Things Every Couple Should Know Before Their Wedding Day.
Planning your wedding can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to work out how much time you need for photographs, when to fit in family photos and what happens if it rains. As an East Yorkshire wedding photographer, I've photographed more than 150 weddings and have seen what helps a wedding day run smoothly and what can cause unnecessary stress.
One of the most common things I see on wedding mornings is people running behind schedule.
- Hair takes longer than expected.
- Someone forgets their shoes.
- A button pops off a shirt.
- The transport arrives early.
Adding an extra 15 minutes to every part of your timeline creates breathing room and helps everyone stay calm. Trust me, a relaxed morning always leads to better photographs and a happier experience.
Your wedding morning isn't just about getting dressed.
It's about:
- Spending time with your favourite people
- Opening gifts and letters
- Enjoying a glass of fizz
- Taking photographs with family and friends
- Having those emotional moments you'll remember forever
I'd recommend being completely ready at least 45 minutes before you need to leave for your ceremony.
This gives us time for those beautiful finishing touches and relaxed portraits without rushing.
Before I arrive, place all your important details together in a box or bag.
This could include:
- Rings
- Perfume
- Jewellery
- Wedding invitations
- Vows
- Shoes
- Veil
- Sentimental keepsakes
Having everything ready means I can quickly photograph these details while you continue enjoying your morning.
One of the most common things I hear from couples after their wedding is how quickly the ceremony seemed to pass. When it's your turn to walk down the aisle, take a deep breath, smile and slow down.
Walking at a relaxed pace gives you time to take everything in, see your guests' reactions and enjoy that unforgettable moment. It also allows for more natural, flattering photographs and gives your photographer plenty of time to capture the emotion as you make your entrance.
Remember, everyone is there to see you — there's no need to rush.
When walking down the aisle, try to leave a few steps between each member of the bridal party.
It can feel natural to follow closely behind the person in front, but creating a little extra space allows each person to have their own moment and ensures they're clearly visible in photographs. It also helps prevent guests, flowers or dresses from overlapping in the images.
A small gap makes a huge difference and helps create those elegant, timeless aisle photographs.
Family photographs are often the most important images you'll ever own.
To keep things organised, create a short list of essential family combinations before the wedding.
For example:
- Couple with both sets of parents
- Couple with siblings
- Couple with grandparents
- Couple with bridal party
Keeping the list concise means we can get through everything efficiently and get you back to your guests.
Golden hour is the period just before sunset when the light becomes soft, warm and flattering.
If weather and timing allow, I always recommend stealing away for 10 minutes during golden hour.
These often become the photographs couples choose for wall art, albums and framed prints.
The light is simply magical.
This might be controversial, but many couples are now choosing speeches before food.
Why?
Because the people giving speeches are often too nervous to enjoy their meal.
Once speeches are finished:
- Everyone can relax
- The atmosphere feels lighter
- Guests can fully enjoy the rest of the celebration
Speak to your venue about what works best for your day.
If I could give every couple one piece of advice, it would be this:
Stop checking the weather forecast.
British weather changes constantly.
Some of my favourite photographs have been taken in:
- Rain
- Wind
- Overcast skies
- Dramatic clouds
Your wedding isn't defined by the weather.
It's defined by the people, emotions and memories you create together.
We'll make beautiful photographs whatever happens.
Many couples spend months worrying about posed photographs.
In reality, the images that mean the most are often:
- Dad seeing his daughter in her dress
- A grandparent wiping away a tear
- Friends laughing during speeches
- Children playing on the dance floor
- A quiet glance between newlyweds
These are the moments I look for throughout every wedding day.
The genuine moments.
The real moments.
The moments that tell your story.
Your wedding day will fly by.
Between greeting guests, enjoying the meal and celebrating with family and friends, it can sometimes feel like you barely get a moment alone.
That's why I always encourage couples to take 10–15 minutes away from the crowd for their portrait session. It's not just about the photographs — it's often one of the only opportunities you'll have to pause, take everything in and enjoy being together as newlyweds.
The best photographs happen when you're relaxed, chatting, laughing and simply enjoying the moment together.
It sounds silly, but a quick pause at the end of your first kiss creates a much better photograph than a quick peck.
A couple of extra seconds gives everyone time to capture the moment.
Planning a confetti throw?
Confetti is one of my favourite moments to photograph because it's full of movement, laughter and genuine reactions. Make sure you check your venue's rules, choose plenty of confetti and have someone organise your guests before you come through.
I've put together a complete guide covering everything from choosing your confetti to how much you'll need and how to get the best photographs.
→ Read my Ultimate Confetti Guide
Wondering how much time you need for wedding photos?
Getting the timing right can make such a difference to how relaxed your wedding day feels. From getting ready and family photographs to confetti, couple portraits and those little golden hour moments, it doesn't have to mean spending hours away from your guests.
I've put together a complete guide explaining exactly how much time to allow for wedding photography, including a realistic example timeline to help you plan your day.
→ Read my guide: How Much Time Do You Need for Wedding Photos?
