This is such an exciting time for you! I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. You’re planning the day that you’ve been anticipating your whole life and yet you only get one shot at it! By the time you get the hang of it, the planning is over! My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple.
You may have already gotten a hint of this already... but I LOVE what I do! Documenting your wedding day is such an honor!! Since we’ll be spending a lot of time together on the big day, I want to make sure you really feel like you know me and understand why I’m in love with my job! Keep reading to learn more about which parts of your wedding day are going to be extra close to my heart!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE & OUR RELATIONSHIP
Photography is more than just images, it’s a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. The goal of this guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow us to provide you with the BEST experience possible.
When I started my business, I started praying for God to give me more purpose and more impact through my work. I loved the images I created but I knew there was something missing. I realized that what I desired in my business, more than anything, was a personal connection to my couples. Everyone wants to be known, seen, loved and befriended. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a human being who didn’t appreciate someone caring about who they are, what they’re passionate about, etc. I
n the early stages of my business, I committed to forming friendships with my clients and intentionally caring to get to know them. Having a heart for genuine friendships in my business has made my business so much more than how I pay my bills; it’s a huge part of my purpose in life. Not only is my friendship with my couples a gift to me, but it positively impacts my client’s wedding day experience. When you are getting ready the morning of your wedding day, it will be a relief to feel like a friend walks through those doors with a camera and not just a random hired vendor.
Friendship, comfort, and trust are so important in a couple's relationship with their wedding photographer!
i can't wait for your WEDDING!
There's a big difference between looking at yourself in the mirror at a hair and makeup trial and actually seeing how that hair holds up in the elements and how that makeup photographs. When it comes to being confident in your choices on your wedding day, photos are invaluable!
If you're considering a Bridal Portrait Session, I recommend a full trial run of hair, nails, makeup and your bouquet. Bridal Portraits typically last about an hour to an hour and a half, and I recommend bringing a bridesmaid or mom along to help with your dress.
When it comes to choosing a location for your bridal portrait session, I typically suggest either shooting at your venue or in a studio space like The Lumen Room. For more details on when to schedule, what to bring, and how to prepare, read the blog post linked below!
Bridal Portraits
One of the biggest advantages of a Bridal Portrait Session is that IT can serve as a practice run for the big daY!
Dress
Undergarments
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces and jewelry
Bridal Portrait Session Checklist
BRIDAL PORTRAIT TIPS
BRIDAL PORTRAIT locations
Now that you have picked a date, a photographer and probably a venue as well, you can celebrate! Those are some of the toughest decisions in wedding planning and you can cross them off your list! Hooray!
Now on to the fun stuff... like your engagement session!
The engagement session experience is such an important part of the process! During your engagement session, you’ll have the chance to get to know me, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting. This session will make a HUGE impact on how the wedding day flows. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are, and how to photograph you in a genuine way! You will feel like such a pro on your big day because of the great practice you had during your engagement session, and that’s how it should be. I've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!
Engagement Session
plan your session
Vendors
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE
Over the years, we've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. We've worked with many of the vendors below and we can't recommend them enough! This is not a paid list - we chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.
view vendors
Need other recommendations? Just let me know!
Black House Blooms
www.blackhouseblooms.com
Something Pretty Floral
www.somethingprettyfloral.com
Petals Couture
www.petalscouture.com
Blushington Blooms
www.blushingtonblooms.com
R Love Floral
www.rlovefloral.com
Maitee Miles
www.maiteemiles.com
Tease to Please Hair & Makeup
www.teasetoplease.net
Jones Beauty & Co.
www.jonesbeautyco.com
Starr Beauty
www.meaganstarr.com
The Styling Stewardess
www.thestylingstewardess.com
Kendall Penny Calligraphy
www.kendallpenny.com
Lane Love Paper Co.
www.lanelovepaperco.com
Hazelwood Paper Co.
www.hazelwoodpaperco.com
Stanley Korshak
www.stanleykorshak.com
Bridal Boutique of Lewisville
www.bridalboutiquelewisville.com
Elizabeth Leese Bridal
www.elizabeth-leese.com
Altered for the Altar
www.alteredforthealtar.com
Manhattan Band
www.manhattanreception.com
Jordan Kahn Music Company
www.jordankahnmusiccompany.com
Intensity Band
www.in10cityband.com
Le Force Entertainment
www.leforceentertainment.com
Dallas Affaires Cake Co.
