EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
WEDDING GUIDE
This guide is here to steer you through the chaos and give you a taste of what it’s like working with someone who’s not your average wedding photographer.
When you choose me, you’re getting more than just a photographer. I dive deep—scoping out every angle of your venue ahead of time, crafting a timeline that feels effortless, and making sure every image has that editorial edge.
So, if you're ready for a day that’s unforgettable and uniquely you, let’s get to work.
Planning YOUR timeline for your wedding day doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
WELCOME
You will have access to a client portal. Click the link below to create a login. Once you do that, you will be able to make payments, and access all of your documents as well as other important items. Communication is key!
CLIENT Portal
CLIENT PORTAL
CREATING YOUR PERFECT TIMELINE
It’s my job to make sure you get ALL the images of your wedding day, from the classic family photos, to the bad ass shots we come up with ourselves. But, if there is no timeline, or if we don't try to follow the timeline, I can not do my job effectively. I’ll send a tentative timeline questionnaire to get all the general details and then we'll schedule a timeline call!
minimum amount of time needed to
photograph these parts of the day
Getting Ready - 1 to 2 hours
Details - 20 minutes
First Look - 15 minutes
Family Formals - 25 minutes
Wedding Party- 30 minutes
Newlyweds Photos - 35 minutes
Ceremony venue details - (undisturbed) 15 minutes
Sunset Photos - 15 minutes
Reception Venue Details - (before guests are seated) 15 minutes
Reception Events - 2 to 3 hours
CLICK EACH SECTION BELOW FOR MORE INFO
Getting ready
first look
ceremony
portraits
reception
Do you want “getting ready” photos?
How early should you start hair and makeup?
How long does it take to get into your dress?
Are you exchanging gifts and reading letters?
Travel time between getting ready and venue.
Do you want to have a “first look” with anyone? Partner? Guardian? Attendants?
How long will your ceremony last?
Portraits before ceremony or after?
Do you have a super large wedding party?
Do you want a sunset session with your partner?
How much of the reception would you like covered?
THINGS TO CONSIDER
GETTING READY
We always stage the hair and makeup shots because we would like the hair and makeup to be completely finished with you and the attendants before we get there! So if we are scheduled to be there for 2:00, ask your hair and makeup team to be completely or close to finished by 1:30.
Hair & Makeup (15 minutes)
Please gather all items are gathered before we arrive: wedding dress (on a nice hanger), shoes, BOTH rings, watch, tie, perfume, jewelry: necklace, earrings, bracelets, bouquets (have the florist deliver before we arrive), two invitation suites, veil, lipstick, hairpiece, vow books. Same goes for your partner depending on time and if there is a second photographer.
Place items in a box or bag so that when I get there, I can begin shooting without wasting time trying to find everything.
Getting Ready details (20 MINUTES)
A lot of my couples love to document the wedding attendants' robes as it is usually an extension to their wedding day style! We can shoot in a (clean) bedroom, hotel room, or head outside to find the pretty natural light! Be ready for lots of laughs and toasts!
Attendants in Matching Robe/Shirts (15 minutes)
While you are getting into your wedding dress, I will be scouting the perfect place to shoot for the best light! Make sure you have a designated person to have this honor! Usually your parent or guardian will zip up the dress and then bridesmaids will come in to help with shoes and jewelry! Be sure you have a practice run on trying on your dress to see how long it takes to completely zip it up.
We can get creative while capturing candids. For example: Photos of you putting earrings on, applying lipstick, or adjusting tie, mirror image etc
Zip Up and candids (60 minutes)
FIRST LOOK
This is for each person/group you're doing a first look with. So if you're doing one with your wedding attendents, gurdaian, and partner, 45 minutes is recommended.
A “first look” is when you set a special time with someone to allow them to see you in your wedding dress for the first time. We capture both reactions so you have these special memories forever!
I always suggest a first look between the couple because it gives us more flexibility when it comes to our timeline. If you choose to have a first look with your partner, wedding party and family formals will be done BEFORE the ceremony.
