Tips for couples to help make their wedding day photography go smoothly and stress-free!

Getting Ready

Things can be a bit hectic on the morning of your wedding day. That's why it's essential to gather all of your details the night before and have them ready in one spot for when I arrive to photograph them. When choosing a place to get ready, pick a clean space with natural light to provide the best setting for your photos. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, it's helpful if you can designate one person to tidy up before I arrive. This will allow more time for capturing spontaneous moments and help the getting-ready portion of the day flow seamlessly.

Bride Details: - Dress, rings, jewelry, hair pieces, bouquet, shoes, perfume…..anything that adds personal meaning to your day.

Groom Details: Rings, shoes, socks, cuff links, tie, watch, boutonniere, cologne…..anything that adds personal meaning to your day.

Upon my arrival, I will begin by capturing all the necessary details. I will bring some backgrounds and styling items like ring boxes to enhance the shots. If you are the bride, please ensure that your makeup is done before I arrive so we can capture you getting into your dress once the details are taken care of. Moreover, anyone helping you with this should also be dressed, and their hair and makeup should be done. For the groom, you should be dressed in your pants and shirt, and then I will take photos of you getting all your final items on.

Quick Tips: Wooden or silk hangers appear more attractive in photos than standard plastic hangers. Consider coordinating or matching your wedding party's outfits to capture great photos and gifts. Try not to have tan lines nor get spray tans for weddings. No matter how good of a salon you go to, tans can also go severely wrong, leaving an orange undertone compared to your partner and making it hard to correct skin tones.

Flat-Lays: If you want to capture photos of your invitations and stationery, please allocate 20-30 minutes to the schedule. I have a few background and styling items, but I will need your rings and any other personal items you want to incorporate. If possible, please request your florist to provide a few extras, as they add a nice touch.

For samples of details, click here!

Family & Group Photos

The best time to take formal family portraits is right after the wedding ceremony when everyone is in the same place, and we don't have to wait for anyone. This can be a hectic time, especially if you have a large family. So, it's a good idea to pick someone (like a planner, a member of the wedding party or a friend) who has a loud voice and can help gather the groups.

To avoid confusion, it's best to list the groups you want to take photos with beforehand. Talk to your family so that no one adds or changes anything on the wedding day, as time can be limited. Keep your list of groups short and limited to immediate family members such as parents, siblings, and grandparents. If you want to include extended family members such as aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, note that this will require extra time. Each group photo can take up to 2-3 minutes.

It's important to inform all the members on the list beforehand, so they know they are required and don't leave. If you struggle to make a list, you can leave it up to me to follow my formula.

While it would be great to have photos with every guest, wedding days are based on a tight timeline. So, cocktail hour is a great time to get candid photos with every guest.

Formals & Wedding Party Photos

Based on your schedule, we can determine when to take photos. We can take photos before the ceremony if you plan to do a first look. If not, we can do it after the family photos. If you are not working with a planner, I am happy to help guide you with the timing.

I suggest allocating two hours for formal photos - one hour with the wedding party and another hour with just the bride and groom. This should also allow for two locations. Travel time needs to be considered, so please ensure that the transportation is organized for everyone. Keeping it to one or two vehicles is best to avoid confusion. If it’s just the bride and groom, I'm happy to have you hop in with me to the photo locations. Or if it works out for me to hop in with the limo, it sometimes saves time and makes parking easier. Please communicate with everyone beforehand so they know when and where to be. It’s essential to stick to all timelines but also keep things fun.

Food is essential during the day, and I recommend giving the task of keeping you fed and hydrated to your bridal party. Many people forget to eat, and you want to ensure you have plenty of energy and don't crash. It's a long and wonderful day, and you want to enjoy every second.

Make an emergency kit for any unexpected wedding day emergencies, such as makeup for touch-ups, a small sewing kit, a Tide pen, Kleenex, etc. Before the wedding, ask your wedding party to carry your belongings and keep an eye on you to let you know if you need touch-ups.

Bring a more practical and comfortable pair of shoes that you can change into for all situations and environments, such as flats for walking on uneven ground and dancing, warm boots for winter, and rubber boots to keep dry. Most of your formal photos will be outdoors, so being prepared for all sorts of weather is essential. Layers like shawls, jackets, and mitts come in handy. I usually keep clear umbrellas and hand warmers, but only enough for the couple and wedding party. Ensure the wedding party and family know if their photos will be outside so they are also prepared.

For samples of details, click here!

Ceremony

Please speak with the person who will be performing your ceremony beforehand to determine whether there are any guidelines or restrictions on photography. This is especially important for religious, traditional, or cultural ceremonies in churches, temples, or other venues.

If a family member or friend will be conducting the ceremony, make sure they are aware of specific vital details. While having a personal touch in your ceremony is lovely, it's easy to forget to tell guests to sit down after the bride walks in or to stand up for the couple as they exit as newlyweds. Also, be sure to ask them to step aside for the first kiss so they don't end up blocking the shot. Speaking of the first kiss, try to make it last a little longer or even sneak in a second one, just in case someone accidentally gets in the photographer's way.

With the proliferation of technology, many guests will bring cell phones, iPads, and cameras to the ceremony. Encourage them to unplug and be present in the moment, especially family members. This will also keep the aisle clear for the photographer and ensure you have an unobstructed view of each other.

Once the ceremony is over and you're ready to walk down the aisle as a married couple, take your time and enjoy the moment. Consider pausing for a dip kiss or even stopping at the end of the aisle for one last kiss before proceeding to the photo location. It's also a nice touch to provide guests with bubbles to blow.

Finally, head to the designated photo location to meet up with your family for pictures. This will prevent guests from forming a receiving line and allow you to join them for cocktail hour, where they can congratulate you.

Cocktails & Reception

I always recommend creating a timeline that allows the newlyweds to enjoy the cocktail hour and capture candid photos with their guests. However, based on the timeline, portraits may need to be taken during this time. The reception details should also be photographed during cocktails before the guests are seated. If you are not working with a planner, I would be happy to help you create the best timeline to make the most out of your special day.

It's important to have a spot and meal for your photographer and for the vendors to eat. If you have booked reception coverage, you must provide a meal. Any place setting is fine, and being served near the beginning with the main family members helps so that we are not eating when speeches are happening.

When it comes to speeches, I recommend keeping them brief and sweet, with each speaker taking no more than 3-5 minutes. During speeches, make sure to snuggle in as it completes the photo. Also, it's essential to ensure that the MC knows the photographer is always in the room and ready before starting any speeches or programs.

It's important to keep the evening flowing and on time. If you are not working with a planner, then the MC should keep the program on track. We want to make sure your coverage doesn't run short. I know things can go rogue, and if we need to add more coverage, I'm happy to check in with you.

The first dance can be awkward for some couples unless you're a natural on the dance floor. Get your DJ to cut the song shorter, and then get all your guests to join the dance floor.

For samples of real moments, click here!