What to Expect

 

Suggested Shot List

Things you should tell us about: 

Standard Shots: 

  • Sentimental items that you have that you want photographed

  • Surprises you have planned for your Bride, Groom, wedding party or guests
    (gifts, dances, etc.)

  • Any family situations we need to be aware of

  • Situations you particularly want candids of (ex. guests signing guest book, Bride & Groom mingling after dinner)

  • Particular people you want us to focus on (grandparents, special out of town friends/relatives or anyone else very special to you or who you want extra photos of)

  • Brides getting ready details*
    (dress, shoes, jewellery etc.)

  • Ceremony setup & space*

  • Reception setup & space*

  • Family pictures*

  • Wedding party photos*

  • Photos of only the Bride & Groom*

  • The Bride’s flowers and Groom’s boutonnière*

  • The wedding ceremony*

  • Your first dance*

  • Your rings*

  • The Groom when he sees his Bride down the aisle*

*All of these moments we regularly photograph at each wedding provided enough time has been scheduled for them to be photographed, the proper family members are present, decorations are ready on time, and we have access to all of the items such as rings, dress, jewelry, etc.

Suggested family shot list: 

Groom: 

  • Groom with parents

  • Groom with siblings & parents

  • Groom with grandparents

  • Groom with parents, siblings & grandparents

Bride: 

  • Bride with parents

  • Bride with siblings & parents

  • Bride with grandparents

  • bride with parents, siblings & grandparents

Bride & Groom: 

  • Bride & Groom with Brides Parents

  • Bride & Groom with Grooms Parents

  • Bride & Groom both sets of parents

  • Bride & Groom all grandparents

  • Bride & Groom with all grandparents, parents & siblings

- These are suggested groups, please provide us with a list of family groupings with individuals listed by name -

 

 

Production Schedule

Within 4-6 weeks of booking : 

  • Begin Planning your engagement session

  • Return engagement questionnaire

4-8 weeks before your wedding: 

  • Return wedding questionnaire

  • Family shot list

4 weeks before your wedding:

  • Final balance is due

2-4 weeks before your wedding: 

  • Finalize timeline

 

Within 1-2 weeks of booking : 

  • Contract(s) signing

  • 35% retainer paid

  • Schedule engagement session

7-11 months before your wedding : 

  • Engagement session

  • Send out Save the Dates

6-4 weeks before your wedding : 

  • Consultation with me
    (This can be at the venue if I have not photographed there before)

1 week before : 

  • Final check in from me to make sure I have all details

 

 

Post Wedding


(times may vary seasonally) 

 

1-2 weeks after your wedding : 

  • Sneak peeks on Facebook (friend request me so I can tag you!)

2-4 weeks after your wedding: 

  • Wedding preview on my blog

8-12 weeks after your wedding: 

  • Online gallery is released

  • Choose images for photo book/place any orders using print credit

  • USB is mailed to you

Suggested Timelines

4 hour timeline

  • 4:00 - First Look (Includes Bride & Groom Portraits)

  • 4:20 - Bridal Party Portraits

  • 5:00 - Ceremony

  • 5:30 - Family Portraits

  • 6:15 - Enter Reception

  • 6:20 - First Dance

  • 6:30 - Dinner

  • 7:15 - Toasts

  • 7:30 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 8:00 - Photographers depart

  • 4:00 - Ceremony

  • 5:30 - Family Portraits

  • 6:00 - Bridal Party Portraits

  • 6:30 - Bride & Groom Portraits

  • 6:45 - Enter Reception

  • 6:00 - Dinner

  • 7:00 - First Dance

  • 7:15 - Toasts

  • 7:30 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 8:00 - Photographers depart

6 hour timeline

  • 3:00 - Photographers arrive and photograph bride & groom getting ready

  • 3:30 - First Look (Includes Bride & Groom Portraits)

  • 4:00 -Bridal Party Portraits

  • 4:30 - Freshen up / Photographers photograph ceremony / reception setup

  • 5:00 - Ceremony

  • 5:30 - Family Portraits

  • 6:00 - Any additional bridal party shots or family shots

  • 6:30 - Enter Reception

  • 6:45 - Dinner

  • 7:45 - First Dance

  • 8:00 - Toasts

  • 8:15 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 9:00 - Photographers depart

  • 3:00 - Photographers arrive and photograph bride & groom getting ready

  • 3:30 - Groomsmen portraits

  • 4:00 - Bridesmaid portraits

  • 4:30 - Freshen up / Photographers photograph ceremony / reception setup

  • 5:00 - Ceremony

  • 5:30 - Family Portraits

  • 6:00 - Bridal Party Portraits

  • 6:15 - Bride & Groom Portraits

  • 6:45 - Enter Reception

  • 7:00 - Dinner

  • 8:00 - First Dance

  • 8:15 - Toasts

  • 8:30 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 9:00 - Photographers depart

8 hour timeline

  • 1:00 - Photographers arrive and photograph bride & groom getting ready

  • 2:00 - First Look (Includes Bride & Groom Portraits)

  • 2:45 -Bridal Party Portraits

  • 3:15 - Freshen up / Photographers photograph ceremony / reception setup

  • 4:00 - Ceremony

  • 4:45 - Family Portraits

  • 5:00 - Any additional bridal party shots or family shots

  • 5:45 - Enter Reception

  • 6:00 - Dinner

  • 7:15 - First Dance

  • 7:30 - Toasts

  • 7:45 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 9:00 - Photographers depart

