Planning tips, and answers

Wedding Planning

There are countless things that go into a wedding day and make it completely unique. I also know that the planning and even your wedding day can come with a lot of stress. But it doesn't have to be that way!
My goal is to not only be your photographer but an extra hand to help you through this Experience. After all, I've been at over 100 weddings- I've learned a thing or two! Peruse this page and find tips – from planning to wedding day action items – that will reduce your stress and ultimately elevate your wedding day photos.

the experience

01.

a collection of vendors I've worked with and recommend

vendors

02.

The right vendors make planning and your actual day stress free and beautiful. You want high quality vendors who will suggest great ideas, honor your budget, solve issues before they arise and deliver excellent quality and service. I have a great list to help get you started! Click below and you can find in the lounge menu!

View Vendor Guide

start time adjustments

You already have your customized timeline and one month before the wedding we'll review the timeline together to finalized the reception and confirm all details. However there are some changes we would need to know about sooner because they effect coverage amount or our start times.

timeline

03.

We need to know immediately about...

Venue access restrictions

Large increase in family formals

Special exit additions or events after our coverage ends

Adding or removing a first look

You can go to half your cocktail hour

More likely to have an emotional reaction

You have a private moment for you two to recenter your day arround each other

More portrait time

MORE TIME with your PARTNER

Benefits to doing a first look

First looks

04.

All wedding party images and 85% of your portraits are done before the ceremony

Option to do family formals before the ceremony

Time for private vow reading

Don't take my word for it! Hear from Meghan and Tom about their first look

From Meghan

From Tom

The first look gave us a very concrete deadline to stick to so we could ensure we were able to see one another, spend that time together without running behind. Then it gave us the opportunity to get the majority of our pictures done prior to the ceremony so we could enjoy everything to follow. Even though we had seen each other, was still so special walking down the aisle, and seeing his face. Knowing he was waiting for me down the aisle is what makes and keeps this moment special just as special.

Knowing he was waiting for me down the aisle is what makes and keeps this moment special just as special.

From Meghan

-Meghan

Read Tom's Perspective

-Tom

A dream photographer takes amazing pictures, but also has a wealth of knowledge to ensure you look effortlessly cool in said pictures, the ability to help the other stressors of the day melt away, and a personality that you want to hang around all day on your big day!! Christine has all of this and more. She made us look effortlessly cool, talked through our schedule in details ahead of time so that there is no need to stress, and she keeps everything light and fun the entire day!

Christine's images capture moments, memories, and emotions so thoroughly that it is impossible to stop scrolling.

From Tom

Read Meghan's Perspective

Bride with Mom
Bride with Dad
Bride and Groom with Bride's Parents
Above group + Bride’s Siblings with Spouses and Kids
Above group + Bride’s Grandparents Set 1
Above group + Bride’s Grandparents Set 2
Bride + Groom + sets of Parents
Groom with Mom
Groom with Dad
Bride and Groom with Groom’s Parents
Above group + Groom’s Siblings with Spouses and Kids
Above group + Groom’s Grandparents Set 1
Above group + Groom’s Grandparents Set 1

sample family photo list:

Family photos are so important, especially on a day when two families become one! Creating a list of must-have family portraits will ensure I'm not missing any photos of important people.

I'll send you a formal worksheet 2 months before the wedding to actually craft this list but the following list will get you thinking

family Formals

05.

any sentimental items

BOUQUET + BOUTONNIÈRE

vows + letters

invites + programs + menus

jewelry + accessories

rings

EXTRA FLORALS

his + her shoes

suit/tux with tie + pocket square

dress + dress hanger+veil

wedding details that will be photographed

checklist

06.

I know it's every couple's least favorite plan but it's so much easier to create a rain plan well before we know the forecast. Depending on your venue you may also want to factor in mud or wet grounds. But for photos, rain is fairly easy to work around. I have a clear umbrella for you and I'm a master of taking a small overhang or porch and making it look like a clear day. In fact most of my rain weddings, you can't even tell it was raining. However, if a hurricane blows in and photos outside are truly impossible we can work magic inside for the day of and then schedule a wedding portrait session after your wedding day. All the images below were during a hurricane. No, really.

