Preparing for your wedding day!
Some Tips From Your Wedding Photographer on How to Prepare For Your Wedding Day
Communicate! At least two weeks out the timeline should be confirmed with all the vendors - but it is also important to let your wedding party and family know what time they need to be ready and what time photos will be. Family photos are usually done either an hour or so before the ceremony, or right after. If we are doing the family photos right after the ceremony it is helpful to let your officiant know. This way after the recession - the officiant can make a brief announcement (for family to stay for photos while everyone else heads to cocktail hour). If the family photos are done before the ceremony - this may mean certain people will need to get sitters or figure out rides so they can be at the venue earlier.
Select some helpers! Of course I recommend a wedding planner or at least day of - but if you having more of a DYI wedding it is always good to ask a couple of people in advance if they could help with little things such as moving chairs (if you are using the chairs from the ceremony spot to the reception spot), helping with centerpieces, etc. You might think that is what your wedding party is for - but the day of they will be busy getting themselves ready and probably hanging out with you and taking photos. If you do ask people to help make sure to send a gift card or thank you!
At the ceremony. Something that a practiced officiant knows - but everyone else forgets is to ask your officiant to remind people when to stand for the bride(s) and when to sit. Also to step out of the way for the kiss photo. They will basically be in all the ceremony photos, but for that one it is awesome if they could just step four to five feet to one side :) Another reminder if you have a train - the friend of honor or a bridesmaid or anyone really can help straighten the dress(s) out once you get up there. Traditionally, you will hand your bouquet to them as well, and then you and your person will hold hands facing each other. At least that’s what looks a little better in photos vs. standing a few feet apart. Traditionally, your wedding party will walk down the aisle before you - remind them to walk slowly and smile! Remember - this is all some sort of tradition that someone came up with a long time ago - if you want to do something different, please do!
As you are walking down the aisle from just getting married - once you get to the end or middle of the aisle - KISS! If you remember. Everyone is watching and cheering you on and it makes for a great photo. If you don’t remember, totally fine.
If you are wearing heels bring some flats as well!! We would love to take you out on a mini adventure to get some awesome photos, but only if you feel comfortable. I do not want to get your dress or shoes muddy or have you fall! A lot of the weddings I do are outdoors so bringing an extra pair of shoes or wearing shoes you can walk in is a plus for that time of the day!
Take in consideration how long your dress/outfit might take to put on and to bustle. I always like to have some margins in the timeline (especially that first hour and a half), but it is always good to know if your dress has 76 buttons! Make sure you try it on a few times and that whoever is helping you get it on understands the process. I recently was with a bride and I think it took over 45 minutes for her to get everything on (going to the bathroom, spanks, tapping the boobs, the dress, re-tapping the boobs, veil, shoes, earrings, necklace, perfume, lipstick, drying off the bouquet).
Detail shots - when we arrive we will get started on the detail shots - this is typically the dress, viel, invites, bouquet, jewelry, shoes, dress, rings, vows, heirlooms, boutonniere(s), flower crown, hair piece, lipstick, cute purse, tie, watch, bolo tie… basically anything that might be special to you. It is very helpful if these are all in one spot for the photographer so they can easily start taking detail photos. This is the first thing we will do when we get there. I usually recommend an hour to an hour and a half of getting ready photos - you should be mostly ready when I get there (hair done, finishing up makeup or makeup done). See the timeline below (and photos above) on how that hour could look. It goes by fast! Also, if you want to do a first look with anyone else, with a dad or a grandparent, we may need to add on an extra 10 minutes.
Check on your vendor meals and know they eat when everyone else is - most vendors who are working over 4 hours will require a meal (it’s in most contracts). They are working hard for you - and they are human. At most weddings, I don’t even use the restroom until the very end (I don’t know how, ha). Obviously, this is also up to the catering staff but it’s important that the vendors (photographers and DJs) get fed quickly so that we can capture toasts. There is usually a 20 to 30-minute window in there. If there are meal options, don’t forget to check on your vendor’s preferences, allergies or if they are vegetarian (note: Taylor and I are vegetarian!). If you are only serving meat, no problem - just let us know so I can bring something for us!
If your photographer is not staying till the end of the night but you want those exit photos - check in to see if you can plan a time during the reception to get your wedding party or a few friends together with some sparklers - it would only take maybe 10 minutes or less, and you could get some great photos!
Golden light - As a photographer I am keeping my eye out on when that best golden light will be (usually about 25-30 minutes before sunset). Sometimes this is around dinner time - but totally worth stepping out for a few photos! It could literally take 5 minutes. If you are tired and hungry - totally understand. I will not force you to take photos ever - this is your day, but I also know why you hired me and wouldn’t want there to be any regrets!
Morning of - Everyone is different but it’s important to get some rest and go into the day with some good energy - meditate, go on a walk, do some yoga, eat healthy, breath work, journal…whatever makes you feel grounded. Be selective with who you invite into this time of the day. It’s easy to fuse to other people’s stress/energy.
Boudoir option - If you would like to add on 5 -10 minutes of some boudoir shots - this is the perfect opportunity. Right after you have had your hair and makeup done, and before you put on your wedding attire, we can kick everyone out and do some of you on the bed. You can bring some sexy undies or a robe. If this is something you are interested in please let me know so we can add on time for the getting ready timeline.
Example timeline of how the getting ready part of the day will go when we are there for only one hour:
(time used is just an example - but helps to see how things go in that hour)
1:30pm - photographers show up to scout a bit
2:00pm- photographers start shooting - we will most likely both start with one of you getting detail shots, etc. If you have details - dress, suit, shoes, jewelry, watch, perfume, invites we will focus on shooting those things first. You will be mostly ready at this point - maybe finishing up hair or makeup. If there are robes, etc people will be in them.
2:15pm - group photo with robes or what have you, maybe a champagne toast
2:25pm - if there is a note or gift we will get photos of you opening that - I will have Taylor go get photos of the other person opening or reading their note
2:25pm - whoever is helping you get your wedding attire on will change into their wedding attire
2:30pm - go to bathroom, boob tape, do whatever you need to do before getting on wedding attire
2:35pm - get on dress/suit (usually you pick one or two people to help with this and we can find a spot more private with good lighting)
2:45pm - shoes, any jewelry, perfume, veil, touch up lipstick, etc
2:50pm - sometimes a first look with dad or first look with friends
2:55pm - I will go grab your partner and set them up for the first look, make sure you bouquet is dry
3:00pm - I get back and grab you, first look happens