HERE'S THE DEAL
You deserve to have the perfect wedding day. After all, it is your day so, why settle for less? Photography is so much more than just images; it's a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve a perfect wedding, but you also deserve beautiful images and an amazing photographic experience.
Time after time, couples share horror stories of feeling uncomfortable and overly posed in their wedding photos. My style is spirited and heartfelt so let's end the horror stories and create something new.
Let us make your love story with your real personality and authentic passion! You have the right to take advantage of your perfect wedding day, so don't hold back.
The goal is to provide you with the BEST experience possible.
Wedding planning is stressful and some couples struggle with where to start, my goal as your wedding photographer is to help make this aspect of the planning process simple and easy by sharing the general rundown of wedding days and photography tips and tricks during the consultation call!
What's First?
The very first thing couples need to figure out is their budget. After the budget has been established, you need a wedding date and general location of wedding. Next is researching wedding photographers and their styles and choosing a photographer. Continue reading for more about the wedding client journey.
Wedding Journey
Engagement Sesh
Engagement sessions are the practice run of your newly-wed portraits on your wedding. During the engagement session, we can determine what posing you are most comfortable with.
The engagement session is scheduled anytime before your wedding day; I recommend booking this session 4-8 months in advance to avoid stress.
When it comes to locations, I love when a couple chooses a location based on sentimental values, like where the first date was, their proposal spot, or the area from their favorite place to spend time together. Sentimental values are not a requirement, though you can choose a location just because it's pretty! If you're having trouble thinking of a specific place to have your session, ask me for some suggestions in your area.
P.S. four legged furry friends are always welcome!!
Creating the Timeline
As you start your wedding planning, you may find creating a timeline intimidating or boring; but it is necessary to make a timeline to ensure your wedding goes smoothly. The timeline is what makes or breaks your photography on the wedding day.
A basic break down for how much time each wedding activity needs is:
- Getting Ready: 45-60 minutes (details photos and getting dressed)
- Solo Wedding Party Formals: 15-30 minutes (each side of the wedding party done separately)
- Full Wedding Party Formals: 15-30 minutes (larger the wedding party the more time is needed)
- Family Member First Look: 5-20 minutes (varies base on how many family members will be participating in a first look and how emotional the moment is)
- Spouse First Look: 5-20 minutes (varies base on how emotional the moment is and if formal couple portraits are taken at this time)
- Ceremony: 30-60 minutes (depending on the kind of ceremony)
- Family Portraits: 30-45 minutes (depending on how large the family is and how many grouping requested)
- Cocktail Hour: 45-60 minutes
- Couple Portraits: 15-30 minutes (varies on if you would like to mingle with your guest during cocktail hour)
- Introductions: 5-15 minutes ( based on how many members are in the wedding party and if they are doing a skit or not )
- Cake Cutting: 5-15 minutes
- Dinner: 45-60 minutes (base off how many tables, how dinner is served, and how many courses)
- Toasts: 15-30 minutes (depends on how many guests are speaking and how long their speech is)
- Dances: 10-20 minutes (depends on how many dance there are and if the song is the shortened or not)
- Open Dancing: 30-60 minutes (depending on how many guest are on the dance floor)
Day of Reminders
Keep All The Rings
On wedding days, the most common detail that is missing out of the detail box are the rings. Many people will suggest to give the rings to the best at the beginning of the day but its actually better to hand it over after the detail photos so that you get photos of your gorgeous rings!
Delegate
Make sure you are allowing your bridal party to help with making the wedding morning go smooth. This will take stress off the bride and set the mood for the day. I recommend chatting with your bridal party before the wedding and clarifying how they can help on the morning of!
Gather the Details
Having the details waiting for when the photographer arrives can save time on your wedding day and relieves any stress for hunting the details down.
Bouquet & Bouts
Don’t forget about the flowers! I recommend having the florals delivered to the bride and groom before the first look so that they can have them during their bridal portraits.
Travel Time
Be sure to consider travel time on your wedding day. Make sure you add in travel time and traffic to and from your getting ready location, church, venue, and any additional photo locations!
Create Cushion
When creating your timeline, make sure to add an extra 10-15 minutes every now and then because time flies when you’re having fun!
