What are the biggest mistakes brides and grooms make with their wedding photos? And how can they ensure that they will love their pictures in the years after the ceremony?

Two local photographers, both professionals who do wedding pictures, have suggestions that can make all the difference between an OK photo and a gorgeous one.

Beth Patcher, co-owner with her husband of Patcher Photography in Ballston Spa, said “have your make-up done professionally. It makes a huge difference. It can enhance the photographs so much.”

Brides who worry that a professional makeup artist might make them appear “too made-up don’t realize that a pro knows how to work with a photographer. They know the tricks. They know how to make you look natural with make-up that will enhance your photographs.”

Patcher said “don’t be afraid to try new things” like hair extensions or fake eyelashes. Just don’t wait until the last minute.

Other suggestions:

-- If you have heavy arms, steer away from sleeveless gowns or — if your heart’s set on strapless — choose a longer veil that can be artfully draped to give a more flattering picture.

Another trick Patcher said is pull the arms out just a little from the body. “It thins the arms,” she noted.

-- Standing at a 45-degree angle to the camera is “very thinning,” she added. “There are a lot of little tricks to thin the body for photographs.”

-- For makeup, Patcher strongly advises staying away from glitter on the face or neck. “In photographs the glitter looks like pimples, like whiteheads,” she warned.

-- Another tip is to watch that the veil doesn’t obscure the bride’s face. “The big, full veils that sit on top of the head can cover the face during the ceremony” if the bride looks down, like when the couple exchange rings.

-- For grooms, Patcher also recommends professional makeup. She suggests that they steer clear of bow ties, which can become lopsided and that they check their suits or tuxedos while still at the tuxedo shop.

“Make certain everything is there from the button covers to the vest,” she advised. Better yet, she added, try on the tux to be sure of the fit. “You don’t want to wait to the day of the wedding to find things missing,” she said, adding that it does happen.

-- To avoid embarrassment, Patcher recommends women in the wedding party try on the undergarments they will be wearing with the gowns and bridesmaid dresses. You want to be sure that there are no visible panty lines and that the bra works with the gown.

“People don’t think about it until the wedding day. I can’t tell you how many girls I have pinned and sewn into their dresses.”

Establishing a relationship

Joan Heffler has been a full-time wedding photographer for eight years. She echoed the importance of checking your wedding attire.

She also added that the couple should feel relaxed with their photographer. “A comfortable bride and groom are part of getting quality wedding photos,” she said.

To achieve this, Heffler works at developing a relationship with the couple before the wedding and guides them with poses — holding hands, kissing in front of others — to obtain memorable photos.

Heffler had a few other suggestions for the bride and groom:

-- Take care of yourself the week before the wedding. “Get a massage or pedicure. Go see a movie. Build some relaxation time into your schedule,” she said.

-- Don’t plan the bachelorette or bachelor party the night before the wedding. “Do that a few weeks before,” she advised.

-- Put one trusted person in charge. Heffler calls this person “the sergeant. This is the person who will be the organizational right hand and handle any stressful last-minute details that come up. I had a bride and groom forget their wedding certificate. A sergeant makes sure those sort of things have been checked off so the bride and groom can have a smoother day.”

Some couples looking to save money have opted to have friends take their wedding pictures. Patcher believes this is short-sighted.

“When the wedding is done, the dress is packed. What you have left are your wedding photos. You have to think about that and what will be important to you after the wedding,” she said.