A Guide to a Smooth Celebration

Your wedding day is a momentous occasion filled with joy, love, and celebration. While you focus on making memories that will last a lifetime, it’s important to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. To help you navigate the challenges of the big day, we’ve compiled a list of crucial “Do Nots” to consider. From preparation to the ceremony and beyond, here’s how to avoid common wedding day pitfalls.

1. Writing Your Vows Last Minute

Your vows are a heartfelt expression of your love and commitment. Give yourself ample time to craft them with care, so they reflect the depth of your emotions. We recommend writing your wedding vows a month before your wedding day, that way you can take some time to think about what you want to write.

A lot of Brides and Grooms will wait till the day of their wedding to write their vows, and this is commonly a big mistake since there are so many distractions and things you have to keep track of on your wedding day that are happening all at once.

One major issue we’ve seen happen many times is the wedding schedule getting delayed due to not having the proper time to write and think about your vows before the ceremony. This can cause major delays in your photo schedule not allowing you to have the proper time you need for photos before the ceremony, and proper time to line up before the ceremony. For this reason we recommend writing out your vows 1 month before the ceremony.

2. Late Arrivals and Delays

A timely start is essential for capturing the pre-wedding moments, like getting ready photos, first looks, bridesmaids portraits with bride, groomsmen portraits with groom, and family photos. Ensure your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family members, are ready for the photographer’s arrival, guaranteeing that no precious moment goes undocumented. A lot of the time we’ve seen family members, bridesmaid, and groomsmen arrive at the location the Bride and Groom are getting ready at late, this is why we recommend everyone to be ready before the arrival of the photographer.

• Arrive at the same time: Make sure your wedding party is all present at the venue or getting ready location at the same time. This will assure you no stress or delays in the wedding schedule.
• Group Chat: Creating a group chat before your wedding with everyone that is part of the wedding party to ensure everyone is there on time before the photographers arrive.
• Makeup: Make sure all makeup for your bridesmaids, mother of the bride or other important family members, including the bride as well, is all completed before the photographer arrives.
• Buffer time: Something helpful is adding some buffer time to your wedding schedule in case things go wrong or get delayed.
  A coordinated effort will ensure everyone is photo-ready, creating a seamless photographic experience.

4. Insufficient Time For Getting Ready

Allocate ample time for getting ready photos before the ceremony. Rushing through these moments can lead to missed opportunities for beautiful candid shots. We recommend at least having 2 hours dedicated for these photos. This will allow the photographer time to do photos like:

• Bride and the bridesmaids getting ready
• Groom and groomsmen getting ready
• Bride and Mother of Bride photos
• Detail photos, rings, invitations flatlays, accessories
• First looks
• First touch
• Formal photos of the Bride all dressed
• Formal photos with Bride and her bridesmaids dressed up
• Formal photos of the Groom all dressed up
• Formal photos of the Groom and his groomsmen dressed up
• Photo of Bride with parents
• Photo of Groom with parents

Doing all these photos listed above can easily be done within 2 hours if schedule runs on time.

5. Poor Ceremony Lighting Timing

Choosing the right time for your ceremony is crucial for capturing stunning visuals. Consult with your photographer first before choosing a time for your ceremony, this will ensure you’re making the most of natural light for breathtaking photos during your ceremony. We recommend having the ceremony start 2 hours before the time the sun sets, this will allow you to have beautiful lighting during the ceremony and after the ceremony for your main portraits during the golden hour.

6. Late Line-Up Before The Ceremony

Timing is key for a smooth ceremony. Coordinate with your wedding party to ensure everyone is lined up and ready to walk down the aisle on time. We recommend having everyone lining up at least 15-20 minutes before the ceremonies start time.

7. Lack of Buffer Time

Plan your timeline with buffer periods to accommodate unforeseen delays. This will help reduce stress and allow for a more relaxed atmosphere throughout the wedding day.

8. Messy Getting Ready Area

A cluttered space can detract from the beauty of your preparation photos. Ensure your getting ready area is tidy and organized, allowing your photographer to capture elegant and serene moments. We recommend having some designated wedding party members to ensure the area is all clean and looking tidy before the photographer arrives. This will allow you to not have any delays in the photo schedule, allowing the photographer to have more time to take your photos and not have to use that time cleaning everything up during your getting ready time with the photographer.

9. Last – Minute Hair and Makeup Rush

Having your hair and makeup ready 1 hour before the photographer arrives ensures you’re photo-ready and reduces unnecessary stress. We recommend family members, bridesmaids, and Bride to all have hair and makeup done 1 hour before photographer arrives and to be fully ready. We also recommend having a hair and makeup trial before your wedding day to ensure you are satisfied with the look on your wedding day and not causing you any stress.

10. Disorganized Details

Gather all your important details, such as rings, invitations, and accessories, in one place. This will make it easier for your photographer to capture the intricate aspects of your day. We recommend having a box filled with all the bride and grooms details a few days before the wedding. This will save the photographer time allowing the photographer to capture the details right away instead of gathering and looking for all those details last minute.

11. Family Photo Coordinator

Designate a family member or friend to assist in gathering people for family photos. The photographers do not know the names and faces of the family members that mean the most to you, so they will need the help of someone who is very familiar with your family members on both the Bride and Grooms side. This helps streamline the process and ensures you don’t miss capturing important group shots.

12. Avoiding Alcohol Before Events

Limit alcohol consumption before the ceremony and reception. This will help maintain cooperation and punctuality among your wedding party, ensuring your schedule stays on track. A lot of the time the wedding party and Bride and Groom will start drinking before the event and the photographers arrives, this often leads up to poor corporation for photos during the limited time the photographer has to get your photos, often causing major delays in the wedding schedule, and missing out on captured moments due to the lack of cooperation. This often can make everyone in a worse mood before the ceremony if too much alcohol was consumed. We’ve seen it happen many ways, from the Bride or Groom not being able to walk down the aisle, to the wedding ending early because the Groom or Bride consumed too much alcohol.

13. Not Having Comfy Shoes

It is important that the Bride and Groom wears comfortable shoes on the wedding day, or have a second pair of comfy shoes to change into later after the ceremony. Trust me you will enjoy more of the night changing into a pair of comfy shoes! On your wedding day, every step you take is a journey towards forever. While those glamorous heels or dapper dress shoes may steal the show during the ceremony and photos, having an extra pair of comfy shoes tucked away is a game-changer. From dancing the night away to stealing quiet moments of togetherness, these trusty companions provide the comfort and freedom to truly embrace every moment of your special day. So, why not slip into something a little more comfortable and ensure your path to happily ever after is both stylish and pain-free?

13. Not Having Aligned Timelines

Not aligning the timelines of your wedding photographer and planner can lead to a host of issues on your big day. Without synchronization, crucial moments might be missed, causing stress and frustration. Imagine the chaos of your photographer missing the first dance or the planner not being ready for key photo opportunities. A lack of coordination can also disrupt the flow of events, resulting in rushed or missed shots. To ensure a seamless and memorable wedding, make sure your photographer and planner are on the same page when it comes to schedules and key moments. Communication and coordination are key to avoiding these potential pitfalls. When deciding timing on things make sure you involve both the planner and photographer on the call.

Remember, your wedding day is a culmination of your love story. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll be better prepared to make the most of each cherished moment. With careful planning and attention to detail, your wedding day will be a seamless and unforgettable experience for both you and your guests.