Tip #1

You've got the look!

You have hired your favorite hairstylist and makeup artist to make you look like you stepped off of the cover of Brides Magazine.  They know their business.  Dialogue with them and work with them on realistic expectations.

Show them in advance the hairstyle and makeup style you want for you and your bridal party.  Plan a trial session!  This will allow you to be sure you love it, they will know exactly what they are doing the day of, which makes it quicker, and you will know in advance exactly how your up-do will hold up for the day.

Pre-planning will allow you to work with each of them to know exactly how long it is going to take to get the entire bridal party through hair and makeup.  Communicate this to your photographer.  Hair and makeup is the #1 reason that brides run late, it often takes longer than anticipated.

How many hair stylists and makeup artists do you realistically need to get the bridal party completed on time.  Have that conversation with your stylist when scheduling so you allow enough time for everyone to be completed in time for pictures.

Remember to plan accordingly for travel time if you are going to a salon.  It may be worthwhile to check the cost of having hair and makeup artists coming to you! 

Great planning will allow you to have the time built in that is needed to complete hair and makeup to be picture perfect ready, exactly on time!

Tip #2

It's in the details!

While the bridal party is getting all glammed up, your professional photographer will be concentrating on the details.  The dress, the ring, the flowers, the shoes, etc.  Don't forget to bring an invitation too or other important notables that will add great story lines to your album.  These shots look fantastic in your finished wedding album because they tell the story from start to finish. 

Some of the getting ready shots are re-enacted to a degree.  We will be there taking the candid shots as well as waiting for the right special moments when you are getting dressed, putting in your earrings, your mom buttoning up your gown, those touching moments leading up the big day!

The details that you have gone to great lengths to select so perfectly will all be captured.  The flowers will die but the memory will never fade.

Talk with your professional photographer about the items that will need to be photographed so nothing is forgotten or missed.

Tip #3

Dad deserves his turn!

You are always going to be daddy's little girl!  Mom gets to be a part of the whole process, give dad his special time.  Dad deserves his surprise first look!

Dad already thinks you are beautiful, but he has never seen you like this!  Plan a few minutes in your timeline for dad to have his first glimpse of you and a few special moments that is bound to cause a few tears. 

This touching daddy/daughter look is a very special moment in your day that you won't want to miss.  These are pictures he will treasure for a lifetime.

Schedule 10 minutes for dad.  You've always been perfect in his eyes, allowing a few special moments before he gives you away will mean the world to him.

Tip #4

Pre-ceremony photos!

This is one of the areas where having two  photographs is a must.  The main and second photographer work together to collaborate on the formal bridal party portraits.  Depending on the logistics, they can shoot the bride and groom simultaneously if need be, or ideally work together on each to get a wide variety of shots; not just the formal portraits! 

After the bridal party is ceremony ready this is when the formal bridal party shots are taken:  Bridal portraits, Bride with her Bridesmaids, Bride with her family, etc. and the same for the guys.  The entire wedding party is photographed together after the wedding.  The bride and groom portraits can be done before or after the wedding depending on whether or not a first look is chosen.  (Click Here to learn more about the pros and cons of a first look).

Two shooters shoot from different perspectives and shoot different things.  This gives you the most variety and versatility in your shots.  Pre-ceremony and Ceremony is where you really notice the difference when you have 2 shooters.  Imagine, in the ceremony, one photographer is focused on the bride walking down the aisle, while the second photographer is focused on the groom's expression of the bride walking down the aisle.  See what I mean!  You will be glad you did!  Your wedding album will be extra-amazing!  

A bride should arrive at the ceremony location well in advance of the ceremony.  All of the pre-ceremony group photos can be completed and it allows some time for candid and reflective captures of the bride before her big entrance. 

Tip #5

Post-wedding formal shots!

You have just had the most beautiful nuptials ever.  Now it's time for the guests to head over to the cocktail hour and the family and bridal party to get their formal photos taken. 

Many church venues especially have stern rules here.  Find out exactly how long you are allowed in the venue after the ceremony.  You many be surprised at how little time you are allowed.  Sometimes it's as little as 30 minutes. 

Having a specific shots list and knowing who's who is a must.  It is very helpful to appoint a person in charge to help make sure all of the appropriate people are staged and ready to set up when it's their turn.  "Next, we need all grandparents!"  It saves time if Grandma and Grandpa know where they are supposed to be.  Planning and efficiency is key to making sure no one is missed. 

If time is limited in the ceremony venue, an alternate location will need to be planned in advance for the bridal party and bride and groom portraits.  Often times an alternate location is desired even if time is not limited; there may be a special picturesque location you envision for your bride/groom portraits.

Talk to the wedding coordinator and know your time limits.  Great communication here will ensure things go quick and smooth.  Plan alternate locations if necessary, allowing travel time as well.