Wedding Photo Guide: How to Look Your Best on Your Big Day

If you are getting married, your wedding day will most likely be the most photographed day of your life. To get you camera-ready, we’ve put together our Wedding Photo Guide with everything you need to know to look natural, relaxed, and radiant in your wedding photos. Read on and learn how to define your style, communicate your preferences, and trust your photographer for optimal results.

Wedding Photo Guide - Defining Your Style

The foundation of looking amazing in your wedding photos begins long before the camera clicks. It starts with defining your personal photography style as a couple. Begin by searching our Photo Gallery, or scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram to find the photos that speak to you. Are they classic and elegant, fashion-forward and editorial, or entirely unposed and documentary? A good photographer will have a distinctive style that may be decidedly one way or another, or a blend of multiple styles. Once you’ve created a folder or account with your favorites, start looking for the photographer whose voice matches yours.

Tip: Do not choose a photographer based on a few photos shown on social media. An epic shot at a breathtaking view, or a high-fashion photo from what could be a styled shoot does not mean a photographer has the experience or skill set to be worth your investment.

With so many styles of wedding photography, choosing the right one along with the right photographer is crucial when it comes to getting the photos you’re envisioning. To make your journey easy, check out our hand-picked directory and discover the world’s best wedding photographers in every style. Each one with at least 3 years of full-time experience, an impressive skill set, and rave reviews. 

Below you’ll see just a few examples of the dozens of distinctive styles we feature:

Classic: Timeless and true to color  

Editorial: Pretty and Pre-Visualized 

Light and Airy:  Ethereal and Slightly Overexposed

Dark and Moody: Lush and Romantic 

Documentary/ Storytelling: Moment driven imagery 

Adventure: Outdoor elopements in epic places 

Paparazzi:  On-camera flash with a feeling of spontaneity

Once you’ve identified your favorite photography style and booked your photographer, coordinate your outfits and accessories to create a harmonious look in your photos.

Wedding Photo Guide: Choosing Colors and Fashions 

Our editors have curated well over a million wedding photos and the ones that really work are a reflection of the couple’s relationship and aesthetics. If you want your wedding photos to be elegant and classic, it wouldn’t make sense to wear bohemian attire. If you want them to be trendy and fun, you’ll need to choose fashions that are modern and interesting.

Prioritize Proper Fit. Clothes that fit correctly are the key to confidence and great photo results. Schedule your final fittings close to the wedding day so your garments hug in all the right places. A well-tailored outfit smooths lines, helps posture, and eliminates the need for awkward tugs and adjustments during the day. We’ve seen more than our share of photos that were less than ideal because of clothes that were too loose or too confining.

Choose Colors that Complement Your Setting. The colors, textures, and overall mood of your venue or landscape should influence your fashion choices. If most of your photos will be taken outside in a lush green landscape, reds, pinks and yellows will pop against the background. While in a desert landscape, rich greens and blues can work beautifully. Think of the main theme or background as a supporting character and let your outfits and florals complement your style.

Wedding Photo Guide: Looking Great Without Posing

Pay Attention to Your Posture:

Good posture might be the most underrated beauty tip in wedding photography. It instantly creates a longer, leaner silhouette and conveys confidence and grace. If you're not used to standing tall, then start practicing many weeks before your wedding so it feels natural when you arrive. You may just find your new approach to the world makes you feel more confident on the daily.

Walk with Pride. Whether you’re strolling down the aisle or across a courtyard for portraits, slow down your steps and move gracefully. Falling down the steps, stepping on your gown, or tripping at the altar is never a good look.

Sit Upright. Reception photos, toasts, and candid dinner shots often catch people sitting in a slump. Avoid slouching by keeping your feet flat on the floor, your back lightly against the chair, and your shoulders rolled back. This helps you look engaged in every frame.

Be Yourself. Your wedding day isn’t the time to reinvent your personality. If you’re a bubbly, high-energy person, let that shine. If you’re more reserved, lean into quiet intimacy. Photographs that reflect your real self will resonate far more than those created from a script.

Embrace the Moment. Take deep breaths, laugh at the unexpected, and stay connected to your partner and guests. Even little imperfections, like a gust of wind or a forgotten boutonnière can lead to spontaneous, unforgettable shots.

Don’t Overthink Your Smile. Focus on happy moments and the look in your partner’s eyes. Authentic smiles that’s infinitely more photogenic than forced grins. 

Wedding Photo Guide - Trusting Your Photographer

Other than choosing the right partner, choosing the right photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your wedding day. You’re not just hiring someone to click a shutter, you’re bringing on a creative partner whose perspective will frame your memories. In addition to hiring the one that will work best for you be sure to:

Communicate Clearly and Openly. Share your timeline, family info and must-have shots, along with any insecurities or concerns well in advance. Meet with your photographer before you hire them to see if they listen well and plan accordingly. Experienced, respected photographers will go the extra mile to be sure you, your family and your guests are all seen in the best possible light, and that all important moments are captured, so you don’t have to manage them on your wedding day.

Let Your Photographer Direct. A great photographer knows how to position you for the best light, angles, and backdrop without making it look forced. They’ll gently prompt you to tilt your head, shift your weight, or walk a few steps into the light, giving you small cues that result in big differences in the final images. They also know when it is time to capture events both big and small, so let go of any worries about them missing a shot and enjoy your celebration.

Let Them Have Your Back. Once you’ve chosen someone you trust, release control and let them shine. When you relax into their expertise, your confidence and ease will show in every photo and they will appreciate the space they get to go beyond the ordinary and be creative.

Put Yourself First

Create a Stress-Free Environment. Surround yourself with supportive people, delegate tasks, and build in downtime on your schedule. When you’re not rushing or worrying, you’re free to enjoy your day, and it will show in your photos.

Embrace the Experience. The best wedding photos come from a combination of preparation and spontaneity. Once you’ve chosen your outfits, your venue, and your photographer carefully; you can sit back and let the magic unfold.

Following these steps will ensure that your photos reveal not just how you looked but also how you felt on one of the most important days of your life. With the right preparation and mindset, you’ll end up with a wedding album filled with breathtaking images. We hope this wedding photo guide will help you make the most of every moment in front of the camera, and that our directory will make it easy to find your photographer.

Our carefully curated directory was created to connect couples who care about their wedding photography with extraordinary, experienced artists. When your wedding means the world to you, this is where you will find your photographer.