Pre Wedding Preparation

“A winning effort begins with preparation.”

It's important to acknowledge that no wedding day is perfect, preparing and following the suggestions below can help make your wedding day the best it can be.

Wedding Ceremony Tips and Pointers:

When walking down the aisle look upright. Avoid looking down at the ground. Look directly at my camera in front of you for at least a few seconds as this makes great photos. I will be up at the very front as you walk down the aisle.
Line up centered to the aisle and backdrop when standing in the front with the officiant.
Talk to the officiant several weeks before the wedding and discuss the desired duration of the ceremony. On average, ceremonies typically last between 20 to 30 minutes. Occasionally, officiants may extend their remarks to over 50 minutes. While longer ceremonies are acceptable, it's crucial to communicate your preferred length and establish a time limit to ensure the smooth progression of your wedding day schedule.
Ensure someone takes the bride's bouquet when she reaches the end of the aisle for two reasons: it allows her to hold both hands with the groom and prevents the bouquet from obstructing the view during the ring exchange.
During the ring exchange, please ensure the bride and groom face eachother without turning your back to me or your guests. Make sure your hands are clearly visible to everyone, as I will be photographing from the middle of the aisle. Take your time exchanging rings and move slowly.
Make sure to space the wedding party at least 25 feet apart as they walk down the aisle at the start of the wedding ceremony. This allows me to capture clear shots of everyone without anyone being blocked by the person in front of them.
If you're getting married outdoors and have a background arch, set it up so that the sun is behind it. Having the sun to either side of the arch will create harsh shadows, which doesn't look good.
If there is signage for “reserved ceremony seating” be sure to appoint someone to remove the signs once the seats are occupied. If not removed the signage will appear in a-lot of your ceremony photos.
Avoid having the bride and groom stand under anything that will cast a shadow on them, such as lattice pergolas, arches, or any other structures. These are fine to be married in front of but DO NOT STAND UNDERNEATH THEM. If the structure is fully covered and fully shaded you should be fine to stand underneath. Shadows across their faces or bodies cannot be removed and will affect the photos. Standing in full shade is recommend whenever possible.
If possible, schedule your wedding for later in the day, but not so late that it becomes dark before the group pictures and bride and groom photos after the ceremony. This will give you softer light and look more flattering as the sun is very harsh mid day afternoon in the spring and summer months.
The bride and groom should face each other, not with their backs to the camera and audience.
Make sure the officiant instructs guests to silence and put away their cell phones. Amber Alerts have disrupted several ceremonies, and guests leaning into the aisle to take photos can block my line of sight.
Make sure the officiant steps aside during the "first kiss" so that the top of their head isn't in the photograph. I will remind the officiant of this on the wedding day.
Ensure the officiant instructs guests to sit down after the bride walks down the aisle. At several ceremonies I’ve photographed, the officiant forgot to do this, leaving the audience standing for the entire ceremony. If the officiant forgets, one or all of the parents should pass the word for people to take a seat.
Ensure all members of the wedding party, especially the groomsmen, remove all distracting objects from their pockets before the ceremony, including keychains, phones and any other items.
Advise your guests to arrive 30 minutes earlier than the actual start time of the ceremony to avoid waiting for late arrivals, including important guests. Typically, around 20% of guests arrive at the actual start time, so if you want them there by 4:00pm, tell them the ceremony starts at 3:30pm. If parking arrangement for the wedding location are complicated state the arrival another 15 minutes earlier.

Items to Avoid:

Avoid glitter makeup/Items (It will transfer onto the grooms suit).
Avoid chewing gum.
Avoid bulky items in pocket (wallet, cell phone, keys etc.)
Avoid tanning/Sun 4-7 days before your wedding. It is not a bad idea to add color to your complexion by sun tanning, avoid sunburn.
Refrain from getting spray tans as they don't photograph well and can result in undesirable orange hues.
Avoid dry skin & chapped lips.
Avoid having tan lines that will be evident with your wedding dress. Neckline, sleeves etc. Avoid sunglass and watch tan lines.
Avoid open toed shoes during cold winter months.
Steer clear of vivid red lipstick as cameras struggle to capture the intensity of red tones. If wearing lipstick keep it subtle. Less is more.

