9 tips for having the best wedding morning

Let’s kick things off the right way (and get some awesome photos while we’re at it!)

Are you ready for the best 9 tips for having the best wedding morning of your life?
Have you ever woken up, and had just *the best* morning? You stretch and yawn. Make yourself a coffee, listen to some great music. Maybe meet a couple of friends for a drink. And then for the rest of the day, those good vibes just carry you through. Completely, untouchably, effortlessly happy. 

Well that’s how your wedding morning should be. 

Whether you’re with friends or with each other, your morning prep has the potential to be one of the best parts of the day. So let’s do it right. 

so, here’s some of my best tips for having the best wedding morning (and how to get some kick-ass shots while you’re at it).

1. Dress for the occasion

Let me start you off with a little wedding photography insight…

Your wedding gallery will always begin with the prep. And when you open up your wedding album, there will be a whole lotta photos of you *before* you put on your outfit. So choose your morning outfit carefully.

Find yourself some nice PJs, so you look ‘elevated’ even before you’re all dressed up. Choose something comfy. But nothing so revealing you wouldn’t want to be photographed in it. 

And if you really wanna do it right, find something in the same palette as the rest of your wedding styling. Then when you look through your album, the visual theme will be consistent all the way through. 

2. Just gimme the light

I’ve been a wedding photographer for…well, let’s just say I know my shit! But there’s only so much you can do with clever camera-settings and creative angles. So help me out a bit, will ya?! 

You wanna get ready in the lightest room, preferably the one with the most windows. For extra bonus points, plonk yourself next to a window as you’re getting ready. 

Natural light is like crack for wedding photographers. We fucking LOVE it. You can get more creative with it, the edit is cleaner, the colours more consistent. 

Just trust me on this: find that natural light and your photos will thank you. 

3. Keep things tidy! 

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the authenticity of the moment. But there’s nothing romantic or nostalgia-worthy about an empty Red Bull can. 

You don’t have to go full-OCD with it. Just chuck stuff in the bath, or in a cupboard out of the way. If you’ve got your wedding crew with you, you can even put someone on clutter duty so you don’t have to worry about it yourself. 

A clean, uncluttered room makes for clean, uncluttered photos. And honestly, you would not believe what a difference it makes. 

4. “Where words fail, music speaks”

Music is a mood bringer. 

Put on some Ben Howard, you got yourself a nice chilled start to the day. Whack on Cotton Eye Joe, and we’re getting ready for a hoedown! You see what I mean? 

Envision how you want your day to begin. Picture the vibe, the energy, the build-up, what you’ll be drinking, what kinda mood you wanna be in. And then create the perfect wedding morning playlist to go with it

It’s surprising how many people overlook this crucial element of their wedding morning vibe. Music is insanely powerful. Use it.

5. The devil’s in the details

You’ve put so much thought and care into your wedding details. Your shoes, your jewellery, your perfume, your florals. Your stationary, your place settings, everything. 

All these things will (WILL!) get lost over time. So let’s get them captured and immortalised before the day takes its toll. 

Put all your accessories and shoes together in a box, so they’re ready for when your photographer gets there. 

It just saves you scrambling around looking for things in a panic. And it minimises the likelihood of something getting missed out. 

6. Get ready together

Ahh man, getting ready together is the one! For elopements especially, this has got to be the best way to start your wedding day. 

Just imagine waking up next to each other on the morning of your wedding. You pad into the kitchen, and make yourselves a coffee. Put some music on, and climb back into bed. You have a little snuggle, a little cuddle. 

And then you get up, and get ready together. You listen to music, have a few drinks. Maybe help each other with dresses, or ties. There’s none of this archaic “bad luck” nonsense. And none of the nerves that go with it.

We’ll have time to do some portraits of you guys together before the day kicks off. 

And when you look through your wedding album, that’s how it begins. A slow morning at home, doing life with your person. 

7. Choose your crew with care.

“WHY AREN’T YOU NERVOUS?!” 

Nah, we don’t need that negative shit around here. 

Positivity is contagious; negativity and anxiety are too. And if there’s one stressed-out, miserable person, they’re gonna bring the rest of us down with ‘em! It’s a delicate balance. So when you’re choosing your wedding party, make sure each of them passes the vibe check. 

If you want someone to be involved, you can always ask them to do a reading, or be an usher. But if you know they’ll bring the morning mood down, don’t invite them to be a part of your inner circle.

And if that ship of negativity has already sailed? 

Just have a word with them about it. Be honest with them, and tell them to keep their shit together. If you’re not willing/able to have that conversation yourself, ask one of your good mates to be on ‘Negative Nancy’ watch. 

8. Book an early taxi

This one comes from a whole heap of city wedding experience! 

There’s nothing like trying to get an Uber on a busy Saturday in the city. Make sure you book your taxi early- I’d say around 20-30 minutes earlier than you think. 

And if you get to the venue early? Just duck into a pub for a swift half, and have a chill before the ceremony. Much better than sweating from the stress, and yelling at traffic lights to “go fuck themselves”.

Oh, and speaking of taxis, please give them your FULL address! Sounds stupid, I know. But we’ve had taxis go to the same street name on the other side of London before. It’s pretty funny on a night out, it’s an absolute nightmare on a wedding day. Cover your bases, and make sure you give them that postcode. 

9. Get creative with the timeline

This is a public service announcement: You don’t have to do things in a certain order. 

For city weddings especially, you’re not blessed with tons of time after your ceremony. City Halls tend to move you on within about 10 minutes. And you end up racing through all your group shots and couple portraits. 

Besides, it’s difficult to enjoy getting all loved-up and romantic when there’s a bus of 50 people waiting.

So why not turn up a bit early, and do them all beforehand?

Your couple portraits especially are a great way to calm the nerves before the ceremony. You go for a wander, have a chat, get a little romantic. Kinda like an extended First Look before the day kicks off. 

10. Bonus tip! 

The most important thing to remember is that it’s your day. You don’t have to follow a strict set of rules, or do anything the same way as anyone else. 

Just relax, have fun, enjoy yourselves. And more than anything, plan a wedding morning that’ll make you happiest. Do that, and awesome photos are sure to follow. 

If you’re planning an alternative wedding and you’re after some more tips for having the best wedding morning check this shit out! 

How did you like these 9 tips for having the best wedding morning???
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer and you know I’m your guy, get in touch today and let’s chat.