Planning your Wedding Day
More often than not, my couples are planning a wedding for the very first time, and i tcan seem incredibly overwhelming! There are a lot of unknowns:
How do you get what you ultimately desire? What are the best practices for the timeline of the day? How do you get the most out of your photography investment? What are common mistakes to avoid? There is so much to consider and I'm here to help you make the best decisions for your day!
Overall, the most impactful decisions involve your wedding day timeline. If you want to focus your energy on being intentional about one main thing in your planning process, direct that intention toward the timeline for the greatest impact.
The following section presents an ideal timeline for a summer wedding with a 6 PM ceremony, incorporating a First Look. Timelines can vary based on the season, the couple’s choices, and unique circumstances.
Bridal Details
2:30-3:15
I start with the bridal details, including the dress, shoes, jewelry, flowers, and invitations, as they're a key part of the wedding story. I value this time to warm up and usually allocate at least 45 minutes to photograph these elements, along with the bride and her party preparing. If the groom is nearby, Gabe starts photographing him and his groomsmen about 40 minutes before the First Look.
First Look
4:00
This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! I will find the perfect I will find the perfect location for my couple's First Look prior to the getting ready portion of the day! Don't stress about your portrait locations. I will make sure the location is private, has great natural light, and is as secluded as possible.
Bridal Party Portraits
4:50-5:20
Now for Bridal Party portraits! To keep on schedule, assign someone to attach boutonnieres to the groomsmen beforehand. Gabe and I will capture individual, formal group, and fun shots.
Reception Details
5:30-5:50
If the reception is at the same location as the ceremony, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor UNTOUCHED. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can document your reception before the night begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats.
Family Portraits
6:40-7:10
Family formals are typically scheduled right after the ceremony, ensuring all family members are present. This is an ideal time to host a cocktail hour for guests. We’ll allocate 30 minutes for family formals. I’ll send a questionnaire beforehand so you can list the desired groupings. Outdoor portraits are recommended due to lighting and space.
Reception Begins
7:30
your grand entrance kicks off the celebration! At this point, my timeline is flexible as I focus on candid shots of first dances and guest interactions. I typically take my first break during your meal, since guests prefer not to be photographed while eating.
Bridal Prep
3:15-3:45
After photographing the details, the next step is for the bride to dress, a highlight moment. I advise the mother of the bride and bridesmaids to be fully dressed beforehand to
ensure they're photo-ready. Once the bride is in her gown, she'll accessorize with jewelry, veil, and shoes, allowing me to capture more bridal portraits.
Bride & Groom Portrait
4:15-4:45
After the first look, I’ll capture portraits of the bride and groom while the excitement is fresh. The shooting locations, determined by the light, will be scouted in advance, though final choices depend on the day’s weather. As we preceded, the bridal party should gather for their portraits.
Bride in Hiding
5:30-6:00
After bridal party portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding so that early guests don’t sneak a peek, and the ushers will begin their duties.
Ceremony
6:00-6:30
It’s time to get married!! Most ceremonies are 30-minutes long. If your ceremony is longer than 30 minutes, we’ll be sure to make adjustments to the timeline. Cherish these moments. Your ceremony will pass by so quickly.
Golden Hour Portraits
7:20-7:35
This time will vary depending on the time of day/year and location. Generally 1.5 hours before the sun sets is the BEST time of day for portraits in the late spring, summer, and early fall. This is when the sun is glowy and golden. I love having a few extra minutes with the bride and groom to take glowy “just Married” portraits.
The Exit
10:30
I recommend 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit photographed, there are a couple ofl options . You can either add additional coverage or plan a “controlled Exit” with just your bridal party.
WeddingTips
-
By having just a simple window in the bridal prep area, I am able to create beautiful portraits with soft light. This is something that will make a dramatic impact on your pre-ceremony photos. If there are no windows or natural light in the getting-ready area, I will likely have you do some faux "getting dressed" shots somewhere on the property where we can access natural light. This may be another room or just a simple doorway. Without natural light, my style of photos that you have come to love are nearly impossible. So natural light is very much a necessity. If you don't have any control over your bridal suite location, don't worry, I will work some magic to ensure that you still have detail shots and getting- in-the-dress shots that are photographed in natural light!
-
My day begins with the detail shots. I ask that brides gather any details they have before I arrive so that I can walk in, say hello, give you a hug, and then begin with all the goodies. What to gather: dress, veil/hairpieces, all three rings, cufflinks, shoes, bouquet & boutonniere, jewelry, perfume, invitation suite, borrowed & blue. Extra elements might include vow books, linen from one of your tablescapes, ribbon you used on bridesmaids' gifts, and extra blooms.