  • 1:00 - Photographers arrive and photograph bride & groom getting ready

  • 2:00 - Groomsmen portraits

  • 2:45 - Bridesmaid portraits

  • 3:30- Freshen up / Photographers photograph ceremony / reception setup

  • 4:30- Ceremony

  • 5:15 - Family Portraits

  • 5:45 - Bridal Party Portraits

  • 6:15 - Bride & Groom Portraits

  • 6:45 - Enter Reception

  • 7:00 - Dinner

  • 8:00 - First Dance

  • 8:15 - Toasts

  • 8:30 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 9:00 - Photographers depart

10 hour timeline

  • 12:00 - Photographers arrive and photograph bride & groom getting ready

  • 1:00 - First Look (Includes Bride & Groom Portraits)

  • 1:45 -Bridal Party Portraits

  • 2:30 - Freshen up / Photographers photograph ceremony / reception setup

  • 3:30 - Ceremony

  • 5:00 - Family Portraits

  • 5:30 - Any additional bridal party shots or family shots

  • 6:00 - Enter Reception

  • 6:15 - Dinner

  • 7:15 - First Dance

  • 7:30 - Toasts

  • 8:00 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 10:00 - Photographers depart

  • 12:00 - Photographers arrive and photograph bride & groom getting ready

  • 1:00 - Groomsmen portraits

  • 1:45 - Bridesmaid portraits

  • 2:30- Freshen up / Photographers photograph ceremony / reception setup

  • 3:30- Ceremony

  • 5:00 - Family Portraits

  • 5:30 - Bridal Party Portraits

  • 6:15 - Bride & Groom Portraits

  • 6:45 - Enter Reception

  • 7:00 - Dinner

  • 8:00 - First Dance

  • 8:15 - Toasts

  • 8:30 - Bouquet and Garter Toss / Dance floor opens

  • 10:00 - Photographers depart

 

preferred VENDORS  

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DAY OF TIPS

THINK ABOUT DOING A FIRST LOOK

What are the benefits?

  • If couples portraits are the most important formal pictures of the day to you a first look is the best way to get the most those

  • Since the first look is "first" hair and make-up is still fresh. This is especially great if your wedding is taking place in the summer.

  • If you until after the ceremony for your couples pictures we will typically have a about 15 minutes for them. When planning a first look we plan in 45 minutes - 1 hour for your couples photos

  • After the ceremony the only remaining formal portraits will be family photos.

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

  • Your wedding day is a day for celebration and fun but ask your wedding party to slow down on the drinks until the reception. Nothing slows down wedding party pictures like trying to arrange large groups of people who are tipsy :)

  • You may need. to give the wedding party a talk about cooperation before the day. Many personalities coming together sometimes creates unexpected situations. Your wedding party is ultimately there to help and celebrate with you. You may just have to remind them of that. :)

SUNSET PHOTOS

  • Want lots of couples photos? Think about doing sunset pictures as well as a first look. While a first look generally includes couples photos you can elect to do the majority of your couples photos at sunset

  • Sunset photos usually take place right after dinner or sometime during the reception.

  • How long do they take? 15-20 min. No one will miss you because typically your guests are either still eating or still in line for food.

  • As long as you let your DJ know you will be taking a few minutes for sunset photos they can help plan your events so those photos don't interrupt your reception flow.

FAMILY PHOTOS

  • Fill out the family portrait section of your form by name as well as mom, dad, etc.

  • Make sure everyone you would like in family pictures knows where and when they are supposed to be.

  • Tell everyone to be there 10-15 minutes before they need to be there ;)

  • If possible assign us a helper who knows most of the family and can point us to who we need for photos.

RECEPTION

  • Let your DJ know when your photographers will be leaving. This way they can plan to have all your important events finished before we leave.

  • We try our hardest not to block anyone's view but ask your DJ to remind your guests to allow the photographer to be at the front for events.

GETTING READY

  • If you don't plan to have hair and makeup photographed make sure to plan at least an extra hour between when photographs are to begin and hair and make up will be finished. This gives you a nice buffer if hair and make up are running behind which happens often.

  • Most hair and make up artists like for the bride to go last. Don't. You don't have to be first but don't be the last person they work on either. If the schedule is running behind pictures can still begin if the bride is ready, especially if you're planning a first look with the groom or father of the bride. It's also nice to give your hair and make up time to set. Does your makeup need a tweak once you see it in a different light? Hair not staying up? If you're not last your hair/makeup artist is still around to help you make any needed changes.

  • Try to keep the room where you will be getting ready neat, We expect for there to be things around but try to keep the room organized and de-cluttered. This makes a world of difference in your pictures!

  • Pick a room with lots of natural light and neutral colors to get ready in.

  • Have your details set aside and ready for me when I get there. This includes your dress, shoes and any jewelry you'd like photographed. We can photograph your rings at this time or we can wait until dinner as well.

  • Have snacks and drinks available for yourself and wedding party. Its easy to forget to eat and end up starving or sick by the time the reception rolls around.

CEREMONY

  • If you're concerned about being seen by guests before the ceremony plan to stop photos and freshen up to 45 minutes or so prior to the ceremony. Guests WILL begin to arrive 30 minutes - an hour before the ceremony starts

  • Find out if there are any photography restrictions or rules well before the day if your ceremony. Is flash allowed? Are the photographers allowed in the aisle? Are we required to move to the choir loft? There are ways to work around most of these restrictions but knowing well in advance gives us time to plan!

  • Think about having an UNPLUGGED ceremony. This is where you ask your guests to turn off all electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, cameras) and only focus on the wedding. This will prevent flashes from guest's cameras interfering with our lighting as well. It's also nice to SEE your guests in your pictures rather than the phone or tablet in front of their face as you walk down the aisle.