Tips For a Smooth Wedding Day

I should preface this short article by saying that I photograph weddings. I attend and work a LOT of weddings. I see lots of smooth weddings and lots of rough weddings. I have seen weddings that went off without a bump or bruise, but I have also seen weddings full of stress and chaos. Here are a few tips to consider and maybe a few ideas to ensure your wedding day runs smoothly.

First, create a timeline. This doesn't have to be followed to an exact T, but it does help your photographer (and other employees of the day) know what the next move is and roughly how much time he has to get these shots and move on to the next. It also can function as a sort of checklist for necessary shots.

Second, create a list for shots you want but think might be out of the ordinary. Your photographer should give you an idea of what he would normally capture (the standard shots, you know, details, getting ready, etc. etc.), but sometimes, a bride or groom wants a specific shot that would not be considered standard. For example, Yellow House Media will always take fun groomsmen photos, but sometimes the bride will request things like a shot from behind with the guys' hands in each others back pockets. (We try not to ask too many questions, and we will not pose you like this unless you specifically request, don't worry)

Remember that timeline we told you about first? Well, thirdly, it is a good idea to designate someone to manage and enforce those times. Taking care of wedding parties can be equated to herding blind cats, so neither the bride nor the groom should take on that role for this day. Designate a close friend, a younger cousin, an aunt, or anyone who is authoritative and you think will be good at getting people where they need to go... and on time. Instruct your party that this person will be managing the time and that they are to jump when she says jump.

This last one is maybe just a request to go against the traditional norm, but here at Yellow House Media, we LOVE a first look with the bride and groom. It is a special moment between just the two of them, AND it allows for most of the group photos to be taken BEFORE the ceremony. Have you ever attended a wedding where after the ceremony you are stuck waiting in the reception hall to eat because the wedding party and family have to spend forty-five minutes taking photos? Well, a first look eliminates all that wait time. We know it's traditional, but maybe consider it, and we may release an article of all the reasons to do a first look.

Thanks for dropping in and hearing our tips. Stick around with us for more wedding-day tips coming soon! ;)