WEDDING DAY GUIDE

We can't wait to capture your day.

We are truly so excited and honored you have chosen us to help you document one of the most memorable days of your life. Our goal is to help you paint a clear vision of what your dream day is going to look like. We designed this custom wedding guide to help make sure your wedding or elopement runs as smoothly as possible. We also designed this guide to help capture the very best possible images of your big day. We’re thrilled to help you plan a stress free day from start to finish!

Before the Wedding

First, here’s a checklist to make sure you’re on top of things ahead of time

(aka: have less to think about on your big day!)

  • Timeline

  • Transportation

  • Shot List

  • Bringing Details

Getting Ready

+ Light | It's SO important to choose a room with lots of natural light. Pick the room that has the most windows or natural light pouring in. Any space would work, as long as there is natural light to work with, even if it's the living room, a bedroom, the lanai, etc. If your space doesn't have lots of light, I'll help you choose the best spot and do some rearranging.

+ Hair & Makeup | I recommend having at least two hours to get ready.

+ Dress & Suit Time | I highly recommend setting aside enough time to really soak up the moment you put on your attire.

+ Alone Time | It's important to take a moment to just breathe before moving on to the rest of the day. It's in this moment I'll get a few shots of you putting on your jewelry, fixing your dress. him fixing his tie, reading a note you wrote to each other, or any last minute details.

Approx. 1 hour of photo coverage recommended

Details

It's super important to have all of your details ready to go the morning of or the night before your day. I recommend laying everything out before, that way when I arrive, it's all ready for me to capture.

Some detail Ideas:

Rings | Shoes |Jewelry | Invite Suites | Florals | Ring Boxes | Wooden Hanger | Dress | Vows | Ring Box

Decor

I highly recommend adding enough time between the getting ready photos and the ceremony start time for decor photos. These are actually my favorite because it's where I go in and photograph all of the decor details that you worked so hard on before the guests arrive. This usually doesn't require much time, but I recommend leaving anywhere between 15-30 minutes for these. If that's not possible, I'll find a way to sneak these in!

Approx. 30 minutes of photo coverage recommended

First Look vs. Aisle Look

This is totally up to you, can’t go wrong either way.

Here’s the difference:

First Look

+ private moment just for the two of you

+ bridal party & family pictures can be done prior to the ceremony

+ you can add in a vow reading if you’d like

Aisle Look

+ traditional and emotional

+ sometimes a lifelong dream moment

+ anticipation build up

+ can create more emotion

Ceremony

+ Lighting | Take into account what time the sun sets when planning your ceremony time. I recommend it one hour 1/2 to three hours before the sun starts setting. That way, we have plenty of time to shoot after & the light is a bit softer

+ Location | Choose a spot that has good light & doesn’t have a crazy busy background. Simple is sometimes best.

+ Unplugged | Let your guests know to turn off all cameras & phones. That way, we can do our job the very best!

+ The Kiss | Definitely hold your kiss for a few moments to allow me to capture it!

+ Aisle Space | It’s best to have enough room where I can get through the aisle to capture pretty close up photos & aisle photos. Also, make sure to kiss when you walk back down the aisle together at the end and celebrate!

Bridal Party & Family

+ Bridal Party Photos | I recommend having about 20 - 40 min. for these. Depending on if you do a first look or not, these can be done before the ceremony.

+ Family Photos | Set aside about 20 minutes for these. Make sure to create a list with specific name of family members & groups you’d like to have pictures with!

+ A Big Group Photo | This is always a fun add on. Set aside 5-10 minutes for this photo. Please assign someone to help me announce this right after the ceremony before everyone goes off.

Pro tip: Please assign a family member or friend that can help me wrangle everyone up.

Couples Portraits

This is one of the best parts about the whole day! This is where we capture those candid, authentic, raw, personal moments between just the two of you.

I recommend saving 30 minutes to an hour for these, but even if I can sneak you away for just 15 minutes, it’s totally worth it!

+ It’s important to make sure this is on the timeline, so that all of the other vendors will be on the same page.

 

Reception

+ Speeches | Limit each speaker to 1-5 minutes depending on how many you’re having

+ Lighting | I recommend sticking with warm & inviting reception lighting. Ceiling lights, string lights, or candle light makes for gorgeous photos.

+ Meals | I kindly ask that my 2nd shooter (if I’m having one) and I are included in the meal count, as well as for a small designated eating break. I recommend allowing the photographers/videographers to go ahead & eat before the speeches. That way, we don’t miss anything!

+ Cake cutting | If you’re doing this, make sure to kiss at the end!

+ Send off | If you’re doing a send off: add this in the timeline & have things prepared ahead of time. Walk or jog instead of running through. Take it slow & enjoy it!

Full Day Sample Timeline

  • Hair & Makeup

  • Groom getting ready photos begin

  • Bride getting ready & details photos

  • Bride to get into her dress

  • First look

  • Site decor & detail photos

  • Ceremony

  • Big group photo

  • Family & Bridal Party Photos

  • Cocktail hour begins

  • Guests seated for dinner

  • Speeches

  • Cake cutting

  • First Dance, Father daughter dance, Mother son dance

  • Dancing

  • Garter & Bouquet toss

  • Photographer + videographer leaves

  • End

This is YOUR day.

Guide put aside, this is YOUR day. We want to do things your way. These are just our tips based on weddings & elopements we’ve photographed. Let’s incorporate the things you love, the things that make your heart beat fast, and the things that speak the most to you.

This is the best & most amazing day of your life! It should be so much FUN! No matter how the day is going to go, at the end of it, you’re going to be MARRIED! That’s the most important part! Thank you for choosing us! Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your day the most smooth experience possible. We are SO excited!