When couples dream about their wedding gallery, they picture the magic: dreamy golden-hour portraits, tear-filled vows, and the packed dance floor that feels like pure joy.
As a Wisconsin wedding photographer, I’ve had the honor of capturing hundreds of those moments — and I know how important they are. But behind every stunning image is another side of wedding photography. It’s the side where I’m running on caffeine, juggling timelines, and carrying an emergency kit like it’s part of my uniform.
Being a wedding photographer in the Midwest isn’t just about artistry; it’s about preparation, stamina, and heart. After more than a decade behind the lens, I’ve learned that some tools are absolutely non-negotiable. Here are the three things I simply cannot live without on a wedding day.
1. Aleve + Pepto: The Emergency BFFs
Wedding days are long — often 12+ hours on my feet with a camera bag that feels like it weighs as much as a toddler. Add in the adrenaline of making sure every moment is captured perfectly, and my body can definitely feel the strain.
That’s why Aleve and Pepto are always tucked into my bag. These quiet little heroes keep me moving when aches or stomach issues threaten to slow me down. They’re not glamorous, but in behind-the-scenes wedding photography, it’s often the unglamorous details that make the difference between powering through and burning out.
2. My Apple Watch: The Timeline Lifeline
If there’s one wedding day tip I can give couples, it’s this: timelines matter more than you think.
As a wedding photographer, part of my role is to help keep the day flowing smoothly. From first looks to golden-hour portraits and reception dances, weddings run minute-to-minute — and my Apple Watch is the secret weapon that keeps me synced.
It buzzes at just the right moments so I never miss a beat. Family photos? Check. Sunset portraits? On time. Cake cutting? I’m there. Without it, I’d probably get swept up in the magic and forget to glance at the clock — and while that sounds dreamy, it wouldn’t help anyone stay on schedule.
3. Tennis Shoes: The Survival Gear
Here’s the truth: you can’t survive a wedding day in heels or dress shoes. Period.
Comfortable tennis shoes are my survival gear. With all the walking, running, crouching, squatting, climbing (and yes, sometimes dancing with my couples!), my shoes keep me going. They may not be glamorous, but they let me end the night with energy, excitement, and a smile — ready to capture that last sparkler exit shot.
The Reality of Wedding Photography
The reality is that wedding photography isn’t always pretty from behind the lens. It’s sweat, timelines, backup plans, and a whole lot of organization. But every long day, every heavy step, every unglamorous moment is worth it when I deliver a gallery that makes my couples cry happy tears and relive their story again and again.
That’s what makes being a Wisconsin wedding photographer so rewarding. It’s never just about the photos — it’s about the legacy.
Let’s Talk Essentials
✨ Fellow photographers — what’s YOUR can’t-live-without wedding day essential?
✨ Couples — if you had to photograph a wedding all day, what’s the first thing you’d throw in your bag?
Drop your answers in the comments — I love hearing what keeps others going!
Final Thoughts
Being a wedding photographer in Wisconsin and the Midwest is about blending artistry, preparation, and heart. My couples trust me to capture their love stories beautifully while also keeping the day flowing smoothly.
So the next time you see me darting across a ballroom in tennis shoes, checking my buzzing watch, and pulling something from my emergency kit, just know — that’s the real side of behind-the-scenes wedding photography. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
👉 Planning your wedding? Let’s make sure your love story is captured beautifully and stress-free.
Start here: www.danimariephotowi.com
0 Comments