Your wedding is going to be stunning. Emotional. Chaotic. Expensive. Full of moments you won’t even remember because you’ll be low on sleep, holding back tears, trying to find your mom… and maybe had a drink or two.
That’s why your photographer and videographer need to get it right. Because you’ll be looking at those photos and watching that video for the rest of your life.
As someone who spent months picking a photography and videography team with my then-fiancé (because he wanted to be involved), here’s your Saajh Survival Guide to bossing up and managing your photo + video team like the queen you are.
Let’s make sure you don’t end up with weird angles, blurry shots, or a highlight reel that looks like it was edited in Windows Movie Maker.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Vision Before You Hire Anyone
Before you even start booking meetings or signing contracts, you need to know exactly what you want your wedding media to feel like. This ensures you’re not walking into photographer interviews saying, “Whatever you think is best”—because that’s how you end up with someone else’s style instead of your own.
Explore & explore more
Go onto Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, ask chatGPT. Look at editorial sites (like Vogue India Weddings or South Asian Bride Magazine), go to the websites of photo & video teams you like & explore their portfolio. Take note of what you like and what you don’t like.
Decide on Your Video Vibes
Not all wedding videos are created equal. Some couples want cinematic film vibes—moody lighting, epic slow motion, sweeping drone shots, and music that feels like the opening scene of a movie. Others prefer documentary style—real sounds, conversations, and raw moments exactly as they happened. You might even choose a hybrid approach that blends stylized shots with real-life audio, or request social-first edits specifically designed for Instagram and TikTok.
Be clear with your videographer about how many cameras they’ll use, whether you’ll receive a highlight reel and full ceremony footage, and if your audio will be crisp enough to relive every toast and whispered comment. If you want multiple edits—cinematic, documentary, and social-friendly—say that upfront so they can plan the workflow and pricing.
Decide How You’ll Use Your Photos
Your end goal changes the entire approach. If you want publication-worthy content, aim for editorial, perfectly styled, and carefully composed shots. If you plan to frame a portrait for your home, prioritize timeless images with dramatic lighting and rich detail. If you’re making a scrapbook or memory book, you’ll want a heavy focus on candid joy and intimate moments. And for thank-you cards or announcements, you’ll need images that leave space for text and work in multiple crop sizes. You can of course have a variety but just be clear about your preferences so it all gets captured accordingly.
You will want to be able to tell the team exactly how you will use your photos and the style you want!
Step 2: Vet Your Dream Team
Once you’ve narrowed your shortlist, it’s time to see if they can truly match your vision. After looking at availability and budget, your highest priority has to be an alignment of style.
Stalk Their Work—Then Show Them Yours
Browse their full galleries, not just the highlight reels on their website. Then flip the script—show them what you love and what you never want to see in your own wedding edits. That Instagram video with awkward slow-mo spins? Show it. The flat, overexposed portraits you saw on Pinterest? Show those too.
This isn’t being difficult. It’s giving them a visual roadmap for what success looks like to you. Two Pinterest boards—“Yes, Please” and “Absolutely Not”—are one of the fastest ways to communicate your style boundaries.
Pinpoint What You Actually Like (& Don’t Like)
When you see a wedding photo you love, don’t stop at “pretty.” Ask yourself why it works. Is it the lighting? The emotion? The depth of color? The candidness of the moment? The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to find a photographer whose strengths align with your preferences. Document this in a simple word documents or notes on your phone you can share or make it pro by doing a Canva or Google Slides (the more you put into this, the more you will get).
Make Sure They Understand South Asian Weddings
Just because a photographer or videographer has done a few South Asian weddings doesn’t mean they understand yours. The rituals, timing, and emphasis vary widely between communities and families. Align with them on which moments are most important to you—whether that’s the exact instant you and your partner see each other, a specific religious rite, or a private blessing with your parents.
Ask to see full galleries from past South Asian weddings or look for them on their socials. Review them closely to see if they’ve captured the types of shots and moments you care about most.
Discuss Props, Details, and Drama
If you want a shot of your lehenga twirl, close-ups of your jewelry, or a cinematic moment stepping out of a vintage car, say it now. Don’t assume they’ll guess. Also be clear about whether you prefer posed direction, candid observation, or a balance of both—and whether they’ll need to stage shots for your family members who may not naturally gravitate toward the camera.
Test Their Weather Game
Ask what their backup plan is if the sun is too harsh, if clouds roll in, or if it rains. Do they bring umbrellas, reflectors, or portable lighting? Can they adapt to wind or heat without losing quality? The goal is to work with professionals who can still create magic, no matter the forecast.
Step 3: Lock It Down (Contracts + Communication)
Once you’ve selected your team (and read our Saajh Guide on Vendor Selection & Contract Negotiation), it’s time to plan with your dream team.
Build a Strategic Shot List
Don’t just make one long list—divide it by event: engagement (if applicable), pre-wedding functions, ceremony, and reception. For each event, outline:
The key moments you want captured (both posed and candid) for both video and photography (e.g. your first look, the reaction of your parents when you walk in etc.)
The names and, if possible, contact info of VIPs for each shot (so the team can coordinate quickly)
The location where each shot should be taken
Schedule of events and timeline for each day so there is alignment across the teams, your family and the bridal parties
For example, if you want a portrait with your grandmother before the ceremony, note her name, who should be in the frame with her, and where it should happen—so the photographer isn’t trying to find her in a crowd of 300 guests.
This shot list should be realistic, prioritized and printed or stored on the team’s devices. Highlight the ones most important to you as the days will get busy and you may not get through everything. During the wedding, it becomes their map for making sure nothing is missed.
You can also give them some pictures or poses you want to recreate as part of your shot list and include who should be in those if you have a preference. This can be especially fun for photos with your bridesmaids or groomsmen.
TL;DR: Speak Now or Forever Regret the Edit
Your photographer and videographer are there to capture your vision, not improvise it. Be direct, be specific, and don’t be afraid to spell out what you do and don’t want. The clearer you are now, the more likely you are to get wedding media you’ll be proud to revisit for years to come.
And if you’re not sure what to ask or how to frame these conversations, Saajh has you covered—with vetted vendor questions, contract clauses, and planning tools to make sure your wedding photos and video feel magical, not mildly embarrassing.
