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How to plan for lighting on your wedding day in a couple of easy steps. When it comes to your wedding day photos, you need to get a handle on things. From making sure you hire the right photographer to plan out prime times for the photos you want to document your big day. Below are some great ways to plan your wedding photography. To not only look your best when you say “I do.” But how to plan on showing off your entire wedding, in flawless light from start to finish!

Follow the Light

When it comes to natural lighting on your wedding day, you’ll need to understand a few rules. If you’re having an outside ceremony or some of those gorgeous landscape photos. You want to wait until the sun has lowered. A good rule of thumb is to stay away from harsh light mid-day unless your photographer shoots film. As in analog. The analog film handles hard light at noon like a champ. Not like digital at all. If your photographer shoots digital, you need to run from it. As far as those portraits with the sunset glow all around you, you’ll want those to take place one to two hours before sunset. Depending on where you are on the globe, of course. Here in Scandinavia, we’re blessed with long evenings. Golden hour can stretch out to three golden hours, so plenty of time up here. If you’re in the south of Europe, you’ll have about 15-30 minutes. Check with your wedding photographer, he or she will know exactly when is the best time for sunset photos and help you plan for lighting on your wedding day.

You Can Controle The Environment

While some may suggest you be flexible, you actually want to be forgiving and have patience. When it comes to wedding photography, it may take a few times to get that exact shot. The best way to do that is to be in control of your environment.

How to Plan for Lighting on Your Wedding Day, Write a Checklist:

• Does your getting ready room have any big windows that flood the room with bright light? Does it even have windows? Please tell me, yes! Get a large room that is clutter-free on the walls. To ensure moments can be captured in a timeless and elegant style. Make sure your chosen space has plenty of natural light. Is it lit with florescent lights? God forbid! Florescent light is horrible and must be avoided at all costs. Unless you want to look like the Hulk because you love green…

• For the wedding ceremony, there are a couple of vital things to consider. Make sure both of you are in the same type of light, preferably shade or backlit. No one wants squinty eyes on all ceremony photos. Is there natural lighting in the church? Or a big fluorescent light over the altar? Florescent light is something you do not want at all.

• Will it still be sunlight when you go for your wedding photos after the ceremony? Or will it be dark? The answer is, plan the service early enough, so you have at least an hour with good light left to shoot in.

• Will extra lighting be provided by your entertainment company? It is vital to take a look at the ambient light at your reception venue. If there is no good light in the room, you either hire a light technician. Or you decorate with a ton of fairy lights and candlelight.

This can have a significant impact on your wedding photos. It should be discussed at length, as a couple and with your photographer.

Hire the Best 

You’ll want to hire a photographer that genuinely understands light and how to work with it in favor of your special day! Discuss lighting concepts. For example, soft glow, sparklers, smooth, bright, even light for the shots. 

The Ultimate Wedding Photos 

It’s all about the emotion and the connection between you. And between you, the people gathered to celebrate with you. But there are some key images that every couple wants. From getting ready to the first look, the kiss, first dance, and so on. But at the end of the day, it’s the full picture that is important.

Bright Sunny Day Or Overcast

Even if it’s overcast, have no fear! Yes, yes, we talk a lot about golden light and bright light, but no worries. Overcast light is your friend. Everything is soft and gentle and effortless to shoot in, and a cloudy sky works as a giant bouncer. That sky brings you all that sweet, faint light. Making everything and everyone look pretty. In the event of rain, make sure to discuss this before the big day. Make a plan B. If you feel concerned, ask your photographer how you together can plan for concerns like rain. And remember, rain is meant to be good luck, right!? It can look romantic in your photos. If you’re prepared to get a little bit wet. You can plan for lighting on your wedding day but you can’t control the weather.

Getting Ready

When it comes to getting ready, there are a few things you should know. If you want that soft, bright natural light all over you and your girls. Heavy colored walls will throwback an unflattering color cast on your skin. Fluorescent lights will also give a bad green color cast on your skin and hair. 

The Reception 

Reception lighting is something essential to consider. Especially if the reception takes place after the sun has gone down. Lights at the reception can play a significant component in what you and your guests look like. What your first dance will look like and how will your cake will look like in the photos. Some people are okay with DJ lights. However, it can cause some strange color cast on your faces and your cake. You might get colored spots on you on the dance floor. Better ask the DJ for a continuous warm white light for the first dance and for the cake cutting. Later on, you should have fun with those insane DJ lights! That is the best tips on how to plan for lighting on your wedding day.

Hope this helps & happy planning,

Isabelle, xo