Tips to prepare for your Wedding photography

Essential Wedding Photography Resources for Couples: How to Capture Your Big Day Perfectly

Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life, and you want every special moment captured beautifully, that’s why we’ve put together this list of Tips to prepare for Wedding Photography. While a professional photographer will handle most of the work, there are some ways you, as a couple, can prepare to make the process smoother and ensure stunning results.

Sunburn:

With years of experience capturing weddings, especially at stunning beach destinations, we’ve learned how important it is to avoid sunburn and tan lines before the big day. Not only can these marks affect your photos, but they also add extra editing time and effort—something we can’t fix in video. To help you look flawless and avoid the need for post-wedding touch-ups, we’ve put together a list of essential tips. Follow these steps to keep your skin protected and glowing naturally, so you’re picture-perfect on your wedding day!

Specific Photo Requests:
While we have our own established workflow for capturing the essence of your wedding day, we understand that you may have specific photo requests or unique ideas you want us to capture. Whether it’s a particular family arrangement, a special moment, or a creative shot you envision, we are always open to your suggestions and will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please feel free to share any specific requests ahead of time, so we can ensure every important moment is beautifully documented.

Details shots:
Capturing the intricate details of your wedding day is essential, as these elements contribute to the overall story of your celebration. For stunning detail shots, such as rings, we ask that you gather all the important items in one place for us to photograph.
Please have the following items ready for us:
- Wedding rings (both together)
- Flowers (especially the bridal bouquet)
- Printed invitations
- Jewelry (earrings, bracelets, etc.)
- Perfume
- Shoes
- Veil if using any
- Any other personal items you want featured in your photos
We’ll take care of arranging these details for the photos, ensuring everything looks beautiful. Having them all together will help us avoid the chaos that can happen on the wedding day, allowing us to efficiently capture everything without needing to search for pieces later. This way, we can create stunning shots without the need for re-dos.

Take Your Time for the First Kiss
Your first kiss as a married couple is one of the most cherished moments of the day, so don’t rush it! When the officiant says, “You may now kiss the bride (or groom),” take your time—holding that kiss for around 5 seconds is perfect. It gives your photographer plenty of time to capture this beautiful moment from different angles, ensuring you get that iconic shot you’ll treasure forever.
Plus, it allows you to fully savor the moment without feeling rushed!

Dipping Pose Practice
We love capturing the romantic dipping pose, especially when you’re walking out from the aisle after your vows! To ensure this moment is perfect, we encourage you to practice the dip together before the big day. Familiarizing yourselves with the movement will help you feel comfortable and confident, resulting in stunning shots that truly showcase your connection.

Preparing For Family and Group Photos
Family photos can quickly become chaotic without proper planning, especially on a busy wedding day. To make this process smooth and efficient, it’s essential to assign a responsible family member or close friend to help gather people for portraits. This person should know both sides of the family well and be able to coordinate when and where everyone needs to be. Their assistance will ensure that no one important is missing from the key shots, and the photographer can focus on capturing these meaningful moments without delay.
Share the finalized family shot list with this person well in advance of the wedding day. Having a clear plan and knowing which combinations of family members need to be photographed will help avoid any confusion or delays. This way, you can spend less time wrangling relatives and more time enjoying your celebration while still getting all the essential family portraits.

Unplugged Weddings
Guests snapping photos during your ceremony can often block key moments and interfere with your photographer’s work. To avoid this, consider an unplugged ceremony where guests are asked to put their phones and cameras away and leave the photography to the professionals.
A great idea is to have your officiant invite guests to take a quick photo before the ceremony begins. This gives everyone a chance to capture the moment without disrupting the key shots during the ceremony. You can also place a sign at the entrance or ask the officiant to remind guests to keep their devices away once the ceremony starts, ensuring the photographer has clear angles and no distractions.

Consider a Day-After or Trash-the-Dress Photo Session
The wedding day goes by in the blink of an eye, and with all the excitement, there often isn’t enough time to fully capture every moment in your wedding attire. That’s why many couples opt for a day-after or trash-the-dress session. This gives you the chance to take stunning, relaxed photos without the rush and stress of the wedding day.
While it’s often called a “day-after” session, we usually schedule it two days after your wedding to give you a chance to rest and recharge. And don’t worry, “trash the dress” doesn’t mean you have to ruin your gown! It can be as casual as a relaxed photo shoot in a beautiful setting, or you can even use a different dress specifically for fun, adventurous shots.
This session is a wonderful opportunity to get creative, have fun, and capture more memories in your wedding attire.

Keep Cool and Enjoy the Moment
You’ve spent so much time and effort making sure every detail of your wedding day is perfect, but here’s the truth—it’s never exactly perfect. And that’s okay! What truly matters is that you’re there, surrounded by loved ones, celebrating your special day. If something doesn’t go as planned, don’t stress—just embrace the moment and enjoy it to the fullest.
Remember, the little imperfections are often what make your day unique and memorable. So, take a deep breath, let go of any worries, and focus on the joy of the day!