7 Tips To Make Your Wedding Look Like A Million Bucks

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Wedding Stand Out | International Wedding Photographer

Weddings have become quite the ordeal in the last 4 years, and I’m sharing my favorite tips for making your wedding look it’s best! I will photograph my 100th wedding this year, and I’ve seen it ALL! I’m a firm believer that marriage is more important than your wedding day, but I also know tricks that will make any wedding look AMAZING! Disclaimer: It may not look exactly like a MILLION bucks. HAHA!

 Choose an organic color palette

Your wedding colors play a huge factor in how your wedding looks! pastel colors are more pleasing to they eye (and camera!), and, in turn, make your wedding look more elegant.

And if you’re thinking to yourself, “But I really love purple!” Take it from a girl who chose purple as her wedding color because that was her favorite color–we’ve been married over four years, and I still haven’t recovered from purple overload! I was SO sick of it after 8 months of planning! Here are a few Pantone options paired with popular “favorite colors.” These would all look AMAZING as wedding colors! Desert Sage would be the perfect complimentary color to any of these. 

Focus on the things that will be photographed most!

Think about the things that are going to be IN your photos:

• Your bouquet
• Bridesmaid dresses
• YOUR dress
• Hair and makeup
• Your groom’s attire
• Bridal details
• Ceremony site

Details, Details, Details

Details are everything! I am a detail-lover, and I think they really tell your story and bring your wedding together for a cohesive look. In fact, I always start my wedding blog posts with detail photos to set the scene. Think about your stationary, your groom’s tie, your jewelry, flowy ribbons for your bouquets, and place settings.

When choosing stationary, less is more. A minimal, classic look will never go out of style, and will make your wedding look so elegant! This stationary suite is made by Simplicity Papers here in San Antonio!

You can also customize ties! Joe (pictured) designed this number for their wedding at Knotty Tie. Full suits also make men look extra sharp.

Flowy ribbons are a trend I want to keep around for forever. Silk ribbons catch every breeze and float through the air so beautifully! You can find silk ribbons on Etsy here! If you’re looking for more color options, this is also a great place to purchase beautiful hand-dyed silk ribbon.

Bridal details give your wedding photos something extra. You don’t necessarily have to make big purchases here, but I would suggest investing in your wedding shoes! Not only do they provide beautiful subjects for your photographer to capture, but your feet will thank you as well! These Badgley Mischka flats are perfect for photos AND tearing up the dance floor. Badgley Mischka also has beautiful wedding heels!

Velvet Ring Boxes are also not a MUST, but they amp up your detail photos! The Mrs Box has AMAZING colors. There are also some great Etsy vendors who make and sell these! Take it from someone who has made velvet ring boxes before–they’re worth every penny! The ivory ring box pictured is from The Family Joolz.

PS: borrow a friend’s perfume for your wedding or wear a sample. Years from now, when you smell that scent again, you’ll be reminded of so many good memories.

Focus on your head table

If you don’t have the budget for extravagant reception flowers and tablescapes, focus on your head table or sweetheart table. This is the table that will be photographed the most, anyway. A beautiful head table can make your entire reception decor look like a million bucks.

location, location, location!

Think about the look you want your wedding to have, and find a venue that matches your vision. When we were searching for our venue we found some interesting places. Some of the venues we looked at were using lawn chairs as ceremony seating! This is something to think about when planning a wedding. Is the venue in a good location? is it right next to a busy highway? Do they have enough pretty chairs for your guests? And look at photos of other ceremonies at the venue. Is the sun going to be in your face? It’s best for the sun to set BEHIND the altar. It will be in your guests’ faces, but it will photograph so beautifully on camera!

Also think about the backdrop you want for your photos. Do you want the Hill Country look with beautiful trees and glowy sunlight? Or do you want the classic urban backdrop with a clean look?

Hire a wedding planner & designer

Unless you are a wedding designer, yourself, it is a wonderful idea to hire a wedding professional who knows what works and what doesn’t. Wedding planners/designers are worth their weight in gold! Give them your budget, and they make magic happen. If you’re an AJWP bride who is reading this, send me an email and I’ll give you a list of my local favorites!

PS: look how gorgeous these details were from my collaboration with Wolf Weddings! 

Hire a detail-loving photographer

It doesn’t matter how much, or little, money you spend on your wedding day if you don’t hire a photographer who knows how to photograph your details in an editorial way. When you are looking for a wedding photographer request to see some of their real wedding galleries. Also, stalk their blog and social media! It will give you an idea of what skills they have. A skilled photographer can make a $10K wedding look like a $60+K wedding!