Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know Before the Big Day

(Real Talk from a Utah & Seattle Wedding Photographer with 16+ Years of Experience)

After photographing hundreds of weddings over the past 16 years across Utah, Seattle, California, and all over the world, I’ve learned that the most magical, effortless wedding days don’t just happen. They’re the result of thoughtful planning, great communication, and little details that make a big difference. So today, I want to share the honest, kind, and helpful things I wish every couple knew before their wedding day.

If you’re searching for what to expect from your wedding photographer or looking for Utah wedding photography tips or Seattle photographer advice, this post is for you.

1. We’re On Your Team (So Keep Us in the Loop!)

Your wedding photographer isn’t just someone who shows up and clicks a shutter. I’m there to document your most intimate moments, help keep things running smoothly, and often serve as an extra bridesmaid, timekeeper, stylist, and calm presence.

What helps: Share your timeline with me in advance, let me know about surprise moments (like a gift exchange or special performance), and tell me about any sensitive family dynamics so I can navigate the day with care. I always send out a wedding questionnaire before your big day, so make sure to fill it out completely to help me know how to best show up on your wedding day.

2. The Timeline Is Everything

Running even 10 minutes behind early in the day can snowball and create stress later. Build extra buffer time into your timeline—especially during getting ready, family photos, and transitions. This means communicating with your hair and makeup team to make sure that they also know the timeline so they can suggest the best start time for getting ready.

Photographer Tip: If you want dreamy golden hour portraits, plan for at least 15-20 minutes in the hour before sunset. I’ll help you time it just right for your specific venue and season.

3. The Getting Ready Space Matters

Photos of you getting ready are part of the story, so consider the space. A cluttered room with harsh lighting can be hard to work around.

What helps: Choose a space with natural light, keep clutter to one corner, and ask your crew to keep bags and food wrappers tucked away. I can always help tidy up before we start but I usually will find a nice spot ahead of time after I have arrived and set up my gear.

4. Family Photo Lists Are a Lifesaver

The more organized your family formals are, the faster we can move through them—leaving you more time to enjoy your day.

What helps: Create a specific list of family groupings (with names!) and assign a helper who knows both sides of the family to gather people quickly. Your wedding planner or coordinator can also help with this. I’ll bring a printed list and guide the flow from your family shot list taken from the wedding questionnaire you filled out before the wedding. I have a great family photo list on my wedding planning guide if you need some help creating your list.

5. We Don’t Need a Shot List—Just Trust

I know you’ve been saving Pinterest inspo for years, but a massive shot list can actually distract from capturing your real moments and emotions from the day.

What helps: Tell me what’s most important to you—special heirlooms, a quiet prayer with your parents, your grandmother’s reaction. I’ll make sure those are documented while also capturing the unexpected, emotional moments you can’t plan. If you have a few photos that you want to recreate, please don’t hesitate to share them with me. I just want to make sure that it’s understood that sometimes I can’t recreate exact photos from other people’s weddings. Every wedding has it’s own heartbeat.

6. Don’t Worry About the Camera—Just Be You

Most couples aren’t models, and guess what? You don’t have to be! It’s my job to guide you with natural prompts so you feel comfortable and look like the best version of yourselves. I always suggest an engagement session before the wedding day to best prepare you for what to expect on your special day. Trust me, I hear it all the time on how much the couple loved doing an engagement session before I show up on their wedding day.

What helps: Focus on each other, not the camera. Laugh, cuddle, move. The magic happens when you forget you’re being photographed.

7. Prep for Beautiful Details

Details tell the visual story of your day. Have your dress, shoes, rings, invites, perfume, and anything meaningful ready for me to photograph when I arrive.

Photographer Tip: Want next-level flatlays? Consider adding extra florals from your florist for me to use. I bring ribbons, trays, and more—but personal touches elevate it and can make it that much more special to look back on.

8. Things Will Go Off-Plan—And That’s Okay

Weddings are beautifully imperfect. After photographing hundreds of weddings, I have seen it all. The weather may shift, the flower girl may refuse to walk, someone may forget their boutonniere. The key is staying present and in the moment. Remember why you are having the wedding in the first place. It’s about you and your significant other.

What helps: Trust your team, breathe, and know that these moments are part of the story. Sometimes, they’re the best ones.

As your wedding photographer, I’m here to tell your story—not just the curated parts, but the honest, joyful, tearful, perfectly imperfect moments that make it yours. Whether you’re planning a wedding in the Utah mountains or a chic Seattle celebration, I’ll be there to guide you, support you, and capture it all.

Still searching for the right photographer? Let’s chat! I’d love to learn more about your vision and help you feel at ease every step of the way.