You’re planning your dream wedding, putting extensive thought and effort into every minor detail.  After all, it’s going to be a day to remember for the rest of your life. But years from the wedding, all that remains are the moments, emotions and memories captured by your photo and video team.

Aside from hiring a quality photographer, there are numerous steps you can take as a bride to guarantee incredible photos. From incorporating a first look to picking that long flowy veil in the bridal shop, we’ve narrowed down the top wedding photography tips you should follow as a bride.

1. Create an Inspiration Board

In order to deliver personalized photography and videography, it is important for your photographers and videographers to understand your personalities, preferences, and relationship. To help your creative team get to know you, it is best to create an inspiration board. This inspiration board is created on a website or app like Pinterest, where you can save images that you like and even images you don’t like. This is a way for you to visually communicate the style of photos you love for your engagement and/or wedding day photos.

2. Hire Photography and Videography From The Same Company

Choosing a photographer and videographer from the same studio is often the better choice for many reasons including:

1. Shared Incentives and Accountability
2. Better Communication, Workflow & Positioning
3. The Common Shared Vision and Style
4. Fewer Contracts & Admin for a combined Photography and Videography Package
5. Wedding Photography and Videography Package Discounts

To learn more about why you should hire from the same company, click here.

3. Schedule Enough Time For Each Section Of The Day

It is crucial that you create a timeline for your wedding day, something your wedding planner can assist you with organizing. There should be an estimated start and end time for hair, makeup, reception setup, etc. Within that timeline should include all your photo sessions such as the first look, bridal party photos, and couple’s session. Not sure how much photo time you’ll need for each section of the day? Click here for a detailed photo timeline.

4. Minimize Your locations

In order to maximize photo time on your wedding day, we recommend minimizing the number of photoshoot locations. You don’t want to spend more time traveling from point A to point B than actually taking pictures. A great photographer should be able to make almost any location work.  Even if you don’t love the background options of your venue, trust in the creative abilities of your photographer.

The images above were all taken at the Wyndham at Bonnet Creek  Resort, Orlando FL.  Staying at the same location allows you to maximize your photography time and get the best possible imagery.

5. Hire Quality Vendors

Quality vendors can influence the flow of your day.  This is why we emphasize the importance of selecting the right vendors. You wouldn’t want a makeup artist showing up 2 hours late or a photographer with no wedding experience, would you? We suggest quality vendors in order to avoid the stress that may carry over into your wedding photos.

Hiring a wedding planner is a great way to make your planning process easier and allow you to enjoy your wedding day without any unnecessary distractions. Your wedding planner is there to handle any mishaps while you and your partner go unbothered.

With so many vendor options it may be difficult to determine the right companies for your big day. Before hiring each vendor, do your research,  check your venue’s preferred vendor list and most importantly, follow your instincts.

6. Plan Enough Time for Hair & Make-up

Delays with hair and makeup can set the whole day behind.  Plan to finish the process well ahead of schedule, too often do we see brides rushing because of unexpected delays. Many great hair and makeup artists will create a schedule to follow during wedding preparations.

Your creative team will typically ask for one hour in order to document final touch-ups, detail shots, and candid moments with your closest friends and family.

Take a look at our Ideal Wedding Timeline to find out exactly how much photo time you should have set aside throughout the day.

7. Wear a Long Veil

There is something about putting on that wispy piece of fabric that makes you finally feel like a bride. That beautiful long veil makes for some of the best pictures, this is why we encourage brides to choose a long veil on their wedding day. The veil can be incorporated in numerous ways during bridal portraits and the couple’s session.

8.Include Toss Items

Whether it’s in your group photos, during your first dance or your grand exit, toss items add that extra touch to your photos.  Confetti, flower petals, paper planes, rice, the list can go on and on! These pictures radiate bliss, excitement, and results in genuine smiles and laughter from you and your guests.

9.Incorporate a First Look Session

One of the most memorable events of a wedding day is when the bride and groom see each other.  Suddenly all the jitters and anticipation fade away and just the two get the chance to enjoy this remarkable moment. The first look makes for some of the most heartfelt photos, a tradition you can’t forget on your wedding day.

10.Schedule The Couples Session During The Best Lighting

If you booked your venue because of the spectacular view of the ocean or the gorgeous vines in the winery, it’s essential to schedule your couple’s session 30-45 minutes before sunset. The romantic hues during Golden Hour makes it our favorite time of day to capture the new Mr. and Mrs.

11. Schedule Time In Your Ballroom

This is when you finally get to see the reception you’ve been dreaming about for months. It’s a great opportunity for your photographer to capture a genuine reaction, as well as a quick couple’s session. This is the perfect moment to capture photos on the dance floor and throughout the reception area without wandering guests in the background.

12. Include A Sneak Away Session

The beauty of twinkling stars and dark skies makes for a great photo backdrop. The Sneak Away session lasts no more than 20-30 minutes and is typically scheduled during your reception and after dinner. Another suggestion would be to get these shots at the very end of the night once all the guests have departed. The night sky adds a touch of romance and gives your photographer the opportunity to create dramatic images with the help of lighting.

13. Incorporate A Sparkler Exit

You’ve planned your grand entrance, but have you thought about a grand exit? Sparkler exits are a great way to end a day of celebrations. Not only are sparkler exits unique and exciting, but it makes for stunning photos. We’ve seen nothing but smiles from guests as they send off the newlyweds.

Although many venues allow the sparkler exit, others may not. Confetti, bubbles, and flower petals are alternative options to include in your grand exit and will still look great in photos.