One of the most stressful things I have ever done was photograph a wedding!

I was asked to shoot my first wedding when I was a freshman in college. A friend of mine was getting married and having a small ceremony. I jumped at the chance! I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Looking back, I honestly don’t remember being nervous or stressed out that way I get now. Maybe it was because I was young and dumb and didn’t really comprehend the magnitude of the event. I have done several weddings over the years and I love having the chance to capture such a major milestone for couples.

Here are some of my tips for anyone starting out with wedding photography!

Make a List

I always ask the bride for a list. I want to get a list of the wedding party and the schedule for the day. I ask the bride and groom to make a list of their MUST HAVE images. This could include pictures with grandparents, cousins, friends. The list could include must have pictures of the decorations or getting ready. I want to make sure I know what is really important to the couple, so I can make a check list.

Ask for Inspo

I don’t know about other brides, but when I got married I had Pintrest board of just images I wanted to try to recreate with my husband. I sent ideas to our photographer so she knew what I was going for, the day of. At first I though asking for inspo images might make me seem like I wasn’t creative, but seriously, it is such a game changer. It gives you more insight into the bride and groom. You can take what they give you and run with it.

Get Extras

Make sure you charge your camera batteries before the wedding. Yes, I said BATTERIES! I always make sure I have extra batteries with me, charged and ready to go. I cannot tell you how often my battery has gotten low during a wedding. You are running around snapping pictures for hours and your battery is going to run low at some point.

Make sure you have extra SD cards! You are going to run out of space. Always. I ALWAYS use multiple SD cards during weddings. Before the day starts I make sure they are all clean and formatted for the camera.

If you happen to have more than one camera I recommend bringing additional. I run around with two camera’s around my neck during weddings. One with a zoom lens and the other with my choice of prime lens.

Dress Appropriately

Weddings are typically a formal occasion, but the dress code can vary. Make sure you talk to the couple before hand and get an idea of that wedding style. You want to look professional, but not stand out You don’t want to look like a member of the wedding party in a glitzy glam dress. I always tend to go with black bottoms and neutral top. I tend to stay away from wearing dresses because I like to be able to climb on tables or lay on the ground if I want a specific shot.

Wear sensible shoes. I stick with closed toe flats. Something I can stand in for the day and move around quickly in. When I was first starting I made the mistake of wearing heels and my feet hated me for it! Also, keep the jewelry to a minimum. Stay away from the dangling bracelets and necklaces that make noise.

Have FUN

Not really something to prepare. But, seriously, have fun! Talk to the wedding party and the guests! Make new friends! Help the bride with her dress. Hand the Father of the Bride a tissue. Let the guests know if you love their outfit! Get on the dance floor and snap pictures while dancing along! Weddings are a celebration and if you can get in there and have fun with the bride and groom it is going to make the day, and YOU, that more memorable