When you're thinking about what kind of photos you want from your wedding day and how to plan for everything, it can be difficult figuring out where to even start! There's a lot to consider, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. We put together 10 tips and suggestions to give you a few ideas to get started!


#1 MAKE A VISION BOARD
As a wedding photographer, I want to know what makes you, your partner, your relationship story, and your vision for your special day unique! What’s your style? What’s your personality? What kind of wedding photos are you most drawn to? Creating a vision or mood board is a great way to show what your interests are and what you want your wedding day to look like. It’s also a great way to help you figure out what kind of things you like if you’re just starting your wedding planning journey! Websites and apps like Pintrest are great places to start getting inspiration and pull all of your ideas together.


#2 CREATE A TIMELINE FOR THE DAY
Having a detailed schedule with built-it room for flexibility is essential for a smooth-running day! If you have a wedding planner, they should be able to help you create a solid plan; if not, your wedding photographer has probably seen enough weddings to be able to give you a good idea of how much time to account for each part of the day. (Check out Elite Image’s suggested timeline!)

You’ll also want to consult your hair and make-up artists to get an estimate on how long they will take. You’ll want to give yourself PLENTY of time to get ready—nobody wants to feel rushed on their wedding! Plus, the less stressed you feel, the more relaxed you’ll look in your wedding photos!


#3 MINIMIZE YOUR LOCATIONS
It can be really tempting to want to include all of the various beautiful and meaningful places you want photos at—especially in an area like Dubuque that has so many interesting spots such as the Dubuque Arboretum, the Millwork District, and lots of parks! But you don’t want to spend more time traveling from one place to another than you do actually taking photos, so limiting how many stops you make is a must. Even if you don’t think your wedding or reception venues have the “perfect” background, know that a great photographer has the creative eye to make nearly any location work!


#4 IF YOU WEAR A VEIL... MAKE IT LONG! 
Veil’s are one of those wedding traditions that go in and out of popularity, so it’s really up to you if you wear one. But if your DO choose to have a veil on your wedding day, there are SO MANY fun photos you can do with it—especially if it’s long! There’s just something about that long piece of sheer fabric that can create the most beautiful, magical, ethereal, romantic, dynamic (the list could go on) photos ever!


#5 INCLUDE TOSS ITEMS
Perfect for group photos, your first dance, or a grand exit—having something to toss can make for some super fun images on camera! There’s nothing like throwing a handful of confetti, flower petals, rice, or even blowing bubbles that generate authentic smiles from you and your guests.


#6 INCLUDE A FIRST LOOK
We could go on and on why including a first look in your wedding day is a good idea. In fact, we did—you can read a full explanation in our “7 Reasons Why You Need a First Look” resource.

But the TLDR is that a first look is often one of the couples’ favorite parts of the day. It’s the first time you get to see each other all dressed up which can be the most memorable and emotional moments to capture on camera. Having the opportunity to savor and photograph your genuine expressions and the pure love in those moments is priceless. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to give you and your partner a quiet moment alone amongst the hustle and bustle of day.


#7 SCHEDULE THE COUPLE'S SESSION DURING THE BEST LIGHTING
There’s something about the soft, golden light from the setting sun that makes the most dreamy photos ever! If you want to make sure you get some photos of the two of your during this peak lighting opportunity, schedule about 30-45 minutes before sunset for the two of you and your photographer to sneak outside and capture a few romantic moments.


#8 SNEAK INTO THE RECEPTION AREA BEFOREHAND
You’ve spent all of this time planning the perfect venue and decorations for your wedding reception, might as well make the most of it! Getting into your reception area after everything is set up, but before all of the guests flood in, lets you get some photos while everything is pristine.


#9 TAKE A PRIVATE "GET AWAY" MOMENT
After you’ve finished eating, but while the rest of your guests are still having dinner, is another perfect time to sneak outside for a couple nighttime photos. Whether you want some romantic photos under the stars or a fun celebratory moment for just the two of you, taking 20 minutes to step outside after it’s gotten dark is a must.


#10 INCORPORATE A SPARKLER EXIT
It’s the end of the night, you’ve partied, you’ve danced, you’ve smiled more than you ever have in one day and now it’s time for the grand exit! Sparklers are a great way to get some exciting, dynamic photos at the end of the night while your guests are still around.