The Picture Perfect Wedding

A wedding photographer’s guide to staging your wedding day

Below is our list of ways to stage your wedding day in order to enable your wedding photographer to create beautiful images for you of your wedding.  After 14 years photographing weddings and events we see the need to educate couples on what they can do in order to enable their photography team.

CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE CONSIDERATIONS
Unfortunately, couples tend to book their venue before they hire their photographer.  So we don’t get to offer suggestions on location.  However if we could, we would suggest booking a venue not solely based on your style; but also keeping your guest count, venue rules and travel in mind.

The first thing to consider when booking a spot for your ceremony or reception is the number of guests the location can accommodate.  For a photographer we like to see guests fill the seats but not all of the space.  A reception where the tables almost touch really limits movement and takes time for a photographer to navigate.  While we want you surrounded by friends and family because their faces fill your photos with emotion, we need room to move.

Venue rules can also play apart in how a photographer can capture your day.  Before booking make sure to ask if their are any rules and consider how they might effect your event and how it is captured.

Finally, travel should also be a consideration.  Travel for destination weddings and/or just the distance between ceremony location, photo spots and reception venue.  When travel is needed during a wedding day between locations we suggest that the entire wedding party rides together.  Travel during peak hours of traffic or road construction should also be avoided.  For tips on how to make the most of a destination wedding see the Destination Wedding section below.                       

PICK THE RIGHT DRESS 

Most brides want beautiful outdoor photos of themselves in their wedding dress on their wedding day. Unfortunately most brides do not consider how the weather, temperature, or venue will effect those images.  When choosing your dress make sure to choose a dress in which you will be comfortable through-out the day inside and outside.  Keep in mind the fabric; polyester on a hot summer day equals sweat and in a dress with layers upon layers of poly will mean you will find yourself in a puddle.  Getting married in the winter?  Make sure you can wear long underwear under your dress and that they cannot be seen and bring a pair of boots to wear outside.  Make sure your bridesmaids are prepared for the weather on your wedding day as well.  A cold bridesmaid in a short, strapless summer dress wearing open toe pumps in January is not a smiling bridesmaid in your photos.  Choose to add accessories that fit the weather; in winter gloves, fur wraps, and coats; in the summer fans, sunglasses, umbrellas. 

Your wedding day is full of action from walking down the aisle to dancing at your reception. So make sure you can move in your dress and sit.  So often we find brides never thought about sitting in their dress when choosing it.  You should also keep in mind the location of your wedding when choosing your dress.  Fine lace loves to pick up and trap grass, leaves, and wood chips.
  

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST & HAIR STYLIST

Sure there is Photoshop, but why not truly look your best on your wedding day.  A professional make-up artist has the skill and the products that will create a flawless look for you that will last through-out your wedding day.  When hiring a make-up artist or a hair stylist make sure to test their skill with a test run before the wedding day.  A real make-up artist can eliminate the need for touch-ups to your images.  Also make sure you set aside the correct amount of time for your artists/stylists to cover creating your look before photos begin.

We also suggest that everyone whom will be helping the bride get dressed is dressed and ready themselves.  Often we like to photograph Mom helping the bride dress.  The photos shine when mom looks and feels her best as well.  If you are hiring artist/stylists to create looks for mom, your bridesmaids and flower-girl make sure you have enough time and/or artists/stylists to cover all those involved so that the day runs on time.

TRY EVERYTHING ON BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY
Awkward is a big guy is a small jacket or the ring-bearer in shorts that should have been pants.  So many wardrobe malfunctions are avoided when everyone tries on their clothing and shoes before the wedding day.  Make sure everyone does so with enough time to make adjustments.

FLOWER TIPS
Not all plants and flowers are created alike.  When creating your bouquet and choosing the flowers for your wedding make sure to let your florist know you want varieties that will withstand the heat in the summer or the cold for a winter wedding.  If you choose to go with flowers that are more delicate keep in mind that their beauty may not last long.

Hugs can also flatten or destroy a boutonniere.  Have your florist put together a second back-up boutonniere for your groom if you plan on taking most of your photos after a receiving line.  Want to learn a bit more about the art of wearing a boutonniere visit artofmanliness.com

GETTING READY SUGGESTIONS
Pass on getting ready in the church basement or Sunday school room and pamper yourself on your wedding day by choosing a clean and comfortable location to get dressed.  Make sure the space is large enough to accommodate all those you want surrounding you as you get ready.  We love spaces with natural light and clean mirrors.

Before the bride dresses we often take a photo of the wedding dress. We suggest the bride ditches the plastic hanger for a wooden hanger or a custom hanger before the wedding day.  Make sure the hanger is sturdy enough to support the weight of your dress before your wedding day.  Make sure the dress stays put on the hanger as well.  A hanger with notches is your best option.

If the bride has the option it is better to eat and use the restroom before putting on the dress.  When dressed choose light colored snacks, food and beverages.  Finger licking rips dripping with bright red BBQ sauce while tasty can leave a nasty stain.  When it comes to ribs and messy food the entire wedding party should save the rips for after the photos are done.