Top 10 Wedding Day Tips from a Professional Wedding Photographer & Videographer

Who better to share some tips with you to capture awesome photos and video coverage than your wedding photographer and videographer. What your team captures will let you relive your special day forever, so let's make sure it's a memorable day. We want to share our top 10 tips to help you have a smooth and unforgettable wedding day.

#1: Create a Realistic Wedding Day Timeline with Buffer Time

A great wedding day timeline allows your team to stay aware of what's happening and creates a smoother flow throughout your day. Allowing for additional time for family portraits, couple's portraits and travel helps ensure a smoother day when the unexpected happens. With hundreds of weddings under our belts, we've seen just about everything, but one thing that always helps is building buffer time into the schedule.

#2: Keep Your Getting-Ready Location Tidy for Better Wedding Photos

A clean and organized getting-ready location makes a significant difference in how great your wedding photos look. Rooms with clutter can be distracting and take away from the emotions of the day. Keep in mind that if your party has to take the time to clean before certain shots, it reduces the time your hired team has to capture your special day. Before your photographer and videographer arrive, take a few minutes to clear food, bags, clothing, and anything unnecessary from visible areas. A good trick is to choose a closet where everything can go as you're getting ready. By the time your team arrives, there won't be much left to clean up.

#3: Details Matter

The small details bring personality to your wedding. The bride's details can include her shoes, bouquet, veil, jewelry, perfume and of course the wedding rings. The groom's details may be his shoes, socks, boutonniere, cologne, cufflinks, or watch. In general it's also a good idea to have a couple of copies of your invitations if they are two-sided and a couple of envelopes. Little meaningful trinkets, lace, fabric or flowers can also elevate the detail photos.

Another tip is to think of the hanger you would like your wedding dress to hang from. A nice strong hanger can safely hold your dress and elevate the shots. If you prefer, another option is to opt for a dress form to showcase your dress. In the end, the details you prefer captured are really up to you, so have fun with it.

#4: Prioritize Lighting for Flattering Wedding Photos

From getting-ready wedding photos to your reception, lighting is your friend. Pick a space with large windows and natural lighting if possible for your getting-ready photos. There's a magic to natural lighting when capturing your wedding. A room that is bright and airy ensures you and your bridal party look their best and allow for your team to capture the best images. When it comes to your wedding we all hope for a sunny day but if your ceremony is out in the open, avoid the harsh noon sun when planning outdoors. Midday sun can be harsh and give the appearance of "raccoon eyes." This appears as dark circles under the eyes when photographed. Also, midday sun tends to be pretty hot for your party, guests and photographer's equipment. Your venue and wedding planner will be able to help you out with solutions to avoid a sweaty wedding day.

#5: Share Your "Must-Have" Shots With Your Team

We love capturing your vision! To ensure that we get the photos and video you have in mind, it's important to share the shot list with your team. This includes any couple's photos and inspiration shots along with a detailed shot list of the family formal photos. When making your family formal list, we recommend thinking of the folks with mobility issues. Anyone who would have trouble standing or moving around should be prioritized. Plan the list in order to minimize any jumping in and out of photos. This makes it comfortable for your family and also saves a lot of time. A bonus tip for this part is to assign a trusted friend, family member or planner to gather guests for photos. This allows your photo and video team to get the best shots of your family.

#6: Trust Your Photographer and Videographer's Directions

Your photo and video team want you to look your best, so trust them to pose you and capture the best angles. They might pose you naturally or they might capture an epic shot of you that you'll love. If you discussed your "must-have" shots with your photographer, this is where they'll make it happen. However, don't feel too shy to tell your team if you have an idea or would like to try something different, after all it's your special day. Relax and have fun.

#7: Treasure Authentic Moments

Many of the best images are captured when you give in to the beautiful emotions of the day when you're sharing laughs, crying, hugging, dancing or simply holding hands. Candid moments hold an indescribable magic which happens when you give in to the beauty of the day. We understand there's a time for posing but don't be afraid to enjoy and be in the moment. Focus on being present, don't worry about being perfect.

#8: Plan a First Look or Private Moment Together

A "first look" before the ceremony is perfect for private time to connect away from the crowds and capture authentic emotions. If you'd rather see each other for the first time at the ceremony, that's perfect too, just remember it's your day. However, set aside time in the day to simply enjoy each other and have a moment to relax during an event-filled day. Whatever you decide is perfect.

#9: Be Weather Aware, Not Weather Worried

We mentioned the sun and heat but equally as important is the rain, wind, clouds, snow, cold and everything in between. Many beautiful and memorable pictures are the result of less than perfect weather. Think of a couple kissing under an umbrella in the rain or a dress flying in the wind while the couple romantically embrace. We can't change the weather but we can shift our perspective on it. Embrace the weather and let it give your day a character of its own.

#10: Have Fun!

This day is about celebrating your new journey with the person you love. Soak in all the moments and focus on the love you have for each other above everything else. The energy you bring to the day will be magnified so let's multiply the good emotions and create amazing memories.

Final Thoughts...

Your wedding day will unfold quickly but the photos and video will be timeless keepsakes to relive that glorious day. By following these tips you'll ensure that your day is not only organized and runs smoothly but is captured beautifully from every angle.

We at Eddi Cruz Photography are experts in wedding photography and videography. We're here to document every smile, tear, hug and dance move to craft a stunning visual narrative that is as beautiful and authentic as your memories themselves.

Contact us and we'll be happy to help make your day a memorable one.