7 Tips For The Couple To Be Sure They Have Beautiful Wedding Photography

There are so many tips one can give on how to get the perfect wedding photos and memories, however I’m going to give you a few quick tips, which will help make your photos truly special.

1. HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT that is printed in your ceremony program, printed on an entrance sign, AND also verbally announced from your coordinator AND your officiant/pastor/priest to kindly let your guests know that your ceremony is ‘unplugged’ and that there are no phones or photography allowed during the ceremony. This will let the professionals be able to create the dream images (free of these distractions) that you’re hoping for. This is my number 1 tip of the day as it has become the biggest issue for wedding photographers in this day and age. Making this known may seem strange to you, but let me tell you, if it’s not announced, your ceremony room will look crazy with multiple phones in the air, blocking your day, as everyone is taking pictures or videoing and standing in the aisle which our pictures will reflect, instead of you. I’ve personally photographed weddings where this was not announced or put into the program, and it is a NIGHTMARE! It is impossible to edit this out of pictures and if Uncle John is in the aisle blocking the photographers view of the first kiss, well, you’re out one of the most sought-after images of the event. Due to not wanting to call out my weddings where this has happened, I will, instead, post public examples of photos of this issue below the list.

2. CONNECT with each other. Many couples aren’t sure how to pose or what to do when they’re in front of the camera (which is completely OK), and we will be sure to walk you through the process to eliminate any worry or stress. The best thing you can think about going into your engagement session, or during your entire wedding, though, is to ‘connect’ with your soon to be spouse. This connection will reflect in your photos and the genuine expressions and love will show through the lens. So, what do I mean by connect? Basically, I’m suggesting being yourselves and don’t be afraid to show the affection that you would show to each other in front of friends and family. Hold hands, smile, bump into each other (lightly), joke around playfully, laugh, dance, skip and give each other a kiss when it feels right. Photos of you engaged in the other are meaningful and keepsake worthy. Standing side by side with arms down just looking forward will not be a photo that you cherish as much as one where you may be holding his arm, and leaning your head on his shoulder while he’s looking at you, which shows a complete connection.

3. HEADS UP! While walking down the aisle, leaving the ceremony AND walking through your ‘Send Off’ line, the biggest advice I can give you is to keep your head up while you’re walking. You’re on display at this point. These are the key times you are photographed and many of these images are going to be ‘keepers’ for you. You can look at the camera, at each other, and at your guests, but please try NOT to look at the ground. I don’t know why this is such a common problem I see (even with the wedding party), but if I had to guess, people, in general, become a bit shy when the spotlight is on them, and the nervousness causes them to look down rather than up. If you are aware of this, you’ll be less apt to have it affect your key photos.

4. SLOW & PAUSE. In addition to the Heads Up, I’d like to add to be sure you take your time walking through these same aisles and lines. Don’t be rushed. Cherish the moments and take it all in. Because the cameras are on you we want to be sure we have time to capture everything in these small amounts of time. I’ve seen couples almost run out of the ceremony! Whoa there kids………. hold those horses a little bit. Some photographers, like myself, use multiple cameras for different looks so give them the time to be able to capture everything they can with their best tools. Breaking up your walks, both out of the ceremony and in the sendoff line, with a pause, stop, dip and a kiss or two is a wonderful way to slow down and ensure you’re going to get the best photo-ops. You may also get a lot of applause, laughs, oooo’s and aaahhh’s along the way too, which is so much fun for everyone.

5. HOLD HANDS. This day is going to literally FLY by for you both! At your reception, it’ll be easy to get whisked away by Aunt Edna, or pulled aside by a long-lost friend who wants to 100% catch up during YOUR day (which is all fine and dandy), but I suggest doing everything together while holding hands. By doing this you will ensure one won’t get pulled away while you’re making the memories for you both together rather than separate. Guests will respect your time as a couple more, than if it’s just you individually. Sprinkle the room with your presence and greet everyone at each table TOGETHER. This is not only respectful and good etiquette, but it’s also a great way to say hi to those who went out of their way to be there. Most importantly, however, holding hands and staying together through the reception doesn’t leave one spouse out of the equation on all of the experiences. As a guest perspective, whenever I’m at a personal wedding (not as a vendor), I’m so gracious for the couple coming up together to talk to my husband and I to thank us for coming and make us feel important. If we’ve only been greeted by one and not the other, the experience as a guest is not as memorable for us, let alone for the couple.

6. DETAIL BAG. One of the first things that your photographer will want to do upon their arrival is to photograph your details. These are things that you’ll want to gather in a bag or box and keep together to have on hand to give to the photographer when you arrive. Don’t worry, they’ll give them back. Possibly designating someone to give them to and retrieving them will help to make things run smoothly.

