You’ve planned your wedding down to the tiniest detail — the flowers, the venue, the playlist, even the signature cocktail. But as a wedding photographer, I’ve seen couples forget a few key things that can actually impact how their wedding photos turn out.

If you want natural, candid, and beautiful photos that tell the full story of your day, here are five simple wedding photography tips to help you prepare.

1. The Getting-Ready Room (aka the Hidden Chaos Zone)

Getting-ready photos are some of my favorites — they’re full of excitement, anticipation, and laughter. But between curling irons, makeup bags, and last-minute snacks, things can get messy fast.
A cluttered background can distract from those genuine moments.

Wedding photography tip: Choose a room with plenty of natural light and a neutral background. Before your photographer arrives, do a quick five-minute cleanup or designate one corner for all the bags and “stuff.” It’ll make your photos look polished without losing the fun, real energy of the morning.

2. Not Enough Time in the Morning

I get it — timelines are tight. But getting ready always takes longer than expected. Hair and makeup run behind, someone’s missing a tie, or you just need an extra minute to breathe (totally fair).
When things get rushed, it cuts into those emotional, candid moments that make your gallery feel alive.

Wedding photo checklist item: Add at least 30 extra minutes to your getting-ready timeline. It keeps the morning calm and ensures we have time to capture all the laughter, happy tears, and final touches without stress.

3. The Detail Box (Your Secret Weapon for Gorgeous Flat Lays)

You’ve seen those stunning flat lay photos — the rings, invites, jewelry, perfume, boutonniere — all perfectly styled. But to make those happen, I need all the details ready when I arrive.

How to prepare for wedding photos: The night before, gather everything in a small box or bag. Include your invitation suite, both rings, shoes, tie, jewelry, perfume, boutonniere, and any meaningful keepsakes. Having it all ready saves time and lets me create those storytelling detail shots right away.

4. Ceremony Lighting

This one’s huge. The time of day you have your ceremony directly affects how your wedding photos look.
A 12 p.m. ceremony in full sun can mean harsh shadows and squinting guests. On the flip side, a late-afternoon or golden-hour ceremony gives you soft, flattering light that feels warm and romantic.

Pro tip: If possible, plan your ceremony for later in the day or in a shaded area. Your future selves (and your photographer) will be so glad you did.

5. Unplugged Ceremony Moments

Nothing throws off a magical ceremony shot faster than a sea of phones and iPads in the aisle.
An “unplugged ceremony” helps everyone stay present — and it keeps your photos timeless and distraction-free.

Wedding photography idea: Ask your officiant to kindly mention it before things begin, or display a cute sign like, “We promise to share the photos — please be in the moment with us instead!”

Final Thoughts

When couples ask me how to get the best wedding photos, I always say — it’s not just about posing or lighting, it’s about planning smart little moments throughout the day. A few extra minutes of prep can make your wedding gallery feel effortless, emotional, and truly you.

If you found these wedding photography tips helpful and want more advice for planning a photo-friendly wedding day, I’d love to chat! You can [reach out here] (insert your contact page link) or browse my [wedding photography portfolio] (insert portfolio link) for inspiration.

5 Things Couples Forget to Plan for on Their Wedding Day (That Affect Your Photos)