Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming with all the opinions, traditions, and expectations that come your way. But this day is about you—and it should reflect your authentic selves. In this wedding planning guide, we, Janina and Jawad documentary wedding photographers from Reportage Studios, share practical, down-to-earth advice to help you stay true to your vision while making the wedding planning process a breeze.
From choosing a venue that feels like an extension of who you are, to building in breathing room in your timeline, and selecting vendors you truly connect with, we’ve got you covered. We also dive into fun ways to entertain your guests, tips for comfortable yet stylish clothing, and even how to create the perfect confetti moment.
Above all, we encourage you to focus on what matters most: celebrating your love in a way that feels real, relaxed, and true to who you are as a couple. After all, it’s your day—let’s make it unforgettable.
Your Wedding, Your Way
Planning a wedding can feel like a rollercoaster. It’s exciting but can also be overwhelming, especially when everyone seems to have an opinion on what you should do. But we’re here to remind you: this day is about you and your partner, not anyone else. It’s so important to stay grounded and true to yourselves—to keep things real, authentic, and relaxed. So, let’s dive in with some tips that’ll help you plan your dream wedding day in a way that feels 100% you.
Set Clear Priorities
One of the best ways to start planning is by defining what’s most important to you. What are the elements that will make the day feel truly special? Is it the venue, the food, the entertainment, or maybe it’s just about having everyone you love in one place?
Make a list of your top three priorities and focus your energy and budget there. When everything starts to feel overwhelming, return to this list to help ground yourself. Priorities will help keep you from getting lost in the endless sea of options and opinions. Don’t feel pressured to spend time, money, or emotional energy on things that don’t matter to you just to keep others happy.
The Guest List: Quality Over Quantity
One of the first big hurdles is the guest list. This can be a minefield because, let’s face it, everyone has an idea of who should be invited. Our advice? Focus on quality over quantity. Your day should be filled with the people who genuinely make you happy and support you as a couple, not those who you feel obligated to invite.
It’s your moment, and there’s no need to bend over backward to please extended family members you haven’t spoken to in years. Be real with yourselves—who do you want to share in your joy? The more comfortable you feel around your guests, the more relaxed and authentic the day will feel.
Making Guests Feel Welcome
Creating an inviting experience for your guests adds to the warmth and energy of your day. Consider including a personal touch like wedding newspapers or an order of service. Not only are they fun keepsakes, but they can also be a handy way to share details about your story, your day and the people involved. You might include a note about group photos—letting specific guests know they’ll be required at certain times so there’s no last-minute rush.
It’s also a lovely opportunity to share a bit about your photographer’s style and approach, along with their social links. This gives gusts a sense of who we are, helping them feel at ease and making the photos even more authentic and memorable. Add links to their Instagram or websites.
Venue: A Reflection of You
The venue sets the tone for your day, so choose a space that reflects who you are as a couple. Whether it’s a rustic barn, a chic city space, or an outdoor garden, the venue should feel like an extension of you. Don’t just think about how it looks—consider how it makes you feel. Do you imagine yourself being relaxed in the space? Can you see yourselves laughing and dancing with your closest friends and family here?
Practical things matter, too. Make sure to consider transport and parking for your guests. It might be worth hiring a wedding bus or arranging group transport, even walk together —it’s always fun and keeps things stress-free for your guests. And if you want to extend the celebration, why not turn your wedding into a wedding weekend? Many venues offer packages where you can have a pre-wedding dinner, the wedding day itself, and then a more laid-back next-day party, BBQ, or relaxed dinner. It’s a great way to keep the celebration going and spend more quality time with your guests.
We offer a “Ready for the Weekend” photography package where we capture the entire weekend’s events, telling the ultimate story of your wedding from start to finish. Whether it’s a pre-wedding dinner, the big day, or a chilled-out brunch the next day, we’ll be there to capture the moments that matter, letting you relive it all.
Ultimately, the right venue is one where you can feel completely at ease, not worrying about logistics or aesthetics. The more relaxed you feel in your environment, the more you’ll be able to enjoy every second of the day.
