As New York wedding photographers, our couples often ask if we have any last minute advice for them before the big day. We’ve put together these last minute wedding tips to help couples rest easy before they tie the knot. There’s a lot to remember about your wedding, but if you can keep these in mind, it’ll help your day run as smoothly as possible.

Remember the Marriage License

This is a super important tip: don’t forget the marriage license! On the morning of the wedding, be sure that someone has the license for your officiant. You won’t want to forget the actual legal document that is making your marriage official!

Be Sure to Have Final Payments Ready

If you have any outstanding payments to your vendors, be sure to have these ready. Some couples have vendors that do this digitally, so you may not have to worry. But you may want to have cash tips ready for vendors if that’s something you plan on doing as well. Entrust a close friend or family member to hand out payments as needed.

Understand Who Has the Wedding Rings

Whether you’re entrusting a wedding party member or family member, just understand who has the wedding rings. On the day of the wedding, people should know where the wedding rings are at all times. Double check that a member of your bridal party, like a best man or maid of honor, knows exactly where the rings are when you need them.

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Set Aside Your Details for Your Photographer

You won’t have to make them into a pretty setup (unless you want to!), but setting aside your details helps the morning of the wedding run smoothly. Understand ahead of time where your accessories are, invitations, shoes, and any other sentimental items. Keep these all in one place so nothing gets lost in the hustle and bustle of your suite.

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Tips for Holding a Bouquet on Your Wedding Day

A great last minute wedding tip: hold the bouquet at your bellybutton height. You won’t want to be hiding behind it all day! The tendency is to raise it throughout the day, but that covers your beautiful outfit. Holding it lower also shows you’re more comfortable and not nervous about your day. It’s all about body language!

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Thoughts on Wearing a Veil to Your Wedding

Unless you want it in all portraits, consider only putting it on prior to the ceremony. On windy days, veils can go flying during first looks/portraits and be more of a hassle than a joy for you. That being said, they look AWESOME, so there’s no harm in wearing it if you want to wear it!

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Ideas on Doing a First Look

You don’t have to tap their shoulder. Give them a hug, squeeze their butt, whisper in their ear – whatever feels right for you and your relationship! We’ve got a whole blog post on creative first look ideas, so take a peek at some options there.

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What to Do if You Cry at Your Wedding

During the ceremony, if either partner has a pocket square, use this to dry your eyes. Alternatively, you can tuck some tissues into your outfit in a sneaky way to use. This always looks better than drying your eyes with your fingers. Plus, it looks like a super sweet moment when your partner helps to dry some tears.

When You’re Walking Up the Aisle, Do This

Take it SLOOOW. People have a tendency to walk fast because of nerves, but make sure you take your time and enjoy the view – you’ll only get to do this once! It also helps your New York wedding photographers get a shot of you coming up the aisle. This is a great way to connect with loved ones, through eye contact up the aisle. 

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Tips for Perfect First Kiss Photos on Your Big Day

Take it SLOOOW. You wouldn’t believe how quickly this goes by. You also wouldn’t believe how many people jump out of their seats to try and get a photo for themselves. It’s safest to go for an extra-long kiss so you get a nice photo and savor the moment. This also gives your officiant a chance to step out of the way so they’re not in the background of the shot.

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Last Minute Wedding Tips for What to Do When Walking Down the Aisle Together

Take a moment, stop halfway down, and go for another kiss or hug. This moment surrounds you with the people you love, making for one more extra-awesome photo. Having your loved ones cheering you on in the photo can be so meaningful in addition to the true first kiss shot at the altar.

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How to Cut a Cake Together

When you’re cutting the cake, it’s super easy. Whether you’re making a big announcement or having a silent cake cutting, this is a fun moment for any couple. The first thing you’ll need is to hold the cake knife together. Then you’re going to cut a small sliver from the cake together. You can put this sliver onto a plate and feed each other using a fork or your fingers. After that, you can go for a kiss so your New York wedding photographers can capture the moment!

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Keep Yourself Hydrated All Day

Champagne is fun, but you’re going to want to have it go hand-in-hand with some glasses of water. Staying hydrated, especially for summer weddings, is a major part of feeling good all day long. You’ll want to keep water with you at all times, and have a family member or friend carry a bottle for you for ease. Water should always be at the top of your wedding checklist.

Consider Backup Shoes for the Dance Floor

If you’re wearing high heels, or even just fancy dress shoes as your wedding shoes, consider some backup shoes for the dance floor. Some couples go with sneakers while others choose to wear flip flops. Whatever the case may be, bring along something cozier so your feet aren’t aching all night long. Nothing should stop you from getting your dance moves on.

Take a Photo of Where the Bustle Pins Are

Most wedding dresses come with safety pins to show you where the bustle loops are. Take a photo on a phone before removing these pins. That will make it so much easier when you’re trying to get the dress bustled after the ceremony is over. You’ll want to get bustled so you can break it down on the dance floor, after all.

It’s Going to Be an Amazing Day

And for our final last minute wedding tip: you’re going to do great. We can’t stress enough how quickly this all goes by, so take a minute and just breathe. That’s why we love capturing weddings – it’s about the big things and the little things. There’s so much going on that you won’t even remember. It’s important to have an awesome NYC photo and video team by your side to ensure not a moment is missed.