Chances are, if you’re planning your wedding, you’ve spent a bulk of your budget on a wedding photographer. Your photos are important, as they will tell the story of your wedding day for the rest of your life, and become an instant family heirloom. Here is our pocket guide to snapping the perfect wedding pics!

Scout the Space

Schedule a time before your wedding day to walk your venue at the same time of day that your wedding will occur – preferably you scout the space with your photographer so you can discuss backdrops and make sure the light and angles work with shots. Have you checked online for when the sun will set on the day of your wedding?

Provide a Shot List

Give your photographer a detailed Shot List so that they know who to capture, and what moments you want documented. They are professionals, so they don’t need hand-holding when it comes to what shots to take and where to be, but a Shot List definitely makes their life easier as they prioritize their schedule.

Display Your Engagement Photos

If you took engagement photos, remember to bring some to decorate your reception, even next to your guest book. People love seeing more casual images of you and your fiancé.

Hashtag Your Wedding

A fun trend lately has been to provide a hashtag for your guests, and ask them to hashtag any photos they post and publish online with your hashtag. This is a fun way to engage your guests and also capture and make sure you see and share the more spontaneous moments of the day. You can also ask your guests to send you any images they take as well.

Practice Smiling!

Of course you will be happy on your wedding day, but you also might be nervous, a bit stressed, and distracted. So prior to your big day, practice smiling and striking a pose. You’ll be wearing a wedding dress, so make sure you know your favorite pose in the dress. Also make sure someone—whether it’s the photographer or one of your bridesmaids—is aware and alert to any touch-ups needed to your hair, makeup, veil, flowers, and dress. 

Practice these simple tips leading up to and on your wedding day, and you’ll be extremely happy at the perfect wedding pics you have to remember your special day forever.