engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
Wedding Guide
welcome to our
We’re so excited to connect with you and hear all about your wedding! Over the next few months (or even just in the planning stages), we’d love to get to know you better and share how we approach capturing your day.
We know photography is one of the bigger investments for a wedding, and we’d be honored to show you how we help couples feel relaxed, enjoy the day, and end up with images they’ll treasure forever.
Even if you’re working with a planner or keeping things low-key, there are always a lot of moving pieces leading up to the big day. After photographing more than 120 weddings over the past decade, we’ve seen what tends to matter most and what questions come up again and again.
To help, we’ve put together a guide that walks through everything from timelines and engagement sessions to handling unexpected weather — basically, everything we wish we could tell every couple before their wedding day.
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Welcome
plan your session
We’re huge fans of engagement sessions — for a few really good reasons. They give you a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and to show off your personalities in a relaxed, meaningful setting. Plus, they’re just plain fun!
We’ve put together a whole page with outfit tips, location ideas, timing suggestions, and more to help make your session feel effortless and completely “you.”
Engagement Session
rehearsal dinner
Jewelers
content creation
cinematography
letterpress
Invitations
RENTALS
wedding fashion
CAKES & Coffee
HAIR & MAKEUP
bay kings band
curate entertainment
dj malike
generation y entertainment
i rock your party
the river town band
DJ & BANDS
Chefs Garden Events
Bill Hansen Catering
biscotti's
restaurant orsay
the perfect pair catering co.
Thierry Isambert
CATERING
Baker's Cay Resort
Congaree & Penn
faena miami beach
gedney farm
Los Poblanos Farm
Villa woodbine
vizcaya museum & Gardens
favorite venues
cypress floral design
Floral Anthology
iron & Clay Flowers
marble & Pine
primrose floral co.
Shea Hopely Flowers
The Revel Co.
FLORAL DESIGNERS
amber veatch designs
Caroline Fuller Events
dairing events
Flaire Weddings
Frond & Feather Events
Love lee events
Tailor & Table
WEDDING PLANNERS
Over the years, we've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress free wedding day. We've worked with many of the vendors below and we can't recommend them enough! We chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE
Vendors
wedding attire
Undergarments
Shoes
accessories
Bouquet
Ring(s)
jewelry
Session Checklist
Wedding venues are a wonderful starting point for your wedding portraits — especially historic homes and resorts with beautifully manicured grounds. Choosing a venue like this helps keep your wedding attire pristine while still giving us plenty of stunning indoor and outdoor locations for photos.
When selecting a date for your session, consider the weather. To avoid the summer heat or winter chill, we typically recommend Spring or Fall. That said, we’ll happily shoot anytime and anywhere there’s gorgeous light!
Many venues charge a fee for portrait sessions. While this can feel inconvenient, it’s often worth it for access to getting ready rooms and other venue amenities. We usually coordinate session times with the venue, and we love capturing wedding portraits in the late afternoon when the light is soft and flattering. If your venue has strict hours, no problem — we’ll work within their schedule.
There’s a big difference between seeing yourself in the mirror during a hair and makeup trial and seeing how your look actually holds up in the elements — or how it photographs. When it comes to feeling confident in your choices on your wedding day, photos are invaluable!
If you’re considering a wedding portrait session, we recommend doing a full trial run of hair, nails, makeup, and your bouquet. Sessions typically last 1 to 2 hours, and having something to hold can help your hands feel more natural and relaxed in front of the camera.
For locations, we’re happy to help find spots that are well - maintained, offer a mix of indoor and outdoor settings, and will meld beautifully with your wedding wardrobe.
beautiful Photos + practice run for the big day
Wedding Portraits
The moment you see each other for the first time on your wedding day is always magical — whether you wait for the ceremony or choose a first look beforehand.
First looks—a private moment to spend together before the ceremony—have grown in popularity in recent years. This year, about half of our couples chose to do one.
