engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
welcome to the
WEDDING GUIDE
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I'm so thrilled to be working with you and I can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! This is such an exciting time for you and I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. You’re planning the day that you’ve been anticipating your whole life and yet you only get one shot at it! By the time you get the hang of it, the planning is over!
My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. Photography is more than just images; it’s a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. The goal of this guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow me to provide you with the BEST experience possible.
Since we’re official, the next step is to plan your engagement session and then start chatting about wedding day details as we get closer to your date! I’m beyond excited to be working with you!!
Xo, Emily
welcome!
I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, they also give you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. I've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!
plan your session
Engagement Session
Vendors
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE
Over the years, I've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. I've worked with many of the vendors below and I can't recommend them enough! This is not a paid list - I chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.
WEDDING PLANNERS
FLORAL DESIGNERS
ViDEOGRAPHY
CATERING
DJ & BANDS
HAIR & MAKEUP
CAKES
Jocelyn Taylor Bridal & Prom
The Bridal Shop
Sarah's Bridal Gallery
Schaffer's Bridal
A Storybook Ending Bridal Salon
WEDDING DRESS
RENTALs
Invitations
CALLIGRAPHY
OFFICIANT
That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a "first look" prior to the ceremony.
First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become very popular over the last decade. (Over ninety percent of my couples chose to do a first look!)
While I consider myself a person who values traditions, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look. Here are 5 reasons to consider a first look.
Is a First Look Right for You?
If you're wondering whether a first look is right for you, stop here.
You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man! Most couples don’t realize that when the bride comes down the aisle and totally shocks the groom with her beauty, he can’t even tell her how amazing she looks. He can’t touch you, embrace you, or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.
1. A first look allows you to enjoy the surprise freely.
When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. All of this lasts the entirety of the cocktail hour.
A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures, bride & groom portraits, and family photos. This allows you (and your families and bridal party) to get the most out of cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed. It also allows more time for photos which results in...drumroll...more photos!!
2. IT MakeS more time for Pictures (without sacrificing cocktail hour).
If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, for example, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.
And reason 3b is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony. (The same rules apply on hot wedding days! Your hair and makeup will be freshest earlier in the day as will any sweat visible through the men's suits.)
3. Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up after crying
A first look allows you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. When my husband and I saw each other, not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the entire day! We hugged and laughed and hugged some more…and then that put us in the PERFECT mood for our romantic portraits. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode, especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments!
4. IT gives you some alone time on your wedding day.
You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, literally in half of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of the idea at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve-racking it can be. I have heard so many grooms (who initially weren’t a fan of the first look) admit afterwards that they felt so much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony! I have never yet photographed a couple who DID NOT have butterflies about that first sight, but knowing they could share it privately and earlier in the day made a huge difference in their overall wedding day experience.
5. it will diminish your nerves.
Wedding Day Timeline
building the perfect
Whether you choose to do a first look or wait to see each other until the ceremony, I will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.
If you're choosing to go traditional, you'll need two different sets of photo times: images taken before the ceremony and images taken after the ceremony.
You'll need to plan for about 20 minutes of pre-ceremony bridal photos (bride and maids) and another 20 minutes of pre-ceremony groom photos (groom and men) at separate times. You'll also need 20 minutes of combined bridal party portaits, 30 minutes of family portraits, and at least 30-45 minutes of couple's portraits after the ceremony if you're not doing any portraits together beforehand.
Whether you're planning a first look or sticking with tradition and not seeing your groom until you walk down the aisle, I have tips to help make planning your timeline as easy as possible!
If you're doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 1.5 hours pre-ceremony. (I also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom portraits later on in the day at sunset!)
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all I ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding in regards to what time sunset is (so it's not dark after the ceremony) and how long your cocktail hour is (to give us time for photos before the reception officially begins).
If you're planning an evening ceremony or a late afternoon ceremony in the fall, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.
12 pm
BRIDAL DETAILS
12 pm - bridal details
Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her carefully curated details. They're an important part of the wedding day story and I love taking the necessary time to shoot the dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, etc. I like to allow at least 1 hour for this part of the day. While we're shooting details, we are also capturing shots of the bride and her ladies finishing up hair and makeup.
1 pm - bridal prep
1 pm
BRIDAL prep
It’s time for the bride to get into her gown! This is a big moment! I ask the mother of the bride, bridesmaids, and anyone else who will be in the room (grandmothers, groom’s mother—it’s entirely up to you who you want to share this moment with!) to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her gown. This ensures that everyone will look their best in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc.
