Clean Your Ring
Don’t forget this step. There will be closeups of both rings taken throughout the day. We want to see that diamond shine from across the room. Trust me, a clean ring makes all the difference in the quality of the final images.
Unplugged Ceremony
My biggest recommendation involves asking your guests to keep their phones put away. You‘re paying me big bucks to capture every aspect of this day, you don’t want Great Uncle Tim’s phone in the final pictures, but rather his genuine reaction of watching you get married. This can be done by placing a sign by the entrance of the ceremony and/or asking the officiant to mention it at the very beginning of the ceremony. Most of the time guests are very respectful of this request and understand the money you have spent to have perfect pictures from me on your day.
Wedding Email
Consider setting up an email for just your wedding vendors. This way, all your wedding information, contracts, and details can be found in one easy place. Then, once you're married, your day-to-day email isn’t flooded with spam from your vendors. Don’t forget to check this email often!
Delegate
Select a member of your bridal party to handle all the questions, on the day of. You want someone you can trust to give correct answers without having to defer to you. This is your day, your job is to relax and enjoy yourself.
Snacks
Provide snacks and drinks, other than alcohol, for your bridal party. I would be devastated to watch your maid of honor collapse or vomit at the alter because she has filled her belly all day with just champagne. Providing snacks and water encourages the group to keep energy throughout the day, removing the possibility of any mishaps in front of all those guests.
Kisses
Take the time to kiss for several seconds or kiss multiple times every time you kiss. Remember, I am there to get the pictures, I can't always get the quick pecks. Also, practice your first kiss as man and wife. Throw a little dip in with it to really make your final images pop!
Crochet Needle
As a seasoned wedding photographer, this is my best kept secret! If your dress has any buttons or bustles, a crochet needle will come to your rescue. A crochet needle is a literal finger saver and will help button up the back of your dress in half the time.
Survival Kit
Do not skip out on this one. You need a survival kit. Here is a list of things to include in your kit:
- water
- Tylenol
- walking shoes
- band-aids
- needle + thread
- tissues
- nausea tablets
- Tide To-Go pens
- scissors
- double sided tape
- blotting papers
- safety pins
- menstrual products
- Listerine strips
- perfume
- crochet needle
End of the Aisle
You’ve done it! You have said your I Do’s and you're walking back down the aisle, don’t forget to stop at the end of the aisle and kiss one more time. This image opportunity allows for all the guests to be in the background. Have this conversation with your bridal party, to make sure they wait at the front until this kiss is finished.
