Wedding guide
What to expect, timeline guidance,
engagement session tips, wedding day musts & more
SOME notes about the guide
Hey, Welcom!
I created this to help every bride and groom to have a better understanding of what to expect and how to prepare you and your guest for you big day! this guide is to help you know how a wedding day might work and get you thinking about the photos you want, as well as what expectations there are around specific sections of your day.
Every bride who I have worked with always has at least one of these questions below so to better streamline and help you with any confusion around the wedding day and what a photographer might do or what you to do he is some quick guidance i hope you have a wonderful time reading through and maybe jotting down some note!
Engagement Session
I absolutely love engagement sessions, they’re some of my favorite moments to capture. These sessions are about so much more than taking photos; they’re a chance for you to be fully present with each other, letting your love shine in a way that’s real and authentic. I get to witness your unique connection unfold and have the joy of documenting those little glances, laughter, and moments between the two of you that truly tell your story. It’s a beautiful way to honor this chapter of your lives together in a setting that feels like home to you both.
Usually book 2 to 5 months before the wedding date but of course it is flexible on time.
Side note: Let me know beforehand if you are a couple wanting to hold off on kissing till the alter; I always want to honor what you guys feel most comfortable with.
Choosing Your Location
When choosing your location, think through how you want it to feel and what you want it to convey, whether that's a field, a coffee shop, or the place you had your first date. Engagement sessions are so special, and the right setting makes them feel even more like you.
What to Wear
What you wear can shape how the photos feel. I suggest choosing something that coordinates well with your wedding palette, but I'll also share an helpful tip: the color of your clothing affects the way light bounces onto your face, which can change the final outcome of your photos. For that reason, I recommend leaning toward natural, earthy tones or white & creams for these sessions. That said, it's always up to you, wear what makes you feel confident!
First look
IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERE
That first moment when you see each other on your wedding day is pure magic, and a first look lets you experience it in such a deeply personal way. In those private minutes, you can hold each other close, take a deep breath, and really let the emotions sink in before the day sweeps you away. It’s a chance to connect, feel the joy and anticipation, and let any nerves melt away together. Every tear, every laugh, and every overwhelmed smile is captured, preserving the raw beauty of your love.
Plus, you will be able to see each other's full reaction rather than fully relying on pictures from the isle. And a first look means you get to spend more of your day together, freeing up time after the ceremony to be fully present with your guests. It’s a heartfelt way to kick off your celebration, and I’ll be there to capture every unforgettable moment of your story.
A first look cuts through the chaos of the day
Once the ceremony starts, the day seems to fly by in a flash. A first look is this rare chance to slow down, have a quiet moment together, and soak in what the day really means before the whirlwind begins. It’s a chance to connect, feel all the emotions, and savor the calm before the excitement takes over.
Wedding day
TimeLine
If you're doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, including wedding party and family, taking an average total of 1.5 to 2 hours pre-ceremony (although I also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom photos at sunset or if location changes!)
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all we ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding.
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.
Or we can do a mix of both, doing first look, and wedding party before ceremony and doing family photos after.
Regardless of which you choose, I’ll help create the perfect timeline to make sure your day flows seamlessly. If you go with a first look, I’ll plan for that calm, intimate moment before the whirlwind starts, allowing you time to connect, breathe, and ease into the celebration together. This choice also means we can capture many of your photos beforehand, freeing up more time for you to enjoy the reception and having fun with loved ones.
If you choose to wait until the ceremony for that first moment together, I’ll structure the timeline to accommodate essential photos afterward without feeling rushed. You’ll have time to celebrate with your bridal party, family, and guests, while I capture every special detail. No matter what, I’ll design a timeline that lets you savor each part of your day, stress-free.
To give you a sense of what that 1.5–2 hour window (or post-ceremony window, if you're waiting for the aisle) actually looks like, here's roughly how it splits out, with a little wiggle room built in for each. Couple portraits: 30–45 minutes
Wedding party photos: 30–60 minutes, Family formals: 40–60 minutes. the time frames very based on size of groupings and variation of photos; aswell how relaxed you want to feel during this period.
Which portions of the day are the most important to you?
- Preparations (getting ready, make up, putting dress on, the pre party fun)
- Venue & detail shots (flowers, décor, rings, etc.)
- Couples Photos
- Group photos (Family and or wedding party)
- Ceremony
- Guest interactions/reception fun
- Couple with guest photos
- Dinner
- Send off
- Other (any other specific details not included in this list that):
Think through these and chose 3 to 4 most important sections of the day for you and let me know, I want to make sure I know what you find most important.
wedding day detail
I love capturing the little details that make your wedding day uniquely yours, the ones you’ve chosen to reflect your love story. From the lace of your dress to the special touches in your jewelry, each piece tells part of your journey, and I can’t wait to preserve these moments for you.
