Do weddings need to be perfect?
Well, a lot depends on who you ask.
If it is us, we say no.
However, photographers are an investment. We thought that, with that in mind, you might like to hear from us on how to make the day run as smoothly as possible - with as little regret as possible. The simple idea behind these tips is to be useful as background information. We felt that our experience and inside knowledge might help some couples so feel free to take any advice (not rules) as intended - definitely not to add stress or overwhelm you.
Just be yourself. Honestly. We are almost certain that the images you will most enjoy looking back on for years to come are the ones that captured the organic, natural version of you as a couple and with your loved ones.
Just be present. What will happen will happen. At the end of the day, you have done everything you can in the lead-up and the story of your day will now unfold. Enjoy it! Lean into it! Lean into all of it - the fun, the nerves, the day. Your enjoyment will shine through in your photographs - trust us.
Relax. We will work around everything. It is your day. You do not need to meet anyone else’s expectations. We walk in with no expectations and every intention of capturing your day as photojournalists - documenting your story. For the record, we embrace chaos. It is our privilege to document your day and, by the time the day itself comes around, it is time to roll with it.
It is never too early to start planning. Take your time. Most vendors will take bookings around 18 months from your wedding date.
Make as many lists as needed.
Choose your style: boho, classic, elegant, modern, rustic, timeless, vibrant… Allow that style to determine your direction (consistency is key).
Outsource as much as possible. This will allow both you and your loved ones to focus on the day itself. Let your valued vendors run around and work up a sweat for you.
Hope for the best; be prepared for the worst. People can be full of all kinds of surprises.
Stick to your priorities as a couple. Treat all the “advice” you receive as white noise - some will be useful and some won’t. Feel free to keep some advice and quietly discard the rest.
Embrace open communication. If guest dress codes, for example, are important to you, make this clear. If you want everyone to wear neutral clothing, put it clearly on the invitations. Most people are accommodating. They just need to know what your priorities are if it impacts on them.
Have something nice (meal/drink) in the fridge at whatever location you are going to be staying the night. Future you will be very grateful for past you! Trust us on this!
Have your engagement ring cleaned in the week prior.
Lay everything out the night before. Remove all tags. Press your dress. So much less stress on the day.
Factor in breakfast on the day. No matter how nervous, just aim to have something (even if it is just some protein or complex carbohydrates).
Keep your timeline as manageable as possible. The day will go fast enough as it is without cramming things in.
Turn off your phone. Put it somewhere other than your pocket. Very often, the couple will provide us with the numbers of friends or family to contact, if needed. Perhaps designate someone to look after your phone (and keys & wallet, too!).
Break in your shoes.
Natural light (as far as possible) is everything (we have addressed this previously).
Please do not get a tan. Your natural skin tone will photograph so.much.better. It just will. This applies to absolutely everyone. Please let me know if you ever come across a photographer who recommends tanning in the lead-up to your wedding. ;)
Anything you want included in detail shots (including stationery), pop in a box. Super simple for everyone (we are all about consolidation!).
If nice dress/suit shots are important to you, get a nice hanger. It is a simple way to elevate & complement your dress/suit.
Have a corner to put things that you do not want in your photographs - water bottles, plastic bags, towels, hair spray, snacks, empty boxes, and so on.
Things to have in a preparation kit: tissues, blotting paper, water, snacks, double-sided tape, water, needle and thread, stain remover pen, water, safety pins, band-aids, water and jackets (better to have one that you want to wear than end up with a kind-hearted soul donating their jacket to the cause - it happens and, don’t get us wrong, is lovely in its own village kind of way. If you have a particular jacket in mind, though, make sure it is included). Yes, water really is that important. As for the lipstick, including a straw in your preparation kit is perfect. (Hydralyte, too, if it is a really hot day.)
If you wear a watch regularly and you have a resulting tan-line, perhaps wear a bracelet. Otherwise, keeping it off for a month or so before the wedding should even out the skin colouration. Same goes for strapless dresses; another thing to keep in mind in the lead-up.
On the topic of wrists, remove all hair ties.
If mum is helping to dress, make sure that mum has her makeup completed first. Otherwise, the bride can be ready but mum still has to have her makeup applied; this can push the timeline back.
Wear robes or dress shirts so that you can unbutton or untie when you remove them. You will not ruin your hair or makeup when you take it off.
