What to know before your wedding day | from a vermont wedding photographer
Before we get into any of this, I want to offer a gentle reminder that you do not have to do any of these things.
There are plenty of wedding blogs out there that will tell you the "right" way to have a wedding. This is not one of them.
If you want detail photos, I have some thoughts on making those easier. If you want an unplugged ceremony, I have some ideas for that too. But if you want your wedding day to be a little messy, a little spontaneous, and full of the beautiful chaos that naturally happens when a bunch of people gather to celebrate something meaningful, I love that too.
The goal isn't perfection. The goal is helping you create the experience you want and making sure it's documented with care. Whether your day is meticulously planned, completely go-with-the-flow, or somewhere in between, we'll work with what is true to you.
By the time your wedding day arrives, you've probably spent months making decisions, coordinating details, and answering questions from well-meaning people. My biggest hope is that when the day finally gets here, you get to stop planning and start experiencing it.
That said, there are a few small things that can make a big difference when it comes to both your experience and your photos.
If You'd Like Detail Photos:
If detail photos are important to you, a little preparation goes a long way.
One of the easiest things you can do is keep your getting ready space as tidy as possible. Wedding mornings are often a beautiful kind of chaos, but if there are bags, wrappers, extra clothes, and miscellaneous items spread everywhere, they'll often find their way into photos too. If it feels helpful, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to be the designated "tidy person" throughout the morning.
It's also incredibly helpful if all of your details are gathered together in one place before I arrive.
Things like:
Rings
Invitations or save-the-dates
Shoes
Veils
Jewelry
Perfume or cologne
Vow books
Special mementos
Gifts
Dresses or suits
Boutonnieres
Bouquets
If you're working with a florist, consider asking for a few extra stems, buds, or bits of greenery to be set aside. Even a small handful of flowers can add a lot to detail photographs.
For clothing photos, please remove dresses, suits, or other outfits from garment bags ahead of time. Cutting tags, removing stuffing, and having any special hangers available also helps everything move smoothly.
Planning on sharing a first look or private vows?
If you're considering a first look or another pre-ceremony event, it's worth factoring that into your timeline and photography coverage. The actual first look itself often only takes a few minutes, but getting everyone where they need to be and making sure you don't accidentally run into each other beforehand can take a little planning. This is especially true if you're getting ready in the same location, your venue has limited private spaces, or you're getting ready far apart and need time to travel between locations. A little advance planning goes a long way toward keeping the experience relaxed and stress-free.
It's also helpful to think about who, if anyone, you'd like present for the moment. Some couples want complete privacy, while others love having their wedding party, parents, or other loved ones nearby. Some people prefer guests to watch from a distance, while others are happy to have them standing close by.
Once again- there is no right answer here. The important thing is that the experience feels good to you. We'll talk through your preferences ahead of time so I can help make sure they're honored on the day itself.
Some couples also choose to do additional first looks with a parent, child, grandparent, or another important person in their life. If that's something you're considering, it can be helpful to decide ahead of time whether you'd like those moments to happen before or after your couples' first look so we can build them naturally into the timeline.
A Few Ceremony Tips:
One of the most common questions I get involves the first kiss. If you'd prefer not to have your officiant standing directly behind you in those photos, ask them ahead of time if they'd be willing to step to the side right before the kiss. Most officiants are happy to do this.
If you're hoping for a truly unplugged ceremony, I've found one simple approach works especially well. Have your officiant invite guests to take a quick photo at the very beginning of the ceremony, then ask everyone to put their phones away for the rest of the experience. People tend to respond really well when they're given both permission and a clear expectation.
And if you love the idea of joyful, enthusiastic photos after your first kiss, your officiant can help with that too. Guests are usually ready and excited to celebrate, but sometimes they just need a little encouragement. A quick reminder to cheer loudly and keep cheering all the way down the aisle can make a huge difference in the energy of those moments.
Tell Me What Matters:
One of the things I love most about weddings is that no two days are ever the same.
Sometimes there are obvious things that matter deeply to you. Maybe it's a piece of jewelry passed down through generations, a friendship that's lasted decades, or a quiet moment you've been looking forward to all year.
Other times, you don't realize something is important until you're living it.
Both are completely okay.
I encourage you to tell me about anything that feels meaningful ahead of time, but please don't worry about creating a perfect list of moments for me to photograph. Part of my job is paying attention. I spend the day looking for the things you've poured your energy into, the connections that matter, the small gestures of care, and the moments that feel emotionally significant.
Your Needs Come First:
This is your wedding day.
Not just a photoshoot.
Not just a performance.
Not just a family reunion
Not just a production designed for anyone else's expectations.
If you need a quiet moment alone, take it.
If you need water, a snack, a few minutes to sit down, or a break from people, please do that.
If you need a break from being photographed, that is SO COMPLETELY OKAY TOO.
I will always advocate for what helps you feel comfortable, present, and cared for throughout the day. Sometimes that means stepping away from the crowd for a few minutes. Sometimes it means making sure someone brings you a glass of water. Sometimes it means protecting a little breathing room in your timeline.
A Final Reminder:
Being photographed is a little weird. Even people who are excited about having photos taken sometimes reach a point where they need a break or feel awkward for a moment. That is normal.
Everything I suggest throughout the day is exactly that: a suggestion. You never have to do something because I asked. You're always welcome to adjust, opt out, or tell me what feels better for you. You never need to stop a conversation, pause a moment, or hold a pose for my sake. The only exception is that every once in a while I might say, "Can you do that again?" if I just witnessed a beautiful moment and would love for you to have a photograph of it.
More than anything, I want you to experience your wedding day fully. The photos matter, of course. But how the day feels while you're living it matters even more.
