Wedding photography is a critical component of capturing the memories and emotions of a couple’s special day. The photographs serve as a visual story of the couple’s journey, capturing the love, joy, and laughter shared between family and friends.
The photographer’s role extends far beyond just taking pictures. They play a crucial role in making the wedding day stress-free for the couple. They are responsible for following a wedding day timeline that ensures that all necessary moments are captured and that the couple is at ease throughout the day. They take charge of organizing group shots, capturing candid moments, and ensuring that the couple is relaxed and comfortable. With a professional photographer at the helm, the couple can sit back and enjoy their special day, knowing that their memories are being captured.
The purpose of this blog post is to provide tips and advice for a stress-free wedding day experience making the day as stress-free as possible. From preparation to execution, the post will provide guidance on how you can help make the wedding day a memorable and enjoyable experience.
1. Get a good sleep
How about starting the relaxed wedding checklist with a big one! You cannot overestimate this. Go to bed early the night before, switch off and get a good sleep. You will feel better the following day, brighter, happier, more relaxed, the list goes on. Hopefully I don’t need to sell you this idea. In fact, if you can, be good the whole week before the wedding and go to bed early everyday the week of your wedding. This is one of my favourites pieces of advice for couples.
2. Start your big day with a good breakfast
What you should eat on the morning of your wedding day? Again, I’m not a dietitian or a food expert and you can search the internet for some advice on this. I have however seen brides and grooms not eating for long periods of time on their wedding day. Make sure you start wedding morning with some proper food. A light breakfast such as cereals, porridge or peanut butter rice cakes would probably be a good choice. Full English? Erm, maybe not on your big day.
When your makeup artist comes along with the photographer, before you realise you’ll be sat in your wedding car outside ready to set off for the wedding ceremony and from then it will be a while till the meal. Try to eat light and often.
3. Stress free wedding ceremony
Registrars are normally pretty relaxed and allow us togs quite a lot of freedom during civil wedding ceremonies. There are no restrictions usually but you have to remember we can’t take photos of the actual register. Usually after signing the register, you’d be given a dummy one so I can take a photo of you pretending you sign it. Yep!
However we don’t often get that freedom at churches and places of worship in general. Whether it’s because of bad experience from another photographer or something else, some vicars are very strict about where we can go during religious ceremonies. I have had cases where during the wedding I was only allowed to stay at the very back having to use a telephoto lens, shooting most of the ceremony from behind couple’s backs.
It is worth clearing this with your vicar in advance and giving them reassurance that you are using a professional photographer that is very quiet and discreet and does not use flash in churches.
4. Ask your guests to hide their phones during the ceremony
Tell your guests to hide their phones during the ceremony. Wedding photographers are an important part of capturing images, but if your guests are on their phones during the ceremony, even if they’re not taking pictures, having them all on their phones will distract from what’s happening around you.
This is could also be distracting for other guests who may want to actually watch what’s going on up there. If you have friends or family who can’t help themselves from whipping out their phones at inappropriate times, tell them in advance.
5. Put your phone away
Put your phone away except when you want to take a few selfies with friends or family members. You may want to take photos with family and friends before or after the ceremony, but once it’s over it’s time to focus on your spouse and enjoy the moment. This will help keep you from feeling anxious about missing out on something important.
6. Plan your group shots in advance
Family and friends group shots are an important part of the wedding. You may not see a tonne of group shots on my or other photographers websites but I’d like to think most of us photographers take these. I do anyway! Unless you don’t want me to then of course it’s fine.
I will take any photograph you want me to on your big day however it’s important to realise that these group shots take time, especially those large group shots. The larger the group the more chance there is of someone wandering off just as we need them. Each group photo can take a few minutes with large group photos taking even 10-15 mins so I recommend no more than 15-20 group shots. Make a list of all your family shots you want to help you remember which ones you wanted to take. It will also make the whole process a much smother and nicer experience.
The bottom line is that the more time we spend taking these group shots, the less time you will have to enjoy your party and the less time I will have to take creative and fun candid shots of you and your guests. Remember the guests also get tired of waiting while the group photos are being taken.
I would usually ask your best man, bridesmaid or a member of your family to help me gather people for these group shots and this can speed things up.
7. Rain on your wedding day?
This is one of the things I can’t control, and I don’t think you can either, unless you went to Hogwarts!
You know British weather can be unpredictable and on a few occasions I did find myself and my gear soaking wet on a wedding day. This is not a problem though. Not for me anyway and unless you mind getting wet, we can create some amazing wedding photos in the rain.
