Your Wedding Day Is Coming Up!

I am SO excited!!!

Here are a couple things you can do to get the best out of your photography coverage….

Getting Ready Time…

-Keep the rooms you are getting ready in as clean and neat as possible. This will help ensure your images don’t have unwanted clutter in the background :)

-Be aware of your undergarments or getting ready clothes! They can sometimes leave marks on you for an hour or so after taking them off that could possibly be in your getting ready photos. See an example in color to your right. ——->

- Have all of the detail items you’d like me to photograph all together and in one place before we arrive so we can jump into documenting those for you! (dress, shoes, invitations, etc.) Bring all the things!

-Don’t forget to eat some food and drink all that water!

-Don’t forget a nice dress hanger. Wood, velvet, custom, anything but plastic will do :) unless that is what you’d prefer!

-This can be a great time to get some casual/fun photos with your crew! Bringing a bottle to pop together or any other fun activities that reflect those friendships/relationships!

List of things to bring for me to photograph. You by no means need all of these or any of them…

invitation
nice hanger
wedding dress
shoes
rings
loose florals from your florist
earings/necklace/jewelry
family heirlooms you might be wearing/using
vow books
perfume
cufflinks

First Look!

If you are doing a first look, think about how you two would like this to happen! Here are a few common scenarios to consider…

Do you two want to meet around a corner?

Do you want to do a shoulder tap, then one partner turns around?

Would you like to be back to back and both turn around at the same time?

Would you prefer to come up and give your partner a hug from behind, then they turn around?

We could set one partner up, then the other turns around and you two walk up to each other?

Totally up to you! Just a few options to consider before the big day :)

DO NOT check the weather!

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life and you want everything to go as perfect as possible, including the weather. And I understand you are likely not hoping for rain. But please, do not stress yourself out weeks before your wedding checking forecast predictions. There are a lot of things you can control the day of your wedding. The weather is not one, so don’t worry about what may or may not happen. I have seen plenty of rain predictions that didn’t end up happening and visa versa. Understand that it will still be ok if it does rain on your wedding day. You will still be married to your person and that is really all that matters. With my experience and expertise, we can still create beautiful imagery on a rainy day. Trust my abilities and work and don’t stress. I’ll take care of you.

Formal Family Photos

Formal family photos at weddings have a lot of history! I know it is generally not a part of the day couples are the most excited about, however I do believe these images are important. You never know when this special group of your people will be all together again. I’m not saying go crazy here with your list, but really consider what images are important to you!

I want this part of your day to be as stress free and streamlined for you as best as possible. To make this happen, I have a few things I ask of you two. I ask that you create a family photo shot list, with names, not just bride plus + aunt. I also request that you ask a friend or family member who knows, hopefully at least some of the family on your shot list, to help me call out family groupings and get through that list a easy and quickly as possible.

Additional things to note:

-each requested family photo takes an average of two minutes.

-remember, you can make a separate list of more casual photos you’d like to get with friends or family at your cocktail hour or reception.

- at any time during the day/night, feel free to grab me or let me know you’d like a photo with someone! More than happy to do that for you!

-let your family members that are requested for family photos know ahead of time they will be needed for these images and when they will be taking place.

Ceremony time!

-Give yourself, your maid of honor, partner, or whoever you feel comfortable with, permission to help with your hair, veil, whatever, if needed! With outdoor weddings especially, weather can throw you a curve ball when you are least expecting it. Your veil can start going crazy in the wind, it can start to rain, etc. Talk with “your person” about what you would want them to do/not do in possible scenarios. Would you want someone to hold an umbrella up for you if it does start raining? Or take your veil off, hold it down or let it fly if the wind picks up?

- Ask your officiant ahead of time to step off to the side for your final kiss. Most couples (and officiants) don’t want to be photobombing this moment for you. I always try to talk with them beforehand as well, but its always nice coming from you two initially.

- How important is it to you two to have your ceremony photos look balanced in your images? This may be more of a photographer quirk, but I see this pretty often, a bridal party and/or the couple being off center at the ceremony. This is by no means the end of the world, but something to think about if this is important to you. You can have your planner/coordinator/a friend put little “cheat” pieces of tape down where you two are supposed to stand and where your bridal party should begin. From a photographers perspective, I think it looks really nice :) but totally up to you!

