When preparing for your wedding day, most couples spend time choosing the right wedding photographer, but very little time thinking about how to prepare for the wedding photographs themselves. While your photographer plays an important role, the way you experience your day also has a direct impact on how your photos ultimately feel.

At Ray Anthony Photography, weddings are photographed in a true documentary style. This means the day is not directed or influenced for the sake of photos. Instead, moments are allowed to unfold naturally and are documented as they happen. These simple tips are not about posing or performing, but about helping you stay present so your wedding photos reflect the real story of your day.

1. Be Yourself and Let the Day Unfold

It’s completely normal to be aware of a photographer’s presence on your wedding day, especially during the morning while getting ready. The best thing you can do is to simply be yourselves. Spend time with the people you love, play music that makes you feel relaxed, laugh, talk, and experience the day as it naturally unfolds.

When couples focus on being present rather than thinking about the camera, moments happen organically. These unscripted interactions, quiet emotions, and shared laughter are what create meaningful wedding photographs. Rather than adjusting how you behave, allow the day to move at its own pace and trust that the story is being documented as it happens.

2. Walk With Intention During the Ceremony

Walking down the aisle can feel overwhelming. Nerves and emotion often cause couples to look down or rush through the moment without realizing it. One of the simplest ways to allow this moment to be documented naturally is to slow down and stay present.

Keep your head up, take in what’s happening around you, and allow yourself to experience the significance of the moment. There is no need to perform or think about the camera. When you’re focused on where you are and who you’re walking toward, the emotion of the moment reveals itself honestly.

3. Take a Moment and Let the Kiss Happen

When you hear the words “you may now kiss,” allow the moment to breathe. There’s no need to rush. This is one of the few moments during the ceremony where time seems to stand still, and allowing it to last naturally gives space for emotion to surface.

Rather than thinking about how the kiss should look, stay focused on each other. A natural, unhurried moment allows the story of the ceremony to complete itself in an authentic way.

Trust the Process

That’s truly all that’s required of you. The rest is handled through observation, anticipation, and experience. At Ray Anthony Photography, the goal is to stay in the background so couples are free to celebrate their wedding day without interruption.

When you are fully present, your wedding photographs become more than images. They become an honest reflection of how your day felt, preserving moments you may not even remember experiencing in real time.

If your wedding is taking place in Michigan and you are looking for a documentary wedding photographer who focuses on authentic moments and unscripted storytelling, Ray Anthony Photography would be honored to document your day.