Your wedding day is filled with so much preparation, from “Should I wear a birdcage veil or cathedral length?” to “How long should cocktail hour be?”  Creating an efficient timeline allowing you to get what you want done, without making your guests wait around too long, is something I am always working on with my couples.  First of all, if you don’t have a wedding coordinator.… GET ONE!  I have a fantastic company I can refer you to — check out Timeless Events LLC,   http://www.milwaukeeeventplanning.com/.  At the very least, invest in a photographer that will invest in YOU.  Your photographer, in collaboration with your event planners, are the ones who make your day run smoothly from beginning to end.             

Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks to get all the photographs you want, all while creating an awesome experience for your guests.  If you want to make your wedding the event of the year, follow these three simple tricks and you will be on your way to having the wedding your guests can’t say enough wonderful things about!

Tip One:  Skip the receiving line:

I know, I know.  What am I THINKING?!  But hear me out.  I know mom and grandma may have their hearts set on this, but think about it from a guest’s perspective.  If you were a guest at a wedding would you want to hug the bridal party you don’t know, or wait in line for 20 minutes to awkwardly shake hands with someone?  Wouldn’t you rather enjoy a cocktail with the bride and groom while they hug you and their loved ones?  Creating a relaxed, low key wedding day all while enjoying your guests can start with eliminating the receiving line!

Tip Two:  Take time to do a first look:

Another faux pas I know!  What am I saying?!  But let me talk to you woman to woman here (sorry guys!).  Wedding days are so packed with emotion and although the traditional route is to see your groom when you come down the aisles. Your wedding day is about the two of you, why spend all day apart? The day is filled with appointments, details and guests.  I believe taking time to enjoy one another and soak in the awesomeness that is your wedding day is SO.IMPORTANT!!  Another Bonus…  You won’t be worried about messy make-up or cell phone crashers as you come down the aisle or tripping on your dress ruining your moment.  You will have had your moment alone and can just enjoy getting married. This also allows you to get many of the photos taken before hand, allowing you both more time at cocktail hour enjoying your family and friends who want to celebrate with you!   

Tip Three: Make sure you have coffee with your photographer

I kid, I kid–but not really.  It is so important that you know your photographer and for us to get to know you! Only then can we have a clear vision of what you want for your day so we can make it happen.  Let us be the boss of the day, while you enjoy it!  Well there you have it!  My theme for your wedding:  An awesome-good time that allows your love to shine through in every image from First-Look to Mingling with your Guests.