You and your vendors are a team all working together for a successful day. Here’s some tips that will help your photographer operate to the best of their abilities.

1. Meet with your photographer before hand. It’s important to meet with your photographer before hand to give them the full run down of the day but to most importantly get a feel for one another and each other’s vibe. You’ll all be far more comfortable on the day if you’re not complete strangers and this will help you look relaxed and happy in your photos. Even if its just a video call, there will be plenty to discuss in your initial meeting!
   
   

2. Create a list of ‘must have’ shots. Let your photographer know what your must haves are. If you have some guests that have travelled a long way or if there’s a specific shot you’ve always dreamed of, let them know so they can fit it into the timeline. Keep your ‘must haves’ relatively short and trust your photographer’s eye.
   
   

3. Timeline, timeline, timeline. There’s a lot to capture on your wedding day and your photographer can only be in one place at a time. Create a timeline of the day that you can stick with to ensure that you’re maximizing the photographer’s time. Here’s an example timeline:
   
   - 12pm………………….Groom prep shots
   - 1pm……………………Bride prep shots
   - 2pm…………………..Photographer arrive at venue
   - 2.30pm……………..Ceremony start
   - 3.30pm……………..Ceremony concludes
   - 4pm…………………..Family photos
   - 4.30pm……………..Bridal party portraits
   - 5.30pm……………..Bridal party entrance
   - 6pm…………………..Cake cutting
   - 6.45pm………………Speeches
   - 7.15pm……………….Mains served
   - 8pm…………………..First dance
   - 9.30pm……..………Bouquet toss
   - 10pm…………………Photography package concludes
   
   

4. Have a point of contact for family shots. You’ve handed a list of ‘must have’ family shots to your photographer. Problem is, they don’t know your family. Get your brother/sister/best man/maid of honor/someone to assist with having your family roll in and out of the family shots. Keep these as snappy as possible so we can move onto capturing you in all your newly married glory at the bridal portraits!
   
   

5. Don’t forget the props! Your bridal portraits can be spiced up as much as you’d like. I’ll bring my portable speaker to get the party started and if you’d like to add some flair now is your time. Think jackets, sunglasses, hats, jewelry, pets, champagne, friends, sparklers etc…
   
   

6. Share vendor contact information. Let your photographer know how they can contact the venue, celebrant, videographer, caterers etc. It’s unlikely that they’ll need to, but just incase!
   
   

7. Relax and enjoy yourself. Enjoy this momentous occasion with your significant other. It’s all new to you but your vendors have been here many, many times before and know how to keep the show rolling. Kick back and enjoy the first couple hours of the rest of your life!
   

If you have any other questions or need some tips or advice for your wedding day, please get in touch with me by pressing the contact button below.