10 Things to Know Before Your Wedding Day

There are plenty of things to know before your wedding that nobody mentions until it is too late. We are Gemma and Stu of Wild Revival Photo and Film, and between photographing and filming weddings and having our own, we have seen what makes a day run smoothly and what catches couples off guard.

Here are the ten things we would tell every couple, whether you are getting married in 2027, 2028 or sooner.

1. The day goes faster than you think

Everyone says it, and it is true. A timeline that looks generous on paper shrinks quickly once hair and make-up run over, a car arrives late or someone needs a hug. Build buffer into every stage, especially before the ceremony, and you will feel calm instead of chasing the clock.

We booked our own ceremony for 12:30 so we could make the most of the day. We had the reception venue from 2pm, so a one-hour church service followed by 30 minutes outside the church let us celebrate with the guests who were not invited to the sit-down meal, and gave us a little extra time.

We still ended up late for our cocktail hour. Between a lot of staging and photos, and a neighbour near the church who stopped us to talk about a parking issue, the time disappeared. It is not what you want to deal with on your wedding day, so give yourselves more room than you think you need.

2. Light matters more than you would expect

The time of your ceremony affects how your portraits look. Soft, golden light in the late afternoon and early evening is flattering and easy to work with, while harsh midday sun is much harder. If you are choosing between ceremony times, ask your photographer and videographer what the light will do at your venue on your date.

3. Make time for just the two of you

Between the ceremony, the photos, the drinks and the dinner, many couples barely get a moment together. Set aside time, even if it is only ten or twenty minutes, to slip away as a couple. It gives you a breather, and it often leads to the most natural and relaxed portraits of the day.

4. Eat and drink on the day

It sounds obvious, but it is easy to get to the evening having had a few sips of water and half a slice of toast. Ask a bridesmaid, groomsman or family member to keep you topped up, and schedule a proper meal break. You will have more energy for the dance floor.

5. A big guest list means short conversations

With a large wedding, like our own with around 180 guests, you will not get long with each person. Plan for it by walking the room at the drinks reception or dinner, and let go of the idea that you will have a long catch-up with everyone. A few warm minutes with each table goes a long way.

6. Consider asking guests to put phones away for the ceremony

A phone held up in the aisle can block the view for your photographer and videographer, and for your other guests. Many couples add a short note on the order of service or a sign at the entrance asking guests to be present for the ceremony. They are welcome to take as many photos as they like afterwards.

You can also give phones a fun job beforehand. We asked our Reverend to invite guests to take a selfie and send it to us before the ceremony started. We got some great photos, and it got our guests talking to each other before we had even walked in.

7. Choose your suppliers for the person, not just the portfolio

A beautiful gallery matters, but so does how you feel around the people behind the camera. Your photographer and videographer will be with you from the morning preparations to the last dance, so choose people you would be happy to have in the room. Have a call or meet up before you book, and notice how relaxed you feel.

8. Keep your family group list short, then make one of them fun

Formal group photos can take up a surprising amount of time. Agree a short list of the combinations that matter most, such as both sets of parents or grandparents, and nominate someone who knows everyone to help gather people. You will get through them quickly and be back at the party sooner.

We loved the traditional photos, and so did our parents, but we wish we had also done something more fun. Now, at the weddings we capture, we take the standard group photo first and then get everyone geared up for an all-out cheer, with guests jumping in the air, throwing their hands up and cheering as loudly as they can. Those are the photos couples ask for again and again.

9. A short engagement can work

We got engaged, booked and planned our own wedding within six months, so we know it can be done. If you are working to a tighter timeline, decide what matters most to you, book those suppliers first and let the rest fall into place. If you have longer, our guide on when to book a wedding photographer and videographer explains how early to start.

10. Have a plan for the weather

Whatever the season, have a backup plan, whether that is an indoor space for the ceremony, umbrellas for the photos or a spare outfit. Some of the most memorable images come from weather you did not plan for, and a couple who are relaxed about it make for the best photos and film.

On our wedding day it was warm cloud until we sat down to eat, when the rain arrived. By the time we went out for our couple shoot it was still drizzling, and the bottom of Gemma’s black dress was soaked through. We embraced it, and it became part of the day.

The most important of all the things to know before your wedding

The day is about the two of you, and the little things that go wrong are rarely what people remember. What they remember is how it felt. Choose the people you trust, leave yourselves room to breathe, and enjoy it.

We are taking enquiries for 2027 and 2028, in the UK and across Europe. If you would like us to capture your day on photo and film, get in touch through wildrevival.co.uk and tell us about your plans.