Wedding Day Tips & Tricks Guide
Weddings can be a lot of things… exciting, stressful, beautiful… There can also be a lot of unknowns, as many people only plan one wedding in their lifetime! After seeing the same hiccups (some bigger than others) happen over and over again, I decided to put this guide together. Here are some of my wedding tips and tricks, especially relating to your wedding photos, so that things turn out as smooth as possible.
In order for you to make THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS, I have laid out this Wedding Day Tips and Tricks guide to help you along in the planning process, and avoid common oversights along the way. You can help create those beautiful timeless wedding pictures that you want and will treasure for a lifetime. While spontaneity is key to capturing the raw emotions of the day, here are a few things you can do before I arrive to ensure I (the wedding photographer) can get the best photos possible.
Getting Ready
The Details
I believe it’s best that I arrive at the start of the day. This gives me at least 30 minutes of detail shots, which I use every second of. This is the time when I take those beautiful portraits of your details in amazing light. Make sure to have all of the special details together so that I can document all of the little things that were so carefully thought out.
Important things to gather together are: invitations, rings (don’t forget I need both!) the veil(s), shoes, the wedding gown(s), perfume, jewelry, flowers and any other details that you want captured on your big day. Having a unique ring box can help your ring pictures really pop.
(Quick tip: having two sets of your invitations makes my job as your photographer much easier so that I can photograph both sides at once.)
Make sure to remove tags from everything including your jewelry, veil, gown and shoes. A pretty hanger can show off the beauty of your gown or suit before you get into it. A great place to find custom hangers is Etsy, or a simple yet classic wooden hanger works great too! And finally, make sure that your bouquets, boutonnieres and loose flowers (loose flowers make detail shots so much better) are delivered to the “getting ready” location before I arrive. This ensures I have enough time to capture them before the “getting ready” photos begin. I’ll take most of the pictures once your hair and make-up are mostly done.
The Space
Pick a location that is spacious, full of light and reflects your aesthetic.
Don't let your pre-wedding space be a mere afterthought — you'll be spending a significant portion of your day getting primped and pampered there. The “getting ready” area should be a special place with plenty of space that makes everyone feel cozy and relaxed. It should also compliment your vision for the day. If possible, try to get a corner room; when light comes in from more than one direction it envelopes you, creating a soft light that makes everyone look fabulous. Or perhaps choose another area of the venue that complements your aesthetic vision. Every detail will become a special memory, and I want to capture them in the best light.
The Company
Depending on your personality, you may want to have a quiet and relaxing morning to prepare for the day. Maybe this vision includes a couple of your closest friends, or maybe you want a rockin party atmosphere with a room full of people. There is no right or wrong way to do it, as long as you are comfortable. After all, it is YOUR day! Whatever you decide, let your bridal party and mother(s) know so they can respect your wishes. A little background music and some champagne are a must for this time to disarm any tension in the room. Just have fun!
What to Wear?
Think about what you’re wearing while getting ready: When you’re getting your hair and makeup done, you’re not going to be in your gown. So what should you wear? It works best to wear something that you can easily put on and take off without having to drag over your head (and mess up your hair!). Robes and button down shirts work really well for this. And BONUS, these robes or coordinating shirts make great bridesmaid gift ideas!
Ect.
A little off topic, but still a piece of advice that I think is very important.
When thinking about your hair for your wedding day, choose a look you actually wear. If you never wear your hair up, an up-do might not work for you. It will always look a little off because you probably have friends or relatives that have never seen you with your hair up. You want to look like yourself on your wedding day, not what you think you should look like. If your fiancé is used to running his/her fingers through your hair and it’s something you like too, wear your hair down. It would look great, you’d feel the comfort of being natural and the pictures will show it.
Be Eco-Friendly!
Say no to plastic/disposable containers. That Starbucks might be what you need right now, or maybe a few chips because comfort food... So here is a trick: take whatever you want and need, and put it in real containers.
It’s not cool to get a beautiful shot of you fixing your hair but having a blue Doritos bag in the background. Believe me, your pictures are going to look beautiful, clean and simple when you’re drinking your coffee from a mug rather than a paper cup, water from a cup rather than a plastic bottle, Doritos from a bowl, fruit from a tray and so on. Along the same lines, I encourage my couples to delegate some friends or family members to help clean up the “getting ready” location so it’s peaceful and clean. Have a specific area for people to keep their handbags and such, rather than all over the place.
I’ll always do my best and work with what you give me, but these little details will ensure lots of great “getting ready” shots. (Make sure the groom and groomsmen read this!)
The First Look
The “First Look” - if you’re doing one…
I love “first looks.” I encourage couples to get photos of the first time they see each other all dressed up. Seeing your soon-to-be spouse before the ceremony helps calm you both down, giving you two a moment to spend alone and let the emotions sink in. It’s a good way to get the photos taken without worrying about time constraints or the daylight going away. You will get more beautiful portrait images, and it’s way less rushed than doing them after the ceremony.
