How to Prepare for Your Wedding Day Photography

Okay, real talk. My cousin got married last spring, and her photos? Absolute mess. Why? Because nobody thought about the actual photography part until like, two days before. Don't be that couple.

Wedding photos aren't just gonna happen magically because you hired someone with a fancy camera. There's prep work involved—but not the stressful kind, I promise.

When you're touring wedding venues in Williamsburg VA, forget the centerpieces for a second. Where's the light coming from? I'm serious. Stand in different spots around 3 or 4 PM. See where the sun hits. Dark, dungeon-like ballrooms might look elegant at night, but daytime photos there? Oof. Not great. You want windows. Big ones. Or beautiful outdoor spaces that photograph well naturally.

The Shot List Thing Everyone Mentions

Yeah, you need one. But keep it simple.

Write down the family combinations that matter. Mom and dad. Your siblings. Maybe that favorite aunt who practically raised you. That's it. That's the list.

Don't do what my friend Sarah did—she handed her photographer a three-page document with timestamps and specific angles. The poor guy looked terrified. Your photographer already knows how to photograph a wedding. They've done this before. Probably many, many times. Let them do their thing.

The best photos from any wedding? They're the ones nobody planned. Your dad tearing up during the ceremony. Your best friend laughing at something during cocktail hour. You can't schedule those moments.

Light Changes Everything (And I Mean Everything)

There's this thing called golden hour. Photographers won't shut up about it, and honestly? They're right to obsess.

It's that hour-ish before the sun goes down when everything looks like it's been dipped in honey. Skin looks amazing. Colors are richer. Even your weird uncle Larry looks good in golden hour light.

But you've gotta actually plan around it. Check when sunset happens on your wedding date. Then work backwards. If the sun sets at 7, you want couple photos happening around 6. Which means ceremony by 4:30 at the latest. See how this works?

Also—and I can't stress this enough—build in delays. Lots of them. Hair always takes longer than expected. Someone always forgets something. There's always traffic. Always. If you schedule things too tightly, you'll be stressed and rushed, and guess what shows up in photos? Stress.

Where You Get Ready Actually Matters

Those getting-ready photos are some of my favorites from any wedding album. They're intimate and real and usually pretty emotional.

But they only work if your space doesn't look like a tornado hit it.

Pick a room with decent natural light. Clean it up the night before. Stash the takeout containers, hide the random stuff on the dresser, maybe light a candle. Create a little oasis of calm before the chaos starts.

And please, for the love of all that's holy, avoid rooms with harsh fluorescent lighting. Nobody looks good under office lights.

Talk to Your Photographer Like They're a Human

You've probably got a Pinterest board overflowing with wedding photo ideas. Cool. Share it. But don't expect your photographer to recreate every single pin.

Different venues, different lighting, different couples—everything changes how photos turn out. What worked for a wedding in California might look totally wrong at your venue.

Just have an actual conversation. "I love candid shots more than posed ones." Or "I want photos that feel romantic and intimate." That's way more helpful than showing them 87 different poses you found online.

The Little Stuff You Spent Forever Picking Out

Your invitations with that fancy letterpress. The jewelry your mom lent you. Those ridiculously expensive shoes you'll wear once. Your photographer wants to photograph all of it.

So put everything in one spot the morning of. One table, one chair, wherever. Just everything together. Makes the detail shots way easier, and you won't be frantically searching for your earrings at the last second.

Trust me on this one.

Do an Engagement Shoot (Seriously, Do It)

Most people feel super awkward in front of cameras at first. That's normal. That's why engagement sessions exist.

Think of it as practice. You'll get comfortable with your photographer's directions. You'll figure out what feels natural versus forced. And bonus—you get beautiful photos for save-the-dates or just because.

Couples photography Virginia Beach sessions are perfect if you're in the area. Beach photos are gorgeous, obviously. But also the casual setting helps you relax way faster than some formal studio session would. Something about sand between your toes just makes everyone chill out.

The Actual Wedding Day Itself

Day-of advice? Eat breakfast. Seriously. Not negotiable.

Drink water. Take actual breaths. Don't skip meals because you're nervous or busy.

Hungry, dehydrated, anxious people don't photograph well. Your face gets tense. Your smile looks forced. Your energy drops. Just eat the bagel, okay?

And then trust your photographer. They'll position you. They'll fluff your dress. They'll tell you where to look and how to stand. Your only job is showing up and being present with your person.

Bottom Linewedding venues in Williamsburg va

Good Marriage prints do not be by accident, but they also do not bear you to micromanage everything until you have a breakdown. Pick a venue with good light. Make a short list of must-have- have shots. Schedule dashingly around golden hour. Clean up your getting-ready space. Talk actually with your shooter. also let it all unfold. The prints will turn out beautiful. The day will fly by faster than you can imagine. And eventually you will be showing these prints to your grandkids, thankful that you prepared just enough without driving yourself crazy. Now go attack the rest of your marriage to- do list. You've got this figured out.