www.dallasaffairescakeco.com
Fancy Cakes by Lauren
www.fancycakesbylauren.com
Hoby's Coffee Cart
www.hobyscoffeeco.com
Sugar Bee Sweets
www.sugarbeesweets.com
Creme de la Creme
www.cremedelacremecompany.com
Butterfly Cakery
www.butterflycakery.com
Perch Decor
www.perchdecor.com
Posh Couture Rentals
www.poshcouturerentals.com
Lawson Event Rentals
www.lawsoneventrentals.com
Top Tier Event Rentals
www.top-tier.co
Imperial Floors
www.imperialfloorrentals.com
Alex Valdes Media
www.alexvaldesmedia.com
BSR Wedding Films
www.bsrweddingfilms.com
Simply Ivory Videography
www.simplyivoryvideography.com
Sullins Films
www.sullinsfilms.com
DFW Vintage Cars
www.dfwvintagecars.com
Prime Limo
www.primelimo.com
Premier Transportation
www.premierofdallas.com
CN Catering
www.cncatering.com
Culinary Art Catering
www.culinaryartcatering.com
Gil's Elegant Catering
www.gilselegantcatering.com
HD Liquid Catering
www.hdliquidcatering.com
That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical! This is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony. If you aren’t
sure about this tradition, below are three reasons that explain why it would
be a romantic addition to your wedding day celebration that not only
adds to the experience but also reduces stress.
Please know that I would
never want any of our couples to feel pressured to go with this option.
However, I do want to make sure that I share all of the benefits of a first
look, because there is a reason most of my couples do this and LOVE it!
Is a First Look Right for You?
If you're wondering whether a first look is right for you, stop here.
You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally shock him with your gorgeous-ness, he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. The first look lets you get out all your nerves, relax, and remember why you're getting married in the first place!
Matt and I chose to do a first look, and it was my favorite part of wedding. When Matt and I saw each other, not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the whole day! We cried and laughed and cried some more… and then that put us in the PERFECT mood for our portraits!
1. A moment for just the two of you.
When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits.
A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and all immediate family photos! Then, after your ceremony, we'll only need to take husband & wife portraits in that beautiful golden hour lighting, and we can get you to your reception sooner!
2. IT MakeS more time for Pictures & a smoother wedding day timeline.
Because of the images and portraits we capture during the first look, you'll actually end up getting MORE portraits by doing one - meaning a larger final gallery and more beautiful images to hang in your home!
Since you'll be with your soon-to-be spouse from your first look until about half an hour before the ceremony, there are so many special moments that we'll be capturing - the first look, those first few kisses of the day, the time you'll spend with one another and all your best friends, and plus, you'll get rid of any nerves or jitters before your ceremony!
3. MORE PORTRAITS & A LARGER FINAL GALLERY
You may not realize this but every photographer has parts of the wedding day that they favor! My favorite moments of the day stem from my own experience as a bride and also the experience I have had photographing dozens of weddings.
I look forward to these specific parts of the day every time I’m shooting:
my wedding day favorites
all the special touches
I LOVE photographing your details - you spend such careful, intentional time selecting the perfect invitation suite, shopping for those lovely earrings, choosing the perfect wedding-day perfume... and I believe in capturing those details so that you'll remember them forever. I shoot details at the very beginning of the day, and it feels a little like my “warm up” time. These details allow me to be creative from the moment I begin shooting on your wedding day! I love having this time to prepare for the rest of your day, and to capture the heirlooms you carefully chose to start your marriage with!
BRIDAL DETAILS
just the two of you!
Portrait time with the bride and groom is hands down my favorite part of the day! This is when I produce my best work and when my couples really get to enjoy being together on their wedding day. I especially love the moment when the groom sees his bride for the first time! If I could photograph first looks all day long, I would!
BRIDE & GROOM PORTRAITS
01
02
03
you're married!
The first few moments after the ceremony are so special as well! This is when the couple gets to hug, laugh and cry with those that they are closest to. It’s emotional and it’s so very special! Emotions are high and it’s a part of the day when everyone seems equally excited and relieved that the pressure is off and they are looking forward to the party!
AFTER THE CEREMONY
01
02
03
Wedding Day Timeline
building the perfect
Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional "no see before the ceremony," I will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.
If you're choosing to go traditional, you'll need two different sets of photo times: images taken before the ceremony and images taken after the ceremony.
