Wedding Day Tips From a Photographer You’ll Be Glad You Heard
You’ve planned every little detail, from the flowers to the playlist — but when the big day arrives, it moves fast. After photographing weddings for the past few years, I’ve picked up on a few little things that can make a huge difference in how smooth and enjoyable your day feels.
These aren’t the tips you’ll find on Pinterest — they’re the ones I share with my couples behind the scenes to help them feel relaxed, confident, and soaking up every second.
So here we go — from me to you:
Want a flat lay? Pack your details!
Flat lays are some of the most loved and shared images — but they don’t come together without a little prep!
Here’s what to pack in a small box or bag for me to use:
- Your full invitation suite (envelopes too!)
- Rings + a ring box if you have one
- Vow books, if you're using them
- Veil or any fabric pieces I can layer
- Perfume bottle, jewelry, or heirloom items
- Anything sentimental — something old, new, borrowed, or blue 💍
Pro tip: hand this box off to someone in your wedding party or coordinator so it’s ready when I arrive.
Tell Your Officiant to Move Before the First Kiss!
This one’s small but so important — and it's one of the most commonly missed photo moments at weddings.
After your officiant says, “You may now kiss the bride” (or whatever variation you’re using), ask them ahead of time to take one step off to the side immediately after that line. It doesn’t need to be dramatic — just a simple shift to stage left or right.
Why it matters:
Your first kiss is one of the most iconic photos of the entire day. And while your officiant might be lovely, most couples don’t want them smack-dab between them in the background of that big moment.
This quick move keeps the focus where it should be: on you two, in that emotional, once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Bonus tip:
Let them know it’s for photo purposes so it doesn’t feel personal or awkward. A simple, “Hey! For our photos, would you mind stepping to the side right after you pronounce us married so we can have a clean background for the first kiss shot?” is perfect — most officiants are totally happy to do it, especially if they’re given the heads-up.
have Someone Make Your Dinner Plate — Seriously!
During dinner, people will come up to talk, hug, and congratulate you nonstop. It’s beautiful — but it can also mean your plate stays untouched. I always recommend having your planner, coordinator, or MOH make your plate ahead of time and maybe even sneak away to the bridal suite with your spouse for a quiet, just-you-two moment! It’s one of the only times you’ll get alone that day — and trust me, it’s always a favorite memory.
Pad Your Timeline
If there’s one thing I can promise you about wedding days, it’s this: things take longer than you think. Hair runs behind. Traffic is slow. Buttons are tricky. Someone always loses their tie. And that’s all perfectly normal.
But when your timeline is packed down to the minute with no wiggle room, even the smallest delay can turn into major stress — and no one wants to feel rushed on one of the most meaningful days of their life.
That’s why I always recommend adding buffer time to every part of your day. Here’s how:
- Getting Ready:
Add 15–30 extra minutes after hair and makeup is supposed to be finished. This gives you time to get into your dress without feeling rushed — and time for all those sweet candids and detail shots before things get rolling.
- First Look or Pre-Ceremony Portraits:
Even if we plan 20 minutes for a first look, I like to build in an extra 10 just in case we’re running behind or the moment needs time to breathe (because crying may happen — and I love that for you).
- Family Photos:
Family portraits can move quickly if everyone is ready and nearby. But when someone wanders off or needs a bathroom break, that extra 15 minutes gives us the grace to stay calm and on track.
- Travel Time:
Always add buffer to any travel between venues, especially if you're in a rural area or city traffic. Add 10–15 minutes more than GPS says — it's better to arrive early and relax than to stress in the car.
Consider a Private Last Dance
After the cake is cut, the toasts are made, and the dance floor has been packed all night long… the day winds down faster than most couples ever expect. Suddenly, it’s time for your send-off — and just like that, the best day of your life is over.
But it doesn’t have to end in a rush.
One of the most intimate, meaningful ways to wrap up your wedding is with a private last dance — just the two of you, alone in the reception space after all your guests have cleared out.
Here’s how it works:
While guests are preparing for your send-off outside, you and your partner stay back inside the reception room for one final slow dance.
No DJ announcements, no cameras (unless you want), no audience — just a quiet, candlelit space, your favorite song playing, and a chance to pause.
After a full day of celebration, love, hugs, and nonstop energy, this moment lets you soak it all in — together.
It’s romantic. It’s grounding. And it’s often the first time all day that you get to stop, look at each other, and truly feel the magic of what just happened.
Some couples say it’s their favorite part of the whole day.
You’ve just celebrated with everyone you love — now you get a few minutes to celebrate with just each other.
And then… you head out for your send-off, hand in hand, glowing from one last memory that’s just yours.
BONUS TIP
Designate Someone to Bustle Your Dress
Let’s talk about the bustle — that little bundle of buttons, loops, or ties underneath your dress that turns your flowing train into a manageable shape for the reception.
It’s magic… when done right. But when no one knows how to do it? It can turn into 20+ minutes of confusion, frustration, and YouTube searches while you stand there sweating in heels, waiting to party.
Here’s how to make sure your bustle moment is stress-free and smooth:
- Choose a "Bustle Buddy"
Before the wedding day, pick one person from your wedding party (or a trusted friend/family member) who will be responsible for bustling your dress. It’s best if they:
Attend your final fitting or get a quick tutorial from the seamstress
Practice once or twice so they’re comfortable with the loops, ties, or buttons
Keep an emergency safety pin (just in case one loop goes rogue)
- Why This Matters for Your Photos & Timeline
I’ve seen bustling hold up reception entrances, delay first dances, and even cut into portrait time. Not to mention, it can make you feel rushed and flustered — which is the last thing you need when you're trying to enjoy your day.
Having a go-to bustle person means the job gets done quickly, without the chaos — so you can move freely, hit the dance floor, and enjoy the celebration without worrying about tripping over your train.
💡 Pro Tip:
Let me (your photographer!) or your coordinator know who your bustle buddy is — I’ll help direct them
Let’s Make Wedding Magic Together
Your wedding day is one of the most meaningful, emotional, joy-filled days of your life — and it deserves to be remembered in a way that feels honest, beautiful, and uniquely you.
As your photographer, I’m not just here to snap a few pretty pictures. I’m here to calm nerves, fix veils, grab tissues, keep us on time, and catch the in-between moments you didn’t even know were happening — all while making sure you feel seen, celebrated, and completely at ease.
If you want a photographer who’s just as invested in your day as you are — someone who’ll laugh with you, cry with you, and capture every part of your story with heart and intention — I’d be honored to be that person.
