You're Getting Married!
|
The Wedding Guide
These Tips Are Here To Help Guide You
No matter the event, planning can be stressful—I’m here to help lighten the load and make things easier.
Timeline Tips
About 2-3 months before your wedding, I’ll send you a wedding day timeline questionnaire. This helps me create a timeline that fits your needs while making sure we have plenty of time for photos!
The key? Always leave some extra time. Wedding days rarely go exactly as planned, so it’s important not to pack too much into a tight schedule. A little wiggle room makes all the difference!
Plan for things to take longer than expected—that way, everyone stays relaxed and stress-free.
1. First Look Or No First Look
If you’re doing a first look, I recommend rolling right into portraits afterward. Set aside about two hours before the ceremony for your first look, couple photos, wedding party shots, and family formals. One of the biggest perks? You’ll have way more time to enjoy cocktail hour with your guests!
If you’re going the traditional route, we’ll take your couple portraits, wedding party, and family photos after the ceremony. Just like with a first look, setting aside at least two hours for portraits ensures we capture everything beautifully.
2. What Time Does The Sun Go Down
No matter the season, your wedding day timeline revolves around the sunset. In the winter, the sun sets as early as 4:00 PM, so I highly recommend a first look to make the most of your daylight! Things don’t always run on schedule, and the last thing you want is to lose that perfect natural light.
For those dreamy golden hour photos, plan to sneak away about 20 minutes before sunset—you won’t regret it!
3. How Long Do Photos Take During The Wedding Day
It all depends on your wishes and desires; what you care about most and want to spend time on. But this is a breakdown of generally how long photos can take
When planning your timeline, always allow for a little extra time. Trust me, the last thing I want is for you to feel stressed on your wedding day! Building in extra time helps keep things relaxed and ensures you never feel rushed—because your day should be about soaking in every moment, not watching the clock.
Family Portraits:
30 - 45 min
First Look:
20 mins
Couples Portraits:
30 min
Wedding Party:
30 min
Timeline Examples
To help you out, I’ve put together two sample timelines: one with a first look and one without. Take a look and see what might work best for your day!
Prepare For The Day
You Need To Do These Things
For when I arrive, please have the following things ready for me. These are going to be for the detail shots: (all may not apply):
shoes, ring, ring box, bowtie or tie, tie clip, pocket square, watch, cuff links, vow book, invitation suite, shoes, ring(s), ring box, bracelets, earrings, necklace, hair pieces, vow book, perfume etc.
NOTE: please have these items together in one place (For example: a shoebox). Your items in one box and theirs in another. If you are getting ready at separate locations, then please keep ALL rings with items
If there are any textured / sentimental details that you love that you feel like would make great accent items to your detail shots then feel free to throw those in there (lace, fur, miniature plants, pretty rocks, anything!!).
Here's What I Need:
Make sure everyone involved knows the exact time this is happening. This is a time where usually things can take longer if people are unaware of where they are supposed to be
Furthermore, I need a list from YOU. There will be a space on your timeline form for this
This is going to be a breakdown of every photo combination you want. The more specific and organized your list is, the faster and easier things are for you and me.
Please list groups as follows:
Newlyweds + Brides Parents (Kristin and Rocky)
The reason I ask for names is because it saves from any family dynamic awkwardness! So instead of saying "bride with dad & step-mom," I can just say, "Sam with Rocky & Sarah."
It’s much more professional & people are more likely to respond to hearing their actual name called.
Please use the example as a guide for what I am talking about
It's YOUR day!
I’m around you for a large part of your wedding day, and I’m here to be your biggest fan! You might catch me cracking bad jokes or constantly moving around, but know that my only goal is to make your day as amazing as possible.
If something isn’t going the way you want—or if I’m just straight-up annoying you—please don’t hesitate to tell me! This is your day, and I want it to be everything you envisioned. I’m a professional, so don’t worry about seeming like a "bridezilla"—I’d rather know what you need so I can make it happen!
At the end of the day, it’s about you two and the love you share. However you envision starting the rest of your lives together—I’m here to help make that vision a reality