Planning a wedding?


You’ve got the venue, the dress, the vibe… but there’s a lot no one tells you (until it’s too late).


As documentary-style Atlanta wedding photographers who’ve captured everything from barefoot forest elopements to luxe ballroom receptions, we’ve seen it all. We're talking real moments, rushed timelines, surprise weather, unexpected tears, and the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff that can make or break your photos.


So let us pull back the veil and share the things we really wish every couple knew before saying “I do.”


 

1. Your Wedding Photos Are Only As Good As Your Timeline Allows


Let 's break it down like this: We can have all the talent in the world, but if we're handed 10 minutes to shoot 5 hours’ worth of moments, nobody’s winning. Golden hour portraits? Soft skin tones? All that glow? It doesn’t just happen, it’s planned for. Midday ceremonies with no shade = harsh shadows and sweaty foreheads. Plan your ceremony and portraits around lighting, not just convenience.


Here’s what gets sacrificed when the timeline’s too tight:


  • The detail shots you obsessed over on Etsy
  • The soft, slow moments between you and your person
  • Creative couple portraits (because we’re racing the clock)
  • Candid memories with your crew


Build in breathing room. Don’t just fill every hour, leave 15–20 minute buffers between major events. Hair and makeup running behind? Vendor delay? You won’t feel it as hard if you’ve planned for it.


Photographer’s Tip: Want sunset magic? Use www.sunset.com to look up golden hour in your city for your exact date. Then plan couple portraits around that.


Pro-Recommended Timing:


  • Details + flatlays: 30–45 mins
  • Getting ready + candids: 1 hour
  • First look: 20–30 mins
  • Couple portraits: 30–45 mins minimum
  • Family formals: 30–45 mins
  • Sunset portraits: 20 minutes before sunset

2. Getting Ready Photos Start Way Before You Think


Most couples think we show up right before they put on their outfit. But honestly? That’s late in the game. If you want those editorial, emotional “getting ready” photos (the robe moments, the tearful letter reads, the makeup touch-ups with mama), we need to be there 1.5–2 hours before you’re dressed.




✅ What to prep before we arrive:


  • All the wedding details (rings, perfume, invites, vow books, jewelry, shoes, tie, etc.) in one place
  • A clean space by a window (natural light is everything)
  • Your crew dressed or in robes (no mismatched hoodies in the background please)
  • Music and vibes flowing!



Pro move: Have a bottle of champagne, a speaker, and snacks in the bridal suite. Happy energy = better photos and better memories.

3. You Will Run Late. Don’t Panic.


This is not us being shady (trust us) it happens at 98% of weddings. Somebody’s lashes won’t stick. The groomsmen forget socks. Traffic. Tears. Whatever it is, it always happens. Almost every wedding runs late. It’s normal. But with a buffer built in, no one panics. You stay calm. We stay on track. And your photos don’t suffer.


But here’s the thing: it’s not about being perfectly on time. It’s about being emotionally ready to roll with it.


Photographer’s POV: We can help you make up time. We’ll shift things quietly in the background. We’ll catch you up with ninja-level portrait speed if needed. What we can’t do is make up for the stress of trying to be too perfect.


PSA: You are not behind, you are getting married. Breathe. We got you!

4. First Looks Aren’t Just Cute; They’re Game-Changers


Okay listen, I love a traditional aisle reveal. But here’s what couples don’t always realize:


  • If you do a first look, you get time alone on your wedding day. Like, actual private moments.
  • It opens up your timeline, letting us do portraits early so you can hit cocktail hour stress-free.
  • It can lower anxiety (yours and your partner’s). It sets the tone for the rest of the day.


And bonus? You often end up with two emotional moments; one during the first look, and one at the altar.


Photographer’s POV: The first look often gives us the best emotional candids of the whole day.

5. The Little Things? They Show Up in Big Ways in Your Photos.


You might not think the hanger your dress is on matters... until it’s front and center in your gallery. That plastic hanger from the dry cleaners? Not the vibe.


Tiny details to upgrade:


  • Custom wooden or satin hanger
  • Matching robes for the bridal party
  • Removing water bottles and clutter from the prep space
  • Keeping bags + snacks out of photo areas
  • Ironed or steamed outfits (especially groomsmen — they're usually wrinkled 80% of the time)


Trust me. Future you will be grateful.

6. The Best Photos Aren’t Posed; They’re Felt


I know you’ve got a folder full of saved poses on Instagram or a Pinterest board full of poses, but I promise: the best moments won’t come from a checklist. They come from emotion, movement, connection. But the magic? It’s not in copying someone else’s moment, it’s in creating your own.


That laugh that breaks out when your partner whispers something dumb. The hand squeeze as you walk back down the aisle. The look you give each other when the song you fell in love to plays.


That’s what we're chasing.


So don’t worry about posing. We'll direct you when needed, but the goal is always to make it feel like you. Not a magazine ad.

7. Your Photographer Is More Than Just “Taking Pics”


On your wedding day, we'll likely be:


  • Fluffing your dress
  • Reminding you to drink water
  • Pinning a boutonniere
  • Reminding you to reapply your lipstick
  • Creating calm in the middle of chaos
  • Capturing memories you didn’t even realize were happening


You’re not just hiring someone with a camera, you’re bringing in a storyteller, an energy protector, and someone who will care about this day like it’s their own. Outside of family formals and a couple must-have moments (ex: “a photo with my godmother” or “this heirloom ring”), you do not need a Pinterest-style shot list.


We know what to capture.

We’ve done this.

We want your wedding to feel authentic, not staged for a checklist.

We definitely don't want you to feel pressured to fit in some magical box social media made you believe in.


So choose your photographer not just by their portfolio, but by how they make you feel.

 

Final Thoughts from Your Photographer



This day? It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. Love. Joy. Maybe a few tears (I’ll cry with you — don’t worry). And capturing every piece of it with care.


I want you to look back at your wedding photos and feel the moment all over again , not just see what it looked like, but how it felt to be there. Holding hands. Laughing with friends. Dancing like nobody was watching. This isn’t just a job, it’s a privilege to witness one of the most important days of your life and we care deeply about the couples we photograph.


So if you’re planning your wedding in Atlanta or anywhere that love takes you — we’d be honored to be your photographer.


And if you take nothing else from this blog, take this:


  • Give yourself grace.
  • Hire people you trust.
  • Prioritize moments over perfection.
  • And let your photographer do what they do best, tell your story, your way.



Let’s create something timeless together.