Make sure someone knows how to do up ties (otherwise Pete is happy to help!) and that someone knows how to put on a boutonniere (again, we can help but we will not be able to take interactive shots at the same time; we usually include these in our galleries).
Do a first look. They really are amazing! We did one and it is one of our favourite memories from the day.
Write a letter to each other. It takes the pressure off having to know what to say to each other in the moment. It is still from your heart but penned when you had a chance to sit down and really think about what you wanted to say on the day.
Invite guests to arrive around 15 minutes before the actual ceremony start time. There will nearly always be someone running “late” so you can build this into the schedule.
<awkward alert> Not everyone looks happy as they walk down the aisle (wedding party, we are looking at you!). If you feel comfortable, perhaps mention in a playful way that you would like the walk down the aisle to be a, well, happy affair. Very often, everyone is happy to be there… they just don’t always look it. A serious face does not always translate well in the world of photography!
It can be a good idea to wait till the aisle is clear of the wedding party before walking down yourself. It makes for bold, clean aisle shots.
Walk slowly down the aisle. Really soak up the little moments along the way. Same goes for the journey back after the ceremony. Also, no one will stop you kissing again at the end.
Hold the bouquet at your waistline/belly button (less karaoke). Not only is this position flattering but it will show off the bodice of your dress, too.
If your ceremony space has a focal point (altar, floral installation, backdrop, and so on), try not to stand off-center. Sometimes, a small x marked out in gaffer tape on the floor or some other marker can be super useful to nail symmetry in the resulting images.
If the lighting conditions are not diffuse (one of you is in the shade and one is in the sun), this will impact on your photography. If you have, for example, an umbrella or marquee or gazebo, make sure that you are both standing in the shade or both standing in the sun. We can work with both (ideally shade, though!): it is just best for it to be consistent.
Hold hands during the ceremony. Less 1.5 m and more connection.
Please hold rings from the bottom; if not, the hands cover the rings and the resulting images are not as impactful. Put the rings on slowly.
Have a chat with the celebrant about the kiss. Most celebrants move out of the way just before announcing the kiss but best to be sure!
Hold the kiss (3-5 seconds) - no one cares how long you kiss for so go for it and get fabulous images!
If you have a confetti toss, look up (a lot of people instinctively look down when something is being tossed toward them).
Drink more water. Seriously, we are simple creatures and hydration is everything.
Think about whether you are comfortable with spectators during your portraits or not. We have seen heckling go both ways. They can result in fun, relaxed images… however, depending on the couple, they can also result in the couple clamming up and feeling insecure. If you want to avoid the peanut gallery, we recommend finding a location close by for portraits.
Make 15/20 minutes of private time just for yourselves. Guests respect that. Make sure that you have something to eat. Take off your heels and change into flats. Just check in with each other. No one else is allowed - including us. We’ll circle the guests and make sure that everyone is captured/take reception detail shots.
Enter your reception to your first dance. It is a natural progression and can free up the timeline. Instead of interjecting a first dance later, you can sneak away for golden hour portraits or night-time shots around the venue. Another option is to catch up on any group shots that were not able to be completed earlier in the day. Pete & I use this time to check in with your VIPs and ask them what shots they would like, too. They can result in some of the sweetest moments from the day! For example, at a recent wedding, the youngest granddaughter of the bride took a shot of the bride herself (with a teeny, tiny bit of help) and it is one that I am sure will be treasured very closely. It is beautiful when the new in-laws specifically request a shot with their new family addition, too - just them and their new son or daughter.
Cut the cake before dinner. The cake can be cut up during dinner and then served for dessert. (Make sure you are happy with the location for the cake cutting, too - you do not want to be positioned under an exit sign!).
Practice holding a knife and cutting together before your big day. There is an art to it and most people discover that in the moment.
Sparkler exit: in an ideal, non-pandemic world, this works best when everyone is shoulder to shoulder and not spread out (definitely not 1.5 m so this might be more useful information when we are on the other side of the pandemic!). You want to light the sparklers when you are at the head of the tunnel. Stop halfway down for the kiss and you will now have light both in the foreground and background of the images. Stunning opportunity!
Have someone in charge of calling for a taxi or sorting transportation.
Have someone in charge of collecting your gifts.
If you want a handful of super cute images as part of the send-off, let us know. We will use a technique that is guaranteed to result in some emotive images - no matter how tired and over the day you might be. We build that in. <3
Do not forget your phone! ;)
Preserve your bouquet. Frame it.
Do you want more guidance? You will find it here. :)