You'll need to plan for about one hour of pre-ceremony bridal photos (bridal portraits, bridesmaids, bride's family) and about 45 minutes of pre-ceremony groom photos (groom individuals, groomsmen, groom's family) at separate times. You'll also need 15 minutes of full bridal party portraits, 30 minutes of combined family portraits and at least 30 minutes of couple's portraits after the ceremony if you're not doing a first look.
Whether you're planning a first look or sticking with tradition and not seeing your groom until you walk down the aisle, I have tips to help make planning your timeline as easy as possible!
If you're doing a first look, all photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 2 hours pre-ceremony (although we also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom photos at sunset!)
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all I ask is that you keep the sunset time in mind when planning your wedding so that there is still an hour and a half of sunlight following your ceremony.
If you're planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your couples portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.
General Approximate Times | Details and Prep: 1.5 hours | First Look and Portraits: 30–40 minutes | Bridal Party: 45 minutes | Family Formals: 30 minutes | Extra Portrait Time: as much time as you'll give me!
bridal details
12:30 p.m.
Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her details. It’s an important part of the story and I love having time to capture the dress, shoes, jewelry, and invitations. I like to allow at least 45 minutes for this part of the day; these shots also allow me to get warmed up. While I’m shooting details, I’m also capturing some candid shots of the bride and her girls getting ready. If the groom is getting ready nearby, my second shooter will begin photographing the boys about 40 minutes before the First Look.
Note: Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and makeup is already wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HAMU.
BRIDAL PREP
1:30 p.m.
After the details have been photographed, it’s time for the bride to get into her dress... This is a big moment! I usually ask the mother of the bride and all of the bridesmaids to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone will look nice in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc. and I will shoot some additional bridal portraits!
first look
2:00 p.m.
This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! Earlier in the day, I will scout locations around your venue to find the perfect location for your First Look. Don’t stress about that one bit! I will make sure the location is private and as secluded as possible, and in gorgeous lighting to capture all the emotions of a First Look... followed by beautiful portraits of the happy couple!
PORTRAITS
2:15 p.m.
After the bride and groom take their time with the First Look, I will begin taking a few romantic portraits of the two of them while the initial excitement is still present! I will find the locations for these shots as well. Remember, the LIGHT determines where we shoot and so I can’t decide on portrait locations until the day-of. As we shoot these portraits, the bridal party can start making their way to us for Bridal Party portraits!
BRIDAL PARTY
2:45 p.m.
Now it’s time for Bridal Party shots! I buffer in extra time throughout the day just in case we have some unexpected things that hold us up. One way to make sure we stay on schedule is to have someone put the boutonnieres on the guys BEFORE they arrive for portraits. During the Bridal Party Portraits, we'll capture some great shots of the guys and girls both separately and together!
family portraits
3:30 p.m.
Immediate family formals last about 30 minutes. I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can list out the shots you want. I recommend shooting portraits outdoors if possible so that they resemble more natural family portraits, especially if the ceremony location is dark!
BRIDE IN HIDING
4:00 p.m.
4:00pm BRIDE IN HIDING
After immediate family portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding so that early guests don’t sneak a peek, and the ushers will begin their duties.
ceremony & RECEPTION DETAILS
4:00 p.m.
I'll photograph the decor of your ceremony, and if the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor as well. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats!
ceremony
4:30 P.M.
It’s time to get married! Most ceremonies are about 20–30 minutes long. If your ceremony is longer than 30 minutes, we’ll make a few adjustments to the timeline. Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!
extended family formals
5:00 P.M.
If you choose to have extended family photos taken, they normally take place immediately following the ceremony. We need about 30 minutes for extended family formals, since it often takes a few moments to gather and organize family members prior to photographing the group shots. I recommend having the officiant announce who will be included in photos following the ceremony so everyone knows where they should be! I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can list out the shots you want.
husband & wife portraits
5:30 P.M.
This is the BEST time of day for portraits! This is when the sun is glowy and golden. I love having some time with the bride and groom to take a few “Just Married” portraits right after we wrap up the family formals!
reception begins
6:00 P.M.
This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and the party begins!! By this part of the day, my timeline isn’t as strict. I work off of the natural light and so after the sun is set, portrait time is over and I begin focusing on the reception events!
6:45 P.M.
Cake cutting!
7:00 P.M.
Dancing begins & bouquet toss
grand exit
8:30 P.M.
