Making the Most of Your Wedding Photographer

For most brides and grooms, planning a wedding is like getting a new part time job. Though many brides have been dreaming of their wedding all their lives, when it comes down to it, planning the actual wedding can be an entirely different experience. As a wedding photographer, there is so much that you learn from behind the scenes and the entire wedding process. Having also experienced different types of weddings, you realize how different factors can affect how the wedding day goes. Here are tips from the photographer's side to making the most out of your wedding.

Creating a Wedding Timeline

Working with your wedding photographer to create a timeline is one of the most important factors in capturing all the special moments in the day. Here is a suggested timeline:

1. Groom Prep (optional)  | 30 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Putting on the suit
• Putting on the cufflinks
• Putting on the shoes
• Solo groom portraits
• Groom reading letter from bride

​DO I HAVE TO?
​This one is optional - some grooms aren't huge on photos - and that's totally ok! If you do want photos of the groom prep, make sure to account for travel time in between the groom and bride's prep locations if they require driving.

2. Bridal Prep + Details | 60 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Details such as dress, rings, shoes, flowers, and stationary
• Bridesmaids and bride in robes

• Buttoning up the dress
• Putting on the veil
• Solo bride portraits
• Bride reading letter from groom
• Dad's reaction to bride
• Bridesmaids praying over bride

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• Choose a location that has lots of window light and neutral colors.
• The more minimalist place is, the better! We want all the focus on the bride.
• Have the details ready for the photographer as soon as they get there.
• Get wooden or velvet hangers, not the plastic ones.
• Have lots of mirrors - especially full length ones.
• Clean up the clutter as much as you can - these little details can detract from the photos. 

​3. First Look + Bride and Groom Portraits | 45 minutes​​

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Bride and groom seeing each other for the first time
• Bride and groom portraits

WHY FIRST LOOK?
For years we've been told that the most special moment is the groom seeing the bride for the first time as she walks down the altar. But more and more these days, couples opt for a first look because it really gives them the time to just enjoy the moment and take it all in. As soon as the wedding starts, it oftentimes can go by so quickly that newlyweds forget all about what even happened on their wedding day. But having the first look allows them to slow down, and save these few precious moments for themselves.

Having a first look also saves those tear-jerking, awestruck moments for the bride and groom portraits - those photos that you treasure the most. Without 200 eyes staring back at you, those quiet moments often are the best ones you savor - where you look into each other's eyes and realize how amazing it is that you are both standing here together.

One more reason to have a first look - because the bride and groom portraits are the most important, you want to allot at least 45 minutes for them. Waiting until after the ceremony cuts this short, as you usually will want to talk to your guests and spend time with your family.

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• Find a location where you can be alone with just the two of you.​
• For the bride, remember to hold your bouquet low near your belly button.
• Remember that adjusting the train and veil can take time, so it can oftentimes takes longer to take bride/groom portraits.
• Forget the photographer's there. Let the moment shine for itself!

4. Wedding Party | 30 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• ​Bride with bridesmaids
• Groom with groomsmen
• Bride and groom with wedding party

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• For bridesmaids, hold your bouquet low near your bellybutton.
• Have fun! Celebrate together, laugh together, and don't be afraid to let all that quirkiness out.

5. Buffer Time Before the Ceremony | 30 minutes

This is the time for the bride to hide as guests are arriving. Be sure to account for more time if the ceremony and first look location are near each other.

​6. Ceremony | 30 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Wide shot of the ceremony
• Groom waiting at the altar
• Bride walking down the aisle
• Hugs all around
• Reading of vows
• First kiss
• Recessional

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• Have the officiant announce that it is an unplugged ceremony - that guests please remain seated, turn off their phones, and enjoy the ceremony with their own eyes rather than through the view of their phones. You want to look into the eyes of your closest friends and family as you celebrate your big day, rather than a bunch of phones snapping away. Plus, these phones often make it into the photographer's photos, which isn't all that romantic.
• Ask your family and friends beforehand to save the photography for the hired photographer. You're investing a lot into your wedding photographer, so why let it be wasted? Whether they're a hobbyist or a professional, having your guests take photos can disrupt the main photographer from getting the best angles and shots. One missed moment could be that precious moment where he starts to tear up at your vows, or your first kiss together as husband and wife.
• Write your own vows. These really make the ceremony so special - and nothing brings more tears to your eyes and your guests than those personal moments that really make your love story your own.
• During the kiss, guys - grab her waist and give her a dip for the ultimate romantic kiss.
• After the kiss, take your time and enjoy walking down the aisle together! The recessional/exit is usually one of my favorite shots because it's that moment of genuine happiness and joy - the "WE DID IT!" moment. DO have guests throw confetti, flower petals, bubbles, you name it - it really makes the moment so much more magical! Stop for a kiss in the middle and take it all in.

