Wedding Photography Tips & Tricks to Ensure a Photography-Friendly Day

You’ve seen it. Uncle Jim standing in the middle of the aisle with his iPad — causing an absolute SCENE. Oh no – we do not want this. We want a photography-friendly wedding day.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — we want to create gorgeous images that will be in your family for generations. These heirloom products are not going to be what you were dreaming up if Uncle Jim is holding up his iPad in every photo. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a wedding day that’s both seamless and photography-friendly. From crafting the perfect timeline to prepping your details, follow these tips to ensure your big day is picture-perfect.

Why an Unplugged Ceremony Makes Your Wedding Photos Better

An unplugged ceremony is one where you encourage your guests to TURN OFF their cell phones, and avoid taking pictures of the ceremony. This is HUGE!!

An unplugged ceremony—where guests are asked to turn off devices and enjoy the moment—is one of the easiest ways to ensure your wedding photos look polished and distraction-free.

An unplugged ceremony avoids the dreaded iPad debacle, and guests holding up their phones to take pictures. It also avoids those pictures where someone is glued to their phone the entire ceremony — it allows you and your guests to focus on the moment, while I capture everything beautifully.

There are tons of unplugged signs that you can find online, and this has become a VERY common practice at weddings, so you’re definitely not the first! Guests will completely understand!

How to Announce It:

1. Ask your officiant to remind guests before the ceremony begins.
2. Include it in your invitations.
3. Add clear signage at the venue.
   

Make Sure You Have Enough Coverage

I offer wedding packages from 6-12 hours, as each wedding is different. Most of my wedding couples book 8-10 hours as standard.

However, what you do NOT want to do, is book a smaller 6 hour package when you really need a 12 hour package. This is a surefire way to guarantee disappointment. 8-10 hours typically covers getting ready through dancing.

Here’s a sample 8-hour wedding timeline:

2:30-3: Bridal details

3-3:30 Bridal prep

3:30-4 Groom getting ready

4-4:15 First look (I recommend ALL couples consider a first look!! Find out why here!)

4:15-4:45 Couple portraits

4:45-5:15 Bridal party portraits

5:15-6 Couple in hiding

5:30-5:50 Reception details

6-6:30 Ceremony

6:40-7:10 Family portraits

7:15-7:30 “just married” golden hour portraits!! (MY FAV!!)

Bonus tip — your couple portraits should alway occur during Golden Hour, the hour of prior to sunset.

7:30 Reception begins! Dinner/Toasts/Cake/Dancing

10:30 Exit!

Approximate shooting times:

Details and prep: 90 mins

First look & couple portraits: 30-40 mins

Bridal party: 30-40 mins

Family formals: 30 mins

Extra portrait time: As much as you’ll give me!!

Why a First Look Is Essential

A first look is a private moment where the couple sees each other before the wedding ceremony. Typically, this only involves the couple and the photo & video team. It usually lasts between 15-30 minutes.

I ALWAYS RECOMMEND MY COUPLES DO A FIRST LOOK.

Why? By doing a first look, you unlock a lot of benefits for your timeline.

It provides an opportunity for couple portraits prior to the ceremony.

This is ideal because oftentimes, couple portraits happen during cocktail hour. If we are able to get portraits done before the ceremony, we can get you to your cocktail hour faster, so you can get back to enjoying your wedding! This is especially helpful during winter weddings where it gets dark super early!

It gives you an intimate moment together. Your wedding day can be stressful — sharing an intimate moment together can be really centering. This is a time where you can share an intimate moment in PRIVATE — away from your family and guests.

You actually get to enjoy your cocktail hour. By doing a first look, we can get the bridal party and family photos done PRIOR to the ceremony, so that I only have to steal you away for ~20 minutes to do couple photos during sunset, instead of taking bridal party/family formals/couple portraits ALL during your cocktail hour. HUGE WIN.

Pro tip: A first look is especially helpful in Seattle. Why? THE RAIN. If we do a first look + couple photos early in the day, we have flexibility later in the day when it comes to couple portraits. If it’s raining after the ceremony, we can feel it out and go take portraits during a break in the rain.

Read more about why you should add a first look here!

Gather Details Before I Arrive

Before I arrive, make sure to gather the details that you want photographed! Here is a reminder of the details that I photograph at every wedding: dress, veil, rings, shoes, bouquet, earrings, full invitation suite. If there are any other special details, just let me know! For grooms, I like to photograph the details as well! This typically includes the shoes, tie, watch, cufflinks, boutonnière, cologne, rings, and anything else that’s special to you!