-
Gabe will photograph the groom and his groomsmen getting ready if they are in the same location as the bride. If they are not in the same location, we’ll need to plan for this travel time in the timeline.
-
Imagine this with me. You're in my shoes...the most important moment of the day is about to happen. You've checked your camera settings, you've taken test shots, and you're ready to capture the bride coming down the aisle to her groom. You want to capture reactions, a variety of angles, and every moment of joy and emotion in those few seconds. However, just as everyone stands and the music plays, not one but three different family members and friends get so excited that they take just one step out into the aisle with their iPhones in hand, trying to capture the moment. I'm scrambling. My couple is trusting me not to miss this!!! But now I'm dodging guests who are trying desperately to have a good Insta-story to share, and they have no idea that the back of their heads, their arms, and their phones are blocking me from capturing the bride and her dad walking down the isle.... and the sad part is, it can almost always be avoided. We highly recommend having an "Unplugged Ceremony". This is just another way of saying that you want only your photographers to be capturing photos, and you would like everyone else to enjoy the ceremony instead of trying to capture it themselves. Options for notifying guests: Include the request in on signage near the entrance, mention it before the ceremony, and include it in the program.
-
Ceremony lighting plays a crucial role in your photos. Midday outdoor ceremonies often result in harsh lighting, causing unflattering shadows and squinting. To avoid this, schedule your outdoor ceremony 2-3 hours before sunset if including a First Look, or 3-4 hours before if not, allowing ample time for portraits in softer, more romantic light. For indoor ceremonies, opt against spotlight-style lighting on the bride and groom, even lighting at the altar is more flattering.
-
I love seeing all the creative and heartfelt ways couples celebrate their love, from intimate family prayers to the symbolism of sand and rope ceremonies; the creativity is endless! As you dream up your ceremony to reflect your unique bond, please loop me in on your plans. This way, I can make sure I'm in just the right spot to capture every unforgettable moment. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
-
DON'T GET CAUGHT UP in the formalities and the details. Sure, details are pretty and fun to photograph, but they can steal the joy of the day if you get
too caught up in them. Plan your centerpieces, welcome table, etc., well before the wedding date, and teach your coordinator or family friend how to set them up so that you aren't even thinking about those things on the day of! And if things go sideways, focus on your love for each other because that is really all that matters.
First Looks
First Looks Explained
How does a First Look work? First Looks happen before the ceremony in a private place…the bride stands behind the groom and quietly calls his name; he turns around to see his stunning bride and embraces her…cries with her…kisses her.. and together ENJOY that moment. I stand back and take candid shots and give you as much time as you need.
Opting for a first look and sharing private vows in a secluded setting allows you both to fully embrace and express your emotions. On a day that seems to fly by, this moment offers a pause to truly connect and savor your feelings. It is during these intimate exchanges that I capture the most genuine emotions. Far from diminishing the magic of the day, first looks enhance it by creating a personal space for you to express your love without the pressure of an audience.
In contrast, consider the traditional moment when the groom first sees the bride during the ceremony. He is met not only with the sight of his partner but also with the gaze of 80-300 guests, all eagerly watching his reaction. The anticipation and expectations of the crowd can make this moment feel less private and intimate.
Cultural First Looks
Incorporating cultural traditions into the first look offers a unique opportunity for couples to honor their heritage in an intimate setting. One remarkable way couples achieve this is by wearing traditional garments exclusive to this moment before transitioning to the more universally recognized white wedding attire for the main ceremony. This practice allows them to pay homage to their roots in a deeply personal manner, highlighting the rich tapestry of their backgrounds in the privacy of the first look.
The act of changing attire symbolizes a blend of respect for cultural heritage and the embracing of a new shared journey.
First Looks with Others
You can also do a special reveal with a mom, dad, or grandparent, bridesmaids, or other key people in your life. This unique moment captures the raw, heartfelt reactions of those who have played pivotal roles in the brides or grooms’s life, offering a tribute to the bonds of love and guidance that have shaped them.
First Look Locations
Remarkably, conducting a first look doesn't require vast, elaborate settings. I have facilitated these intimate exchanges in relatively modest spaces, such as the area outside of a hotel ballroom (while no events were scheduled), within hotel cafes (before service), and in forested areas near by. These common spaces, often overlooked, can transform into the perfect backdrops. The key to any location is privacy. One window is typically enough for an indoor location. For outdoor locations, all we need is a shaded spot away from guests.
