You only get one shot at your wedding day—literally. Let’s avoid some common wedding day photo regrets!
Hi! I’m Rachel—a wedding and portrait photographer based in Georgia, and your go-to gal for capturing the real, emotional, joy-filled moments of your day. Long before I ever picked up a camera professionally, I was a bride myself… and I made just about every wedding day photo regrets in the book Number one being that I didn’t hire a professional! (Peep one of my wedding photos 👉🏼). I didn’t plan enough time, skipped over details, and missed out on moments I wish I had documented.
Now, as someone who’s had the honor of capturing hundreds of love stories, I often hear couples share the same kinds of regrets I experienced firsthand. And they’re not about the dress or flowers—they’re about the moments they didn’t make space for. The good news? With just a little forethought, you can avoid them. That’s exactly why I’m so passionate about helping my couples plan with intention and feel fully present on their day.
5 Most Common Wedding Day Photo Regrets
Here are five of the most common photo regrets couples have—and what you can do to make sure they don’t become part of your story.
1. Not Scheduling Enough Time for Portraits
The regret: Feeling rushed during portraits or missing out on variety in your bride and groom photos.
The fix: Work with your photographer to build a timeline that allows for breathing room. If you’re not doing a first look, be extra mindful of how much time is left between your ceremony and reception. These photos are likely to be the ones you hang on your walls—let’s make sure we have time to get them right.
Pro tip: Add buffer time between each part of the day. Wedding timelines always run a little behind.
For even more tips on all things timeline, check out my recent blog: How to Create the Perfect Timeline for a Wedding
2. Skipping the Getting Ready Moments
The regret: Missing the sweet, candid moments with your favorite people before the day kicks off.
The fix: Have your photographer arrive before you’re fully dressed so they can capture the atmosphere, laughs, and excitement—plus those gorgeous detail shots. These moments are full of raw emotion that often get overlooked but mean so much in hindsight.
Pro tip: Choose a space with good natural light and keep it clutter-free for prettier photos.
3. Forgetting to Gather Your Detail Items in Advance
The regret: Not getting photos of sentimental items like heirloom jewelry, invitations, or handwritten vows.
The fix: Put together a “details box” the night before—rings, shoes, perfume, vow books, jewelry, invitation suite, etc. This way, your photographer can get started right away without needing to ask where things are (or skip them altogether).
For more info on wedding details, read my recent blog: Photographer-Approved: Must-Haves for Your Wedding Details Box
4. Not Having a Family Photo List
The regret: Forgetting important family combinations or spending way too long tracking people down.
The fix: Make a list of your must-have groupings before the big day and send it to your photographer. Designate a helper (someone who knows both sides of the family) to help gather people quickly so the whole process runs smoothly and stress-free.
5. Not Being Present in the Moment
The regret: Looking back and realizing you were so focused on logistics that you forgot to truly enjoy your day.
The fix: Trust your vendors to do what they do best. Let go of the checklist, soak in the moments, and remember that the best photos come from genuine emotion—not perfect poses.
At the end of the day, your wedding photos should feel like you.
They should remind you not only of what the day looked like, but what it felt like. Thoughtful planning and a little intentionality can go a long way in helping your photographer tell your full story, while also avoiding these common wedding day photo regrets!
Need help building your wedding day timeline or prepping your detail box? I’m always happy to help! Reach out here and let’s make your day as seamless (and stunning) as it deserves to be.
If this blog was helpful, you’ll love what I’ve been pinning! My Pinterest is full of wedding tips, timeline inspiration, photo ideas, and planning resources to help you feel more confident and excited heading into your big day. Click here to check it out—you might just find your next favorite idea!