Either walking down the aisle or during a first look, if your significant other isn't a super emotional or animated person, you often won't get the kind of reaction you might be expecting the first time he/she sees you. That said, when they see you at the ceremony, it’s go-go-go from then forward. They won’t grab you and hug you at the church, but they do have that freedom at the first look. It is so special to have that intimate time together before the wedding ceremony starts. Wedding days go by so quickly, and time with your future spouse should be priority. You can even make it to your cocktail hour (YES!) and actually spend time with your guests. Note, this is an intimate moment. No one besides you and I should be there. You'll be less nervous walking down the aisle, and your hair and makeup will be perfectly fresh for the photos!
If you choose not to have one…
If you want to save that first look for the moment you are walking down the aisle, surrounded by your friends and family, I will need to do your couples portraits and family portraits right after the ceremony. Family portraits shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes (appoint someone - not yourself! - to help me with names). Another thing to keep in mind is that if you do not have a first look, you will likely have little or no time at your cocktail hour.
Your formal portraits
This day is about you two, and believe me, you want to take your time when we are doing your formal portraits. Make sure to carve out 30 minutes to 1 hour for your formal photos. Not rushing makes a tremendous difference in the results of the final images you will receive. Those romantic candid shots and real moments take time and cannot be faked or rushed. The location and timing of your portraits also affects the feel of your pictures. In order to get sharp and warm images, you also need to keep natural light in mind. Once the sun sets, we cannot take those warm and golden pictures. I will guide you through everything, but it’s important to remember these portraits require patience and tenacity, and occasionally an adventurous endeavor. These are pictures you will cherish forever!
PRO TIP: Allow me to ride in the car/bus/trolly with you whenever possible (to the ceremony, to the reception, etc.) You will get some of the most intimate moments captured this way, and also sometimes the wildest. :)
The Reception
1. For indoor photos, the more natural lighting the better! Try to avoid having blue, purple, or green DJ/up-lighting. If you are having these colors for your reception because they are fun to you, make sure you ask the DJ ahead of time to keep them off during the first dance and cake cutting.
2. I probably won’t have any idea who your Aunt Maggie and Uncle Chuck are. I’ll try really hard to get to know your family during your wedding, but unless someone is in your family portraits, gives a reading, or proposes a toast, I may miss them! And I certainly don't want to miss Aunt Maggie, who made crafts with you every winter break, or Uncle Chuck, who taught you to make the best grilled cheese. SO, if it’s really important that someone you love makes it into the final gallery of images, make sure to let me know. Include the person on a candid shot list, and have someone at the wedding point the VIPs out to me. And of course, you can always just grab me and say, “Hey, can you take a photo of Aunt Maggie and Uncle Chuck?! They’re very special to me.” In which case, the answer is always, "YES!".
3. You did it! You are married! I think you need some party time. After the first dance and cake cutting, not much is going on. 30 minutes of photo coverage on the dance floor is often plenty. After that, people are just getting drunk and sweaty - let’s be real!
Savor the Moments…
Be in the moment. My couples often ask me how I capture unique moments, and I always say that it is easy to photograph people who are genuinely living in the moment and soaking up the beauty of their wedding day.
The getting ready shots, the formals session- all of your day is just as much about the details as it is the candid moments. Above all, enjoy yourself. Let me do my thing and try to pretend I am not there. Know that all of your hard work and preparation will help the day run smoothly. Feel the emotions of the moment.
It is natural to be nervous or stressed the morning of your wedding. Remember, if you are feeling stressed, take a deep breath, relax and savor the moment. Twenty years from now, you won’t remember the small snag in your bridesmaid’s hem or that your schedule was off by 10 minutes. You will remember the way that you laughed and danced around the room with your closest friends, the way they toasted to you and your soon-to-be spouse, and the way you felt when your partner turned to see you for the first time. I will capture those moments, and you will be remembering this story for the rest of your lives. Keep calm and marry on!
My approach to photographing couples and weddings is simple: create an experience where you and your partner can feel completely comfortable and actually enjoy yourselves! I focus on a candid style rather than a more posed or staged style. This means that I like to prompt you to interact with each other in different ways, allowing me to capture your genuine personalities and dynamic. It also takes the pressure off being in front of a camera!
Hi, I'm Samuel, a fine art wedding photographer based in Chicago, IL. The day you choose to say "I do" to your partner and start a new chapter of your lives together is one of the most special moments you'll have. This day deserves to be captured artfully and authentically so it can be remembered by yourselves and your loved ones for many years. Providing this for couples brings me so much joy!
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Chicago, IL who will help you feel free to be yourselves, give you a laid-back experience, and treat you like lifelong friends, we might just be a perfect fit.
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