Love, anne
I'm so honored that you've trusted me with capturing your wedding day! I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and getting to know you better over the next several months.
In the mean time, this guide is designed as a starting point in your wedding journey. This will walk you through everything from timelines to details, engagement sessions, to best practices for family photos, and so much more.
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and feel free reach out at any point during the planning process!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
WELCOME
The number one question for engagement sessions? What to wear.
Here are my tips.
Engagement sessions are a great way for us to connect and get to know each other before your wedding day arrives! My goal for the engagement session is for us both to become more familiar with the way you move, interact with your partner, and like to receive direction. Couples who elect to do an engagement session always feel more prepared and comfortable in front of the camera!
& why we love them!
ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Maybe not
- Big Logos and Writing on Shirts (American Eagle circa 2006)
- Being too "matchy-matchy"
- Brights- like solid whites & neons.
- Anything uncomfortable, or that needs constantly adjusted to feel good
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Complementary color schemes
- Flowing skirts or tops that show movement or volume
- Reaching out to your H/MU team for your makeup trial
- Dressing up, because it's fun
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - we want you to feel confident and look your best!
ABSOLUTELY!
Engagement photo styling tips
Engagement sessions typically last 1 - 1.5 hours. What you wear is completely up to you (though I'm always happy to help shop!), but I always suggest matching the space we choose, and bringing two outfits- one more "formal and special" and one more "everyday you."
PS: I love renting from nuuly for my personal events and occasions! There's nothing like indulging in a "when would I ever wear this again?" dream piece. Use this link for a referral bonus!
what to wear
FLORAL DESIGN
Finch & The Sprout
Dormont Florist
May Chester Design
Farmer's Daughter Floral
WEDDING PLANNERs
Em & E Events
Hello Productions
Olive & Rose Events
Reverie Events
VIDEOGRAPHY
Penderville Wedding Films
Post Script Productions
Nellie Bradford Super-8
attire
Bridal Beginning
Bridal Maven
Gemma Bridal
Luxe Redux
RENTALS
All Occasions
Mosaic
Nuage Design
Windswept Entertainment
Invitations
Blush Paper Co
Lupine Letters
Oh Joyful Day
DJ Alex Neppa
DJ Jess
Bachelor Boys Band
Radiant Strings
DJ & BANDS
Cakes & Desserts
Alex Robba Cakes
Aycho Melange
Bella Christie's Sweet Boutique
Tasty Bakery
CLOSE
One White Lane
Emma Harris Floral
guest experience
After the Tone
Cheerful Balloon Company
Lux Photobooth
Rings & Accessories
Catbird NYC
Melanie Casey Jewelry
Twigs & Honey
hair & makeup
Brittany Morgan Makeup
Glam to Go
JL Beauty Studio
A Simple Vow
Forevermore Events (Bricelyn)
Officiants
Henne Jewelers
KP Illustration
Ritual Hair Company
With Love Daily Designs
Simply Captivating
Legacy Films
Wildly Loved
DETAILS
EXTRA FLOWERS
I love getting to capture all the special details you've curated for your wedding day.
Details are one of the first things I'll photograph when I arrive on your wedding day so it's great if you have all these items in once place that morning. The list below is a great starting point if you're not sure what to include!
ENGAGEMENT + WEDDING bands - I'll bring the box!
A lucky penny, love note, journal entry from the first day you met? I'd love to use them to tell your unique love story!
partner detail checklist
SENTIMENTAL KEEPSAKES
2 FULL SETS WITH ENVELOPES + STAMPS & ANY OTHER PAPER STATIONARY YOU MAY HAVE (LIKE PROGRAM CARDS, ETC)
SHOES
VEIL
BOUQUET
HAIR PIECES
JEWELRY
VOW BOOK
Their shoes
Socks
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL OR SENTIMENTAL
I always try to bring seasonal flowers from my garden, but having the same blooms as the rest of YOUR WEDDING DAY really brings the story together. Please ask your FLORIST WILL SUPPLY A SMALL BUCKET or jar of florals so that I CAN INCORPORATE THOSE IN YOUR DETAIL SHOTS.
detail checklist
Dress & Hanger
Rings & Ring Box
(IF THEY'RE unique)
wedding day
INVITATION SUITE
PRINT THIS CHECKLIST!
THE RINGS
Soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
I love capturing the detail of your rings up close. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home:
01. A FIRST LOOK GIVES YOU QUIET MOMENT ALONE
Wedding days go by in a blur. As soon as the day begins there is so much to do and so many people to see. Doing a first look will give the two of you a moment alone to enjoy each other, without all the pressure of everyone watching. It's the perfect time to read private vows, give each other a token of your love, and generally get those jitters out!
02. MORE TIME to enjoy your own wedding
When you have a first look, we can take pictures of the two of you, the bridal party, and your family pictures before the ceremony even begins.
