Written by Mitch Ferris - Originally published on The Wed

It’s no secret, weddings are filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments that you will hold onto for years to come. However, with the excitement of everything often comes a lot of stress on the day and in the lead up to it. Too often this can detract from you being able to truly enjoy every second of what is an amazing experience. Let me share with you why prioritising a stress-free environment ensures you’ll easily be able to feel relaxed, more connected to your loved ones, stay present during your wedding, and ensure your true joy is able to shine through in your photos. 

Below I’ve curated my eigh expert tips to prioritise when planning for a calm, intentional experience which will help ensure your wedding day is something you can fully savour with photos that capture not just the event but the authentic emotions within it. 

Curate a Relaxed Morning Environment

The morning is an important opportunity to set the tone of your entire wedding day and it’s key to create a calm, intimate environment during your preparation. Do your best to take steps to avoid a crowd by keeping the morning guest list limited to only those who bring you peace and joy. For me this is my closest family members and best friends but for others it may be just their partner or bridal party. Surrounding yourself with uplifting people will allow you to relax and soak in the anticipation without unnecessary distractions, overwhelm or possible pressure.

To help further, don’t forget to enhance the atmosphere by curating a personalised playlist for those nearest and dearest to enjoy with you while you prepare. Music can calm nerves, set the mood, and help you feel grounded before the day’s events unfold, so choose something that resonates with you and have it ready to help keep you calm for your getting-ready photos.

Build a Relationship of Trust with Your Photographer

You may be surprised to hear that one of the individuals you’ll spend the most time with on your day is the photographer. So it’s no surprise the relationship you have will play a crucial role in how comfortable and relaxed you’ll feel on your wedding day. I would recommend prioritising someone whose style, approach and skills align with your vision, but beyond that, someone who you can foster a personal connection with is just as important. This connection leads to trust which will allow you to relax in front of the camera. A strong rapport means you won’t feel like you're constantly posing but instead living in the moment while your photographer works seamlessly in the background.

If you want authentic, true photos that truly reflect your personal story, this relationship and trust is the only way to achieve this while you focus on enjoying the day, knowing they will capture every moment with care and expertise.

Delegate Responsibilities to Stay Present

Weddings are full of moving parts, and the more responsibilities you can hand off, the more present and relaxed you’ll be. That’s where delegation comes in and is my personal recommendation for success. Hiring a planner or at least an on-the-day coordinator ensures that someone else is managing the details and handling any last-minute hiccups. By outsourcing tasks, you can focus entirely on celebrating, without the distraction of logistics.

Let your photographer and coordinator work together to manage the timeline, resolve any behind-the-scenes challenges, and maintain a smooth flow throughout the day. Also assign someone to manage your phone or capture candid moments so you can unplug from distractions. Delegating these roles to people you trust means you won’t be anxious trying to micromanage, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the day.

Create a Relaxed Timeline

One of the most effective ways to stay calm on your wedding day is by creating a schedule that allows space and time for spontaneity. I suggest working closely with your photographer and planner to design a timeline that accommodates ample time for each activity, while leaving room for unhurried moments in between. Those small windows will be some of your favourite moments and might save any anxiety time restraint will deliver if there were any last minute changes in the plans.

This unhurried pace not only keeps you grounded but will give you the chance to honour the relationships you have with your guests allowing for meaningful interactions rather than rushed encounters. Ultimately a timeline that prioritises relaxation while ensuring that no important moments are missed will leave you with a greater sense of comfort and fulfilment at the end of the day than being pulled in all directions.

Create Moments to Stay Present and Connect

Often in conversations with your friends who have gone through the process already they will remark how quickly the day goes by. With so much happening, it’s easy for this to unfold when you lose sight of the connection between you and your partner amidst the whirlwind. That’s why it’s important to intentionally carve out private moments throughout the day. A first look, for example, offers a quiet, emotional pause before the ceremony begins, a chance to focus solely on one another and take stock before the day’s larger events. 

Similarly, during your portrait session, take a brief walk together, away from the celebration. This can provide a brief pause in the festivities, giving you a chance to reflect on the day and reconnect with your partner. These moments not only keep you present but also result in some of the most genuine, emotion-filled photos of the day.

Embrace Imperfections

I was recently quoted saying “Your wedding day is a celebration of your love, not a performance”. I deeply believe in this sentimentality in context. It’s okay for beautiful moments to be captured, for care a delight to be taken in planning something special. However it’s easy to get caught up in striving for perfection and forget that the most memorable moments often come from the unexpected. I encourage you to embrace the natural flow of the day, knowing that small imperfections are what make your wedding unique.

Refocus on the heartfelt significance of the day rather than on rigid expectations. Your photographer will thank you and enable them to document the beauty in those unscripted moments that feel authentic and timeless.

Pre-Wedding Sessions Build Comfort

It’s not mandatory but if you feel a little camera-shy usually, consider scheduling a pre-wedding session. In my experience this is one of the greatest tools in feeling at home in front of the camera on your wedding day. Not only will this provide you with beautiful engagement photos, but it also serves as an opportunity to build familiarity and comfort with your photographer. By spending time together ahead of the big day, you’ll gain confidence and learn how to feel more natural in front of the camera.

This connection ensures that on your wedding day, you’ll be more at ease, allowing your joy to come to the front rather than any fear. If you are so inclined, it also allows for more intimate moments to unfold freely and without hesitation, resulting in photos that capture your true spirit.

Meaning Behind Every Moment

At its core, your wedding day is about celebrating your love and commitment. Amidst the excitement, take moments to pause and reflect on the deeper meaning of each moment—the promises you’re making, the support of your loved ones, and the journey that brought you here.

By staying mindful of what truly matters, you’ll feel more grounded and present throughout the day. This focus will be reflected in your wedding photos, which will capture not just the beauty of the event but the profound emotions and meaning behind each captured moment.

By following these expert insights, you’ll set the stage for a wedding experience that is not only serene and enjoyable but filled with moments that feel entirely your own. The more relaxed and present you are, the more naturally your photographer will be able to capture the true magic of the day, leaving you with timeless images to cherish for years to come. If you’re ready to turn these ideas into reality, let’s connect and start planning a photography experience that perfectly captures the beauty and authenticity of your special day.