Wedding tips + suggestions
"Oh, I never thought of that!"
Yep! That's exactly what every couple says when I share my tips on getting the best photos. I honestly don't blame 'em - they're just brides and grooms planning the best day ever, not necessarily thinking of the factors that might add that extra oomph to their photos :)
The key word here is lighting. Lighting plays a huge role in photography and sometimes makes or breaks a photo (to be completely honest).
As your wedding photographer and good friend, I don't want to take over your wedding day timeline, nor do I want to change anything about your wedding day. Because it is your big day as bride and groom :)
But, I do want to "shed-some-light" (haha get it) on some tips and suggestions that will help me and ultimately help you get those dreamy, creamy, and beautiful photos!
SO LET'S DO THIS..
Getting ready
TIP 1:
Choose a location with large windows.
Getting ready near a large window can bring in A LOT of natural light! It's also the the secret to gorgeous, natural-looking photos! Since, artificial and incandescent overhead lighting creates a weird, un-natural yellow tone to the skin, that is hard to see with the naked-eye but is visible in photos. Depending on the room, I will undoubtedly be turning off some of the artificial lighting in your room.
Plus you're makeup artist + hair-stylist will appreciate this while dolling you up! ;)
TIP 2:
Consider renting a stylish + cute looking home from AirBNB.
Well decorated homes and stylish AirBNBs are infinitely better than most hotel rooms. Since hotel rooms can be really stuffy, with questionable carpet and chair choices, non-smoking signs, and un-flattering wallpaper. Airbnb's have a lot of character and create some gorgeous getting ready shots!!
Airbnb's can also be cheaper than hotels, too! But keep in mind your getting ready location should be relatively close (within 20 minutes driving distance) to your ceremony location.
The link below is an example to an airbnb home with a clean space and lots of natural light :)
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20172099?s=51
HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS THAT SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LIGHT + A GREAT SPACE!
HERE ARE ROOMS WITH NO WINDOWS, OR ARE STUFFY AND CRAMMED
Please note: That you don't have to incorporate all these tips into your wedding day to get great photos. Weddings are about the people you are with and the memories you will make. A great wedding photographer, will know how to face any tricky lighting scenario and create a beautiful composition.
However, any consideration on these tips will usually be more beneficial than not.
the ceremony
Outdoor ceremonies are my absolute favorite! But try making sure your ceremony is not during mid-day. Mid-day is not only the hottest time of the day, but it will leave harsh shadows under the eyes, making you appear to have dark circles ("raccoon eyes"), and leave un-flattering shadows under the nose ("shadow mustaches!" yes, it happens).
tip #1
Try to avoid the hours between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m for ceremonies. Choosing a time a bit later in the day, when the sun is a little lower and not right over our heads, can create some beautiful landscape photos, and flattering skin tones. The ideal time would be about 2-3 hours before sunset.
tip #2
When positioning your outdoor ceremony think of this.. The sun should be setting behind the officiant. When the sun is behind the officiant, then the bride, groom and whole wedding party are not facing the sun. If the ceremony is facing the sun it will then cause everyone to have squinted eyes, and harsh face shadows, which can be really unflattering. Essentially, make sure the sun is setting behind you.
tip #3
If you're worrying about the weather being overcast on your wedding day. Please don't, believe it or not, but overcast days create such beautiful lighting. They also create a giant soft box, which means no harsh shadows, no raccoon eyes, or shadow mustaches lol. It makes everyone look great with soft, creamy skin tones!
unplugged ceremony
I cannot recommend this enough. So many times, my view is obstructive with cell-phones, iPads, and even their own flash-cameras. I highly recommend having an unplugged ceremony and letting your officiant announce to the guests that "the lovely couple have requested that guests please turn off their devices and be present in the moment." Because I promise you, my photos will look 100x better then a photo taken on an iPad. ;)
Here is a funny article of a couple of wedding ceremonies that were not unplugged:
CLICK HERE TO SEE: 23 Wedding Photos That Will Make You Have An Unplugged Wedding
Even though guests *think* they're being inconspicuous, they undoubtedly ALWAYS step in the aisle. Sometimes their flash will go off at the exact time I take the photo of your first kiss and then you end up with a weirdly lit photo. You're paying thousands of bucks for professional, high quality images. You don't need a million zoomed in and crooked iPhone shots. I gotchu.
A sign at the ceremony is also something some clients have put up and has been effective. Your wedding ceremony will be so much more beautiful when everyone is listening to your words, enjoying the moment and being true witnesses to your vows.
The reception
When it comes to lighting during the reception each venue is different, but I always suggest natural-looking, warm light. Warm light creates such a beautiful and dreamy ambience in photos.
tip #1
Whether it's an indoor or outdoor reception, adding Italian string lights are a beautiful way to add pretty bokeh (the blurry, sparkly orbs in the background of photos).
tip #2
If you're considering up-lighting, note that the color you choose for up-lighting will set the color tone of your photos. For example, if you're uplighting is pink, than anything that is white (hence your wedding dress) will have a pink hue on it.
tip #3
I strongly recommend to clearly communicate with your DJ that you only want colorful lighting during the party/dancing portion of the night and to turn off any colorful lighting for the first dance and special parent dances.