Food and Drink: A True Expression of You
Whether you’re a foodie couple or just looking to keep your guests well-fed, the food and drink you serve can reflect your tastes and add to the overall vibe of the day. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but it should feel like you. If you’re obsessed with tacos, go for a taco truck. If you love craft beer, create a beer tasting bar or have your favourite local brewery involved. If you like hosting dinners at home maybe sharing platers? We found those interactive and fun.
Cocktails are another area where you can add a personal touch. Whether it’s a signature drink representing each of you or just your go-to favourite, it’s a fun way to share a bit of your personality with your guests.
Remember, the food doesn’t need to impress everyone, but it should be something you enjoy. If you’ve always been the couple who skips the fancy meals in favour of pizza on the couch, then by all means, include pizza at your wedding! It’s about creating a day that feels like a true reflection of who you are, and that includes the food.
The Importance of Being Present & Relaxed
One of the best pieces of advice I give couples is to make sure they’re fully present on their wedding day. It’s easy to get swept up in the timeline, worrying about everything going to plan, but trust me—it’s the little unplanned moments that end up being the most special.
The key to staying relaxed is trusting the professionals you’ve hired to do their job, and remembering that no matter what happens, at the end of the day, you’ll be married to your best friend. Even if a few things go wrong, the people who matter won’t care, and neither should you.
Take moments throughout the day to stop, breathe, and just take it all in. Whether it’s during the morning prep, sneaking away for a quiet moment together after the ceremony, or just dancing your heart out at the reception, these pauses will help you remember the day clearly.
Timeline: Allow Breathing Room
Let’s talk timelines. It can be tempting to pack the day full of activities to maximize the fun, but we recommend leaving room to breathe. Think of your day like a good playlist—it needs high-energy moments but also slower, quieter ones where you can soak in everything.
Build in some buffer time for things like getting ready, moving between locations, or just having a quiet moment together after the ceremony. This will help keep the day flowing smoothly and reduce any stress if things run a little behind (which they often do). The goal isn’t perfection—it’s about enjoying each part of the day without feeling rushed.
Personal Touches: Make It About You
Weddings are full of traditions, but don’t feel like you need to stick to every one of them. Make the day yours. If something doesn’t feel right for you, skip it or put your own twist on it. We’ve seen couples swap first dances for group sing-alongs, trade cakes for cheese towers, doughnuts wall, and have their pets play a role in the ceremony. These little touches make the day feel more like you and help create memories that feel genuine rather than staged.
It’s easy to get caught up in what a wedding “should” look like, but staying true to what’s meaningful to you both will create a day that’s authentic and fun—one that you’ll look back on with a smile.
Clothing & Comfort: Style Meets Practicality
Your wedding attire is a big deal, but so is your comfort! When picking out your outfit, make sure it’s something you can move, dance, and feel good in. Yes, it’s your big day, but that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice comfort for style.
For shoes, go for a balance between looking great and feeling good—especially if your venue has uneven ground or you’ll be on your feet for a long time. If you’ve got your heart set on killer heels, think about bringing a comfier backup pair for the reception.
And don’t forget about the weather. It might be worth having a chic jacket, wrap, or umbrella handy, just in case the weather turns. Trust us, being prepared can save the day. If you’re ready for all conditions, you can stay relaxed and focus on enjoying the day instead of worrying about rain or chilly winds.
Confetti: A Splash of Color
Confetti moments are iconic, but there’s more to it than just grabbing a few bags and throwing them in the air. If you’re after specific colour or textures (like biodegradable petals or metallics), plan ahead and coordinate with your photographer. If you’re wondering how to get that perfect confetti shot, we’ve got loads of tips over on our blog—so make sure to check it out for all the insider advice you need.
Daytime Entertainment: Think Outside the Box
When it comes to entertaining your guests during the day, think about injecting a bit of fun and personality. Daytime entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank. You can get creative with games and activities that are fun for all ages, and that keeps the energy flowing between the ceremony and reception.
