Wedding Day Reminders and Tips

The BIG DAY can be stressful, no doubt! Our job as wedding photographers is to alleviate that stress, at least when it comes to the photography experience, by helping our brides be as prepared as possible. Below are some helpful wedding day reminders and tips to ensure your wedding photography goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Gather the Goods

If possible, collect all your details before I arrive so I can begin quickly and have more time for some “getting ready” shots of you and your girls!

Extra Elements

Depending on the theme and “look” of your wedding day, you might want to include some extra elements when gathering your details. For instance, if you’re having a country-themed wedding, consider including a piece of burlap or lace. If your rustic wedding features wooden elements, perhaps save a small piece of wood for me to use when shooting your rings and jewelry. These touches create beautiful, cohesive album spreads!

Keep All Three Rings

The most common detail missing is the rings! Moms, officiants, and planners often advise handing over your wedding band to the best man before the day begins. However, it’s better to hand it over during the bridal party portraits, allowing me to capture great ring shots in the morning! If you forget, no worries—I can always shoot the ring shot at the reception if there’s extra time.

Bring the Bouquet

Don’t forget the bouquet! Make sure the bouquets and bouts are delivered to the bride before the first look, so she can include her bouquet in her portraits. If it’s hot, we’ll keep it in water as much as possible before the ceremony!

Timing Tips

When planning your wedding day timeline, the best advice I can give is to ADD CUSHION TIME! Sometimes the simplest tasks can take an extra 20 minutes, throwing off the entire morning. I’ve seen “getting the bride in her dress” take longer due to a button malfunction. It’s wise to add an extra ten minutes here and there, providing us with wiggle room! This way, if one part of the day is delayed by 20 minutes, I can help you adjust in other areas. There are many aspects to consider when planning a wedding day, so here are some pre-ceremony timeline tips! Remember, every wedding day is unique, and not all these tips will apply to every schedule. Also, keep in mind that not everything will go as planned—and that is completely normal!

Bouquets and Bouts

You will need your bouquet and bouts for your first look! Have them delivered to the room where the bride is getting ready.

Travel Time

Be sure to consider travel time and traffic to and from your getting-ready location and the venue!

Hair and Makeup

I encourage brides to have at least their makeup done before I start, because who wants a lot of shots without their makeup on? No one!

Groomsmen Prep

My second shooter will photograph the guys getting ready if they are in the same location as the bride or within 10-15 minutes.

Getting in the Dress

I’ll instruct you to get into your dress near a window, and it would be fabulous to have your bridesmaids dressed when you’re putting on your gown!

Create a Cushion

A 10-minute cushion now and then is a GREAT idea! It’s amazing how quickly time slips away on your wedding day!

p.s. For more wedding planning tips, check out the below!

How to Prep Your Groom For a Photography Session

5 Reasons to Include a First Look in your Wedding Timeline

How to plan a Photography Based Wedding Day Timeline