general wedding tips
I. make it your own
It’s easy to get caught up in Pinterest-perfect photos and the latest wedding trends. And while those ideas can be beautiful, what matters most is planning a celebration that truly reflects you. Think about the little things that make you unique; both as individuals and as a couple, and look for ways to weave those details into your wedding day.
II. the big picture
You’ll spend so much time planning the details of your day, but try not to lose sight of what truly matters once the day arrives. If something isn’t perfectly in place, don’t let it take away from the moment. Being surrounded by your family, friends, and the memories you’re creating with them is what matters most.
III. soak in the day
One of the biggest sources of stress we see on wedding days is a tight or delayed schedule. Our goal is for you to feel relaxed, present, and able to truly enjoy each moment with your guests. Adding an extra 15 minutes to each part of your day creates breathing room, so you can slow down and take it all in.
sample timeline
10:00-11:30am: Bridal Details
We arrive 1-1.5hrs before the party is scheduled to leave the house to capture details and the tail end of the bride/groom getting ready.
12:00-12:15pm: First Look
First looks are not required, but it's a great option if your portrait session is before the wedding ceremony.
12:15-2:00pm: Bridal Portraits
After the first look, we could jump into bridal party and bride/groom portraits. We often begin with the bridal party photos first. After the bridal party has been captured, we can dismiss them and end off the session with just yourselves.
2:00-2:45pm: Pre-ceremony
We aim to arrive at the venue 45 minutes before the start so we can capture shots of the venue and decor while guests have not arrived. This is also an opportunity for you to freshen up before the ceremony!
3:00-3:45pm: Ceremony
If you're having an outdoor ceremony, just consider noon and early afternoon yields the potential for the harshest light. If the timing is out of your control, consider positioning where the setup will be based on the angle of the sun. Reach out to us if you want to explore this more with your specific scenario!
3:45-4:30pm: Family & Guest Portraits
We recommend over budgeting time for this section to allow guests to jump in for photos with you. Guests are always eager to congratulate you and sneak in a photo even if they're not on the official photo list. You could also have an informal receiving line at the cocktail hour.
4:30-5:30pm: Cocktail & Reception Details
During cocktail hour, we will capture details of the reception area. This will take a few minutes. Afterwards, we'll capture candids of the cocktail hour and you mingling with guests.
6:00-8:30pm: Reception
This is where the party's at! All the hard parts are over and you can relax and enjoy the party. Whenever the microphone is picked up and speeches, games, toasts, dances and performances begin, we'll be capturing these moments. Give us a heads up if there's any special/unique aspects to the evening!
8:30-8:45pm: Sunset Photos
Sunset photos are seasonal, location, and weather dependent. If there's a unique spot around, let's consider sneaking out for a few minutes!
9:00pm: The "exit"
This is a fun way of ending off the night. You could explore sparkler exits or bubble exits to your car (don't need to actually leave yet, but just for photos!). If you opt for sparklers, get the largest sparklers you can find and lots of extra candles/lighters.
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