Your wedding photos should feel like you—relaxed, radiant, and totally present in the magic of the moment. As someone who’s been behind the lens for dozens of love stories, I’ve noticed a few simple shifts that make a big difference in how your day looks and feels in photos.

Whether you’re planning an intimate backyard ceremony or a full-day celebration, here are five of my top tips to help you look amazing and feel like your most grounded self in your wedding gallery.

1. Chase the Good Light—But Don’t Stress About It

Golden hour gets a lot of hype, and for good reason: that soft, dreamy glow just before sunset? Pure magic. But the truth is, gorgeous photos can happen in any kind of light. What matters most is knowing how to use the light.

If you’re dreaming of those golden portraits, we can carve out 15–20 minutes after dinner to sneak away together. But I’ll also be watching the light all day—adjusting locations, angles, and timing to make sure you're always seen in the most flattering way.

Pro Tip: When picking your ceremony time, consider how the light will fall in that space at that hour. Harsh midday sun? Let’s find a shady grove or face you away from the glare. Cloudy skies? Even better—clouds are nature’s softbox!

2. Simplify the Schedule—Build in Breathing Room

Rushing is the fastest way to lose your sparkle. When the day feels calm and spacious, you show up on camera as your most natural self. So my biggest tip? Pad your timeline. Then pad it again.

Even 10 extra minutes to just be—to cry with your mom, laugh with your bridal party, or sneak a snack—can shift the energy of your whole day (and your photos will reflect that).

What helps: Build in buffer time between getting ready and the ceremony. Let’s plan portraits during moments of calm, not chaos.

3. Get Ready in a Room with Windows

Natural light + neutral walls = your best friend during prep. A room filled with daylight not only flatters your skin but also sets the tone for relaxed, editorial getting-ready photos.

If your space is a bit dim or cluttered, no worries—I’ll help gently guide you to the best corner or angle. We might even step outside barefoot if that’s your vibe.

Bonus points: Keep one area of the room clean-ish (I call it the “photo zone”) so we don’t have to shoot around suitcases and Starbucks cups.

4. Trust Your Photographer—and Your Gut

You hired a photographer whose work made you feel something—so trust them. Let go of the mental checklist and allow yourself to sink into the moment.

Your job is to be present. My job is to document it honestly, beautifully, and with an eye for all the tiny in-between moments you won’t even realize are happening.

If something doesn’t feel like you—a pose, a location, a shot list—say so. Your gut is the best stylist you’ve got.

5. Love the Experience, Not Just the Photos

The best wedding galleries come from couples who gave themselves permission to feel it all. The nerves. The joy. The weird little hiccups. These photos will live with you for decades. Let them reflect the truth of the day, not just a highlight reel.

At the end of the day, you won’t remember the timeline. You’ll remember how your partner looked at you when no one else was watching. That’s the stuff we’ll bottle up together.

Want More Tips or a Custom Timeline?
I offer timeline consultations and pre-wedding photo planning to every couple I work with. If you’re still figuring out your flow, I’ve got you.

Reach out here or shoot me a message on Instagram @sunbirdphotos and let’s talk about how to make your wedding day photography feel effortless.