All of my collections include a minimum of 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit photographed, there are several options for this. You can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party. We have had GREAT success with this and the party never stops! Email me and we can decide on the best solution for you.
bridal details
12:30 p.m.
Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her details. It’s an important part of the story and I love having time to capture the dress, shoes, jewelry, and invitations. I like to allow at least 45 minutes for this part of the day; these shots also allow me to get warmed up. While I’m shooting details, I’m also capturing some candid shots of the bride and her girls getting ready. If the groom is getting ready nearby, my second shooter will begin photographing the boys about 40 minutes before the First Look.
Note: Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and makeup is already wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HAMU.
BRIDAL PREP
1:45 p.m.
After the details have been photographed, it’s time for the bride to get into her dress... This is a big moment! I usually ask the mother of the bride and all of the bridesmaids to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone will look nice in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc. and I will shoot some additional bridal portraits!
Bridal portraits & bridesmaids photos
2:15 p.m.
We'll take a few moments for portraits of the blushing bride, as well as photos with the bridesmaids (group shots & individuals!).
bride & her family
2:45 p.m.
We'll gather the bride's immediate family and get these formal shots taken! This way, there are less photos to take following the ceremony, and we can get you to your reception more quickly!
Don't forget - I'll send a questionnaire a month before your wedding so we can build a family formals shot list together and make these photos go smoothly!
groom portraits & groomsmen photos
3:00 p.m.
Here, we'll get a few shots of the dapper groom, as well as group shots of the groomsmen and individuals of the groom with each of his groomsmen! If the groomsmen got ready off-site, we'll also stage some getting ready shots of them here, as well!
Quick Tip: Have someone put the boutonnieres on the guys BEFORE they arrive for portraits.
groom & his family
3:15 p.m.
We'll gather the groom's immediate family and get these formal shots taken! This way, there are less photos to take following the ceremony, and we can get you to your reception more quickly!
Don't forget - I'll send a questionnaire a month before your wedding so we can build a family formals shot list together and make these photos go smoothly!
BRIDE IN HIDING
3:30 p.m.
After immediate family portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding so that early guests don’t sneak a peek, and the ushers will begin their duties.
ceremony & RECEPTION DETAILS
3:30 p.m.
I'll photograph the decor of your ceremony, and if the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor as well. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats!
ceremony
4:00 P.M.
It’s time to get married! Most ceremonies are about 20–30 minutes long. If your ceremony is longer than 30 minutes, we’ll make a few adjustments to the timeline. Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!
family formals
4:30 P.M.
I need about 30 minutes for family formals, since it often takes a few moments to gather and organize family members prior to photographing the group shots. I recommend having the officiant announce who will be included in photos following the ceremony so everyone knows where they should be! I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can list out the shots you want.
bridal party
5:00 P.M.
Now it’s time for Bridal Party shots!
These are always some of my favorites! Be sure your bridal party (and flower girls & ring bearers) know to stick around after the ceremony & family formals for these group shots!
husband & wife portraits
5:15 P.M.
This is the BEST time of day for portraits! This is when the sun is glowy and golden. I love having some time with the bride and groom to take a few “Just Married” portraits right after we wrap up the bridal party photos!
reception begins
5:45 P.M.
This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and the party begins!! By this part of the day, my timeline isn’t as strict. I work off of the natural light and so after the sun is set, portrait time is over and I begin focusing on the reception events!
7:00 P.M.
Cake cutting followed by bouquet toss.
grand exit
8:30 P.M.
All of my collections include a minimum of 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit photographed, there are several options for this. You can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party. We have had GREAT success with this and the party never stops! Email me and we can decide on the best solution for you.
getting ready
It’s the morning of your wedding! Hopefully all
of the little details are taken care of and you’re
relaxing with your best friends while your hair is
being done. If certain items haven’t been checked
off of the to-do list, it’s time to hand them over
to someone else.
Delegation is a key part of a stress-free wedding
day. I know it’s hard to hand over the decorating
duties and all of the last minute things that need
to be done, but it really is important to relax the
morning of your wedding. The rest of the day
is going to be fast paced and filled with a lot of
emotions! Take advantage of this down time!
There are a few things to consider about the
“getting ready” portion of the day. Do you want
to share a “first look” with your dad or any other
person who plays a huge role in your life? Will
you and your groom be exchanging gifts during
this time? If so, who would you like to deliver
them? Are there certain women in your life who
would appreciate seeing you get into your gown?
Some brides want very few people around for
this moment. Other brides love having aunts
and grandmas present! It’s totally up to you!
