a luxury wedding photography experience

THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR BRIDES

5 TIPS FOR A STRESS FREE
WEDDING DAY! 

After witnessing and being a part of many weddings, I feel like I have witnessed it all. Let me be honest in telling: my clients are amazing. They are the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the people I feel fortunate to know. In working with the best, I need to be the best. So how do you do that? Well, it’s all about guiding my couples through the complicated/stressful/crazy process of planning the biggest, most important day of your life. No biggie, right? Wrong. So, let’s talk through five tips to help smooth the way for a stress free wedding day, shall we?

1. Be strategic with scheduling 

​Your ceremony time will direct how the day will go. If it all goes as planned then, great, you can do all of your portraits in between the ceremony and cocktail hour,
--but if your ceremony flows into your cocktail hour, well, you should probably consider a first look. My goal is to have everyone (even you and your groom) present for as much of cocktail hour as possible. Why? One: you are paying for it, so you might as well enjoy it. Two: it’s one of the only times you get to greet and be present with all of your guests. Work with your photographer, find out how long they need for certain things, schedule in travel time, and add a little cushion!

​2. Prepare ahead of time

When your photographer shows up, you want them to get right to work. How do you do this? By preparing ahead of time. What should you prepare? Well, anything you want photographed. For my brides, I tell them to have their: dress, shoes, jewelry, full invitation suite, all of the rings, any family heirlooms, and any other bridal details they want photographed. When I start shooting, I begin with styling these details that help tell your wedding story. If you don’t have things ready, I’ll be wasting time tracking them down (when I could be making them pretty and shooting!) The more prepared you are, the better – for you and for me!

3. Communicate clearly

Need your grandma to the church early? Want your wedding party to hang around after the ceremony? Need your college buddies ready for a shot during cocktail hour? Tell them! Make sure you communicate the schedule clearly and that everyone who needs it has it. This helps us not waste time tracking Uncle Jim down or grabbing Bobby from the bar. Photos move much faster and when that happens you get to your party sooner and you’re less stressed, I promise. Be an over-communicator, it will pay off big time!

4. Make time for photography

I urge my couples to do first looks for multiple reasons. First, it gives you the chance to soak it in, embrace, and experience the emotions without hundreds of pairs of eyes on you. Second, it allows us to knock out the posed photos so we can cruise through the festivities with candid shots that you’ll love. Lastly, it gives me the chance to sneak into your reception during cocktail hour and photograph all of the hard work you’ve done! From florals to seating charts, gift tables to cakes, when you give me 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time to photograph these details all of the work and money you’ve spent making your vision come to life is documented and preserved!

5. Just be present

Believe when everyone tells you that a wedding day is a total whirlwind!
Take moments where you stop, hold each others hands, and intentionally take in the moments. When I shoot portraits of my clients, I make sure it’s private and I tell them, “This isn’t just time for photos, this is a time for you to be fully present. To hug each other and feel the warmth, to look into each others eyes and lock that memory, to kiss like you’re 15 and never kissed before…” You get the idea. Throughout the day, set aside little breaks in your schedule where you can pull away from the party and just simply “be.” You won’t regret that time, I promise.
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I truly believe that wedding days are living, moving, breathing phenomenons. They are here and gone in the blink of an eye. It’s important to set yourself up for success and to ease any stress ahead of time so that as you float through your day you aren’t focused on the details or the flowers, not on the cake or the music, but you’re focused on the union, the marriage that is beginning. I want you to experience it! Don't just plan your beautiful wedding day, live it! If you put these five tips to work, you’ll be on your way to a stress free day!

6 TIPS FOR A GORGEOUS
ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Oh me, oh my! Your left hand has been getting in a workout ever since your fiance put that beautiful rock on it and you are oozing with excitement at the thought of wedding planning! Sound at all like you? If it does, congrats girlfriend! I am so happy you are here! Now let's take some pretty pictures to celebrate! Your engagement photos are a celebration of your love for each other. Taken in a safe place without lots of pressure. I think these sessions are such an important part of wedding photography and I've written this article to ensure you have the perfect engagement session with your love! 

1. Vision

 When you think of your engagement session, what do you visualize? An open field? A ocean breeze? A weeping willow tree? What is it that you feel suits the two of you and are there any special locations that might be ideal for your engagement shoot? If not, don’t fret, darling! It’s not about where you are but who you are with. A lot of my brides leave the location up to me which means I get to scope out spots ahead of time! I like to focus on the two of you and your beautiful faces, the background is just a cherry on top.

2. Fashion

Don’t feel like you need to go on a mega shopping spree for your session (but if you can, more power to ya, girlfriend!) I want you to be comfortable, I want you to connect with your images so if you are a jeans and tee kinda gal, then rock it! My couples bring an outfit change to their session so most choose for a dressier option (read: flowy maxi dress) and a casual option (read: jeans and a fun shirt.) I made a little Pinterest board for inspiration for you two, but I am always open to chat wardrobe (hello, I am a girl who loves to shop!) This is to remember this special time in your lives, so don’t limit yourself! ​

3. Hair & Makeup 

I can not stress this enough girls, professional hair and make up makes a world of a difference. As a photographer, it excites me to know my gals are spending a day getting pampered before her session. It allows you to relax, feel beautiful, and confident! Nothing like a set of lashes to bring out your inner model. Consider using this time as a test run with your make up artist and use your session as a time to evaluate your wedding day look and how it photographs. And don't forget those manicures. Of course we will be showing off that gorgeous ring of yours, you don't want it to be paired with chipped nails, now do we?

