Is it just me or does it seem that as the days get longer lately, they are going faster and faster?! That means wedding season is quickly approaching! As you work on nailing down all your final details, I wanted to share a few of my favorite wedding day tips with you that will kick your wedding photography up a notch!
-1- De-clutter the getting ready room
Bonus tip: Choose a bright space near a window to get ready. Natural light is the most flattering.
-2- Keep all the rings together!
And don’t give them to the best man… yet. Many photographers photograph the bridal details at the very beginning of the day while you’re finishing up your hair and makeup, and the rings are essential to photographing these details. Keeping all the rings – engagement and both bands – with the rest of your details and bringing them to your getting ready spot, will eliminate the stress of getting in touch with the best man (or whoever else you hand the rings to) to meet up and get them for photos. This will save a lot of time! Plan to keep all your jewelry in one place and have a bridesmaid show the photographer where they are so you won’t be bothered while you’re getting ready and enjoying your mimosa.
-3- Make time for bride and groom portraits
You will appreciate this later! When creating your wedding day timeline, block out at least 15 minutes for some portraits of just you and your groom. This should be a short time for just the two of you and your photographer. Trust me, it’s a lot easier to get great, natural photos that showcase how much you love one another when you don’t have an audience. If you and your groom choose to do a “First Look” before the ceremony, you’ll leave your wedding with 40% more portraits of just the two of you so if photos are a top priority, consider this option! Otherwise, plan to block in time after the ceremony for those romantic, “just married” pictures.
-4- It’s OK if your dress gets dirty! It won’t show in pictures – I promise!
So many brides are concerned about their dress getting dirty before walking down the aisle and I totally understand that! Nobody wants to walk down the aisle looking like they just hiked through dirt and mud! When we take our brides around the venue taking photos with the bridesmaids or doing a “First Look” before the ceremony, it’s almost inevitable that there will be some dirt on the train of your dress, especially if you’re getting married somewhere more rustic. But no worries! This will not show up in photos! So don’t worry about the dress. You will be beautiful and your dress will be gorgeous!
-5- Stop and eat cake!
Ok, so this one has nothing to do with your photos, but it’s important! At so many of the weddings I’ve attended, I’ve noticed that more often than not the bride and groom don’t get to eat a slice of their own cake. They get busy with greeting and talking to everyone and don’t make time to sit down and enjoy their own cake! So during your reception, make time to stop and eat cake and enjoy your dinner. You’ll be thankful you did!
Enjoy planning your wedding! This is a once in a lifetime event so make it your own! Do things that you and your groom choose to do and don’t get caught up in details, traditions, and formalities. Sure, they’re important! But they can steal your joy on your big day if you lose focus of the fact that this day is really just about celebrating a lifetime of love with your partner. For more tips and tricks, visit the For My Brides section of this blog!
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