It’s no secret that Wedding Photography is

…well, we won’t sugar coat it… Expensive. But if you value the memory of one of the best days of your life, it’s professional service that you’re willing to invest in and if you’re smart you’re looking for ways to get the Best Bang for Your Buck! In which case, we’re glad you’re here!

We’re about to share the top ways you can get the most out of your Wedding Photography experience!

Bring On the Natural Light!

When choosing your venue or just the place of where you want to get ready before the ceremony, try to find a location that has access to natural light. This could be a place with large windows or a place with a balcony or patio. Most photographers are ready for anything and will bring their own lighting equipment but any photographer can tell you that nothing beats pure natural light. So don’t be shy! Pull up the blinds, pull back the curtains, and let that beautiful sun shine in!

Schedule Hair and Make-up to be Complete

…by the time your photographer arrives. This way we can get right into it! and If you really love those preparation shots of you getting your make-up done, your make-up artist can fake it :) and no one will ever know!

Get Ready Close to Your Venue

Bonus Points if you can get ready at your venue :) But we know that’s not always possible. But getting ready at a nearby hotel can help you save you some unnecessary travel stress, increase shooting time with your photographer and eliminate distractions.

For this wedding, both the bride and groom got ready at their venue (Main Street Ballroom) which made their day flow seamlessly! Ally and Nick loved having everything done at one place and we’re sure their guests appreciated it too! They have a full day to use the venue to do whatever they need to do so they used it to the best of their advantage. After getting ready there, they had their First Look and then went outside to play with their dog and take photos with their wedding party. We then went on a little walk around Ellicott City for some portraits so that they could spend cocktail hour with their friends and family at the ballroom right before their reception.

Clean the room before photographer(s) arrive

everyone wants nice clean prep photos. You can help maximize your photographers time by cleaning the room before they arrive so they don’t have to move anything or touch anyone else’s belongings when they arrive.

Bonus Tip: Have all of your details together in one place so that they can quickly take detail shots. Great details to pull together would be items like: Shoes, Dress, Jewelry, Invitation Suite, Bouquet, Dress, Perfume, or any other small bridal knick knacks that you may have.

Let your bridal party know details and encourage them to be present in the moment

Your Wedding Party has a huge influence on your day. Having everyone help out and be present throughout the day helps out a lot! Trust and cooperation from your friends can really help move your day along and also looks amazing in photos!

Have an Unplugged Wedding

You’ve probably heard of this one before but let us just reemphasize this! Having all of your guests truly present during your ceremony makes a huge difference. Asking them to silence and put away their phones until cocktail hour can really allow your guests to be a part of your day and a sentimental part of your wedding photos. Because not only are we taking photos of you and your wedding party but also we love snagging photos of people reactions during the most important part of the day and it’s so much more rewarding when we can get photos of them looking at you instead of their phone or tablet. It is also more aesthetically pleasing in photos when guests are not standing in the aisle trying to get “the perfect shot” with their phone. There’s so many amazing reasons to have an unplugged ceremony :)

Print Out your Engagement Photos to decorate your Wedding Venue

You can use your engagement photos to add a personal touch to your wedding day. They can be used as table decor, you can make them into a guestbook, You can frame them and hang on the walls at the venue or even get a canvas that your guests can write well wishes on. The options are endless!

Feed Your Photographers at the same time your eating at the reception

The best way to not miss any important photos during the reception is to have your photographer eating at the same time that you are eating. Toasts, Speeches and Dances generally do not happen when the bride and groom are served dinner so this is the downtime that all photographers face and is the best time for them to have their meal.

Dance with your Spouse

Make sure you dance with your spouse during your day. We know how excited you are to see all of your friends and family but allow your photographer to grab a few shots of the two of you dancing together.

Ask About a Video Highlight Reel

Not all photographers offer this option but we do! We offer a special videography discount to all of our couples! For those who want a little more out of their wedding visual experience.

We hope these tips have been helpful, if you would like to read more of our Engagement Session related blogs check out our Engagement Session Section. If your interested in having us as your trusted wedding photographers and/or videographers contact us at HELLO@MEGAPIXELSMEDIA.COM.

Love Deeply,

Megan + Garrett Pitts