How to Recover from a Wedding {A 10 Step Guide for Wedding Photographers}
Wedding photography is one of the most physically and mentally demanding career paths you can choose, and the day after recovery (aka the wedding hangover) isn’t talked about enough! While wedding photography has many perks, like being your own boss; we need to make sure the boss (you!) stays in tip top shape.
After 10 years of shooting destination weddings in some of the hottest, muggiest conditions on Earth, we’ve devised a plan that helps us to recover faster the next day:
Recovery actually starts the day before the wedding. This is when we start drinking electrolytes and start stretching the day before the wedding.
The day before a wedding, you want to always stick to “safe foods” to lower your chances of food poisoning and do not over-exert yourself. Stay cool, calm, collected and reserve your energy.
We’ve found the morning of the wedding, a high-protein breakfast keeps us going most of the day. I always eat yogurt, granola and a hard boiled egg…. and more electrolytes. It’s important to pre-hydrate your system. I’ve just added glutathione too - but please always ask your doctor before you take supplements.
The day of the wedding, rule #1 is to always SLOW DOWN. When I work with new vendors, I can see their nerves getting the best of them and they are using up all of their energy in the first few hours of the day. Deep breaths, and slow down.
When you get a free moment, (mine is usually right before the ceremony), eat some almonds or a protein bar to keep your muscles happy. Do some light stretching and drink more electrolytes.
For the reception, make sure you take time to eat, drink, sit and stretch. After doing this a decade, I also pop in my ear plugs so I don’t awaken from my ears ringing in the middle of the night.
When you get home, take a warm shower.
I always drink water mixed with L-Glutamine for muscle recovery and Icy Hot my muscles.
Get GOOD Sleep! This part is not negotiable.
The day after, you’ll be ready for your epsom salt bath and you’ll feel 1000% better than you did before you found this list!
Good luck, stay healthy and happy shooting!
