How to Keep Your Wedding Day Chill and Get Your Best Photos
Getting Ready Chaos
This part of the day is usually calm(ish), full of anticipation, and quietly sentimental. But it can also be messy with Starbucks cups, water bottles, hair and makeup tools and half-unpacked bags While some of it is unavoidable, I’ve got a few tips to help keep the morning calm and photogenic.
1. Pick the right space
If you’ve got options, go for the room with the most natural light and the least clutter. Photographer trick: I’ll sometimes use a prism to reflect light and hide mess in the background, just a little hot tip.
Wall colour matters too. Bright yellow = no so nice. Neutral tones and lots of windows are best, whether be a hotel, bridal suite or your home. Some bridal suites are more rustic and that is vibe too. I’ll always help move people (and things) around to make the shot work. That’s part of the job.
2. Limit the circus
You don’t need your full bridal party, both moms, three nieces, and a dog in the room while you’re getting dressed. It gets loud, fast. Stick to your inner circle for this part. Everyone else can swing by after you’re zipped up.
3. Have details ready (but don’t overthink it)
If you want photos of your invitation, rings, perfume, or any personal items, just have them at the getting ready spot. A little lay-flat moment. Love it. But if it slips your mind, no stress. I’ll work with whatever’s there
4. Give yourself more time than you think
Hair and makeup could take longer. Build in an extra 30 minutes so you’re not getting dressed while your ride waits out front. It also gives you a moment to pause and take it all in. This is the quietest part of the day. Whether it’s emotional, silly, or just you sitting quietly with your girls. I’ll be there to document it, calmly, and
How to Actually Be Present
The day goes fast. Everyone says it, because it’s true. And the best way to remember it is to be in it,not managing it or directing it.
Being present also shows in your photos. You’ll look calmer, more grounded, more like yourself. You’ll avoid the stressed out, slightly clenched jaw look that happens when you’re juggling too much. And when it’s time for portraits, you’ll actually enjoy that part of the day because you’re not arriving mentally fried.
Here’s what helps:
1. Put someone else in charge of logistics (and assign a “bad guy”)
You shouldn’t be the one answering vendor texts, tracking down the boutonnieres or explaining (again) where the ceremony chairs go. Assign a point person who can run interference, ideally someone organized, level-headed, and and not already dealing with their own minor crisis.
And then assign a “bad guy.”
This is your person who handles everything you don’t want to. They deal with the vendor who shows up late, the guest who is changing the seating chart, or the aunt trying to start drama at cocktail time.
This person has one job: protect your peace. If something crosses the line, they’re allowed to say “stop” or even “leave.” No guilt. No explanation. Ideally, this isn’t someone in the wedding party, unless you have a take no prisoners bridesmaid who was born for this role. Or me. I’ve been known to play the role myself. I’m a photographer, but I can absolutely channel “bad guy” energy when needed.
2. Breathe like someone who’s allowed to enjoy this
Things might go off script. And it’s fine. No one will notice unless you look stressed about it. Laugh it off, pass it to your bad guy, and keep going.
You don’t need to perform joy. You just need to experience it. And if you forget to breathe, I’ll remind you. I’ve seen it all, this is what I do.
Ceremony Lighting: You Choose It, I Work With It
Most of the time, couples don’t choose their ceremony spot based on light. They choose it because it’s what the venue offers and fair enough. Wherever you get married, I’ll shoot it. But here’s what you should know:
Pockety light is tricky.
When there are patches of full sun and shade, the exposures are all over the place. One person’s glowing, the other’s in shadow. Someone walks through a sunny patch mid-aisle and suddenly looks like they’re entering another dimension. Especially during fast-moving moments like the processional or recessional. It’s harder to nail consistent photos when the light’s all over the place, but that’s the job of a wedding photographer regardless.
A few common outdoor lighting scenarios
Full sun = harsh shadows + squinting.
It’s bright. But it can leave unflattering shadows on your face, especially under the eyes and nose. It can make you squint through your vows. I’ll work around it, but it’s not the softest look.Filtered shade = the dream.
Even light across your faces, no blown-out backgrounds, and you can actually see each other without shielding your eyes.Backlit = gorgeous but tricky.
You’ll glow, but your faces can end up shadowed if it’s not handled well. I’ll adjust to keep everything balanced.
And then… there's overcast.
If it’s cloudy, none of this matters. Cloud cover is nature’s softbox. Every direction is flattering. You can get married pretty much anywhere and it’ll photograph beautifully.
