Weddings
From Planning to Photography: How We Help Create a Stress-Free Wedding Day
Featuring Laura from Laura’s Wedding Charm
Why This Collaboration Matters
Planning a wedding is exciting, but let’s be honest — it can also feel overwhelming. I’ve learned that the key to a calm, joyful wedding day is having the right people by your side. People who just get it. Who understand your vision, bring structure to the chaos, and help you slow down and actually feel the day.
As a wedding photographer based in Amersfoort, with roots in Finland, I bring a calm, observant energy to every wedding I photograph. I’m drawn to those quiet, emotional in-between moments — the ones that can’t be staged, only noticed.
I recently connected with Laura, the founder of Laura’s Wedding Charmand instantly appreciated her thoughtful, down-to-earth approach to planning. We share a similar mindset when it comes to weddings: creating space for genuine moments, reducing stress, and focusing on what truly matters to the couple.
So I sat down with her to talk about what makes great wedding planning, how we collaborate behind the scenes, and what advice she gives to couples planning a stress-free wedding here in the Netherlands.
Why Laura Became a Wedding Planner
I planned my own wedding ten years ago,” Laura shared. “And I absolutely loved it. Even then, I remember thinking: this is what I want to do for other people!
It wasn’t until a few years ago that she made the leap. After feeling disconnected from her previous job, Laura began looking inward, searching for something that sparked real joy. Weddings came back into view — the magic, the emotion, the chance to walk alongside couples and help bring their dreams to life.
Now I help couples create the most beautiful and meaningful day of their lives. What drives me is the personal contact, the connection. I love understanding their story and building a day around it.”
As a photographer, I really connect with this mindset. I'm always drawn to the personal side of weddings — understanding the story behind a couple, and capturing that in a way that feels honest and calm.
How Laura Helps Couples Create Their Dream Wedding
For Laura, it always begins with listening. Every couple has their own story, their own rhythm, their own vision for what the day should feel like. That’s where her process starts — not with a checklist, but with a conversation.
What makes their love unique? What do they care about most? Once we understand that, we can translate it into a plan that feels completely like them
From there, she builds a clear, practical roadmap: helping couples find the right venue, select a trusted team of wedding vendors, and shape a timeline that supports both the emotional flow of the day and the practical needs. She offers guidance on styling and atmosphere, brings in creative ideas that reflect the couple’s personality, and makes sure no detail is forgotten.
I want my couples to enjoy the process — not feel overwhelmed by it.
That’s exactly the kind of approach I value in the people I work with. Laura doesn’t push a specific style — she adapts to the couple. And like me, she believes that weddings should feel calm, natural, and meaningful — not like a performance.
As a photographer, I really notice the difference when I work with someone like Laura. The day flows more naturally, couples feel more at ease, and there’s space to enjoy the moments as they happen — without stress or rushing.
Laura helps create that calm. She takes care of what needs to happen behind the scenes, so the couple can stay focused on each other. That shared approach is exactly why I enjoy working with her.
For me, that’s also what wedding photography is about — giving couples the space to be present in the moment, without pressure or posing. When everything behind the scenes is taken care of, the real moments can unfold naturally in front of the camera.
Why Our Collaboration Matters
When Laura and I work together on a wedding, it’s seamless — because we both believe in planning with intention, not just reacting to the moment.
A strong collaboration means the photographer knows when the key moments will happen, and we’ve planned in a way that supports both logistics and creativity.
That means things like:
- The first look happens with enough breathing room
- We have time for Golden hour portraits
- The ceremony, group photos, arrival, and even the speeches and first dance all unfold smoothly, with no last-minute chaos
Together, we keep things calm behind the scenes — so couples stay present in the moment.
When I know there's a solid plan in place, I can focus fully on storytelling through images — anticipating moments instead of managing them. That trust and structure creates space for creativity.
Laura’s Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Day
- Start early
Especially for popular summer dates — planners and photographers book up fast. Ideally, reach out 9–12 months ahead for full planning, and even earlier for photographers — 12–18 months, isn’t unusual.
- Set clear priorities
What really matters to you? Focus on that. Let go of trends or other people’s expectations.
- Work with people you trust
Professionals who understand your vision will help you feel calm and confident throughout the process.
With the right team, you’re not just checking boxes — you’re creating a day that feels completely like you.
Common Planning Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
Laura sees these often — but they’re easy to avoid with the right support and timeline:
- Starting too late → fewer options, more stress
- No clear budget → unexpected costs
- Trying to do too much → decision fatigue
- No day-of planning support → unnecessary chaos
Popular venues and vendors are often fully booked more than a year in advance. The earlier you start, the more choice you have — and the more relaxed the planning feels
Without a solid day-of plan and someone to coordinate it, small issues can quickly become big stress moments.
With a wedding planner and photographer working in sync, the day feels relaxed and natural — not like you’re rushing from moment to moment.
Wedding Trends We’re Seeing in the Netherlands
Laura notes that couples today are leaning into what feels right for them — moving away from rigid traditions and towards intimate, story-driven days. Some trends she’s loving:
- Smaller, more personal weddings
- Eco-friendly details (local food, reusable decor)
- Weekend weddings
- Bold fashion choices (colorful dresses, custom suits)
The biggest shift I see? Couples making weddings more personal.”
Practical Advice for Couples
How to Communicate Your Vision
Share a mood board, inspiration photos, or even just a few words about how you want the day to feel. Stay in close contact with your vendors so everyone is aligned.
How to Stay on Budget
Laura helps couples invest in the things that matter most and saves costs on the things that don’t. Her vendor relationships often allow for better value without cutting quality.
What Questions to Ask When Hiring
- What’s your process and style?
- How do you handle unexpected situations?
- Do we feel a connection? (This one is key!)
- Do you have a backup plan if you can’t be there?
You should feel a click with your photographer and planner. That trust makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding team should feel like your support system. People who bring calm to the process, and presence to the day itself.
When there’s trust between the couple, the planner, and the photographer — you feel it. And that feeling shows in the photos.
I couldn’t agree more.
I believe photography should reflect how the day felt , not just what it looked like. Working with someone like Laura allows me to do that — to capture moments that are real, relaxed, and full of meaning.
Planning Your Wedding in the Netherlands?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s that’s personal, relaxed, and full of real moments, Laura and I would love to help.
Whether you’re just getting started or knee-deep in Pinterest boards, we’re here to make the process easier — and the memories unforgettable