THE WEDDING PHOTO GUIDE
01.
coordination
Wedding Planning
Wedding Planners are glorious. Hiring a planner at the beginning can help you with your venue search, vendor search, budget, and contract organization. If you feel that full planning is not for you, some planners offer partial planning, month of coordination, or day of coordination.
Day of Coordination
A must! Your venue coordinator is not your planner, they work for the venue. You need someone for you, coordinating with your vendors and the venue, making sure your vision is brought to life.
Your Wedding Team
Your vendors may all be small businesses, but on your wedding day we come together as a team. I promise when your wedding team is on the same page it makes for a phenomenal day.
Advice
Read your contracts, all of them. 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 that timelines are shared. It is best to have an open line of communication so everyone knows what to expect.
02.
details
Have it ready for me
Your details are what I photograph when I first arrive. Everything should be in one spot for me to grab. It's helpful to have a bag or small box to put all of it in. Please have all the rings at the location that I will be at.
Dresses/Suits
Have the dresses or suits hanging with all of the pins, stuffing, and tags removed. A wooden, metal, or acrylic hanger for your wedding attire photographs well, and they are great keepsakes.
Styling Items
I bring a handful of styling items to each wedding and I use a surface that I think will match your color palette and theme. Below are a list of ideas that are more unique and personal to your wedding.
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, florals, greenery, fruit, vegetables, menus, stamps, records, musical items, art, color palettes, boutonnieres, corsages, napkins, handkerchiefs, fabric, ribbon, statues, heirloom pieces, cultural items.
03.
getting ready
Location
The getting ready space is just as important as your venue. The getting ready location should be spacious, and if at all possible match the vibe and look of the day. Consider an Airbnb, a hotel suite, getting ready at home, or a room at the venue (if they have one). Lots of space and natural light are important for both the beauty team and the photo team to be working at the same time.
Timing
If you want getting ready coverage, I typically capture your details, the end of hair/makeup, candids, and getting dressed. Pad your timeline in case hair/makeup runs late. It is important not to feel rushed, as it causes unnecessary stress at the beginning of the day.
Keep it clean
Please 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 do not make for an amazing backdrop. Please communicate this to your wedding party.
04.
first look
What is it?
A first look is when you see each other before the ceremony.
When should you do one
Only if you want one. A first look is a great way to have a private moment alone, but it's optional. If naturally lit photos are important to you, then I do recommend a first look if we will have no sunlight after the ceremony for formal portraits.
You'll get more photos
If you do a first look, we will be able to do the wedding party and family portraits before the ceremony. Leaving time after the ceremony for any extra or extended family portraits and newlywed portraits.
Get into cocktail hour!
Cocktail hour is usually reserved for portraits, 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 to find the best light and locations, and I will coordinate.
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, and if it has to be there, then stand on the outer side of it, closer to your guests. If possible, have your officiant use a hand-held or lapel microphone. If your videographer has microphones, then they usually attach them in a discreet way, so no need to worry.
The Kiss
When you kiss for the first time, hold it and/or kiss twice! A quick peck can easily be missed, and holding it ensures a few photos of your first kiss. Meet halfway to avoid scrunched necks. Throw in an extra kiss before you exit the aisle too!?
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 no 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. Remind them to tell guests to sit back down.
06.
cocktail hour
Are you attending?
Unless you do a first look, this time is dedicated to all of 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.
Reception Details
If we plan the timing right then I use this small window to photograph your reception setup completely untouched.
Photo Booths
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 is 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 expectations.
Timing
It takes 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, you want them.
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 add first names, being able to call out the names of people in each grouping makes the process smooth and quick.
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 the cocktail hour, and the immediate family sticks around.
08.
newlywed 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.
Reminder
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, 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 your decor displays (seating arrangement, entertainment, photo booth, head table, etc.)
Dinner
Dinner is supposed to be an enjoyable time to eat + converse. I do not photograph people eating. This is downtime to catch my breath, 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 right after you are served, so no time is wasted.
Dancing
The dance floor is one of the most fun times of the day and often the longest part of the day. 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, so 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 LOL.
Fall
This can go one of two ways, before daylight savings, there will still be bright, lush greenery outside and sunset around 7:30pm again, but after daylight savings, the leaves have changed to their autumnal glory, 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 too.
Night Portraits or Exit
Night portraits are some extra portraits we can do outside with a flash setup. It takes around 10 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 are to give your guests something to hold or throw on cue. Ideas: Sparklers, biodegradable confetti, streamers, flower petals, or cut up greenery.
REMINDERS
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 who takes over your day or spends a long time on portraits. If you are a person who 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 are 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.
IDEAS & INSPO
add a fun twist + unique details for an epic party!
- clear tents
- open air receptions
- draping
- greenhouses
- industrial buildings
- neon signs
- floral backdrops
- outfit changes
- immersive experiences
- late night snacks
- fruit & veggie decor
- portraits station
- private vows
- artistic arrangements
- old fashioned cakes
- cultural traditions
- champagne towers
- martini towers
- food trucks
- floral ice cubes
- disco balls
- piano bar
- custom illustrations
- signs with clever puns
- ribbons & bows
- content creation
- statement jewelry
- statement handbags
- colorful suits & ties
- colorful dresses & veils
- capes & cape veils
- cocktails AND mocktails
