Advice From a Wedding Photographer
As Dayton-Cincinnati wedding photographers, we get to go to lots and lots of weddings. We see so much and I want to share some of my tips and advice to help make your special day even more perfect.
Communicate your expectations to the people giving a toasts well in advance. Let them know how long their toasts should be and if there is anything you’d rather they didn’t talk about. That way everything runs smoothly on the wedding day.
You spend months planning what your reception space should look like. Make time to do a room reveal with your planner and take a few photos there before everyone arrives. Not only is it a fun surprise to experience on your wedding day, but you also get to see how your wedding vision comes to life while it is still fresh and perfect. I have even see couples take the time to do a private dance together in the reception space after the room reveal, before the party starts. It’s so romantic.
It’s common for couples to write their own vows and not share them with each other until the actual wedding ceremony. It’s totally fine to do this, but I always recommend showing them to a neutral third party ahead of time. That way they can give you both feedback and let you know if you’re not on the same page. It’s not uncommon for couples to write completely different vows- one super lighthearted and funny while the other is serious and heartfelt. One short and the other long winded. It helps maintain balance between each person’s vows and prevents any potential embarrassment. I’ve seen it go very badly when the couple didn’t have a third party check that they were on the same page.
Find a way to save your vows. So many couples put them on their phones, which makes sense! That’s how we operate most of the time. But for real, these words are some of the most important words you’ll say in your lifetime. It seems like a good idea to save them in a nice way. Whether you buy (or make) vow books, have your vows etched into acrylic so you can display them, or even if you simply write them down - find a way to keep those words safe. Down the road, you’ll be glad you did.
Bouquets are heavier then you think! Especially carrying them all day long. It can be tiring! Pass you bouquet to someone who doesn’t have one throughout the day. Whether it’s the groom, a groomsman, or someone else- having help will make a big difference. If your arms get tired during photos, share the load and let your partner hold it with you. This is especially helpful during family group photo time. As a Cincinnati wedding photographer, I hear bride’s complain about this all the time. It’s never something they expect, but it’s definitely common.