Photos You’ll Love Forever (Not Just for Instagram)
Let’s be real – your wedding day flies by in a blur of emotions, champagne toasts, and “Wait, we’re married now?!” moments. But your photos? Those stick around forever.
Years from now, when you’re showing your kids (or your cats, no judgment) what your big day looked like, you’ll be SO glad you nailed the photography situation. Let’s make sure you get shots you’ll actually want to look at in 20 years.
Finding Your Vibe: Photography Styles Explained
Think all wedding photographers are the same? Think again! Here are the main styles, decoded:
Classic/Traditional Photography
This is the “tried and true” approach. Posed family photos, structured shots, everyone looking at the camera saying “cheese!” It’s perfect if you want those timeless, elegant photos that could’ve been taken in any decade.
Go for this if: You love organization, want to make sure everyone’s in frame, and your grandma would kill you if there’s no formal family portrait.
Documentary/Photojournalistic Style
Imagine a photographer who’s basically invisible, catching all those candid moments – your partner tearing up during vows, your best friend ugly-crying, your dad doing his questionable dance moves. No posing, just pure, authentic moments.
Go for this if: You want real emotions captured, hate feeling awkward in posed photos, and want to remember how things actually felt.
Editorial/Fine Art Photography
Think Vogue meets your wedding. Dramatic lighting, artistic compositions, fashion-magazine vibes. These photos are STUNNING but usually require more time and specific locations.
Go for this if: You’re willing to dedicate extra time for portraits, love artistic photos, and want images that double as wall art.
Pro tip: Most photographers blend these styles! Chat with them about what percentage of each you want. Maybe 70% documentary with 30% classic? You do you!
Your Must-Have Shot List (Don’t Skip This Part)
Give your photographer a shot list, but don’t make it 47 pages long. Here’s what actually matters:
The Non-Negotiables
- Getting ready moments (especially shoes, dress details, and rings)
- First look (if you’re doing one)
- Walking down the aisle
- The kiss (duh)
- First dance
- Parent dances
- Cake cutting
- All those reception details you stressed over
Family Photos (Keep It Reasonable)
List out exactly which family combos you need. Like:
- Both families together
- Each side separately
- You with your parents
- You with siblings
Trust me, without a list, you’ll forget to get a photo with your favorite aunt, and she’ll bring it up at every family dinner for the next decade.
The “Instagram-Worthy” Extras
- Ring shots (on the bouquet, creative props)
- Dress hanging up
- Full outfit shots
- Detail shots of table settings, flowers, etc.
- Sunset portraits (if timing works)
- Sparkler exit or grand farewell
Let’s Talk Business: Rights, RAWs, and Delivery Times
Photo Rights (Super Important!)
Most photographers give you full rights to share and print your photos. But ask specifically:
- Can I post these on social media?
- Can I print them anywhere?
- Will they have a watermark?
- Can I use them commercially? (If you’re planning to write a blog about your wedding, for example)
The RAW Files Debate
RAW files are the unedited original photos. Some photographers include them, most don’t. Here’s the thing – you probably don’t need them unless you’re a professional photographer yourself. The edited photos are what you actually want.
But if RAWs matter to you, ask upfront! Some photographers charge extra for them.
Delivery Timeline
Ask your photographer:
- When will I get a sneak peek? (Usually a few days to a week)
- When’s the full gallery ready? (Usually 4-8 weeks)
- How many photos will I receive? (Typically 50-75 per hour of coverage)
- How long do I have to download them?
Pro tip: Back up your photos IMMEDIATELY when you get them. Cloud storage, external hard drive, whatever – just don’t lose them!
Timing is Everything: Your Photo Timeline
The Golden Hour is REAL, People
Golden hour = that magical time right before sunset when the light makes everything look like a Pinterest board. If you want those dreamy, glowing portraits, plan for this!