If you have a choice in bridal prep area, try
to find a place with a window... and ask your
bridesmaids to help keep that area clear of
clutter. By having just a simple window in the
bridal prep area, I am able to create beautiful
portraits with soft light. I prefer natural light, so
the more windows, the better!
A few other things to consider... as you get ready
to put your dress on, refrain from putting on any
jewelry just yet. I love shooting all of those final
steps once you’re in your gown!
Speaking of the gown, if your gown is on a plastic
hanger, try to make a note to bring a wooden
hanger along for picture sake. If you forget, no
big deal! I’m a pro at finding a wooden hanger
somewhere around the venue.
Wedding Day Details
We love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once we arrive at your wedding, we need about 30 minutes to capture and style details. We recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.
It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for us. Please unwrap your dress but don't worry about styling it - we'll hang it in a beautiful spot!
bridal details checklist
Dress
Dress Hanger
Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Perfume
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite ( 2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
For example, I once had a bride bring her grandmother's hand mirror. This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, I love including family heirlooms in our detail shots.
Bonus: We'd love to have a few cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply us a small bucket of extra pieces we can incorporate those in your detail shots.
Bridal DETAILS Checklist
His shoes
Socks (if they're special)
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
Anything else he'll have that is special or sentimental.
GROOM DETAILS Checklist
I always try to take a photo of your rings while you're getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself. To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed. Or, use your Bling Brush!
The Rings
high impact planning
There are so many expenses when it comes to wedding planning. Many brides have to prioritize what they want to invest in. In my experience of photographing weddings, I have found that there are certain things to avoid investing in and other parts of the day that a little extra investment will go a very long way! My hope is that this list will help you invest in the parts of your day that will be high-impact and will help you avoid spending money where it doesn’t matter.
bridal bouquet
Invest in your bridal bouquet over other florals: Make your bridal bouquet a big priority! When I’m photographing a wedding, if the bride has a gorgeous bouquet, I can make the entire day look like there were beautiful florals everywhere! I can use the bridal bouquet to spruce up bridal details, reception details AND even bride and groom portraits as well! The bridal bouquet is a focal point for me when it comes to your photography and so I highly recommend getting your DREAM bouquet and investing less on the bridesmaids bouquets since they will not be photographed nearly as much!
greenery
Go with greenery over blooms: Greenery is beautiful and photographs well but it can be half the price of ordering blooms. I recommend actual flowers for your bridal bouquet and other bouquets but then decorating other aspects of the day with greenery to save money but still make a huge visual impact!
installations
Have one well-done Installation instead of a lot of small vignettes of decor: If you’re hoping for a heavily detailed reception but the cost is adding up, focus on one focal point instead of trying to decorate everywhere. For example, invest in a beautiful, large, hanging chandelier or unique lighting elements but do shorter, simpler floral centerpieces on 1/2 of your tables and candles on the other 1/2.
double duty
Double purposes for decor: Maybe you choose to have an epic, well-styled entryway decor at your reception that also doubles as an amazing photobooth later on throughout the evening once party dancing has started!
intentional details
Avoid spending money on tiny details: Customized favors, personalized M&M’s, etc... it all adds up and at the end of the day, your hard work in the tiny details can often be overlooked. Be intentional about the details that really matter to you as a couple!
how to get beautiful portraits
If I’m being honest, all of the wedding day images are important... but the
real favorites are almost always from my time with the Bride and Groom!
These romantic portraits of just the two of you will be the images that you
frame beside your bed or over your mantle, and they will also be the images
that will fill your album for generations to enjoy. These images are always
my favorite not only because of their beauty, but because this is such a sweet
portion of the day. For this brief moment in time, you will be alone with
your groom on your wedding day. You will have a chance to love on each
other and really connect before the craziness begins!
Timing. Romantic portraits are normally done after the first look, and then I LOVE shooting a few “just married” portraits after the ceremony as well! This is when the light is low and golden! It’s such a romantic time for bride and groom portraits! If you’re not interested in a First Look, we will make sure to include a lot of time after the ceremony for these portraits!
Trust the Location. One of my favorite parts of my job is taking something so ordinary and making it look absolutely amazing! This happens most often when it comes to picking portrait locations! If there is one thing that I love and appreciate about my couples, it’s that they trust me! Sometimes I select portrait locations that most people wouldn’t consider attractive. So my encouragement is to trust me! You don’t have to worry about a thing! Trust my locations, and I promise you, you’ll LOVE the results!
