THE WEDDING PHOTO GUIDE
01.
coordination
Wedding Planning
Wedding Planners are glorious, the end. Hiring a planner at the beginning can help you with your venue search, vendor search, budget and contract organization. Some planners offer partial planning, month of coordination or day of coordination services if you feel that full planning is not for you.
Day of Coordination
A must! Your venue coordinator is not your planner, they work for the venue. You need someone for you, making sure your vision is brought to life, someone coordinating with your vendors and venue, someone who will handle everything behind the scenes before and on your wedding day.
Your Wedding Team
Your vendors may all be small businesses but on your wedding day we should come together to be a team, all on the same page when it comes to your wedding plans. You need to trust them. I promise when your wedding team is on the same page it makes for a phenomenal day.
Advice
Read your contracts, all of them. I know, it's so much reading, but contracts outline the process, terms and expectations of every client/vendor relationship. Create an email introducing all of your vendors to each other and make sure the timelines are shared so everyone knows what to expect. In general, us vendors know the ins and outs of weddings but it is best to have an open line of communication.
02.
details
Have it ready for me
Your details are what I photograph when I first arrive. Have the dresses or suits hanging with all of the pins, stuffing and tags removed. Everything else should be in one spot for me to grab, it's helpful to have a bag or small box to put it all in. Please have the all the rings at the location that I will be at.
Hangers
Think about getting a wooden, metal or acrylic hanger for your dresses and suits. They photograph well and are great keepsakes for years to come.
List of ideas
Here's some ideas of what to have for your details photos:
rings (engagement and wedding bands), keepsake ring boxes, earrings, necklace, bracelets, watch, suit, socks, tie/bowtie, shoes, veil, hairpieces, perfume, cologne, invitations, printed stationery, gifts, letters, bouquets, loose florals/greenery, boutonnieres, corsages, fabric, ribbon, heirloom pieces, cultural items
03.
getting ready
Location
The getting ready space is just as important as your venue. Hotel rooms typically are not ideal if they have a bed in the middle of the room. The getting ready location should be spacious and if at all possible match the vibe and look of the day. Consider an AirBnB, hotel suite, getting ready at home or a room at the venue, if they have one. Space and natural light are important for both the beauty and photo team.
Timing
I typically arrive 1 hour before the ceremony to capture details, the end of hair/makeup, candids and getting dressed. Pad your timeline in case hair/makeup runs late. It is important to not to feel rushed as it causes unnecessary stress at the beginning of the day.
Windows
The ideal getting ready space is spacious and bright with window light. Turning on lights in the room can cause a yellow/orange tint and I prefer to having natural sunlight shining in.
Keep it clean
Please try to keep the clutter to a minimum. I know there is a lot going on but if you can confine items to a corner or closet, your photos will look so much better. Bags, beverages and clothing sprawled everywhere does not make for an amazing backdrop.
04.
first look
What is it?
A first look is when you see each other before the ceremony.
When you should do one
A first look should be done if we will have no sunlight after the ceremony for formal portraits. Personally, I think it's a great way to have a private moment alone.
You'll get more photos
If you do a first look we will be able to do wedding party and family portraits before the ceremony. Leaving time after the ceremony for any extra or extended family portraits and more portraits of you two!
Get into cocktail hour!
Cocktail hour is reserved for portraits indefinitely, however, if all your portraits are done then you get to mingle with your guests and enjoy the hors d'ouerves and signature drinks you picked out.
Location
I wander around your venue to find the best light and locations, I will coordinate it.
05.
ceremony
Timing
If your ceremony is outdoors, plan it for 2 hours before sunset so that your portraits can be done before sunset.
Microphones
Please don't have a big microphone stand in front of you, if it has to be there then stand on the outer side of it closer to your guests. Have your officiant use a hand-held or lapel microphone, if possible. If your videographer has microphones then they usually attach it to you in a discreet way.
The Kiss
When you kiss for the first time hold it and kiss twice! A quick peck can easily be missed and holding it offers ensures a few photos of your first kiss. Meet half way to avoid scrunched necks. Throw in an extra kiss before you exit the aisle too!?
Exit
A really amazing way to exit your ceremony is with biodegradable confetti or flower petals.
Phones
I'll be honest, the phones in the air and blocking the aisle will happen, your family and friends are going to take photos. If this is a hard nope for you then consider a sign and having the officiant make an announcement for an unplugged ceremony.
Have guests sit down
Seasoned officiants usually know to tell guests to sit back down when the ceremony starts....but not all of them remember so there's this awkward time where everyone is looking around wondering what to do.
06.
cocktail hour
Are you attending?
Unless you do a first look this time is exclusively carved out for all your portraits. I agree that it would be amazing to attend cocktail hour to mingle with your guests BUT your reception is the longest part of the day and you will party with them then. You want your portraits, trust me, you want them. We can work fast to get you in to cocktail but your photos are very important.
Reception Details
If we plan the timing right and get you into cocktail hour then I use this small window to photograph your reception setup completely untouched!
Photo Booths
I know photo booths are typically setup during the reception but cocktail hour is a great time for your guests to enjoy it too!
Activities to do
Aside from the usual eating, drinking and mingling you can also give your guests some fun activities, games or entertainment during this time.
07.
formal portraits: family + wedding party
Pre-ceremony
If you can coordinate everyone before the ceremony, this in an option for having more cocktail hour time. Gathering after the ceremony can be time consuming so consider creating an email with all family and wedding party explaining the timeline and expectations.
