Photography: Go with a photographer that is your vibe on two critical levels- firstly, their portfolio itself- you want to LOVE their style, shots, edits (edits are huge, each photographer has a totally different style- do you like bold? Muted and grainy? Soft and warm?). Secondly, their vibe as a person. Photographers are just people at the end of the day- they can be sweet and gentle, sassy and funny, strict and bossy- who would you want to hang out with all out? Choose the person you want and need with you on your day!
DJ: Make sure your DJ turns off the spinning, flashing lights for your first dance- especially if they’re multicoloured. You do not want swirly red and green lights across your face and dress in the photos and videos, I promise. Also, if multicoloured lights aren’t your thing at all (I personally believe they should be banished from all weddings,) make sure you check if your DJ’s lighting options when you book them
Limit couples shots: I’ve seen far too many couples spending hours of their day on couples shots- going out 3 or 4 separate times, often missing the entire cocktail hour. Be explicit with your photographer on the shots you want, but also the ones you don’t care about. Look at their work and also at the venue’s gallery (-see everyone posing on the swing under the tree but you don’t want that? Tell your photographer!) and be clear with how long you want to be away from your day. No one wants to have FOMO at their own wedding!
Group shots: Tell your family beforehand if they’re expected for group shots so they can stay close by- so much of your mingling time is eaten into by group shots, and spending ages looking for great Aunty Marge whilst she’s in the toilet, or the granny who’s nipped back to the room to change shoes, is not the one!
Tan tips: Hands: if your whole bridal party are going to be wearing tan, make sure you have some gloves ready to handle the dress, and to dress you without leaving grubby tan marks on the dress
Armpits: as a tan obsessed girlie myself, I know how tricky it is to get it even all over- I’ve seen many white armpits, or worse, white armpits with orange rings around them- it’s really tricky for the photographers to edit and can ruin those ‘arms in the air’ celebration shots. Shave and exfoliate at least a day before your tan goes on, and try to sweat as little as possible whilst the tan is developing. My two best tips for this are; Driclor (a chemical, anti-sweat product that works wonders- you’ll need to use this in the weeks running up to the day, but it truly STOPS the sweat. Disclaimer; it can make you feel sweatier elsewhere, EG your hands and back.) and talcum powder- this helps to keep you dry and non-tacky, and won’t ruin the tan.Prep Dad: If your father is walking you down the aisle, make sure he knows what to do. The amount of times I see dads panic and dart away or simply linger at the top of the aisle, not knowing what to do, is countless! Prep him to shake your soon-to-be husband’s hand and then move to his seat
Chewing gum: Whilst gum is great to freshen up throughout the day, make sure no one in the bridal party is chewing as they walk down the aisle, it’s so obvious in the photos and videos!
Practice the veil: I see so many veils being put on by bridesmaids- they’re wonky, positioned too low or too high, or not secure. Make sure your chosen hair style suits your veil and that your hair stylist secures the veil properly (whilst passing out some tips for your bridesmaids to fix / remove it later!). Big veils can also tug and hurt your scalp (especially on windy days) so bear that in mind when choosing the style of your veil, especially if you’re a head-sore person!
Wedding Content Creation: Don’t leave it till the last minute to book your Wedding Content Creator. Just because it’s a newer service, it doesn’t mean we don’t get booked up. I often have to turn down enquiries as I’m already booked, which I hate doing! Content Creators are just as varied in vibes and styles as Photographers, so make sure you lock in the one you truly want
The dress: When trying on dresses, practice sitting down, dancing and wearing heels if you can
The second dress: A second dress will give you a new lease of life. After a long day in a heavy, restrictive gown, the second dress will free you up for dancing! Even if you don’t plan on changing, bring a dress along from your hen do, just in case
Décor: You do not need your names printed on every single piece of decor. Save your money- I promise, people know who you are
Perfume: Spray yourself with perfume before you put on the dress, and remember to spritz some in your hair and on the veil. Never spray close to the dress, I’ve seen perfume make oily marks before (which do not dry!) especially on silk
Speeches: Prep people- let them know to keep their speeches under 10 minutes, especially if you’re having more that 3. Also, having a woman make a speech amongst a sea of men is so refreshing! I love it when the bride or maid of hours speak
Cake cutting: Cut an actual slice of cake and taste it! The most common cake cut is the singular ‘slice down into the cake’. There’s a big build up, everyone gathers round (yep, drumrolls are common here,) and then you slice once into the cake and walk off! No one even gets to see what’s inside, let alone taste it! This always feels somewhat anticlimactic to me. Instead, cut a slice and feed a bite to each other- have a fork ready if you prefer. Not only is it more fun but it makes for a lovely shot, too!
Practise the dip kiss: It’s harder that it looks and even harder in the dress. Try to angle towards your media team for the best shot
Music during couples shots: A silent couples shoot can be daunting, intense and even awkward if you don’t love having your photo taken. Some photographers play music and it always brings such a fun and relaxed energy! If your photographer doesn’t normally do this (most don’t- I really don’t know why!) ask a bridesmaid to bring a speaker along with your favourite feel good songs ready to give to the photographer
Keeping the dance floor full: If the bar is far away, bring a drinks stand / shots to the side of the dance floor, to save the dance floor getting empty whilst everyone is miles away getting their drinks
Separate getting ready suite: If the getting ready shots are important to you, have a second room to move in to once you’re mostly ready. Your prep room will become a mess of makeup, bags, clothes, half eaten croissants, straightener cables and other general chaos, which gives more girlie sleepover than bridal luxury. Move to the second room for nice, clean shots of the dress going on, the putting on shoes and jewellery moments, that final touch up of makeup and any first looks. It’s also great to have calm space for a pre-ceremony breather after the chaos and excitement of the morning
Lighting: Make sure the venue will turn the lights right down for the party, otherwise people will feel exposed and won’t be comfortable dancing in a fully lit up room
Fun group shots: I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of the classic group shots (everyone static in one single line staring down the lens- I much prefer the candids), but I know they’re often important to family members, and are a good way to pull them into the day. So, my tip is to feed your photographer some inside jokes about the group so they can throw them out as they shoot, to capture genuine reactions and laughter rather than stiff smiles. Also, any group shots with chairs / different levels adds a nice dimension
Private first dance: Slip away to practice your first dance in private. It’s a perfect way to grab a quiet moment alone and the photos are always beautiful
Steamers: Steamers can collect limescale in the tiny holes and multiple times I’ve seen them shoot grey, gritty splash marks onto the dress. You can usually scratch them off once they’re dry, but it’s best to check / clean your steamer first, especially if you don’t use it often!
Niche tips for brides-to-be from a Wedding Content Creator
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