Congratulations on your engagement! Now, you have to find your perfect venue, dress, food, cake, photographer and so on. It can be very easy to get overwhelmed when first planning a wedding, which is why I wanted to offer a few simple tips that will help you and your photographer on the big day!
Plan Enough Time for Hair & Make-Up
Whether you’re going all out or just having a few people having their hair done, you’ll still want to allocate enough time for getting ready. Not only do you have to be taken care of, but all of your bridesmaids and wedding party could be thrown into the mix as well. Your photographer will be taking shots of the moments, which can add to the time it takes to get ready.
You’ll also want to schedule enough time on the agenda for getting ready because you don’t want to feel rushed getting to your different locations for pictures. Even if you are ready early, that’s more time your photographer has to take shots of the big day. It’s better to have more time for photos than to be pressed for time!
Choose Outdoor Locations
If your wedding is at a church or hall, it is fun to stop at a park or urban street setting. Make arrangements with your photographer to do so before or after the ceremony. Sometimes your venue has those options or I find it works well to stop on the way to your reception. If you are stopping for a drink, I am happy to get some shots at the bar too!
Include Fun Props
Bringing an old chair, toss items or other little extras will create even better pictures! Your photographer will love to add a little pizzazz to your photos, so any extra ideas or items are welcome. So if you want to bring confetti or flower petals to add some action shots, go for it!
Tell Us Everything
Even though we’re your photographer, we still want to be included more than you think. We are capturing every moment on one of the most special days of your life, so let us in on the details. What are your colors or what items did you make yourself that we should take pictures of? Who is in your wedding party and what are their names? Who will be helping you and acting as an attendant, as they will play a big role in helping with pictures. All these details will help us feel more comfortable on your big day and take pictures of what matters most.
Create a Photo List
If you are particular and want to be sure you have the exact shots you’ve envisioned, fill out a photo checklist. Let me know the exact shots you want and where, so nothing gets missed in all the hub bub. I have one as a guide and you can add to it. You can even include photos for inspiration, as that’s always a great way to show what you envision and exactly what you have in your head, instead of trying to explain it.
Once again, congratulations to all the soon-to-be-brides out there! I’d be honored to be a part of your big day, so be sure to check out my site and contact me to get your engagement session and wedding booked!