7. Family Formals | 30 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Bride and parents of bride
• Bride and mother of bride
• Bride and father of bride
• Groom and parents of groom
• Groom and mother of groom
• Groom and father of groom
• Bride and groom with both families
• Bride and groom with grandparents

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• Find a wide open space with even lighting and a clean background if possible.
• Assign someone like your wedding coordinator to call out the family combinations - someone preferably with a loud voice who can wrangle everyone together.
• Try to limit family combinations to 10. Focus on what photos are most important to you. Talk with your family beforehand to see if they have any photos that they really want to make sure to capture. If you have any family members that you know you really want to have photos with - for example, grandparents - be sure to include them on the list.

8. Reception Details | 30 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Sweetheart table
• Guest tables
• Seating chart
• Guestbook
  

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• Keep the guests in a separate area during cocktail hour so that the photographer can get photos without people in them.
• For outdoor weddings, have the wedding coordinator pay attention to a few tables specifically for photography. Sometimes weather can be unexpected - such as wind knocking over decor.

9. Reception | 165 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Bride/Groom/Photographer Eats
• Speeches
• Father daughter dance
• First dance
• Cake cutting
• Dessert table
• Party!
• Exit

​TIPS TO MAKE THE PHOTOS AWESOME:

• Have the DJ turn off colored lights during any special dances.
• If you're planning to do a special exit, have the receiving line be longer rather than wider. Don't run too fast through it - maybe even stop in the middle for a kiss! If you're planning on using sparklers, be sure to get the ones that last longer.
• Don't forget we have to eat too! Account for about 15-30 minutes for vendors to eat so that we can be ready to capture your best dance moves.

10. Sunset Portraits | 30 minutes

WHAT IT CAN INCLUDE:

• Bride and groom portraits

​WHY SUNSET PORTRAITS?
The first look often is during the mid afternoon, where the sun is the brightest. This casts shadows that can often be unflattering, which is why photographers try to seek shade when possible during the day. (Or if you're lucky, you'll have clouds during the day!) Golden hour - the hour before sunset - has long been the ideal time for photography. As the sun is setting, it casts the most beautiful, romantic glow behind you, making for breathtaking portraits. Sneaking off for some quick portraits also gives you some time to celebrate together, now that the months of planning has finally brought you to this day and all the stress has finally melted away. Time and time again, brides have told me that they were so glad that they chose to take the time for sunset portraits.

Avoiding Common Wedding Regrets

• Choose a venue that you love. This can make a huge difference to how your photos will look. Focus more on the bigger picture (ex. backdrop, archway, chairs)  rather than the smaller details.
• Choose a wedding dress, makeup, and hairstyle that you feel absolutely beautiful in. Don't rely on post processing, as this can not typically be done for all 500+ photos.
• Don't get sucked into Pinterest! While there are so many great ideas on Pinterest, it really takes an event designer to know what ideas look good together. Pick a theme and stick to it.
• Hire a videographer. While photos are of course very important, video lets you relive those moments that you'll miss in the rush of the day.
• Find people you trust to take care of the things you care about the most. Inevitably, things may go wrong with so many moving pieces, so have someone who knows your vision, who knows you to make sure the most important aspects are taken care of.
• Check your wedding outfit, hair, and makeup throughout the day. Remember to unbustle your dress for your first look, bride and groom portraits, and ceremony, and to take your veil off for the reception.
• Plan for the weather. If it might rain, buy clear umbrellas. If it will be warm, prepare lots of water - for you, your wedding party, and guests.
• Make sure to eat before the ceremony and during the reception. Have someone prepare food and dessert for you before the guests are served.
• Don't be afraid to get your wedding outfits a little dirty. Whether that's running out to catch the sunset on the mountaintop or taking a little adventure in the rain, the photos are worth it!​

Last Words

Most importantly, let your wedding day be about your wild, runaway, out of this world love. Let your wedding represent you, whether that's a wild adventure to the mountains or a rocking party of 200 people. You don't need styled tablescapes and all the things that the wedding industry tries to sell you on when you have the experience to speak for itself (and that's coming from me, the photographer, who knows that styled weddings get the most promotion in industry!) But this is not about the flowers, the archway, or the tables, it's about your love story. Focus on the moments that you will remember, rather than the details that you'll forget, because raw, genuine emotion, precious, unforgettable moments, and laugh until your chest hurts memories - are what show through the most.  So take it all in, celebrate, and let's tell your story!