Gathering your details ahead of time helps me start capturing beautiful shots as soon as I arrive. Here’s what to have ready:

For Brides:

• Dress
• Veil (longer is better!)
• Shoes
• Rings
• Bouquet
• Invitation suite
• Special jewelry or heirlooms

For Grooms:

• Shoes
• Tie or bowtie
• Watch
• Cufflinks
• Cologne
• Rings
• Boutonnière

Tips for Getting Ready Photos

The getting-ready part of your wedding day is full of emotional, candid moments that set the tone for your celebration. Here’s how to make it a photo-friendly experience:

Keep Your Timeline in Mind: Budget enough time for candid moments, portraits with your bridal party, and those final getting-ready touches.
Choose a Well-Lit Space: Natural light is a photographer’s best friend. Pick a room with large windows to create soft, flattering light for your photos.
Declutter the Space: A tidy prep area keeps the focus on you and your loved ones, not the piles of bags or snacks in the background.
Coordinate Outfits: Matching robes or pajamas for your bridal party not only look cute but create cohesive and polished photos.

Pro Tip: Consider a bridal reveal in front of your bridal party for a heartfelt and memorable moment! Seeing the reactions of your closest friends and family as they see you in your wedding dress for the first time can be incredibly emotional and special. It’s a wonderful opportunity for candid photos that capture the excitement, joy, and sometimes even a few happy tears!

Brides: Consider a Long Veil!

If you’re looking for those gorgeous, swoopy veil shots, these can only be done with a long veil! A short veil can be a really pretty option, but the longer the better for photography!

Bring Things to Toss!

This is especially important during a grand exit — bringing items to toss adds a layer of dimension to your photos! Rice, bubbles, confetti, flower petals, etc. These are all excellent options!

Organize Group Photos Like a Pro

About 2 months from your wedding date, I’ll send you a comprehensive wedding planning questionnaire, which will include all of the details that I’ll need to capture your wedding — your colors, specific shots you’d like, a photo booth design, and of course group photos. To ensure seamless family and bridal party photos, I’ll ask you for a comprehensive list of every family photo combination that you’ll want (listed by name). That way, on your wedding day, myself or my second photographer will call names and make sure this process is smooth.

Make sure that you clearly tell your family where and when they should meet for group photos (i.e. be ready by 1:00 p.m. at the barn).

Here’s a full post on how to have efficient family photos on your wedding day (including in video form!)

Second Photographer — A Must or A Waste?

Adding a second photographer to your wedding day coverage can elevate your photography experience by capturing more moments, perspectives, and details. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to document multiple perspectives of the same moment. While the primary photographer focuses on key moments, such as you walking down the aisle, the second photographer can capture your partner’s reaction or candid close-ups of your parents and guests. This dual approach ensures that nothing is missed and provides a more complete story of your day.

A second photographer is particularly helpful when your timeline involves simultaneous events. For example, while one photographer is with the bride capturing getting-ready photos, the second photographer can be with the groom or other wedding party members. We can be in two places at once — NICE! This is also valuable for larger weddings (more than ~75 guests), where there are more people, activities, and details to cover. The additional photographer allows for efficient coverage, with one person focusing on family portraits while the other captures cocktail hour or decor shots.

Candid moments are another benefit of having a second photographer. With two professionals on-site, one can focus on the main events while the other roams freely to capture unscripted interactions, laughter, and behind-the-scenes moments that make your wedding unique. This is especially important for couples who want a mix of posed portraits and natural, candid photos.

For weddings with over 75 guests, or for couples planning timelines with multiple moving parts, a second photographer can ensure that every aspect of the day is documented. It’s also a practical choice for couples who want peace of mind, knowing that there’s an extra set of hands, eyes, and cameras to handle unexpected moments.

Add a Photo Booth!

Adding a photo booth to your wedding is a fantastic way to elevate your guest experience and create lasting memories. While your professional photographer focuses on capturing the big moments of the day, a photo booth allows your guests to let loose, have fun, and take home personal mementos. It also serves as a great icebreaker, encouraging guests from different sides of the family to mingle and enjoy themselves. With options like GIFs, boomerangs, and even video features, modern photo booths, like the social booth I offer, provide shareable moments that guests can instantly text to themselves or upload to social media.

Beyond entertainment, photo booths can also double as a creative keepsake for you and your guests. Whether you opt for digital images or printed photo strips, these snapshots capture the joy and candid moments that make your wedding unique. And with customizable features like backdrops and props, a photo booth can seamlessly match your wedding theme while adding a playful touch to your celebration.

A photography-friendly wedding day starts with intentional planning. By following these tips, you’ll create an environment that allows your photographer to capture stunning, timeless images you’ll treasure for years to come. Looking for a wedding photographer in Seattle? Contact me today to discuss your photography-friendly wedding day!