1:45 pm - first look
1:45 pm
first look
This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! If you don’t have a specific spot pick out, I will find the perfect location for you. I will look first for good light, but also try to make sure the location is as private and secluded as possible.
2 pm - bride & groom portraits
2 pm
bride & groom portraits
After the bride and groom take their time with the First Look, I will begin taking romantic and fun portraits of the two of them while the initial excitement is still present! (Please wear your wedding rings for these shots!) I will find the locations for these shots. Because the LIGHT determines where we shoot, I will decide on portrait locations on the wedding day. As we shoot these portraits, the bridal party can start making their way to us for bridal party portraits.
2:30 pm - bridal party portraits
2:30 pm
BRIDAL party portraits
Now it’s time for bridal party shots! I buffer in extra time throughout the day just in case we have some unexpected things that hold us up and one way to make sure we stay on schedule for bridal party portraits is to have someone put the boutonnières on the guys BEFORE they arrive for photos. During this time, I will make sure to take great shots of the guys and gals both separately AND together!
3 PM - FAMILY PORTRAITS
3 pm
family portraits
We’ll need around 30 minutes for family photos and I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can checkmark and list out the shots that you want. I recommend shooting portraits outdoors if possible so that they resemble more natural family portraits, especially if the ceremony location is dark!
3:30 pm - bride in hiding
3:30 pm
bride in hiding
After family portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding before early guests arrive and the ushers will begin their duties. This is a great time for the bridal party to use the restroom, hydrate, and eat a quick snack, especially if it’s a hot day! (We don't want anyone passing out during the ceremony!)
3:30 pm - reception details
3:30 pm
RECEPTION DETAILS
If the reception and ceremony are in the same location, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor untouched. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats.
4 pm - ceremony
4 pm
CEREMONY
It’s time to get married!! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes long, but if your ceremony is longer, we’ll make adjustments to the timeline when we are creating it in the months before the wedding. Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!
4:30 PM - cocktail hour
4:30 pm
COCKTAIL HOUR
During cocktail hour, I will shoot more reception details and finalize all lighting prep for the reception. I also love to catch you and your guests mingling and having a good time.
5:30 pm - grand entrances
5:30 pm
GRAND ENTRANCES & FIRST DANCE
There are many ways you can organize the flow of your reception, but one popular way is to have the first dance directly following the grand entrances. All eyes are on you as you enter the reception so the segue to your special first dance is very natural.
5:45 PM - toasts
5:45 pm
TOASTS
The welcome speech naturally follows the first dance and hungry guests can get started on their salads. A great time for toasts is about midway through the entrees, as the bridal party is typically done first (since they are served first) and guests are still eating. Most guests love two things: food and dancing. Less "downtime" means no boredom at your party!
6:15 PM - Sunset portraits
6:15 pm
SUNSET PORTRAITS
Each couple’s timeline is specifically written up with the sunset time in mind. About 20-40 minutes before the sun sets, I like to take my couples back outside for a few minutes (about 15 or as much as you'll let me) of sunset photos. This part of the day is when the sun is glowy and golden. This is also a special time in the day for you two, now married(!), to have some quiet time together.
6:45 PM - Dance floor opens
6:45 pm
DANCE FLOOR OPENS
The house lights dim, the party lights start beaming, and the music ramps up for possibly the most FUN part of the evening: open dancing!
8 pm - Photographers Depart
8 pm
PHOTOGRAPHERS DEPART
I include 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for the main events of the reception! The DJ and wedding coordinator are in charge of running your reception and I work closely with them to help ensure that all of your formal reception events (first dances, cake cutting, etc.) are done before we leave. I won't leave you hanging if things get behind and you want me to stay longer!
1pm - bridal details
1 pm
BRIDAL DETAILS
Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her carefully curated details. They're an important part of the wedding day story and I love taking the necessary time to shoot the dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, etc. I like to allow at least 1 hour for this part of the day. While we're shooting details, we are also capturing shots of the bride and her ladies finishing up hair and makeup.
2 pm - bridal prep
2 pm
BRIDAL prep
It’s time for the bride to get into her gown! This is a big moment! I ask the mother of the bride, bridesmaids, and anyone else who will be in the room (grandmothers, groom’s mother—it’s entirely up to you who you want to share this moment with!) to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her gown. This ensures that everyone will look their best in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc.
