Hello! How is your wedding planning going? I hope it’s going great and you aren’t stressing too much! To help reduce as much worry as possible for you and your photographer on the wedding day, here is something you can work together with and make it your own.
One of the most frustrating and often stressful times for couples, their families and photographers during the wedding day is the small window of opportunity for formals (family and wedding party mostly). These can be done beautiful and with very minimal stress if done as efficiently as possible.
As I hate for my own couples and their families to even stress slightly on one of the happiest days of their lives, I am fully invested in making sure their day is picture perfect. One motto I live by is: prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. As a wedding professional, it is my job to prepare my clients on what to expect from me and what to expect on their wedding day. We are a team, if you have a planner or coordinator, they are part of our team too. Our end goal is to have fun, make memories, and create gorgeous photos.
I always send to my clients along with their contract, this check list and a fill in the blank timeline to help them plan their wedding day accordingly. I meet with them or their planner 4-6 weeks before their wedding date and finalize everything. I then study the time line and checklist before the wedding.
The checklist is organized in a way that reduces as much movement of the bride as possible. She is usually in her wedding gown and it usually takes more time to re-arrange her gown each time she is moved than if we just move people in around her. You’re “photo usher” can be your planner, a close family friend, or photographer’s assistant (this you’ll have to discuss with your photographer first.)
I was inspired to create this list when a similar list was handed to me two weeks before one of my weddings when I first started photography. I loved how quickly we were able to organize and take all the formal photos with gorgeous light and still managed to get more couple portraits with the bride and groom. The best part? No one was forgotten!
I encourage you all to use this list and help yourself and your photographer out. The less stress in the world the happier everyone will be!
You can download the PDF here or click on the photo.
Quick Photo Tip: When shooting anyone next to the bride and her dress, ask the other person to “tuck” their foot under the dress. This will prevent any accidental stains or dirty spots on the hem if someone steps on it.
Photo info: the Bride with the groomsmen: shot while second shooting with Austin Trenholm Photography at the Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach!
Cheers!
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