How to Have a Great Wedding Day and Get Better Photos

Tips, hints and friendly advice from a wedding photographer

While most of my observations pertain to helping your photographer capture better photos, some of the tips and advice in this article relates to general ways in which a couple can help themselves utilize their time, so they are able to relax and enjoy their wedding day.
All of the opinions are my own. Any advice I offer here is merely a suggestion based on my own experience. It may differ from that of other professionals, and I do not presume to know the best way of doing things. Just sayin’.

Morning details

I’m not sure how other photographers like to work, but I like to photograph all the bride’s details while she is getting her hair and makeup done. Here is a list of items you could have ready for your photographer when he or she arrives in the morning.

The wedding dress
Bride’s shoes
Jewellery
Perfume
Garter and head piece, if applicable
Gifts she might be giving
An invitation
Both wedding rings and engagement ring
Letter to her groom

Tidy Up

More often than not I will walk into a bride’s hotel suite and it looks like a bomb went off. I think a wedding-day-mess can look appropriate in some photos, artistic even, especially in black and white photos. If you don’t care for that look, I would suggest that you appoint one person to be in charge of keeping the room clean. If a bride chooses to get ready in her bedroom, it’s nice if the bed is made and the night tables are clear of debris.
I will do my best to make a scene look nice, but you can help your photographer just a little bit if you tidy up before he or she arrives in the morning.

Hair & Makeup

I’m not saying the bride should definitely go first in the makeup chair, but I do think she should never go last. There are zero benefits to going last, and actually some detriments; if the bride’s hair or makeup runs late, it puts undo stress on everyone. It might even make her miss out on some great photo opportunities. Being ready early allows for a relaxed atmosphere.
A photographer can use the time to capture some creative images. And if things are running late, at least the bride is ready and a photographer can get some beautiful images of her getting into her dress. If the last person in the chair is a bridesmaid, it’s not as big a deal as it would be if that person was the bride.
A bride getting her makeup done by a window.

It’s better to be ready and waiting, than late and rushing.

Makeup

Contrary to what you might think, orange is not a flattering colour for anyone. Fake tanning and bronzer should be banned. I would never disparage a person for the choices they make, because I know that we all want to look our best. I will share a story with you however, about a real incident that happened to one of my brides just this past Autumn.
Sally (not her real name) took my advice, and was in the makeup chair ahead of her four bridesmaids. Things were going well; lots of chatting and laughing, and good times. When Sally was finished, she moved to the bathroom where she checked herself out in the mirror, and then promptly waved me in. Sally looked at me in the mirror, and with raised eyebrows and shrugged shoulders, she conveyed to me her dilemma.
“what do you think?” she asked. “And be honest.”
Sally’s chest was bare and she had lovely skin. Her face however, was the colour of a pumpkin. On top of that, there was no skin visible at all. I’m talented when it comes to Photoshop, but changing someone’s skin colour in one photo takes a considerable amount of time, let alone hundreds. Aside from all the technical problems that imposed, it was Sally herself that I was really thinking about. How was she going to enjoy her day if she was self-conscious of how she looked?
I could tell that Sally was looking for more than a Photoshop fix, so I spoke up. I told her that there was plenty of time for her to clean her face and do her own makeup. Lucy looked shocked that I would suggest such a thing. I was vindicated a short time later when Sally emerged from the bathroom looking beautiful and confident. She told me later on that she appreciated my honesty.

Hair

What could I possibly say about hair? A lot, really.
Up or down? Long flowing hair is definitely beautiful. It represents youthfulness and a care-free attitude. Long flowing hair can blow in the wind. This alone isn’t bad. In fact I love it when hair is caught up in a breeze. It gives life to still images. The problem arises when a bride is particularly finicky about keeping her hair out of her face. I’ve experienced a few brides for whom keeping their hands down, and not blocking their face, was an impossibility.
Some brides like that one strand of hair hanging down the side of their face. I’ll admit, I like this look. It’s very elegant. But consider on which side of the aisle you’ll be standing as you face your groom during the ceremony. If you plan on standing on, what is traditionally the left side of the aisle, you might want that strand of hair on the left side of your face. If it hangs down the right side, you risk hiding your face from your guests and your photographer. The same goes for a birdcage.
An up-do, as they call it, is also elegant and beautiful. If done well, it’s also wind-proof and therefore, low-maintenance. And in the Okanagan it’s a heck of a lot cooler.

