Nowadays, getting the perfect wedding pictures is a must. I mean, are you even married if you don’t have gram-worthy pictures!? But, in the attempt of getting dreamy shots, couples sometimes take charge and end up getting the opposite of what they want. That’s why we got in touch with some of the best photographers from the industry who have given us the ultimate tips that couples should follow when getting pictures clicked at their wedding.

Scroll below and read what these experts have to say!

Avoid These Ultimate Wedding Photography Mistakes

1. Book Your Photographer Well in Advance

Finding the right photographer can be tricky especially because he or she should match your aesthetics but even worse than booking the right one is waiting till the last minute to take a call. Kiran from Kirandeep Photography tells us, “We suggest that you don't wait till the last minute to book your photographer and once you are sure and have made up your mind on whom you want to hire for your big day, block your dates with them at least 8-10 months before your wedding.”

Ivy Weddings adds, “If you find a talented photographer and love their style, the book immediately! Most of the best photographers book out well over a year in advance, and limit the number of weddings they shoot!”

2. Focus on the Story than the Location for Your Pre-Wedding Shoot

Another common mistake that couples make is focusing on the pre-wedding shoot location rather than the story they want to narrate. Beginnings For You chimes in, “It’s one of the biggest mistakes to not think much about the story angle and just pick up location. Sometimes a good story beats a great location.”

3. Setting the Right Expectations

It’s always good to be on the same page with your wedding photographers. They should know what type of wedding pictures you’re going for. Divishth Kakkar, the founder of Delhi Velvet Photography tells us, “Always be clear in what you want and how a photographer’s style can help you achieve the memories for your lifetime!”

4. Watch Those Cocktails That You’re Sipping on the Functions

It’s a common saying amongst the elders that don’t get drunk at your wedding functions. While they have other reasons, Rolling Canvas says, “While it's okay to have a few drinks and let loose, getting too drunk can affect the quality of your photos. You may appear unsteady, and your expressions might look sloppy.”

I think a lot of couples can relate and agree with this tip!

5. Couple Portraits Need TIME!

Even though you don’t want to take out time of your wedding functions for pictures, you must keep a slot ready for your photographers. The folks at Delhi Velvet Photography share, “The most important thing that you need to do is to find time for couple portraits. It’s for that special moment that you’ve done months of planning, outfit trials, getting everyone together, booking vendors and whatnot. It’s so important to freeze these moments because that’s the only takeaway from your big day!”

Color Blind Production, suggests, "Bride and grooms don't give enough time to the wedding photographer for the pictures to come out. It is essential to give your photographer enough time to capture all the important moments on your wedding day. This includes leaving enough time for getting ready shots, family portraits, and couple portraits." 

6. It's Not Always About Getting Viral

In today’s time, every couple wants to become viral on Instagram with the help of their wedding content. Now if this happens by chance then great but if you plan on making it happen, it can get stressful on the days when you should be having the time of your life. ShutterDown Photography shares, “The focus should never be on getting viral but simply on having a blast. After all, it’s the biggest day of your life!”

7. Don’t Ignore the Background

Imagine looking like a million bucks on your wedding day and still not getting good pictures all because you were standing against the wrong background or there are people around. Disappointing, no? Talking about backgrounds, Rolling Canvas says, “Pay attention to the background of your photos. A cluttered or distracting background can detract from the overall quality of the photo.”

8. It is not All About the Budget!

While budget is a very big factor when picking a photographer for your wedding but that should not be the only factor. Ivy Weddings shares, “It’s easy to think about how much you are spending on photography at the moment, but 10 or 20 years later, many couples wish they had spent more or invested more into the photographer that they wanted. After the guests leave, the music ends, the flowers and moments fade away, and your wedding photos will be all that you have to remember your special memories years into your future!”

9. The Ultimate Tip for a Sundowner Wedding

Sundowner weddings are simply breathtaking. Now, more and more couples are opting for a sundowner wedding, and for all the right reasons. But, a sundowner wedding is much more difficult to plan.

Knotty Affair By Namit & Vipul says, “Good lighting is crucial for great wedding photos. Try to schedule your photo sessions during the golden hour or make sure the indoor lighting is sufficient.”

