A Wedding Photographer's Guide to Preparing for a Wedding Day

I have been photographing weddings for 13 years this month. I did not go to school to be a wedding photographer—this second career sort of fell in my lap when I got my first DSLR, took a few classes, and people started asking me to take their family photos. When my husband’s cousin’s wedding photographer bailed, they called me, and three days later, I shot my first wedding! I was terrified; I literally had no idea what I was doing! But it was so much fun; I loved capturing all the special details and moments of the day. That’s when I fell in love with wedding photography, and I have never looked back! I recently booked my 100th wedding, so I thought it was a good time to share some things I have learned about getting ready for a wedding day in case there are any photographers out there just starting out who are preparing to shoot their first wedding and have no idea where to begin!

Whether your bride hires a coordinator or not, a well-organized timeline is essential!

Establish expectations with your clients. One of the first steps in preparing to photograph a wedding is meeting with the couple to discuss their expectations. While this usually happens during the booking process, it’s good to make sure throughout the planning that you are aligning your vision with their expectations. Be sure to ask them about any specific moments they don’t want to miss (such as a first look or emotional reactions), and any personal or family dynamics you should be aware of.
Make sure you prepare a timeline in advance. Whether it’s a timeline you help create, a timeline created by a wedding coordinator, or a timeline created by the bride, make sure there is a timeline! This will help you to know when/where to be at the right time. I also make sure I have several copies of the timeline with me on the wedding day, in print and digitally, just in case anyone else needs one! I keep one on me at all times so that I can make sure I am staying on track! (For more tips on planning a good timeline, check out my blog post Planning the Perfect Photography Timeline for your Wedding Day.)
If you haven’t already, scout out the venue. Wehther it’s in person or by stalking their website and social media presence online, familiarize yourself with the lighting, potential spots for portraits, and any areas where the ceremony and reception will take place. And plan to arrive a little early ont he wedding day to get your bearings.. This helps you plan where to position yourself throughout the day, and it allows you to think creatively about the shots you can capture. Plus, you’ll know where to find outlets for charging your gear or places to sneak away if you need a break!
Get the family portrait and wedding party photo lists in advance. The worst part of a wedding day is trying to wrangle a huge family and/or wedding party for photos after the ceremony. A good list, already written out with names, can be your best friend! I also recommend to my brides that if they don’t have a coordinator that can help during this time, appoint a bossy aunt or friend who knows the family to help keep people organized!
Ask the bride to gather all her important details in a shoebox so that as soon as you arrive, you can grab that box and photograph those details! For more ideas on how to help your brides prepare ahead of time, check out my blog Wedding Tips from a Photographer.)
Establish a rapport with the coordinator, DJ, and videographer. If there is a wedding planner/coordinator, they will most likely reach out to you. But if not, make contact with them and check to see if there are any details you need to be aware of. If there will be a videographer, reach out to them to establish a good rapport! Videographers can be your best coworker or worst enemy on a wedding day. Making sure you take the time to talk through strategies before will help eliminate any frustration! And checking in with the DJ beforehand and on the day of to make sure your timeline lines up with theirs can go a long way. Good relationships with other wedding vendors can make your job easier and lead to future opportunities!
Prepare your second shooter. If you have a second shooter, make sure they know all the details of the day, including the timeline, addresses, and expectations. (For more information on working with second shooters, check out my previous blog post, Successfully Working with Second Shooters.)
Prepare your gear. Charge all the batteries, and make sure you have extras! Clean all your lenses. Double check that you have everything you will need for the day, and get it all packed up the night before. Don’t rush to pack your gear—you will inevitably forget something!
Get a good night’s sleep! Making sure that you are well-rested will ensure that you have the energy and focus you will need to serve your clients well!
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Pack plenty of water and energy-giving snacks. Pack an extra change of clothes and pair of shoes! You never know when the weather might change and you’ll need some extra layers to stay warm or an entire new outfit if you end up soaked in a rain storm!

Preparing for a wedding day is a big task, but with careful planning and a keen eye for detail, a wedding photographer can ensure that the couple’s memories are beautifully documented, and the day runs as smoothly as possible. With the right preparation, the big day will be nothing short of magical!