Suggestions:

Pick simple, classic styles that won’t look dated in a few years. This applies to clothing, hairstyle, hair color and jewelry.
Manicured nails, shaped brows for women. Trimmed ear, eyebrow and nose hair for men. Men, also pay attention to your eyebrows and if they need to be trimmed. Men clean-shaven, be detailed in your shave. If you choose to have facial hair or stubble that is fine. If you easily get razor burn, shave at the right time to have the least amount of razor burn on the wedding day. Please prepare by wearing Chap Stick and moisturizer weeks before the wedding (men and women). Trimmed and clean finger nails for men.
Women, spray down all fly away hairs prior to your wedding ceremony.
Shoes polished, dress socks, stockings free of runs. Clothing neatly pressed and ironed.
During the hot summer months be sure to drink plenty of water the night before the wedding. The groom should carry a handkerchief in his pocket for brow perspiration during hot summer months (June through September).
Apply eye drops and moisturizer the day of your wedding.
Men, ensure that the stitching on your new suit in undone. When you buy a new suit, there is white stitching on the jacket shoulders, the vents are sewn closed and the pockets are stitched shut. These all need to be removed to prepare the jacket to be worn.
Be mindful that thicker and longer eyelash extensions might affect the visibility of your eyes which are the most vital element in a portrait. This can make it challenging to showcase the catch lights in your eyes, which are crucial for creating a captivating portrait. If you tend to squint when you smile, it’s recommended to opt for shorter and lighter eyelash extensions to ensure your eyes, the centerpiece of a portrait, remain unobscured.
Men should cut their hair 2-5 days before the wedding day. Cut to the length you want it to be on the wedding day. Neckline should be neatly shaped and clean.
Make sure teeth are cleaned and flossed.
The bride and groom should stick together side by side as often as possible. This allows for both to be in the candid images. Be conscience of your body language for I am constantly photographing candid images of you throughout the day.
Cufflinks for men are a small detail that adds a nice touch. You will need to buy a French cuff shirt to make this work.
A two-button suit coat should typically have its top button fastened. The only instance when it's appropriate to leave the suit coat unbuttoned is when you're wearing a vest underneath it. Please check out this brief and informative YouTube video from Real Men Real Style.
When you're tying your necktie, remember the guideline that the lower end of the tie should just lightly reach the top of your belt. Avoid tying your necktie too long! Also, don't overlook the importance of wearing a belt with your suit. Opt for a necktie in solid, earth tones, and refrain from choosing one with loud patterns. Select an earth tone that complements your hair/eye color, complexion and the suit. Avoid wearing pastel neckties. My personal favorite brand for neckties is JZ Richards which can be found at Nordstrom and Utah Woolen Mills.
Wearing suspenders under your suit jacket can be a stylish and functional choice, and using button suspenders can be a great way to achieve a polished look. Button suspenders are often preferred over clip-on suspenders. They will look much better. Button suspenders are typically more discreet than clip-on suspenders. They don't have the visible clips or clasps that can sometimes be seen when wearing a suit jacket. This creates a cleaner and more streamlined look. To wear button suspenders under your suit jacket, you'll need to have buttons sewn into the waistband of your pants. These buttons should be placed in such a way that they align with the attachment points on the suspenders. The suspenders will then fasten to these buttons for a secure fit. If you're opting for suspenders, it's advisable to forgo wearing a belt.
Please run a link roller over tuxedo/suit. Pockets are to be empty.
If it is going to be cold outside the bride should bring a coat, blanket or cloak that can easily slip off and on.
DON’T FORGET THE WEDDINGS RINGS AND MARRIAGE LICENSE.
Check the car you will be traveling in to make sure it has a full tank of gas. Do this the day prior to the wedding.
Make sure you have a bouquet. It is an important part of your wedding photos. A boutonniere for men is generally worn. The boutonniere is worn on the left lapel.
Bouquet advice: I personally recommend a bouquet that is well-rounded and neatly shaped, without twigs or excessive elements hanging from the sides. Items protruding from the bouquet can cast shadows on your dress and might appear odd poking out or covering your arms, potentially being distracting. Please consider this as a suggestion, with exceptions possible.
Please check your wedding dress and try it on again a few days before your wedding. Make sure everything fits properly with the temple garment and make any adjustments ahead of time. Check for loose buttons or anything important that may be missing.
An important reminder. Please make sure both families understand.
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS: There are to be no other professional photographers, and/or photographers building their portfolio taking photos during the scheduled events for which the Photographer has been hired. Client is asked NOT to encourage family or friends to take photos with professional cameras during the event for which the photographer is hired. Other photographers present can adversely affect the final outcome of your images (example: during group photos half the group can tend to look in the direction of the other camera present). One hired videographer taking strictly video is acceptable. A photo booth at the reception is acceptable. I don't mind people taking photos on their phones as long as they don't disrupt or distract the subjects I'm capturing. Client understands and agrees that he or she has hired Brandon Burk Photography as the exclusive Photographer for this event. In order to provide a high level of satisfaction and quality product, no other service providers (including family members) may be allowed to disrupt the event by photographing the services outlined in this Agreement. No other venders/family members will be permitted to provide the same or similar services or products, paid or unpaid, at the locations and dates specified in this Agreement.
If it is a hot summers day it is not a bad idea for the groom to have a secondary clean white button up shirt and secondary pair of clean dress socks for the reception.
Men, check the buttons on your suit/tux to ensure they are stitched down tight. I have seen many buttons pop off at weddings.
Ask that your getaway vehicle be decorated in “class” without profanity. I seen many wedding cars decorated in profanity and it can take away from the photos taken at the wedding exit.
If you are doing a sparkler exit and the venue is not providing the service for you I recommend bringing a torch lighter (hand torch) for the lighting of all the sparklers. If the venue is doing this for you they will most likely have this. If you are looking to buy sparklers I have heard “Zurchers” sells them. Be sure to call ahead to confirm they have them in stock. There are Zurchers locations throughout Salt Lake County as well as Orem and American Fork.
For walking down the aisle, grand entrance, and sparkler exit, walking slowly is ideal as it helps me maintain sharp focus and capture more photos with precision.