We’ve seen couples bring in quirky, budget-friendly options like:
- A bucking bronco for guests to test their riding skills
- A bouncy castle for both kids and adults to enjoy
- Giant beer pong (because why not? and it’s affordable)
These are great options if you want to add some light-hearted fun to your day without blowing the budget. Plus, they keep guests entertained and give them something to do while you’re off getting some portraits taken.
Choosing the Right Music
Your choice of music and entertainment sets the tone for your entire wedding day and creates lasting memories for you and your guests. Whether you opt for a live band, a DJ, or a carefully curated playlist, ensure it reflects your personalities and style as a couple. Choose songs that resonate with your journey together, rather than simply going for what’s trendy or expected.
Live bands can elevate the atmosphere significantly. Consider genres that suit your vibe, like a fun brass band or a lively bongo player, to bring an interactive element to the celebration. They not only provide great music but also engage your guests, encouraging them to join in on the fun. If you’re drawn to a specific cultural style, think about hiring musicians who can incorporate that into their performance, such as a ceilidh band for a lively traditional dance experience.
Remember, this is your party, so you have the freedom to create the atmosphere you desire. Whether you want a laid-back acoustic set during the cocktail hour followed by a full-on dance party or prefer to forgo dancing entirely, make it clear to your DJ or band about your must-plays and do-not-plays. This is another area where authenticity will shine through, ensuring your wedding day feels truly personal and memorable for everyone involved.
Vendors & Suppliers: Trust and Communication are Key
When it comes to picking your wedding suppliers, trust and communication are essential. The right vendor team will have a massive impact on your wedding experience and how you feel on the day. After all, they’re not just there to provide a service—they’ll play a part in shaping your memories.
When it comes to your photographer and videographer, remember they’ll be with you during your most intimate moments—getting ready, exchanging vows, maybe even wiping away a few tears. Make sure you’re comfortable with them and genuinely like them as a person. Feeling at ease with someone you’ve only just met can be tough, so don’t hesitate to schedule a Zoom call or meet up beforehand. You want to feel natural and relaxed, so make sure they match your vibe.
Also, ask them about how they work leading up to and on the day itself. How do they approach the wedding, and what’s their communication style? Do they blend into the background or direct certain parts? How do they handle last-minute changes or difficult weather? Knowing what to expect can reduce so much stress and make sure you’re aligned on what matters most.
At Reportage Studios, we—Janina and Jawad—believe in building a genuine connection with our couples. We’re not just there to click a button; we’re there to understand who you are and how you want your story to be told. We make sure every couple feels seen, heard, and ultimately at ease with us. Because when the trust is there, that’s when the magic happens. See some our Wyresdale Park wedding story.
Understanding Photography Styles
When choosing a photographer, it’s essential to recognise that there are several different styles, each offering a unique approach to capturing your wedding day. Couples should ask themselves what kind of experience they want: do they envision a day filled with staged shots and poses, or do they prefer a more authentic style that focuses on real moments and genuine memories? There is no right or wrong, it is totally up to you.
Some photographers excel at posed, editorial-style photography, which can feel more like a performance, with elaborate setups and meticulous direction. While this approach create stunning images, it may also take time away from enjoying the day with your guests.
On the other hand, an authentic photography style—like the one we embrace at Reportage Studios—focuses on candid moments and natural interactions. This approach allows couples to relax and be themselves, resulting in genuine emotions captured throughout the day.
If you’re looking for more insights on photography, we have a dedicated guide that dives deeper into how to make the most of your wedding photography experience.
Final Thoughts: Be Kind to Yourselves
Above all, remember that your wedding day is just that—your day. It doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to feel right for you. Take breaks when you need to, ask for help, and don’t sweat the small stuff. You’ve made it this far together, and this is just one more step in your incredible journey.
So take a deep breath, relax, and focus on what truly matters: celebrating your love with the people who matter most. Everything else will fall into place. If you haven’t booked your photographer yet check out our portfolio, packages and get in touch for no obligation chat.
We can’t wait to be part of your story.
