5 Common Wedding Photo Mistakes

Your wedding photos will be cherished for a lifetime, so making sure they turn out flawless is a top priority! Here are five common wedding photo mistakes couples make, and how to avoid them for picture-perfect memories.

Pictured: Amy. The Fives Resort, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Mid day sun/shadow.

1. Choosing the Wrong Lighting for Key Moments

This is the most common mistake!

Harsh midday sun or dimly lit venues can impact the quality of your photos. Without proper lighting and experience, images can look overexposed, too dark, or unflattering.

Pictured: Lisa & P. Scott at the Felt Estate, Holland, MI. 2pm sun.

The best light on a sunny day is always 1-2h before sunset. Having this timeframe for pictures is not always manageable on a wedding day. Once you have decided on your photo locations, pre-visualize which direction the sun will be setting at that time of the day to know exactly how the images will look.

Pictured: (left) Alex & groomsmen at Calder Plaza Grand Rapids, MI around 4pm. Right: Jimmy & Kim outside Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids, MI around 1:30pm on a sunny day.

Pictured: Shannon & Patrick in Birmingham, MI 5pm direct sun.

Pictured: Lauren at Haynes House, UK around 6pm (2h before sunset).

Pictured: Z & Rita at Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids MI and Stephen & Lauren at The Haley Mansion in Joliet, IL. Both couples photographed on a cloudy day.

Pictured: (Left )Lauren in Petoskey, MI August 4pm sun. Right: Lindsey and Nick in Petoskey February 2h before sunset (lots of light reflecting off of the snow and lake).

If your reception venue or ceremony space is too dark without proper lighting, photos may turn out grainy, blurry, or lack detail due to high ISO settings. Consider adding candles, string lights, or uplighting for more light and a warm ambiance.

Pictured: (Left:) Z & Rita at Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids, Mi during reception around 8:30pm. Right: Louise at Ballroom at McKay before cocktail hour.

Combining different light sources (e.g., natural light, indoor bulbs, and DJ lights) can create color imbalances, leading to unnatural skin tones in photos. Visit your church during another wedding to see how the lighting is.

Plan for golden hour, which is just after sunrise or an hour before sunset for dreamy, glowing portraits.

Pictured: both images were taken 30min before sunset.

Pictured: Jaime & Lauren at Hayne House UK and Stephen & Lauren at Haley Mansion, Joliet IL. Both couples used their venue as the backdrop at sunset.

2. Not Scheduling Enough Time for Photos

One of the biggest mistakes couples make is underestimating the time needed for photos. A rushed timeline can lead to stress and basic, go-to shots. Lack of time also kills creativity. Create a realistic wedding day timeline that includes buffer time for you, the bridal party, and family. Think TikToks, selfies, make up touch ups, bathroom, and water and snack breaks. It all adds up to extra time.

Be the first one in the make up/hair chair. Have your make up and hair done before the creative team arrives. Steam all dresses a day before, not the morning of the wedding.

3. Avoid Alcohol For As Long As You Can

Alcohol is a dehydrant, meaning it removes water and fluids from your body, and can leave you feeling sluggish, tired, and drained—not exactly ideal for a long day of celebration. Instead of feeling refreshed and energized, you might hit a wall before the reception even begins. Your wedding photos will last a lifetime, and too much alcohol early in the day can lead to red eyes, bloated skin, and less natural expressions. Worse, it might make it harder to focus during portraits or lead to some awkward or unsteady poses. Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks, and save the celebratory drinks for later in the day.

4. Not Preparing a Family Shot List

Without a clear plan, family portraits can be chaotic and take longer than expected, cutting into reception time. Create a detailed family photo list ahead of time. Assign a trusted friend or family member to help gather family members quickly.

5. Focusing Too Much on Posed Shots

While posed portraits are beautiful, some couples forget to leave room for candid moments, which often capture the most raw and emotional parts of the day. The best wedding photos come from genuine emotions. So focus on your partner, soak in the day, and let the joy shine through.

Let the day unfold on it’s own. Enjoy the in-between moments—the happy tears, the laughter, the dance floor fun. These are the moments you’ll cherish forever!

Avoiding these mistakes will help ensure your wedding photos are stunning, stress-free, and truly capture your love story!