Bras and tight-fitting clothing

When I started out as a wedding photographer, it didn’t occur to me to suggest that a bride not wear a bra in the morning. It was only after being asked to Photoshop the skin indentations on bare backs, did I finally decide that it would be much less work for me if brides just stopped wearing bras in the first place.
Bride with bra straps on skin.
I suggest a sports bra in the morning. This goes for anyone who might be wearing a back-less dress. You might not think of it, but elastics in clothing can leave unsightly impressions on the skin that show up in photos, and are often difficult to diminish in appearance.

Bow-ties & Neck-ties

You might be surprised how many guys I meet who don’t know how to tie a neck-tie. If you are one of these guys, it might be a good idea to learn how to tie your tie. And don’t wait until the morning of your wedding day to make your first attempt. And practice!

groom learning to tie his bowtie

Only one photographer

Many brides and grooms love to see what the other one was doing during the morning, before the ceremony. If you hired a lone photographer, you can still get those wonderful Getting-Ready photos by doing one simple thing. Get ready in the same place. By this I mean, the same hotel, but different suites. Your photographer can then simply run back and forth between your rooms. If you are staying home, maybe a friendly neighbor would offer their home for the groom and his guys in which to get ready.
The point is, if you stay relatively close, you won’t need a second photographer.

Change of clothing

It’s no secret that the Okanagan can get extremely hot, especially in July. I remember one wedding in Osoyoos where the temperature was 42 degrees Celsius. The ceremony was outdoors and everyone was uncomfortable. My primary camera even stopped working. Luckily I have backups. The bride almost fainted from the heat and the groom looked like he had been swimming in his clothes.
Even if the temperature is moderately warm, I suggest the guys bring an extra shirt to change into for the reception. As for the bride, either an evening dress, or the kind of wedding gown that has a detachable bottom. I like this idea because it’s still your wedding dress, but you have two different looks, and it’s very practical for a hot climate. Another benefit, is that when the bottom gets dirty from brushing the ground, you can detach and be clean as a whistle for pictures.

Looking at the camera

During the ceremony, it’s best if no one looks at the camera. I always mention this during the rehearsal, but invariably there’s always someone more interested in what I’m doing, and it doesn’t look all that great. And if it happens to be the bride or groom… well.
Think about movies; in situations other than intentionally including the audience, it’s rather distracting when an extra looks into the lens. It kind of makes the viewer feel uncomfortable, and it ruins the magic. With wedding ceremonies, it’s not quite like the movies, but it is still odd. Just ignore the cameras, and enjoy the celebration.

It’s not a funeral

Bridesmaids in particular seem to look morose, during the ceremony, as though their best friend is about to be sacrificed. It’s okay to smile and be happy. It’s a wedding after all, not a funeral.

Guest photography

You can help your photographer a great deal during your ceremony by asking that your guests keep their bodies in their chairs and cameras in front of their faces. I know this sounds arrogant, but I truly have my couples’ best interests in mind. I’m not sure about other photographers, but I like to attend ceremony rehearsals whenever possible. I do this for a number of reasons, one of which is to figure out my marks and angles. I plan my movements based on the order in which a couple has planned their ceremony.

In this shot I was up by the bridesmaids just off to the left. My second photographer was lined up perfectly to get a shot of the groom as his bride walked down the aisle. If he moved to the right, even a little, I would have been in his shot, and he would have been in mine. He decided appropriately to stay put and incorporate the gentleman with the iphone.

Sometimes guests don’t see us in the immediate vicinity and assume they are not in our way. Sometimes it works, but often times it doesn’t.
In some situations, like the roof-top at the Hotel Eldorado, I have to use a step ladder in order to get a certain shot. If I didn’t know better, it almost looks as though the gentleman is trying to block my shot.

In some situations, like the roof-top at the Hotel Eldorado, I have to use a step ladder in order to get a certain shot. If I didn’t know better, it almost looks as though the gentleman is trying to block my shot.

