When it comes time for wedding photography, you're going to want to make an effort to be as prepared as possible. There's only one chance to capture your wedding day, and these 5 tips will help you cope with the stress and get some great images.

Set Aside Time

Blocking out time for shooting is essential, especially for a couple that wants to get a lot of photography work done on their wedding day. If you're hoping to shoot in a scenic spot, particularly at a time like the Golden Hour before sundown, you need to make sure you'll have time to get ready in advance. If you'd like to shoot for an hour, you should also block out time to travel to the spot and additional time to handle things like hair and makeup.

Discuss Your Ideas

Before you even hire a wedding photographer, it's a good idea to talk with prospective photographers about how they envision a shoot. Make it a point to ask them for examples of work they've done that matches what you're talking about. Be aware that it's going to be hard to accomplish a particular style if the shooter you're working with sees things differently.

Plan Around the Spaces

Paying your wedding photographer to come with you to sites where you intend to shoot will make a major difference. For example, if a photographer has the chance to look around a church and sees how the pew rows line up with where the actual ceremony will occur, then they'll be able to avoid unanticipated problems. Bringing an artist's eye to a location may also allow them to spot unique shooting angle and/or locations.

Have a Backup Plan

You should not assume that everything will work out for you and your bride/groom, particularly if you intend to do a lot of outdoor wedding photography. Even if the weather forecast turns out to be right, surprises can pop up. A couple might find that a location they were going to use for post-wedding photos might be inaccessible due to anything ranging from a car accident to a water main break.

Keep People in the Loop

Critical members of your wedding party, such as bridesmaids and groomsmen, need to be aware of what the schedule is going to be. Make sure to give them the date and the time of the shoot well in advance. You should also be sure that people handling makeup and hair are kept in the loop. 

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