So you’ve just got engaged and everything is rosey. You start thinking about your dream wedding, you start planning it and before you know it you’re swamped in 50 unread emails and trying to answer questions you have no idea the answer of!

Robyn & Paul. The Kennels Club, Goodwood.

This is NOT how wedding planning should be, and it’s definitely not how you want to feel on the actual day. A well planned and prepared wedding equals a relaxed and stress free day, trust us, we’ve seen it!

So here are our top 6 tips on what you can do to ensure a stress free wedding!

Sarah & Nick. The Weald & Downland Living Museum, West Sussex.

Connect your suppliers together.

This may not be obvious straight away, but quite often wedding suppliers will have questions which will involve other suppliers. Instead of you having to do all the back and forth explaining everything to both sides it can be much easier to connect both sides via email. This way we can sort out minor on-the-day admin that you do not need to worry about.

As photographers this is also super helpful as we have regular requests from all suppliers for photos from the day. So already knowing and having a relationship with these suppliers makes the process a lot quicker and easier.

2. Plan everything to the minute...then forget about it.

This is our favourite phrase we like to tell couples during their consultation. But it is important! The more planning you do prior to your big day the better. This can be to the minute (we’re not even joking.) Don’t ever worry about having a wedding spreadsheet that is too detailed with timings, it will only help us and in turn make your day run more smoothly.

But the most important thing is...to forget about your timings on the day. Weddings rarely run exactly on time, all suppliers and photographers especially are used to it. (this is also why we personally don’t charge per hour.) The more organised you are prior to your big day the more likely it is to run on time anyway. But if things do get behind, don’t stress. Stressing on your wedding will never solve any issues and only ruin your day!

3. Give Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Jobs!

You’ve picked them because they are your closest friends and family, they are there to support you on your big day, so give them jobs! They honestly won’t mind once the jobs are spread out amongst everyone. This is also helpful for them to understand the day and know what is happening when. So if we have any questions on the day we’ll always come to a groomsmen or bridesmaid in the know before we ask you.

4. Tell You Photographer Everything!

There is a bit of a theme with this blog post, can you tell? Details, details, details. We can only photograph things we know about or see, so the more we are aware of the more we can be prepared to photograph it. If you’ve organised a surprise car for your fiance, let us know! If you’re parents are divorced and don’t speak to one another, let us know! If you’ve plan to get up and do an impromptu speech, let us know!

Eloise & Jordan. Woburn Sculpture Gallery, Bedfordshire.

5. Don’t stress about the weather.

You can see it in a brides face in the morning, it’s pouring with rain outside and it’s ruining her entire day already! Don’t let this happen. You’ve put so much effort into this day, you cannot control the weather. As long as you have a solid wet weather plan in place this is nothing to worry about. Also as long as you are up for some fun, we can get AMAZING photos in bad weather, you just have to be open to it.

6. Keep parents in the know.

Now, we love parents, but sometimes they like to get very involved in the day. Just explain to them it is your day and this is what you would like to happen. Let them know your plans and especially what photos are being taken. Show them your photographers website, so they can understand their style. It’s been known for MOTB to be looking over our group shot list and complaining that Great Aunt Sally isn’t in the family shot. Or for them to start art directing shots that we SHOULD be taking. At the end of the day you are our clients, you’re the ones that are paying us. Of course we will try to get as many shots as the parents want, but you are our priority. Just keep keen parents informed of what’s going to happen to keep the stress out of your wedding day.

Alice & Dan. Private House, West Sussex.

Hopefully these 6 tips will help keep you on top of your planning and give you the amazing stress-free day you intended to have! If you’re interested to see how we work together as a two-some to reduce our stress on a wedding day then have a look at our blog post here.

Top 6 Tips: How to have a stress free wedding.