Wedding Guide

 

Hello & Congratulations!


You've decided to marry your special person!

There's so much to think about between now and then, and I'm sure your heads are already spinning, making decisions about things you didn't even realize existed! So to make things a little easier, I've created this to help guide you through the whole process!

What To Expect



I believe it's my job as your photographer to make sure that you feel calm, authentic, and engaged during a photo shoot with me and I will go above and beyond to ensure this is the case.

I will always direct and pose you so you don't feel or look awkward in any of your photographs!


The factors that contribute to me getting photos are also the ones that contribute to a more relaxed day for everyone. Here's what I've learned we need


  1. A clutter-free space
  2. Good natural light and lots of it!
  3. Enough time ( at least an hour for each partner, but longer if you're rolling with a big crew). I'll be sure to show up right as the finishing touches are being placed.

TIP:

A great way to maximize my time is to put all of the things aside that I need for the detail shots. The ring or rings, the shoes, the cuff links, the love letters, ect. Put all aside so I can arrange them and swap through quickly.


Let's Consider the following for the lighting:

 

If outdoor


  • What time is your wedding, and what will the lighting be like at that time? Can we ensure you're both evenly lit? Will I be shooting into the sun? If we can make it so that I'm not, that'd be amazing!
  • What will the background look like? Can we make it pretty? Will there be anything that could cast shadows onto your faces?
  • If I have more physical space to play around with I'll be able to get a nice mix of different kinds of shots. Close ups, details, wide-angles, and various candid guests.

If indoor


  • What kinds of windows does your venue have? Do they use natural or artificial light?
  • Are there any rules surrounding your place of worship (if this is where you're having the ceremony) that I should know about? If you're unsure, consult with your religious leader and ask them if they have any rules they'd like me to know about.
  • Would you like me to avoid using flash?
  • Do you have a preference as to how much I move around during the ceremony/ reception? Would you like me to jump in or hang back?
  • I always do my best to be as emotionally aware as possible, but it never hurts to have a chat prior to the ceremony so that I'm across it all.

Timelines



Timelines makes your day flows smoothly, giving your guests, staff, and vendors a general idea of when and where everything will pan out. There is no one-size- fits-all approach so it's super important to make a timeline that works for you. If you have a wedding planner, they'll be able to help you create something that aligns with your vision of the perfect day. But one thing to remember is that things almost always take longer than you think they will. Allow some time in between events so you have a second breath, kiss your partner, and drink some water.

I always make sure to keep a 30 minute window of time before the ceremony without any photos to give you a chance to tame those flyaways or eat a quick bite!  

Engagement Session



This is an incredible way for us to have a bit of fun together without the pressure of a timeline or all of your guests. And spending time together also allows to calm the nerves, inspires confidence in front of the camera, and allows us to create beautiful keepsakes in a chilled atmosphere!

Plus, who doesn't love a new profile pic!


BONUS:

You'll have beautiful images to add to wedding invitations or save-the-date cards!

Fancy Dress Shoot aka Bridal Shoot



This session is perfect for getting beautiful photos of either brides or grooms in their wedding best before (or even after!) the big day.

No time pressure, no waiting guests, no stress. Just you, me, my camera, and a creative adventure. Get a good trial run for your makeup or dress or tux or shoes, pick a location you love (remember it doesn't have to be anywhere near your ceremony venue!) and I'll meet you there!

Family Portraits


Depending on your own family constellation, there are any number of configurations we can photograph the wedding party in. Some with everyone in them, some with each of your immediate and then extended families, and some variations of smaller or larger groups.

One thing that's absolutely necessary for this part of the day is that everyone knows it's happening, everyone's on board, and there's someone (Wedding planner, Sibling, Best Friend) who knows who everyone is and can help me herd everyone in the right direction at the right time. Before the wedding we'll sit down and write down a list of every single person we'll need and where they should be at what time so we can fly through these and get everyone back to celebrating as quickly as possible!

An ideal time to do this is immediately after the ceremony, but before the couple portraits. Once the reception starts, it's hard to track everyone down.

Reception & Dinner



The more I know about the layout of the venue and the layout of lighting that will be used, the better prepared I'll be to make sure all of the details line up in favor of amazing images.

From the details of where you'll be sitting and what you have in the background, to where you'll be in relation to the person giving speeches, all of this is super helpful for me to get a lay of the land and understand where to get the best shots.

Will there be a sit-down dinner or will people be making their way around with snacks all night? Is it formal or more of a relaxed thing?

Photo Delivery



It will take me approximately 3-5 weeks (depending on if the wedding session was a half day or full day) to select, edit, and deliver your gallery of photos after the wedding but I'll be sure to sneak you a couple of previews within 48 hours so you can share them with family and friends while everyone's still buzzing from the big day.

When I eventually do hand over all of the images, it's always such a special moment for everyone.

Feel free to share your images with your guests so they can share them on their own social media. But please don't forget to tag me! Not only does it help others find their way to my page, but it's always so fun  for me to see which photos everyone love most.

Please refrain from adding filters when reposting (it goes against the rules laid out in my contract.) If you want editing tweaks, please reach out!

Thank You!


I know that this has been a lot of information to digest, but please know that not all of it applies to every wedding. Sit down and have a discussion with your partner about what feels right for both of you, and please don't hesitate to get me on the line if you feel like you just need a human being to talk you through all of the text.

Let's Recap!


  • I will always direct and pose you so you don't feel or look awkward in any of your photographs!
  • Give me the down low on lighting at the ceremony and reception.
  • Don't forget to talk to your celebrant or religious leader about their preferences and my role as a photographer during the ceremony.
  • Slow down, don't forget to breathe, take it all in, and have a good time!
  • Provide snacks and water whenever possible.