Last Minute Details You Shouldn’t Forget

Your wedding day is just around the corner, and you just can’t wait to start this new chapter with your soon-to-be-spouse. There are a lot of moving parts to a wedding day, and you’ve really invested in making sure everything is captured in a beautiful way. As you finalize the details of your wedding day, your photographer will need these three things to ensure your story is told as smoothly as possible:

Timeline
I have attended many wedding planning meetings, and photographed even more wedding days – and while most wedding days follow a basic flow, each one is unique in its own way. I work with my couples to plan a timeline that serves them and doesn’t cram as much as possible into short periods of time. Your photographer will use your timeline to ensure they are in the right spot at the right time to capture the moments that mean the most to you. If there are any last-minute changes to your timeline, please let your photographer know as soon as possible.

Detail Photography
Details set the scene for your day when looking back on your photos, and are generally the first things photographed while you are getting ready for your day. With the exception of clothing, all of these items should fit neatly in one box or container. Please have these items ready for your photographer when they arrive.
These items may include (and certainly are not limited to):
-Dress/Veil
-Tie/Socks
-All 3 rings
-Shoes
-Jewelry/Cuff links
-Perfume/Cologne
-Invitation Suite (2 copies if possible)
-Vow Books 
-Bouquet/Boutonniere/Loose Florals
-Guest Favors 
-Gifts or handwritten notes to each other
-Any ribbons or decor that are of significance on your day

Formal Groupings
Formal Photos generally happen directly after the ceremony. To prevent chaos after walking up the aisle with your new spouse, send a list of formal groupings you would like photographed to both your photographer and your coordinator. Assign someone in your wedding party to ask the people on your list to stay for formal photos before heading to cocktail hour.
I ask my couples to keep their formal groupings to 10 groups, not including the bridal party. This ensures I can photograph everyone as quickly and smoothly as possible so everyone can enjoy the party as soon as possible.

Point – of – Contact
It is important that you send your photographer and other vendors a point-of-contact for the day. You shouldn’t be bothered with questions or issues that arise on your wedding day. Generally, this point-of-contact is a wedding planner or coordinator. If you are not working with one, assign someone in your party to take charge of the flow of your day and become the vendor point-of-contact. I cannot stress the importance of taking this step enough.

After these requested items have been shared, all that’s left to do is relax and enjoy these magical last few weeks of being a nearlywed.