On your wedding day, the last thing you want is to be worried about whether or not the photographer is snapping the right shots. To make sure you’ll remember your dreamy day for years to come, prepare in advance by developing a photo list to offer for guidance.

Talented photographers have plenty of experience shooting weddings, and know to snap getting ready pics, dress pics, dance floor pics, and everything in between. But if you have something personal you want them to include, or a preferred location for photos, have a conversation with your photographer about it prior to your wedding day. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a roundup for you.

Special Wedding Shots

Florals: Moonrise Floral Design Wedding Planner: Honey Dew Events Photographer: Megan Antalek Photography

If you’re incorporating unique details into your wedding, you’ll definitely want to make sure your photographer is aware of them. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you may already have in mind, but haven’t mentioned to your photographer yet:

• You’re wearing your grandmother’s veil.
• Three generations of women on your mom’s side will be there.
• Your wedding bands are imprinted with a meaningful quote on the inside.
• You’re wearing a necklace from your great grandma.

Finger Lakes Wedding Locations

Flowers: Stacy K Floral

There’s so much natural beauty in the Finger Lakes! It’s sure to create a stunning atmosphere for your wedding day. Your wedding venue may guide a lot of the shots for your photographer. For example, if you get married at the Aurora Inn, you’ll be able to snap some amazing sunset photos by the water. However, if you get married at the Springside Inn in Auburn, you’ll be able to get more woodsy photos. If you’re holding your wedding in a tent, let the photographer know so they can snap unique images both inside and out to capture the feeling of being there forever in your photos.

Here are some fun ideas for Finger Lakes-centric photos:

• Married couple together in front of hills.
• Sunset photos by a lake or canal.
• Married couple out on the water in a canoe, rowboat, or on paddleboards.
• Holding hands on a quaint street in a small Finger Lakes town.

Rochester Wedding Shoot Locations

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Sonnenberg Gardens, Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography, Florist: Wegmans, Hair & Makeup: Michelle’s Salon and Spa, Bride Attire: Dress: Lovely Bride, Shoes: Wallis, Accessories: Twigs & Honey, Groom Attire: Suit: Combatant Gentlemen, Shoes: Cole Haan, Wedding Party Attire: Bridesmaids: BHLDN, Groomsmen: Combatant Gentleman

Consider building in additional time to get photographs at a special or iconic place locally. You should also consider travel time for the wedding party, and anyone else who would be in these on-location photos. If you’re doing the photos in between the ceremony and reception, a nice touch is providing some appetizers and cocktails for your guests who are not included in the photos who will be at your venue waiting for you to arrive! Talk with your photographer in advance about where you want to go for local scenery photos as they can help you determine time allotment, budget, weather, location permissions, and travel factors to consider. If you do a “first look” (the married couple see each other before the ceremony), you can save some time and do photos earlier in the day. Photos of the wedding party and family portraits can also be done earlier in the day if a “first look” is done!

Here are a few of our favorite locations for shooting wedding photos around Rochester:

• The Memorial Art Gallery grounds – the tree tunnel is a favorite and is a lovely backdrop for photos. You can’t reserve the space so you’ll have to rely on luck! If you want to shoot some photos inside, you’ll need to pay and reserve the space in advance.
• Cobb’s Hill – Stand at the scenic overlook with the Rochester skyline as your backdrop, enjoy the greenery in Washington Grove, or play with the striking architecture of the reservoir building.
• High Falls – The Pont du Rennes bridge is another striking location for Rochester photos. Who can argue with having a waterfall as the backdrop of your wedding photos?!
• The Public Market – Not a traditional wedding venue, but it’s a special space to many and can make for a really lovely backdrop for your big day. This industrial space can become rustic, chic, and photogenic.

Props & Local Items

Hair- Looks By Leah, Makeup- Christina Matiash Makeup, Dress Store- Stella’s Bridal, Veil- Stella’s Bridal, Dress Designer- Justin Alexander, Bridesmaid Dress- Bill Levkoff, Suit Store- Men’s Wearhouse, Rings- Valle Jewelers, Flowers- Wegmans, Wedding Planner- Starlit Events, Photography: Jill Studio Photography and Design

If your venue is a bit more removed from scenic spots in Rochester or the Finger Lakes, there’s plenty you can do to incorporate local love! Try some of these ideas:

• Your choice of tables and chairs can make a difference in cultivating a local aesthetic.Vineyard chairs and farm tables can contribute to a Finger Lakes look and feel.
• Serve Genny at the bar, or decorate with Genny memorabilia.
• Use antique Kodak items as decor around your tent or venue space.
• Did you go to college in Rochester? Reach out to your alma mater and see if they can send you props from your college to use in photos.
• Pick up a fun Rochester pennant to hold in photos.
• Instead of numbering tables, name them after spots in Rochester that are meaningful to you and your partner! You can have friends seated at the Cobb’s Hill table, family at the Memorial Art Gallery table, neighbors at the Parcel 5 table.

By choosing either the Finger Lakes or Rochester as your setting, you can’t go wrong with tons of natural beauty to draw on for photos. Need some rented items to make your wedding reception even more photogenic? Contact us to get started.