3 Tips for an emotional, photojournalistic wedding day
You’ve probably heard that your wedding day will be over in the blink of an eye. It’s true – after months of planning, it goes by so fast. Thankfully with just a little thought before your big day, you can have an authentic, emotional wedding day with gorgeous photojournalistic wedding photography focused on the people and moments that are most important to you!
I work with couples to provide photojournalistic wedding photography coverage, and part of my planning process is taking them through three steps which I’ve shared below. But the whole process starts by understanding this: that the most precious resource you have on your wedding day is time. It’s important to work with your wedding photographer to create a wedding timeline focused on what’s important to you, and leave out everything that isn’t. Also, include down-time in your timeline to relax and soak it in. Remember, “less is more”.
Here are three tips to planning an emotion-filled wedding day.
1. Make a list of people who mean the most to you
Yes, that includes the two of you! Your list could look something like this:
– Joe!
– Mom & Dad
– Mindy (best friends since we were 3)
– Joe’s fraternity brothers
– My nephew Zachary
Then plan special moments with these people! Not only will you let them know how much they mean to you, but you’ll have an opportunity to spend quality time with them on your wedding day. Your moments could look like this:
– Mom buttons up my dress and helps with my veil (15 mins)
– First look with Dad (15 mins)
– First look with Joe (30 mins) & quiet time after reception (15 mins)
– Champagne pop with Mindy (10 mins)
– Gift exchange with nephew Zachary (5 mins)
– Joe whiskey toast at reception with fraternity brothers (5 mins)
These moments don’t take a lot of time but they’ll be moments you remember. If you’re looking for photojournalistic wedding photography, talk about this list of important people and moments with your photographer. If we know who these people are, we can come up with a plan to document them unobtrusively.
2. Write down 1-2 unique traditions or events
Things you always dreamed of incorporating. Remember less is more so go for quality over quantity – like inviting a band to teach traditional Scottish folk dancing at your reception.
3. Share your vision and timeline
Help your family and wedding party understand what’s important to you. Why? Say it with me – because less is more!
Well meaning family members and friends will add things for you to do on your day – like photos with 40 of your west coast cousins you haven’t seen since you were 5. But if they know why you’ve set aside time for a first look with Dad instead of that far-off cousins photo, it might keep those suggestions at bay.
Lastly, remember to leave space in your timeline to kick back and enjoy yourself – it’s your party after all and as a photojournalistic wedding photographer I know that most often, the most amazing moments are totally and utterly unplanned.
Gen Palmer is a Philadelphia and NJ Wedding Photographer focusing on photojournalistic wedding photography. She loves capturing real couples, and real moments without any awkwardness.
Let’s grab a drink and chat about your wedding!
Some images were captured for Ashlee Mintz.
