51 Great ideas for a better wedding.

ideas better wedding

The following suggestions come from my experience at hundreds of weddings. They are in chronological order and follow what could be the flow of events at your wedding.

Some of them won’t apply to you, but maybe you will find something useful. These tips might help you have a better wedding which in turn could lead to better photos.

Tips for choosing a room

  1. Choose a well-lit location for your preparations. If possible, with natural light as it will help you to see what your make up looks like as you get ready. The light is also vital for the photos.
  2. Get a spacious room. Chances are there will be quite a few people in the room, so it helps if we all have space to be able to move and work. We don’t want to be struggling to move about and working in cramped conditions.
  3. If you are having a wedding in a hot place, you might want to get ready in a room with air conditioning. So check if it is available.
  4. Keep the room tidy as whatever is in it will be in the photos. Also, a neat room leads to a relaxed bride/groom.
  5. If you want photos of the groom getting ready, it will help for him to be close. Try and both get ready in the same location, it will make it easier for me to capture both sides of the story without losing too much time traveling between locations.
ideas better wedding

Tips for accessories and details

  1. If you would like to have items photographed such as the dress, shoes, jewelry, engagement ring, wedding bands, flowers, stationery, these are the first things I will photograph. You might need to see to it that the florist brings the flowers in advance so that at least the bouquet is available for the photos.

    Please remove the tissue paper and cardboard from your dress and properly unpack it. It’s also a good idea to hang it a few days before the wedding and check it to see if you need to steam any creases out. If possible, bring your dress with a beautiful hanger as when you buy it they often give you a cheap plastic one.

Make-up Advice

  1. A makeup artist leads to better makeup and a more relaxed bride. It is also much easier to photograph you when you are having your make up applied rather than self-application.

    On your wedding day, you want to look perfect. You want to look your best! Even top models, no matter how beautiful, need makeup done to achieve the photos that grace the pages of the glossy magazines. A professional makeup artist understands anatomy, structure, the colors, skin types, how to stop your face becoming shiny, how to make the makeup last all day, how to cover blemishes, and more.

    Consider having a trial and take pictures to see how they make looks in pictures. The same goes for hair trials; this way, on the day there are no surprises, you just have to repeat the chosen look.
ideas better wedding

Look after yourself before the wedding

  1. Avoid getting mosquito bites before the wedding. Apart from the itching, they then need to be retouched in Photoshop. Use a mosquito repellent if you think there are mosquitoes around.
  2. If it is windy on your wedding day then you might want to consider wearing your hair up or at least trying to secure/fix the look as you don’t want to have hair flapping around in the wind.
  3. Likewise, if it is windy, then you might want to consider losing the veil if it is not essential to you.
  1. Most of the time, the groom requires no makeup. Try to avoid dry and cracked lips, as they can show in the photos. 
  2. Brides – if you have long hair and decide to wear it gathered to one side, please make sure that it doesn’t cover that side of your face. You should avoid hairstyles that hide one side of your face or partially or entirely. Don’t obscure an eye unless you have an excellent reason for doing just that.
ideas better wedding

What about tans?

  1. (For fair-skinned brides) – Does having a tan make for better photos? If you are celebrating your wedding in a sunny location, then a light tan is helpful as you will generally look more radiant and healthy. Also, if your skin is a bit darker, it is less reflective, which will help in the sunlight.

    If you are going to spend a few days in the sun before the wedding then having an existing tan will reduce the risk of sunburn or red skin as you already have some tan, of course wearing some sunblock is essential. Some people have naturally pale complexions and do not easily tan. These people are better off not trying to get a tan. If you are going to get a fake tan, have a professional spray it on as the result will be far superior.

    Many of the cheaper creams have colors that aren’t natural. They leave you looking somewhat yellow or too orange, and if it is self-applied, it is easy to miss a spot and achieve a rather unflattering streaky look. If you plan on coming abroad and getting a tan in the days before your wedding, that’s fine, but please be careful not to get sunburnt. A red face from the sun is not very flattering, and if you’ve overdone it in the sun, the skin tends to sweat more.

    Worst of all, avoid getting burnt and risking peeling skin! I also advise you to avoid having tan lines as these are not easy to remove in Photoshop and are not a part of my retouching service.
ideas better wedding

Time to put the dress on!