4. Timing

Timing is everything for your session. As a natural light photographer, I plan my engagement sessions around the lighting of the day. I usually begin them an hour and a half prior to sunset which will allow for an outfit change and a location change thats within walking distance, while shooting during the golden hour. Being on time ensures that we do not cut into your session time, so showing up on time and ready will help yield great results and the best images. Once the sun goes down, there isn’t much we can do, so staying on track with timing and lighting is the best way to ensure gorgeous images. This also means that at times we may have to reschedule due to rainy weather. You only get to do this once, so ensuring the environment is perfect will give you beautifully lit images! ​

5. Trust Me

This is the whole reason why you chose your photographer, right! Because they know the best lighting, the natural poses, and the best techniques to make you feel like a supermodel! I don't expect you two to be models or to gracefully fall into poses that are straight from the movies -these things don't just happen.  At the beginning of the session I will sit down with the two of you and talk, I will tell you that I know it feels uncomfortable at first and as the session goes on, you will loosen up and forget I’m there. I will let you know that I will help direct you into flattering poses and will help fix a flyaway on your hair. I will show you how to interact with one another in a way that is so natural you will forget about me and focus on flirting. I will compliment your guy as we go along so that he knows he is a stud and I will make you promise to take him out for a beer after he softly kisses your forehead. Just don’t stress, my job is to make these things happen! ​

 

6. Have fun

 This is such an exciting time in your lives. I know that engagement sessions can seem nerve wrecking but it’s important to go in with an open mind and the ability to laugh. I want you two to flirt your brains out, love one another, and just have fun. We will laugh a lot, I will help pose you, and your job is to snuggle in close, bat your eye lashes, and laugh until your belly aches. It’s going to be fun, we might finish the session with a bottle of wine, and I promise you that you will love seeing these beautiful images of the two of you for years to come. Engagement sessions are the perfect time to hang out with your photographer, get comfortable in front of the camera, and flirt with your soon to be spouse! What more could a girl ask for? ​

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ME: A Comprehensive Shot List

Bride Getting Ready

Wedding Dress
Wedding Rings
Bride's Shoes
Bride's Jewelry 
Bride's Bouquet
Wedding Invitation
Bride's finishing hair & makeup touches
Bride & Bridesmaids in matching robes
Bridesmaids putting on dresses
Bride puts on her dress with Mom's help
Mom's reaction to bride in dress
Bride putting on shoes
Bride in dress with Bridesmaids around her
Bride & Bridesmaids group hug & toasting
Bride with Mother
Bride with Father (first look optional)* 
Bride with Flower Girl
Bride with special family/friends 

Groom Getting Ready

Groom's Shoes
Groom's Boutonnieres 
Groom buttoning jacket
Groom putting on shoes
Close-up of Groom's tie
Close-up of Groom's boutonniere 
Groom standing alone dressing
Groomsmen putting on their jackets
Best man fixing Groom's tie
Best man with Groom 
Candids of Grooms party hanging out
Groomsmen shaking hands with groom
Groomsmen hugging groom
Groom's party toasting
Groom with Father
Groom with Mother
Groom with Ring Bearer
Groom  with special family/friends 

Ceremony 

Overall shot of ceremony site
Ceremony details
Wedding Party down the aisle
Bride with Father
Reaction of Bride and Groom
Exchanging of vows & rings
Reactions of parents & grandparents ​
First Kiss
Coming down aisle as Newlyweds 
Kiss at the end of the aisle 

Bride & Groom

Traditional Portrait of Bride & Groom
Close-up of bride and grooms faces
Close-up of Rings
Bride & Groom lightly posed
Bride only, Bride's details 
Groom only, Groom's details

Reception

Overall shot of reception area​
Table decor and florals
Seating Chart / Sign -in Book
Any other special details/ decor
Bride & Groom's table
​Cake details
Guests arriving
Details of food, drinks, guests interactions, intro's  
Grand Entrance of Wedding Party, Bride & Groom
Toasts and speeches
First Dance (Newlyweds & Parents)
Bridesmaids & Groomsmen dancing
Family members dancing
Guests dancing and conversing 
​Bouquet & Garter toss, traditions, etc.
Cake cutting
Grand exit of Bride & Groom ​

Formal Portraits 

Groom with each Groomsmen 
   (traditional & shaking hands)
Entire Groom's Party with Groom
Groomsmen socks or shoes all together
Groomsmen having fun together 
Bride with Groomsmen
Bride with each Bridesmaid (traditional & hugging)
Entire Bridesmaid's Party with Bride
Bride & Bridesmaids holding bouquets together
Bridesmaids having fun together
​Groom with Bridesmaids
Entire Wedding Party* with Bride & Groom
Groom with his Parents
Groom with his Immediate Family 
Groom with siblings
Bride with her Parents 
Bride with her Immediate Family
Bride with siblings
Bride & Groom with Both sets of Parents
Bride & Groom with Both sets of Immediate Families* 
​Bride & Groom with Both sets of Grandparents 
Your choice of any combinations of friends, family, and party guests: please indicate in the "requests" box below

PLEASE NOTE:
To help the formal portrait sessions go more smoothly, please assign an assistant from each of your families to gather family members at the scheduled portrait time. It can be very difficult to get everyone together in the same place at the same time after the reception has begun, so planning diligently in advance for the formal portrait session assures you will get the images your been hoping for! 

*The Bridal Glossary

FATHER OF THE BRIDE FIRST LOOK - We set up the father of the bride for a intimate dress reveal. Its a great opportunity to capture dad's raw reaction and final moment together before he gives her away. 

WEDDING PARTY (aka Bridal Party) - All of the Groomsmen, Bridesmaids, Flower girls, and Ring bearer 

IMMEDIATE FAMILY PORTRAITS - Usually include Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, In laws, Nieces & Nephews.