Wedding Day Tips for Stress-Free, Natural Photos

Before the Wedding

If you want candid photos, be candid
Stay present and let moments unfold naturally
Trust your vendors—you chose them for a reason
Focus on each other, not the timeline
Little imperfections are part of the story—they’re often the things you’ll remember most
Things might not go exactly to plan—and that’s okay, some of the best moments come from it
At the end of the day, it’s about the two of you and the people you love—everything else is just extra

Try everything on ahead of time (including shoes + accessories)
Keep pockets minimal or empty
Steam or press your outfit beforehand
Have someone help with boutonnière placement
Allow a few extra minutes for getting ready—it always takes longer than expected

Choose a quiet, private spot if possible
Take your time—there’s no need to rush
Be present with each other instead of performing for the camera
This is a great moment to exchange personal vows
It can help ease nerves before the ceremony
I’ll help choose the best location and light so it feels private and looks beautiful

Ask guests to keep phones away during the ceremony if that matters to you
If you want an unplugged ceremony, communicate it clearly.
Walk slowly down the aisle.
Look up.
Hold your bouquet a little lower, around belly-button height, so it doesn’t hide your face & dress.
Pause for a second at the top of the aisle if you want to really take the moment in.
During the ceremony, focus on each other instead of the crowd.
Hold hands as soon as you get up there.
Center yourselves.
Don’t rush the first kiss.
Build a little cushion into the ceremony start time because guests are often late.
Consider pausing for another kiss or celebratory fist pump halfway and at the end of the aisle.
Practice your first kiss (especially if you are doing any kind of dip)

If you don't want to miss any cocktail hour for photos, plan to do them ahead of time.
Try to stay present and enjoy time with your guests
I’ll let you know if anything important is happening as planned

Choose people who bring good energy
Let them know timing + expectations ahead of time
Keep things light and fun—this isn’t about perfection
Trust them to support you throughout the day
Having a wedding party is completely optional—only include one if you actually want to

Focus on each other, not the camera
Movement (swaying, laughing, gently rubbing an arm) always feels more natural
Stay close—physical connection always photographs beautifully
The best photos usually happen in the in-between moments
Be yourselves—be weird, make it a little awkward, have fun with it
I’ll keep things easy and natural so nothing feels forced
Sunset photos are always worth it—the light is softer, more flattering, and it creates that dreamy, glowy look
It doesn’t have to be long—even 10–15 minutes is enough to get something really beautiful
How much time you spend on portraits is completely up to you
I’ll help plan the timing so you don’t miss important moments or feel pulled away for too long
It’s often one of the only moments you get to just be together for a minute

Try to group events together so the evening flows (instead of lots of stop/start moments)
Once dancing starts, it’s best not to interrupt it
Walk in at a natural pace and stay close together
For your first dance, slow down and stay connected—it’ll feel more natural
Keep toasts to a few meaningful people (2–4 is usually perfect)
Ask speakers to keep it around 2–3 minutes each
This part almost always runs long, so having buffer time helps
Make sure you actually get a chance to eat
It’s okay to take a few minutes to sit and reset
If you want a full dance floor, be out there yourselves—guests will follow your lead
Stay flexible if things shift a little—that’s completely normal
Focus on enjoying your people—the rest tends to fall into place
Let your DJ and photographer know about any surprises or special moments ahead of time