WOOO HOOOOOO
YOU'RE GETTING FRIGGIN' MARRIED
I created this bride guide to help brides like YOU!! It will walk you through everything from how different parts of your day can impact your timeline to all the little random details that help things run smoothly. My goal is to make sure your day feels effortless and your photos turn out exactly how you’ve envisioned! Some of this info you might already know, but hopefully, you’ll find a few new tips and ideas to incorporate into your big day!
This guide is full of tips and things to think about as we start building & planning out your wedding day timeline. By the end of it, I hope you’ll feel more prepared and have a clearer idea of the things you want to incorporate into your big day!
Don’t forget—I’m here for you every step of the way! If you have any questions at all (yes, even the ones that seem silly), please reach out. I am here to help YOU!!
Your Photo Timeline
A few months before your wedding day, I’ll be sending you a wedding day timeline questionnaire where you get to tell me ALLL about your day—from your timeline and photo priorities to family details and little moments you don’t want missed. It helps me show up feeling fully prepared and ready to capture your day in a way that feels so you. The more I know ahead of time, the more I can help everything run smoothly so you can just relax, have fun, and soak it all in!!
Whether you have a planner or not, I want to be included in the timeline planning process!! This is because I can tell exactly how long photos will take during each part of the day based on your answers in the timeline questionnaire. I’m here as a RESOURCE—so PLEASE use me!!
Click here to view 2 sample timelines to help visualize what your timeline could look like!
Arrival Time
I usually like to arrive about 45 minutes before you're finished with hair and makeup—because, let’s be honest, no one wants photos with their glam half-done! While you finish up, I'll capture all the wedding detail shots and venue photos. If possible, please try to have the reception and ceremony areas set up so I can grab some photos before guests touch everything!
Detail Photos
Please have the following items ready for me when I arrive. Keep them together in one spot (like a shoebox)—your items in one box and your groom's in another. If you're getting ready in separate locations, make sure all rings (including the groom’s) stay with the bridal items.
Her List
Invitation suite, Shoes, Ring(s), Ring box, Bracelets, Earrings, Necklace, Hair pieces, Vow Book, Perfume, Bouquet & Any Extra Florals
His List
Shoes, Ring, Ring box, Bowtie or tie, Tie clip, Pocket square, Boutonniere, Watch, Cuff links, Vow Book, Cologne & Glasswear/Flask
Other Details to Think About
If there are any sentimental or textured items you love (lace, fur, mini plants, pretty rocks, anything!), feel free to add them to the mix! If you have any extra florals please put them with your detail items!! They really add to photos!
Please hang your dress on a nice hanger (a wooden one works great if you don’t have a special one). I also love incorporating florals in my detail shots—if you can have your bouquet nearby, that’s perfect!
getting ready
The getting-ready portion of the day sets the entire tone (and timeline) for the rest of your wedding! It's important to allocate enough time to enjoy this part of the day, it also helps to set the stage for a smooth flow throughout the rest of the timeline. This is the time to relax, soak in the excitement, and enjoy the company of your closest friends and family as you prepare for your big moment!
YOUR "GETTING READY" SPACE
The getting-ready space is sometimes overlooked, but it’s a crucial part of the experience & your photos! Make sure to be intentional about choosing your space—it not only sets the mood for the day but also affects your photos alot more than you think!! A large space with natural light and good vibes will make all the difference! Here are a couple of tips to consider when picking your getting-ready space:
Tip #1
Choose a location with large windows and plenty of natural light. Natural light makes all the difference in creating beautiful, timeless photos. Artificial lighting, especially yellowish overheads, can be harsh and unflattering. I’ll likely turn off most artificial lights in your room, and your makeup artist and hair stylist will love the natural light too!
Tip #2
If your venue doesn't have a getting-ready space, consider renting a cute, stylish home from Airbnb. Well-decorated homes or Airbnbs are a huge upgrade from typical hotel rooms. Hotels can be cramped, with questionable decor, whereas an Airbnb can give you gorgeous, character-filled spaces perfect for getting ready shots. Just make sure it’s within a reasonable driving distance (about 20 minutes) from your ceremony location.