The moment everyone has been waiting for! The music is playing and the guests have been
seated. Ushers make their way to the back of the church, and the coordinator is lining up the
bridesmaids while giving the musicians a 5 minute warning. The bride is about to walk down
the aisle to the love of her life. Vows will be shared and promises will be made!! In
a world full of wedding blogs, Pinterest and bridal magazines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and
consumed by the “prettiness” of the event. While details do matter and planning is necessary,
it’s important to never lose sight of the real purpose of this amazing day!
Find a few tips below!
The ceremony
Consider Unplugging
If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and we're sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help us do the best possible job capturing your wedding, we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.
Options for Asking Your Guests to Unplug
1. Signage: Have a simple sign that guests see as they are entering the ceremony
2. Spoken: Have your officiant politely mention that you prefer no cell phones
3. Program: Include your Unplugged Ceremony request in your program design
I absolutely love meeting my couples' families on the wedding day! Family formals are normally my first interaction with them, and so I love to have a game plan for this part of the day!
We do have to limit the family formal time in order to ensure that we have plenty of daylight for your romantic portraits. However, any large family group shots that we don’t accomplish during family formals, we can be sure to capture at the reception!
A month before the wedding, you’ll receive a questionnaire from me that will ask you to list out the family formals you want me to capture. Here is a sample family formal shot list to help you start preparing what shots you need.
Family Formals
your entire family, dressed up and together
Bride's Family
B&G with Bride’s Immediate Family
(Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)
B&G with Bride’s Parents
B&G with Bride’s Siblings
Bride with her Parents
Bride with Mom, Bride with Dad
B&G with Bride’s Grandparents
Combined
B&G with Both Immediate Families
B&G with Both Sets of Parents
Groom's Family
B&G with Groom’s Immediate Family
(Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)
B&G with Groom’s Parents
B&G with Groom’s Siblings
Groom with his Parents
Groom with Mom, Groom with Dad
B&G with Groom’s Grandparents
family formals shotlist
Please note that this list is just a starting point and that I'm happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!
The party is here! Receptions can be a blast! However, it’s important to make sure that your event is well-planned and well-executed. This is the job of your wedding planner, assisted by the DJ or Band who will help emcee the evening. Your caterer will also play a big role in the design and set up of your event. Every aspect of your reception affects the overall outline of the evening.
Find a few tips below!
The reception
If you’re not having a plated meal, your reception will need to be set up in a way that allows movement. Guests will need to be able to find the food stations easily, and there may be a mixture of dinner tables and hightop cocktail tables. This will encourage guests to mix and mingle. If you are having a plated dinner, you will more than likely need escort cards, full place settings and space for all of your guests to be seated comfortably. Whatever the style of your event, make sure that you plan out all of the aspects of the evening. Your planner can help you set up the evening so that guests won’t leave early or experience long periods of waiting for the next thing to happen.
THE SETUP
Much like the ceremony, you have the freedom to make your reception your own! It’s your party, it should be exactly how you want it to be!
Here is a list of some key events that are often incorporated into the reception timeline:
Bridal Party Introductions
First Dance
Father-Daughter Dance
Mother-Son Dance
Anniversary Dance
Traditional Religious Dances
Welcome by Father of the Bride
Blessing
Cake Cutting
Toasts
Bouquet and Garter Toss
Grand Exit
order of events
Guest consideration. Take your guests into consideration when planning your timeline. If you have a lot of elderly guests that will not be staying until the very end, make sure you schedule the cake cutting at a relatively early time so that they can be a part of it. Grandmas love seeing this sweet tradition!
Don't get caught up in the formalities and the details. Sure, details are pretty and fun to photograph, but they can steal the joy of the day if you get too caught up in them (just speaking from experience here!). Plan your centerpieces, welcome table, etc. well before the wedding date, and allow your planner to set them up so you aren’t even thinking about those things the day of!
Make it your own. If you want to have a special dance with your grandparents, do it! Make your reception a reflection of who you are and don’t feel tied to traditions. Also, make sure you give your DJ or Band a “Do Not Play” list if there are some songs you really don’t want to hear during your reception!
planning your reception
I love the grand exits, when all your friends & family cheer for you and send you off onto your honeymoon & into married life! If your coverage ends before your exit, you have the option of planning a faux
exit with your bridal party! This is more common than you may think. Instead
of saving your exit until the very end, you can plan a faux exit with just the
members of your bridal party and a few family members! This allows us to have
more control over these shots and the party NEVER has to stop. In most cases,
no one even notices that the bride and groom are missing for a few minutes!
