Common Wedding Photography/Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
I have been shooting weddings for over 12 years, and I’ve built a strong workflow for ensuring I capture all the important moments of a wedding day. But there’s nothing worse than feeling rushed and unable to deliver the quality and quantity of photos I know I could deliver if I had enough time on the wedding day to dedicate to documenting them! Couples put so much time, energy, and money into planning their perfect day, and obviously, they want every moment captured. In order to get every moment captured, though, thoughtful planning and consultation with your photographer is essential. Here are ten mistakes I have seen my wedding clients make over the years and suggestions on how to avoid them.
1. Not hiring a second shooter
Second shooters are a godsend on a wedding day. Not only does the client get more photos and different angles of special moments, your photographers can be more dedicated to certain parts of the day instead of feeling pulled in different directions. Two photographers can tag team the groom/groomsmen and bride/bridesmaids easily for photographs during the getting ready process and formal portraits. It’s also nice to have one photographer take care of all the family formals and wedding party photos after the ceremony while the other covers cocktail hour and captures details of the reception space.
Book a package with a second shooter! Having a photographer on the ground and a photographer photographing from a second story window allowed us to capture different angles of the same moment. Wedding: Olivia & Jonathan, June 2023, Venue: Castle Ladyhawke, Photographer: Kimberly Cauble Photography, 2nd Shooter: Blakely Fowler of Blakely Clayton Photography
A wedding planner/coordinator is fantastic at helping to create timelines for the wedding day, but always run that timeline by your photographer! They will know best how much time it will take them to capture special moments and details. Wedding: Canaan & Kyle, June 2024, Venue: Dugaren Vineyard, Photographer: Kimberly Cauble Photography
2. Not consulting your photographer on the timeline
Usually, if a couple hires a wedding planner, the planner will help them think through all the specific moments that will need to be photographed and plan for ample time for those. Whether you have a planner or not, though, always run your timeline by the photographer before everything is finalized! The photographer will know best how much time will be needed for certain moments and details to be captured. Even adjusting things by 5 minutes can make a huge difference!
3, Not considering the sunset time when choosing a ceremony time
Good photographers know that EVERYTHING is lighting. If you pick a ceremony time, especially outside, during the peak of the day, you could end up with very harsh lighting and shadows. Also, depending on where the sun is compared to your ceremony space, your guests could possibly be looking directly into the sun, or the bride’s side or groom’s side could be harshly lit or in dark shadows. The closer to sunrise or sunset that you have your ceremony, the softer the lighting will be! Also remember the photos you will take after your ceremony; you don’t want to wait too close to sunset and not have enough light afterward to capture those family and wedding party photos or intimate portraits with the bride and groom.
4. Not planning enough time for details
If you want pretty photos of all the details: wedding dress, bridal jewelry, invitation suite, rings, bouquets, boutteniers, etc., you have to make sure to give your photographer enough time to capture those! Give your photographer 30-45 minutes to work on those photos right when they arrive. Also, put all of those details into a shoebox so that they are readily available!
5. When the bride or mother of the bride is the last to have their hair and makeup done
The one thing that is most likely to cause your timeline to go off track is hair and makeup. If the bride and mother of the bride is the last to have their hair or makeup done, it can cause a delay in the photos before the ceremony and therefore, a bit of stress.
6. Rushing down the aisle during the ceremony
A wedding ceremony can be a bit nerve-wracking for all involved, and when it ends, the bride, groom, and wedding party can have a surge of excitement, causing them to rush down the aisle. But don’t do that! Take your time so that your photographer can capture plenty of photos of that wedded bliss!
7. Not having an organized list of family members
The most stressful part of your wedding day will be the family photos after the ceremony, unless you are prepared! Plan ahead so that you aren’t having to think in the moment. Create a solid list of people and groups you want to be photographed, with names! This is the suggested grouping I always share with my clients in advance of their wedding day so that they can have a starting point:
Whole Family (Bride + Groom)
Bride's Extended Family
Bride's Immediate Family
Bride & Groom + Bride's Parents
Bride & Groom + Bride's Siblings
Groom's Extended Family
Groom's Immediate Family
Bride & Groom + Groom's Parents
Bride & Groom + Groom's Siblings
Linzie had planned for a surprise dance with her mom during the reception. Thankfully, she told me so that I was prepared to capture that sweet moment when it happened! Wedding: Linzie & Parker, March 2023, Venue: Barn at Sandcastle Farm, Photographer: Kimberly Cauble Photography
8. Not having a coordinator to help with “crowd control” during family photos
Do not give your photographer the task of photographing the family groups AND trying to round everyone up—that’s a lot, even for an experienced photographer with a teacher voice! Make sure all people involved in photos know to stay at the ceremony space until the photos are done, and ask your coordinator to read off the list. If you don’t have a coordinator, ask a bossy aunt or friend who knows most of the family members!
9. Not notifying your photographer of important moments during the reception
There’s nothing worse than feeling like my clients have to hunt me down in order to take a family photo or photograph a table dash during the reception. Photographers who have been at it all day will often take a moment while the bride and groom are eating to go to the restroom or grab themselves a bite to eat! Be sure to let your photographer know about any important moments that will need to be photographed so that they are prepared.
10. Not planning for the grand exit before everyone leaves the reception
If you have an older crowd or families with young children, they won’t always stay until the end of the reception. If you want people to be holding sparklers, blowing bubbles, or waving glow sticks as you leave your reception, you have to make sure you plan for this moment before they leave! I shot a wedding once where the only two people who stayed for the big exit were the bride’s dad and the groom’s mom. Needless to say, those photos weren’t quite as cinematic! You can plan for an earlier end time to your wedding day if you think your guests won’t all stay until the end. Or, you can always plan for a “false exit” where you do your exit and photos earlier in the evening before the guests head out. You could even read the crowd during the evening to see if you need to do a quick exit just for photos before everyone leaves.
Your wedding day is filled with so many special moments, big and small, that it’s worth taking the time to coordinate with your photographer to ensure nothing is missed. From the subtle details to the unforgettable reactions, these are the memories you’ll cherish forever. By working together and communicating your must-haves, you’ll be setting the stage for stunning photos that perfectly capture the essence of your day. So take a moment, plan ahead, and rest easy knowing your photographer has your back in preserving all the magic!
Kimberly Cauble…
…is a teacher and wedding & portrait photographer in the Charlotte, NC area who has been photographing families, seniors, and weddings since 2012. She has photographed over 85 weddings and loves people, the art of photography, and sharing what she has learned with others!
For inquiries, please click here!
For more photography education blog posts, click here!
For Kimberly’s YouTube Channel, dedicated to photography education, click here!