Now that I have recuperated from my wedding (also the most stressful season of my life that almost drove me nuts), I can finally look back at my wedding and process what happened. Overall, I definitely enjoyed planning my wedding from top to bottom because it let my creativity run free. I also believe that my "photographer brain" helped me design a better wedding and gain a better understanding of weddings in general.

So, here's 4 wedding photography tips I used as a photographer planning my own wedding.

1. Venue and ceremony layouts matter.

I booked a venue with intentions of an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception. However, I didn't love the ceremony spot shown in the pictures. It had a beautiful tree backdrop, but the building placement made it inconvenient for the wedding party to walk up the aisle. We ended up flipping it so the building was behind us, and it was perfect. This got me thinking about ceremonies... maybe something below can help you!

Outdoors

Dealing with direct sunlight as a photographer can be super annoying. It's even worse when the couple is squinting with the sun in their eyes throughout the ceremony. My advice for anyone planning their ceremony is to try your best to find some shade or position yourselves away from the sun. Luckily, we had our ceremony under a tree, which made our photos turn out great, and we didn't end up sweating like crazy!

Also, think about your guests when planning the ceremony. I've been to weddings where we sat in the scorching sun without any sunglasses or fans, and it can be tough, especially for elderly people. Thankfully, the tree's shade at my wedding helped shield most of our guests. If you don't have shade, consider giving your guests a heads up on your wedding website, so they can bring sunglasses. You could also provide fans and water bottles.

The width of the aisle was important to me because I wanted enough space for my giant dress and allow our photographers to capture clear shots without people in the frame or cutting off our bodies. We made the aisle about 6 feet wide, which worked out perfectly.

Indoors

Indoor ceremonies can be a bit daunting for photographers. While some venues have good natural and artificial lighting, others like old churches or barns may lack sufficient light for high-quality images. String lights and candles create a romantic ambiance but often lack the power needed for ideal photography. If you prefer candles, that's fine, but expect your ceremony photos to be moodier and on the darker side.

For locations with limited light, talk to your photographer about adding light sources like flash, although some places, like certain churches or museums, might not permit it. And let's not forget about the width of the aisle again! Indoor spaces can be tight, making it challenging for photographers to move around. So, a wider aisle ensures that Aunt Ruth's head won't show up in every photo. 😉

2. Don't pick just 'any photographer'.

This was hard for me because how does a photographer give up the reins and trust someone else?

If you've browsed photographers, it's not hard to tell that they're all different. Some take light and airy photos, others are moody or true to life with minimal editing. Some proclaim to be "documentary" photographers - capturing your day from a candid perspective, while others focus on more posed moments. If you want to invest in photography that you will love for years to come, you've got to do your research. I hunkered down and had a list of almost 100 photographers to look at. A good place to start is making a list of what's important to you in a photographer. (If you are a photographer planning your own wedding, it doesn't hurt to see if the photographer you're looking to hire is interested in acting as more of an associate shooter and giving you the images to edit in your own style.)

Apart from their photography style, photographers also differ in how they run their businesses and work with clients. Since wedding photography involves a pretty big investment, it's so important to ensure you're working with a legitimate professional. Look for signs like a well-designed website, quality camera gear, proper invoicing, a client contract, and positive reviews!

When looking for my photographer, I noticed that their communication styles varied too. Some were super casual and didn't seem that interested in hearing about my wedding plans. I wanted my photographer to be excited and invested! Some were really hyper and sounded like they were going to be cheerleaders throughout the day. I wanted a cheerleader, but I also needed someone to keep us on track and remain professional. Consider what kind of relationship you'd like to have with your photographer throughout the day.

If you're interested in learning more about how to find a good photographer, I have an in-depth blog post here.

3. You need an engagement session with your photographer.

This is straightforward. You are about to spend 6+ hours with your photographer practically on top of you sometimes. You think the day will be just you and your partner? No, it's a throuple, and if you're photographer has an assistant, it's a double date. So, I will say it again: PLEASE choose someone you like.

From a photographer's perspective, I want my clients to enjoy my company, and I wouldn't be offended if they didn't feel we were a good fit. Doing an engagement session with my wedding clients has always been fantastic. It helped us understand each other better, and they became more comfortable working with the camera, leading to a smoother wedding day.

I've been on the other side of the camera for my own engagement session, and it made a world of difference. Getting to know our photographer and her style during that session made me feel like I was working with a friend, not just a hired professional, during the wedding. I can't stress enough how valuable the engagement session is!

4. Do your wedding however you want!

I'm a people pleaser and a rule follower, but I also have strong opinions about things and wild ideas that go against the grain. Our wedding was traditional in the sense that it had the general structure of your "average wedding," but throwing the standard procedures to the wayside and doing what I wanted made my wedding all the more special and memorable. If you ask couples who've been married a long time about their wedding, chances are they only remember a few details. I am confident that I'll fondly remember by wedding because I filled it with things I can never forget. (I'm thinking another blog post is needed just to talk about how I planned everything!)

Anyway, I was worried about upsetting people, but my fiancé tactfully said, "You're not going to please everyone, so you might as well do what you want." If you have a dream for your wedding, go for it. You deserve a day you can look back on and love thinking about. It's fun for the photographers too when we get to capture different and exciting things! ;)

If you have any questions about the wedding planning process or how to choose a great photographer for your day, my DM's are always open on Instagram @racheldodsonphotos!