While we value tradition, there are some really good reasons to consider a first look. Here are three to think about:
IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU
The First Look
If you’re expecting rainy weather on your wedding day, a first look can be a great option because it gives you more flexibility for photos. If it’s pouring after the ceremony, you’ll be glad to have portraits taken in advance.
And for all you emotional types — if you know tears will be flowing when you see your partner for the first time on your wedding day, a first look gives you a chance to freshen up before the ceremony.
First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be an unforgettable moment.
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When there’s no first look, most of the portraits happen after the ceremony. Family photos usually take place right after the ceremony since it’s the easiest time to gather everyone, followed by full wedding party portraits, and then couple portraits. This often overlaps with cocktail hour.
A first look, on the other hand, opens up time before the ceremony for full wedding party photos, family formals, and wedding portraits. This way, you can fully enjoy cocktail hour, and the rest of the evening feels more relaxed and unrushed.
It makes more time for pictures without sacrificing cocktail hour
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Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up after the first look
Once the ceremony begins, the day moves quickly. A first look gives you a chance for some quiet time together — to enjoy each other’s company and watch your friends & family come together.
Wedding days can be a whirlwind, full of people to see and moments to experience. We always encourage couples to carve out a few minutes here and there to pause and really soak it all in.
A first look cuts through the chaos of the day
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If you’re planning a first look, we can capture all your portraits in one session, usually taking around 1.5 to 2 hours before the ceremony. We also love sneaking in a few extra portraits of just the two of you at sunset if the timing works!
For a traditional aisle reveal, the main thing to keep in mind is your ceremony time when planning the day.
If your ceremony is at sunset or in the evening, it’s best to schedule portraits beforehand. Daylight is key for beautiful portraits with your family, wedding party, and of course, just the two of you. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is the best way to make a traditional ceremony and gorgeous portraits work together.
Whether you choose a first look or the traditional “no seeing each other before the ceremony,” we’ll work with you to create a timeline that ensures you get the best possible photos.
If you choose a traditional “no first look” timeline, most of the formal portraits — family photos, full wedding party, and couple portraits — will happen after the ceremony. Because of this, you likely won’t be able to join your cocktail hour, so it’s something to keep in mind when planning your day.
In our experience, couples who choose a first look tend to feel less stressed and are usually able to enjoy cocktail hour with their friends & family. That said, we completely respect your choice to celebrate your wedding exactly as you’ve envisioned it — whether that includes a first look or waiting until the ceremony to see each other.
tips for a seamless wedding day timeline
timeline
Wedding Day
building the perfect
If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.
While we can't guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a beautiful day and beautiful images.
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!
If the forecast is calling for rain, don’t stress too much — rainy days can still be stunning! Just take a look at Gabriella & Gary’s wedding: it rained all day, and the photos turned out beautifully.
If rain is expected, we recommend picking up a few clear or cute umbrellas — they’re easy to find online.
We’re always happy to brave a little weather with you to capture those special moments, but if you’d prefer to stay dry, we can easily find well lit, covered spots that still make for stunning photos. Rain or shine, we’ll make sure your day is captured exactly as it should be.
Inclement Weather
We love capturing all the little details you’ve carefully chosen for your wedding day! We like to build time into your timeline to photograph these details so nothing gets missed.
We recommend a getting ready space with plenty of natural light, and if possible, a tidy, uncluttered area. It’s also helpful to gather all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, purse, perfume, invitations, and other keepsakes in one spot so we can capture everything beautifully.
Details
Wedding Day
wedding wardrobe
Hanger (ideally, not a plastic one)
Rings (both engagement & wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
florals
jewelry boxes
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes & stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
wedding detail checklist
One couple brought their grandmother’s hand mirror, and we loved including it in their detail shots. This is completely optional, but if you have something sentimental—a family heirloom, a special keepsake, or meaningful item—we’d love to incorporate it into your photos.
Whenever possible, we love capturing a photo of your rings alongside your other details. If you can, have your engagement ring cleaned beforehand — or give it a quick clean yourself.
