As a Baltimore wedding photographer with more than a decade of experience, I can tell you this—wedding days go by fast. You spend months (sometimes years!) planning every little detail, and then the day itself can feel like a blur. That’s why I’m passionate not only about preserving your memories in timeless photographs, but also about helping you experience them fully in the moment.
Here are 11 of my favorite tips to ensure your wedding day is everything you dreamed of—and that you truly get to savor it as it’s happening.
1. Be Comfortable
One of the best feelings on a wedding day is slipping into your gown and instantly knowing: this is me. The right dress doesn’t just look stunning in photos—it moves with you, hugs you in the right places, and makes you feel like the most confident version of yourself. The same goes for your shoes. Yes, they should be beautiful, but they should also make you feel powerful, graceful, and ready to dance the night away.
When you feel good in what you’re wearing, you’ll carry yourself differently. You’ll stand taller, smile more easily, and relax into the joy of the day. If your shoes pinch or your dress feels stiff, it’s hard to be fully present. But when you’re comfortable, you’ll forget about the details and be free to focus on the hand you’re holding, the people surrounding you, and the once-in-a-lifetime memories you’re making.
Quick Tips:
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Break in your shoes at home; pack blister patches + moleskin.
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Bring a backup pair: low block heels or flats for portraits + reception.
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Think about your venue: cobblestone streets in Fells Point? Go for block heels. Waterfront pier at the Inner Harbor? Consider wedges or flats.
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Use no-show socks/heel guards + fashion tape for straps/necklines.
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Steam your dress the morning of; pack a handheld steamer for touch-ups.
2. Stop and Smell the Roses (Literally!)
There’s a magic that happens when you pause on your wedding day. In the middle of all the excitement—the music, the laughter, the whirlwind of hugs—you stop, breathe, and take it all in. These are the moments that make your memories last. The smell of your bouquet. The sound of your best friend’s laugh. The way your partner’s hand feels in yours. These sensory details are what will bring you back to your wedding day years from now.
Giving yourself permission to pause isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about imprinting your memories in real time.
Quick Tips:
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Build “presence pauses” into your timeline (2–5 minutes each).
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Ask your officiant to invite you to look around during the ceremony.
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Schedule a 10-minute sunset sneak-away with your photographer.
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Keep your bouquet nearby so you can enjoy its scent throughout the evening.
3. Trust Your Vendors
When you wake up on your wedding morning, you deserve to step into the day with peace of mind. You’ve spent months carefully choosing each vendor, and now it’s time to release control and trust them to do what they do best. Your planner will keep the timeline flowing, your florist will make the flowers breathtaking, and your photographer (me!) will capture the laughter, tears, and in-between moments you might not even notice.
When you fully trust your team, you don’t have to worry about details—you get to live the moments.
Quick Tips:
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Send one “wedding day cheat sheet” to all vendors: contacts, addresses, parking, hard stops.
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Give your photographer a short, meaningful must-have photo list.
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Designate a “family wrangler” for portraits.
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Prep gratuities in labeled envelopes ahead of time.
4. Get Sleep + Eat Well
It’s tempting to stay up late celebrating with friends the night before, or to skip breakfast so your gown fits just right. But here’s the truth: your energy is everything. When you’re rested and nourished, you’ll feel vibrant, focused, and able to fully enjoy your wedding day. The best photos always come when you feel your best.
Think of food and sleep as fuel for joy—you’ll laugh harder, dance longer, and remember more when your body is cared for.
Quick Tips:
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Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep; set a “phones down” time the night before.
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Order protein-forward breakfast + light lunch to your getting-ready space.
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Stock reusable water bottles + electrolyte packets.
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Limit caffeine/alcohol until after the ceremony.
5. Put Away Your Phone
Your wedding day is one of the few days where the world can wait. You don’t need to check texts, scroll Instagram, or worry about notifications. Instead, free yourself from the distraction and let others document the day for you. When you unplug, you open yourself up to be fully present in the experience—something no phone screen can give you.
Quick Tips:
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Hand your phone to your Maid of Honor or best man.
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Give vendors their number as the day-of contact instead of yours.
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Turn on Do Not Disturb with auto-reply.
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Share a photo album link post-wedding instead of sending updates all day.
