Ten Things you can do to Make Sure your Wedding Photos are Awesome
1 Communicate with your wedding photographer.
Your wedding is a big deal; it might be the first time you’ve ever hired a professional photographer. What you need to know is that for this to be successful you need to have open communication. Tell me what you expect. Don’t assume that I’m going to do something the same way your sister’s wedding photographer did things. Each photographer has their own process. It might be different than what you envision.
Tell me anything you might think is important. Don’t worry about coming off like a control freak. I get it! What do I want to know? Let me know if there are any rifts in your family. Tell me if you have an aunt that is going to be bossy because she thinks she’s a photographer. Maybe you have a special relationship with a cousin or uncle. Is the ribbon around your bouquet your deceased grandmother’s? I want to know this! Were you married in the same church as your parents and you want to recreate a shot from their wedding album? Tell me! Don’t be afraid to send pictures that you like and don’t like to me. A photographer should not get offended that you want to help. I want to make sure that you are happy.
2 Have a game plan.
Discuss with me what photos are “must haves”. I often ask my clients if I could take only one photo today what would it be of? Also, know how long you want to take formal pictures for. Do you want to do 15 minutes of formals or 45 minutes of formals? If formal shots are really important to you then take longer; if you want nothing but candid shots of you at the reception, then let’s head off to the party. This goes to the whole communication thing. I can’t stress how important it is to have a relationship with your photographer!
3 Have an engagement shoot.
Wherever you do your engagement shoot make sure you do one! I know not everyone likes getting their pictures done. (Trust me, I prefer the side of the camera I am usually on!) But sometimes this is the only time that I have to get to know you and your fiancé before the day of your wedding. The more time we spend together the more comfortable we will be together, and; therefore, the more comfortable you will look in your photographs.
As a side note, pick an area for the engagement shoot that is special to you. This isn’t always possible with the wedding, so make sure that you do something really cool for an engagement shoot. Maybe you both love winter time or there is a park where you go together for hikes. Think out of the box! Maybe you meet in a martini bar; do the shoot there.
4 Know how you like to smile.
You’ll be smiling a lot on your wedding day. A lot! Not everyone has a preference about how they like to smile, but many do. Practice in the mirror. Do you like your full toothy grin or your demure closed mouth smile. We almost all have a big ol’l smile when we belly laugh. It’s genuine and open, but formal pictures are more contrived.
You and your groom should practice at least smiling if not posing. I guarantee you’ll feel goofy when you do it, but practicing how to smile in the mirror and looking directly into it pretending it’s the camera will payoff. Did I mention you’ll feel goofy?
5 Clean up the area where the bride is getting ready.
If you have a make up artist come to the house, you will want to set her up in an area where she can put her supplies out, where she has enough room to move and where she has sufficient light. This is often the kitchen or the dining room. If you are getting ready in a hotel room then she will be set up somewhere in the room/suite that is big enough to accommodate her, her chair and her supplies. Give the make-up artist her space, but make sure the space around her is free of clutter.
You have spent all this time getting ready; you’ve hired a professional to capture all the beautiful moments, so make sure that the background is as beautiful as you are. The setting matters. It is a shame to look at the photos and not like them because the background is filled with dirty dishes or grocery bags. Throw this stuff in the sink or a closet. Better yet, if it is to go with you to the next stop then put it in the car so it will not be forgotten.
6 Have the invites and other details associated with the wedding available on the wedding day.
These include things like the invitation, flowers, keep the date cards, shower invites, rings… Anything that you want to remember about your day should be photographed.
7 Have a professional makeup artist do you and your bridal parties make up.
I know, I know since Kate Middleton did her own makeup everybody thinks they can do their own too. I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong. I’m sorry! I’m not normally harsh, but this is your wedding day and um well, you’re not Kate Middleton. (But could you imagine? Let’s for a moment.)
8 Make sure the mother-of-the-bride and the bridesmaids are ready before the bride.
Think about if you want the picture of you getting your dress on. I love the picture of the mother or maid-of-honour tying or zipping up the back of her daughter’s wedding dress. It is a special moment. (Be prepared for some moms to cry here.) Now, think about that picture with your mom in her lounge wear. Not really the same picture is it?
Have everyone dressed before the bride, this way when you get your dress on everyone is in their best.
9 Let him have a cold one.
One if this things I often hear is the bride tell the groom to make sure he is ready for the photographer when he/she shows up (he won’t be) and “don’t drink any beer!”. Now by no means am I saying that your groom should be two sheets to the wind before the ceremony, but a beer or two will loosen him up. Especially if he is a little stiff for pictures. Again, I am not saying he should hide a mickey in his tux, but just something to take the edge off is he needs it.
10 Kiss classy during the ceremony.
Even if you feel like you and your soul mate are the only people up there with you and the officiant, remember that the “now you may kiss the bride” kiss is being witnessed by all you friends and family.
So what I’m trying to say is be classy. You have a whole life ahead of you of full-on smooching. Just save it for the two of you. You want a nice memorable kiss, but leave any tongue action for later when you are alone. The good news though is the kiss too can be practiced.
Parting Words
The best advice given to me on my wedding day was by my friend Jill. She said that after you’ve walked down the aisle (or across the field or down the beach) take a minute to look around and breathe it all in. This is a big day, but relax as everyone you love and care about is there with you to celebrate. It’s amazing; take a moment to feel the love. I know it’s cheesy, but it’s one of the rare moments in life when all we love is right there laid out before us. Take advantage of it. And then go have an awesome party!