2:45 pm - BRIDE & LADIES PORTRAITS
2:45 pm
BRIDE & LADIES PORTRAITS
While the men stay tucked in their getting ready room, I'll take the ladies outside for portraits. We'll spend around 20 minutes here getting photos of all the ladies as well as the bride individually with each bridesmaid. Once the ladies are all back in their getting ready room, I'll grab the guys for their turn!
3:15 PM - groom & men portraits
3:15 pm
GROOM & MEN PORTRAITS
The ladies are tucked away again and the guys come outside for their photos. They should already have their boutonnières pinned so they are ready to go. Same as the ladies, this will last around 20 minutes and I'll do photos of all the gentlemen together as well as individuals of the groom with each of the groomsmen.
3:45 pm - reception details
3:45 pm
RECEPTION DETAILS
If the reception and ceremony are in the same location, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor untouched. (Please note: if the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I will not be able to get decor shots as we will be spending that time post-ceremony during cocktail hour doing photos.)
4 pm - bride in hiding
4 pm
bride in hiding
By this time, the bride will be in hiding and the ushers will begin their duties. I'll be finishing up the groom/groomsmen photos. This is a great time for the bridal party to use the restroom, hydrate, and eat a quick snack, especially if it’s a hot day! (We don't want anyone passing out during the ceremony!)
4:30 pm - Ceremony
4 pm
CEREMONY
It’s time to get married!! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes long, but if your ceremony is longer, we’ll make adjustments to the timeline when we are creating it in the months before the wedding. Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!
5 pm - family portraits
5 pm
family portraits
I do these right after the ceremony because everyone you need will be easy to grab and it’ll allow parents to be done with photos sooner so they can mingle and host during cocktail hour. We’ll need around 30 minutes for family photos and I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can checkmark and list out the shots that you want. I recommend shooting portraits outdoors if possible so that they resemble more natural family portraits, especially if the ceremony location is dark!
5:30 pm - bridal party portraits
5:30 pm
BRIDAL PARTY portraits
Now it’s time for full bridal party shots with guys and gals! The bridal party should be advised beforehand to stick around after the ceremony so that, as soon as we are done with family photos, we can get to the full group bridal party portraits without wasting time trying to find people. Since we'll have taken all the separated groupings beforehand, this should only take 15-20 minutes.
5:45 pm - bride & Groom portraits
5:45 pm
bride & groom portraits
Up to this point, it may feel a bit rushed and chaotic, with me needing you for photos and guests stopping you for quick congratulatory hugs, but I promise, this moment will now be for you two! The family and bridal party photos will be done; they will all be dismissed to go enjoy the remainder of cocktail hour and it will suddenly become much quieter and the joyful weight of your newly wedded bliss will engulf you. We will spend around 30 minutes here for photos of the two of you.
6:30 PM - Grand entrances
There are many ways you can organize the flow of your reception, but one popular way is to have the first dance directly following the grand entrances. All eyes are on you as you enter the reception so the segue to your special first dance is very natural.
6:30 pm
grand entrances & first dance
6:45 PM - Toasts
6:45 pm
TOASTS
The welcome speech naturally follows the first dance and hungry guests can get started on their salads. A great time for toasts is about midway through the entrees, as the bridal party is typically done first (since they are served first) and guests are still eating. Most guests love two things: food and dancing. Less "downtime" means no boredom at your party!
7:15 PM - sunset portraits
7:15 pm
SUNSET PORTRAITS
Each couple’s timeline is specifically written up with the sunset time in mind. About 20-40 minutes before the sun sets, I like to take my couples back outside for a few minutes (about 15 or as much as you'll let me) of sunset photos. This part of the day is when the sun is glowy and golden. During the spring and fall, this may actually happen during your portrait time following the ceremony as the sun sets earlier.
7:45 PM - dance floor opens
7:45 pm
DANCE FLOOR OPENS
The house lights dim, the party lights start beaming, and the music ramps up for possibly the most FUN part of the evening: open dancing!
8 PM - photographers depart
8 pm
PHOTOGRAPHERS DEPART
I include 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for the main events of the reception! The DJ and wedding coordinator are in charge of running your reception and I work closely with them to help ensure that all of your formal reception events (first dances, cake cutting, etc.) are done before we leave. I won't leave you hanging if things get behind and you want me to stay longer!
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! If you don't believe me, just take a look at Anna & Travis' wedding day. It rained the entire day and it was still beautiful!
Here are some quick tips. 1) If rain is in the forecast, order a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. I recommend half of the bridal party count in umbrellas (two people to one umbrella). 2) All I need to create natural light portraits on a rainy wedding day is a porch or overhang!
