Often forgotten, but absolutely essential to remember

Block out parking space for the Photographers vehicle when you organise space for the bridal car at the ceremony and reception venue. There is nothing worse than the Bride having to wait in the car while the Photographer finds somewhere to park and runs back to where you are. They are guaranteed to miss moments.

Know that you will be late! Something will happen in your day to put stress on your tightly framed timetable. Make sure your schedule is flexible. The happiest, most relaxed Bride is the one that has an hour to relax before going to the ceremony. This is also a fantastic time for the Photographer to get awesome shots of the Bride and friends and family sharing this time of the day. The hair & make-up can often run late & you can lose valuable time for this. Play safe...if they say it will take x amount of hours ask them to start an hour earlier. You're going to be up at the crack of dawn anyway & it should ensure you have this precious time available to you.

The gown can often take some time to get into, so allow for this in your timing. If you have little buttons down the back, get yourself a croquet hook as this makes a hard job fast work.

Have a dedicated person to help you manage and oversee the details of the day. You don’t want to be worrying about them or trying to fix problems! And friends and family love having something they can do to contribute to your special day. This person can also help the photographer with your group photo list, as they will of course be more likely to know who "uncle Bob" is.

During the ceremony you will barely notice the photographer but there are three times that you want to ensure you are aware of them. One of the hardest shots to get is the presenting of the rings, so tilt your hands towards the photographer so they can capture this with ease. The kiss! To be enjoyed & with enough time for the photographer to get a couple of shots just encase the first one catches a less than perfect expression. So no quick peck! The last one of course is the traditional look up & smile during the signing of the registry.

CHECK THE WEATHER. Take a jacket in the car. It can often be cold or windy at your location shoot even in the summer! If the terrain of your location would be best walked in flat shoes, take them! Be prepared for your gown to get a bit dirty. It’s often hard to avoid in outdoor locations. Umbrellas... here’s hoping you won’t need them but check with both your photographer & the driver of your car as they often carry them as well.

Along with celebratory beverage of your choice in your car during your photographic shoot don’t forget to take cool water, especially on a hot day. Sometimes it’s pure thirst you need to quench! Think about taking a snack too. You burn a lot of energy on a day like this. A picnic basket, if there will be time, is also a great shooting opportunity.

Your Photographer will be wanting to make sure that they are appropriately dressed for your event so advise them of the dress code for the day.

Check with your venue about a "touch up" room for the bridal party before you're announce into your reception. You want it to have easy access that doesn’t expose your arrival to your guests.