A note to our brides-to-be…
You are about to experience the big day you’ve waited and planned for. We have shared in so many wedding days and want each of our brides to have the best experience possible. So, we’ve compiled our top 5 musts for you to remember on your wedding day. It goes by so fast which is why we’re there with you every step of the way, capturing those moments that are fleeting. It’s a whirlwind of people, lace, pearls, sparkles, flowers, kisses, and if you’re lucky…cake. Here are 5 tips to help you get the most out of your wedding day…
1. Delegate.
Delegate EVERYTHING on the day of your wedding. Arrange it so that you are hands off as of 11:59pm the night before (and let’s hope well before then because you should be getting your beauty rest!)
There will still be little hiccups the day of and you’ll inevitably have people asking you questions to make sure they do what you want, but ultimately you shouldn’t be dealing with any wedding day logistics that day. It’s your big day…you should have people in place around you that will shield you from chaos so you can just enjoy being a princess for one day.
2. EAT.
We can’t count how many times we’ve seen a bride go through the entire day and not eat. It causes so much more stress for you to be hungry. We know it’s a nerve-racking day, but plan ahead of time to have little things that are easy to snack on throughout the day. Have one person (usually maid of honor, or Mother) that has the job of making sure you are snacking all day. It’s especially important because we’ve seen brides go to the reception on an empty stomach and fall victim to one or two drinks on that empty stomach = one too many. And trust us when we say, no one looks good in pictures when they’re three sheets to the wind…especially not the bride.
3. Allow time for pictures.
One thing we run into is that most people underestimate how long pictures take. When capturing a bride (and groom), we like to take our time. You are more than likely going to be in heels, a heavy dress, and also playing a fun game where we’re trying to hide you from the groom. Having plenty of time with the bride is imperative to capture you perfectly on your wedding day. Rushed pictures make for a panicked bride…the opposite of what we’re going for on this day. And usually, having the extra calm helps us through the pictures with ease and we can get done early and let you have more down time with nothing else going on.
We love having just as much time with the bride and groom together as well. Because, after all, isn’t that what this whole day is about? The two of you…that’s why this day is happening anyway. So, don’t sell yourself short on time with the photographer this day of all days. Your photographs are what you have to preserve this day forever.
4. Do a “First Look”.
People have mixed feelings about this idea, but let me explain what we like to do. Often times, the first time a groom sees his bride is when she is walking down the aisle. That is a very romantic idea; however, rarely is it everything they want it to be. We’ve had several brides who were sure this was the first time they wanted the groom to see them (and we’re always completely supportive of what the bride wants!), but afterwards they have told us that they didn’t get to enjoy that moment like they thought they would because they were so nervous and the groom doesn’t always feel comfortable really reacting because everyone is watching. Let me tell you-it’s very daunting having all eyes on you as you walk (hopefully gracefully) down the long aisle in a dress and shoes that you’re not used to wearing. Some of these brides were disappointed in their first look moment and so we came up with a solution.
We create a special moment to reveal the bride to the groom. A controlled, intimate setting with just the two of them earlier in the day when she has just finished getting ready, looking perfect. We usually have her make some sort of grand entrance and it never fails…the groom is comfortable to react since no one is watching. We’ve captured (from a safe distance) grooms tearing up, reacting with amazement at how gorgeous their bride looks. The couple can take however long they want to just be in that moment together. Sometimes they exchange gifts, sometimes they just shower each other with kisses. Either way, it serves each of them as a reminder of why they’re doing this. And my goodness is it romantic!
5. Dance.
It’s your party…you’ve been planning it for a long time-enjoy it! Have a great time celebrating that you’re married! Although you might feel that you should/want to greet and talk to everyone who so lovingly came to see you get married, just know that no one expects you to do anything except enjoy your own party and celebrate! We’ve seen it before so many times…the bride and groom get swept away in greeting people and talking with everyone as the party slips away from them and by the end of the night they have only had a handful of moments to celebrate. Our advice? Stay close to the head table and dance floor. If you venture out to the reception tables, people will automatically see you as available and you’ll get ambushed. Sometimes, we see brides that never even get to sit down and enjoy the menu that they spent so many hours perfecting. We say, if there is someone special you’d like to talk to, send your MOH out to go get them and bring them to you, or make people come to the dance floor to party with you there.
There are only so many photos we can take of the “party” at the reception if the bride and groom aren’t in them. Many times we take photos of the dancing etc, but the bride and groom aren’t even in those photos because they’re off in the back talking to someone.
The best weddings we have been to have been the ones where the celebrating happens on the dance floor. You’d be surprised what relatives and friends will join in if the bride and groom are out there having a great time. It’s much more priceless to capture a bride getting down on the dance floor with her grandpa (who no one would suspect still has some moves) than a photo of them just talking.
From us to you, with as many weddings as we’ve experienced, we figured we have learned a thing or two and wanted to share it with our brides! We know it’s a big undertaking to plan a wedding AND enjoy it, but hopefully these tips will help guide you through it better! Happy wedding planning!