Things You Should Communicate to Your Wedding Photographer
Planning an Indian wedding is nothing short of orchestrating a grand festival. With multiple events, vibrant traditions, and families coming together from near and far, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. And in the middle of all this, your wedding photographer is the one entrusted with preserving memories that will be cherished for generations. To help them capture your story in the most authentic way, here are
9 Important Things You Should Tell Your Wedding Photographer Before the Big Day.
1. Your Wedding Itinerary
Indian weddings usually span over multiple days – from Mehendi and Haldi to Sangeet, Wedding, and Reception. Share a detailed timeline of events, with locations and approximate durations. This ensures your photographer can plan their coverage, prepare for different lighting conditions, and be ready for those spontaneous moments.
2. Must-Capture Rituals & Traditions
Every family has unique customs. Whether it’s the joota chupai, a specific puja, or a South Indian maalai maatral or oonjal ceremony, make sure your photographer knows which rituals are included so that they are aware of and plan ahead to capture them.
Related Read: Real Wedding Stories: Some of the Most Beautiful Moments We Have Witnessed and Captured as Wedding Photographers
3. Family Dynamics & VIP List
Indian weddings bring together a huge gathering of family and friends. Let your photographer know who the key people are- grandparents, close relatives, or that cousin who flew in from abroad or your family pet. This helps them focus on those relationships and ensures the people closest to you are featured prominently in your album.
4. Your Story as a Couple
The best wedding photographs are personal. Share how you met, what makes your bond special, and the little quirks that define your relationship. This helps the photographer look out for moments that reflect you as a couple, not just the ceremonies.
5. Special Requests & Shot List
Do you want a bridal portrait with your grandmother’s heirloom jewellery? A fun cousins’ photo during the Haldi? Or maybe a wide drone shot of the baraat? Sharing these preferences in advance will help your photographer make them a priority, without disrupting the natural flow of events. Like here, Aashna had mentioned she was using heirloom jewellery of her mom and grandmom and we made sure to capture each of those pieces while she was getting ready.
6. Décor Details & Venue Highlights
A lot of effort goes into designing the mandap, floral arrangements, and table settings. Tell your photographer about décor elements that are meaningful to you, so they can document them beautifully. These details add context and richness to your wedding story. At Ritika and Yash’s wedding, we witnessed a beautiful personal touch that truly stood out. Instead of using a traditional curtain for their antarpat, they created something deeply meaningful with the help of their loved ones. Each family member and friend left a handprint with haldi and kumkum on a white dupatta, which was then used as the antarpat during the ceremony. This simple yet powerful gesture turned what is usually just a ritualistic prop into a symbol of love, blessings, and togetherness. Surrounded by the imprints of their closest people, Ritika and Yash began their new chapter not just as a couple, but with the warmth of everyone who mattered most to them.
Related Read: How to Choose the Best Wedding Photographer
7. Cultural Nuances & Sensitive Moments
Indian weddings are deeply rooted in culture and religion. Some moments may be intimate or require sensitivity- like certain pujas, emotions during the bidaai, or rituals where photography might be restricted. Communicating these in advance ensures your photographer respects the sanctity of the occasion.
8. Wardrobe & Jewellery Highlights
From Mehendi outfits to bridal lehengas and sherwanis, Indian weddings are a fashion spectacle. Let your photographer know which outfits and jewellery pieces are particularly special, so they can plan creative shots around them.
9. Your Comfort Level
Not everyone loves being in front of the camera. Be honest about your comfort level- whether you enjoy posed shots or prefer a completely candid approach. Sharing this helps your photographer strike the right balance and make you feel at ease. Most of the couples who reach out to us admit that they feel camera shy. And honestly, that’s completely natural-after all, it’s not every day you have a lens following your every move. That’s why we make it a priority to connect and bond with our couples before the big day. By the time we actually step behind the camera, they’re no longer conscious of being photographed. Instead, they feel relaxed, comfortable, and free to simply be themselves. That’s when the most authentic emotions-laughter, happy tears, and those quiet in-between moments-shine through, creating photographs that feel real and timeless
Final Thoughts
Your wedding photographer is more than just a vendor. They’re a storyteller who will capture the essence of your celebrations. The more openly you communicate with them, the better they can preserve your once-in-a-lifetime memories with all the color, chaos, and beauty of an Indian wedding.