A Colorado Wedding Photographer’s Guide to a Laid-Back Wedding Day
For couples who want joy over chaos, champagne over checklists, and presence over pressure.
Let’s get one thing straight: you deserve to have a wedding day that feels like you. Not like a Pinterest board exploded. Not like you’re starring in a reality show called “Who’s Melting Down First?” Just you, your partner, your people, and a whole lotta love.
As someone who’s seen weddings from the inside out (hi, I’m Jamie—a Colorado wedding photographer who’s third-wheeled more love stories than I can count), I’m here to give you the real, un-Googleable tips that’ll help you actually enjoy your wedding day. Like, stress-free and fun. Yes, it’s possible. Let’s break it down.
1. Mindset First: Your Wedding Isn’t a Performance
One of the biggest mindset shifts I encourage couples to make early on is this: your wedding is not a production—it’s a celebration.
Here’s how to start rewiring your brain for that:
Unfollow pressure-inducing content: If wedding TikTok or certain Instagram accounts make you feel behind, unworthy, or overwhelmed, it’s time to mute or unfollow. Create space for inspiration, not anxiety.
Daily 5-minute mindfulness check-ins: Starting a month before the wedding, set a timer for 5 minutes a day. Breathe. Visualize how you want to feel on your wedding day (calm, connected, present—whatever your vibe is). That feeling is your north star. Let it guide your decisions.
Adopt a ‘good enough is great’ mantra: Perfection is a myth. Let that go now, and replace it with “This is meaningful to us, and that’s enough.”
This couple spent their engagement session writing love notes and wedding day intentions to one another over coffee. Not only did it make for authentic, heartfelt photos, it also gave them a pre-wedding moment to slow down and focus on what really matters to them as a couple.
2. Figure Out Your Priorities (Without Arguing About Napkin Colors)
Before you start booking vendors or saying yes to things just because you’re “supposed to,” it’s time to get clear on your priorities as a couple. Not your parents’, not Pinterest’s—yours. And yes, I’ve got some creative ways to do that:
The Journaling Exercise
Each of you answers the following prompts separately, then share your answers together over coffee, wine, or a hike:
When I imagine our wedding day, what feelings come to mind?
What are 3 things I care most about experiencing that day?
What’s one thing I could let go of and still be completely happy?
The "This or That" Game
Make it a date night. Sit down and go through a lightning round of “this or that” questions:
Big party or intimate vibe?
Gourmet dinner or food truck tacos?
First look or aisle reveal?
Fancy flowers or wild, budget-friendly blooms?
Pro tip: it’s not about getting every answer to match—it’s about finding the overlap and honoring each other’s must-haves.
3. Vision Planning: Create a Wedding “Feel” Board, Not a Mood Board
Hear me out—mood boards are cute, but they often turn into a trap of aesthetics over emotion. Instead, I suggest couples create a “feel board.”
Here’s how:
Use a blank journal, a notes app, or Pinterest if that’s your thing.
Instead of pinning cakes and centerpieces, write words or phrases that describe how you want to feel: “Warm and connected.” “Playful and silly.” “No timeline panic.” “Champagne with my best friends in the sun.”
Add photos that spark emotions, not just looks. Think cozy backyard hangs, epic views, laughter, dancing barefoot under string lights.
Let this guide every decision, from the venue to the vows.
For this groom, sharing a toast with his groomsmen before the ceremony was a top priority. Laughter and excitement all around!
4. Choose Vendors Who Get You
Once you know your priorities and the vibe you’re going for, don’t just book vendors based on price and availability. That’s a fast track to regret. You want to find vendors who vibe with your values—who will hype you up, have your back, and give you the freedom to be fully present.
Look for these green flags:
They ask you questions about how you want to feel on your wedding day.
They offer flexible, realistic timelines that aren’t packed tighter than a Trader Joe’s parking lot.
They show up as humans first, not salespeople.
They value moments over poses (and if you’re working with me, that one’s basically my love language).
Pro tip: stalk their Instagram captions, watch their stories, read their blog posts (hello!)—you’ll get a strong sense of whether they’re your kind of people. If you can picture yourself drinking a beer with them? That’s a great sign.
5. Don’t Just “Plan” the Day—Set the Tone
You’ve picked your crew and locked in your vendors. Now it’s time to curate the energy of the day.
Here’s how to set yourself up for calm, fun, and full presence:
Appoint a chaos-catcher: This can be a planner, a day-of coordinator, or your bossy best friend who thrives under pressure. It’s someone whose literal job is to handle the little fires so you can just vibe.
Create a “just us” moment: Whether it’s a private first look, a quick post-ceremony hug, or sneaking away during sunset—build in time to just be together. The day flies by. Make sure you actually spend it with your person.
Ditch the production timeline: You do not need a minute-by-minute script. Keep it structured but flexible. Allow for wiggle room. Running 10 minutes late to hug your grandma is not a crisis.
If you ask me, a moment alone before the ceremony together is a must-have. Even if you’re not doing a first look, you can still spend a few breaths together back-to-back, or even do a “first touch” where you hold hands on opposite sides of a doorway. You’ll find your nerves are instantly calmed once you have your person by your side before the big I Do.
TLDR? Here’s the Magic Formula:
Mindset + Clarity + Feel-Guided Planning + Aligned Vendors = Actual Wedding Day Joy
You don’t need to be chill every second or have a perfectly curated schedule. You just need to build a day around you, not the version of you you think people expect. Be yourselves. Eat the cake. Skip the bouquet toss if it feels cringey. Dance like nobody’s doing the worm behind you.
And if you’re still searching for someone to capture the real, raw, joy-filled moments while letting you actually enjoy them… I know a gal.