10 Tips for a Blip-Free Wedding Morning
It’s your big day and you’ve planned everything to a T. But these hacks will help you fine tune the early hours, too.
I’ll level with you, as a wedding photographer with nearly eight years under her belt, it’s pretty, pretty rare that you ever see things stray too far from the plan. Honestly, if we could plan each day of our lives as meticulously as we organise our wedding days, we’d have probably evolved into a super-species by now, capable of intergalactic domination, never mind the mere task of marrying each other.
That’s what makes wedding days so special, though, of course. They’re meant to outplay real life.. in fact, they’re real life on steroids. They bring out the best in us, and for this reason alone, I couldn’t think of a more gratifying job than being a wedding photographer.
I have nothing but praise for each and every couple I’ve ever worked with for the amazing feats of organisation they manage to pull off (if I had a top hat then I would doff it to you, but I am still waiting for a kind and slightly drunk groomsman to donate one to me).
That said, experience has taught me that if there’s anywhere a couple might come a little unstuck, it’s on the wedding morning. Before becoming a wedding photographer, I had it in my mind’s eye that bride and groom prep was a sort of prosecco-fuelled free-for-all, where you languished about in a white robe while someone did your hair and your driver pipped you from outside when it was time to leave.
Not so. Well, I mean, there is usually prosecco, and I have seen white robes aplenty, but slight incremental delays throughout the day can almost always be traced back to the morning, so a little extra attention to detail can be worth its weight in gold. I’ve based the following tips on what I’ve observed over the years, and I hope they help your day run even more smoothly..
1. Leave your phone with your most trusted bridesmaid
You will probably be inundated with messages of congratulations and well-wishing, and some brides-to-be have found that important supplier calls can get lost in the traffic. Best leave it to someone to be in charge of, and tell them what to look out for. This frees you up to get ready, be across other things, and not get distracted by the possibly mammoth task of replying to everyone.
2. Create a playlist
Whether it’s upbeat or chilled, a playlist can set the tone for the rest of your wedding day. Have it play from a speaker or straight from your phone rather than the TV, as this can get be distracting in the background of photos. Music is a great way to help keep those pre-wedding nerves at bay.
3. Lay out any accessories that you’d like pictures of
Think jewellery, shoes, perfume.. it saves scrabbling round for them last minute when time might be of the essence.
4. Aim to be ready an hour before you are due to leave
This might sound extreme, but time really can run away with you, so leave plenty for time for drinks and photos.
5. Try to have hair and make-up in the same room
When people are spread out, it cuts the atmosphere in half; much more fun to keep everyone together, as it builds excitement.
6. Consider a second photographer
While I’d love the potential to be in two places at once, sadly it’s a skill I’m still working on! A second photographer on your wedding day means photos of you both getting ready on the morning. If you’re getting ready at the same venue I’ll happily hop between you both on the wedding morning, but a second photographer is certainly worth considering so key moments aren’t missed.
7. Take your flowers out of water in plenty of time
It’s not such a good look having a damp patch on your dress from a bouquet that’s still wet! In fact, I’d even go as far to say it’s a very bad look. Nominate someone to take the flowers out of water an hour before you need to leave, and gently pat them dry with a towel.
8. Plan what to wear
Ok, so you’ve hung out what you’re going to wear to get married in, but have you thought how you want to be photographed as you get ready in the morning? You don’t have to go as far as robes with individual names on, but these pictures will make up the start of your wedding album, so it’s definitely worth considering the PJs/lounge wear/casual wear you want to be papped in.
9. Get ready somewhere light and bright
Your make-up artist, if you have one, will almost certainly sit you near a big window, but a nice airy room is best.
10. Keep things tidy
Nothing worse than a bag for life full to the brim in the background of pictures!
Do you have any other tips for a blip-free wedding morning? Please share them in the comments section below!