Tips for Success
Ensure everyone who needs to be present for photographs is present. If you have an event guide assigned to assist with identification and locating participants, educate he/she on their responsibility. He/she may also serve as a contact for the photographer to assist in locating facilities or to communicate any plan changes. It is helpful to send out a note to all participants prior to the ceremony about locations, times that photography will begin, and where to be available at the church or ceremony facility. Your event guide should not be an important member of the wedding party or the families as these people are needed to be in the photograph.
Family is great, but…they can also have a tendency to take charge during a photography session. Before a ceremony, emotions are high as are expectations. Use a checklist to ensure you have thought out your photographic needs prior to your wedding. Please encourage family to refrain from directing the photo session. This could result in missing shots from your checklist and/or having hands or arms directing others actually in photographs that would have otherwise been beautiful. Family should be there to enjoy themselves and trust the process f the photographer and his/her assistants. For family assistance, defer to your assigned event guide.
Take care of young children first. Photographing young children such as the ring bearer and flower girl should be done right away to ensure that children are awake, in a good mood, and willing to cooperate. Request that parents of children in the ceremony be present during the photo session and that they plan accordingly to ensure the child is properly rested and fed before the photos are taken. Make sure parents are available to watch small children during the photography session to ensure the time is used wisely and there is safety is ensured.
Plan for the weather. Natural light produces beautiful photographs that cannot be created with flash photography. As such, many couples enjoy taking outdoor photographs. In the cooler fall and winter months, please plan for proper dress, which might include muffs, shawls, or wraps for the bridesmaids. Umbrellas can also double as great props for your bridesmaids or yourself. It also may be part of the bride’s consideration when selecting her gown and the gowns of the bridesmaids. Weather may also determine the capability to do outdoor photography. Keep indoor locations in mind as a back up plan and communicate this with your photographer.
Provide light food and beverage for your bridal party during the photography session. This will help keep everyone energized and ready to go. Avoid anything that may stain clothing or greasy foods that may drain on energy throughout the day. Non-staining fruit, veggies, and finger sandwiches are perfect options and can be served with bottled waters and/or carbonated beverages.
Be prepared. Have emergency supplies on hand including lotion, deodorant, nail polish, makeup touch-up, bobby pins, hairspray, safety pins, small sewing kit, stain remover, tissues, wet wipes, and band aids.
Family and guests like to take photographs too. We do our best to allow family and guests in on the photography action. With limited time prior to the ceremony, we do request that you communicate to your guests that they refrain from flash photography during the photo session. As time allows, we will offer opportunities for guest photographs.
Communicate your style. Communicate with your photographer about the style of photography t hat you prefer for a majority of your photos: photojournalism, formal, casual, candid, or a combination. Showing samples of what you like of specific poses and/or styles will assist the photographer in understanding your personal preferences. Allowing the photographer to scout out the location prior to the event is beneficial even if it requires a travel fee to do so.
Communicate with your officiant or wedding planner. Most churches and event facilities have rules and regulations regarding photography including, but not limited to: time allowance, locations within and around the facility and the ability to use flash photography during the ceremony. Please visit with your ceremony officiant or facility director and learn of their rules and regulations. Communicate this information to the photographer and videographer clearly.