5 tips to reduce stress on your wedding day.

Every wedding is its own living, breathing entity  and being a part of many beautiful Humboldt County weddings, I feel like I have seen it all. My clients are amazing. I have been blessed with the most laid back, down to earth brides and supportive family. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of one of the biggest days of their lives.  The brides I have worked with have been mellow and laid back and have avoided many of the stressful/crazy situations that arise on a wedding day.  So how did they avoid stress and stay calm and composed? They did the following steps.. 

1.)  Communicate About Your Schedule

Make sure you communicate clearly on what it is you need and want, and be sure that everyone who needs it has it.  Want your wedding party to hang around after the ceremony? Do you want your family formals in a certain location?  Want your close friends ready for a drink in the dressing room right before you walk down the aisle?  Tell them!  Communicating details on what it is you need will help us not waste time tracking down those you need to take care of the tasks at hand.  Photos move much faster and when that occurs you arrive much sooner to your party and you are less stressed.

2.)  Be Prepared Ahead of Time

When your photographer shows up, you want them to get started right away!  By preparing ahead of time, the sooner I can get busy.  Anything you want me to photograph, be sure to have ready.  For my brides, I tell them to have their dress, rings, family heirlooms, shoes, jewelry and any other bridal details they want me to capture, ready to go. The more prepared you are, the less tracking down I have to do and the more photo opportunities there are!

3.)  Be Strategic with Your Schedule

The time of your ceremony will direct how the day will lead.  If your ceremony flows into your cocktails, you may want to reconsider.  Work with your photographer, find out how long they need for certain things, schedule and travel time, and be sure to add a little buffer!  Having everyone present for as much of cocktail hour as possible is important.  This is one of the only times you get to greet and be present with your guests.  I want to make sure I capture you in the moment!

4.)  Set Time to Photograph Your Reception Details

I encourage my couples to do first looks for multiple reasons.  First, it gives you the opportunity to embrace and experience the emotions without hundreds of eyes gazing at you.  Second, it allows us to snap through the posed photos so it can lead us right to the festivities to knock out some candid shots you will love!  Lastly, I then get the opportunity to sneak into your reception during cocktail hour and photograph all of the intimate details you have worked so hard to bring together! 

5.)  Be Present in the Moment

Most neglect to tell you that your wedding day will be a complete whirl wind.  There is so much happening and going on, it often feels like a tornado has struck!  Be sure to take moments where you stop, hold one anothers hand, and intentionally place yourself in the present.  Right here it isnt about capturing the perfect photo, its about the experience itself.  Look into one anothers eyes, hug and embrace the love you feel, kiss them tenderly..Its intimate moments such as these, you will remember for a life time.

Your wedding day is something you will never forget.  In the blink of an eye, it will be here and gone before you know it.  Put these tips above in place and set yourself up for success.  Take care of all those little details, so you can just stop and truly appreciate the present