To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with a bit of dish soap for 20 – 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and repeat if needed.
Wedding Rings
This list is just a starting point — feel free to request any additional family portraits. It can also help to make a note of any family dynamics so we can keep things smooth and stress-free on the day.
Couple with Extended Family
Couple + Partner A’s Parents, Siblings & Grandparents
Couple + Partner A’s Parents & Siblings
Couple + Partner A’s Parents
Couple + Partner A’s Siblings
Partner A + Parent
Couple + Partner B’s Extended Family
Couple + Partner B’s Parents, Siblings & Grandparents
Couple + Partner B’s Parents & Siblings
Couple + Partner B’s Parents
Couple + Partner B’s Siblings
Partner B + Parent
Family Formals Checklist
Family portraits can sometimes feel stressful, especially with larger groups or complicated family dynamics. Creating a clear list ahead of time makes everything go much smoother and ensures no one is overlooked.
When putting together your list, please make note of any dynamics — like divorces — or special considerations such as accessibility, mobility needs, or other unique situations.
Including the names of family members and friends is also really helpful so we can call everyone by name and keep things moving efficiently.
We’ve included a guide below that reflects a typical list from many of our couples. Think of it as a starting point — you can customize it to fit your family and the portraits that are most important to you.
The whole family, looking their best together
Family Formals
If your reception is at a different venue, we recommend building in a little extra “fluff time.” This gives us a chance to capture the space while it’s still fresh and untouched by guests.
Fluff Time
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If you’re planning a first look with your wedding party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable seeing everyone fully dressed in their wedding attire. It helps the moment feel complete and special for everyone.
First looks for parents
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If your florist provides extra flowers for detail shots and flat lays, we’re always thrilled! And if you have an extra invitation suite or two, we love taking the time to style them in our home studio.
Extra Florals
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If it’s going to be hot, having a cooler of cold water and a few portable waist fans can make a big difference — especially for a wedding party dressed in multiple layers.
Prep for the heat
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If you’re getting married in the summer, having a light snack or lunch before portraits is always a good idea. It helps keep everyone energized and feeling their best before the photos begin.
Don't forget the snacks
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tips
Additional
We’d love to help shape your timeline so everything flows naturally. If you’d like our input, don’t hesitate to reach out anytime.
We're here to help
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During cocktail hour and the reception, we’ll be right there capturing it all as it unfolds. If there’s someone you’d love a photo with, just grab us — we’ve got you.
Photo anyone?
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Family portraits tend to feel a lot smoother when everyone has a chance to share what’s most important ahead of time. If you send over a list, we’ll take a look and create a plan that keeps things efficient, organized, and makes sure no one gets missed.
Make a list
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We usually suggest stepping out of sight about 30 minutes before the ceremony. Guests tend to arrive early, and this gives you a little space to settle in before everything begins.
hide the couple
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We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.
Think about this fact: twenty years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.
One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents' wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.
view our full album pricing guide
THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING DAY
Handcrafted Albums
After we deliver your gallery, we'll work with you to order prints and design an album that will become an heirloom for your family.
Albums must be prepaid before design begins and typically take between 4 to 6 weeks to complete (including revisions).
With the exception of printing errors, all albums are non-returnable. Albums may be ordered anytime before or after the wedding day. The holiday deadline for beginning an order is November 1st.
(8x8, 25 pages)
Linen: $950 each for Linen
Leather: $1050 each
Additional 2-page Spread: $75 each
PARENT ALBUMS
Linen: $1250 for Linen
Leather: $1350
Additional 2-page Spread: $75
30 page 10x10 album
PRICING
Wedding albums are available a la carte.
We can't wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! If you haven't scheduled your engagement session yet, let's get that in the books. Feel free to email us any time at [enter your email address here].
If you have any questions or would just like to chat, we're here for you. We hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. We can't wait to see you soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through our guide!