Wedding Day Photography Tips

Wedding Day Photography Tips

As Minneapolis wedding photographers, many of my wedding clients ask if there is anything they need to know to help prepare for the photography on their wedding day. Following are some of my most helpful tips for your wedding day photography:

~ Try to arrange to have natural light in the rooms where both of you will be preparing. Natural light looks great in wedding day photographs.

~ Keep the area near the windows free of trash, bags, snacks, etc. This is the area that we would prefer to take your photos during your wedding day preparation.

~ Make sure your shoes are comfortable. If not, feel free to bring along your formal shoes for your wedding photographs, but wear the comfy shoes to get around.

~ Make sure to task someone with bringing an emergency kit. Especially if you are a DIY couple, you will need to make sure you have a number of items to help in case something goes wrong. Spend a bit of time on Google to find lists of the most important items to have, then make sure a bridesmaid, personal attendant or other helper can be ready in case of emergency.

~ Consider extra help. Wedding planners, wedding coordinators, and even day-of coordinators can help take the stress out of your big day and help things run smoothly without needing your attention. You can relax, enjoy time with friends and family, and really focus on the best things about your day.

~ Allow more time than you think you need to get ready. It's better to be safe than be rushed. Often somewhere along the way people get delayed. Planning extra time into your preparation will help keep things running smoothly.

~ Brides: Consider a trial run for hair/makeup. While often times, things can go just fine on the first attempt, you never really know until you see yourself as you will look in real life. You can pair the trial run with your engagement photos, so you are able to see what you look like in photos before the big day!

Brides: everyone in the bridal suite should be in their dresses before the bride. Keep bridal details (jewelry, dress, shoes, accessories, etc) organized together for quick photographer access. We will photograph these items prior to your prep time.

Grooms: everyone in the groom's suite should be in trousers and shirts for wedding photographers to start. We will capture groom's details first (i.e. shoes, tie, cufflinks, boutonnière, etc.) Then we will photograph groom prep time.

It is typical to allow around two hours for all of your posed wedding photos.
- 30 minutes for wedding party
- 60 minutes for first look/couple portraits
- 30 minutes for family formals
Specific details and timing will be planned out prior to your big day.

More Wedding Day Photography Tips

Most of your wedding day is going to be photographed candidly, so you can relax, enjoy yourselves, and forget that your wedding photographers are even there. Kick up your heels, enjoy yourselves, and leave the photography to us! Contact me soon to find out more about working together for your big day!