If I could give you only one piece of advice heading into your wedding, it would be…

Trust your vendors, be present, and don’t sweat the small stuff

Releasing control, breathing in calmly, trusting your vendor team, and deciding to be present during your wedding are the keys to genuinely experiencing your wedding and receiving a gallery you’ll cherish.

Real Moments > Perfection

The best way to get natural-looking photos is to not obsess over the perfect placement of your dress, veil, or hair. The more your mom or bridesmaids jump in to “fix” something, the more awkward you will feel - making it harder for me to capture you and your partner during natural moments. It’s ok if you’re caught in the moment and your hair falls in your face or if your train isn’t perfectly laid out. If you want real moments, the best thing you can do is to let things flow.

How to be present on your wedding day

Make sure someone you trust is in charge
You don’t have to have a maid of honor or best man, but it’s worth having a wing person who has your back, whether or not he or she is standing at the altar with you. This person is the designated point for phone calls and questions and makes sure everything is lined up so you can focus on the more meaningful moments that are happening around you.
Keep your cool & let go
There will definitely be moments on your wedding day when things go differently than you planned. Before the big day comes and goes, commit to the idea that you aren’t going to obsess over changes to the schedule. Letting go of particular visions will make the day that much better and will allow you to stay in the moment rather than become fixated on what went wrong.
Look up!
Remind yourself to pause and look around. Take a peek at everyone seated at your ceremony when you're at the altar, dance with your wedding guests, or just pause and look around the room. This is how mental images are made.
Give gratitude
When you are in a state of gratitude, you reflect on what is bringing you joy. Let the joy direct you toward what truly matters. Think about how lucky you are to celebrate your love with all the people who have supported you along your journey.
Focus on the senses
Focus on exactly what you’re seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. This will help you stay in the moment and absorb each part of your wedding day.
Make sure you eat and drink water
Load up on the good stuff—nuts, fruit, veggies. Make sure you put food and water into your body at regular intervals, especially if you’re getting married in the summer. If you’re focused on how hungry you are or feel sick due to dehydration, you won’t be able to focus on what’s happening around you.