Since I began my journey with wedding photography a few years ago, I’ve shot over 50 weddings and yes, I’ve seen it all.
Being a wedding photographer allows you to see into parts of a wedding day that no one else sees – the stress, the tears, the unexpected mishaps, and uncontrollable laughs. And I can tell you with confidence that after everything I’ve seen, I know what not to do. So if you’re planning your big day and are worrying about what to focus on, here are a few pieces of advice!
Don’t Underestimate The Cost
If you didn’t already know, weddings are expensive. There’s the venue, the dress, the photographer, the bridal party outfits, the flowers, the food, the plates, the chairs, the invites… have I overwhelmed you yet?! Thankfully there are ways to avoid these costs by having friends help and making a few runs to Goodwill, but you want to know what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up for it. Have a budget in mind and save towards that goal – I promise it’ll spare you a lot of stress!
Don’t Be Pressured Into A “Big Wedding”
If you’re the type who wants everyone they know to be at their wedding then that’s awesome, but what if you prefer something smaller and more intimate? I’ve seen so many brides get pressured into a big wedding to make other people happy, but remember that your wedding day is about you and your fiancé. Think about who you want to be there, whether that’s 300 people or 3 of your closest friends, and go with that. Smaller weddings are also a lot more affordable and will be less of a burden as you transition into marriage.
Don’t Skimp On The Photography
The biggest regret I hear brides say is, “I wish I went with a different wedding photographer, we just don’t like how our photos came out.” I am a professional wedding photographer and I may be biased, but I truly believe photography is the best investment you can make on your wedding day! I can’t tell you how much joy I feel when I send over my wedding albums to get a text back saying, “I just cried looking through these!!” Your photographs are one of the only things you get to hold on to the rest of your life as a constant reminder of the commitment you’ve made to your husband. There’s nothing sweeter than looking back on photos years later and getting to relive that moment and feel like you were there again.
Hire A Videographer
So this ties in with the last point but along with photography, I also put video high on the list of importance. This can often be an even bigger investment than photography, but I still believe these memories are far more valuable than the table decorations at your reception! If budget is your issue, focus on quality over quantity and hire someone you love, but maybe only request a highlight video to help with costs.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Us girls have dreamt of our wedding day ever since we were kids, and we want it to be as perfect as we imagine in our heads. But in my years shooting weddings, I’ve learned one thing: the details don’t make the wedding, who you share it with does. It might rain, your dress might rip, and the flower guy might screw up your order… but none of it matters as long as you have the people you love surrounding you. So relax, have a drink, and enjoy every second of the day you finally get to marry your best friend 🙂