7 Tips for How to Plan Your Wedding Photos
If you’re a bride in the middle of wedding planning and wondering how to plan your wedding photos, this guide is for you. These tips come from years of photographing weddings with all kinds of couples, timelines, and lighting situations — and I’m confident they’ll help your wedding photos feel more natural, relaxed, and timeless.
Tip #1: Plan Your Wedding Photos Around Light
The number one thing that affects how your photos look is light.
My favorite lighting is later in the afternoon leading into golden hour because it’s soft, flattering, and gives your photos that warm, romantic feel everyone loves. Golden hour happens shortly before sunset, and it’s when everything looks a little extra magical.
That said, if your ceremony is earlier in the day or indoors, don’t panic. I know how to work with any lighting situation. The key is planning ahead so your timeline supports the best possible light when it matters most.
Tip #2: Decide Early on a First Look
Whether or not you do a first look plays a huge role in how your photo timeline flows.
If you choose a first look, you’ll be able to take most of your portraits before the ceremony, which usually means a more relaxed schedule and more time together throughout the day.
If you skip the first look, portraits typically happen after the ceremony, which means timing and lighting need to be more intentional. Neither option is better because it’s all about what feels right for you and your partner.
Tip #3: Build Your Timeline With Photos in Mind
One of the biggest mistakes I see is trying to squeeze photos into whatever time is left in the day.
Instead, think of photos as part of the foundation of your timeline. When you plan enough time for portraits, family photos, and candid moments, everything feels calmer and more enjoyable.
A thoughtful photo timeline allows you to actually be present instead of feeling rushed from one thing to the next.
Tip #4: Plan Family Photos Ahead of Time
Family photos go best when there’s a plan in place.
Before the wedding, create a short list of the family groupings you want and share it with your photographer. It also helps to assign one family member who knows everyone to help gather people quickly.
This keeps family photos efficient, stress-free, and gets everyone to cocktail hour or your ceremony faster.
Tip #5: Choose Portrait Locations With Intention
You don’t need a million portrait locations to get beautiful photos.
The best spots usually have:
Open shade
Clean, uncluttered backgrounds
Easy access (no long walks in heels)
Your photographer will help identify the best locations at your venue so portraits feel effortless and natural.
Tip #6: Leave Room for Candid Moments
Some of the most meaningful wedding photos happen in between the planned moments.
Leaving small pockets of buffer time allows you to slow down, laugh with your people, and soak everything in. Those in-between moments often turn into the photos couples treasure most.
Tip #7: Trust Your Photographer
Once your plan is in place, the best thing you can do is trust the professional you hired.
Your photographer is watching the light, adjusting the timeline when needed, and guiding you in a way that feels natural — so you don’t have to think about any of it.
The most beautiful wedding photos happen when you feel relaxed, connected, and fully present.
