Practical tips to help you relax, enjoy your day and get the photographs you've always dreamed of

Your wedding day has probably taken months — maybe even years — to plan.

You've booked the venue, chosen the flowers, tasted the food, organised the outfits, written the guest list and probably made hundreds of decisions along the way.

Then suddenly, the wedding day arrives.

And one of the questions I hear from couples is:

"How do we make sure everything runs smoothly on the day?"

As a wedding photographer, I've seen the good, the unexpected, the emotional moments and the occasional chaos! And honestly, the weddings that run most smoothly aren't necessarily the ones with the most detailed schedules.

They're usually the ones where the couple has allowed themselves enough time to actually enjoy the day.

So, here are some of my favourite tips from behind the camera.

1. Don't Try to Pack Too Much Into Your Day

This is probably my biggest piece of advice.

It's very easy to create a wedding timeline that looks perfect on paper but leaves absolutely no breathing room.

• Getting ready at 11:00.
• Ceremony at 1:00.
• Photos at 1:30.
• Dinner at 3:00.
• Speeches at 4:30.
• First dance at 7:00.

And so on.

The problem is that weddings rarely run exactly to schedule.

Someone forgets their buttonhole.

The registrar takes a little longer.

Your aunt disappears when we need the family photographs.

The champagne reception runs over.

And that's completely normal.

Build some breathing room into your timeline.

I'd much rather have an extra 15–20 minutes available than have you worrying about being late throughout the afternoon.

2. Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Get Ready

Your wedding morning should be enjoyable.

It shouldn't feel like you're racing against the clock.

If you're having photographs of your preparations, I'd recommend allowing at least 2–3 hours for bridal preparations if possible.

This gives me time to capture:

• Hair and makeup
• Your dress and accessories
• Your flowers
• Bridesmaids getting ready
• Candid moments with family
• Champagne and celebrations
• Your final preparations
• Putting on your dress
• Those lovely quiet moments before you leave

And importantly, you won't feel rushed.

The same applies to the groom and wedding party.

Give yourself more time than you think you need.

You'll thank yourself later.

3. Don't Forget to Eat!

It sounds obvious.

But you'd be surprised how many couples barely eat on their wedding day.

You're busy.

You're excited.

People keep coming over to congratulate you.

And suddenly it's 5pm and you've had half a sandwich since breakfast.

Please eat.

Have something substantial while you're getting ready and make sure you actually sit down for your wedding breakfast.

Your photographer can photograph you eating.

I promise.

4. Keep Your Getting-Ready Room Tidy

This one is particularly important from a photographer's point of view.

The morning can become chaotic very quickly.

• Clothes on chairs.
• Suitcases on the floor.
• Makeup bags everywhere.
• Empty champagne bottles.
• Food packaging.
• Shopping bags.

And suddenly there's nowhere clean to take photographs.

You don't need a perfectly styled room.

Just designate one area for bags, clothes and clutter.

That means when I arrive, I can concentrate on photographing you rather than spending 20 minutes trying to find a clean corner.

5. Don't Be Afraid to Have a First Look

A first look isn't for everyone, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting the traditional moment of seeing each other at the ceremony.

But if you don't mind breaking tradition, a first look can be wonderful.

It gives you a private moment together before the ceremony.

No audience.

No pressure.

Just the two of you.

It can also give us an opportunity to create some portraits before your ceremony, which can mean more time with your guests afterwards.

6. Keep Your Family Photograph List Simple

Family photographs are important.

But this is where wedding photography timelines can quickly disappear!

I've seen a list that starts with:

Couple + parents

and somehow turns into:

Couple + parents + siblings + partners + grandparents + cousins + aunties + friends from university + work colleagues...

You get the idea.

I'd recommend choosing the most important combinations before your wedding day.

Keep the list relatively short and nominate somebody who knows your family to help gather people.

Your photographer shouldn't have to spend ten minutes trying to find Uncle Bob.

7. Trust Your Photographer

This is a big one.

If you've chosen a documentary wedding photographer, you've chosen them because you love the way they see a wedding.

So let them do their job.

You don't need to constantly think:

"Are we getting enough photographs?"

If you've hired the right photographer, they'll be watching.

I'll be looking for the moments happening around you.

• The reactions.
• The laughter.
• The tears.
• The little interactions.
• The moments you might not even notice.