In addition, ShutterDown Photography shares, “If you're planning a sundowner pheras always keep a 1-hour buffer as certain delays are unavoidable in Indian weddings.”

10. Posed Shot VS Candid Portraits - Make A Wise Call! 

We know just how amazing those candid pictures are when the camera catches you grinning or having a sweet moment with your loved one. But, that doesn’t mean that you should forget about the portrait and posed shots. The Safarnama Films team tells us, “I don’t think this is the right approach just because maybe you’re conscious in front of the camera. We as photographers know that this isn’t something you’d do every day so it is new for you! But not getting your portraits done and some old-school staged poses will make you regret your decision later!”

However, Rolling Canvas has a different approach and they recommend, "Encourage your photographer to capture candid moments that show your personality and emotions. Remember, the goal is to have fun, relaxed, and authentic photos that capture the joy and love of your special day. Also, avoid being too stiff or posing too much: While it's important to have some posed shots, being too stiff or overly posed can look unnatural." 

Color Blind Production says, "It is important to work with your photographer to pose properly during your couple portraits to ensure that you look your best in your wedding photos."

11. Ask Your Guests to Respect the Photographers’ Orders

We’ve all heard those stories where couples complain of not getting the perfect pictures or those amazing moments of pictures being sabotaged by the guests. That’s because many times friends and family members don’t respect the photographers’ orders. Safarnama Films shared, “There’s a very thin line between cracking the best shot or making a blunder of the entire ceremony. And that depends on the way the guests behave on the stage for those 30-40 seconds of the jaimala. For the best jaimala shots, which we see usually getting viral on the internet too, do not have anybody else on the stage apart from the couple. This way, the moment stays surreal and the couple gets a beautiful lifetime memory of their Jaimala!”

12. Don’t Make Your Decision Based on a Photographer’s Instagram Page

Usually, when picking a photographer for wedding functions, couples tend to make the decision basis the photographers’ Instagram profiles However, there’s a lot more of their work available on other platforms. Harpreet from The Wedding Story tells us, “Couples should take the time out to research a photographer’s website and portfolio because that will always have much more pictures than the Instagram page”

13. Meet Your Photographers Before the Big Day

A lot of couples often make the mistake of not meeting their photographers until the day of the first function. Harpreet from The Wedding Story says, “It is crucial to meet your photographer ahead of the wedding so that when you guys meet again at the wedding, it’s like meeting a friend. You’d definitely feel much more comfortable!”

Color Blind Production says, "Not communicating with the photographer is a big mistake the couples make. It is very important to communicate with your photographer before the wedding day to ensure that they understand your expectations and preferences." 

14. Plan Time Slots For Photoshoots & Delegate The Work In Advance! 

ShutterDown Photography reveals, "Delegate! Delegate! Delegate! This is one of the biggest days of your life! Don't manage on the wedding day, delegate everything to friends/family/professionals. Keep calm and enjoy the wedding! In addition, don't forget to book the time slots for your wedding photoshoot."

15. Good Lighting Is A MUST! 

"Lighting can make or break a photo, so make sure you take the time to understand how lighting will affect your photos and work with your photographer to find the best spots for photos, not with too much or too little colour," says Rolling Canvas.

Telling us how couples simply ignore the lighting factor. Color Blind Production says, "Lighting is critical in photography, and it is essential to pay attention to the lighting conditions in each setting. For instance, taking photos in direct sunlight can result in harsh shadows, while taking photos in low light can result in blurry or noisy images." 

16. Ensure To Capture The Small Details! 

"Don't skip the details: Small details like the rings, the dress, and the flowers can add depth and interest to your photos. Make sure your photographer takes the time to capture these details in a way that represents your style and personality," says Rolling Canvas. 

17. Not Taking Enough Breaks

"It is essential to take breaks throughout the day to ensure that you and your partner are relaxed and not fatigued, as this can impact the quality of your wedding photos," Color Blind Production. 

What all tips are you taking into consideration for your upcoming wedding? Head to our Instagram page and tell us!

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