5 Top Wedding Tips - How to Save Time and Reduce Stress on Your Special Day

How to save time and reduce stress on your special day – advice and wedding tips coming from a wedding photographer, pt 1

1 Create a Shot List Family photos can feel overwhelming, but having a shot list can truly make a difference. Create a named list in advance with first names for your photographer's reference. Specify whether they are your friend, auntie, uncle, etc. For example: 'Auntie Julie', 'Uncle Joe', Harriet (best friend). Prioritise elderly relatives or young children who may tire quickly. This ensures a smooth process and that no key family members are missed! I usually work with my couples to create a shot list. I start from what they give me, and I show them a suggested list if they're stuck or maybe need help filling in any gaps. They can pick and choose from the pre-made list which shots they'd like and what they don't need. I find this works well and helps couples stay on track.

2 Your Venue, Your Photos. While decor and flowers can enhance a space, the lighting and colours in your images are largely influenced by the venue you select. If you love your wedding location, you will find that minimal decor is needed, allowing the venue's charm to shine through on its own.

3 Seating Arrangement As you plan your seating arrangement, keep in mind who will be positioned nearest your table since those guests are likely to be photographed often. Additionally, ensure there is an unobstructed view of your table, allowing guests to easily see you during the reception and enabling your photographer to catch those precious candid moments between you both!

4 Consider a Pre-wedding Shoot A Pre-wedding Shoot is definitely a worthwhile investment! For those who feel a bit camera shy, this is a perfect opportunity to get comfortable with the camera and get acquainted with your wedding photographer! It also allows you to capture the unique moments of your engagement period, complete with professional images that aren’t of you both in your wedding attire!

5 Speeches Try to give a time limit of 3 minutes. This way the energy of the day will keep flowing, and allows for a variety of voices to be heard, making the day more enjoyable for everyone. Plus this means more lively shots of guests as they enjoy hearing the unique stories and heartfelt words of your closest family and friends.

Finally With an abundance of advice and information available for your wedding (this post included), remember to take this lightly and plan your special day exactly as you envision it!

The most exciting part of planning your wedding is that there are no rules. Be selfish, invite who you want and make choices that reflect your wishes.