As we continue to get more and more inquiries for wedding photography, I thought it would be a good time to share my wedding advice to couples that are planning their weddings.  Just a few things I’d like to tell you about your big day…..

1) Write your own vows.  It’s personal, very personal.  And, it gives your guests a chance to really connect with you both during the ceremony, as you are sharing these personal feelings in front of them.  Tony and I decided to do both the traditional vows and our own vows.  It may have taken a little more work on our part but we got so many complements on the vows.  This is an important moment in your lives together and it’s so special to make the vows you exchange personal.

2) Observe your wedding.  This was advice I received from our DJ.  Take a step back at the reception and observe your family and friends enjoying the night.  You planned an amazing party for them – watch as they enjoy it.  You’ll get a kick out of seeing everyone dance, everyone laughing.  It’s worth a couple minutes away – sneak into the corner and take a mental snapshot of what’s happening around you.

3) Roll with the punches.  Something will go wrong.  It always does.  The day before our wedding Tony got laryngitis.  He couldn’t speak at the rehearsal and he could hardly say his vows (but he got them out like a champ!).  As for me, when we were announced at the reception, we entered from the balcony.  Unbeknownst to me, someone had spilled something on the steps and I slipped … and almost fell coming down the stairs..I twisted my ankle pretty bad.  You can hear the gasps in our wedding video.  The embarrassment lasted a few minutes but I certainly laugh about it now.  Something will go wrong.  Just brush it off and go with it.  The things that may frustrate you the day of the wedding will be the things that you look back and laugh and say, “Well, that’s us!”

4) Get unplugged.  I really wish that all brides and grooms would have unplugged weddings.  Ask your guests to put their cell phones and iPads down.  Enjoy the moment.  Especially during the ceremony.  Be in the moment, be there with the couple.  I wouldn’t want people waiting with their phone to stick it up in the air as soon as you kiss.  This advice may come from me more as a photographer than a prior bride, but the stories you read about the professional photographer’s pictures being ruined because of someone’s cell phone camera flash going off are true.  Or guests stepping into the aisle to snap a photo.  Be unplugged, get connected with the people around you, not those in cyberspace!

5) Photographs are important.  I wouldn’t be a good photographer if I didn’t mention how important photographs are for your big day.  Take it from me.  Photos are important.  They’re important.  Did you know they’re important? haha.  I can say this with a heavy heart from personal experience.  We do not have good photos from our wedding – I do not have enough quality photos that I can make an album.  This makes me sad.  To top if off, I do not have a bridal portrait of myself on the day I felt the most beautiful.  Honestly.  I cry when I think about this.  I spent time and money searching for & purchasing a dress, getting my makeup done, trying to lose weight, etc – and I don’t have a beautiful photo of myself on that day.  I’ve heard some brides and grooms say they just want candid photos – and I LOVE candid photos – but you ALWAYS need some portraits.  Always.  Don’t make my same mistake.  Even when a bride and groom tell me that they want only candid – I always make sure to take some portraits.  You will regret the decision to only have candid photos.  Allow time for photographs.  Allow time for your photographer to capture your beauty, love and joy on your wedding day!

What other advice do you have for brides and grooms planning their weddings?  The good, the bad, the ugly.  Any experience you want to pass on to someone else?  Leave your comments below!