5 Ways to Have A Stress-Free Wedding & The Best Photographs Ever
See the image above? That’s exactly how I want you to feel on your wedding day.
I put together this guide because, above all else, you should enjoy your wedding. It’s about removing as much stress as possible on the big day.
After photographing over 150 weddings, I've noticed that the most stress-free and incredibly fun weddings all have a few things in common.
PS: the best way to reduce stress in your wedding? Work with me. ;)
Let’s dive into these tips!
Tip #1: Location, Location, Location
Let’s face it, planning a wedding can be tough! The best advice for coordinating your day and ensuring everything goes smoothly is to keep everything as close together as possible. The gold standard is hosting your ceremony and reception at the same venue. This convenience benefits not only you but also your guests.
If that’s not possible, such as having your ceremony at your family church, keep the driving distance to a minimum. The same rule applies to getting ready. If the guys are getting ready 30 minutes away from the girls, it might cut into your plans.
Tip #2: The One Time to Unplug
When you picture your wedding day, you envision the best day ever, right? Years from now, when you look back at your photographs, you’ll reminisce about how perfect your wedding was. You don’t want to see pictures of your guests leaning into the aisle with their phones, missing the moment.
To prevent this, let your guests know you’d like them to put their phones away and be present. This will create a happier day and your wedding album will be free of phone distractions. There are great signs available for purchase on Etsy to help with this.
Tip #3: Light Matters
Lighting is key to phenomenal photography. Natural light is flattering and fabulous, and for your special day, you want to incorporate as much of it as possible, especially for photographs. The wedding party, family formals, and your portraits benefit greatly from natural light.
If you’re indoors, windows are your friend. Move towards them. You love the natural feel of my portraits, and lighting plays a huge part in that. Can you still have a candlelight dinner reception or a sunset ceremony? Absolutely! Just make sure we create a schedule that allows plenty of time for important photographs ahead of time.
And if the sun doesn’t come out on your day or you want some night time portraits, don’t worry. I bring my own lighting to ensure stunning photos no matter what.
Tip #4: Portrait Locations
When I hand you your wedding album, I want you to be blown away. If you want to get ready at home because it’s meaningful to you, let’s make it happen. If you’d rather visit your grandma at the nursing home instead of having a creative session, then let’s do that!
Many people worry about where to take photographs, rather than why. Let’s dig deep and find a location that tells your story perfectly.
Tip #5: It’s Just a...
Planning for a wedding, and sometimes the day itself, can bring worries. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve learned from working dozens of wedding is that things might not go as planned, and that’s okay.
On your wedding day, remember: if something can go wrong, it might. But guess what? You’re getting married! It’s your special day, and you’re the star. So if something goes wrong, just remind yourself, “It’s just a _____, and it won’t ruin my day!”
Cheers: I’ve Got You Covered
Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The tips I’ve shared are based on my experience from documenting over 150 weddings. When you choose me, you won’t have to worry about your photography.
My intentional process means you can be fully present and enjoy your wedding, knowing you will have authentic, dynamic, and emotional images crafted by a passionate photographer.
If you’d like to talk more about your wedding day or hear about some of my favorite local spots for engagement shoots, please give me a call or send an email. I’d love to chat!
I hope you found my tips for a stress-free wedding day helpful!