You enjoy your wedding.

I'll worry about the photographs.

8. Allow Time for Couple Portraits

I know not everyone loves having their photograph taken.

That's completely normal.

But please don't skip your couple portraits entirely.

You don't need an hour-long photoshoot.

Even 15–20 minutes can be enough to create some beautiful photographs of the two of you.

And I'll guide you through it.

You don't need to know how to pose.

I'll give you prompts and direction while keeping things relaxed and natural.

9. Take Ten Minutes Together

This is something I recommend to almost every couple.

At some point during the day, disappear together for ten minutes.

• Walk outside.
• Find somewhere quiet.
• Have a drink.
• Take a breath.
• Talk to each other.

Your wedding day will probably feel like it's moving at 100mph.

Taking a few minutes together gives you the chance to actually appreciate what's happening.

And from a photography point of view?

Those quiet moments can create some of my favourite photographs.

10. Don't Let the Weather Ruin Your Day

You're getting married in Scotland.

There is a reasonable chance we might see some rain.

And that's okay.

Actually, some of my favourite wedding photographs have been taken in terrible weather.

• Bring umbrellas.
• Embrace the wind.
• Put on a coat.
• Run through the rain.

Whatever happens, don't let the weather dictate whether you have a good wedding day.

Some of the most atmospheric photographs can happen when the weather isn't perfect.

11. Tell Your Photographer What's Important

Before the wedding, tell me about the people and moments that matter most to you.

Maybe there's a grandparent who is particularly important.

Maybe you've got a friend travelling from Australia.

Maybe your parents have been instrumental in helping with the wedding.

Maybe there's a family member who won't be with you on the day but you'd like something photographed in their memory.

Tell your photographer.

I can't know everything that's happening within your relationships.

The more I understand about what's important to you, the better I can document your day.

12. Put Your Phone Away

This is becoming increasingly important.

There is something quite magical about seeing a bride walking down the aisle without a sea of phones between her and her partner.

If possible, consider having an unplugged ceremony and asking guests to put their phones away.

You hired a professional photographer for a reason.

Let them capture it.

And let your guests actually experience it.

13. Don't Chase Perfect Photographs

This might sound strange coming from a photographer.

But your wedding isn't a photoshoot.

Your dress might get dirty.

Your hair might move.

It might rain.

You might laugh during your ceremony.

Someone might photobomb a photograph.

Your veil might blow in completely the wrong direction.

That's life.

And honestly, those imperfections often become the photographs you remember most.

I'm much more interested in photographing how your wedding actually felt than creating a collection of perfectly staged photographs.

14. Have a Plan — But Don't Obsess Over It

A timeline is incredibly useful.

But it should be a guide rather than a set of rules.

If you're having an incredible time with your friends and you're ten minutes behind schedule, that's okay.

If everyone is laughing during your drinks reception and you want to stay a little longer, stay.

If the sunset suddenly looks incredible, let's take advantage of it.

Some of the best wedding photographs happen because we weren't following the plan.

15. Remember Why You're There

After all the planning, spending and organising, it's easy to get caught up in the details.

• But at the end of the day, the flowers aren't what matter.
• The table decorations aren't what matter.
• Whether everything ran five minutes late isn't what matters.
• You married your person.
• That's the bit you should remember.

My Final Advice as Your Photographer

If I could give every couple one piece of advice before their wedding day, it would be this:

• Slow down.
• Look around.
• Take everything in.
• Listen to the speeches.
• Laugh with your friends.
• Dance with your partner.

Spend time with the people who travelled to celebrate with you.

And don't spend the entire day worrying about whether everything is going according to plan.

Because when you look back at your photographs years from now, you won't remember whether the ceremony started at exactly 2:00pm.

You'll remember how you felt.

And that's exactly what I want to capture.

Planning a Wedding in Aberdeenshire or Scotland?

I'm Mark, a documentary wedding photographer based in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, photographing weddings throughout Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow and across the UK.

My approach is relaxed, natural and unobtrusive, with an editorial feel to your portraits and creative off-camera flash when the evening comes around.

If you're looking for a photographer who will let you enjoy your wedding while quietly documenting everything happening around you, I'd love to hear about your plans.

Your wedding. Your people. Your story.

I'll be there to capture it.