Being a Nashville wedding photographer, I get SO many questions from nervous and excited brides-to-be leading up to their wedding day. Wedding photography tips for brides to help guide the way to beautiful photos is so important. Having shot my very first wedding ten years ago this year (say what!) it’s safe to say I’ve seen a few weddings. This also gives me an advantage to help prepare my brides for their big day in a way that will help make their wedding day flow with ease and be the day they’ve dreamed of. I love being the one my brides trust and turn to when they have questions (and let’s be real, I was a bride planning my own wedding 4 years ago so I remember having the same questions!).

Wedding planning can leave your head spinning, so today I am sharing 5 tips to help make sure your wedding photos are as amazing as your day! Whether or not I’m your Nashville wedding photographer, these tips will come in handy!

1. Getting Ready Room

Before your photographer arrives, hide bags away and clear all clutter from the area they’ll be photographing in. The best photos are ones taken in clean rooms with lots of natural light. Wedding days can get a bit chaotic as you and your girls (and guys) are getting ready. Try to task one bridesmaid or groomsman in the wedding party to be in charge of clearing bags and throwing trash away an hour before your photographer is scheduled to arrive. This takes the task off of you and allows you to relax and enjoy your day.

2. Ceremony

Walk slowly down the aisle and don’t look down, oh, and don’t forget to smile! I know as soon as those doors open, nerves hit. Walking slowly allows for more photos. And smiling, well, it’ll probably come naturally as soon as you see your love at the end of the aisle. Have the officiant kindly remind guests before the ceremony begins to put phones away and not to lean into the aisle to take photos. I promise, you don’t want to look through your wedding photos to see Uncle Harry halfway in the aisle taking a cell phone shot while your photographer is stuck behind him.

3. Wedding Shoes

Wedding photography tips for brides includes shoes? YES. Break in your wedding shoes before the big day! And if you’re planning on buying a pair of gorgeous heels, bring a comfy pair of flats for portraits. Though they’re pretty, heels can be difficult to walk in as we’re heading to various locations around your venue to capture those must-have images.

4. Lighting Makes All The Difference

If your reception space is indoors, or even outdoors under the open sky, bring in as much lighting as you can. Cafe lights (or globe/string lights) really help! And just a few strands can go a long way in helping your photos turn out amazing. They help add visual interest in the photos but also bring in a warm glow that will make all the difference. If your reception is indoors, uplighting can be huge in not only setting the mood for your reception, but also giving photographers some additional light to work with.

5. Don’t Forget The Details

I know things leading up to your wedding day can get crazy. Don’t forget to pack an addressed (but not sent!) invitation suite, ring box (I love these!), and any other details you’d like to have photographed together in one bag. This also includes the garter, your rings and your fiances ring, and any other hair pieces or details (maybe your something old or something borrowed) that you may want to have photographed for flat lay details. Having this all gathered in one bag will make it easy for you to hand it off to your photographer so they can go capture these detail shots and you’ll know you’re not forgetting anything.

Love this Wedding Tip Tuesday? Check out these 5 wedding photography tips for brides!

Are you still searching for your Nashville wedding photographer? I’d love to chat!