Hairstyle and Makeup

Make sure your roots are touched up if you color your hair. Avoid a drastic hair change, as you may not be happy with the results. If hiring a stylist and or makeup artist I strongly suggest doing a trial run with them before the actual wedding. Hairstyles should be off the face if possible. Hair falling down onto the sides of the face can create distracting shadows. Eye makeup should be blended – no sharp demarcation lines between colors. Avoid white above the eyes. Foundation makeup should be blended at the jawline, so that there is no demarcation between the face and neck.

My Preparation:

I am extremely prepared for your wedding day. I have a backup for all of my equipment. I always have two cameras with me. I always photograph and record the digital images simultaneously on two memory cards. I understand that I am a representation of you at your wedding. I always dress in formal attire and present myself professionally. Your wedding day photos are just as important to me as they are to you. I will be observant of all moments occurring to ensure I capture them. Please understand that I am not perfect however, I am dedicated to delivering my very best for the bride, groom, and your families. Your wedding day is not about me, it is about the two of you. I strive to make sure the focus always remains on the two of you on your wedding day. Self-awareness holds significant importance for me in how I represent you. Your wedding day is very important to me.

Wedding Instagram: @UtahWeddingPhotographer

Pre Wedding Preparation

It's important to acknowledge that no wedding day is perfect, preparing and following the suggestions below can help make your wedding day the best it can be.

Wedding Ceremony Tips and Pointers:

When walking down the aisle look upright. Avoid looking down at the ground. Look directly at my camera in front of you for at least a few seconds as this makes great photos. I will be up at the very front as you walk down the aisle.

Line up centered to the aisle and backdrop when standing in the front with the officiant.

Ensure someone takes the bride's bouquet when she reaches the end of the aisle for two reasons: it allows her to hold both hands with the groom and prevents the bouquet from obstructing the view during the ring exchange.

During the ring exchange, please ensure the bride and groom face eachother without turning your back to me or your guests. Make sure your hands are clearly visible to everyone, as I will be photographing from the middle of the aisle. Take your time exchanging rings and move slowly.

Make sure to space the wedding party at least 25 feet apart as they walk down the aisle at the start of the wedding ceremony. This allows me to capture clear shots of everyone without anyone being blocked by the person in front of them.

If you're getting married outdoors and have a background arch, set it up so that the sun is behind it. Having the sun to either side of the arch will create harsh shadows, which doesn't look good.