 

We got lots of great shots of this bride and her father coming up the aisle, but this image shows how difficult it can be.

Ceremony pauses

Even with two photographers, there are a couple of instances during a ceremony where a couple can help their photographer get great photos by pausing for a few seconds.
The first is when the bride and her father are at the foot of the aisle. I like to define this as the spot where the bride and her father approach the first row of chairs, or thirty feet from her groom. All the guests will swoon when they see the bride’s father take a moment to whisper something in his daughter’s ear. Maybe she wipes a tear from his cheek, or he does. If they share an embrace, it’s sure to get everyone’s eyes watering, even mine. These moments are genuine and make for amazing photos. Of course, this pause helps your photographer move into another position.
As the bride’s father gives her away, this too, is a small ceremony, and if you make it last, it gives meaning and weight to the gesture. These are moments that too often slip by almost undetectably, and even a well prepared photographer can miss this moment, especially if a guest suddenly decides he or she can get a better shot with their censor brick, I mean, smart phone. Make the hugs and handshakes last.
One of my favourite pauses happens during the recessional. In the same spot where the bride and her father paused on the way down the aisle, now the bride and her now husband, can pause for a celebratory kiss. This photo is epic; all the guests applauding, crying and smiling at the newly-weds as they share a joyful kiss.

 

The Recessional

Most couples will hold hands during the recessional, but surprisingly, some don’t. I happen to know of some couples who now are no longer married. This always makes me a bit sad, but if I’m honest, it’s rarely a shock. You just get that vibe. The last time I was made aware of a couple who parted ways, I became curious and decided to look at their recessional photos. I’m not saying this is true or in any way scientific, but they were not holding hands. In fact, the groom was a good ten feet ahead of his bride. Their marriage lasted less than six months. Subsequently, I checked out other couples’ recessional photos. In all instances except one, none of the couples were holding hands on the way up the aisle.
I’ve long been a proponent of holding hands on the way back up the aisle. It makes for great photos. But now I think I have another reason; it just might help make your marriage last. And a kiss at the end helps to seal the deal!
One last thing – there seems to be a tendency for brides to hold their bouquet beside their faces as they walk up the aisle. I’m well aware of this by now and can position myself so the flowers don’t block her pretty face, but some new photographers might not catch on to this and miss out on some amazing images. You can help them out by lowering your bouquet just a bit.

Puckering for a kiss

Puckering is completely natural. Humans, as well as other animals that kiss, have adopted the pucker as a way of protecting their teeth in case of particularly exuberant displays of affection. While a kiss can last a fraction of a second, the pucker can last much longer, and therefore, stand a greater chance of being caught on camera. I’m not saying that puckering looks bad, but it is my opinion that a pucker has its place; when a kiss is just a peck – as in a good-bye or hello. As a prelude to a kiss, the pucker is not particularly romantic. In some cases it can look rather like that protruding second jaw of the Alien.
Some have argued that if your intent is to photograph a kiss, what does it even matter if there is a pucker preceding it. My answer is merely my taste in art. Yes, a kiss, with lips locked can be romantic. I’m sure you can even think of a famous black and white photo of a kiss which epitomizes romance. For me though, it is that moment before two sets of lips touch, sans a pucker, which carries more weight. A pucker isn’t necessary if the closing distance is controlled. This is done by placing hands on cheeks or necks, and guiding ones lips with tenderness and precision. This is romantic.
Isn’t all this talk about kissing just a bit much? Well, maybe. But wouldn’t it be fun to practice? Maybe even setup your phone or video camera to record your selves kissing. I doubt you’d be able to get through it without laughing. And that is the best reason of all.

Paying Your Vendors

If you have a day-of coordinator, you shouldn’t have to worry about this. If you don’t however, here is a neat tip to avoid uncomfortable situations and stress.
After your rehearsal, pass out some tip envelopes to the people who might be needing services for which they will need to pay themselves. For instance, give each of your brides maids an envelope for hair and one for makeup. Ask them to stop off at an ATM before they go to bed that night, and place enough cash in each envelope to cover hair and make up. Give an envelope to your best man to give to the limo driver, and another to give to the DJ.
Try to have all your vendors paid before the big day. That way you can just relax and enjoy.

