Photography has become an essential part of wedding ceremonies and receptions, and this extends to the bride’s experience of that day as well. If you are planning on taking your own wedding photos, it’s a good idea to think about how you want them to turn out ahead of time, so that the actual day isn’t one big whirlwind of activity and stress. The following 10 tips will help you achieve perfect photos on your wedding day.

1) Create An Engagement Album

Creating an engagement album before your wedding day allows you to get acquainted with your photographer’s style and gives you a head start on picking which photos to include in your final album. It also allows you to get some of those pre-wedding jitters out of your system. If there’s one thing that can set off a case of wedding-day jitters, it’s looking at pictures of yourself as a newly engaged woman! By creating an engagement album, you’re setting yourself up for success by getting into a creative mindset (after all, an engagement session is really just like any other photo shoot) and setting aside time (however limited) during the week leading up to your wedding day to think about something other than work or laundry.

2) Set Up A Photography Fund

In most wedding budget breakdowns, it’s assumed that couples have a pot of money just sitting around to spend on photography. However, if you’re trying to save for a home or plan on making a huge down payment on your upcoming car, you might not have as much wiggle room in your budget as you once thought. That’s why planning ahead and setting up a photography fund is so important—you can put aside some extra cash every month from now until your wedding date so you don’t find yourself having to shell out more than $2,000 at once. At that point, start shopping around—find a photographer whose work appeals to you and make sure their packages fit within your photography fund.

3) Involve Everyone In Planning For Photography

If you want to do some of your own photography, be sure to include everyone in planning and timing. Find out how much time professional photographers need to set up their shots, and make sure that your guests understand when it’s okay to walk in front of a shot or move around. Take pictures before you walk down the aisle; it will help show your friends and family what they look like while they await your arrival. Another way to involve others is by asking them take photos during important moments (such as when you see each other) that you can use later on instead of having someone with a professional camera standing next to you at all times.

4) Attend A Photographers’ Meeting

Photo props and backdrops, when used right, are a great way to set the mood in your photos. They also help your subjects play up their character, whether that’s an adventurer in a safari setting or a princess among flowers. For example, if you’re going with nature as a backdrop, you can use paper trees to add some charm and pizzazz to your images. Have fun with props! Your wedding photos will thank you for it!

5) Create A Shot List For The Photographers

Before your wedding day, sit down with your photographer and go over every shot you want to get. Make sure they understand what types of shots and poses you want. For example, let’s say that one of your top priority shots is a gorgeous bridal portrait in front of an archway that was left standing at your venue after a recent wedding. It may not be a place where most couples choose to do their formal photos, but it’s something that has been on your list for years as the image you’ve had in mind since you started dating your fiancé.

6) Take Props And Backdrops

Taking pictures with a general theme in mind will give you something to work with. Perhaps your wedding is garden-themed, or it’s at a beach. In either case, look for flowers and leaves you can use as props to tie everything together. If you don’t want to be tied down by anything specific, consider using props that symbolize elements of your relationship. For example, if flowers are important to both of you, consider using some floral decorations as props in your photos.

7) Decide On Guest Book Pictures Beforehand

While it may seem like a daunting task, personally sending thank you notes is a thoughtful way to share your appreciation. A handwritten note shows how much you appreciate that your guests took time out of their busy lives to celebrate with you. Having a photo attached also allows you to relive some of your favorite moments from your special day. Plus, it makes for an adorable keepsake that can be framed and put up in a house or office one day!

8) Send Out Save-The-Date Cards

A lot of couples are waiting until closer to their wedding date to send out save-the-date cards, but I think it’s best to give guests as much notice as possible. I like sending out cards a few months before, so everyone can pencil in your wedding date on their calendars. This is especially important if you’re planning a destination wedding because many people will need time to book travel and accommodations. Many online services now offer custom save-the-date cards—I used Minted and loved how professional they looked. Because I was going for an artsy look, I chose one with a collage of engagement photos; but you could also choose a style that fits your vision more closely by uploading photos and/or selecting colors, fonts and even graphics.

9) Write Personal Thank You Notes With Photos Attached

This is a great idea to help new couples start off their married life. If you take even just 20 minutes out of your day, it could mean so much more than you could ever imagine. This will be a wonderful memory to look back on as time goes by and your relationship grows. A picture really does say a thousand words, and if there’s anyone that deserves a picture and personal message it would be someone who has helped you so much in your special day. I know from experience how special these notes are!

10) Use Photo Frames As Gifts For Guests

Are you getting married and wondering what to give your wedding guests? Maybe you’re doing an album or scrapbook as part of your guest thank-you gifts, but frames with photos are always a nice touch. That said, it can be really hard to come up with unique ideas that fit within your wedding theme. This is where framing company Mpix comes in. With photo frames created by expert designers and lots of customizable options, Mpix is a great place to buy picture frames that will work perfectly with all different styles of weddings and still have plenty of time before your big day.