This makes the day less rushed, and lets us be more intentional with your photos.
Post-ceremony, we won't need as much time set aside for photos and you can actually join your cocktail hour and mingle with all the guests you love (and actually eat those hors d'oeuvres you hand selected.)
03. You have a large wedding party, or need to travel
There are two timelines below that break down having a first look versus not- neither factor in drive time if your wedding is in multiple locations. A lot goes on during cocktail hour- bustling, touch-ups, family photos, wedding party photos, and of course YOUR photos! That's a lot to fit in one hour, and if you pair it with a larger wedding party or family, it can be impossible without having time during the reception for additional portraits.
First look
it really is a choice.
first look or not, your emotions will shine as you see your partner at the end of the aisle- the magic is you two, not the space, not the time, not the schedule.
04. Sundown
This is the most important factor that makes me encourage first looks- if you're getting married at 5:00pm in October and dream of bright and airy outdoor portraits, it's just not going to happen. The sun will be gone.
We can always do a couple's session later where you dress up and have your hair and makeup done again, but it won't be with your entire wedding party and family.
To do or not do a first look has been one of the most constant questions I hear my couples pondering year-over-year, and one of the greatest struggles I hear other photographers discussing constantly. There are honestly a lot of perks to a first look- but I'm here to say it really is a choice that YOU get to make.
On one hand, there's the tradition of the "meeting at the aisle." And probably a bit of pressure from your parents. You spend more time with your squad, and have the excitement build up to the ceremony.
On the other, getting to see your best friend for more hours of the day? Having the hard stuff out of the way before the ceremony, joining your cocktail hour, or simply take a quiet moment? FALL? There's a lot to love.
No matter what you choose, your wedding day will be incredible.
"I love her. and that's the beginning and the end of everything."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
Eight Hour EXAMPLE TIMELINE
Eight Hour EXAMPLE TIMELINE
BUILDING THE PERFECT
First look
the modernist
no first look
the traditionalist
The first question to ask is if you want to do a First Look, where you and your partner see each other before walking down the aisle, There are pros to each, but the biggest perks to doing a first look are that you get to spend MORE of the day with your partner, and you can knock out family photos before your reception even starts! Either way, we'll build your timeline with attention to detail and moments alike.
1:00 pm
COVERAGE BEGINS - detail shots and candids.
2:00 pm
Partner 1 GETS DRESSED with help from best person
2:15 pm
Partner 2's FINAL PREPARATIONS & DETAILS
2:30 pm
first look!!
2:40 pm
wedding party & family group photos
3:15 pm
Couple's Photo Session
(don't forget the rings!)
4:00 pm
Couple hidden as guests start to arrive - cocktails & Chill
4:30 pm
ceremony detail shots
5:00 pm
ceremony begins
5:40 pm
Extra family photos + cocktail hour Hour candids (with couple!)
6:00 pm
photograph reception area + details. Bustles & Touch-ups
6:15 pm
Guests move to reception space
6:30 pm
reception begins
6:35 pm
grand entrance + first dance
6:45 pm
Cake cutting and toasts
7:00 pm
Dinner is served
8:00 pm
special dances
8:15 pm
Open Dance Floor
9:00 pm
exit photos + coverage ends
with a
first look timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
FIRST LOOK
*Optional sunset session
1:00 PM
COVERAGE BEGINS - detail shots and candids.
2:00 PM
Partner 1 GETS DRESSED with help from best person
2:15 PM
Partner 1 + wedding party PORTRAITS
3:00 PM
partner 2'S FINAL PREPARATIONS & DETAILS
3:30 PM
Partner 2 + wedding party PORTRAITS
4:30 pm
PHOTOGRAPH GUESTS ENTERING CEREMONY
5:00 pm
ceremony begins
5:35 pm
family photos + cocktail hour
5:50 PM
Full wedding party photos
6:00 pm
Couple PORTRAITS
6:15 pm
RECEPTION AREA Photographed, Bustles & touch ups for couple
6:20 PM
Guests ushered to reception
6:40 PM
GRAND ENTRANCE - FIRST DANCE and cake cutting, followed by toasts
7:10 pm
DINNER IS SERVED
Sunset Photos encouraged
8:00 PM
Special Dances
8:15 PM
Dance floor opens
9:00 PM
exit photos + coverage ends
without a first look
traditional timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
Traditional
4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPH CEREMONY SITE
6:30 PM
RECEPTION BEGINS
- Buttercup, the princess bride
I have loved you for several hours now, and every second, more. I thought an hour ago that I loved you more than any woman has ever loved a man, but a half hour after that I knew that what I felt before was nothing compared to what I felt then. But ten minutes after that, I understood that my previous love was a puddle compared to the high seas before a storm.