Tip #3
Make sure your space is large enough to comfortably fit everyone and all their things! Keeping the area tidy will help avoid distracting backgrounds and save me time while editing—win-win!
Don’t worry if you can't follow all these tips! I always do everything I can to make any space look beautiful, no matter the size or lighting! These are just things that help not only me but make your photos better!!
The Candids
Once I’ve captured photos of all the details, you should be almost done with hair and makeup! At that point, I’ll grab some “touch-up” shots and then move on to candid moments with you and your girls! Make sure you're wearing something that is cute but also makes you feel special!!
What to wear ideas
I know you might want to wear comfy sweats, but this is your wedding day! Consider a white pajama set, a lace gown, or a white robe. Trust me, it’ll make your getting-ready photos feel extra special!!
If you're feeling stuck, check out this Pinterest board full of outfit & getting ready inspo!!
first looks
That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. This is true whether you choose to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or choose to do a “first look’ before the ceremony.
Why you should have a first look
In my opinion a first look helps everything flow more smoothly on your wedding day. It gives us more flexibility with your timeline and allows you to slow down and soak in those sweet, emotional moments together before the day really takes off! Here are a few reasons why you should consider having a first look!!
Enjoy your own cocktail hour
A first look can calm pre-wedding nerves and give you a quiet moment together before the ceremony. It’s not for everyone, but it’s perfect for those who want a private, intimate start to the day.
Cuts through the chaos of the day
Without a first look, most photos are taken after the ceremony, cutting into cocktail hour. A first look allows us to capture bridal portraits, family, and bridal party shots all before the ceremony, so after you say "I do" you can enjoy the rest of your day without feeling rushed!
Extra time to freshen up after tears
For all the criers out there—if you know tears are likely when you see your other half for the first time, a first look gives you time to freshen up before the ceremony.
The Ceremony
Its timeeeee!! No matter what your timeline looks like, I always like to have both the bride and groom tucked away at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. That way, you have time to breathe, reset, and soak it all in before walking down the aisle! Outdoor ceremonies are my absolute favorite—but timing and placement are everything! Here are a few things to consider for your ceremony!
timing & placement
If possible, avoid midday ceremonies (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) when the sun is at its peak. Not only is it usually the hottest time of day, but it can leave one of you squinting, cast harsh shadows under the eyes (hello, “raccoon eyes”), and even create awkward “shadow mustaches” in your photos. If there’s no shade in your ceremony spot, try to position the sun behind the officiant to avoid squinting and harsh light on your faces. Bonus tip—if you can, swing by your ceremony location around the same time of day you’ve scheduled it for and see where the sun hits! It’ll help you feel confident and comfortable when the big moment comes. And don’t stress about clouds—overcast days make for soft, flattering light that looks amazing in photos!
CONSIDER HAVING AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY
We all know that unplugged ceremonies are the way to go! But… sometimes guests STILLLL whip their phones out to snap photos. You put up a sign, maybe even made an announcement… but you get your gallery back from the photographer and can see that Aunt Karen has her iPhone out! DANG!
Have a sign at the ceremony
Have a sign at the ceremony that tells guests that the couple wishes to save the phones for the reception and be present for the ceremony!
Make an announcement
Have your officiant make an announcement before the procession begins. Language is important – the COUPLE requests you leave your phones in your pockets and be present. Tell them they can take a million photos for the rest of the day, just not for the next 15 minutes
Let them take just one photo
Hear me out – the officiant tells everyone no phones. Then have them say something along the lines of, “But I know you want to savor this moment forever, so we're going to have a quick photo opportunity for everyone. If you'd like to take a picture of the couple, please do so now. And then, let's all put our phones away and enjoy this special moment together.” This gives the people what they want so they’re less likely they break the rules and whip their phone out later. Instead of telling them NO COOKIES… give them the cookie at the beginning to make them behave HA! This can be done as soon as you get up there, then you can begin the rest of the ceremony without distractions!!
