Why Hiring an Experienced Destination Wedding Photographer Changes Everything

If you’re planning a destination wedding, let us say this loud and clear: it’s not just about the views—it’s about the experience. We recently had the joy of photographing a stunning wedding just outside of Portland, Oregon, and while the scenery was dreamy and the seafood life-changing (seriously, we’ll never recover), it’s the behind-the-scenes lessons that made the biggest impact.

Whether you’re headed to the Pacific Northwest or planning a mountain-top “I do” in Italy, here are the top 5 things we’ve learned from destination weddings that will make your wedding weekend smoother, more intentional, and way more fun.

1. Fly In Early—Way Early (Trust us, Future You Will Thank You)

We flew out early on purpose—which turned out to be a game-changer when all flights got delayed due to a random system update that grounded planes nationwide. (Yeah. That happened.) While some guests didn’t even make it till the next day, we were already boots-on-the-ground with coffee in hand and cameras ready.

Why it matters: Flying in early means we have time to:

• Soak in the vibe of the space so we’re not winging it on your wedding day.
• Scout photo locations in person (because Google Earth only shows so much).
• Meet with your planner and venue coordinator face-to-face.

2. Welcome Dinners = Relationship Gold

By the time the ceremony rolled around, we’d already met your family, laughed at your uncle’s jokes, and shared a drink with your best friends. That welcome dinner wasn’t just a nice pre-party—it gave us a front-row seat to your inner circle.

Why it matters: We’re not just snapping photos—we’re storytellers. When we’ve connected with your people in advance, they trust us more, open up more, and we’re able to capture the real stuff: grandma wiping a tear, your best friend’s toast reaction, the spontaneous dance-off that no one saw coming.

3. Gear Travels With Us (And Never Leaves Our Side)

Checked bags are great for socks and dry shampoo—not so much for $10K cameras and your once-in-a-lifetime wedding memories. We make sure our essential gear is with us at all times. And yes, we’re those people using the overhead bin like it’s a high-stakes game of Tetris.

CLOUD BACKUP? A must. During your wedding we are backing up your photos to multiple destinations, including hard drives and our own online cloud storage.

Why it matters: Lost luggage ≠ lost wedding coverage. With us, your memories are never left to chance (or the baggage carousel gods).

4. Waze, Toll Passes & The Art of Not Getting Lost

Toll roads. Backwoods trails. Random detours. Destination weddings mean unfamiliar territory, and our secret weapons? Toll passes + the Waze app (and maybe a little prayer). We don’t mess around when it comes to planning our routes and arrival times.

Why it matters: When timelines are tight, there’s zero room for navigation hiccups. We plan ahead so that you don’t have to hear us say “sorry, we’re late.”

5. Rest Is Part of the Job

This one may sound a little “self-care influencer,” but hear us out. We intentionally plan pockets of rest into our destination schedule—because showing up rested means we can give our all when it really matters.

Why it matters: A wedding weekend isn’t just one event. It’s a marathon of moments—getting ready, portraits, ceremony, reception, plus welcome parties, send-offs, and everything in between. You need a team that’s energized and excited—not dragging their feet by day two.

Bonus: The Real Secret to Destination Wedding Photography? Relationship.

Couples are pouring their hearts into crafting unforgettable experiences for their people. And our job? To make those memories tangible. The reason we’re able to do that so well? It’s not just our cameras—it’s the collaboration, trust, and intentional relationship we build leading up to the wedding.

When you bring us into your destination wedding weekend, you’re not just hiring photographers. You’re getting partners. Travel-savvy, timeline-obsessed, people-loving storytellers who know how to make your day feel effortless and your gallery feel alive.

Planning a destination wedding? Let’s make magic together—wherever your love takes you.

Check out the full blog for Amanda and Ethan’s Wedding Weekend in Washington at the Empress Estate.