Welcome!

Hey there! I am so excited to be apart of your big day!

You’re probably overwhelmed with all the wedding information out there, but don’t worry - you’re not alone. I am a seasoned professional who is here to help you document one of the biggest days of your life so you have beautiful memories for years and years to come.

The information in this planning guide is meant to help you through all of your photography-related questions so you can relax and get excited for your big day.

If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a ring or send over an email! We are here for you every step of the way.

xoxo, Val

Before Wedding Day

There are so many "wedding traditions" that you don't have to include. Skip traditions and trends that don’t hold any meaning to you, because there is no right or wrong way to have a wedding. This includes everything from food that should be served, to wearing a veil, to dresses and on and on.

Create a schedule but make sure there is wiggle room. I am there to take photos yes, but i am also there to make sure we have enough time and not rush any moments. We will sit down together and come up with a timeline special for your day. Be sure to provide everyone who is involved with this timeline.

I strongly suggest hiring a wedding planner/coordinator/ day of coordinator. I know it might seem easier and more budget friendly to have moms or sisters help coordinate everything, but hear me out, how many weddings has your family planned vs how many has the coordinator planned? They will become the point of contact for all of your vendors, family members, friends, and wedding party. Their job is to guide everyone through the day while solving problems and making decisions so you and your partner can enjoy it all. This is why you work with a planner! When we say you don’t want to know what problems are happening behind the scenes, we really do mean you don’t want to know. Things happen, but you don’t want to be the one asked to solve them.

Picking a wedding party can feel overwhelming. be sure to pick people who not only support your love but will do anything to make your day run smoothly, not just there for the free booze.give responsibilties to your maid of honor and best man!

On your wedding day, your only job is to:

1)marry the love of your life 2) dance the night away.



Wedding day: Getting Ready

I recommend getting a cute robe and maybe some cute slippers. These will make for super cute getting ready photos. matching bridesmaid pjs or robes are optional and something extra to add.

The next column will provide a list for the detail shots. this is definitely a job i recommend assigning to a bridesmaid to make sure they have ready to go in a box or bag. While you are getting ready, i will get these done.

Photos while getting into the dress and having someone special zip or tie your dress is the perfect photo opportunity. Same goes for putting jewelry on, perfume, shoes, etc. make sure i am there when this is happening!

I recommend having snacks and drinks (alcoholic encouraged to calm the nerves) and have a kick ass music playlist going! Enjoy getting pampered and having your glam on. This is the beginning of your day and you make it what you want it to be!

A lot of brides choose to do a first look with their girls and this is totally optional but something to consider. something about getting in the dress and having your girls hype you up gives you some kind of confidence and excitement that cant be explained!



Why do a first look?

First looks allow couples to ground themselves before the ceremony, which can help alleviate any pre-wedding jitters. Plus, chances are, you probably feel most comfortable and at ease with your significant other, so seeing them ahead of the festivities will let your worries wash away.

Are first looks just for bride and groom?

First looks can be with just the groom or with dad, bridesmaids, mom, or anyone who is important to you. These can be done separately, I will position them in a way that they can not see you until you are ready. I will have you touch their shoulder and have them turn around to see you.

What about first touch?

Are you superstitious and don’t want to see each other until the alter? No problem. We can arrange a “First Touch” I will find somewhere with a corner and have each of you on either side where you will be able to touch hands and have a small conversation.

Ceremony

Something I always tell the wedding party: “SMILE. Look happy” There is nothing worst than me taking photos during the ceremony and there’s a groomsmen that looks like he’d rather be watching football and a bridesmaid zoning off. Ceremonies are usually short, remind your party to smile! ( This circles back to choosing people who are so excited for you and are not afraid to show it!)

Its your party and you can cry if you want to... AND YOU SHOULD. This is not just any ole party, this is your commitment to another person until death. Its a very emotional moment, embrace the emotions, let yourself shed a few tears!

I highly recommend doing an unplugged wedding.. ( that includes aunt barb with her ipad) It will make my job a little easier not having to photoshop cellphones and tablets from beautiful photos. After the ceremony if uncle Rob wants to whip out his camera and stand next to me while we do family photos, by all means!!

When the officiant gives the signal to kiss, take it slow. It will give me enough time to capture the beautiful moment! I also recommend doing one more kiss as you’re walking back down the aisle. Do a dip and kiss towards the middle, raise your bouquet or give me a fist bump like Judd Nelson did in the Breakfast club

After Ceremony

Congratulations you are MARRIED! Now lets get some photos done.

I recommend doing IMMEDIATE family first. Other guests photos can be done during the reception. Please let me know any family drama, divorces, step parent situations before the wedding day to avoid any awkward moments. This can be done by providing me a shot list before the wedding day. Be super specific on who you want in each photo. I usually bring out my bossy voice at this time and make sure everyone is on deck ready to be called.

After immediate family is dismissed, we can now do wedding party photos. I will guide and pose everyone. Everyone should still have bouquets, heels, etc. We will do some normal ones and of course some fun, silly ones so feel free to request anything FUN!

Once we dismiss wedding party we can either choose to do bride and groom photos OR wait until sunset to sneak off from the reception. This is completely up to the both of you!

Reception

Will you do a Grand entrance? This is completely your call. Some couples like to do an entrance just the two of you while others like to incorporate some fun dances with their wedding party!

After the entrance, you can choose to go straight to eating. This is when I will eat as well. It is important that I eat when YOU eat so that there are no important moments missed.

If you choose not to eat just yet, another option is to go around each table and thank your guests for coming. This is a GREAT time to get quick photos with your guests. Instead of having them come to you, you control the environment and go to them!

First dances? YES PLS. This is also another option to do after your grand entrance. I will coordinate with the dj when this will happen so that we are all ready.

Bouquet toss, cake cutting, speeches, garter toss, shoe game. These are all extra things that you can do during the reception.

Staged exit: So usually the older guests or guests with small kids usually start to leave after dinner time. Before everyone starts grabbing their coats, we can do a “Fake Exit”. Things you can do during the fake exit are sparklers, glow sticks, something with lights. Remember that more than likely it will be dark by this time so bubbles or confetti won’t show in photos.

PARTY TIME. You will likely find me in the middle of a crowd taking photos of everyone dancing. This your time to dance the night away and enjoy the rest of your wedding with your friends and family!

Lastly, i want to thank you for choosing me to capture your big day. It truly is an honor to be invited to a couples life for a single day and capture such an exciting milestone. I take my job very seriously and i genuinely love love. i think of all my clients as friends and i truly pour everything i have into giving you beautiful photos to keep forever.

Feel free to reach out at anytime with questions or concerns!

Lots of love and joy,

Val