10 Helpful Tips to Get the Best Photographs for Your Wedding Day

So you’ve spent countless hours, can’t even remember how many days, months, or maybe it took even a year planning the biggest day of your dreams. Now all that’s left is to make sure all that blood, sweat, and tears are captured so that you can remember it forever. For this reason, it’s no surprise that photography plays a huge important role on your wedding day. In fact, after the day is done, the cake is cut, and the flowers wilt, your photographs are the only thing left that retells the story of what happened on that day.

After having photographed countless weddings ourselves, we’ve gained quite some insight on things that can help you get the best photographs for your wedding day. Keep on reading for some tips in preparing for the day of your dreams and things you can do to get the most out of your wedding photography.

Tip #1. Find the Right Photographer
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, photography is extremely important on a wedding day. And we’re not just saying that because we’re biased. This is what will remain long after your wedding is over and also years and years for many generations. It’s pretty powerful if you think about it. So you will want to hire a photographer that is right for you. Don’t hire a photographer strictly based on the pricing. Do the research, look at their websites and blogs to see if their style is what you are looking for, and hire the ones that you can see yourself getting along with. They will be with you the entire day so you will want to be joined with good company.

Tip #2. Do an Engagement Session
A lot of couples tend to overlook the engagement session because they think it’s not really necessary. And while it is completely optional, we always highly recommend it. People who aren’t photographed on a regular basis tend to find it a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first. Generally in our experience it takes about 30 minutes for our clients to relax in front of the camera and 30 minutes is a lot of time during a wedding day to waste! The engagement session is where you will learn how to work with your photographer, how they pose you, what they expect from you, and that will carry through to your wedding day so that the photography for the day can flow as seamlessly as possible.

Tip #3. Get Professional Hair and Makeup
Professional hair and makeup artists know exactly how much makeup is needed to get the look that you want to achieve on camera. The camera does not pick up on light makeup and it actually needs to be a lot heavier then you are probably use to. In fact, a lot of our clients have mentioned that when they had their trial makeup done, it seemed so heavy and dark, but surprisingly that’s what will make it appear “natural” in photographs. Studio makeup is different then your everyday makeup so it’s best to rely on the professionals for this one.

Tip #4. Cushion the Time for Portraits on the Big Day
Your wedding day portraits is what’s going to be in the frames of your home or enlarged on your walls, so make sure you have created the proper timeline to have these done. If you have opted for the first look, then you have the control to add more time for the portraits in your schedule. Be sure to really cushion the timing so that if there is any delay in getting ready, there will still be enough time for the portraits before the ceremony.

Tip #5. Those Details Count!
If something exists in your wedding then most likely your photographer will capture it. So all those pretty details count! These days details have a much more significant role in photography than they use to. You’ll want to remember what your shoes and bouquet looked like, and what earrings you wore and how your hair was styled. If you were wearing grandma’s locket then you would most likely want that photographed too. These are all part of the memories!

Tip #6. Have Windows and More Windows
Having a source of natural light is so important for your wedding photographs. Especially in a hotel room. When looking for a place to get ready for the wedding day, find a place that has lots of windows to get that beautiful natural light. In other circumstances, lighting equipment can be used, but in our opinion natural light creates the most gorgeous glow. Your makeup artist will thank you for this as well!

Tip #7. Work with a Florist
Your floral bouquet is going to be your best friend for the day. You two will be hand in hand so your bouquet is going to be in a lot of the photographs with you. Probably second to the groom! So work with a florist to get the proper flowers and color scheme for your wedding bouquet. You’ll want it to complement your look and also your vision for the wedding so look at the different styles and flowers available to see what is the best fit.

Tip #8. Create a Color Palette
Many brides already begin this process by selecting the color of their bridesmaid dresses. Let that be the main color scheme and then if you want, add additional colors that will complement that color. Neutral colors such as ivory, beige, and grey tend to work with any color so those are safe options to choose from. The more cohesive your color palette is, the more put together it will look in your wedding photos. The last thing you would want is a bunch of bright colors that are going against one another. You want all the colors to work together.

Tip #9. Keep an Open Mind
Your wedding day will have a lot going on and can be stressful during certain times of the day. Also, the weather may not be ideal and you may just be down right tired. But keep in mind that your photographer is doing the best they can to provide the best photographs for you regardless of any circumstances. So if they ask you to step outside into the cold or to do a pose that seems a bit difficult, try to keep an open mind and trust their guidance. Who knows, those photos may end up being your favorite!

Tip #10. Relax and Enjoy the Day
This one is easier said than done. We know. We’ve been there. But as you are being captured throughout the day so is your emotions and expressions. You’ll most likely want to have photos of you enjoying your wedding day and laughing and smiling with your loved one. Focus on what the day is about which is being married to the person you love and let that emotion shine through!