If there is signage for “reserved ceremony seating” be sure to appoint someone to remove the signs once the seats are occupied. If not removed the signage will appear in a-lot of your ceremony photos.

If possible, schedule your wedding for later in the day, but not so late that it becomes dark before the group pictures and bride and groom photos after the ceremony. This will give you softer light and look more flattering as the sun is very harsh mid day afternoon in the spring and summer months.

The bride and groom should face each other, not with their backs to the camera and audience.

Make sure the officiant instructs guests to silence and put away their cell phones. Amber Alerts have disrupted several ceremonies, and guests leaning into the aisle to take photos can block my line of sight.

Make sure the officiant steps aside during the "first kiss" so that the top of their head isn't in the photograph. I will remind the officiant of this on the wedding day.

Ensure all members of the wedding party, especially the groomsmen, remove all distracting objects from their pockets before the ceremony, including keychains, phones and any other items.

Items to Avoid:

Avoid glitter makeup/Items (It will transfer onto the grooms suit).

Avoid chewing gum.

Avoid bulky items in pocket (wallet, cell phone, keys etc.)

Avoid tanning/Sun 4-7 days before your wedding. It is not a bad idea to add color to your complexion by sun tanning, avoid sunburn.

Refrain from getting spray tans as they don't photograph well and can result in undesirable orange hues.

Avoid dry skin & chapped lips.

Avoid having tan lines that will be evident with your wedding dress. Neckline, sleeves etc. Avoid sunglass and watch tan lines.

Avoid open toed shoes during cold winter months.

Steer clear of vivid red lipstick as cameras struggle to capture the intensity of red tones. If wearing lipstick keep it subtle. Less is more.

Suggestions:

Pick simple, classic styles that won’t look dated in a few years. This applies to clothing, hairstyle, hair color and jewelry.

Women, spray down all fly away hairs prior to your wedding ceremony.

Shoes polished, dress socks, stockings free of runs. Clothing neatly pressed and ironed.

During the hot summer months be sure to drink plenty of water the night before the wedding. The groom should carry a handkerchief in his pocket for brow perspiration during hot summer months (June through September).

Apply eye drops and moisturizer the day of your wedding.

Men, ensure that the stitching on your new suit in undone. When you buy a new suit, there is white stitching on the jacket shoulders, the vents are sewn closed and the pockets are stitched shut. These all need to be removed to prepare the jacket to be worn.

Men should cut their hair 2-5 days before the wedding day. Cut to the length you want it to be on the wedding day. Neckline should be neatly shaped and clean.

Make sure teeth are cleaned and flossed.

The bride and groom should stick together side by side as often as possible. This allows for both to be in the candid images. Be conscience of your body language for I am constantly photographing candid images of you throughout the day.

Cufflinks for men are a small detail that adds a nice touch. You will need to buy a French cuff shirt to make this work.

A two-button suit coat should typically have its top button fastened. The only instance when it's appropriate to leave the suit coat unbuttoned is when you're wearing a vest underneath it. Please check out this brief and informative YouTube video from Real Men Real Style.

Please run a link roller over tuxedo/suit. Pockets are to be empty.

If it is going to be cold outside the bride should bring a coat, blanket or cloak that can easily slip off and on.

DON’T FORGET THE WEDDINGS RINGS AND MARRIAGE LICENSE.

Check the car you will be traveling in to make sure it has a full tank of gas. Do this the day prior to the wedding.

Make sure you have a bouquet. It is an important part of your wedding photos. A boutonniere for men is generally worn. The boutonniere is worn on the left lapel.

Please check your wedding dress and try it on again a few days before your wedding. Make sure everything fits properly with the temple garment and make any adjustments ahead of time. Check for loose buttons or anything important that may be missing.

An important reminder. Please make sure both families understand.

If it is a hot summers day it is not a bad idea for the groom to have a secondary clean white button up shirt and secondary pair of clean dress socks for the reception.

Men, check the buttons on your suit/tux to ensure they are stitched down tight. I have seen many buttons pop off at weddings.

Ask that your getaway vehicle be decorated in “class” without profanity. I seen many wedding cars decorated in profanity and it can take away from the photos taken at the wedding exit.

For walking down the aisle, grand entrance, and sparkler exit, walking slowly is ideal as it helps me maintain sharp focus and capture more photos with precision.

Hairstyle and Makeup

My Preparation: