CHOOSE A BRIGHT GETTING READY SPACE
Natural light is key to a beautiful getting ready space.
Things to consider:
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Choose a large space, or consider clearing a corner of the room for portraits if the space allows
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Designate a spot for the bridal parties personal items. This will help you keep the space clean, otherwise it's easy for things to be everywhere. Remember that how it looks in person is how it looks in photos, so the cleaner the better
CURATE A DRESS CODE
Don't be afraid to ask your guests to show up in a specific colour palette or style of dress. This especially goes for family, but to truly elevate your ceremony and reception photos consider giving direction to your attendees in order to build a cohesive look.
Some examples include:
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black tie
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garden party
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a neutral palette
USE MARKINGS FOR PLACEMENT
Use electrical tape to create tiny markings on the floor where you want the bridal party to stand, as well as the officiant and yourselves to keep things semetrical
BE MINDFUL OF CLUTTER
During your ceremony and reception there will be bags, speakers, power cords, and various things that will need to be in place. But be aware that these will be in photos.
- consider where you place your welcome sign and what is in the background
consider where you cut the cake and what is in the background
- be mindful of where vehicles are Parkes if you want photos of y our venue that are unobstructed
GO UNPLUGGED
Trust me, there is nothing that ruins a ceremony photo more than a guest leaning into the isle and blocking the shot! Or that guest standing up that just takes away from the aesthetic.
Personally I recomeend having the MC or officiant ask guests to to silence phones and or turn them off, and to refrain from taking photos during the ceremony. It'sore important that they take in your wedding than watch through a screen— besides that's what you've paid me for anyways!
SET ASIDE YOUR DETAILS
I highly recommend putting all your details into a box, that way when I arrive I can quickly transition into shooting all your beautiful details.
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Dress
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Bridesmaid Dresses
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Hanger(s)
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Bouquet
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Extra greens / stems / florals
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Her Vows
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Perfume
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Rings (all three)
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Earrings
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Shoes
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Veil
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2 copies of your stationary, envelopes, etc.
HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER OR DAY OF COORDINATOR
If you're anything like me you didn't really know much about what a wedding planner does other than what you see in movies. I've quickly learned how valuable they are in bringing concepts together, helping you choose reputable vendors, and in keeping the wedding day running smoothly. A lot of planners offer different levels of service; you can hire them to plan and help out day of, you can hire a planner to help only with the pre-wedding process, and a lot of planners also offer something called day-of coordinating where they are just someone you pay to show up and run everything for you for a fraction of the cost.