If there’s one thing I’ve learned after photographing over a hundred weddings, it’s this: the best days aren’t the ones that go perfectly. They’re the ones that make space for feeling, flexibility, and being fully present. That’s why wedding planning advice from a photographer can be so helpful — because we see what actually happens, not just what gets pinned or planned.
As someone who moves quietly between timelines, toast tears, and family dynamics all day long, here’s some of my most valuable wedding planning advice from a photographer’s point of view:
1. Wedding Planning Advice From a Photographer: Prioritize Light, Not Just Aesthetics
You might love your venue, but if the bridal suite is a dim corner or the ceremony site is backlit at 2pm, your photos will reflect that. Natural light makes a huge difference. If possible, plan your getting-ready space and portraits with light in mind — your gallery will thank you.
2. Your Timeline Sets the Tone
One of the most underrated wedding planning tips I give my couples? Build in breathing room. Add 15 minutes here and there for the things you don’t plan for: a quiet moment with your dad, lipstick touch-ups, or just to sit and watch your guests arrive. Emotion needs space to unfold — your photos will reflect that energy.
3. Don’t Over-Schedule the Moments That Matter Most
I’ve seen timelines so tightly packed that the couple barely made it to cocktail hour. Or worse — skipped time with their guests altogether. My advice? Protect time to actually feel your wedding day. Be there for dinner. Take the walk. Make space for presence.
4. Delegate the Day-Of Decision Fatigue
You don’t need to be the one answering questions about boutonnières or family portraits on the day of. Appoint a calm, trusted point person — planner, sibling, maid of honor — and make sure they have a copy of the final timeline. That lets you focus on the being, not the logistics.
At the end of the day, the best wedding planning advice from a photographer isn’t about the details — it’s about the experience. It’s about protecting your peace, pacing your day, and making sure your story gets told in full.
I’d be honored to help tell yours.
Inquire here for full-day wedding photography that prioritizes presence, beauty, and meaning.
Written by Chelsey Barhorst, Midwest wedding photographer and emotionally intelligent storyteller. I photograph weddings across Chicago, Cincinnati, Northern Michigan, and New England — blending editorial presence with lived-in warmth. Curious if we’d be a good fit? Reach out here.