Colorful lighting can take away from a beautiful moment such as the first dance. I just don't want you to look back and think "i wish, i had turned off the blue/pink lighting during our first dance, cause now all i see are blue/pink on our faces..
Special Exits
SPARKLER EXIT:
If you decided to have a sparkler exit (my favorite :) ) I recommend purchasing sparklers that are long enough. If your sparklers are too short, they might burn out by the time all your guest light up their sparklers. Try getting 10-12 inch sparklers, they are more effective. Purchase enough sparklers to give to your guests, and make sure to have a couple of lighters that way people can get their sparklers lit quicker.
Choose a dark place to have the sparkler exit, since the sparkler will have enough light to illuminate you both :)
ALTERNATIVE EXIT:
If you're venue does not allow sparklers, then consider playing a "last dance" song, or having a confetti-popper exit, or even making your final wishes with sky lanterns or getting your wedding party to tag along with you to a donut shop, or chick-fil-a haha!! Whatever you choose will be amazing because at the end of the day it will be with people you love and cherish :)
the moments
At the end of the day, I want you to be in-the-moment.
These are only tips and suggestions to help guide you through the creation of your wedding day. But what really matters is the time you will share celebrating the connection between you and your love, with your family and friends by your side.
THE FINAL TIP:
The day of your wedding, I want you to feel the moments in your soul. The moment you are walking down the aisle towards your love, the moment you read each other's vows and promises to one another, and the moment you have your first dance as husband and wife. These are the moments that count, and these are the moments I will capture for you...that way they will be with you forever :)
Full wedding party
Once we finish up with family photos, we will bring in the whole wedding party (Bridesmaids and Groomsmen) for group photos!! If you’re having a first look, full wedding party photos might happen before the ceremony to leave more time for couple portraits.
couple's portraits
Here’s where all the romance and feelings happen!
Where I’ll sneak the two of you away for sunset photos! And make you kiss right in front of me for a bunch of photos! haha
***I’ve normally set aside 45-30 minutes of couple portraits. But if you want to set aside more time and literally take a bunch of photos in your wedding dress and not stressing about time, because you have all your college buddies and family waiting for you at the reception than I would really consider having a “Day After Wedding Session”.
CLICK HERE for more info about Day After Wedding Sessions!
the reception
The grand entrance
This is when I’ll be shooting candid photos of you and your bae walking in the reception!!
I’ll also be shooting reception details.
Please communicate with your wedding planner or DJ to turn off any colorful lighting, strobe lighting, and any other distracting lighting. And to ONLY leave on the warm, ambient lighting for the entrance, first dance, any special parent dances, and during cake cutting.
I just don’t want you to look back on your photos and think “wow I wish I would have turned off the blue lighting, cause now i look like a smurf” Hahaha. yeahhhh we don’t want that! Also if you're uplighting is blue, than anything that is white (hence your wedding dress) will have a blue hue on it.
Dinner
Since no one wants photos of open mouths full of food lol. I’ll be eating at the same time as you, so please don't worry when you don't see me for a short period!
Cause you better believe i’ll be starving by the time dinner rolls around. hahah! Also, make sure to coordinate this with your caterer, they sometimes will put me in a back room, which is not ideal, since I won’t be able to see any important events happening, if i’m in a random room lol.
So keep me in the party! Cause I promise I won’t bite! haha
P A R T Y
WOOHOOO!!! LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!
I WILL sing along, and dance with you all night longgggg!!
plus take all the dancing + drunk photos of your wedding party, family + friends! haha
S P A R K L E R E X I T
Make sure to see if your venue allows this. If not check my “Tips and Suggestions Guide” for more exit ideas!!
If, you’re doing a sparkler exit! It usually takes about 15 min. So I’ll probably make you run up and down twice! Only because I want to get a variety of sparkler exit shots! Just follow my lead, and I got you!!
Final notes
this is your wedding day
DO WHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT!
Yeah, I know there is that saying, “Parents wedding, Our marriage”. But honestly, it’s your wedding, your memories, and your biggest day yet! So don’t feel pressured to follow traditions, if you want to get eloped and married then do it!! Get eloped at a RAD spot in the mountains with only 10-20 of your closest family and friends and then have a wedding or a huge party in your backyard where everyone is invited!
DO WHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT!
Don’t want any bridesmaids and groomsmen than that’s COMPLETELY OKAY! It’s your big day, you can do whatever the heck you want!
Don’t want a slow first dance song but rather a choreographed dance remix? Do it.
Don’t want a traditional exit? Don't do it!
It’s honestly up to you, and how you both envision starting the rest of your lives together! It’s all about the moments, and the LOVE you two share.