Rain Plan

Tropical Storm Ophelia

I've photographed over 100 weddings and have noticed small thing that make a huge difference in your day either by smoothing out your timeline, enhancing your images, or making the most of your venue.

Wedding Tip

To maximize your time, it's ideal to have both of you on site. You want your suite to be flooded with natural light. Once I'm done with details, ask your wedding party to help clean up a corner so we have room to photograph. No light? That's ok, I'll find somewhere else in your venue to take you to.

Your getting ready space

Tip One

Ask your florist to provide at 10 open blooms ( at least 2 high value blooms like roses or peonies) and greenery to be there for your details. I'll use these flowers in your details photos to weave your colors through your whole day as well as further showcase your floral choices.

Ask for extra florals for your details

Tip Two

I love veils- they create the most magical and dreamy portraits. If you're on the fence about a veil, consider getting one just for portraits. The longer the veil, the more options I can create.

Veils

Tip Three

My biggest pet-peeve in the industry is the guys often get sidelined. And I get why the bride gets prioritized but the groom should have an equally nice space to get ready in so his portraits also are wonderful. Also hold any toasts or cigars until we get there- those are moments worth capturing.

Prioritize the Guys

Tip Four

The most valuable investments are items that you hold or wear because they'll be in every photo or reusable elements. You can then budget elsewhere. A custom suit for the groom, rentals for the groomsmen. A higher-end bouquet with premium blooms for the bride, a simpler style for the bridesmaids. A ceremony floral that can be repurposed for your cake.

Invest in key details

Tip Five

Be sure to run through my finalized timeline with your family so they know what to expect and when they need to be certain places. To guarantee special candid moments, assign family jobs (Mom zips the dress, sister helps with jewelry etc) For family formals to tell your Aunts and Uncles they need to stay after the ceremony.

Prep your Family

Tip six

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08.

The last 10 minutes of your coverage is when I like to do your night portrait. Night photos are lit up with flash and are an excellent way to highlight your venue or late night ambiance. We have time for about 3-5 poses so its fast and gives us a quite moment to say goodbye before you head back to dance.
My favorite thing about the night portrait is that it's one last moment for you to steal a quiet moment together and it's almost always the image I end your printed wedding album with. It's the "happily ever after" moment to a perfect day.

Night Photo

09.

Liquorice chocolate bar pudding sugar plum biscuit toffee. Sweet roll chupa chups pie tart candy lollipop cotton candy candy. Cake chupa chups dessert. Liquorice chocolate bar pudding sugar plum biscuit toffee.

06. Your fifth frequently asked question will go here on these different lines.

05. Your fifth frequently asked question will go here on these different lines.

04. Your fourth frequently asked question will go here on these different lines.

I'm so glad your Mom is invested in your images, While I'm happy to take inspiration I try not to directly copy work from others. I also find a shot list distracts me from capturing natural moments as they unfold. It's a delicate balance and I'll work through it personally with you.

03. My Mom saw some ideas on Pinterest, can we send a shot list?

Please inform me of anything that is sensitive in your family, recent deaths, difficult divorces, special needs, or anticipated reactions to big moments. I'll take your lead on how you want me to handle any situation- from avoiding placing people near each other to being "the bad guy" if you need space.

02. We have...complicated family concerns. Can you help us keep the peace?

Ideally they will be really similar. Planners timelines tend to be inclusive of ALL details (like when the cake arrives) but mine is strictly photography (and therefore almost exclusively where you will be throughout the day). I'll work with your planner to get our timelines to match.

01. Our planner is also doing a timeline, which do we follow?

Have a question? I've got an answer! And if you don't see your question here, please reach out via honeybook

FAQs

Use them for holiday cards

What can you do with your wedding images (other than an album)? Here are some ideas!

View Albums

Your love deserves to live on your walls and in a custom album to share with future kids- not forgotten on your computer. I have an entire selection of premium, heirloom quality albums and prints for your to choose from to ensure your memories last a life time.