Planning a wedding day (or maybe a full wedding weekend) is a bit like producing your own blockbuster. Months of planning, spreadsheets, group chats, late-night Pinterest scrolls and then suddenly it’s here, it’s magic, and before you know it you’re halfway through the dance floor wondering how it’s already 10pm.

That’s the part no one really prepares you for, how quickly it all unfolds.

And that’s exactly where great photography comes in. Not just to take awesome photos, but to bottle up the feeling of it all. The nerves, the laughs, the hugs, the blink and you miss it moments that end up meaning everything.

So, consider this your little cheat sheet. A collection of tips (some practical, some you’ll thank me later for) all designed to help you slow it down, soak it in, and walk away with memories you look backl on fondly 🥰

Research Thoroughly

When it comes to locking in your vendor dream team it’s a case of research, research, and then just a little more research for good measure.

Your photographer and vendors should make you stop and go, ‘yep, that’s us.’ Dive into their Instagram, get lost on their website, read their blogs, stalk them (the friendly, wedding-planning kind 😄). You’re not just booking someone with a camera, you’re choosing the person who’s going to tell the story of your day.

I have my own style, my own way of seeing things, so it’s super important that what you love lines up with how I shoot. When it clicks, you’ll feel it.

And here’s the magic part, when you genuinely trust your team, everything changes. You stop worrying, you start being present, and you actually get to live your day instead of managing it. That’s when the good stuff happens. The real moments, the big feelings, the photos that you’ll love down the track.

Choose a Photographer That You’re Comfortable With

Honestly, this one flies under the radar way too often, chemistry matters. A lot.

You want someone you feel completely at ease with, even if it’s just over a quick video call. Because on the day, you’re not just hiring a photographer, you’re basically gaining a well dressed third wheel for 6–10 hours 😄

It’s a pretty intimate space to be in, the quiet moments, big emotions, all of it.

If the vibe feels a bit off or forced in a 30-minute chat, it’s not suddenly going to spark into magic once the timeline’s tight and the nerves kick in. When it’s right, it feels easy. Like you can just be yourselves without overthinking it. And that’s exactly where the best photos live. 🤙

Unscripted is Unforgettable

Trust your photographer to do their thing and capture the day as it naturally unfolds.

Super strict shot lists and a stack of Pinterest references can actually pull focus away from the real magic, the in-between moments, the stuff you didn’t plan, the stuff you’ll end up loving the most.

If there are a few must haves, special people, little details, or surprises you’ve put time into, just give your photographer a heads up beforehand. That way nothing important gets missed and you can get back to being fully in it, not managing it.

Because the best photos? They’re rarely the ones on the list. They’re the ones you never saw coming. 📸

Leave Room for Space

Build breathing room into your timeline wherever you can. Not just enough to get by time, real, generous, things can run late and we’re still smiling time.

Because weddings have a funny way of doing their own thing. A dress takes a little longer, hugs turn into full reunions, someone disappears with champagne and suddenly you’re running on vibes alone. 😄

When you’ve got that buffer, everything softens. You can roll with it, stay present, and actually enjoy what’s happening instead of watching the clock.

And that’s where the gold lives. Those unscripted moments, a bit of fashion magic you didn’t plan, a random burst of laughter, or just you with your people, completely in it.

Show Your Personality

Your wedding should feel like you, not a copy of something you saw online, not what you think you should do, but a proper reflection of who you are as a couple.

This is your story. You’re not just part of it, you’re the ones writing it.

Let your personalities show up everywhere, your venue, what you wear, how you style the day, the little choices that make people go - that is so them.

Don’t hold back on the creativity or play it safe for the sake of it. Lean into what feels right, even if it’s a bit different.

Because at the end of it all, the best weddings aren’t the most perfect, they’re the ones that feel perfect to you 🥰

Have a Plan B

If there’s one thing we know, the weather loves to keep things interesting 😅

So, have a solid Plan B in your back pocket. Chat with your planner, your venue, and your photographer ahead of time and make sure there’s a good, well-lit space ready to go for family photos, group shots, and your couple portraits if the skies decide not to play nice.

Think of it as insurance for good vibes. If the sun shows up, amazing. If it doesn’t, you’re still covered and still getting incredible photos without battling wind, rain, or wild hair situations.

Hope for the dream conditions but plan like a pro 👌

Cherish your time for couple portraits

It’s so easy for couple portrait time to get hijacked, timelines running hot, outfit tweaks, someone fixing your veil for the 47th time, or a surprise guest who’s suddenly acting like they’re in the bridal party 😅

But this little pocket of time isn’t about logistics. It’s about you two.

Use it as your reset button. Step away, take a breath, actually be together for a minute without the noise. No expectations, no crowd, just the two of you catching up on your own wedding day.

Not only does it help you stay grounded it’s also where the magic happens. The photos that come out of this time? They’re the ones that feel the most real, and the ones you’ll keep coming back to 🥂 💍

Embrace the togetherness

Everyone says they want candid moments together and I’m all for it. But here’s the catch, I can’t capture you together if you’re on opposite sides of the room all day 😄

Stick close. Cruise through cocktail hour side by side, find each other on the dance floor, reach out, grab a hand, steal a moment when you can.

It doesn’t need to be staged or forced. Just be near each other, be yourselves, and let it happen naturally.

That’s where the photos actually feel like you, not just how it looked, but how it felt to be there together 👰🏻 🤵🏻 🎉