When I arrive, I’ll need about 30 minutes to style and photograph these details.
Choosing a getting-ready spot with natural light really helps each item shine, and a clutter-free area keeps the focus on what matters most.
If you can gather your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, perfume, invitations, and any keepsakes in one spot, that’s perfect. And for your dress unwrap it, then leave it to me. I’ll find the best spot to showcase it in a way that will take your breath away.
If you booked the 6-hour package usually I condense the details and don't do getting ready, but this all depend on what your final timeline allows and what you value. Or if you'd prefer to skip detail photos, just let me know and we'll leave them out of the plan. Otherwise, here's a short list of items you might want to have ready, this isn't exhaustive, so if there's something meaningful to you, like a family heirloom, please let me know ahead of time and have it set out for me.
BRIDAL DETAILS CHECKLIST
- Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
- Bouquet
- Jewelry
- Dress
- Shoes
- Rings
- Dress Hanger (a pretty one!)
- Veil
- Hair pieces
- Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
- Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include with your details, I love including family heirlooms in our detail shots.
- Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
- Vow Book
- Bonus: I'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.
groom DETAILS CHECKLIST
- Cuff Links
- Boutonnière
- Anything else he'll have that is special or sentimental.
- His shoes
- Tie or Bow Tie
- Vows Book
- Socks (if they're special)
- Pocket Square
- Rings
Family Formals
For family portraits, I’ll place you in the center of a large group photo with all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, godparents, etc. And then I'll remove the extended family so it’s just grandparents, parents and siblings.
I’ll keep removing family members and switch a few closer family members in and out so we get photos of you and your parents, you and your siblings, some with the groom and your family, etc. Then I’ll repeat the process with your spouse's family. The whole thing will go quicker and smoother if you let family know the timing, location and how the portrait process will work ahead of time.
When we talk over details in person or over the phone, I'll have you look over and mark off individuals and groupings you like on pre-wedding questionnaire and checklists, I'll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or handicapped family members & more), but if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you'll find my typical list below.
Alot 40-60 minutes for family photos, especially if a larger family.
As well think over locations that you might want to take all your group photos in, I know not everyone care to much about and I make sure to scout the location beforehand, but I know some might have a very specific place in mind, we can talk over it in our meeting.
Family Formals Checklist
cerimoney & Reception
time to get this them married
Ceremony Coverage:
I'll usually step away a little before the ceremony begins to capture guests arriving, then make sure I'm in position right as things start. From there, I'm covering it all the way through, I always make sure to catch the bride and groom's reactions as they walk down the aisle, along with the wedding party's. Throughout the ceremony, I'll be photographing continuously to capture every part of it.
One note for the bride and groom: when you walk back down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs. for the first time, a relaxed, slightly quick pace works perfectly if you're excited to get moving. If you'd like to dip and kiss along the way, mid-aisle is the perfect spot for it. And if you'd rather skip the walk entirely and just run for it, that's great too, just let me know ahead of time so I can position myself in a slight different spot for the best shot.
If you have anything special planned during the ceremony, or a separate ceremony specific timeline, please share it with me ahead of time so I know what to watch for.
Reception Coverage:
For the reception, I try to capture all the fun and intimate moments between your guests, and between the two of you, plus the little things you might have missed in the moment yourself. If you're planning any kind of surprise during the reception, a surprise dance, a special toast, or something totally unexpected (I once photographed a surprise baptism at a wedding!) please let me know ahead of time so I can be in the right place and not miss it.
Helpful tips
- 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. let me know beforehand so I can make sure I'm in the right spot at the right time and am able to coordinate everyone.
- Always have something to snack on beforehand, it will be a long day and it can be easy to forget to eat especially with all the nerves, so making sure you drink plenty of water and have a bite to eat is important.
- I'd love to help you create the perfect timeline for your day. Let’s chat and design a schedule that ensures everything flows seamlessly and captures all the moments that matter most to you! is you would like to find some Pinterest or Instagram photos of poses or details you really like so we can more individualize what you want. you can either send me them or look over them at the meeting.
- Make sure you have a point person, so if you need something or need someone to go get someone they are there, or even simply for a glass of water. I usualy sugest a point person that is somewhat formulary with your family for family formals as they can help derect people and make sure that if someone is in the wrong place or is missing they can go find them.
- Send off make sure you don't forget to grab your bags and have someone park your car, that's the last thing you want to have to worry about, so making sure you give your key to a trusted friend usually the Best man or a groomsmen to park it in the right spot, also make sure you pick out the spot beforehand so you do end up discussing it during the wedding.