   Try to include:

   1. Your jewelry (necklace, earrings etc.)

   2. The wedding rings & bands

   3. His Cuff Links

   4. His Belt

   5. His & Her shoes

   6. Perfume/Cologne

   7. Veil

   8. INVITATION with new envelopes

   9. His tie

   10. Forals

7. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF……. Your stress and anxiety over things going wrong will show up in your photos if you let things get to you on your wedding day. Just know, things are going to happen that you hadn’t planned on. It might rain! The Cake may fall! Or, Oh my, the DJ didn’t make it!! Auntie Kay was mean to someone. The veil ripped. One of the bridesmaids’ bouquets was torn up by a toddler. It happens. Stuff. Happens. I’m here to tell you though, that your day will still be the perfect day, and some of the bloopers will become things to laugh about later. It will work itself out and everything will come together one way or another. If you plan on the realization that something ‘may’ happen, and tell yourself it will be ok and that you’ll roll with the punches as they come, you’re more apt to have a spectacular, memorable day………. and photos.

Here’s to you both! I wish you all the best at your wedding and for years to come following this day. Now, before you go though, don’t forget to get some scary entertainment out of the below images of some sweet guests ruining wedding photos with their cell phones. Ha.

Examples of cell phone problems at weddings and what verbiage to use:

Grooms' Cake Ideas

So, I hear that grooms’ cakes are only a Texas thing? Is this true? Be sure to leave a comment below. I’m not sure, but I see them at every wedding I capture, and I personally love it. My daughter is getting married this year, and her future mother-in-law was telling me that they don’t do them in their state. It reminds me of the extraordinarily large mums that high schoolers wear to Homecoming in Texas, which many other states don’t do. Needless to say, my daughters’ fiancé is going to do a grooms’ cake and is already deciphering between ideas.

Seeing this, tasty, creative concoction on display at a wedding reception adds that fun factor to the day and gives the groom something to create before it’s ordered, and brag about once guests start to see it at the reception, and for years to come.

Grooms’ cakes can add a separate flavor option when serving the regular wedding cake. So, for instance, if your regular wedding cake is vanilla with raspberry, maybe the grooms’ cake can be chocolate or something else to maybe mimic what the grooms’ favorite flavor is. On occasion the inside can also be a few different flavors, or the colors inside can also be a fun reveal when cut into (like college colors, etc).

Grooms’ cakes sometimes hold a sentimental meaning, and sometimes portray a spoof of the grooms likes or hobbies or even his Alma Mater or favorite sports team. The themes are endless, and I keep seeing unique ones popping up at each wedding. Here are a few good ones to get your creative juices flowing……….

This fun cake was a Star Wars theme with the grooms’ alma mater (Texas Longhorns) stuck to the lapel. Fun fact: The brides’ family were big Aggies and turned the horns upside down during the reception. LOL

This groom was a huge fan of the University of Alabama, which he wanted to show on his cake. It was a simple concept, yet very large display with vibrant colors and lots of flavor!

You can tell what this groom drank in his spare time with his buddies! The groom and the grooms’ party also each wore holsters on their belts with bottles of Makers Mark Whisky in them. Pairing this cake and the whisky bottles with the multi-colored macaroons made for a good-looking grooms’ cake. It got a lot of attention and laughs during the reception.

More Grooms Cake Ideas…….

Here are a few other grooms’ cake ideas, below, that I found in a simple search that were also entertaining. You’ll see a few ingenious ideas including College, Sports, Fishing, Poker, Beer, Golf, Harry Potter, Mud Tire, Skiing and Hunting. The below images are not our photography and are just used as examples for your viewing pleasure.

His & hers / Half Grooms Cake, Half Wedding Cake

Even though, I prefer separate cakes, you may opt to mix the grooms’ cake into the back or half of your regular cake! These cakes take skill! I’m just glad I’m behind the cameras, and not baking these masterpieces.

Here’s to your wedding. I hope it all goes smoothly and I want to see your grooms’ cakes!

It's Time To Schedule 2024 Graduates!

It’s Time To Schedule your 2024 Graduates if you haven’t already! We’re already booking into 2025, so don’t procrastinate selecting your photographer and ideal dates for your 2024 Senior Photos! KDP is already filling highly requested months and days. Putting off securing your slot could leave you little wiggle room for various options. Weekends fill first during our optimal shooting months in Texas. Procrastinating is running the risk of not finding a date at all, or it can force you into off-season months, and most likely weekday options only. I try, yearly, to put numerous reminders out there often to help you out.

Happy New Year 2022!

Happy New Year My Friends!

Here’s A Glimpse Back At 2021.

From Seniors To Headshots, Weddings To Livestock, and Families to Real Estate, it was a great year! I’m looking forward to what 2022 brings.

Thank you for trusting me with your memories! Let’s do it again soon.