4 Pro Tips for How to Photograph a HOT Wedding Day
Hey photographers! It’s no secret that here in Virginia, it can get HOT in the summer! From late-April all the way through the middle of October, we’ve photographed wedding days where the temperature topped 90-degrees Fahrenheit! And with the high humidity, a wedding photographer really needs to know how to handle themselves on hot wedding days! So today, we’re giving our tips to get the most out of a HOT wedding day!
1. Set Expectations with Your Couple
If you only learn one thing from this entire blog, it should be this: if it looks like temperatures are going to be high on your upcoming wedding day, it can never hurt to reach out to your couple and discuss expectations. Most conflict (or customer disappointment) comes from missed expectations. So just opening up this line of communication with your couple can help ease the stress of a hot day!
For starters you want to gauge their comfort level with the heat. Even in the shade, it can be dangerous to spend too long outside when temperatures (accounting for heat index) are above body temperature, 96°. So if the day is calling for 100° or more, you may want to discuss which parts of the day they may want to move inside. If they’ll have elderly relatives, they may want to even consider moving the ceremony inside!
2. Use the “In-and-Out” Strategy
On really hot days, we adjust our strategy a bit. Maybe we’ll head outside for the First Look and capture some beautiful (shaded) portraits of our couple, a handful of portraits, then pull everyone back inside to cool down before we go back outside to photograph the wedding party. Likewise, we’ll make sure to give them plenty of time inside before the ceremony to cool back down if their ceremony will be outside.
This obviously means we’ll either 1) need to work more efficiently, 2) take fewer photos, or 3) need to add time to the timeline. This is one thing we discuss with our couples! Would they rather prioritize staying cool and shoot less, or embrace the heat and have a larger gallery of images with each other and their wedding party and family?
3. How to Prepare for a Hot Wedding Day
Staying hydrated the day before the wedding day can actually help you be more hydrated while you’re out in the heat! So be sure to drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol, sugary drinks, and salty or fried foods leading up to the wedding. This will really help you perform your best on the wedding day!
In addition, we recommend packing a small washcloth or towel somewhere on your person so you can help your subjects stay dry. If their faces and/or hairline is covered in sweat, it will not turn out great in the final images! Finally, make sure you have a lightweight and breathable (but professional) outfit laid out in advance to minimize how much you sweat on the wedding day!
4. Plan Your Timeline Carefully
A well-thought-out timeline can make a difference. It keeps things running smoothly, even when they don’t go as planned. Most wedding photographers use an 8-hour timeline. It’s just the right amount of time to capture all the important stuff—from the excitement of getting ready to the fun of the dance floor and even your big exit. Below is a guide on how to structure these hours to ensure no special moment is missed.
Sample 8-Hour Wedding Day Photography Timeline
- 1:00 pm – Getting Ready: Capturing the preparation moments of the bride, bridesmaids, groom, and groomsmen.
- 2:30 pm – Bride & Bridesmaids Photos: A session dedicated to the bride with her bridesmaids.
- 2:45 pm – Groom & Groomsmen Photos: Time for the groom and his groomsmen.
- 3:30 pm – Ceremony Begins: Capturing the processional, vows, and the first kiss.
- 4:00 pm – Ceremony Ends; Family Photos: Ideal time for family portraits.
- 4:30 pm – Wedding Party Photos: A fun and formal session with the entire wedding party.
- 4:45 pm – Couple Photos: Dedicated time for capturing the couple’s love and connection.
- 5:25 pm – Cake Cutting: The traditional and fun cake-cutting ceremony.
- 6:30 pm – Sunset Photos of Couple: Romantic evening shots of the couple in soft lighting.
- 8:30 pm – Sparkler Exit: A magical and photogenic farewell with a sparkler exit.
Your wedding photography should tell the whole story. When couples look back at their wedding album, they should be able to relive each moment. Wedding photos should capture the emotions and the love in each of the moments, no matter how small or how hot the day might be.