Congratulations on your engagement! Planning your wedding is a truly special time. I want to help you enjoy this one-of-a-kind, unforgettable day with a few tips + ideas.

Find all the inspiration you’ll need down below:

I. Plan a pre-wedding session

A pre-wedding session – or an engagement session – is the perfect chance for us to get to know one another, for you to feel comfortable in front of the camera + for you to experience being photographed together. I find that an engagement session helps my clients feel more at ease on the big day. Besides that, engagement sessions are a lot of fun & a great opportunity to create beautiful + adventurous images without the restrictions that a wedding day can bring.

II. Create a realistic wedding day timeline

Keeping to a wedding timeline is a key factor for maintaining a relaxing and photographically productive day. Things like delayed hair + makeup can drastically change the day’s schedule and impact your time for portraits prior to the ceremony (I highly recommend a hair and makeup trial prior to the wedding). Adding buffer time (up to an hour) around the important elements of your wedding preparation allows for delays.

III. Choose a beautiful location to get ready

The first few hours of wedding photography take place as you get ready. Whether you choose a bridal suite, hotel room, or other location to prepare for the wedding, consider the backdrop for these images. I recommend selecting a spacious, open location with a lot of natural light + similar decor or feel to your wedding so the images flow with the rest of the day.

IV. Take the time for a first look

I recommend taking most portraits prior to the ceremony. Not only will this allow me more time to create beautiful portraits of you & those who matter to you most, but it will allow you to enjoy more of the post-ceremony festivities. Couples often become impatient when they are forced to spend their entire cocktail hour taking portraits, as they would rather enjoy the party with friends + family.

V. Consider a cell phone-free ceremony

I have found that at least one of your guests will try to capture your nuptials with a phone, tablet, or their own camera. These devices end up in your wedding photos and create unsightly distractions while blocking the faces and emotions of you and your guests. The best photojournalistic images of your wedding come about when your guests put away their devices and watch the ceremony with their eyes and hearts. Consider asking your officiant to make an announcement just before the start of the processional to request that guests put away their cameras and devices and be present during the ceremony.

VI. Prepare the little details

Prepare all of your wedding details in advance for photographing while you’re getting ready. These details include the invitation in perfect, dress, shoes, all wedding rings, and any other details from your day that you would like photographed. I love to style still life shots, especially with meaningful elements that you provide. Consider family heirlooms, jewelry, fabric and other items that can enhance your images. Have your wedding and bridal details in the bridal suite where you’re getting ready, so I can capture them when I arrive.

VII. Know the sunset time

I like to discuss photo timelines early in the planning process to maximize our opportunities for creating stunning images. My style is natural & soulful, that’s why I prefer to photograph all the important details of the day (details, decor, and all portraits) in natural light. Together with your wedding planner, we build your timeline around the best natural light to ensure your day looks wonderful in the photos you’ll keep for a lifetime. Know the sunset time for your wedding day and ideally visit the location the year prior to see the light throughout the day. This will aid in selecting the optimal ceremony, cocktail, and reception times.

VIII. Work with an experienced wedding planner

Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events filled with elegant details, timelines, loved ones, and lots of emotions. A wedding planner can take your vision and enhance it beyond what you can imagine, allowing you to enjoy the stress-free wedding day of your dreams.

IX. Enjoy + trust me

To ensure we are the perfect fit for one another, it’s very important for me to get to know as much as possible about you & your wedding day prior to booking. I would love to learn about both of you, your personality, your family, and your background so I get a solid sense of your love story and who you are. After the experience of your engagement session, you will know what to expect on your wedding day. It’s now time to relax and enjoy!

Contact me to receive my information brochure or to book me for your wedding.