Wedding day checklist
Ten Must-Have Items for Any Wedding Day
The bits and pieces that save the day, from a photographer who has seen every last-minute panic there is.
After more than a decade of weddings, I’ve seen buttons pop, heels sink into lawns and rain arrive out of nowhere. Pack these and you’ll be ready for almost anything.
The ten
- An emergency kit. Safety pins, a sewing kit, plasters, painkillers, tissues, hairspray and a phone charger.
- White umbrellas. If it rains, clear or white umbrellas look lovely in photos. Black ones turn everything dark.
- Comfy shoes. For the evening, and for walking across grass to portrait spots.
- A timeline, printed. Give one to your best man, chief bridesmaid and venue coordinator.
- A list of group photos. With names, so the person rounding everyone up knows who’s who.
- Nice hangers. A wooden hanger makes the dress look much better in getting-ready photos.
- Your details in one box. Rings, invitation, perfume, cufflinks and any heirlooms, ready for me to photograph.
- Snacks and water. Long mornings and empty stomachs are a bad mix.
- Cash and cards for tips and taxis. Someone always needs it.
- Someone else to hold it all. Hand the bag to a trusted friend so you don’t have to think about it.
Tidy the getting-ready room and open the curtains. Natural light and a clear background make a huge difference to morning photos.
Written by Ross Wilson, a Wakefield wedding photographer offering affordable wedding photography across Yorkshire.
Questions
Good to know
What should be in a wedding day emergency kit?
Safety pins, a sewing kit, plasters, painkillers, tissues, hairspray, deodorant, a phone charger and some snacks.
What colour umbrella is best for wedding photos?
White or clear. They let light through and look much better in pictures than black ones.
Check your date
Got your kit sorted? Now let’s make sure your photographer is too.
Every enquiry gets a personal reply from me. No pressure, no hard sell.