I've photographed weddings for over a decade. Here are 4 of the biggest mistakes I see couples make.

I've been photographing weddings for complete a decade, so I've witnessed countless ceremonies and receptions — several disastrous, others impeccable.

Throughout the years, I've additionally watched couples create the identical mistakes complete and over. Here are a few I desire they'd avoid.

Filling the day-of agenda alongside way too much

Couples have to discover period for the ceremony, photos, dining and drinking, dancing, talking to the group they invited, and connecting alongside all other.

When you try to fit too many things into the day, no one — particularly the married couple — has period to breathe and relish the moments. The day can awareness rushed and additional focused on activities than the ritual of love.

A packed agenda frequently leaves couples stressed, alongside no period to eat since they've been pushed from one 15-minute opening to the next.

However, your wedding day shouldn't be a blur. You should have period to soak in all moment. When you map out your day, prioritize traditions you affection and evaluation how lengthy all volition obtain … afterward add buffers.

I additionally propose operating alongside a wedding planner or coordinator to scheme your timeline, or consulting alongside your lensman and another vendors whenever arranging your schedule. They've informed countless weddings and cognize firsthand how much period all action normally takes.

Letting small mishaps and issues ruin the entire day

One of the things I continually inform my couples correct before their wedding day is that item volition go wrong.

I don't say this to scare them or create them worry, but mostly to modify their expectations. No matter how much preparedness you do, group are imperfect, the climate can be unpredictable, and existence happens.

By the period the day comes, couples have done all they can to create certain it's how they pictured it. All that matters following that is that they bask their wedding.

Missing flowers or a pie that's the incorrect sensation can throw off your day — but these unexpected mishaps shouldn't be so consuming that they're all you recall from your wedding.

I don't desire to observer any additional miserable couples desperately trying to fix particulars that volition never be exactly right. Please try to rotate alongside the punches on your wedding day.

Hiring the incorrect lensman or videographer

I may be a bit biased, but I powerfully accept having crucial memories correctly documented in photo and video form is priceless.

I've additionally heard from countless wed couples who regret booking a subpar lensman or skipping a videographer.

When hiring any vendors — particularly these — choose carefully. You're paying person to use their bodily and imaginative energy to inform the narrative of your wedding.

Ask a ton of questions and create certain you affection their manner by viewing their portfolios and websites. It can additionally assistance to hop on a phone call or video gathering — couples should esnsure they vibe alongside their photo and video squad on a individual flat since they'll be spending a lot of period alongside them on the big day.

Planning the wedding they think they should have alternatively of the one they really want

Weddings are for the couple, so they should do what they want.

I see so many of them expend thousands of dollars and dedicate countless hours to planning, lone to commemorate their affection the way they think they're expected to — not how they'd really like.

Your wedding have to be unique to you, and it doesn't need to appearance akin everyone else's. If you desire to elope in the timber or scheme a domain inspired by "Bridgerton" in a mansion, go for it.

The brace is at the center of the celebration, so why shouldn't everything be according to who they are and what matters most to them? 

Consider this my authoritative community assistance announcement: Your wedding can — and should — be fun, unique, and meaningful to you. 

This narrative was initially published in June 2021 and most lately updated on October 23, 2026.