Coming from a Wedding Photographer, 2023 Bride & former teacher...
preparation for your day is so important! I know you are probably in the thick of wedding planning and are experiencing major decision fatigue. Well I am here to take one less thing off your plate. Here is a list of things you can prepare before you wedding to eliminate added stress so that you can be present and truly enjoy your day!
COLLABORATE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WHEN CREATING YOUR TIMELINE
Your photographer has captured countless weddings and is a valuable resource when it comes to planning a day that reflects your unique vision. It's so important to communicate your must-have shots before the wedding. Even if your photographer leans toward a documentary style, you’ll still want to make sure there's enough time built into your timeline to capture the specific photos that matter most to you. Whether it’s a quiet moment with a grandparent, a first look with your dad, or a fun group shot with college friends—these are the memories you’ll cherish most. The more your photographer knows about what’s important to you, the more intentional and personalized your gallery will be.
SHARE THE TIMELINE EARLY
Email, Text and airdrop that timeline to your family and wedding party the week before the wedding. This helps everyone know what to expect and gives them a chance to ask any questions ahead of time. When the big day arrives, everyone will be on the same page about where they need to be and when—no confusion, no chaos.
DETAILS BOX
Want a stunning flat lay of all your wedding details? Make a list of all the items you want photographed and put them in a box together. Once your photographer arrives all you have to do is hand the box off and they will get to work. Yes it may seem like a simple task of gathering the items in the moment but trust me, things get lost amongst all the stuff in the bridal suit. Take the time beforehand to make it so simple the day of. Here is a list of items that I normally tell my brides to include in their details box/on their list;
-Rings
-Vow books
-Bouquet
-Additional florals (ask your florist if they can have some florals set aside for flat lay detail shots)
-Perfume/Cologne
-Jewelry
-Save the date/Invitation
-Family heirlooms
-Shoes
-Veil
-Tie
CREATE A FAMILY PHOTO LIST
You shouldn't have to stress about who’s in what photo on the big day or realize afterward that you accidentally left out your great aunt. Make a list of all the family photo combos you want beforehand and give everyone on that list a heads-up about when they’ll need to be photo-ready. Then, hand that list off to your photographer so they can take the reins, call out names, and keep things moving. You just smile, soak it all in, and enjoy the moment. This premade list keeps the day running smoothly, ensures no one gets missed, and gets your guests to cocktail hour faster!
DO NOT WAIT TO STEAM YOUR DRESSES
Please please please DO NOT steam your dress or the bridesmaids dresses the day of. Even if you assign that task to a family member the morning of, the steam can affect hair & makeup of anyone in the room. We want everyone to look their best so get this task taken care of earlier in the week.
HIRE A COORDINATOR
Coming from a former teacher who’s used to handling everything and organizing the chaos—your wedding day is the one day you need to let go and hand over the reins. Your coordinator plays a crucial role in making sure everything runs according to your plan, handling all the little details behind the scenes so you don’t have to. Yes, you can plan and prep as much as you want, but life happens. That’s exactly when your coordinator steps in to keep things on track and make sure your vision comes to life—no stress, no scrambling. When I look back to my own wedding, this was the one vendor that made sure my day was truly blissful.
