#1 – Plan a Timeline with Your Photographer
By coordinating with your photographer ahead of time and keeping them in the loop for the events of the day, they will have the time to prepare in advance and be ready to capture every special moment. I also suggest sending a copy of the timeline to each of your family members! That way, everyone will know when to congregate and the plans for the day won’t be held up because Uncle Joe can’t be found. And as a precaution, I always recommend incorporating a 10-15 minute buffer between each event on your schedule on the off-chance that something goes awry.
# 2 – Take First-Look Photos
Deciding to do a first-look is such a time-saver. On one hand, it gives us room to take more photos, and on the other, it allows you to return to cocktail hour sooner and spend more time with your guests. Most importantly, a first-look gives you and your soon-to-be-wed partner some quiet time together to help calm any nerves before the ceremony. If you decide to not to do a first look with your partner, you can also do a first look with your dad, brother, or any other important person in your life.
# 3 – Have an Engagement Session
Engagement photoshoots help establish that bond between the couple and the photographer. A session before the wedding can be a way to practice feeling comfortable in front of the camera and help you know what to expect come the big day. Through the chaos of the actual event, already knowing your photographer and their style will speed things along and make taking the photos a breeze.
# 4: Create a Must-Have Shot List
Are there specific moments you’re looking to capture on your wedding day? Trust me, wedding photographers have been to more weddings than they can count, but each couple is unique. By specifying exactly what you want and creating an open line of communication between you and the photographer, you can rest assured that your photos will turn out exactly how you pictured (aka *perfect*).
# 5: Create a Mood Board
Another fantastic way to communicate your wedding vision to your photographer is through mood boards. Either hand-picking images from Pinterest or Google, you can put together a collage of photos which will provide your photographer a visual guide to how you’d like your session to turn out.
And the final tip is to not stress and remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Enjoy this day with your partner because this day is a once in a lifetime and it should be spent soaking in the day. This day is about the two of you making a life long commitment and nothing else matters!
