6 Wedding Day Tips for Brides

It’s no secret that planning a wedding can be stressful. There are a thousand tiny details that go into executing your day, and sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. As a wedding photographer, I have picked up a few key tips over the years to help brides live in the moment, save time and make the most out of their wedding day.

Wedding Tip #1- Pack Your Details Separately

Packing your wedding details in a separate box ensures that everything stays together in one safe place (i.e. rings, jewelry, perfume, shoes, etc.) This also makes it easy for your photographer to grab those special items for detail shots and flat lay photos while you're getting ready. Not sure what to pack? I provide the following checklist to each bride before the wedding to make sure that nothing gets left behind!

Wedding Tip #2- Plan Extra Time to Put On Your Dress

Putting on your wedding dress is a historic moment in every bride’s life. Planning an extra 15 minutes (at least) into your getting-ready timeline will allow you to soak it all in without feeling rushed. Some dresses have a lot of buttons/loopholes, corset-style lacing, or shoes with straps that can take longer than expected to put on. Every bride deserves a few extra minutes to be able to look at themselves in the mirror and enjoy those intimate moments with their mom/loved ones in the room. After all, you're only a bride once!

Wedding Tip #3- Do a First Look

I always recommend that my couples do a first look. A few reasons are:

1. It helps ease any built-up anxiety and pre-ceremony nerves.

2. It’s your wedding day! Why not spend as much of it together as possible?

3. We’re able to take more photos beforehand so you can spend time with friends and family post-ceremony.

4. Your hair and makeup will be at their peak freshness.

5. You’re able to have a private moment together, just the two of you.

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing your S.O. for the first time at the altar, then by all means do it! A first look just provides a few more benefits than the traditional route.

Wedding Tip 4- Try to Keep Everything in One General Location

Trust me as a wedding professional, former bridesmaid, and wedding guest; the fewer locations the better. Driving from one site to another not only takes away precious time with your guests but increases the chances of something going wrong. For example, the groom leaves his boutonniere at the getting ready location 20 minutes away, or the florist accidentally shows up at the venue instead of the church, etc. Not good! Keeping everything in one general location will help avoid unnecessary mishaps and give you better peace of mind.

Check out this blog on the Top 10 Best Michigan Wedding Venues! Many of these include a bridal suite and groom's lounge for getting ready, a ceremony space, and a reception room all in one location.

Wedding Tip #5- Hire a Wedding Planner or Day-Of Coordinator

If your budget allows, I cannot recommend hiring a wedding planner/coordinator enough. Having someone with experience there to handle the details and coordinate vendors will save you so much headache in the long run. Time is precious on your wedding day and every minute should be spent being present, not making last-minute decisions, and stressing over details.

Wedding Tip #6- Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

No matter what happens, this is a day of celebration. There may be some things that don’t go according to plan, but hey, that’s okay! Some things are simply out of our control. At the end of the day, you are getting married to the love of your life, and your day is going to be special no matter what.

Looking for a wedding photographer for your big day?