  1. Anyone who is helping you get dressed needs to be ready before you as there’s no point me photographing you putting on your wedding dress if your bridesmaids are still in their pajamas!
  2. Some people like to open a bottle of champagne/sparkling wine etc. while they are getting ready, it can lead to beautiful photos, and if necessary, a drink might help to steady the nerves.
  1. When you put16 the dress on you, get16 into it, and when you are covered and decent (no nudity), I photograph the closing of the dress, such as the zipping up or tying. You always put the dress on last to avoid getting it dirty or getting makeup on it.
  2. When you put the dress m that make sure is not already bustled, (where on some dresses the train can be fastened up to make it easier to move/dance), as on some dresses you can’t even tell when they are bustled, and we don’t want to find out later in the day that you didn’t let the train down.
  3. After the dress, you can put on your jewelry. It is nice to have someone else help with a necklace or bracelet. You can do your earrings if you prefer.
  4. A spray or two of perfume at this point if desired.
  5. After the dress is on, you can put on the veil if you have one. (Remember that if you have a veil, you might also want to remove it later on in the day for some photos without it.)
  6. Finally, the shoes and you’re all set.
ideas better wedding

Getting ready: Tips 16-20

  1. If the groom is wearing a boutonnière, then traditionally, it is worn on the left lapel of the jacket, the same side as the pocket-handkerchief. The boutonnière should have a small safety pin attached to the back for secure attachment that will not be visible once the boutonnière is on the jacket.
  2. The groom should have a tie that is the correct length. The tie should not stick out the bottom of the jacket or waistcoat, and when the jacket is done up, you should not be able to see a triangle of shirt between your trousers and where the jacket is buttoned.
  3. If someone escorts you down the aisle, that person will be on your right. (May vary depending on your culture.)
  4. The groom stands on the right (when facing the celebrant/altar, etc.), and his family is on the right. Thus the bride and her family are on the left. (May vary depending on your culture.)
  5. Usually, the groom either stands and faces ahead towards the altar and then turns around when the bride has reached the end of the aisle, or he can turn around and watch the entire processional arrive. It’s your choice.
  6. The order of the processional is most commonly, ring bearer/flower girl, bridesmaids,/maid of honor, bride. Each person or couple should enter one at a time as if you all come at once; it becomes impossible to photograph each person individually as the person in front will block the view of the person behind them.
  7. 99% of the time, the person escorting the bride is on her right side, hence the bride is on their left.
ideas better wedding

Advice for the processional

  1. While you are walking down the aisle, PLEASE CARRY THE BOUQUET PROPERLY! I will show you how to do this if you have any doubt, but you carry the bouquet in the center and low down around your belly button.
  2. When you arrive at the altar the person escorting you then shakes the groom’s hand (as your escort is on your right his right hand is free to shake the groom’s hand) and after doing this they pass the bride to the groom, they then step back and sit on the left side with the rest of the bride’s party.
  3. During the ceremony, interact with each other, have fun, smile, laugh, hold hands. If the priest is dull, look interested! You will likely have two separate chairs at the ceremony. You might want to consider their position before starting the service as if they are further apart, you will not be able to hold each other hands, and you will look separated, which is not the point of the day!
  4. If you have an order of service try not to follow the ceremony page by page as you will have photos where you are continually looking at the order of service, it is better to keep your heads up and pay attention to what’s happening around you.
  5. Groom – carry a simple cotton handkerchief in your pocket so that if it is hot and you are sweating, you can use it to wipe away any sweat.
ideas better wedding