Guests aren’t doing this to deliberately disrespect the couple – they just realllly want a photo to share, to remember the moment, to capture the beautiful scene unfolding in front of them. But – that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t put their phones down for 15 minutes after being asked to. You can still have the ceremony you’re dreaming of, without devices interrupting or in your photos, AND satisfy your guests with this trick. WIN WIN!
If I still haven't sold you on having an unplugged ceremony here are a few wedding photos that will hopefully do this trick…
YOUR FIRST KISS
This one’s important!! Before your big smooch, PLEASE ask your officiant to step aside before saying, “You may now kiss the bride!” Trust me—you do not want their face awkwardly peeking out behind you in all of your first kiss photos!! I’ll also check in with them before the ceremony to gently remind them. But if they’re using a script, it’s a great idea to add a little note for them that says something like: [Step aside, then announce the kiss] Your future self (and your photographer) will thank you!
THE DIP
If you’re planning to do the iconic “dip” shot as you walk back down the aisle with your new hubby, PLEASE PRACTICE!! You also DO NOT have to do this either! You could just be in the moment as you walk back down the aisle with your new hubby, maybe even pause for a quick kiss and a cute photo!
FORMAL portraits
Yay! Photos with your people!! The timing for newlywed portraits, bridal party portraits & family formals will all depend on whether you’re doing a first look or not!
FAMILY FORMALS
If you decide not to do a first look, family photos will take place immediately after the ceremony, so it’s crucial that family members stay put once the ceremony ends. I typically have around 20 minutes after the ceremony for family photos, so please make sure to tell them to remain in place beforehand!
For those who are doing a first look, family portraits should happen before the ceremony! Be sure to let your family know to show up a little earlier to accommodate this!!
In that timeline questionnaire that i'll be sending, there will be a section where you will list each family grouping & photo that you'd like! Having this list is a huge time-saver and helps make everything run smoothly! I ask for family names to avoid any awkwardness. Instead of saying, “bride with dad and step-mom,” I’ll say, “Sarah with Tom & Sally,” which feels more personal and professional. I get tons of compliments on how easy and organized family photos go!
BRIDAL PARTY portraits
If you’re not doing a first look, we’ll bring in the wedding party for group photos after family photos are complete! Then head off to take a few newlywed photos of just the two of you!
If you are doing a first look, we’ll capture the full wedding party right after your first look—then roll into family formals. That means once the ceremony is over, you’ll have more time to celebrate, mingle, and just relax with your people!
NEWLYWED'S
If you’re not doing a first look, we would take your newlywed portraits after the family & bridal party portraits and before the grand entrance (& then maybe a few during sunset) OR we save all of your newlywed portraits for sunset (30-45 minutes)! The only bad thing about doing ALL of your newlywed photos at sunset is it can feel like I am stealing you away from your celebration !!
If you are doing a first look, we’ll capture your newlywed photos during your first look & then hopefully a few more during sunset!! Again this means once the ceremony is over, you’ll have more time to celebrate, mingle, and just relax with your people! :)
SUNSET PORTRAITS
One of my favorite parts of any wedding day is sunset photos. I get so excited every time a couple plans 15 minutes for sunset photos in their wedding day timeline. These photos ALWAYS end up being my absolute favorite newlywed portraits from the day, and they are always my couples’ favorite photos as well!
Golden hour photos or photos taken right at sunset have such a different feel to them than photos taken earlier in the day. If the first look is at 1pm, the sun will be super harsh at that time. We’ll have to be careful about where we shoot and which direction we face to make sure the lighting is flattering and not causing weird shadows. However, at sunset, the lighting is amazing. It’s soft and beautiful and flattering.
A moment just for the two of you
After all the photos, hugs, and dinner chaos—this is your chance to sneak away, take a deep breath, and soak it all in together. You finally have a second to just be with your person. Talk about your favorite part of the speeches, cuddle up, laugh about the day so far… this is such a special time to reconnect (and yay, you’re MARRIED!!).
