Helpful Tips & Tricks on Your Wedding Day!

After 30 years’ experience photographing weddings, we know what the perfect recipe is for wedding day success. We’re very excited to share our photography resources with you to help make your wedding day smooth and organized. Your wedding photography will live on long after your big day and you only have one chance to get it right so do not look over these small details! Advanced planning is essential to the success of your wedding photos.

Read below for some helpful tips and tricks!

Tip #1: Think about what you’ll wear while getting ready.

• These are the first pictures that will be captured to start your story of the day in your Wedding Album. If matching outfits or robes is not your thing, then we recommend a cute button-up shirt. Something that is still easy to take off once your hair and makeup is done. If you’re gifting outfits to your wedding party, don’t forget to send them a reminder to bring these!

Tip #2: Displaying your dress for that special shot!

• You have spent so much time finding that perfect dress and we know that displaying it on a plastic hanger does not give it justice. We recommend having a nice hanger that fits well with the aesthetic of your dress. Be sure to keep in mind that the hanger is also non-slip! This will avoid occurrences of the dress falling while the photographer is hanging it up and capturing the details.
• Try to designate an area your photographer can photograph your dress that is free of clutter. Natural light is always preferred so save some space by a window if you’re able!

Tip #3: Suits should be displayed too!

• We are “tie-ing” this in with tip #2. Suits should be out of their bags and displayed on nice hangers. If there are any special cufflinks, boutonnieres or other details that perfect the look, have them all ready to be photographed!

Tip #4: It’s all in the details!

• Have your details laid out and ready to go for your photographer to ensure that nothing gets left out.
• Details can include: rings, jewelry, invitations, bouquet, shoes, special love notes and any other details that are important to you.
• If you’d like your flowers photographed, please keep in mind if they’re still in the box or in wrapping, your photographer likely will not remove them so if you want them photographed without these distractions, please have them ready ahead of time!
• You and your partner may be exchanging gifts or loves notes or perhaps a loved one is gifting you something sentimental on your wedding day. These tender moments unfold beautifully and we’d love to capture them so save these moments for when your photographer is present. 

Tip #5: Take out the trash.

• We mean it! You don’t want to look back on your getting-ready images and your eye goes straight to the clutter in the background!
• Designate a friend or family member to be the official tidy-upper. You wouldn’t want the plastic bag, random trash or empty champagne bottles to make an appearance! Ensure that all clutter is removed from the area and furniture is straightened. This makes all the difference, trust us!
• Look around, do you like the things hanging on the walls? Is there furniture in the room that you don’t care for? Again, use your designated friend or family member to move items. Your photographer will not move anything in the space. If it’s there, they will assume you’re okay having it photographed.

Tip #6: Leave wiggle room in your day.

• Wedding days seldom go according to planned. That is because there are so many moving gears in your day. Plans need to be adjusted because of the weather, portraits are delayed because Aunt Sally went to the wrong location, hair took a little bit longer than expected (this almost always happens so plan for this) so something else in the day needed to be pushed out or eliminated. Things happen no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Having that wiggle room will make the world of difference!

Tip #7: Inform your photographer if you are interested in table shots.

• Trends change throughout the years and this is one of those teetering off. As it may seem like a “duh” capture, these images aren’t part of a standard shot list. If you are interested in images at each tables, let your photographer know but please know, there’s a very small window for these to happen and it usually depends on the flow of dinner. We cannot guarantee any set image.
• On that note, keep in mind, your photographer has to take a break during dinner, too! Photographers are on their feet all day, juggling heavy camera equipment and managing an entire crowd of people. Just like you need a break at your job to perform optimally, your photographer does as well.
• A lot of couples opt for a Photo Booth to capture memories of those who attended their wedding day. It makes for some extra fun for your guests and gets you the images you’re looking for. TWA offers an all-inclusive photo booth so if you’re interested, let us know and we’ll check availability for your date!

Tip #8: Face forward, eyes open and smile!

• Silly we know, but if you are in the middle of family portraits we want to capture everyone’s face! Keep in mind with large group settings, if you or anyone in your image can’t fully see the camera then the camera can’t see you! The photographer cannot see details like that this their tiny view finder and images on a wedding day happen quickly.  Make sure your loved ones know not to be hiding part of their face behind someone.
• If you have 2 photographers, when in doubt, look at your lead!

Tip #9: Emergency kit! Did I say that loud enough? EMERGENCY KIT!

• If possible, have a designated person be responsible for this kit.
• Items that we recommend including:
  • Stain pen
  • Needle & thread/scissors
  • Mini straightener/curling iron
  • Makeup- for those touchups but also makeup remover
  • Q-tips
  • Safety/bobby pins
  • Band-Aids
  • Deodorant
  • Advil, Ibuprofen, tums, etc.
  • Double-sided fabric tape

Tip #10: Appoint a Point Person.

• Having a shot list of your must-have family photos is a definite but in addition to this, you need to have a point person responsible for gathering your guests. Your photographer does not know who is who, they do not know your family dynamics and they need to focus on photographing, not coordinating.
• We recommend having this person be a friend or family member who knows your loved ones (or at least some)!
• Your point person needs to inform the guests who will be needed for portraits so they know to stick around immediately following the ceremony.

Tip #11: Have your wedding day team in the same room as your guests during dinner.

• Even though they are working multiple hours and need some nourishment to re-energize, having your team outside the main reception space for dinner is not ideal.
• This can cause them to miss surprise or “aweeee” moments! Unless someone goes out and grabs your team beforehand, they will miss that special soon-to-be memory moment.

Tip #12: Stay hydrated + eat!

• With all of the hustle and bustle during the day, we don’t want our couples getting sick or light headed on their wedding day and trust us, we see this happen! Please make sure you pack snacks and remind yourself to eat and drink water!

Tip #11: Have your wedding day team in the same room as your guests during dinner.

• Even though they are working multiple hours and need some nourishment to re-energize, having your team outside the main reception space for dinner is not ideal.
• This can cause them to miss surprise or “aweeee” moments! Unless someone goes out and grabs your team beforehand, they will miss that special soon-to-be memory moment.

Tip #12: Stay hydrated + eat!

• With all of the hustle and bustle during the day, we don’t want our couples getting sick or light headed on their wedding day and trust us, we see this happen! Please make sure you pack snacks and remind yourself to eat and drink water!

Tip #13: HAVE FUN and don’t sweat the small stuff!

• Lucky number 13 (knock on wood)! This is the most important tip we’ll leave you with… HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR DAY! Seriously; soak it all in and be present. The day goes by quick so every time you find the moments in between all of the commotion, stop, and gaze into each other’s eyes, hold each other’s hand and just be in the moment!
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Have you ever had a day that was just perfect from start to finish? Give yourself and those around you grace. We’re all humans trying our best and if you give everyone flexibility, you won’t be left disappointed at the end of your wedding day.