Here’s a realistic timeline:
Before the Ceremony (2-3 hours before)
- Detail shots: 20 minutes
- Getting ready: 45 minutes
- First look (if doing one): 30 minutes
- Wedding party photos: 30-45 minutes
Ceremony Time
- Your photographer should arrive 30 minutes before to capture guests arriving and pre-ceremony moments
After “I Do” (1-2 hours)
- Family photos: 20-30 minutes MAX (seriously, keep it tight or people get cranky)
- Wedding party photos: 20-30 minutes
- Couple portraits: 30-45 minutes
Reception
- Grand entrance through cake cutting: constant coverage
- After formalities: photographer usually captures candids, dancing, and general party vibes
Golden Hour Part 2 Here’s the secret sauce – sneak away during cocktail hour or reception for 15-20 minutes during golden hour for those magical portraits. Your guests won’t even miss you!
Sample Timeline for an Ideal Photo Day
Let’s say sunset is at 7
PM and your ceremony is at 5
PM:
- 2
PM – Photographer arrives, details & getting ready
- 3
PM – First look (optional)
- 4
PM – Wedding party photos
- 5
PM – Ceremony
- 5
PM – Family photos (be STRICT about time!)
- 6
PM – Cocktail hour (guests mingle)
- 6
PM – GOLDEN HOUR couple portraits
- 7
PM – Return for reception entrance
- 7
PM – Dinner & toasts
- 8
PM – First dance, party time!
Making It Work Within Your Budget
Photography typically eats up 10-15% of your total wedding budget. For a $30,000 wedding, that’s $3,000-$4,500.
Can’t afford your dream photographer? Try these:
- Book for fewer hours (do you really need 10 hours of coverage?)
- Skip the engagement session if offered as an add-on
- Digital-only packages (no albums or prints)
- Weekday or off-season weddings often cost less
- Second-shooters are nice but not essential
Want to see exactly how photography fits into your budget? Check out our free wedding budget calculator. It breaks down where every dollar should go based on your total budget. Super helpful for figuring out what you can actually afford!
Don’t Forget About Videography!
Photos are amazing, but video captures voices, movement, and vows in a way photos can’t. Even a simple ceremony recording can be priceless later.
Videography options:
- Basic package: Ceremony only, minimal editing ($1,000-$2,000)
- Mid-range: Full day coverage with highlight reel ($2,500-$4,500)
- Luxury: Cinematic film with drone footage, multiple shooters ($5,000+)
Can’t afford both photography AND videography? Prioritize photography, but ask a tech-savvy friend to set up a tripod in the back of the ceremony. You’ll at least have something!
Planning Your Photo Timeline
Speaking of timing, creating your entire wedding day timeline is crucial for getting all those shots you want.
Use our free wedding timeline generator to map out your whole day. It’ll help you figure out when to schedule hair and makeup, photos, ceremony, and everything else so nothing gets forgotten. Plus, you can share it with your photographer so they know exactly when to be where!
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Don’t be shy – ask these questions during your consultation:
- Are you available on my date?
- What packages do you offer?
- How many weddings have you shot?
- Can I see a full wedding gallery? (Not just the highlight reel)
- Do you have backup equipment?
- What happens if you’re sick on my wedding day?
- Do you have liability insurance?
- What’s your refund/cancellation policy?
- When is payment due?
- What’s included in the package vs. add-ons?
Final Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
Do:
- Book early (good photographers get snagged 12-18 months out)
- Feed your photographer! Happy, fed photographers = better photos
- Trust their artistic vision while also speaking up about your must-haves
- Create a “do not photograph” list if you have feuding family members
- Designate someone to wrangle people for family photos
Don’t:
- Assume your photographer friend will do it for free (that’s their job!)
- Micromanage every single shot
- Skip the engagement session if included – it’s great practice!
- Forget to eat during portraits (low blood sugar = hangry faces)
- Post photos before your photographer does (let them share first!)
The Bottom Line
Your wedding photos are one of the few things from your wedding day that last forever. The flowers die, the cake gets eaten, and honestly, you probably won’t remember half the details. But those photos? They’re your time machine back to one of the best days of your life.
Invest thoughtfully, communicate clearly with your photographer, and don’t stress so much about getting the “perfect” shot that you forget to actually enjoy the moment.
Now go forth and get yourself some gorgeous photos! And seriously, check out those free planning tools – the budget calculator and timeline generator will save you SO much stress. You’ll thank yourself later!
