Wedding Day Guide: How to Get the Best Photos from Start to Finish
Your wedding day is full of moments you’ll want to remember, and while every wedding day is unique, but there is typically a similar flow to most weddings. Here’s a walk through a typical wedding with some tips to make sure we get the best photos of the entire day. Some of these are also general tips to keep you happy and things running smoothly. If you’re happy with how the day is going you’ll look happy in your photos! I’ve included the locations of every photo in case you see something beautiful you want to check out! This wedding day guide will help you to get the best photos from start to finish!
Details
I’m definitely more known for my candid photography and capturing fun, emotional and real moments of people. But, I will absolutely get photos of all of the important stuff as well. You put thought, creativity, and money into all special details of your wedding and you should get pretty pictures of them all! Here’s a few flat lays for inspiration.
Getting Ready/Wedding Day Prep
A bride’s day typically starts early in the morning with hair and makeup. If you’re getting ready with moms/friends/bridal party, be sure to get the biggest room you can with plenty of natural light. Your hair and makeup artists will thank you!
Here’s a few more tips from my favorite makeup artist Garineh from Glamour Cosmetics.
“Typically, all the vendors start to arrive just as the bride sits down for her makeup—photographers, videographers, florists—and they all have questions. My biggest piece of advice? Designate someone in your wedding party to field all their questions. This is your moment to take a deep breath, calm your nerves, and soak it all in before walking down the aisle. An anxious bride isn’t usually a happy one, and if you’re trying to answer questions while getting your makeup done, not only will it add stress, but it can also slow the process down. Instead, let someone else handle the details, close your eyes, take a deep breath, enjoy your mini facial, and get excited to see yourself as the bride you’ve been envisioning all along!”
Here’s a few more from the amazing hair artist, my favorite, Maricruz from Maricruz Harirstyles.
“In a nice, respectful and gentle way, ask for the friends, acquaintances, other family not to be involved in the getting ready. Brides can let the family and friends know via a cute email or on their wedding website that stopping by and saying hello the morning of the wedding is not the best time.
Also, don’t let the small things pile up. Steaming clothes, veils, cutting tags off shoes, dresses, jewelry. These all can be done the day before. Steaming clothes at the last minute in a rush can result in stress and burning or staining things like the veil or the dress. Don’t take chances, steam the night before once you settle in the room. Steaming clothes on the wedding day can ruin the hair and the makeup too.”
These two have incredibly successful businesses respectively but I’m so grateful if I ever get to work with them together. My advice is to book early! You can check out all of my recommended vendors here!
Bridal Portraits
I love capturing some classic and fun bridal portraits before heading out to the first look.
We never forget about the Groom!
The First Look
As we continue on in our wedding day guide, let’s talk about the First Look. Some of my couples decide to wait until the ceremony to see each other. It’s your wedding, don’t let anyone tell you what to do. That’s totally fine!
If you opt for the first look, where you see your partner before the ceremony, there are a few benefits. First, you and your families and wedding party can get your photos done so that you can all go to your wedding! Doing photos before the ceremony means you get to enjoy your cocktail hour with your guests and that means less time chatting and more time dancing later in the night.
The first look also allows you time to see each other and take in the moment without a couple hundred people watching you. I know from experience at my own wedding, I cried my eyes out when my wife walked down the aisle. I also cried at our first look. For me, it made me much less nervous for that down-the-aisle moment. Here’s a few favorite first look moments.
Private Vows
This is a newer trend which I really love. Private vows allows the couple to share personal and heartfelt promises without the pressure of an audience. These are often emotional moments which can be some of the best photos to look back on. My hope is that these photos remind them of their promises and love for each other 20, 30, 40 years from now.
You can also do first looks with parents and wedding party. Everyone is there for you and excited to see you and those are beautiful moments to capture.
Dad‘s first look with the bride is really sweet as well.
Wedding Day Portraits
If you decide to do a first look, we’ll go straight into portraits, just the couple, and then the wedding party and family.
These are a mix of creative, fun and classic portraits of you as a couple.
Wedding Party Photos
My couples usually want wedding party photos to be fun and quick. Your wedding party will also be in a ton of other photos throughout the night!
Family Photos
One of the biggest benefits of the first look is having the opportunity to take family photos ahead of time, which frees up the schedule after the ceremony.
The Wedding Ceremony
I really love outdoor ceremonies too. They give me plenty of room to move around and have a more casual feel.
I always feel like an indoor ceremony has an intimate feel and really allows everyone to focus in on the moment.
It’s likely you’ll have a couple large group photos and right after the ceremony is the perfect time to do those. I always recommend picking a “Photo Captain” from each family group. They will be in charge of making sure their family know when and where to be for their photo. Pick someone who is organized and loves yelling at people 🙂
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is one of the most enjoyable parts of a wedding day, giving guests a chance to mingle, and grab a drink. It’s the perfect transition between the ceremony and reception. It allows guests to settle in, connect, and build excitement before the real party begins! Lawn games, a photo booth, and live music are all great additions to the cocktail hour.
My pal Julie is an amazing planner and wedding day guide with her company, Something Bleu Weddings. Here’s her tips for cocktail hour.
“As you navigate food choices for your cocktail hour it is always a good idea to have 1 or 2 stationary displays such as cheese/crackers/crudite or a nice spread of vegetables and dips. For passed hors d’oeuvres having a variety is important to be sure all of your guests can enjoy themselves! A nice combination for passed hors d’oeuvres is a beef option, a chicken option, a seafood option, and at least 1-2 vegetarian/vegan options. Having passed drinks like beer, wine, and your signature cocktail (if you are doing one) will help mitigate lines at the bar as your guests arrive at the cocktail hour space from either the church or ceremony location.”
Wedding Reception Introductions
We continuing to find out great ways to get the best wedding photos from start to finish. We’re finally on to the reception! Most wedding receptions begin with the introduction of the newlyweds. This is often preceded by introducing the wedding party and parents. After that, couples typically go right into their first dance.
First Dance
The first dance is one of the most anticipated moments for the newlyweds. Many of my couples will take lessons or practice a choreographed dance. If that’s not for you, just enjoy the dance, and everyone will be cheering you on!
Wedding Toasts
Next up are the toasts. A great wedding toast is heartfelt, personal, and keeps the focus on the couple, celebrating their love and journey together. We like when they are brief, engaging, and include a touch of humor or a meaningful story to make it memorable. About 3-5 minutes is perfect.
Food and Drink
Most of my couples would consider themselves “Foodies” I think. So the food is a big deal at their weddings. It’s also a great way to wow your guests. From the cocktail hour to dinner, here’s something to make you hungry!
The Dance Floor
After dinner is the the time to let loose! The formalities are over, and everyone can just enjoy each other an party! Freddy, AKA DJ Backspin is one of my favorite DJs and he had this to say.
“Do your best to book early so you get the DJ you want. Look for testimonials when looking for a DJ. Also, the sooner you prepare your music with your DJ, the better. Some couples wait until a week or two before and that just adds unnecessary stress. Try to have your music finalized at least a month before your wedding. Lastly, be sure to check in with your venue at the initial meeting to see if there are any restrictions for how late the party can go or sounds levels after a certain time during the evening.”
Hiring a great DJ or band you can trust will ensure you and your guests have the best night of your lives!
I hope this has been a helpful and fun look into a full wedding day. Be sure to find a photographer and other vendors that you love so you’ll be happy and you’ll look happy in your photos!
