After nearly 4 years, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve pretty much seen it all when it comes to weddings and there are some things that can make a HUGE difference in the look + feel of your wedding photos.  There are also some things that can make a huge difference in how smoothly your day goes and how quickly/efficiently your wedding photographer can get their job done.  Full service wedding planners usually mention these things during the planning process, but for brides who only hire a month-of or day-of coordinator, these things can go unaddressed.  They are all little things that can make a huge impact and so I wanted to share them today!

1. If possible, try not to use the same chairs for the ceremony + reception.  Why?  Because it makes it much more difficult for your photographer to get those untouched full room detail shots of the reception set up before guests come into the space + start laying down their jackets + bags – especially in venues where there is no clear separation (i.e. closed or locked doors) between cocktail hour + the reception space.  I like to use the 45 minutes prior to the ceremony to photograph the ceremony + reception decor while you’re relaxing and freshening up.  If there are no chairs in the reception space during that time, I’m pretty much out of luck… and I’m left praying that I can grab a few room shots after the ceremony chairs have been moved into the reception space, before guests start claiming their seats and laying down their personal items all over the tables.  So, consider renting separate chairs for the ceremony + reception.  Most of the time, rental companies will give you a pretty decent deal on them and it will make your photographer’s job a LOT easier!!

2. Rent your bridal accessories.  I recently stumbled across Happily Ever Borrowed, an online site where you can rent your bridal accessories instead of buying them.  Instead of spending hundreds on accessories you’ll never wear again, you can rent them for a fraction of the price.  What a genius idea?!  Another great place to look is Rent The Runway – they have AMAZING jewelry that you can rent for your wedding day and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

3. If you want to wear comfy shoes on your wedding day, do it!  There is nothing worse than aching feet.  Buy some cute “fancy shoes” that we can use just for photos, or bring a pair of fancy shoes that you already own that would be good for bridal detail photos.  No one needs to know you didn’t actually wear those on your wedding day.  No one can see your feet anyway!

4. Consult your photographer about your outdoor ceremony location.  Lighting can make a HUGE impact in these photos and your photographer can give you the best advice on this because we live and breathe light!!  Most of the time, the “best” backdrop isn’t the best spot for photos because of poor lighting.  So definitely consult your photographer if you want the best outdoor ceremony photos possible!

5. Choose your reception chairs wisely.  They can make a BIG impact in your photos + the overall feel of your wedding!  Spending a few dollars more per chair can take your reception space from ho-hum to elegant.  It’s money well spent, especially if you want to try and have your wedding featured somewhere, because they will be showcased in a lot of your detail photos.

6. If you are reusing your bridesmaids bouquets as centerpieces, try not to make this the main reception detail.  As I mentioned before, I try to use that 45 minute time frame before the ceremony for reception detail photos and if there are no centerpieces to photograph at this time, it makes my job a little harder.  If you want to reuse the bridesmaids bouquets, consider using them as additional accent pieces at the bar, cake table, lounge tables, etc.

7.If you don’t love your invitation suite, it’s okay!  Consider ordering a set or two of a suite you LOVE just for photos!  No one needs to know that these weren’t the invitations that were sent to your guests and they will help create cohesive bridal detail photos for your gallery.

8. If you have favors for your guests that aren’t nicely wrapped and/or don’t necessarily fit in with your design + decor (like bottles of local beer, individually wrapped pralines, tiny bottles of Firefly vodka, etc), consider placing favors on a separate table within the reception space instead of at each place setting. These types of favors, while awesome, can make your reception detail photos look cluttered and “cheap” if they are in all of your reception detail photos – and we want your photos to feel as high-end and clutter-free as possible.

9. Hydrate – especially during the summer months.  Play it safe and bring a cooler with ice + water for you + your bridal party.  There is no guarantee that the caterer or bar service will have cold water available to you before the ceremony – so be proactive so that everyone is comfortable and hydrated.

10. Table settings + small votive candle holders can make a big impact on your reception detail photos versus having empty tables with a single centerpiece in the middle.  Drink ware, a cloth napkin, a nice charger, and flatware on the tables can help fill out a large table and take things to another level.  If you really want to make a statement, consider incorporating some fun vintage china and use it for inspiration throughout the rest of your wedding decor!

11. I don’t usually photograph the bride’s dress with all of the bridesmaid’s dresses BUT if you really want me to get a shot of them all together, bring some extra hangers for your bridesmaid’s dresses.  If I’m able to get a good shot of your dress hanging with all of the bridesmaids’ dresses, it’s nice to have matching hangers for all of the dresses in the photo because mismatched plastic or wire hangers can be a distraction and make the photo look less elegant than it really could be.  This is a really small detail that can make a big impact!

12. If the guys are going to be getting ready in the same location as the girls, whether it be the same hotel or at the venue in a different area, bring along the groom’s details with your bridal details.  This includes his shoes, bowtie/tie, boutonniere, watch, cologne, cufflinks, class ring, socks, etc.  As I’m styling your bridal details in the morning, it’s fun to add in some of his details!  It’s also nice to have all of the detail shots done before the guys arrive to get dressed – it ensures that the guys will be running on time for the First Look as well!

13. Speaking of the guys… since most guys can get dressed in about 15 minutes PLUS most guys aren’t super excited to have a photographer hanging out with them + their groomsmen for an extended period of time PLUS most of the time the guys don’t have a very picturesque getting ready location… we’ve found that staging the guys’ getting ready shots at the venue can be an easy and stress-free way to get those types of photos for you!  We’ll have the guys arrive to the venue about 45 minutes before the First Look and my second shooter will stage their getting ready photos in a well-lit and clutter-free area.  It’s a great alternative and totally works!!

I hope these tips + tricks have been helpful and insightful.  Certain things are worth splurging on because they will help make your wedding look + feel more high-end… whereas there are definitely places where you can reign it in a little because the impact won’t be as great.  As always, if you have any questions or need any recommendations from me, I’m always here to answer any of my brides’ questions!