Wedding Day Tips for Success
WEDDING DAY TIPS FROM A SEASONED PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi, my name is
Karly Walker
Wedding + Lifestyle
Storyteller
Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience that deserves to be perfect.
To ensure the best possible wedding day experience and amazing pictures, here are some tips to follow:
Create a Great Timeline:
A well-planned timeline is key to a smooth wedding day. Start by deciding on the ceremony and reception times, and then work backward to create a detailed schedule. This will help you stay organized and on track throughout the day.
Choose Vendors You Like:
When selecting vendors, choose those you like and trust. They should have great experience and be able to work together as a team to make your wedding day a success. Be sure to communicate your vision clearly and ask to see examples of their work.
Plan for Great Pictures:
Professional wedding photos are an investment that will last a lifetime. Work with your photographer to plan the best possible shots, including important family and bridal party portraits. Consider scheduling a first-look session to capture the emotions of the day.
Start the day off right:
Begin the morning with a relaxing playlist, snacks, and hydrating drinks. This will help you and your bridal party start the day in a positive and calm way.
Set aside details for your photographer:
Collect all your important details such as rings, jewelry, shoes, special perfume, letters, gifts, etc. and keep them in a box for your photographer. Add some extra flowers or scraps of fabric in your wedding colors to help your photographer create interesting images of your details.
Request guests to put away phones during ceremony:
Ask your officiant to make an announcement requesting guests to put away their phones and be present during the ceremony. You can also give them one minute dedicated to taking photos before they put their phones away. This will ensure that everyone is focused on the moment.
Make announcements for the next steps:
At the end of your ceremony, have your officiant make an announcement to direct guests to the next steps. This will help send guests directly to the cocktail hour or instruct family where to go for portraits.
Wedding day games not only provide excellent photo opportunities but also create unforgettable memories that tell a story. Spice up your portrait session by playing games like tag and red light, green light.
During the reception, encourage your guests to join in the fun with these entertaining dance floor games:
- The Anniversary Dance: All couples take to the dance floor and dance until they are dismissed by the length of their marriage. The longest married couple shares a special moment with the newlyweds.
- The Brown Bag Dance: A dance-off game traditionally played with paper bags on each participant's head to up the ante.
- The Freeze Game: A fun game where everyone freezes in their best pose when the DJ randomly stops the music, and the bride and groom judge the poses.
- The Avalanche Wedding Dance: A game where the wedding party starts on the dance floor and adds more people to the dance floor each time the music stops.
*PRO TIP: Consider having some fun dance floor props/instruments like a tambourine, maracas, funny giant hats/glasses or even a couple plastic guitar hero guitars. It's details like this that create opportunities for "the best night ever" kind of memories for everyone in attendance. If you want to add more variety, yard games like corn hole, giant Jenga, and giant tic-tac-toe are also great options. These games allow guests to spread out and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
Classic & Whimsical Photography
By following these tips, you can create a stress-free wedding day that you will cherish forever. Remember to take a deep breath and enjoy every moment of your special day.
You can have the best possible wedding day experience and get amazing pictures that you will cherish forever.
Remember to enjoy every moment and trust in your planning and vendors to make your day unforgettable.
