Your wedding photos will be some of your most valuable mementos. Here’s some advice from a wedding photographer — that’s me! — with tips and tricks that will make your wedding photos absolutely stunning.

For Brides

Purchase a nice hanger for your wedding dress. 

You’ve invested so much time in choosing your wedding dress, and the last thing you want to do is display it on a plastic or (gasp!) wire hanger. A classic wooden hanger would work best for displaying your dress. You can even get a personalized hanger with your name and the date of your wedding written on it. 

Keep your face powder handy.

I’ve photographed quite a few weddings in Washington, DC, and let me tell you, summers here are unbelievably humid. If you’re having a summer wedding, chances are you’ll start to sweat during your portrait session. And no one likes looking shiny in their photos! Assign one of your bridesmaids with the job of carrying a compact and performing any necessary touchups during your wedding photos.

For Grooms

Don’t forget about the socks!

Tux? Check. 
Cufflinks? Check. 
Socks? Er….

Let’s be honest here — grooms don’t have many options for accessories. Instead of sticking with plain black socks (for the love of all that is good, do NOT wear white socks to your wedding), try donning a pair with a fun color pattern. It’s a great way for you to express your creativity, and you can even coordinate with your groomsmen to make a matching set. One of my favorite wedding photos to take are the groomsmen showing off their fun (and sometimes funny) sock choices!

Plan a fun activity with your groomsmen.

Grooms usually take far less time to prepare for their wedding than their brides. Sometimes this works out great for scheduling — the photographer takes the preparation photos, captures a couple of portraits, and then heads to the wedding venue to get the detail photos before the ceremony and reception. Other times, the photographer is left twiddling their thumbs. Try including a fun impromptu activity, like a poker game or a light soccer match with your groomsmen. This will add variety for your photos, and ease the stress of a hectic day.

For Both

Prepare everything you need for detail photos in a box for your photographer. 

That includes the wedding rings, shoes, invitations, and RSVP cards. 

Brides, please add to this box your bouquet and any jewelry you’re planning to wear. Grooms, if you’re planning to wear a tie or a watch, include that in the box as well. Make a note for your photographer of any significant items — like the something old, something new, and something borrowed (she’ll probably figure out which item is blue herself!).

Keep your getting ready room clean! 

Nothing can ruin beautiful preparation photos like empty plastic water bottles on the dresser, or clothes tossed all around the floor. Preparation can get hectic, so at the very least make sure the parts of the room where the bride is getting ready — her makeup table, the full-length mirror, the windows — are kept free of clutter. Same for the groom — work with your photographer to designate a part of the room where the photos will be taken (usually close to the window) and keep that area clean.