Rain Tips
3) If you don't own a pair of cute wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair, even if you're just wearing them in between shooting locations.
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.
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!
I know that rain isn’t ideal and no bride would wish for rain on their big day but if it happens, it happens...and it’s going to be JUST fine!!
Take it one step at a time. Don’t think about your entire day and what will happen if it rains. That will only overwhelm you! Definitely have a rain plan for your venue, but then let your vendors do the work of handling the rest of the day if rain is in the forecast.
The whole day begins with the DETAILS! This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day! I photograph a bride’s details in a way that matches and showcases the style of the entire wedding day. So, in some ways, the details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding and I love having ample time to stylize and shoot everything from the dress to the jewelry to grandma’s handkerchief! Below you’ll find a list of the most common details that I shoot. I ask brides to gather any details they have before I arrive so that I can walk in, say hello, give you a huge hug and then begin with all the goodies! (Please assure your mom that I will take GREAT care of the dress, I promise!)
Wedding Day Details
GOWN
Dress Hanger
Rings (engagement ring & both wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
perfume
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite ( 2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like programS
Bridal DETAILS Checklist
shoes
Socks (if they're special)
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Ring
Anything else he has that is special or sentimental
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include (I once had a bride bring her family's generational bible with wedding dates inside the cover. This is completely optional, but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, i'd love to include it!)
some cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply a small bucket of extra stems, i can incorporate them in your detail shots.
GROOM DETAILS Checklist
Click here for a printable checklist!
I include the ring shots with the detail photos so please have all three rings in the bridal suite along with the rest of your details!
If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself. To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and repeat if needed.
the Rings
I absolutely love meeting my couple’s families on the wedding day! Family formals are normally my first interaction with them and so I love to have a game plan for this part of the day! Two to three months before the wedding, you’ll receive a questionnaire from me that will ask you to list out the family formals you want me to capture. On the wedding day, both me and my assistant will have a printout of the list so that we make sure not to miss a grouping.
Here is a sample family formal list to help you start preparing what shots you need. (If there are parent divorces or separations, we will do separate groupings for each parent, but this checklist is a great guide for what my normal must-haves are for family photos.)
Family Formals
your entire family, dressed up and together
B&G with Bride’s Parents
Bride with her Parents
Bride with Mom, Bride with Dad
Bride with her Sibling(s)
B&G with Bride’s Immediate Family (parents, siblings, spouses, nieces, nephews)
B&G with Bride’s Grandparents
B&G with Groom’s Parents
Groom with his Parents
Groom with Mom, Groom with Dad
Groom with his Sibling(s)
B&G with Groom’s Immediate Family (parents, siblings, spouses, nieces, nephews)
B&G with Groom’s Grandparents
FAMILY formals Checklist
Unplugging
If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and I'm sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads, and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help me and my assistant do the best possible job capturing your wedding, I recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony and simply be present.
1. If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and lightheadedness!
2. If it's going to be a hot day, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool, especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.
3. Alternately, if it's a chilly day, consider grabbing some blankets for bridal party to use when they're not in photos (for example, when I'm photographing just the guys and the women are waiting), hand warmers (the kind you use at football games), and some beautiful pashmina scarfs or fur wraps that can be worn in photographs.
4. Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help so water doesn't get on any of the ladies' dresses as the water spots can show in photos.
Additional Tips
AFTER SHOOTING over 200 weddings, I'm happy to share a few additional tips
5. To help make family portraits go smoother, it's best to have a breakdown of what portraits you'd like. As I mentioned above, the questionnaire that I send you prior to the wedding will give you a checklist of all the "standard" groupings as well as give you a place to list any additional groupings you want. I take those responses from your questionnaire and time out how long we'll need. If there are specific groupings that your parents, for example, want, please list them in the questionnaire so we can make sure we allocate time.
6. I always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest. Guests typically arrive early to weddings.
7. Lastly, wedding days go by so quickly! From start to finish, they can feel like just a minute has passed. In the months leading up to the wedding, you've put forth the work to bring it all together. So when the day finally arrives, try to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Nothing (big or small, I promise!) can ruin you getting married and, since that is the goal, don't stress about any bumps. It's here! Let's get you married!
There is something special about your first family heirloom. Having digital images is wonderful, but having a printed keepsake that tells a visual story of our wedding day is priceless! If you haven’t already invested in a Legacy Wedding Album of your own, you can always come back to me at any time and order one. I will never push a product sales at you, however, I do believe wedding albums are important not just to have for yourself, but for your future children and grandchildren to enjoy as well.
Albums
more details