10 Tips for your wedding day…
10 Tips For Your Wedding Day
The purpose of this blog post is to be a helpful guide to couples who want to see and experience what happens on a typical wedding day. I’ll walk you through the day's timeline and give you helpful tips on how to make the day go smoothly.
When I arrive, I always start by coming in and greeting the couple and family. Then I will get straight into taking the detail shots. I discuss this with my couple beforehand, so they know there is no need to panic when they see me. I do this, so they are assured that I am there, but I will not start taking photos of them immediately.
Tip #1 - Ask the couple to put together a box of all their details in one place so that you can come in and greet everyone, then take that box to a location and start shooting. (Take a horizontal and vertical shot of each detail)
Once I finish all of the bride’s details, she is now free to start her getting-ready process. I make sure to snap a few pics of her in her robe if she has one, and some with her family or bridesmaids before she starts getting into her dress. I then give the bride time to finish up touch-ups or break for a moment while I get the groom’s details and take his getting ready or pre-wedding portraits. I instruct all bridesmaids to be portrait ready, so we can capture some group and individual images when I return. (If you are using a second shooter, you may want to let them get the groom’s details)
Tip #2 Make sure that you are prepared locations ahead of time for the getting ready portraits. You’ll need to choose a place that isn’t busy, and that is evenly lit. Make sure the groom has selected who will assist him and have them present for this time.
It is essential to let the scene play out as expected. I ask my grooms to get dressed as usual, and I will capture each step as it’s happening. He may need help getting into his cuff links or jacket, and this is a great time to incorporate his dad or best man and groomsmen. (If the couple has a videographer, be mindful of them and plan together so that the couple only has to do everything once.)
Tip #3 Make sure you know when your couple will read letters or open gifts and be ready to capture the emotions that come with those moments. You may want to make it part of the plan that they will include these in the getting-ready portrait time.
I like to get candids of the hair and makeup crews and just little details of what is around the room as well. The bride’s father sent her flowers, and she wanted a photo with them. It’s little things like this that you’ll want to capture so that when they look back through the images, they will get a feel for what was happening because, in the moment, they may not be thinking about it. This is my job as their photographer to stay in step with them throughout the day.
Tip #4 - When the bride is ready to get into her dress, make sure she has selected who she would like to help her. Sometimes she will ask each bridesmaid to help put on a piece of jewelry. She might have her mom and his mother involved in helping her with the dress and the veil. This can be filled with emotion, so it’s good to hang back and allow natural interactions.
Once the bride is dressed, she may want to do some first looks with her bridesmaids, her dad, and the groom. Or she may want a traditional first look at the altar, but my job is to make sure we plan either way so that the couple gets the images and memories they want on their wedding day.
The Bride’s first look with her dad was such a sweet moment. These are times that they will remember forever.
Tip #5 Always let first looks be intimate. They don’t need to have a big audience, and be sure to give them instructions on where to turn and look beforehand but then after the initial images are captured, I like to let it just happen and not rush it.
At this point in the day, if the bride and groom chose a first look, you would immediately go into their couple's portraits and then the bridal party and family formals. At this wedding, the bride and groom did a traditional first look at the altar, so it was off to the ceremony. The bride usually goes into hiding at this time.
You can map out this time to take reception details if the ceremony and reception are in the same location. Sometimes you can snap pics of the venue all set up, but the cake may not be there yet. I try to get all I can early so that if I run into a time crunch, I won’t miss out on these important details.
Tip #6 - Make sure someone is in charge of the rings and the vows, and anything you need to have with you for the ceremony.
About 15 minutes before the ceremony starts, I get into my position. I like to take candids of guests arriving, any ceremony details, and any pre-ceremony prep, such as prayer or contemplative moments.
Tip #7 - Photog tip -Be sure to change your SD cards and check your batteries before the ceremony starts. You don’t want to miss an important shot because you have a full card!
Also, it’s a good measure to have your backup camera, lenses, and flash available. I have everything on my person. I keep both cameras on my harness and carry a pouch with all my cards, and, extra batteries so I won’t be caught without them.
During the processional, I am usually standing in front of the mother of the bride while everyone is entering. I am getting a full body and a close-up of each person in the bridal party. When the bride is in sight, I will turn and take photos of the groom and capture his reaction to seeing his bride and then back to her as she enters and is given away. Once at the altar, I get the handoff and the hug; this is an important shot. After that, I will make my way around the center of the aisle in the back and get the wide shot and maybe even a couple from both sides. Then I go back center aisle and make my way up about halfway. I try not to be the center of attention. I will focus on the reactions of parents, snap some of the bride’s face and the groom’s face during vows, then the rings and the kiss.
I will often ask my couple to stop mid-way for another kiss or just a hand-in-hand shot as the family, and bridal party celebrates behind them. This is a favorite!
The recessional is something I rarely do but if the bride and groom want a moment alone after the ceremony, I will get each couple as they exit. If you have a second shooter, it’s good to let them capture this, and you get the “just married” pics of the couple nestled away someplace.
Tip #8 - Have the officiant announce that all the bridal parties and families stay for portraits and what location to save time.
Tip #9- Have your couple prepare a list of names, first and last names, of all the family members they want to be included in the family formal portrait session. You will appreciate first and last names because it eliminates the confusion when calling their names and getting people in line for the next up portrait.
You’ll need to have the list that you’ve had your couple prepare for the family formal time. When that list is complete, I’ll ask if there is anyone else, but it’s good not to veer from the list until it’s done. Your list will start by getting a full bridal party picture with a couple of poses and then the breakdowns and move into family formals. Depending on when the ceremony starts, you may be running on borrowed time for daylight; as your photographer, I will make every minute count. I always want to get all of these out of the way and get intimate photos of the Bride and groom; while your family and bridal party go and enjoy a cocktail hour or go to the reception.
I try to allow for time so that you can enjoy some cocktail hour or have a break before being announced at the reception.
Once I have all of the portraits finished then it’s becomes more event photography and I encourage my couple to relax and enjoy their party! I will usually go and get setup for any extra lighting I need before my couple comes into the reception. If my on camera flash is sufficient I will make sure my settings are ready for the big entrance. For the rest of the night I focus on getting the highlights as they happen. My main goal of this time is to make sure my couple can be themselves and enjoy all the hard work they have put into this evening.
Tip # 10 - If the couple wants to have an exit photo don’t wait till the very end to take this because a lot of folks will have cut out early. You may also choose the faux exit with only the bridal party and do it before you go into the reception. This option is nice and less chaotic.
Thanks to Nick and Brittany for this awesome wedding to feature here. They are truly a beloved couple! If you enjoyed this blog post on wedding day tips leave me a comment. Thank you!
Venue: The Refinery
The Callihan Wedding at the Robards Barn
A beautiful fall barn wedding…
On October 22, 2022, Rob Callihan and Kelsey Shanks made a covenant before God and their family and friends to become Husband and wife.
They had such a fun style with the rustic barn and fall colors. It was a wedding day for the books! The weather turned out sunny and gorgeous, and so was this bride!
One of my favorite memories from shooting this day was actually when we were setting up to do a first look with dad when he walked up the stairs and saw his daughter. I got my camera going quickly to capture the moment as it happened, and oh, what sweet images!
Take a scroll and enjoy some of my favs from their gallery!
