Keep your photographer in the loop, don’t keep secrets
I’ll be with you for most of the day, so I need to know about any surprises you have planned for each other. Tell me in advance and I can be in the right place to catch the moment.
Ask your vicar or celebrant about their rules
Part of the legal ceremony can’t be photographed, and the rest is down to the priest, vicar or celebrant. I think it’s only courteous to ask before the day, so there are no surprises when it comes to it.
Give yourself time for hair and makeup, and book a professional
Don’t put yourself under pressure. Leave plenty of time and trust a professional makeup artist and hairstylist to take the strain.
Think about an engagement shoot
An engagement shoot is a good way to get to know your photographer and start to relax in front of the camera. Unless you model for a living, most couples feel a little self-conscious at first, and a shoot beforehand takes the edge off the nerves.
Have faith in your photographer
Like everyone else you’ve hired for the day, your photographer will get on with the job. You’ll have seen the portfolio and know the style, so you can relax and enjoy your big day.
Keep group shots to a minimum
I understand you want photographs with as many guests as possible, but your guests would usually rather have a drink and socialise. There’s a fine line between getting the group shots you want and letting everyone enjoy the day. Start big: photograph the whole wedding party first, then work down to the smaller groups. That way people can relax sooner.
Have a schedule and build in buffers
A schedule that you and your photographer have agreed keeps the day running smoothly, and buffer slots take out a lot of the stress. If you need a wedding planning document, you can download my spreadsheet, which includes a schedule template.
Tidy the rooms used for prep
With so much to plan, the small things get forgotten. Before you start getting ready, tidy the rooms you’ll be using, as they tend to show up in your prep photographs.
If you need to tie a bow tie, don’t learn on the day
This isn’t only about the groom and a bow tie. If there’s something you don’t normally do, sort it out beforehand rather than reaching for a YouTube tutorial on the morning of the wedding.
Print your wedding photographs
I firmly believe your wedding photographs should be printed. An album or book is far more tangible and treasured than a USB stick of digital files. All my main wedding packages include a Blurb book.
Set your social media do’s and don’ts
Social media is part of life now, but some couples would rather their big day wasn’t shared with the world, while others embrace it and even set up a hashtag to gather everyone’s photos in one place.
The choice is yours.
