important to me to have everything at one location (both wedding and reception)? This comes in especially handy if you have several out of town guests that might have a hard time finding their way from one place to another. It also allows more time to get your photos done and enjoy your big day.
How is the scenery for photos? The inside of your venue may be gorgeous but you aren’t going to want every one of your photos shot in the same location or up at the alter. Are there a few different places outside that will make nice backgrounds for your portraits? And keep an open mind when looking for these places. It doesn’t have to look like a park or forest. A stone or brick wall, gazebo, some nice stairs will always work. If you have your heart set on a particular location that doesn’t have a lot of outdoor photo options, think outside the box. Is there somewhere nearby that does? I have had several brides and grooms shoot their portraits at a second location.
2) PLAN AHEAD. As you start working on the details of your big day, the sooner you decide on some of the small details and designate special people to help you out the better. Will you see each other before the ceremony? We call this a “first look” and it can not only provide a very intimate and special moment and photo opp, but also frees up time to do as many photos as possible BEFORE the ceremony!
It’s also a great idea to find a close friend or family member who can be by your side most of the day (possibly a bridesmaid or MOH) that knows most of the important people you want photos with. Then make a list ahead of time and have that person keep track of and direct those people to make sure they are ready when it’s time for their photos. At one wedding this person even stood beside me and called people in and out of the photos so all I had to do was keep shooting!
3) COMMUNICATE! Get your paperwork in on time with all of your vendors. Read over contracts early and address any questions or concerns that come up. Schedule one last consult with them about a month or 2 weeks prior to your big day to go over changes that have been made since your last consultation and any last minute questions.
4) LOOK WEDDING READY! Think of how what you are doing in the weeks leading up to your wedding will affect how you look on your big day. Guys- don’t wear sunglasses or ball caps out in the sun for long periods of time. They can leave funky tan lines. Girls- same thing with bikinis or hanging out by the pool. If the bride or bridesmaids are wearing strapless dresses, a tan line can be VERY noticeable both during your ceremony and in your photos and that’s not something your photographer can just easily fix in photoshop. Eat healthy so you look and feel your best. Exercise but also get plenty of rest too. Look how Wedding Ready these beautiful girls are!
5) LEARN HOW TO… Many of my brides and grooms learn DURING their wedding that there are a few typical wedding traditions that they really don’t know how to do and didn’t think of until it was time to do it. There are a few that seem to pop up at almost every wedding I shoot. Pinning on the boutonnieres for instance. Who is going to do this? Often the mother of the groom will do his, but what about the rest of the guys? And does ANYONE actually know how to do this? (If not this video is helpful) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3D1wl4-oiU
What about the cake. I mean everyone knows you are supposed to cut it together and then feed it gently to each other (or smash it in your new spouse’s face). But where do you cut from? How big of a piece or do you cut two small ones? These are good decisions to make ahead of time. Here is a good article to help: https://www.everafterguide.com/bride-and-groom-cutting-cake.html
Last but not least… bustling the dress!!! This never seems to go well or quickly. Every dress is different so go over this thoroughly during your last fitting at the dress shop. Make sure you have the same people with you that will be helping you on your wedding day because honestly the bride isn’t going to be able to do this or see at all to help so she’s not the one who needs this information.
6) DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS! Don’t forget to personalize your day with little details that tell who you are as a bride and groom and/or as a couple. Favorite sports teams or hobbies are often incorporated into the ceremony, reception, or photo ideas. Instead of a cake do your favorite treat…cupcakes, a pie buffet and coffee bar, etc. Several of my 2016 couples even included their dogs in the portraits. Don’t forget, this is the beginning of your story together. It shouldn’t be just like everyone else’s.
My final piece of advice is don’t rush through your day. You (hopefully) only get one. I have several couples that inform me that certain shots are very important to them during their consultation. Then when their wedding day comes and they have gone through hundreds of photos and start seeing the reception and the chance to let their hair down in sight and I remind them of those shots they suddenly don’t really care about them anymore. When you are making your “must have” shot list put stars by or circle the ones that you absolutely don’t want to skip. If they are important to you before your wedding date, they most likely will be important after. You don’t want to make these decisions when you have wedding brain going on. ๐ I (as well as any experienced wedding photographer) will make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy yourself. Same advice for all other aspects of your big day too. What will be important to you when it’s all over? What can you live without? You may have every detail planned but time won’t allow for all of them and you have to cut some things in order to relax. Be prepared to consider some of your ideas just that…ideas. As in “we will do that if time allows but let’s make sure we relax and have fun and take it all in first”. Don’t let the possibility of going without something ruin your wedding. Remember what it is really all about in the first place. Not the dress, the cake, the flowers or location. It’s about your journey as a couple and the first day of your life as husband and wife!
Happy Weddings!
