Something I’ve continued to value over time is the practice of staying present in the moment and remembering that you don’t need permission to enjoy the moments in your life with family and friends.

This belief has shaped my values and my approach to working with couples, whether I’m creating an engagement session or photographing a wedding day. Every wedding reminds me that while the wedding itself is the main story, there are so many smaller stories unfolding around it. You’re not just getting to spend time with your partner—you’re getting to spend time with your family. There are mini stories in between, mini threads that connect all of us to the couple getting married. Those are often the moments that stay with you the longest.

As exciting as a wedding day is, it also goes by incredibly fast. Months (or even years) of planning can disappear in what feels like the blink of an eye. That’s why I encourage every couple I work with to intentionally slow down and make space to actually experience the day as it’s happening. Here are a few ways to do exactly that.

Take It Slow in the Morning

Your wedding day doesn’t have to begin with rushing from one thing to the next. I always recommend taking it slow in the morning. If you’re hoping to do something a little different, consider having coffee together and reading your vows in private. It adds a sense of wonder and love before the day even really begins and gives you a quiet moment that’s just yours before the excitement of the day takes over. Starting the day this way often sets the tone for everything that follows.

Put Your Phone on Do Not Disturb

Practicing staying present on your wedding day can be as simple as putting your phone on Do Not Disturb. It’s easy to get distracted by text messages, notifications, or last-minute questions. Instead of constantly checking your phone, let someone you trust handle those things for you. Whether it’s your planner, maid of honor or best man, make sure everyone knows to contact them instead of you if they need something. The fewer distractions you have, the easier it is to focus on the people standing right in front of you. The emails, social media posts, and notifications will all be there tomorrow.

Take Mental Snapshots

Throughout the day, remind yourself to pause. Take a mental snapshot while you’re standing at the altar. Look around during cocktail hour. Notice your grandparents talking with old friends. Watch everyone you love sharing a dance floor together.

Even during a couple’s portraits, I always give couples the space to enjoy the moment so they can fully grasp the space and time they’re in. Some of the most meaningful photographs happen during those quiet pauses when you’re simply taking it all in.

Let Yourself Feel Everything

Allow yourself to feel and embrace the tears and smiles. Embrace the joy and happiness that comes with this day.

You don’t have to worry about how every moment looks or whether every emotion is perfectly composed. Some of the most beautiful memories come from genuine laughter, happy tears, and the moments you never could have planned. Those are the moments that tell the real story of your wedding day.

Don’t Let the Timeline Rule the Day

A timeline is one of the most important parts of a wedding day, but it should support your experience and not dictate it.

On busy wedding days, it’s easy to let the timeline rule the day. But you should take the time to really speak with family, to enjoy being around friends, and to let the family photo session breathe. Actually talk to the people around you without feeling pressured to rush off to the next thing.

This is one of the reasons I spend so much time working with my couples and their planners before the wedding. A well-crafted timeline supports this vision. It supports this dream. When a timeline has room to breathe, you have room to breathe too.

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At the end of the day, I don’t want you to remember your wedding because everything happened exactly on schedule. I want you to remember how it felt. The conversations you didn’t rush. The hugs that lasted a little longer. The quiet moments with your partner. The joy of having your favorite people together in one place.

Those are the moments that become your memories, and those are the moments I love documenting.

If you’re planning your wedding and this approach resonates with you, I’d love to hear more about what you’re envisioning and how I can help tell your story.