Wedding Day Photo Prep: Getting Ready Tips
Your wedding day begins long before the ceremony—and some of the most meaningful, joy-filled moments happen during those quiet, getting-ready hours. This guide is here to help you feel prepped, relaxed, and photo-ready from the very start. With a few simple tips, we can make the most of your wedding day and capture every detail beautifully.
Wedding Day Tips
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To keep family photos running smoothly, I highly recommend putting together a family photo shot list. It’s one of the best ways to stay organized, keep things moving quickly, and—most importantly—make sure we don’t accidentally leave anyone out!
Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered—I'm attaching a template below that you’re welcome to use or tweak however you'd like.
Let’s make this part of the day stress-free and full of smiles!
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Whether you’ve got your day mapped out minute-by-minute or you’re rolling with the “we’re getting married sometime around 5:00-ish” vibe - I’m here for it. I’ll work with whatever timeline you’ve got…just be sure to let me know the time frame you’d like me there!
If you’re still figuring it all out, here are some general photo timing estimates that might help:
Family Photos: Plan for around 30 minutes (we can get more specific once you get your family shot list together).
Bridal Party Photos: These typically take 15-20 minutes.
Couples Portraits: Ideally, we’d have 25-30 minutes for these; however, if you’re pressed for time, even if we only have 15 minutes, we’ll make magic happen. If possible, please schedule these during golden hour (30 to 60 minutes before sunset - if you can’t, we’ll make it work). Click here to find sunset times for specific dates.
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When you’re getting ready, it’s super helpful to have all your details gathered in one spot. Things like rings, jewelry, shoes, perfume/cologne, invitation, and any other meaningful items you’d like photographed. I typically start the day by capturing these details before moving on to getting ready photos of the bride and groom.
One small tip that makes a big difference in photos—bring a nice wooden hanger for your dress (if possible) and go ahead and remove tags. It helps your dress shots look extra polished, intentional, and we won’t be scrambling to find scissors before I get started.
No stress if you forget something—I’ll roll with it. But having everything prepped makes for a smoother start to the detail shots.
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As you're getting ready, one easy way to keep your photos looking clean and beautiful is to keep clutter tucked away when possible. Things like bags, water bottles, clothes, and food wrappers tend to sneak into the background—and while I do my best to shoot around them, a tidy space makes a big difference!
No need for perfection, just a little awareness goes a long way in keeping your photos looking as dreamy and polished as you remember the day feeling.
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If possible, get ready in a room with windows and lots of natural light. I’ll always seek out the best spots, but sunlight is the magic ingredient for soft, glowy images.