Transportation

Many weddings happen at the height of tourist season. And for weddings which take place in Kelowna, in particular, parking is a serious issue. For this reason, I always suggest car-pooling from hotels to venues. For large wedding parties, one vehicle is more practical than ten. Hiring a limo or some other local transportation also avoids the possibility of someone getting lost. Safety is another issue; after a fun night of partying, you can rest assured that none of your friends will be driving.

In the above photo, the Vegas-style limo-van can accommodate up to sixteen people. And there’s plenty of large windows, which is a big help to photographers.
If it’s just the two of you, I would suggest hiring a classic car. Not only for the transportation, but it can also be used as a prop during the formal portrait session. I like Nixdorf Classic Cars out of Summerland.

Alcohol

I’ve been to a few weddings where alcohol ruined the day. Groomsmen are particularly guilty of this. If you want a memorable wedding, or even just remember it at all, avoid drinking too much. In my experience, drinking to excess the night before does not make for a happy wedding day. An even worse scenario to avoid, is drinking too many shots, or mimosas the morning of.

Chewing gum

Just don’t!

Sunset Photos

Sunset is one of my favourite times of day for photography, especially when it comes to romantic moments with newlyweds.

The quality of light at sunset is far and away the best light in which to photograph people. It’s why most outdoor scenes in movies involving people in conversation, take place just before sunset. I ask all my couples to consider a short session around sunset, and to plan for it when making up their timeline.

Buffet vs plated dinner

While a plated dinner might seem classy, it’s actually the best way to kill the momentum of a wedding reception. A plated dinner takes a lot more time. A lot more. I’m not kidding. It also requires more staff, which of course means a higher cost per plate. I’ve been to plenty of wedding receptions where the guests were served a plated dinner, and there are always hiccups; cold food, one dish ordered but a different one delivered, and sometimes not enough food. I’ve worked in the food service industry, and I can say with confidence, that plating a three course dinner for 100 people is a high-stress endeavor. Above all, a caterer wants to give their guests a great experience, but a plated dinner is a gamble most would rather not take.
A buffet, on the other hand, goes much quicker. It allows for the freedom of choice, and there is always enough food to go around. The added bonus of a buffet means that when the bride and groom are finished eating (and all their guests are still eating) they can escape for that ten-minute sunset photo session with their photographer and nobody will even know they are gone.
A plated dinner isn’t really conducive for a sunset session, as it seriously interferes with the kitchen’s timing.

Feeding your vendors

It’s not a rule, but I love it when I’m invited to partake in the buffet. It’s really the only time I get to sit for a few minutes and relax. The one bit of advice I have concerning dinner, is this; I like to have dinner at the same time the head table is having their dinner. I would never photograph the couple as they’re eating, so I might as well take the opportunity to do the same. Also, it allows for me to take the couple out for photos once we are all finished. And most often, your guests will still be eating, so they won’t miss you.

The Weather

There really is no sense in fretting over that which you have no control. I have always maintained that if your wedding went exactly as planned, it would be great, of course. But what if something deviated from that plan? And what if it was something major, like the wedding cake falling over as you cut into it, or maybe it rains like cats and dogs just as you are exchanging rings.
These moments will surely stand out many years from now. If you can roll with the punches, and take it in stride, those memories will either be sad ones, or great ones. It’s entirely up to you.
If you can afford it and want to provide all your guests with an umbrella, I like the look of all the umbrellas being of one colour. And maybe, as a way of highlighting a special someone, you could give that person an umbrella of the opposite colour. By the way, if you plan on an outdoor ceremony and there is no shade, you might want to wish for a cloudy sky. I do.

A Sparkler Send Off

Many venues in BC do not allow sparklers anymore, so make sure you ask before purchasing your sparklers. You will need the longest sparklers you can find. 18″ seem to last long enough to get pictures of everyone holding a lit sparkler. Buy enough so that each of your guests can hold two sparklers.

You’ll want to get a couple butane torches from a camping store. Matches and lighters will not work unless everyone has one and they all go at the same time. Have half light their sparkler with a torch, then use the lit sparkler to light the other half. Above all. Please have a fire extinguisher handy, and be safe!!!

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