Stand where faces will be.
Look from the officiant’s position toward the couple and from the guest seats toward the ceremony. Backlight, overhead sun, deep shade, and window direction can affect expressions and visibility differently from how the room looks at the entrance.
Use the correct season and clock time.
Sun direction, foliage, daylight length, and fog patterns change. Ask for event photographs from the same month and time, or use sun-path tools as a starting point. Confirm again during a final walkthrough.
Notice artificial color and control.
LED uplights, chandeliers, fluorescent fixtures, candles, and windows can mix several colors across skin. Ask what fixtures dim, whether bulbs can be changed, and who controls house lighting during dinner and dancing.
Choose comfort over a perfect direction.
Turning the ceremony may improve light but expose guests to wind, heat, glare, or poor sightlines. Balance visual conditions with the experience of standing and sitting in the space for the actual ceremony length.
