There’s a difference between having a personality and being a big personality on a wedding day 💌 Some couples want someone who complements the energy, works behind the scenes, and steps in when needed. Others love someone who’s right in the middle of it all, commanding attention. Neither is wrong, but they’re very different experiences. I think planners and couples should understand how vendors actually work, not just their personalities!
Invite 150 people if those 150 make sense, but don’t fill your wedding with people you feel obligated to invite. The energy between guests who truly love you and are there to celebrate you, and people who are there because they’re family friends, distant relatives or someone you “should” invite, is noticeable. Your guest list shapes the energy of the room, the experience, and how the day is documented and remembered!
I wish more people planned their wedding day look around their personal style instead of an idea of what a bride should look like. If you never wear heels, you don’t need to. If you barely wear makeup, you don’t need a full face. And your dress doesn’t have to come from a super traditional (boring!) bridal store just because you’re getting married. There are so many ways to be a bride. I want you to feel special and elevated on your wedding day, but still completely like you.
They’re tired of taking photos all day and sometimes don’t get photos with their own friends or family. Why are we pulling them to do a photo with us? *unless requested by the couple* I’ve even had a planner who did a shit job and ended up refunding the couple but she made sure to pull them and get her selfie photo.
A wedding speech should add to the celebration, not become the celebration. A 45-minute monologue about the bride’s life is a personal tribute, not a typical wedding toast. Wedding toasts are meant to celebrate the COUPLE and the life they’re beginning together, usually in a few minutes, not take over an entire portion of the reception. And it usually means stopping dinner service or delaying the dancing the couple planned and want to enjoy.
In case you needed permission, we’re dying for more random, personal, slightly weird shit in weddings. The stuff that makes sense to you, means something, or is just fun for the sake of it. Not everything has to be visually “perfect” or fit into one of the overly refined moodboards that already exist. Draw inspiration from whatever actually inspires you and your life 🧡
Typically we scout best on our own, ideally the day before or day of the wedding when we can actually see the light, weather and how the property feels. It takes like 30 minutes. And respectfully, “this is where photographers usually take photos” is usually the exact reason I want to go look for myself lol. We don’t need a full appointment for that. Being at every meeting doesn’t automatically mean better service or a more prepared photographer.
It’s kind of a strange tradition when you think about it. Pairing up random people to walk together, or even having everyone walk individually just because that’s what a wedding party is “supposed” to do. Maybe let your family have that moment. Maybe give your friends a few special rows together so they’re still right there with you and all together in the photos. Maybe only a couple people walk. It doesn’t have to follow the usual formula. Just think about what actually makes sense for you
Online popularity can make someone look like the obvious choice, but it doesn’t always tell you what they’re actually like to work with. Look past the follower count and curated feed. Read reviews, ask to see full work, notice how they communicate, and ask your planner or other vendors who they genuinely love working with. Reputation behind the scenes can tell you a lot.
Content creation gives you behind the scenes and quick moments, but video is the story. The voices, movement, pacing, the way the day actually felt. There are beautiful in between options too (getting a camcorder and sending it back for edits). And lots of photographers offer Super 8 now, and I think that’s such a special way to preserve those moving memories when full video isn’t the plan. You won't regret stretching yourself a tad in the years to come. Preserve your memories!!