First Look (15 minutes)
If you want extra portrait time for “newlywed-portraits” we can add more time before the reception for those romantic sunset pictures! This is best when planned within 2 hours of sunset and located outdoors (google your date + location + sunset to find your sunset time). The lighting will be perfect, and these will likely be your favorite wedding day photos!
Sunset Portraits (15 minutes)
CEREMONY
We like to take a few pictures of the ceremony space and details before anyone arrives. We know you have spent a lot of time planning and thinking about this space, so we want to make sure we capture it fully!
Ceremony Details (10 minutes)
Depending on the location, we like to tuck the bride away about an hour before the ceremony to make sure no one sees you before you walk down the aisle!
Hide from guests (45-60 minutes)
We understand that this is a sacred moment in you and your families’ lives, which is why we want to respect the ceremony as much as you do! Please let us know if your venue has any photography restrictions we need to be aware of. Also, please let your family and wedding party know to stop halfway up the aisle for a quick portrait!
Ceremony (30-60 minutes)
PORTRAIT FORMALS
We will work together to create a family groupings list. This way everything will be organized and we can check off the groups as we photograph them. I like to keep family formal lists down to immediate family members. Any additional extended family pictures can be taken at the reception. These pictures are with the wedding couple.
* We recommend that you remind family members ahead of time to stay after the ceremony and that your officiant makes an announcement at the end of the ceremony for family members to stay behind for photos.
- Wedding Couple with Grandparents
- Wedding Couple with Parents
- Wedding Couple with Parents and Siblings
- Wedding Couple with parents, Siblings and Spouses
This can go quicker if we allow a little extra time right after "Getting Ready" to do wedding party separates (just you and your attendants than just your partner with their attendants).
family formals (25 minutes)
wedding party portraits (25 minutes)
RECEPTION
You are officially married and are about to be announced as newlyweds! We definitely don’t want to miss this, so make sure you get a thumbs up from us before you enter the reception! It's up to you if you;d like the wedding party to also be announced in.
Entrance (10 minutes)
We recommend doing your dances and cake cutting within the first 30 minutes of the reception! You have everyone's attention and it's a fun way to kick off the event. This will allow your photos to be done and out the way so that your Wedding Party, and more importantly, you and your partner can relax and just enjoy the rest of the night!
Dances & Cake cutting (30 minutes)
It’s up to you if you’d like your speeches spread out during dinner. We recommend them going one after the other to maximize your time on the dance floor!
things to consider
Each reception is a little different, but we've found that 3 hours generally gives us enough time to capture important events like first dances, toasts, bouquet/garter toss, cake cutting, and open dance with room for dinner somewhere in there. We do not need to stay until the end of the reception unless you would like us to capture a formal exit.
Please notify caterers to serve your team members when you are served so that we don't miss any important moments.
Speeches/ toast (15 minutes)
AFTER THE WEDDING
You will receive an email from me with your gallery link. I can also send you a print release form if you need one, so you can print pictures elsewhere if you so choose.
Digital Download & Print Release
There is an option to print affordable, professional pictures straight from your gallery that will be delivered right to your door!
Printing
About 5 weeks after your wedding you can expect your full online gallery to view and download all of your images! We allow our couples to share their galleries with ALL of their friends and family at no additional cost! I don't believe in charging more for additional downloads because we WANT your photos to be spread around the family!
I love love love to show off each beautiful wedding to anyone and everyone! It's so exciting for me! You can expect this a couple weeks after your wedding! I know you are dying to see your images so this is a great way to share your wedding with the world while you’re waiting on the complete gallery.
Social Media or Blog Post
I offer both hardcover and layflat linen albums. Either one is perfect to create your first family heirloom! I also offer parent albums, which would be the perfect gift to your parents to say thank you!
Albums
ONE FINAL NOTE
Be yourself! This is YOUR day. Be as traditional or nontraditional as you want. You want to wear a black wedding dress? Go for it! A satin suit? Let’s do it! It’s all about what you want.
Don't forget!
Alright friends, I know I just gave you a LOT to think about! But I created this guide to take the guesswork out of planning the photography part of your wedding and to help you look your absolute best! I really want to make this experience something that you both enjoy and remember! Documenting this time of your life is the most important thing to me, and I want your wedding day to be a time for you to just be together and enjoy it!