That golden hour glow is unmatched
Sunset light is chef’s kiss. It’s soft, warm, and gives your gallery a totally different vibe than the photos we take earlier in the day. Plus, by this point, the nerves are gone and you’re just having fun—which makes for the BEST photos!!
All that said, if it makes your heart happy, do an extra little newlywed session in the evening. You won’t regret it!!
THE RECEPTION
Let the party begin!! Everyone's reception looks different. Let's chat everything from first dances to your grand exit!!
Dinner
You better believe I’ll be starving by the time dinner rolls around!! Since no one wants a photo of someone with their mouth full (lol), I’ll be eating at the same time as you. I’ll grab some food right behind you to make sure I don’t miss anything. I typically will go find a dark corner or somewhere to hide for 5 minutes to enjoy a little peace and quite before the real party begins.. So no need to find a seat for me at a table!!
Grand Entrance
This is the moment I’ll capture candid shots of you and your new hubby making your big entrance into the reception. Lately, I’ve had couples head straight to the dance floor for their first dance (and even their last dance later in the night!), and I absolutely loved it! It creates a smooth transition and keeps the energy flowing, rather than walking in and immediately being swarmed by guests. Just an idea!
It’s your moment—so make it fun and unforgettable!
The celebration
I’ll be singing along and dancing with you all night long—of course, all while capturing every moment of you, your wedding party, family, and friends on the dance floor! Let’s make this a night to remember!
RECEPTION LIGHTING
When it comes to lighting during the reception each venue is different, but I always suggest natural-looking, warm light. Warm light creates such a beautiful and dreamy ambiance in photos.
If you're considering up-lighting, note that the color you choose for up-lighting will set the color tone of your photos. For example, if your uplighting is pink, then anything that is white (hence your wedding dress) will have a pink hue on it.
Please communicate with your wedding planner or DJ to turn off any colorful lighting, strobe lighting, and any other distracting lighting for your grand entrance, first dance, any special parent dances, and during cake cutting. (I will also communicate with them as well)!
Examples of bad uplight lighting and DJ lights. These are NOT my photos lol
The Send Off
If you’re planning a sparkler exit, it typically takes about 10 minutes. I might have you run up and down a few times to get a variety of shots! Just follow my lead, and I’ll make sure to capture it perfectly!
If sparklers aren’t allowed, consider alternatives like a "last dance" song, confetti poppers, sky lanterns, or even heading to a donut shop or Chick-fil-A with your wedding party! Whatever you decide will be amazing because it’s all about celebrating with the people you love!
For more fun ideas, check out these 41 creative wedding send-off ideas:
final thoughts
This is YOUR DAY!! Just focus on being in the moment!!
traditional
Yeah, I know there is that saying, “But our parent's did this....”
But honestly, it’s your wedding, your memories, and your biggest day yet! So don’t feel pressured to follow traditions, if you want to get eloped and married then do it!!
Don’t want a bridal party? Great! That’s COMPLETELY OKAY! It’s your day, you can do whatever the heck you want!
Don’t want a slow first dance song, but rather a choreographed dance remix?? I’m all for it!!
Don’t want a traditional exit? Then take your wedding party to your favorite fast food restaurant or ice cream parlor and I'll take photos of you there! haha
It’s honestly up to you, and how you both envision starting the rest of your lives together! It’s all about the moments and the LOVE you two share.
ENJOY YOUR DAY!!
At the end of the day, my biggest piece of advice is to truly enjoy the day and not stress the small stuff. Weddings are full of surprises, and things may not go exactly as planned, but that’s all part of the experience! Focus on what really matters: marrying the love of your life surrounded by the people who matter most to you.
I will be there with you every step of the way, capturing every memory and making sure your day is documented perfectly. I truly feel so lucky to be a part of your special day, and I can’t wait to work with you to create amazing memories that will last a lifetime!!
Can't wait to celebrate soon!! :)