A common post-wedding regret.

It's a story I hear a lot in the wedding industry from brides who've just been married. "I felt like we spent all day taking photos" or " I wish I would have been able to enjoy more time with our family and friends throughout the day" This isn't because the couple has done anything wrong, or even that their media team has. It just means they prioritized capturing the moments of their wedding day by scheduling their day around photos. In this post I'm going to go over a handful of successful ways I've seen couples prioritized each other and their guests FIRST and still got STUNNING photos and video back.


Keep family photos short and sweet: Your wedding day is one of few where most of your family will likely be together. It makes sense that you want to get photos with both immediate and extended family! If you schedule a full hour for capturing photos with your family then you and your partner will stand in the same spot, and your photographer will shuffle in and out your relatives as quickly as possible. You won't get many hugs or conversations in because you'll be focused on rushing to get everyone done. Here is what I recommend instead of a lengthy family photo list.


  1. Keep the tradition: Take 1-2 group photos with each side of your family. Don't break it down into 4-8 groups, just get the one big shot and move on to your cocktail hour so you can hug grandma and chat with your cousins. This will give you those big beautiful family photos your aunties want to hang on the wall AND let you get on with the rest of your special day!
BUT SHANIA, WE WANT PHOTOS WITH EVERYONE! NO WORRIES HERE ARE SOME MORE OPTIONS TO GET THE PHOTO AND ENJOY THE TIME!
  1. Use your receiving line as a time to capture family/ friend photos. You can ask that your photographer takes candids of this time OR you can do it photoshoot style and have them smile at the camera for a quick photo with each group. NOTE: this will take longer than a normal receiving line, but if you line it up with activities along the way, like a guest book/ appetizer table etc. It will take the same time as that full hour of family photos where you don't get to hug or talk to anyone!
  2. Release your own tables for dinner! In order for a table to get released, you and your honey will head to that table, take a photo with the group at that table and send them on their way to get a plate. This is a great way to spend a few minutes with each table as the line goes down AND get a photo with each table. NOTE: You may want to let the first few tables go while you eat! DON'T FORGET TO EAT.
  3. Have the DJ play 2-3 songs while you and your partner sit on cute chairs on the dance floor. Each group or person will line up and jump in for a photo from your photographer while the songs play!


Plan an activity for your bridal party instead of bridal party portraits

  1. Listen I LOVE bridal party portraits, and you should absolutely take a few photos with the people you invited to be such an important part of your day! But my guess is you'd love ALL the candid photos of a fun activity like yard games, board games, drinking/having brunch, etc.
  2. Not doing a first look before the ceremony? This concept applies for the individual groups the same! In fact, the boys may like a few yard games, while the girls do a crafty project.


A truly authentic first look

A first look truly does allow you to spend more time enjoying the celebration after your ceremony. This is because you can take ALL the posed photos before you say I DO. However I recommend you talk to your photographer and videographer about keeping it as authentic as possible. I've seen it time and time again, the coaching through what to do, the group of onlookers, the pauses to 'get the shot' all make these moments feel AWKWARD and STAGED. Here are a few tips to keep the first look genuine so you don't end up feeling anything other absolutely obsessed with seeing your partner for the first time on your wedding day.

  1. The true surprise: Typically the bride surprises her partner during their portrait time with the photographer. They don't expect you to show up and you get a real genuine reaction.
  2. Do it privately. I know your besties really want to see some tears but respectfully, the odds are slim of their being any tears when the peanut gallery is looking on. If you can help it, only have 1-2 media people and have them step back and use a long lens to capture the moment from a distance.


Pinterest is a KILLER for expectations.

We all see the beautiful galleries on instagram and pinterest that we WANT. But believe me when I say, your REAL day and feelings are so much more worthy of capturing than another moment that was likely a staged photo shoot to begin with. You will spend so much of your day getting the same images everyone else has, when you could be snuggling your soon to be husband eating brunch with your best friends.

As much as you can help it don't redo moments. Don't fake the dress being zipped, or put on your shoes a second time to 'get the shot'

Talk to your media team ahead of time about capturing what actually is happening so they won't waste precious moments you could be hanging out with your partner and your family on a few pictures of you putting on already perfect lipstick.


Hire A Pro

This may seem like a no brainer, and the fact that you are doing the research to create the perfect wedding day for you shows that you are already planning on this one. But it is worth saying that the more experience your vendor has the more they will be able to provide you with an excellent experience. A professional doesn't need to retake a shot because they got it right the first time. They won't interrupt a sweet moment because they will be attuned to what is happening around them and not stressing over 'getting the shot'.



Shameless plug but if you're looking for a photographer, or better yet a photo+video wedding team, Fill out my inquiry form! I'd love to capture your wedding day!