Countless details will fill your wedding day and many we don’t think about until the very last minute. Here are a few things to consider and keep in mind when planning out your perfect day.

1 - Sunset

We prefer to discuss photo timelines early in the planning process to maximize our opportunities for creating stunning images. We prefer to photograph all the important details of the day (details, decor and all portraits) in natural light. Together with your wedding planner, we build your timeline around the best natural light to ensure your day photographs wonderfully. Know the sunset time for your wedding day and ideally visit the location the year prior to see the light throughout the day. This will aid in selecting the optimal ceremony, cocktail and reception times.

2 - First Look Photos

We highly recommend taking the bulk of your portraits prior to the ceremony. Not only will this allow us more time to create beautiful portraits of you and those who matter to you most, but this will allow you to enjoy more of the post-ceremony festivities. Couples often become impatient and frustrated when they are forced to spend the entire cocktail hour taking portraits as they would rather enjoy the party with friends and family. Since pressed for time, this also creates fewer of those gorgeous and romantic images you desire. We advise getting the bulk of your portraits done prior to the ceremony, leaving any remaining group portraits for immediately after the ceremony. This allows you to enjoy your cocktail hour until we gather again for sunset portraits.

We understand the intimacy in having your loved one see you for the first time walking down the aisle and respect your wishes if you choose to do so. In our experience however, the wonderful moment when they see you for the first time is even more magical because you do not have to share it with strangers looking on. You can just be yourselves. Each and every time we have covered a first-look photo, the moment when you walk down the aisle is still magical and you still become filled with emotion as this moment is finally happening. First look photos are truly the best of both worlds.

3 - Preparing Details

Prepare all wedding details in advance for photographing. This includes your full paper invitation suite with your calligraphy and or addressing and stamps, welcome bags, favors, all paper products, dress, shoes, all wedding rings and any other details from your day that you would like photographed. Consider family heirlooms, jewelry, ribbon, fabric and other items that can enhance your images. Please place your wedding and bridal details in the bridal suite so we can capture them when we arrive.

Styling Tip: If using a unique linen for your wedding reception tables, please consider adding an extra small one to the rental order for photographing your wedding invitation and/or details. This helps tie together your images through color and texture, making them more cohesive and powerful.

4 - Choosing a Beautiful Location to Get Ready

The first few hours of wedding photography take place as you get ready. Whether you choose a bridal suite, hotel room or other location to prepare for the wedding, consider the backdrop for these images. This location is where we photograph the majority of your details and initial portraits. As such, we recommend selecting a spacious, open location with ample natural light and similar decor or feel to your wedding so the images flow with the rest of the day. If the majority of your getting ready is located a less-than-styled area, find an area with more beautification for you to get into your dress. Anyone you want present to help you get into your dress will need to be completely ready before you as well.

5 - A Cell-Phone Free Ceremony

Cell phones and iPads create a significant obstacle for us at your ceremony. We have found that at least one of your guests will try to capture your nuptials with a phone, tablet or camera. These devices end up in your wedding photos and create unsightly distractions while blocking the faces and emotions of you and your guests. The best photo-journalistic images of your wedding come about when your guests put away their devices and watch the ceremony with their eyes and hearts. Tip: Consider asking your officiant to make an announcement just before the start of the processional to request that guests put away their cameras and devices and be present during the ceremony.

6 - Timeline

Keeping to a wedding timeline is a key factor for maintaining a relaxing and photographically productive day. Delayed hair and makeup can drastically change the day’s schedule and impact your time for portraits prior to the ceremony. We highly recommend a hair and makeup trial prior to the wedding. Adding buffer time (up to an hour) around this important process on your wedding day allows for delays. The best case scenario is that you finish on time and have a moment for a glass of champagne before the ceremony.

Tip: When alerting the family and bridal party of their times to be ready for portraits, give a time 15 minutes prior to the start of portraits to ensure timeliness.

7 - An Engagement Session

Most often we do not have an opportunity to meet in person during the booking process. An engagement session is the perfect chance for us to get to know one another, for you to feel comfortable in front of the camera and to experience being photographed together. We find that an engagement session helps our clients feel more at ease on the big day. Not to mention, engagement sessions are a lot of fun and an opportunity to create amazing and adventurous images without the restrictions that a wedding day brings

8 - Trust Us

We love to learn about both of you, your personalities, your family and background so we get a solid sense of who you are and your love story. After the experience of your engagement session, you will know what to expect on your wedding day. It’s now time to relax and enjoy – be yourselves and leave the rest to us.