More Ideas for the ceremony

  1. Ask the priest/celebrant to say “repeat after me” rather than having them show you a printed piece of paper, and you read from it, there’s no need for a tacky clipboard with your vows on it ruining the photos. Or you can learn them, so there’s no need to be led by the priest.
  2. Most times, it is not necessary to have a microphone in your face as if you speak up, everyone can hear you. A microphone in your face is not very attractive, and the hand/arm that is holding it can make getting the right angles for photos difficult.
  3. After the wedding ceremony, it is appropriate to walk back down to the aisle together while the guests are standing; it makes for good photos. You can then pause at the entrance to the church and hug and greet people as they exit the church. Once everyone is outside, you can then exit and be showered with petals.
  4. If you are getting married outside, you could prepare cones with petals for the guests and hang them from the chairs so that when you walk out of the ceremony area, they can shower you with petals. It looks great in the photos. Another idea is to have petals put into baskets, and the ushers can help distribute them so that everyone can join in as it is an enjoyable moment. The more petals, the better! You can also coordinate them with your color scheme.
  5. After the wedding ceremony, most people then proceed to their reception venue (if they are not already there), and then the bride and groom can open the drinks reception/cocktails.
ideas better wedding

During the drinks reception

  1. During the cocktails, I generally have three things to do. Firstly I photograph the location, atmosphere, and photograph you, your family, and guests enjoying themselves. I do this in a documentary manner, so just go ahead and spend time with friends and family and enjoy yourselves!
  2. Secondly, at some stage, we will also need to do some family photos. You will have already given me your list, and so you don’t need to do anything, I will take care of it.
  3. Thirdly, after the group/family photos, we will then do your photos. For this, we will leave the guests to enjoy the food and drinks and go somewhere else. I prefer it to be just the two of you as bringing other people along will cause distractions and generally make you feel more awkward in front of the camera. Plus, this is your only chance to have some time together for the whole day.
ideas better wedding

Your Portraits

  1. We may be going in some fields, so you may want to bring another pair of shoes that you don’t care about; in most cases, the shoes will not be visible in the photo. If there’s a height difference between you, then choose shoes that will compensate for this, so if you are concerned about being taller than the groom get some flat shoes, if you need to make up a few inches, then go with wedges.
  2. After we finish our photo session, we then return to the reception, and at some stage, you will then go to sit down. From when you sit down, I then continue with documentary photography for the rest of the day, including general atmosphere, details, speeches, cake cutting, dancing, and party.
  3. If you are eating outside and want to have candelabras on the tables, you should consider having the candles inside some sort of glass vessel as otherwise, you will find that the candles burn down quickly, and you will be in the dark before the end of dinner.
  4. Likewise, if you are eating outside, remember that photography is the recording of light. So if you don’t have any lighting or candles once it is dark, it will be challenging to obtain good images.
  5. If you have speeches, make sure the waiters are informed about charging the guests glasses very quickly as it is not pleasant and a waste of time to have to be sitting waiting for waiters to go around and pour drinks for everyone.

Speeches and more.

  1. Those who are speaking may want to have their speeches written out so they can read them or refer to their notes. Please don’t write your speech on any old scrappy piece of paper or a napkin. It looks much better and is easier to read from a set of smaller note cards that you can shuffle through as you complete each part of your speech.
  2. If you are having any surprises like fireworks, please let me know, so they aren’t a surprise for me too!
ideas better wedding

Some important advice in general

  1. The second most important piece of advice: If you have planned your wedding day and have been very involved in the whole process, it can be challenging to step back and be a bride on the day. Remember, you are the bride, not the wedding planner. You can, of course, plan your wedding, but my advice is to get the whole thing planned well in advance and then just sit back and relax or better yet forget about the entire thing until shortly before the day. If you have planned things correctly on the day, the experts for each part of the day should do their jobs, and the whole thing will run smoothly. I sometimes attend weddings where the bride spends her entire time worrying about if this is fine or if that person has done such and such, and it’s because of this they don’t enjoy themselves, and it shows in the photos.
  2. The most important piece of advice: No matter what happens, enjoy yourselves. I go to perfect weddings where they have spent the world, and the weather is excellent, and the couple is beautiful, and the photos are dull as they don’t enjoy their day for some reason. I also go to humbler weddings, and maybe the weather is not great. Still, people have a great time anyway as they are getting married, surrounded by their closest family and friends, and everyone is there to enjoy the celebration.
  3. PS. Don’t get drunk the night before. Hangovers are not for the wedding day. Maybe for the day after!

Italian and destination wedding photographer Jules Bower photographs weddings in Italy, Europe, and worldwide. British but fluent in Italian, his strong artistic vision and vast experience in the wedding industry make him unique. His wife is a top wedding planner in Tuscany.

Jules Bower author