The 5 most important parts of your Wedding Day…
Want to know the secrets to Wedding Day success? Let me help you.
I’ve been a Wedding Photographer for almost a decade shooting hundreds of Weddings across Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK & Europe.
Here are the 5 most important parts of your day and how to nail them!
PLANNING
‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ ~ This old adage is applicable to many things in life but it’s so true for Weddings. The work that you do in preparation for the Wedding will pay off when the big day comes round.
The final few days before your wedding can be manic. You’re running around from pillar to post and too many times I’ve seen how this can physically, mentally and emotionally just be too much for a Bride. You don’t want that. This is such a special time in your life, you want to enjoy it. Yes, you will have lots of things to do in those last few days as all the loose ends get tied up so it’s vital that you enlist help. Friends and family are there to help so keep them busy. Don’t try and go it alone.
Make lists and tick things off as you go, everything is so much more manageable when you see it down on paper or on the ‘Notes’ on your phone. Don’t worry, everything will fall into place.
BRIDAL PREP
All the waiting is over. The big day has finally arrived. Pop the Prosecco and lets get you wed!
There are a few things to keep in mind for the morning of your Wedding but the number 1 most important thing to be aware of is that time will fly. The last thing you need is an almighty rush or to feel over stressed. If you’re super late here then this will have a knock-on effect for the rest of the day and eat into the time you had planned for everything else. Give yourself a little breathing space and plan to be in your dress 20-30 mins before you originally thought you should be. This will free up some time for a few bridal party or family portraits before you leave or give you the time to deal with any last minute curveballs that might crop up.
Another handy yet simple tip which will be really helpful for your photographers is to have all your details ready to be photographed. Shoes, earrings, invites and anything else of interest should all be at hand once your photographer arrives. Also, tidy away anything you don’t wish to be photographed. It can be a little difficult to get nice bridal prep shots if your bedroom is like a bombsite.
Oh and lastly, enjoy it! This maybe the last morning spent in your family home. Have fun, smile, laugh, cry… make it special.
CEREMONY
The first question you need to answer about your Ceremony is where you should have it. You need to decide what type of Ceremony you wish to have whether Religious, humanist or other and where or rather who can provide it. This is entirely your choice and should reflect who you are as a couple. Just be aware of the logistics of the space. If you’re going for an outdoor ceremony is there any way of getting power for speakers etc? Is there a back-up plan incase of an Irish Summer? Alternatively if you’re in a small space will there be room for a photographer or videographer or both? Are there restrictions in those places as to what is expected of those working on the day? It’s worth going over this with the officiant or celebrant just so everyone knows where they stand (literally!)
Once you’ve decided where you’ll be married then your next decisions are aesthetics and logistics. How do you want your ceremony to look?
Depending on the space you chose to get married in you’ll have to decide how much you’ll need to decorate. Some spaces speak for themselves and don’t need much whilst other spaces need a little more help. Think Florists and stylists. You can work alongside these guys to create something special that can really bring a place to life.
Not only will you want everything to look perfect you’ll want it to feel perfect too. Ceremony music will really help create an unforgettable atmosphere so factor them into your plans. There are a whole host of musicians out there with varying styles so pick someone who reflects you best and the feel you’re going for.
Another trend which is becoming increasingly popular is having an ‘Unplugged Ceremony’. Basically you’re suggesting people put away their phones and be present during the ceremony. If you really don’t want your Aunty putting photos on Facebook minutes after you’ve walked up the aisle then this may be a good choice.
Ultimately your aim should be on the two of you and the vows you are going to make. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for so may it be fun, may it be relaxed and above all may it be joyous!
RECEPTION
Ideally you want to be able to spend time with your loved ones yet you also want those all-important photographs. This can be a bit of a dilemma but it is totally achievable with a little planning and advice.
Good preparation is key here and working closely with your photographer you’ll be able to get your desired result. Here’s a quick tip that’s always stood by me as a photographer. Once you arrive at the venue try and get the bridal party photographed. You may even be able to squeeze one or two bridal party shots before you leave the ceremony location. Once your bridal party are finished assign some of them the job of finding the immediate family members and notifying them when and where they need to be for family photos. In the meantime you can nip off with the photographer/videographer for some couple portraits safe in the knowledge on your return your family will be ready and waiting. It’s all about being efficient with your time and working together to get the results both you and your photographer want. You don’t need to be away for hours on end and you definitely should enjoy some of your own canapes. A little band or a singer playing in the background is always a good move and if the weather is good you may want to invest in a few garden games.
Keep in mind though that if you’re having a Winter Wedding that there is considerably less light so time is of the essence. You’ll have to prioritise the photographs as darkness falls early so use the light while you have it.
If you’re having a Summer wedding you’ll want to have a few more couple portraits in the evening as the sun is setting so be prepared to nip off from your dinner for a few minutes of golden light.
DINNER & DANCING
Ok, you’ve made it this far.
First off, Speeches. On my first ever wedding I sat through almost two hours of speeches before the meal. That’s not cool!
Some reception venues will only allow speeches at a specific point others are happy for you to choose. Whatever you have to go with the best advice I can give is keep them short and sweet, especially if they are before the meal. Say what you need to say and be yourself.
The meal has been eaten and the Wedding cake cut. All that’s left to do is to dance the night away. You may want to throw in some sparklers or fireworks which are both good fun and provide great photo opportunities. I’ve only really got one tip for your Wedding party. Kick off your heels and enjoy it! It’s time to celebrate and enjoy what’s left of this very special day.
I wish you well on your wedding planning journey. Remember to make the most of your time, go after your own vision of what you want your wedding to be and above all ENJOY IT
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