Timing
It takes about 20-30 minutes for these photos. I cannot stress this enough: YOU WANT THESE PHOTOS. Please do not skimp on your portrait time, it is usually the shortest time of the day and the portraits are the most printed and shared, for lifetimes, you want these photos.
The List
I provide a portrait list of standard groupings and I have you review it on your timeline before the wedding to make changes if needed because everyone has a different family dynamic. I encourage you to keep it simple and add first names, being able to call out the names of people in each grouping makes a world of difference :)
Ask for help
This can be a lot of people to herd, ask someone to be the designated 'people gatherer'. Make sure they are someone who knows everyone on both sides. My typical portrait list includes parents, siblings and grandparents. If you want photos with whole sides of the family adjust for more time and we should do them first! This way extended family can head into cocktail hour and immediate family sticks around.
08.
couple portraits
Pre-ceremony
If you want to do a First Look set aside 15 minutes for this. I will capture your reactions to seeing each other and then you can have a few minutes alone together.
Post-ceremony
After the wedding party and family portraits we need around 15-30 minutes to get the good stuff, I'll be directing you with prompts. Ideally this would be sunset but is dependent on your wedding timeline.
Night
Night portraits, if you want them. I usually take these photos using a flash setup around 15 minutes before my coverage ends.
How to make it amazing
I do everything in my power to create amazing portraits. I am not here to take over your wedding day and make photos the center of attention but you are also hiring me for a reason and I want you to have the best photography experience.
09.
reception
Relax
While there is a general timeline for receptions, it is flexible unlike the rest of the day so you can finally relax and unwind. Remember, wedding photography in itself is mostly candid and the reception does have formalities but this is generally the most candid part of the day!
Photo ideas
Take portraits with any decor displays (seating arrangement, entertainment, photo booth, head table, etc.)
Dinner
Dinner is supposed to be an enjoyable time to eat + converse. Nobody wants to be photographed while they are eating and I do not photograph people eating. This is downtime to catch our breathe, run to the bathroom, hydrate, change batteries + memory cards and prep lighting for the reception events. For timing purposes, the best time for your whole vendor team to be served their vendor meal is when you are served so no time is wasted.
Dancing
The dance floor is one of the most fun times of the day and I love getting on the floor with everyone to capture those flawless dance moves.
10.
lighting tips
Indoors & Outdoors
I am seasoned in shooting in any lighting situation. I work with a flash setup indoors, no need to worry about dark spaces. Keep in mind that a daytime wedding in bright sunlight is going to look different than an evening wedding in softer sunlight.
Spring
Sunset is usually around 7:30pm making 5-6pm the ideal ceremony start time to get the great golden sunlight for portraits.
Summer
I live for the long days but they usually last until about 9pm so that often means some harsh light for your outdoor ceremony and formal portraits. Be prepared to sweat through expensive clothing.
Fall
This can go one of two ways, before daylights savings there will still be bright lush greenery outside and sunset around 7:30pm again, but after daylights savings the leaves have changed to their Autumn gloriousness and the sun goes down around 4:45pm.
Winter
It's darker, it's colder. The trees are bare, it's usually cloudy and the sun goes down around 4pm. Plan for most, if not all, photos to be done indoors. I love to brave the cold for photos if you are down.
Night Portraits or Exit
Night portraits are some extra couples portrait we can do outside with a flash setup. It takes around 10-15 minutes. This is a great time to pop some bubbly, grab umbrellas if it is raining or even include your wedding party. Fun ways to exit your wedding is to give your guests something to hold or throw on queue. Ideas: Sparklers, biodegradable confetti, streamers, flower petals or cut up greenery.
TIPS & THINGS TO REMEMBER
Advice + Tips
Any advice or tips you read on the internet or social media is a combination of personal experience, personal preferences and personal opinions. With that said, this guide is from my experience photographing 300+ weddings and what I think is helpful to achieve the photographs you see in my portfolio.
The reason for it all
It's easy to get lost in wedding planning, details and design elements. So much goes into a wedding, from the fonts on invitations, to the food you eat, it's a lot. Your wedding should be scheduled around your ceremony. Think about it...this is the first time all of your guests see you, this is your commitment to marriage, this is the center of your wedding.
First Look
If you do choose to do a first look keep three things in mind: lighting, location and being done at least 30 minutes before the ceremony so nobody sees you.
Travel Time + Timelines
Coverage is consecutive. Factor travel time into your day if your getting ready, ceremony or reception locations differ. Consider traffic and delays as well. I am chill about things running behind because there are so many vendors and elements that make up your wedding day, but everyone has a job to do and timing affects everyone in attendance.
You want these photos
I am not a photographer that takes over your day of spends a long time on portraits. If you are a person that does not like being photographed, I get it, I don't meet many people who do, but on the day of remember this: your portraits are just one hour out of the whole day and then there is hours of reception time to party. After the day is over you have gorgeous photos for the rest of your life to print and share with family + friends.
Your wedding attire will get dirty
Accept it and embrace it. Avoiding spills pre-ceremony is a priority but once the party starts....just factor a cleaning into your budget because worrying is an unnecessary stress. Have fun!
Making it happen
I provide direction when needed but my goal is to photograph your day as it unfolds. I cannot photograph what is not there and what is not provided for me. I capture what is in front of me and work around whatever circumstances, lighting situation or cooperation I am given. No two weddings are alike, each unique, as they should be.