The Bride Guide

For my lovely brides, here’s what you need to know, starting with the timeline!

You're tying the knot! WOO-HOO!

TIMELINE TIPS

A few months before your big day, I’ll send you a wedding day timeline questionnaire. It’s a crucial step to create a schedule that suits your needs and allows ample time for photos! The key here is to build in some extra time and avoid a jam-packed schedule. Let’s be real, weddings rarely go exactly as planned, and a little hiccup is almost guaranteed to occur, right? 😄 So, plan for potential delays and moments that might take longer than expected. This way, everyone can stay relaxed and stress-free. Below, I’ve included a sample timeline to help you navigate your day. There’s one with a first look and another without a first look. **Each timeline will be different depending on the sunset. Click here for timeline tips.

GETTING READY and D E T A I L S

Upon my arrival, kindly prepare the following items for me. These will be used for capturing the detail shots: Please ensure all these items are neatly arranged and ready for me to photograph. You can place them in separate boxes, one for the bride and one for the groom. If you’re getting ready at different locations, kindly keep ALL rings with the bridal items.

For the Groom (in one box):

Shoes
Ring
Ring box
Bowtie or tie
Tie clip
Pocket square
Watch
Cuff links
Vow book
Etc.

For the Bride (in one box):

Invitation suite
Shoes
Ring(s)
Ring box
Bracelets
Earrings
Necklace
Hair pieces
Vow book
Perfume
Etc.

Additionally,

If there are any textured or sentimental details that you love and think would make great accent items in your detail shots, please include them (lace, fur, miniature plants, pretty rocks, anything!).
Please have your dress on a cute hanger. If you didn’t buy one specifically for it, that’s okay! Any nice wooden hanger will do just fine.
I adore incorporating floral elements into my detail shots. If possible, I’ll include the bride’s bouquet. If the bouquet can be arranged to be there with the other bridal details, that would be fantastic!

W H A T T O W E A R I D E A S:

While I understand that you might want to keep it comfy in a t-shirt and pj pants as usual, this is your special wedding day! I’ll be capturing moments of you getting ready, spending time with your besties, and of course, those intimate bridal photos.To add a touch of dreaminess to your getting-ready shots, consider wearing a stunning boho white lace maxi robe/gown. They create enchanting moments, just like this example.

For more inspiration, take a look at this Pinterest board:

T H E “ G E T T I N G R E A D Y “ S P A C E

Selecting the perfect getting ready location is crucial, as it sets the mood and feel of your photos and can truly enhance or detract from your images. For instance, if you choose a cramped, dimly lit hotel bathroom with no windows, it might lead to stress and claustrophobia, haha!

Instead, consider a spacious, well-lit room with soft, natural light streaming through the windows. It’ll create a peaceful atmosphere and help you connect with your emotions. Speaking of light, you’ll become a lighting pro by the end of this journey! Try to get ready near a window with natural light—it’s much more flattering for details and makes your skin glow, unlike yellowish overhead lighting. Remember to keep indoor lights off during getting ready photos to avoid color inconsistencies in your shots (no worries, I’ll take care of it if you forget!).

the ceremony

The ideal time to kick off your ceremony is approximately 2 hours before sunset. You can easily find the exact sunset time for your wedding day with a quick Google search.

Starting your ceremony this early allows us ample time to capture all the formal photos we need, including family shots, bridesmaids and groomsmen portraits, and of course, those stunning bride and groom photos just in time for the magical sunset.

Backup Plan: While starting your ceremony close to sunset is ideal for lighting, it’s essential to have a backup plan in case of unexpected weather or delays.

FAMILY PHOTOS “FORMALS”

Right after the ceremony, the family formal photos will take place, so it’s crucial to ensure that family members remain in place once the ceremony concludes. Typically, there’s a window of about 20 minutes allocated for the ‘family photo portion’ of the day.

family photo list

Please provide a detailed family photo list to ensure a smooth and efficient process after the ceremony. This list should include the specific groupings of family photos you’d like captured, along with the actual names of the family members involved.

For example:

Bride & Groom with Groom’s Parents (actual names).

You can provide this list in a Word document, email, or any format that’s convenient for you. Having this list in advance greatly streamlines the family photo session and saves valuable time. The reason we ask for the names of family members is to ensure a more professional and comfortable experience. Instead of calling out generic descriptions like ‘bride with dad & step-mom,’ I can use the actual names, such as ‘Sarah with Tom & Sally.’ This approach minimizes any potential awkwardness and ensures a smoother process.

After family photos, we’ll gather the entire wedding party, including bridesmaids and groomsmen, for group shots. If you’re having a first look, these full wedding party photos might occur before the ceremony to allow more time for couple portraits.

Next comes the romantic and heartfelt couple portraits session! I’ll steal you away for some stunning sunset photos and capture those beautiful moments. Yes, I’ll probably make you share a few kisses right in front of me for some great shots, haha!

Typically, I allocate 30 to 45 minutes for couple portraits.

the reception

If you’re having a cocktail hour, your reception follows. Ensure your reception venue is anything but ordinary – even if it starts plain, think about adorning it with enchanting Italian string lights. They add a captivating ambiance that not only feels magical but also looks absolutely stunning in your photographs, I guarantee it!

THE GRAND ENTRANCE

The Grand Entrance is the moment I capture candid photos of you and your beloved entering the reception. I’ll also focus on shooting reception details.

Please coordinate with your wedding planner or DJ to deactivate any colorful or strobe lighting, leaving only warm, ambient lighting for entrances, dances, and cake cutting. We want to avoid any unexpected color casts in your photos. For instance, blue uplighting can give a bluish tint to white elements, like your wedding dress. We certainly don’t want you to look back and say, ‘I wish I didn’t look like a smurf in my photos!’ Haha!

D I N N E R

Dinner: No one wants photos of open mouths full of food, so I’ll be enjoying a meal alongside you, as I’ll likely be starving by then! Coordinate this with your caterer to ensure I can stay in the main area rather than a separate room. Keep me in the party; I promise not to bite!

Party: Let’s kick off the celebration! I’ll sing, dance, and capture all the fun moments, from dancing to candid shots of your wedding party, family, and friends.

Sparkler Exit: Check if your venue allows it. If you’re doing a sparkler exit, it takes about 15 minutes, and I might have you run up and down twice to capture a variety of shots. Just follow my lead, and we’ll make it memorable!”

You're not obligated to follow tradition!

Feel free to do whatever you please. While the saying goes, ‘Parents’ wedding, Our marriage,’ remember it’s your day, your memories, and your biggest moment. Don’t let tradition pressure you. If you want to elope in a stunning mountain spot with a small group, go for it! You can always host a wedding or a big backyard celebration later where everyone’s invited!

Not interested in having bridesmaids and groomsmen? That’s absolutely fine! It’s your day, do as you please! Prefer a choreographed dance remix instead of a slow first dance song? I’m all in for it!

Not keen on a traditional exit? Take your wedding party to your favorite fast food joint or ice cream parlor, and I’ll capture the fun! It’s all about your vision for starting your life together, the moments, and the love you share.