Planning your Perfect Day

What to Share with Your Wedding Photographer

Planning a wedding involves countless details, and one of the most important decisions is choosing your photographer. Ensuring they capture the images you envision requires thoughtful communication. Here are some key considerations to help your photographer create a plan and ensure no special moments are missed:

1. Budget

Your budget plays a crucial role in every aspect of wedding planning, including photography. By the time you reach this stage, you likely have an idea of what you can allocate for a photographer. I offer a variety of packages tailored to suit different budgets and am open to discussing additional hours or specific requests to meet your needs.

2. Coverage Time

Decide how long you will need your photographer. Will it be a full day—from getting ready to the last dance—or just coverage of the ceremony? Sharing your preferred start and finish times is essential. To create a structure for the day, consider the following details:

• Arrival Time: When should the photographer arrive?

• Hair and Makeup: When will the hair and makeup team arrive?

• Flowers: What time will the flowers be delivered?

• Transportation: When will the wedding car arrive?

• Venue Timing: What time are you leaving for the venue and when will you arrive?

• Event Schedule: Share the times for the ceremony, speeches, cake cutting, and first dance.

Having a timeline provides a basic structure that ensures all key moments are covered, even if the day’s schedule shifts slightly. Remember, not all these questions need to be answered immediately—some may not need answers at all. However, the more information you provide, the better I can be at capturing the moments that matter most.

3. Guest Count and Group Photos

Let your photographer know the approximate number of guests attending. For larger groups, planning for wide or group shots is essential. If there are specific poses or groupings you’d like, communicate these ahead of time. For inspiration, browse the internet for poses that you and your partner feel comfortable with. Sharing these examples allows me to recreate them while helping you feel relaxed in front of the camera.

4. Key People and Moments

Make a list of the people most important to you, such as family members and close friends, and ensure someone (like a bridesmaid or parent) can help me identify them. This ensures we capture all the significant relationships in your life. If you have specific locations in mind for family or bridal portraits, let me know so these can be incorporated into the plan.

5. Collaboration and Coordination

To fully understand the flow of your day, I work closely with the bride, her family, the wedding planner, church staff, and other key individuals. This collaboration helps me know where to be, what to shoot, and how to make the day run as smoothly as possible. My goal is to allow you to relax and enjoy your wedding while I capture every meaningful detail.

6. Wedding Day Plan

To ensure every moment is captured, here is a suggested wedding day plan to guide the flow of photography:

• Bride Getting Ready: Photos of the bride with her bridal party, hair and makeup moments, details of the dress, shoes, and accessories.

• Groom Getting Ready: Shots of the groom with his groomsmen, tying ties, cufflinks, and candid moments.

• First Look (Optional): A private moment between the couple to see each other before the ceremony.

• Arrival at the Venue: Capturing the transportation, arrival of the bride and groom, and venue exterior.

• Ceremony: Photos of the guests arriving, the wedding procession, vows, exchange of rings, and the first kiss.

• Post-Ceremony: Group photos, family portraits, and candid moments with guests.

• Couple Portraits: Intimate shots of the newlyweds in planned locations around the venue.

• Reception Details: Decorations, table settings, cake, and special details of the venue.

• Reception Events: Speeches, dinner, cutting of the cake, and toasts.

• First Dance: Capturing the newlyweds’ first dance and guests joining in.

7. The Value of Photography

It’s common for the photography budget to be underestimated. However, after the day is over, your photos become the lasting memories of one of the most special days of your life. Your photographer doesn’t just capture the moments but also edits and presents them beautifully, allowing you to cherish them for years to come.

By sharing these details and collaborating with your photographer, you can ensure your wedding day is documented perfectly, leaving you with timeless memories to treasure.