Make a time line! It probably won't go exactly as planned but a time line is good for everyone! Have the bride and grooms contact info, the addresses of all visiting locations as well as dates and times of events. You have a lot of venders that have lots of clients so this can be really helpful for everyone!
Bring your wedding invitation or better yet send me one so I can photograph it with your flowers and such.
When your photographer arrives make sure that you have your bridesmaids pickup the room. There is nothing worse then having to spend 20 precious minutes cleaning the room up so you don't have water bottles and empty wines glasses all over the room.
As a photographer I really enjoy doing a first look for many reasons. A first look is when the bride and groom see each other before the wedding. This time is so special for the bride and groom and often your only time alone together. Doing a first look also allows you time to enjoy a bit of cocktail hour with your friends and family.
You might want to think about having an electronic free ceremony. I have had more then one shot ruined by someone else's flash going off, some one walking in front of me to get the shot or a giant iPad in my picture. All your images will be put online for you to share with whoever you choose so everyone you want can have access to download images. This is often asked by your officiate at the beginning of the ceremony. This is not at all expected it just helps me provide you with a better product.
Think twice before you decide on a receiving line! I am not saying don't do it, just be educated. Depending on the size of your bridal party and the number of guests a receiving line can take a good chunk of time. If you decide to do a receiving line excusing your bridal party from standing in line is also an option and can help the line go through faster.
Have the family pictures taken directly falling the ceremony in that same location. This helps everyone know where they are suppose to be immediately fall lowing the ceremony and we aren't left waiting for uncle Joe who got lost in transit from one venue to another. On the same note outside pictures are always prettier then inside due to the abundance of light. So if there is a pretty outside location within walking distance I would recommend going that route.
After your introductions into the reception hall, have the caterers put your cake right in the middle of the room. Right after you are announced go directly into cutting the cake. This helps things transition smoothly as everyone is already paying attention to you and then the caterer can have the cake ready whenever you are all ready for desert.
Don't feel the need to do all the traditions that were done ten years ago. Many of my brides do them all, many of them don't do any of them. So if you didn't make an extra bouquet to throw don't worry about it. If you think your man climbing up your dress might be uncomfortable don't do it! It is your wedding, do what make you happy!
Now this next one is something I have seen a couple of times this season and can be helpful if you are short on time or have long winded friends. After introductions and cake cutting, you eat. The toasts are done after everyone has gotten dinner and eaten for a bit. This is a good time as the bride and groom have been done eating for a time and have gotten to relax for a bit. You then can do speeches and thank you's.
I also recommend sneaking outside at sunset if time allows. For the most part the two of you haven't even got to say a word to each other so this is a great time to have a little breather. These pictures are often my favorite as both of you are more relaxed, fed and happy. This is totally flexible. If things are crazy then we might not get to it. But if there is a lull and the lights amazing a 6 minute great can be a breath of fresh air.
And because all post on a photography blog should have an image. This is an image from one of the first stylized weddings I ever did. Years later it still makes me happy.
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