WEDDING HELLS
I’m a wedding expert and here’s the 5 things I hate brides doing at ceremonies – picture bans are just the start
And scroll down to see what you should be doing
EVERYONE wants their big day to be picture perfect, regardless of their budget.
And you don't always have to splash the cash on a photographer for your nuptials to be captured beautifully.
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Wedding expert Mel Bunn has shared her top tips to see to it that your day looks great for the grid.
From your first kiss to picture bans, she's got you covered...
DO purchase a tripod
First up, Mel revealed that a tripod can make all the difference to your big day.
Speaking to , she said: “You can get some really affordable ones online and they’re so worth it to avoid that shaky camera effect.
"You can position them in a prime spot during the speeches and choose to cut the footage down before you post anything.
"For any filming, try 4K on your iPhone as it offers a good resolution and it’s easy to add filters or any edits on after.”
DO talk to your professional wedding photographer in detail
Your wedding album will be something you pull out of the cupboard to reminisce about your big day for years to come so it's important to describe to your photographer exactly what you want out of your wedding pics.
Mel, who launched her wedding planner business MB Weddings & Events back in 2022, suggests that brides write a list of the type of photos they want to capture on the day.
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She said: "Be clear and concise about what you want. Communication is key.
"If you also want someone else to get the behind the scenes footage or candid images, don’t let them waste their time with the staged shots as they’re already being taken care of.
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"And try and work out the timeline of the day so everyone is clear of where they’re going to be and when.”
DO hire a wedding content creator
You don't want your wedding day to pass you by in the blink of an eye so why not hire a wedding content creator to make sure you capture every memory of the special day?
And unlike with a professional photographer, you won't have to wait weeks to get your photos back so you can show off your dreamy big day online to friends and family almost immediately.
Wedding whizz Mel said:" Did you know there are now professionals you can hire to capture content on your wedding day for you?
"My business MB Weddings & Events offers couples a professional content creator who works alongside the professional media team to make sure no memory is missed.
"As part of the service, you’ll receive hundreds of photos and videos from your wedding almost immediately, within 24 hours of the event."
Mel added: "Another huge benefit is that guests can go phone-free and be present on the day, while also ensuring everything is captured from a behind-the-scenes point of view.
"This compliments your professional photography and videography as it captures your day from a different angle, meaning you get a variation of content.”
DO pick someone close to you to document the day
If you don't have a professional photographer to document the happy occasion, a close friend or family member could be the perfect stand in.
Mel says that this can add that extra personal touch to your wedding album but recommends asking the right person who won't mind freeing themselves up throughout the day to take some snaps.
She said: "Consider people who are already part of the wedding party and will see this as a task they’re willing to take on.
"It’s also great if someone is familiar with a large portion of the guest list, as they’ll already know people’s relationships and have a good understanding of the dynamics.
"It's important for the person to tell guests to avoid looking directly at the camera unless directed to do so.
"This will ensure natural, authentic content."
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DON’T overstep their boundaries
The wedding expert stresses that if you are going to ask a wedding guest to capture content on the big day, make sure to not overwhelm them and make sure they can still enjoy the day too.
Mel said: ‘If you’re picking a friend or family member to capture content and they’re not being paid, it’s understandable that they’ll want to enjoy the day and have moments to relax and socialise."
She also added that if you want to leave up to a professional to capture those important special moments like the ceremony, first dance or confetti throw then be sure to have a chat with your guest snapper to give them time to enjoy them too.
DON’T be dictated by trends
Mel warns social media savvy couples not to get lured in by trending sounds online as this can age poorly.
She said: “It can be so easy to want to use a trending sound in an attempt to achieve the most amount of likes.
"But this will quickly date.
"I always tell couples if they want to make a viral sound video, make sure they’ve planned for other pieces of content that feel authentic and personal to their love story.
"Those will last a lot longer.”
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DON’T leave your first kiss to the big day
Locking lips with your other half should come to you as naturally as breathing but like with any big occasion, you can overthink yourself into a fluster when it comes to having your first kiss as a married couple.
It can be especially nerve wracking when all eyes and cameras are on you, so the wedding pro suggests practicing your smooch before the big day.
She said: “If you want your first kiss to look Insta-worthy, practice makes perfect.
"Try with your partner in the mirror or even use a tripod for your phone and film videos.
"Get the pose down like it’s choreography because you won’t want to repeat it again and again on the big day.
"You’ll lose that instant magic."
DON’T be too stiff
It's natural to have nerves after months of planning for that special day, but try not to let them get in the way of enjoying yourselves. You only get one big day after all.
Mel said: “If it’s your wedding day, don’t be afraid to showcase your genuine connection.
"The most important thing is to be yourselves and enjoy each other's company. Laugh, giggle, walk together, take moments alone, share jokes, and simply be in the moment with each other."
She added: "Your genuine connection will make your images and content beautiful, reflecting the true essence of who you are as a couple."
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DON’T stop guests from sharing content
Banning your guests from posting pictures and videos from your wedding online straight away can really take the shine away from the day and stop guests feeling like they can share in your celebrations.
"While it's common to impose bans on immediate sharing, keep in mind that guests love to share and tag spontaneously", Mel said.
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"From my professional experience, when bans are in place, guests may forget or lose interest in sharing the next day.
"If you want all the content to watch back the next day then perhaps consider encouraging your guests to share, tag, and take as many photos as they want during the event, especially if you don't want to miss out on any memorable moments captured by your loved ones!”
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