This is when umbrellas come handy and remember to have spare wellies or a pair of trekking shoes as well just in case so you don’t have to be walking in your heals soaking into wet and muddy field.
For us creative wedding snappers, the rain or snow can provide some amazing opportunities usually not available on sunny days. I don’t shy away from wet weather and if you don’t then let’s create some magic!
Don’t panic if it rains on your wedding day.
8. Don’t plan an action packed day
The best advice we can give is to not overdo it! When planning your wedding you want to make sure everything is taken care of, but don’t plan an action packed event. The day will be busy enough with everyone wanting to spend some time with you. Then speeches, cake cutting, first dance. Try not to squeeze too many additional attractions for you and your guests. You don’t want to collapse in exhaustion at the end of your wedding day.
9. Trust your photographer
Have faith in your photographer to take care of your wedding photos. Chances are that you hire a venue because of the breathtaking view of the sea or the gorgeous garden. To make the most of these views and to utilise the best light possible, it’s important to allow your couple’s session within an hour before sunset. The so called golden hour is the best time of the day for these sort of photos. Discuss this in advance with your camera man and plan some time for this shoot in your schedule.
Time around midday should be avoided when planning your portrait photo shoot. Due to many ceremonies taking place around this time we often conduct group shoots shortly after. This is when we will be looking for shady areas around the venue or try to shoot into the sun if it’s outdoors. As far as your couples photos are concerned, leave these for later.
Another reason you probably want to book a particular wedding venue is probably its spectacular decor or original features. When planning an indoor shoot we’ll be looking for natural window light. This is often the most flattering light you can find indoors and doesn’t require the use of additional artificial lighting.
10. Focus on the important stuff
Don’t focus on small less important things. It’s hard, but try not to worry about anyone or anything on your big day. It goes by so fast, so wasting any of your energy or moments on being upset about some wedding stationery, fairy lights or wedding photos with sparklers is not worth it. This single tip alone can take lots of stress away and make your big day an enjoyable one.
11. Make sure you spend some time with your partner
Time literally flies by at weddings. Between your morning getting readys till late night party, try to actually make time and spend some time with the person you love the most – your partner. Maybe even prepare some little surprise gifts for each other. Weddings can be busy if not hectic sometimes. Between getting dressed, having your hair and makeup done and the crowds of people you have to deal with, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Often when I take couples out for a short portrait shoot around the venue, they say it’s the first private pocket of time they get to spend together.
12. Building a Wedding-Day Emergency Kit
On your wedding day, it’s wise to be prepared for the unexpected. Consider putting together a wedding-day emergency kit to navigate any unforeseen hiccups with ease. This kit should include essentials that can be real lifesavers. Safety pins can work wonders for last-minute wardrobe malfunctions, ensuring that a loose strap or a torn hem doesn’t become a major concern. A sewing kit comes in handy for quick fixes, ensuring that small tears or loose buttons don’t cause unnecessary stress. Pain relievers can be a savior for headaches or minor aches that might arise during the day. Beyond these basics, think about any personal items that might cater to your specific needs, ensuring that you’re well-equipped to handle the unexpected while staying focused on the joyous moments of your special day.
13. Expect unexpected on your wedding day
Another big one and one of my favourite tips for a relaxed wedding. Be prepared for the unexpected and don’t worry about little incidents. Everything is possible on your big day. Don’t panic and enjoy every moment of your wedding. Not every wedding goes according to plan. In fact most of them don’t!
I’ve seen all sorts things going wrong on a wedding day and it’s vital how you react to these. Stay positive and enjoy your big day as it happens. After all, you will remember that moment better. I’ve seen flowers arriving late, wrong size trousers being delivered for groomsmen. I got a parking ticket while on a sneak away photo shoot with a couple on their wedding day and witnessed a fire alarm going off during the ceremony.
Everything can be turned into a positive and a positive attitude is all you need. That lucky bride who heard the fire alarm going off just as she walked down the aisle ended up walking down the same aisle twice!
Wedding day tips – final words
In conclusion, following the tips and advice will help you ensuring a stress-free and memorable wedding day. It is important to remember that the day is about celebrating love and commitment, and not about the little things that may go wrong. By taking these tips seriously, couples can relax, enjoy, and cherish their special day for a lifetime.
I hope you found these few wedding tips useful and it will help you with planning your stress free wedding day. If you have any questions (wedding related of course!) or if you’d like to enquire about my wedding packages and availability then please get in touch using the ‘contact me’ link in the main menu.