After years photographing weddings, we have seen the best and worst that can happen on a wedding day. Many brides spend months planning everything for their wedding, but fail to pre-plan for the day itself. Most of the trouble and problems we have seen are caused by not preparing a list and schedule for the day of the wedding. Here are a few problems that come up over and over again. Taking care of these situations are keys to the success of a great wedding. Follow these few tips on how to prepare for your wedding day and get the most from your wedding photographer.
Problem #1 No Plan. This is by far the most common problem we see. It seems everyone plans every detail of the wedding (what appetizer, color of ribbons in flower girl's hair, etc. ) but few plan the wedding day itself! This is a sure recipe for disaster. What a shame it has been! We have witnessed over and over again many weddings that could have been spectacular, but no one knew what was going on and when. After all the time you took to make sure every detail of your wedding was perfect, you need to plan the day itself. It only requires a note pad, and about 45 minutes. Phone your vendors and everyone associated with your wedding for a quick chat to confirm the date and time of your wedding, when they are to show up, and what they are to do, bring, etc. This includes the church, reception site, florist, hair and/or make-up stylist, photographer, caterer, limo service, etc. Remember that your wedding photography will start a minimum of two hours before the wedding so you can go from there.
Problem #2 People that are late. You have invested a great deal of time and effort to ensure that you have the wedding of your dreams, but the success of the wedding and your photographs depends upon the cooperation of all individuals involved. Even the late arrival by one or more persons can really cause a disruption of the event. Please emphasize that your time is carefully planned to ensure that we get all photographs of the wedding party and family members in the least possible time and so that you do not feel rushed. The photography will actually start two or more hours before the wedding. It is very important to finish before the guests begin to arrive. You can help us by making sure everyone is ready for photographs (completely dressed, with flowers, etc.) at the assigned times.
A few days before the wedding:
Pack: Place everything that should go to the church in one location. This lets you add to it as you remember items. Do not wait until the morning of the wedding or something will be left behind. ( Items we have seen left include: the dress, veil, rings, and the marriage license.) Have a list and make someone other than yourself responsible for making sure these items get to the church for you.
Plan: Your wedding is too important to be left to chance. Take a few minutes to plan your day in 15 min.. increments. Remember to make time for all the little things that will take longer on this day. Plan for packing the car, driving time, finding a parking spot, having your hair done, unloading at church, etc. Also, your photographer will need you 2 to 2.5 hours before the wedding.
Rest: Sleep a full 8 hours the night before your wedding. If there is a bachelor or bachelorette party, make it earlier in the week. Plan to have a full breakfast to start the day right. A light lunch will also help. Remember, a hungry bride is a grumpy bride. Have a few snacks and clear soft drinks at the church, if they will permit it.
Hair and Make-up: One to two weeks before the big day, have your hair done the way you will wear to see if you like it. Don't experiment on the wedding day. Plan for your hair appointment to be at least 2.5 hours before you have to be at the church. On hot summer days apply a lot of baby powder to keep cool under the dress. Wear your make-up the way you feel best. I recommend that you wear it like you normally do, but with a good oil absorbing foundation and with a little heavier application on your eye brows and eyelashes. Refrain from any make-up with glitter.
Sample schedule for a 2:00pm wedding.
7:00 Wake up! It's your wedding day. Load car, big breakfast,
shower.
8:20 Head towards beauty salon for 9:00am appointment.
9:00 First customer of the day. Tell them you have to leave by
10:15.
10:30 Leave salon with make-up and hair done. (30 minutes to church.)
11:00 Arrive Church ( plan 20 minutes to park, get dress &
stuff into bridal room)
11:10 Florist arrives to ready church in time for 12:00 photographs.
11:30 Groom, groomsmen, and his family arrive at church(already
dressed).
12:00 Photography starts of groom, his family and the groomsmen.
Start getting into dress, let girls know they have to be ready
by 12:45.
12:15 Any member of bride's family that is not already here needs
to arrive by this time.
12:45 Hide groom, start photography of bride, her family and bridesmaids.
1:30 Stop photography in church, guests start being seated.
1:45 Line up wedding party.
2:00 The big moment. (Ceremony planned to be 30 minutes)
2:30 Ceremony over! Keep everyone together.
2:35 Start photography of families and wedding party.
3:00 Limo to arrive (no later than 3:00)
3:05 Finished with photography.
3:10 Into Limo. (30 minutes drive time)
3:40 Arrive reception. Bustle dress. Director queues DJ and starts
lining up wedding party.
3:50 DJ announces wedding party.
4:00 First dance to "Favorite song here"
4:15 Dinner & mingle time, light background music.
5:00 Start pouring champagne. Director reminds DJ and best man
that cake cutting and toast is at 5:15.
5:15 Cake cutting & toast to bride and groom.
5:45 Father / daughter dance to "Insert another great song
here!"
5:55 Dim lights and crank up the dance floor!
6:45 Have director locate throwaway bouquet & que DJ for bouquet
and garter toss.
7:00 Bouquet and garter toss. / Limo arrives.
7:15 Start passing out birdseed. DJ tells people and starts lining
guests up outside. Good-byes to parents.
Family members load limo with gifts, luggage etc.
7:25 The big send-off!