Expert Advice For A Stress-Free Wedding from Calgary-Based Wedding Photographer, Meaghan Baxter
Your wedding day should feel like one big, joyful exhale—not a whirlwind of stress and panic. But with so many moving parts, it’s easy for even the most carefully planned days to feel chaotic. As a Calgary-based wedding photographer (and former bride), I’ve seen first-hand what helps keep couples grounded and what tends to unravel the day. Here are my top tips for having a smooth, stress-free wedding day from start to finish.
Get Organized Ahead of Time
Most people aren’t sleeping at home the night before their wedding, so it helps to create a checklist of everything you’ll need in the morning. That means your gown, shoes, veil, and accessories—but don’t forget the little things like undergarments, jewelry, deodorant, tissues, mints, and wardrobe tape. If you’re writing your vows in a special booklet, do that in the days leading up to the wedding—not on the morning-of when your hair is half done and people are pulling you in a dozen directions.
If your dress or veil needs steaming, use distilled water only (trust me on this), and do it the night before to avoid any last-minute mishaps or accidental makeup smudges from the steam.
Create Breathing Room in Your Timeline
Time always moves faster on a wedding day. Even with the best intentions, things run late—someone forgets a tie, makeup takes longer, traffic happens. The best way to avoid feeling rushed is to build buffer time into every part of your day. This is especially important if you're doing flat lay detail photos, first looks, or getting dressed with your wedding party.
Check in with your hair and makeup team to get realistic time estimates and make sure everyone knows exactly when they need to be in the chair and when they need to be fully dressed. It helps to give these times in writing. Your photographer, planner, and vendors will all work better with a flexible but clear structure.
Need help crafting your timeline? What to Put in Your Wedding Day Timeline (According to Your Photographer)
Choose Your Getting-Ready Location Wisely
If your venue doesn’t offer a getting-ready space, find somewhere with plenty of natural light and enough space for your crew to spread out. Cluttered rooms make for stressful energy and cluttered photos. Ideally, your prep location is close to your ceremony site to cut down on travel time and avoid any traffic-related stress. Bonus points if it's also near your partner's getting-ready location—this helps your photographer cover both sides of the story more easily.
Choose a space with natural light and minimal clutter — see What Makes a Great Getting Ready Space.
Pack a Wedding Day Essentials Bag
Designate someone in your wedding party to be the keeper of an emergency kit. Include: Band-Aids, tampons, safety pins, super glue, tissues, blotting papers, snacks, water, sunscreen, floss, a sewing kit, and anything else you might need in a pinch. If you forget, no worries—I always bring one. But it’s never a bad idea to have extra.
Prep Your Details for Photos
If you want curated flat lay photos of your details (like your rings, invitations, and accessories), gather everything into one details box before the photographer arrives. Include things like:
- Both wedding bands
- Engagement ring
- Ring boxes
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Invitation suite
- Vow books
- Heirlooms
- Perfume
- Loose florals (ask your florist!)
Photographing these takes time (usually 30–60 minutes), so let your photographer know if they’re a priority.
Eat. Hydrate. Repeat.
You’ll be surprised how little you eat once the day gets rolling. Make time for a real breakfast or lunch before the ceremony, and drink water between every mimosa. This goes for the wedding party too—especially if you’re doing portraits outside in summer heat.
Also: use the washroom before you get into your dress. You’ll thank me later.
Go Easy on the Pre-Ceremony Booze
A celebratory shot with your crew is one thing. Shotgunning beers at 9 a.m.? That’s a different story. Drunkenness always shows in photos, and it can make group portraits a real challenge. Keep it fun, but paced. You want to feel like yourself when you walk down the aisle.
Practice the Complicated Stuff
Have a dress with buttons? A bustle with loops? A complex veil attachment? Practice beforehand with whoever is helping you into your gown. I’m always happy to assist (and have), but you don’t want your photographer stuck buttoning 47 bustle loops while golden hour is slipping away.
The same goes for bow ties or ties—get familiar with them before the big day. It saves time and keeps things moving.
Keep the Family Photo List Manageable
Family portraits can take up a lot of time, especially with large or blended families. Stick to immediate family in your formal portrait list to avoid spending an hour herding people. We can always grab more casual family photos during the reception.
Each grouping takes about three to five minutes to set up and shoot, and it’s even longer for larger groups. Let your photographer know the VIPs and we'll make it seamless.
Bonus tip: Let your planner or coordinator know if a full group shot with every guest is a must-have. They’ll build this into your timeline to ensure it happens.
Should You Hire a Wedding Planner? A Photographer’s Honest Take.
Trust Your Vendors
You chose them for a reason. On the day, your job is to be present. Your vendors’ job is to make the day flow smoothly. A good team of pros has seen it all, and we know how to pivot if something doesn’t go exactly as planned. Share your must-haves ahead of time, then let us do what we do best.
If you haven’t finalized your vendor team yet, check out our recommendations for Calgary wedding planners, videographers, and officiants for a stress-free experience.
Communicate With Your Crew
Let your wedding party and family know how they can support you. If you’re worried about being peppered with questions, delegate roles ahead of time. Assign a timeline keeper, someone in charge of the emergency bag, and someone who knows all the parking and venue logistics.
This is your day, and the people around you want to help. Clear communication = calm energy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need everything to be perfect. You just need to feel good, be surrounded by love, and soak it all in. A calm morning sets the tone for the entire day, so do what you can to prep ahead of time and trust your team to take it from there.
Still feeling overwhelmed? Consider working with a professional planner or coordinator. They’re worth their weight in gold.
Looking for more Wedding Planning tips? Check out:
Written in collaboration with Meaghan Baxter, Calgary-based wedding photographer.
About the Photographer
Meaghan Baxter is a Calgary-based wedding photographer with over a decade of experience and a background in journalism that brings a rich storytelling perspective to her work. Known for her calming presence, Meaghan specializes in capturing candid, authentic moments while offering gentle guidance to help couples feel natural in front of the camera. Her editing style is timeless and true-to-life, allowing the emotion of the day to shine without distraction. Clients consistently praise how comfortable and confident they feel with her, a testament to her thoughtful, client-centred approach. Whether she's working locally in Alberta or traveling across Western Canada, Meaghan is committed to creating images that feel personal, honest, and beautifully reflective of each couple’s unique story.
Want more from Meaghan Baxter? See more at meaghanbaxterphotography.com