Editorial + Emotional: How to Get Magazine-Worthy Shots of Your Wedding

Every couple has a vision for their wedding day. Elegant, refined, artistic, modern... Though the words that define a couple's dream day vary, one thing remains constant across the board: they want this important day of their lives photographed in glossy elegance. 

If you've dreamed of seeing your wedding inside the pages of a magazine, or at the very least, would love a collection of photos that look as impressive as those published, you'll want to set your celebration apart.  

As a team of photographers who have had countless weddings featured inside publications like Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides, we know just what it takes to get those allusive magazine-worthy shots of your wedding day. 

Hire the Right Photographer

Even the most elevated event won't look effortlessly editorial if you don't have the right photographer documenting your day. Whereas a skilled professional can make a simple wedding look stunning, a substandard photographer can make an outstanding event look insignificant. 

This is why hiring the right photographer to capture your most important memories is essential. You'll want someone who understands your vision and someone you trust. Because everything from your dress to your decor can look on point, but if your photographer doesn't have the skills necessary (lighting, composition, connection, style) to capture these details, the images will fall flat on the page - and in your mind.

At Abby Jiu Photography, we approach your wedding as a cohesive storyline and blend editorial sensibility with the beauty of connection. As your wedding photography team, we want to ensure that the resulting photos reflect and enhance your vision.

Planning and design Grit & Grace Inc | Flowers and decor Amaryllis

Communicate Your Wants and Needs

This is your day, which means your wants and needs should be front and center. If you want to get the magazine-worthy photos you've been dreaming about, now is the time to collaborate as a team with your photographer, planner, and stylist to convey the feeling, grandeur, and epic moments created throughout your day. 

Don't be afraid to voice your thoughts and desires from the get-go, and continue to check in with your team throughout the planning stages. Consistent communication is one of the best ways to define and refine your wedding vision. And the more information you can give your wedding team, the easier it will be for them to create that vision. 

Planning and design Grit & Grace Inc | Flowers Sweetroot Village | Paper Dandelion Patch
Rentals Something Vintage

Hire a Wedding Stylist

Just as hiring a skilled photographer is vital in getting the editorial look you want, so too is hiring a talented team of vendors. This includes wedding stylists. These “dream team” members are like the fairy godmothers of your mood boards. They take your big vision (aesthetic, personal style, ambiance, etc.) and make sure everything from your color and fabric choices to your tablescape arrangements are in perfect harmony. 

Wedding stylists keep up with all the trends, from fashion and flowers to wedding decor. They ensure you don't go overboard with trendy concepts but instead create a bespoke look - where the details make the difference. With a stylist by your side, your wedding will come alive through the setting, emotions, and mood that transpire from the composed elements. 

As with all wedding vendors, hiring a stylist with experience and who understands what it takes to bring a concept to fruition is important. We have a list of preferred stylists we love working with and would be happy to introduce you. 

Planning and Design Simply Chic Events

Consult Hair & Make-up Gurus

Hair and makeup can make or break your entire wedding day look. Just scroll through wedding pictures from the 80s for evidence of this statement. Even today, a bride might feel so bold as to try a completely different hairstyle or copy that TikTok makeup hack right before the wedding day - only to find out that the look doesn't vibe with her style or the overall wedding. 

This is not to say that you shouldn't feel free to explore different looks (long before your wedding day), but only that consulting with a professional can save you tons of time, money, and possibly regret. Because not only will matching your hairstyle and makeup choices to your wedding aesthetic give you an editorial edge, it will also gift you with cherished memories of your radiant self.  

Look at the recent fashion runways for inspiration and guidance, and share your findings with your HMU artist. Even better, lean into your wedding day stylist for advice on creating a cohesive look, then visit your HMU guru for how you can create the style.  

Makeup Anna Breeding

Makeup Makeup by Ana B

Plan Out the Smallest of Design Details

When it comes to capturing magazine-worthy wedding photos, it's all about the visual elements. Design details matter to publishers, and they'll matter to you when you're looking back at your photos five years from now. 

Think flowers arranged in an exciting and unique way, the vintage Chanel brooch on your bouquet, the stunning shoulder detail on a dress, or the intricate pattern at play on the cake.

It's all about the little things, right down to the hangers you use in your getting-ready room. The details must have an impact. 

Planning and Design Lauryn Prattes Events and Styling | Paper Kara Anne Paper

Planning and Design Lauryn Prattes Events and Styling | Catering Occasions Caterers

Planning and Design Lauryn Prattes Events and Styling | Cake Fleur and Flour

Our strategy ensures we collaborate with you, your planner, and your stylist so that we're able to document your event in a way that reflects your refined and individual tastes. From the big moments to the finer points, we'll capture your whole day, one curated click at a time. 

Connect with us, and let's talk about how we can take your wedding to the next level with magazine-worthy photographs.