The couple in these September photos made two very different pictures in the same clothes. Beside the flowers, they have time to turn toward each other. Under the pergola, they’re holding hands with their officiant between them. His hat is in both frames. So is the train of her dress. One picture tells you how they looked together; the other takes you back to what they were doing.
When you save a wedding photo for your photographer, try finishing the sentence “I like this because…” For the garden portrait, your answer might be the yellow flowers, the full view of the dress, or the fact that the couple are looking at each other. Those are three different requests. Saying which one you mean leaves your photographer much more room to make a picture that feels like you.
For the ceremony photo, look at the hands. If exchanging rings or holding hands through your vows matters to you, mention it before the wedding. Your photographer can plan where to stand. You get to concentrate on the person in front of you instead of remembering a shot list in the middle of your vows.
What would I send ahead? One example of a portrait you’d gladly step away to make, and one moment you want to experience exactly as it happens. Add a sentence about each. That gives your photographer more to work with than a folder full of beautiful pictures with no explanation.