I got the privilege of associate shooting for Erica Lynn Photography during the fall of 2023. It was spectacular getting to photograph Katelyn & Adams day! I am very excited to be sharing some of my favorite images from the day while talking about wedding tips!

First thing you should do after getting engaged it book a planner or coordinator. Might seem controversial as most people would tell you to book the venue then the photographer. But when you book a planner/coordinator first you are getting their insight to the best vendors to work with.

You might still need to be sold on one of those two services planner or coordinator. I thought I didn’t have time to find a good coordinator because I planned my wedding in 2.5 months but it is because I was having my wedding so quickly and it being a do it yourself wedding that I needed a coordinator.

So the rule of thumb goes do you have the time to plan a wedding and do you want to- or do you have the money to outsource and you don’t have the time to dedicate to the details. If you find yourself in camp A- just hire a coordinator. If you are in camp B- hire a full planner.

Here is why a coordinator is the most important vendor and how I deeply regret not hiring one (not having one contributed to my wedding day being a mess). You don’t want to have to worry about anything on the day of your wedding. Let me explain.

You don’t want to worry about who is picking up the flowers or receiving them if they get delivered. You don’t want to have to run to the store to get that last minute thing. You don’t even want to know about that last minute thing. You don’t want to be setting up the center pieces.

If you don’t have a coordinator then you will be managing things all day long. For example things ran late and I needed my photographers to stay an extra hour- I had to be the one to talk about that during the reception with them. I had to let the DJ know when things were shifting.

If you hire a good coordinator they handle all those things for you- you communicate thoroughly with them to go over family dynamics, oh no situations, and plans for communication during the day. You tell them what to do ahead of time so when things are playing out you can be present still.

So if you have read this far and are a future bride remember one thing- do not ask your mom or best friend or random girlie to be your coordinator. If they do not do it professionally then you really can’t know how they will do in the situations and you should want them to enjoy themselves just as much.

Hope this has helped you and you got some good insights. Maybe next wedding I showcase I will talk about another wedding day tip. Take it from someone who had a lot of wedding day regrets. Until next Monday when I write about a family session!