Sparklers, bubbles, streamers, oh my! Click the link below to read a blog post about grand exits & see what type is right for you!
The grand exit
grand exit tips
1. If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!
2. If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool - especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.
3. Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.
4. If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire.
5. If your reception is at a separate venue, add some "fluff time" so that we can run over to the venue to capture it while it's still "untouched" by guests.
Additional Tips
A few things to think through as you plan!
6. I always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest! Guests typically arrive early to weddings.
7. To help make family portraits go smoother, it's best to talk with your parents and future in-laws about what photos are important to them as you fill out your questionnaire so that on the day of, every one is on the same page when it comes to which photos will be captured. Day-of requests for images not on the shot list can slow things down, so it's great to have that shot list fully organized prior to your wedding day.
8. Following dinner at your reception, a photographer will always be near to you at the reception! Anytime you'd like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your personal paparazzi!
9. I'd love to help you plan your timeline! I always send my couples a recommended timeline based on sunset, but if you have additional questions, please feel free to email anytime!
One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive during wedding season is “Soooo, what do you
do if it RAINS?!” I want to reassure you that even if it rains, you will still have beautiful portraits and bright
colors in your images! Overcast skies mean vibrant colors. I know that rain isn’t ideal, and no bride would wish
for rain on their big day, but if it happens, it happens... and it’s going to be JUST fine!
As a Texas native, I know that the weather is unpredictable. It might be 90 degrees in the middle of Fall, it might rain, or the fog might roll in (or it might do all of those things in one day!)... but none of that will keep us from taking beautiful images! Don’t let the fear of unpredictable weather steal your joy. You can’t control it, and I promise that we will make the best of it!
Below are a few tips in case of a rainy wedding day.
Rain Tips
1. All I need to create natural light portraits on a rainy wedding day is a
porch! Just one porch! We can find a small covered area to tuck you away
and capture some beautiful portraits, even in rainy weather.
2. Let me worry about the pictures. You have enough to think about. If there
is a chance of rain, I’ll be sure to do some extra scouting to find a covered
location or two, for us to use for you first look, romantic portraits and bridal
party portraits. We can even pull out the clear umbrellas and make it work!
3. Take it one step at a time. Don’t think about your entire day and what will happen if it rains. That will only overwhelm you! Definitely have a rain plan for your venue, but then let your vendors do the work of handling the rest of the day if rain is in the forecast.
One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering
an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a
variety of linen & leather colors.
These aren’t the same albums your parents' wedding photos came in.
They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.
Albums
more details
the perfect way to remember your wedding day
The Heirloom Bouquet is a custom fine art piece crafted using distinct techniques that will preserve your bridal bouquet for generations to come. This signature composition features a flat-lay image of the blooms and greenery from your wedding bouquet, artfully styled on fine cotton and linen backdrops.
non-professional prints
To the left (above on the mobile site!), you’ll see the original image and some of the most common print issues that clients experience when they choose to not print through their online gallery that I provide for them: high contrast, over-saturation, and de-saturation. If you print at a place like Costco, Walgreens, or Target, I can not guarantee the quality or promise that the images will print true-to-life if you choose to use a printer like these.
That's why I recommend ordering professional prints directly through your gallery! I make sure to offer as many print sizes as possible at the most affordable investment so that my clients can have access to professional quality prints for the images that they invested so much in. Investing in high-end photography ensures heirloom quality: photos that endure beautifully from one generation to the next.
trust me, professional prints are worth every penny!
how bad can they be?
thank you, thank you, thank you.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you for trusting me with your special
day. I am so honored to be capturing your memories, and I cannot wait
to celebrate alongside you!
Enjoy this season of planning but also remember that your marriage is more
important than the wedding. The wedding will come and go in a matter of
hours, but your marriage needs to stand the test of time.
Continue to make time for one another, even with all that needs to get done.
As you continue to plan, please feel free to contact me with any questions you
may have along the way! Depending on your date, our next step would be to
finalize an engagement session. Also, a few weeks before the wedding, you’ll
receive an online questionnaire that will provide me with everything I need
to know for your big day!
I hope this guide has been helpful as you continue to plan and prepare for
your wedding day!
i can't wait for your WEDDING!