6. Start Early
The best wedding days flow with ease. Nothing adds stress quite like feeling rushed or behind schedule. Starting early (and padding your timeline with buffer time) creates space for you to relax, sip champagne, laugh with your wedding party, and soak in the day. You’ll feel lighter and more joyful when you’re never in a hurry.
Quick Tips:
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Add 10–15 minutes of cushion to every transition.
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Finish hair/makeup 30–45 minutes before getting dressed.
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If skipping a first look, extend cocktail hour or streamline family portraits.
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Share a minute-by-minute timeline with your wedding party.
7. Pack an Emergency Kit
No matter how perfectly you plan, little hiccups happen. Lipstick smudges, buttons pop, or humidity takes its toll. The key is being prepared—an emergency kit is your quiet safety net, giving you the peace of mind that nothing will stop your day from feeling beautiful and seamless. I also wrote a full blog post about creating a wedding day emergency kit and you can read it here.
Quick Tips:
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Pack: fashion tape, safety pins, sewing kit, crochet hook, stain remover, blotting papers, powder, lipstick, deodorant, mints, Advil, allergy meds, tampons, bobby pins, hairspray, wipes, clear nail polish, super glue, heel protectors, straw for sipping.
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Give the kit to your planner or a trusted attendant like your maid of honor or person of honor.
8. Learn the Bustle Before the Reception
There’s nothing glamorous about struggling with your gown while your guests wait. Knowing how your bustle works ahead of time saves stress and keeps the mood joyful. When your dress is secure, you’ll feel free to twirl, dance, and celebrate without a care.
Quick Tips:
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Record a video at your final fitting of how to bustle.
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Share it with your “bustle captain” or wedding planner. But dont worry, chances are I can bustle your dress myself if they are not around at that moment. I seen just about every style of bustle.
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Pack extra buttons, ribbon, and pins.
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Schedule 5 minutes pre-reception for bustling – Yes! Lets but this in the actual timeline before you enter cocktail hour or just before the end of cocktail hour.
9. Have a Rain Plan
Rain is never what couples hope for, but it can create some of the most romantic and unforgettable wedding photos. The key is preparation. With the right mindset (and a few clear umbrellas), a rainy wedding becomes less of a problem and more of a memory-maker.
Quick Tips:
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Buy 6–10 clear umbrellas (return if unused).
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Bring cute rain boots and a towel for your gown hem.
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Pack anti-frizz serum and extra pins.
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Work with your Baltimore wedding photographer to map rain-friendly portrait locations like Peabody Library arcades, hotel lobbies, or Fells Point alcoves.
10. Let It Go
Here’s the truth: something small will go “wrong.” A boutonnière will go missing. A candle won’t stay lit. But none of it matters compared to the moment you say “I do.” When you release the little things, you create space to enjoy what truly matters—your love, your people, and the joy filling the room.
Quick Tips:
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Assign one person to filter problems away from you.
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Practice a reset breath: in 4, hold 4, out 6—repeat twice.
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Remind yourself: “We’re getting married—that’s the win.”
11. Savor the Moment
At the end of the day, this is what it’s all about. Your wedding will go by faster than you can imagine. That’s why it’s so important to slow down, notice the little things, and create intentional moments that stick in your memory forever. Hug tighter. Laugh louder. Dance like no one is watching. This is your once-in-a-lifetime day—live it fully.
Quick Tips:
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Add: private vow read, post-ceremony pause, golden-hour portraits, private last dance.
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Ask your photographer to capture candid family reactions.
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End the night with a voice memo to each other about your favorite moments.
Bonus: Baltimore-Specific Photo Considerations
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Cobblestone + heels: bring heel protectors or opt for block heels in Fells Point.
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Waterfront wind: plan hair that can handle a breeze along the Inner Harbor.
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Traffic + events: check Orioles, Ravens, homecoming schedules and political events for travel impacts.
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Iconic backdrops: coordinate permits/indoor options (libraries, museums, monuments, parks etc.) in advance.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding day will be one of the most meaningful days of your life, and it deserves to be remembered—not just through your photographs, but in your heart and soul.
As a Baltimore wedding photographer, my goal is to not only capture those timeless, heirloom images but also to support you in experiencing the day fully, with joy and presence. If you’re planning your wedding and want a photographer who values both artistry and your experience, I’d love to connect with you.
👉🏻 Contact me here to learn more about Baltimore wedding photography.
