Essential Preparation Tips for your wedding day photography

Your wedding day is a momentous occasion filled with love, celebration, and timeless memories. At Stanley Wu Photography, we understand how important it is to capture every beautiful moment and detail of your special day. To ensure a smooth and delightful photography experience, here are some essential tips to prepare for your wedding day photography.

1. Elegant Hangers for Outfits: This is first on the list because it's one of the easiest things to overlook and one of the most important accessories for detail photographs. The small details matter; swapping plastic hangers for custom or elegant wooden ones will elevate your wedding dress and suit detail images. This simple change ensures your outfit detail photos look just as elegant as the rest of your wedding.
   
   
   
   
2. Early Bouquets and Boutonnieres: Having your bridal bouquets and groomsmen's boutonnieres ready early can enhance your getting ready and first look photos. These floral elements serve as beautiful props to hold and backdrops to elevate the production level of your detail shots. Be sure to communicate this request to your florist if you want to ensure a timely arrival.
   
   
   
   
3. Tidy Up the Getting Ready Area: A clean and organized space is key for stunning getting ready photos. While it's inevitable to have items lying around during prep, having a designated clear area allows us to get right into our coverage rather than having to spend session time cleaning up the space. You can delegate this task to a trusted friend or family member to take care of so you won't have to worry about this the day of.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Sun Umbrellas for Outdoor Ceremonies: If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, especially under the bright Californian sun, consider providing elegant sun umbrellas for your guests. Not only will your guests thank you immensely for it, but they'll also add a stylish and thoughtful touch to your ceremony. These umbrellas can be chosen to match your wedding theme, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the setting while ensuring your guests are comfortable throughout the ceremony. This attention to detail will reflect beautifully and thoughtfully in your photographs.
   
   
   
   
5. Pre-Planned Family Photo List: To streamline the family photo session, prepare a detailed list of every group shot you want to capture. This organization minimizes stress and ensures no important combination is missed, allowing for a smooth and enjoyable experience. You should also delegate the task of summoning group members to a dependable (and loud) friend or family member if you don't already have a day-of coordinator to help.
   
   
   
   
6. Create a Moodboard: Share your vision with us by creating a moodboard. This visual tool can communicate your preferred style, color palette, and specific shots, aligning our day-of approach with your dream wedding aesthetics.
   
   
   
   
7. Personalized Shotlist: While we come equipped with a comprehensive wedding shotlist, a personalized list of must-have moments or unique captures ensures that your most valued memories are immortalized. A shotlist is all about communicating priority and is something we take into consideration when approaching your wedding day photography coverage.
   
   
   
   
8. Spare Accessories: Have a small kit of spare accessories (like extra cufflinks, earrings, safety pins, or hairpins) handy. They can be lifesavers in case of minor mishaps.
   
   
   
   

Additional Tips for a Seamless Wedding Day:

• Plan Around Optimal Lighting: Work with your planner or coordinator to establish a photography-friendly timeline. A great wedding planner should be aware of photography requirements, but we'll always be here to advise through our photography timeline consultation. Setting aside enough time to capture each portion of the day, especially during optimal lighting conditions is essential. Scheduling time to step out for stunning, soft-lit golden-hour conditions during sunset can add a beautiful set of images you'll continue to be amazed by for the decades to come, especially when they'll be decorating the walls of your home. Additionally, consider setting aside time for dramatic nighttime portraits – capturing the beauty of starry skies or the enchanting night ambiance is a specialty of ours, adding a unique and breathtaking dimension to your wedding album.
  
  
  
  
• Hair and Makeup Lighting: Ensure your makeup artist sets up in a well-lit area, preferably with natural light. Good lighting is crucial for both makeup application and capturing stunning prep photos. Alternatively, to more easily keep the area clear, you can also consider staging yourself in front of a window with natural light while applying finishing touches
  
  
  
  
• Relax and Take Care of Yourself: It'll be an incredible day packed to the brim with festivities, love, and laughter. Remember to relax, take care, and be in the moment – make sure you have enough calories and hydration throughout the day too!
• Trust Your Photographer: Lastly, trust your photographer. With our experience and your thorough preparation, we will capture wedding day beautifully and authentically, crafting an album that you'll cherish forever.

Preparing for your wedding day photography isn't just lists and schedules; it's about creating an environment where every precious moment happens naturally can be beautifully captured with ease. At Stanley Wu Photography, we're dedicated to providing modern, elegant, and unforgettable photographic experiences in Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond. If you have yet to hire a wedding photographer, consider hiring us for your big day! We are wedding photography specialists equipped with a wealth of experience to ensure that your wedding day memories are beautifully and authentically captured. You can find out more and get in touch using the links below.