I’ll work with whatever you’ve got. You don’t need to stress about the light, you just need to be aware that it plays a role in how your photos will look. And if you’re ever stuck between two ceremony spots or times? Ask me. I’ll tell you which one gives us the best shot at beautiful, balanced photos without messing with your vision.
The Ceremony Exit dip kiss
Here’s one easy way to level up your aisle exit photos: when you’re walking back up the aisle, pause halfway, turn toward each other, and kiss.
You’re just married, people are cheering, your faces are glowing and in that chaos, that one pause gives me a clean, joyful, iconic frame.
Now, if you’re feeling it go for the dip.
But here’s the thing: most couples have never done a dip kiss before. It’s not as intuitive as it looks, and if you’re not careful, it ends up looking like someone almost fell over. Practice before.
Quick dip how-to:
One person plants their feet and leans back just slightly not into a full yoga bridge.
The other supports under their back (not their armpits, please) and leans with them, not on top of them.
Kiss.
Come back up with a flourish. Or a laugh. Either works.
I’ll remind you of all this ahead of time, don’t worry. The goal isn’t to choreograph your wedding, it’s to give you that one clean, in the moment image that looks like joy feels.
Family Photos, But Not Forever
Most couples want family photos. They matter.
No, they don’t need to take an hour.
This part of the day can spiral fast. People wander. No one knows who’s in what shot. And I’ve seen it, that look on a bride’s face like she’s moments from snapping.
I can make this quick, organized, and it won’t break your soul. I’ll calmly but firmly be directing: “ You’re in, You’re out. Everyone looking. Get closer - like you like each other.”
Here’s how we make that happen:
1. Keep the list tight
Immediate family: parents, siblings, grandparents.
Extended family? Best to grab them later during cocktails or the reception. Just flag me, I’ll take any photo you want. I am there to serve you, my liege.
2. Send it to me ahead of time
A list of groupings with names is all I need to bang these out. Put them in an order that makes sense and keeps everything flowing. I can help with that if you’re not sure.
3. Tell people they’re in it
If someone’s supposed to be in a photo, they need to know they’re in a photo. Bathroom breaks and bar runs can wait.
Have your officiant remind family members to stay behind after the ceremony. I’ll photograph them right there at the ceremony spot, and as we finish each group, I’ll send them off to cocktail hour.
It’s a finely tuned machine, if you let it be.
I’ve done this more times than I can count. When it’s organized, it’s shockingly efficient.
4. Appoint a wrangler
Pick someone who knows the key players, isn’t afraid to speak up, and doesn’t mind telling your brother to ditch the sunglasses or your dad to get his phone out of his front pocket. (it’s always the guys)
I’ll fix what I see, but a wrangler who catches that stuff before I even lift my camera? My best friend.
(Unless I’ve got a second shooter with me. Then it’s their job.)
I will yell across a field to get people where they need to be. Nicely. But loudly.
Family photos are where my bossy side comes out and I will apologize in advance.
Why 10 Minutes of Golden Hour Can Change Your Whole Gallery
Every couple who does it says the same thing:
“Oh... it’s so nice to come out for a breath.”
Golden hour isn’t about staging another big shoot. It’s just the two of you, in that soft, glowy, flattering light that makes everything look like a memory already. It’s quiet. It’s warm. It feels like exhaling.
These are often the photos that end up framed the ones that don’t just look good, but feel like you.
It’s worth pausing the reception for and writing into your timeline. Let your planner know ahead of time that this is happening. I’ll keep an eye on the light and grab you when it’s go-time.
I’ve been at weddings where the sky was doing something painfully beautiful and I couldn’t get the couple away because of a speech or a “we’re just not feeling it.” Fair, of course. But I always walk away thinking:
You missed something. And you don’t get that moment back.
If the sky’s overcast and golden hour doesn’t show up… It can be faked. I can use a light with an amber gel to mimic that glow and give you a little warmth and variety in your gallery.
Still not the same as the real thing, though.
Blue Hour
If golden hour slips by, there’s still a window of beauty: blue hour. That short stretch of time after the sun’s gone down but before it’s not fully dark. It’s deep. Moody. A little cinematic. Totally a vibe and the whole day feels like it’s shifting gears.
The Nighttime Backlit Shot
Before I pack up and head out, I’ll usually grab the two of you for one last photo. It’s quick literally two minutes, but it’s often one of the most loved photos of the day.
You’ll stand in the dark and I set up a light behind you.
You’ll lean in, almost kissing, not cheesy, not stiff, just quiet and close, glowing in your own little world of light.
The kind of photo that feels like the credits are about to roll. You’ve done the work, danced your faces off, and now you get this one final image that feels like a perfect ending.
No audience. Just a quiet, romantic mic drop to end the day.
