Introduction
Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life, and your photos are the timeless keepsakes that preserve those cherished moments. As a couple, understanding how to prepare for your wedding photography can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ll share 10 essential wedding photography tips for couples to help you achieve breathtaking images that you’ll treasure forever.
1. Schedule an Engagement Session
An engagement session is more than just a photo shoot; it’s a chance to build rapport with your photographer and get comfortable in front of the camera. This pre-wedding session allows your photographer to understand your chemistry and helps you feel more at ease on your wedding day.
Pro Tip: Use your engagement photos for save-the-dates, wedding websites, or decor!
2. Communicate Your Vision Clearly
Every couple has a unique vision for their wedding photos. Whether you prefer candid moments, light and airy photography, or traditional portraits, share your preferences with your photographer. A shared Pinterest board or a list of must-have shots can be incredibly helpful.
Pro Tip: Include family photo combinations to streamline the process during group shots.
3. Plan Your Wedding Day Timeline with Photography in Mind
Ensure your timeline includes ample time for getting-ready shots, first looks, family portraits, and couple portraits. Discuss the timeline with your photographer to maximize the best natural light and avoid feeling rushed.
Pro Tip: Golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset—offers soft, flattering light for stunning outdoor photos.
4. Choose the Right Photographer for Your Style
Do you love candid, journalistic shots? Or do you lean toward editorial, posed images? Find a photographer whose style resonates with your vision. Look at their portfolio, read reviews, and schedule a consultation to ensure they’re the perfect fit.
Pro Tip: Always ask about their experience with weddings similar to yours (e.g., destination, cultural, or themed weddings).
5. Invest in a Bridal Portrait Session
A bridal portrait session is a great opportunity to capture stunning images of you in your wedding attire before the big day. It’s also a chance to test out your hair, makeup, and accessories in photos.
Pro Tip: Bring your bouquet and any sentimental items you plan to wear, such as heirloom jewelry.
6. Incorporate Personal Details
Your wedding photos should reflect your unique story. Incorporate meaningful details, such as a family heirloom, personalized vows, or a special location, to add emotional depth to your images.
Pro Tip: Discuss these elements with your photographer so they can plan creative ways to highlight them.
7. Do a First Look
A first look is a private moment where you and your partner see each other before the ceremony. This intimate time not only calms pre-ceremony nerves but also allows for stunning, emotional photos in a relaxed setting.
Pro Tip: A first look also frees up time for couple portraits, giving you more time to enjoy your reception.
8. Keep Your Getting-Ready Space Clean
The getting-ready space sets the stage for the first photos of the day. A tidy, well-lit room ensures beautiful shots of details, candid moments, and the excitement of preparing for the ceremony.
Pro Tip: Keep all accessories, rings, and invitations in one place for your photographer to capture effortlessly.
9. Embrace Candid Moments
Some of the most memorable wedding photos are unscripted. Let your photographer capture authentic emotions, laughter, and tears as they naturally unfold throughout the day.
Pro Tip: Trust your photographer to blend into the background and document these moments as they happen.
10. Relax and Enjoy Your Day
The best photos come when couples are genuinely enjoying themselves. Laugh, dance, and soak in every moment of your wedding day. A relaxed, happy couple radiates love and joy, which shines through in the photos.
Pro Tip: Trust your photographer’s expertise and focus on being present—it’s your special day!
Conclusion
By following these 10 wedding photography tips for couples, you’ll set the stage for a stress-free, picture-perfect wedding day. From choosing the right photographer to embracing candid moments, each tip ensures your love story is captured beautifully.
Ready to plan your dream wedding photography experience? Let’s chat about how Stee Garman Photography can make your vision a reality!
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Behind The Lens
Hi, I'm Stee Garman, a Columbia South Carolina photographer and East Coast traveler. Photography has been a love of mine for as long as I can remember. In high school, I went through hundreds of disposable cameras. When I studied abroad in Italy, I bought my first DSLR. Once I got home, I started taking photos of families I knew - just for fun.
Those casual photos quickly turned into part-time work - as families referred me and my business began its growth. A few months later, an old college friend asked me to photograph her wedding. I was hesitant, but I agreed. From that point forward, I knew that’s where I wanted to be: in the celebration right alongside my couples. I've found my true calling in being there for couples on one of the biggest days of their lives. It's an honor I never take for granted, and one that fills me with joy - every single time.
