What Being a Wedding Photographer Has Taught me About Weddings

Working in the wedding industry as a photographer has taught me so much about weddings. Through working so closely with couples on one of the biggest days of their lives, I've gotten quite familiar with the ebb and flow of a wedding day, along with what makes the day flow easier and what usually causes the most stress. From all of these weddings I've taken away several key notes that I have kept with me while planning my own wedding. Naturally, I wanted to share them with you, too!

1) A TIMELINE IS A MUST

I capitalized and bolded this statement for a reason, folks. I cannot tell you how many times I have asked couple to send me their wedding day timeline only for them to respond, "We don't really plan on making one...don't you just need to know the start time of our ceremony and reception?". While you don't need to micro-manage every single second of your wedding day, it will help your day flow and will be helpful to your vendors, specifically your photographer, videographer, DJ, etc. With that being said, I plan on drafting a loose timeline in the few weeks leading up to the wedding and then making a solid timeline a few days before. I'll be emailing it to my vendors and will also be printing out a mini-pocket version for our wedding party and family members/friends who are actively taking part in the day. This leads me to #2...

2) Timelines are like bras (they're better padded)

Padded with time, that is. Every.single.wedding I've photographed has been behind schedule at some point in the day. While it never really ends up being a huge deal, it can be frustrating when a guest has to wait in their chairs 30 minutes before the ceremony because it took you an extra half-hour to finish your hair. With this being said, when you're making your timeline, always add more time than you think you will need,  especially for getting ready and taking pictures. There's a chance your hair or makeup artist could be late or maybe your photographer wants to take an extra 5 minutes taking some killer sunset pictures (and when your photographer mentions the "golden hour", go along with anything he/she suggests...trust me!). I plan on padding my "getting ready" at the salon time by an extra 45 minutes, so that even if the day is chugging along and going according to plan, I'll have time to just relax and take in the excitement of the day with my best girls! Photos are also a huge priority for me, so I am adding in lots of of picture-taking time before the ceremony.

Image via Jeff Frandsen / Photo by Jeff Frandsen

3) The day will go by in a blur- take a few minutes to soak it in!

The advice I give every couple before their wedding day: separate yourself from your guests (and your photo paparazzi) at some point after your ceremony to just be together, chat for a few minutes, gaze at your wedding bands, and soak in all the awesomeness and excitement of being a brand spankin' new married couple! I, too, plan on taking my own advice. While I don't yet know when this opportunity will present itself, I know that at some point in the evening, I will wander off to a nearby hidden spot to have a few private minutes with M. While it probably won't be longer than 5 minutes, and will probably be filled with long hugs and happy tears, I know that I will appreciate the opportunity and will look back on it for years to come.

4) Something will probably go wrong- handle it with grace

While I would love for my wedding day to go off without a hitch, I know that, inevitably, something will go wrong. I've heard SO many stories from past brides (a friend of a friend had the wrong color flowers delivered...yellow roses instead of pink. The horror!) and have personally lived through some of these problems with the brides on their wedding days. It could be a major problem (photographer cancels last minute) or a minor problem (wrong colored plates), but it will still be a problem and you will have to choose how to react to it. You could pull a bridezilla and throw around angry words and threats, or you could handle the situation with grace and total bridal poise. I am hoping and praying that on my wedding day I am able to keep my cool when problems arise, because wearing a white dress doesn't give me an excuse to be a jerk.

Image via Rustic Wedding Chic / Photo by Number 9 Photography

At wedding I photographed this past September, the bride's grandfather was hospitalized the day of the wedding. This threw a serious wrench into their plans and timeline for the day (not to mention all the emotions!) but she and her now-husband made the decision to make a trip to the hospital so that he could see them in their wedding attire and that he could get his boutonniere. While this could have ruined her day, she chose to stay positive and upbeat about the situation by being flexible and making the trip to the hospital to see her grandfather (who is doing very healthy today!). It meant so much to him that they stopped by before their reception and these are some of my favorite candid shots I have ever taken for a wedding.

5) First looks are always a good idea

It's no secret: wedding photographers love first looks. We love them for a lot of practical reasons...we are able to get more pictures of just the two of you, we don't feel like we're keeping you from your cocktail hour for ages, and we're usually able to capture both of your expressions (in the same frame!) as you see each other for the first time. We also love them 'cause a large majority of us are complete saps and love seeing your reactions when you first lay eyes on each other. Although I have not photographed a lot of first looks, the ones that I have photographed have been so stinkin' adorable, and I may or may not have teared up from behind the camera.

Image via Brooke Courtney Photography / Photo by Brooke Courtney Photography

I know that Mr. C and I are definitely planning a first look on our wedding day, both for our photographer's sake and because it's something we've both and our hearts set on. It will also give us the opportunity to get most of our formal portraits and bridal party shots out of the way before the ceremony. But mostly, I'm just excited to see Mr. C for the first time and not be surrounded by a hundred people, 'cause I know I'll be getting my happy-ugly-cry on.

I truly hope you got at least a little something from my suggestions, bees! I will most likely be updating this list as soon as wedding season gets rolling again in the spring!