-Do you want your guests to throw flowers, blow bubbles, etc. as you walk down the aisle? Do you want to do a mid or end of aisle kiss or dip? Just a few fun things to consider :)

-Lets talk microphones! Consider what you are speaking into at your ceremony. In my experience, a standing microphone pointed sideways is not ideal, as it will be in every single ceremony image of you two, and usually not in a good way. A standing mic can often look like something is coming out of your back in photos if placed in the wrong position. See image below for reference.

-Your ceremony kiss! This is your moment—take a beat to really connect. Hold each other close, gaze into each other’s eyes, and savor the kiss. Don’t rush it; let it be a sweet, meaningful moment.

-As you walk down the aisle after saying 'I do,' take a moment to savor it. Look at each other, glance at your guests, and most importantly, let that joyful smile shine through!

-Think about if you want to do a mid-aisle or end of aisle kiss?

Cake Cutting!

Feeding Each Other: After cutting the first slice, it’s traditional for couples to feed each other a piece of cake. This is a sweet moment, but some couples prefer not to smash it into each other’s faces—if that's the case, you can gently feed each other without the mess. Make it your moment! Take your time here and feed each other or yourselves a couple bits!

Keep it Fun: You don’t need to have a perfectly posed shot. Some of the best photos are when you’re laughing, playfully teasing each other, or reacting to how the cake tastes.

Candid Reactions: Some of the best shots are the ones where you’re not expecting them. After the initial bite, a candid shot of you both laughing or reacting to the cake is often the most genuine and joyful. Feel free to sneak a kiss in here too!

Practice Beforehand if you want!

Know What Feels Natural: If you're worried about how it’ll look, practice taking a bite of cake with your partner before the big day. This will help you feel more at ease when the moment arrives.
Enjoy the Moment: The more relaxed and comfortable you are with the moment, the better the photos will be. Don’t stress about looking perfect—focus on enjoying the cake and the company around you.

Wedding Day Emergency Packing List!

Have a kit ready with essentials like:

Extra makeup (lip gloss, powder, etc.)
Hair accessories (bobby pins, hair spray)
Tissues (for happy tears)
Stain remover
Mints or gum
Extra pair of tights or socks
A small sewing kit (in case of wardrobe malfunctions)
Scissors
Body tape
Safety pins
Super glue
Phone Chargers
Bug Sprey
Sunscreen

Reception Considerations

Sweetheart table vs. sitting with your wedding party or family—here’s something to think about: A sweetheart table can make it easier for guests to approach and interact with you during dinner or the reception. For some couples, that’s a great way to feel more connected, but for others, it can feel overwhelming. It’s entirely up to you, but definitely something to consider based on how you want to experience the evening.
Toasts! When friends and family give their speeches, make sure it's clear they stand to the side or in front of you, not behind, so you're not straining your neck to see them. Also, think about what's on your table—try to keep it clear of anything that might block your faces during the toasts, so everyone can get a great view. I’ve even had a couple stand for toasts before so they could see everyone and everyone could see them.

Open Dancing!

Bring a pair of comfortable shoes if you think you might need them!
Join In! Don’t be afraid to get on the dance floor yourself! Your guests will follow your lead, and it helps everyone feel more comfortable if the couple is having fun and leading the charge.
Adding props or fun accessories for your guests during open dancing can really elevate the energy of the moment. Consider items like glow sticks, hats, or funky glasses to encourage everyone to get into the party spirit!
Outfit change! Ultimately, an outfit change is all about comfort, fun, and making sure you're enjoying your day in the best possible way. Whether you want something more laid-back for the reception or just need a little refresh, it's a great way to keep the celebration going while looking and feeling your best!

Relaxation & Self-Care

Schedule Some Downtime: Plan a few moments of quiet time for yourself before the day starts. A calm mind will help you be more present and relaxed.
Stay Hydrated & Eat: It’s easy to get distracted and forget to eat or drink enough. Make sure to have healthy snacks and plenty of water, especially if you’re wearing a tight dress or high heels.
Don’t Overload Yourself: If you can, delegate tasks so you’re not overwhelmed. You shouldn’t be worrying about last-minute details on the day itself.