FAMILY PORTRAITS
A FEW HELPFUL TIPS + TRICKS
Appoint a person
Having a close friend or family member appointed to help make sure we have everyone we need for family photos is one of the biggest time-savers you can do. This person should know who everyone on the photo list is but not be in too many photos themselves. Siblings and parents will almost always be needed, so I suggest an aunt, uncle, or cousin.
TEll them about it
It makes the whole process of family photos faster when everyone in them knows what to expect, where to be, and when. Let your family members (or anyone else who will be in a photo) to stick around as soon as the ceremony ends so that we don't have to take extra time finding everyone who's walked away. The biggest time losses come from tracking down someone who wandered off to cocktail hour!
short + sweet
Family photos aren't anyone's favorite part of a wedding day- and they're for sure the hardest part! My goal is to make them as efficient as possible while still honoring the most important people in your life.
With that said, keep in mind that every grouping typically takes 2-3 minutes to pose. We want to make sure we get all the family photos that need to be taken without cutting into your cocktail hour or reception too much! I suggest including your core family (same household/s), and then adding people who may have played an extra special part in your life with discression.
check it off
A few weeks before your wedding, I'll send you my timeline questionnaire. You'll check off the groupings you want from a base list, and then add any final groupings that are important to you. I'll take that list and put it into a perfect order to have people moving effectively to maximize our time.
sample family photos list
Partner 1's GRANDPARENTS
Partner 1's IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Partner 1's IMMEDIATE FAMILY + Partners
Partner 1's SIBLINGS
Partner 1's PARENTS
Newly Wed's and all Parents
Partner 2's GRANDPARENTS
Partner 2's IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Partner 2's IMMEDIATE FAMILY + Partners
Partner 2's SIBLINGS
Partner 2's PARENTS
THE Couple WITH...
Family dynamics can be difficult and wedding days bring out the best and worst- but I promise we've seen it all. To avoid any awkward situations (and to help us capture these photographs quickly!) sharing the names and relationships of family members helps us make a list with subtle cues to dynamics. I always arrange my list with a few easy to read signs - a "&" to show a couple, an "and" to indicate we're adding people in one family, and an "+" to show separation from each family group in an image. For example:
Betty & James + Betty's Parents (Florence & Taylor) + Siblings (Peter & Robin and Wendy + Olivia + Benjamin) shows me that Florence & Tyler are married, Peter & Robin are married and have a child, Wendy, and then Olivia + Benjamin are both siblings of Betty. This way, I know who needs to be placed near whom without having to ask. Don't worry about the code system- you won't need to learn it! But we will work together to ensure the right people are in the right shot.
RECEPTION + GRAND EXIT
RECEPTION
During your reception, I will be taking photos of the speeches and dancing as well as candid shots of your guests. I will always be available to grab a photo of you with a group of guests that may have not been in a formal group photo - picture college roommates, game night groups, or a special relative.
Grand exits
Grand exits are such a fun bookend to your day! They typically consist of a human tunnel along with sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks or something else to celebrate with, ending with you hopping into a get-a-way car. I'll always have you run through twice or pause for a dramatic kiss-or-dip in the middle.
We're not always there until the end of the reception, and truthfully, you may not want us to be (it's okay, we get it- some dances don't need photographic evidence.) Unless you're heading off directly to an afterparty, I suggest doing a smaller, faux-exit so that we can have more control over the participants. Earlier in the night = less drinking = more safety with sparklers.
“This is true love. You think this happens every day?”
- WEstley
the princess bride
IMAGE DELIVERY
IN A CURATED ONLINE GALLERY
view a sample gallery
LINK TO GALLERY HERE
Aka, the best part
One of my favorite parts of the wedding experience is delivering your beautiful gallery of images! When your photos are edited and ready, you'll receive a link to your online gallery. This is a URL where you will have access to all of your images at high resolution. You can scroll through, view, and download them at any time. You'll also be able to share this link with friends and family so they can relive your best day with you!
artfully hand-crafted to last
generations
WEDDING ALBUM
Heirloom
ALBUM DESIGN
After you've received your online gallery and have time to choose some favorites, we can start designing your wedding album. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it - plus, you get to really see and feel your wedding day unfold in your hands, again and again.
Here's a visual guide
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
You'll have the chance to pick out your album size, material and color. I have a page outlining all of the choices!
Album Page Layout
Once your options are selected, I'll create the page layouts using your favorite photographs plus some of my choices to help tell the narrative of the day. When I'm done I'll send a proof your way and we can make any changes you want. Albums usually take two revision rounds to perfect.
Enjoy your alubm
Once everything looks good to go and you like the layout, I will order your album and have it sent directly to you.
You can also add parent or duplicate albums at a reduced rate, as long as the layouts are identical.
Album design process
Questions? Just reach out!
SITE DESIGN BY RACHEL KICK
Thank you for trusting us to capture your wedding day! Questions? Comments? Pop me an email! I love talking all things wedding.