Listen, as a Maryland wedding photographer, I share a lot of really good wedding photography tips. On my blog (which you’re currently reading, say “Hi, Blog!”), I write about everything from how to feel confident in your wedding photos to the 10 questions you must ask your wedding photographer before you book them. 

However, the tips in this blog post might just be the most important ones I ever share. Because this blog is about the ONE thing on your wedding day that matters most: your wedding ceremony. 

Because yes, your wedding reception is a ton of fun and yes, remembering the choreography for your first dance is stressful. But the point of a wedding isn’t just to have a great party (though that’s definitely a plus). 

The point of having a wedding is to get MARRIED.

If – God forbid – everything else falls apart on your wedding day, but you and your love get married, congratulations! You have had a successful wedding. At the end of the day, nothing else matters. It’s you, your partner, and a ceremony celebrating your commitment to each other. That’s it.

Got it? 

Okay, good. Now that we’re on the same page, let’s get into a few tips that can help this incredibly important ceremony go smoothly – and help your wedding photographer capture the memories for you!

7 Important Things To Remember For Your Wedding Ceremony 

1. Walk Down the Aisle SLOWLY

This is the first tip I tell every single one of my clients. You’ve gotta walk slower than you think. 

I get it – it’s your wedding! You’re half-nervous, half-excited, and you drank way too much coffee on an empty stomach. You’re going to feel like you’re walking in slow motion. And yet I will be telling you to slow down even more. 

This goes for everyone who is walking down the aisle – the wedding party, family members, attendants, heck, even a pony if you’re into that! Everyone needs to walk slowly, confidently, and with a smile!

2. Hold Your Bouquet Low 

This one goes for anyone holding a bouquet as they walk down the aisle. Hold your bouquet around your belly button, this way it doesn’t block your face! (I always tell people “pubes, not boobs,” so they remember to hold the boquet low! And so you get a last-minute laugh before walking down the aisle). 

3. Keep Your Eyes Forward 

I know how scary walking down the aisle can feel. All eyes are on you for however long it takes you to walk to the altar. It will feel easier to look at the ground to try and avoid all those eyes. But then, in your wedding photos, no one will be able to see your face! 

Instead of looking down, find a place in front of you to focus on. This can be your partner’s face or a decoration on the wall behind the altar. Whatever gets you to keep your head up as you walk down the aisle!   

4. Remove Hairbands & Smart Watches from Your Wrist

Please, for the love of all things holy, take that goddamn hair tie off of your wrist. This is your wedding. Not gym class. Chances are, you’ll have professional hair and makeup done anyway.

And yet, I have seen so many wedding photos where someone forgot to take the hair tie off their wrist. (Can you tell this is a personal pet peeve of mine? Or perhaps “pet peeve” is too light. I think intense rage trigger is a better term.)

The same goes for Smart Watches. Your Apple Watch may be cool as fuck, but it’s only going to be cool for the next 10 years or so. Your wedding photos should be cool for forever. If you want your wedding photos to be timeless, choose a classic analog watch. 

5. Remove Everything From Your Pockets

Have a designated place for all of your belongings – keys, phone, wallet, lipstick, etc. I don’t care where you put it as long as it is not in your pockets! 

As a Maryland wedding photographer, I see a ton of photos where the groom or father of the bride forgot to take things out of their pockets, leaving clunky outlines in all of the photos. 

This is an easy fix! Put one party member in charge of keeping track of your stuff. Plus, this helps you stay present and engaged in the moment! 

6. Practice Holding Your First Kiss 

I know this sounds silly, but it is one of the BEST things you can do to prepare for your wedding ceremony. This is your first kiss as a married couple – the entire ceremony has led up to this moment. Everyone is going to clap and cheer, and your wedding photographer is going to be right there to capture the significance of this kiss! 

I recommend holding your first kiss for three to five seconds. This is enough time for everyone to bask in your love and for your photographer to get the perfect first-kiss shot – but it’s not long enough to feel weird. 

I also recommend talking to your partner about your first kiss. What do you want it to look like? Do you want to be dipped? Do you want to include something funny? Just be sure you and your partner are on the same page about your kiss! 

(Pssst! Is PDA not really your thing? You’re not alone! I’ve seen so many couples opt for kisses on the cheek, or even a fun secret handshake in place of a kiss. There is no rule that says you need to kiss your partner in front of your whole family.) 

7. Remind Your Officiant that They Will Be In Your Photos 

Whether you are being married by a religious figure, family friend, or someone ordained you met on the internet – this person will be in your photos. 

Some people ask their officiant to step out of the aisle before the first kiss. If your ceremony venue has enough space for this, go for it! But if not, it’s always a good idea to remind your officiant that they will be in your photos so they remember to smile during important moments. 

I also recommend getting to know your officiant before the wedding. It just makes the entire day feel more comfortable. Plus, when you look back at your wedding photos, it won’t feel like you’re standing next to a stranger in them. 

Book Your Maryland Wedding Photographer 

Okay, so maybe the title of this blog lied. There is no foolproof way to make sure your ceremony goes perfectly. But I’ll remind you of what we established at the beginning: as long as you get married, your wedding is perfect.

Every wedding day has its bumpy moments. That’s okay! Because in a year or so, when you look back at your wedding photos, you won’t even remember those bumps. Instead, you’ll remember the joy and the laughter. You’ll look back and say “Damn, we look good!” and “Wow! Look how happy we were!” and “Holy shit I can’t believe Aunt Gertrude wore that.” 

Take it from a Maryland wedding photographer – what matters most is getting your asses married. Then, you get to party with the people you love. Be present and let your photographer take care of preserving those memories. 
Ready to book your wedding photographer? I’m booking 2025 weddings! From Annapolis Maryland to anywhere in the world, I would love to preserve some memories for you. Click here to inquire!