bridal details
quick tip
here's what you should gather together
Have all your details together before we arrive, that way they're ready to go and we can get started quicker! It takes the stress away from having to hunt around for everything!
- dress
- veil
- shoes
- rings (including engagement ring!)
- earrings & any other jewelry
- full invitation suite
- perfume
- anything else meaningful you want photographed
getting ready
tips & tricks
We will take some staged getting ready shots of your mom or maid of honor buttoning your dress, you putting on your earrings & your shoes, etc. Here's a few tips to get the most out of your getting ready photos!
Find the window! When choosing where you plan to get ready for the day, we always appreciate if there is access to window light! This allows for all the clean, natural light and makes getting ready portraits especially stunning!
Keep one area clean. Having a space cleared out for photos helps so much and allows for a distraction-free background when taking these photos!
Turn off artificial lights. I’ll warn you now, we’ll probably turn out allll the lights if we’re inside, so don’t think we’re crazy! Even if you feel like you’re standing in the dark, I promise we have a reason! Turning off the artificial light and allowing only window light makes for amazing skin tones and gets rid of any weird yellow casts coming from the indoor lights!
Change location. If your getting ready space doesn’t have these options, no worries!! We will have you get in your dress and then move you to a different spot that has some of the benefits listed above!
first looks
As photographers, we know that first looks allow you to get the most out of your photography experience, but we also completely understand that this is YOUR day and you want it to be as special as possible!! We have witnessed so many first looks and want to share all we know and assure that if you decide to add a first look to your big day, the emotions will be just as raw and sweet.
Maybe you’ve always been skeptical of first looks or maybe you’re trying to convince your groom its a good idea, whatever the case we hope this will give you all the information you need to help you decide whether or not a first look is for you!
When you think about it, if your ceremony is at 6pm you might start getting ready as early as 1pm but you won't see your groom for all those hours before your ceremony! By doing a first look, it allows way more time for the two of you to enjoy your day together!
By doing a first look, you will able to tell each other how amazing you look before the ceremony, without having to whisper to each other as you’re standing at the front of the aisle. It also allows you to give each other a big hug and enjoy some moments alone without everyone watching. Seeing each other before the ceremony will give you time to talk and for your groom to admire your stunning dress!!
Not only do you get extra portraits when doing photos before the ceremony, but the first look also serves as a guarantee that you will have portraits together even if things out of your control happen! For example, if it’s a rainy day and the gloom sets in quickly, or if you have a summer wedding and those evening storms are roll in, you don’t have to worry because all portraits will be done!
Write notes to each other to read either out loud or to yourself during our first look. It makes it SO special! Your videographer will also LOVE it if you have notes to read!
From what we've experienced, first looks don't take away from the special moment of you coming down the aisle, they add to it. Because you have already had time to talk to each other and get the nerves out of seeing each other for the first time, it makes coming down the aisle so much sweeter. You can much easily focus on what is happening right then and on the fact that you’re about to get MARRIED!
You will have so much more time together during your special day.
It allows for a special moment with just the two of you.
It guarantees you will have SO many beautiful portraits.
*want to make your first look even more special? *
It gets the nerves out before walking down the aisle.
other first look ideas
father-daughter
bridesmaids
Always just the sweetest moments!! Your dad definitely wants first dibs on seeing the dress he invested so much money into, right? But also seeing his daughter on such a big day and having a few moments together is important!!
This first look will happen after the bridesmaids and before your first look with your groom! Make sure we know that we know you want to do a first look with your dad so that we can make sure he's around :)
Let's face it...you have probably shown your besties your dress and gushed over it with them for days on end. BUT, they haven't seen you IN it with the complete look with hair, makeup and jewelry! And they are always SO excited to see how it comes together!
A first look with your bridesmaids would take place before any other first look. We'll have someone close to you help you into your dress, whether that's mom, an aunt or a sister, and get those gorgeous getting ready shots! Then we'll set your girls up so they can turn around and see you!
Things to remember:
-your girls will have to be ready earlier than normal! This will add on a few extra minutes to the timeline ;)
portrait time
It's YOUR wedding day!! We want y'all to have plenty of gorgeous images together from your special day as the bride & groom!
This looks like either portrait time after your first look and then later after the ceremony. Or if you don't opt for a first look this would be portraits right after the ceremony and then sunset photos later in the evening. Overall, we like to have around 40 mins allotted photos of the two of you. Often it ends up that we don't end up needing this much time, but it allows us to get you two all the portraits you need without being rushed!
on a typical wedding day, we like to have two opportunities for photos of just the two of y'all!
family portraits
sample family portrait list
1. Bride and groom with Bride's Immediate Family
2. Bride and groom with Bride's Immediate Family + Grandparents.
3. Bride and groom with Bride's Grandparents
4. Bride and groom with Bride's Parents
5. Bride and groom with Bride's Siblings
6. Bride with Immediate family
7. Bride with Parents
8. Bride with Mom
9. Bride with Dad
10. Bride and groom with Groom's Immediate Family
11. Bride and groom with Groom's Immediate Family + Grandparents.
12. Bride and groom with Groom's Grandparents
1.3 Bride and groom with Groom's Parents
14. Bride and groom with Groom's Siblings
15. Groom with Immediate family
16. Groom with Parents
17. Groom with Mom
18. Groom with Dad
19. Bride & Groom with both sets of parents
20. Bride & Groom with both immediate families
- At the end of your ceremony, have your officiant tell your family to stick around at the front, that way we have to spend less time chasing down family members!
-Prep everyone the best you can! We try to be as efficient as possible and get these photos done in 20 mins or less, depending on how many groupings there are. Let everyone know about the photos so that they are prepared!
- If you have a very large family we suggest saving some of the extended family shots until the reception so that family portrait time will not interfere with your portraits and you will not keep your guests waiting at the reception.
- Let us know of any family members that may not get along and/or may not want to be grouped with a certain other family members so that we can avoid and awkward interactions. There will be a place on your pre-wedding day questionnaire where you can let us know about this!
Family portraits usually happen right after the ceremony! We will send out a pre-wedding day questionnaire 2 months before your wedding. This is where you can list out all the family formal combinations you would like.
here's a few tips to help them go as smoothly as possible!
don't want to do a sparkler exit?
Here's some other ideas!
staged exits:
- streamers
- light up balloons!
- confetti cannons
- Flower Petals
- Bubbles
OPTION 1: You plan to exit at 9pm with all your guests!
OPTION 2: You want to party a little longer, so we plan a staged exit!
Most of our couples have 8 hours of wedding coverage. This means that our coverage typically ends around 8-9pm, depending on your ceremony time. Here's two options for exits!
In most cases, we can get all the dancing and party shots needed after about 2-3 hrs at the reception. Because of this, we don't usually suggest adding on coverage time if y'all want to party longer but still want exit photos. What we DO suggest is at 9pm having your DJ announce that you and the bridal party are going outside to take a few photos with us! We will then set y'all up as if the actual exit was happening and get those exit photos! Then we will say goodbye and y'all can keep partying, knowing you also got those cute exit photos with your bridal party!
exits
Rainy wedding days
It's going to RAIN?? Don't worry! It'll be fine!
1. At the end of the day you'll be married, rain or no rain. And its good luck right? ;)
2. Clear umbrellas are life savers! We'll have one for the bride and groom and extras for your wedding party!
3.Consider putting your hair UP. Even if this wasn't your original plan, if your hair has tendencies be difficult with high humidity, this will relieve stress! Because you definitely don't need to worry about your hair all day! :)
4. Just because it's raining, doesn't mean you miss out on bright photos! Could you tell it was a dark gloomy day in this photo??