Allow your wedding day to simply be what it is. Whether that means inclement weather, forgetting that bracelet you wanted to wear, or events running way off schedule. Keeping an open mind will allow spontaneity and magic to surprise and delight you, and make your wedding uniquely yours.
Include your photographers on the guest list
This accomplishes three important things for you and for us. 1) Send us an invitation like everyone else; this gives us time to photograph it for you in advance instead of getting a quick shot on the wedding day. 2) If your photographers are on the guest list, they will be seated with the guests, which ensures they are always with you and will never miss a moment of your reception. 3) This also ensures we are fed in a timely manner (instead of a cold sandwich in a back office far away from you when speeches are happening). Food is energy, and energetic, happy photographers are exactly what you want when you have four hours of dancing ahead of you.
Transportation
Always have your photographers ride with you when possible. In the car on the way to the ceremony; in the limo on the way to the reception. You will get some of the most intimate moments captured this way, and also some of the wildest.
Creative Portraits
One of the most important parts of your wedding day is taking the time to make creative portraits of the two of you. Make sure to carve out 30 minutes to an hour for this. We will guide you through everything, but it’s important to remember these portraits require patience and tenacity, and occasionally an adventurous endeavor or two.
Hair and makeup
As you’re fleshing out your wedding-day schedule, ask your hair/makeup artist for an estimated time on how long this process will take, and then add at least 30 minutes as a buffer.
Getting Ready
Decide early on whether you want a quieter morning of getting ready alone; getting ready with just a couple of your closest friends; or having a room full of people around. Each arrangement provides a very different energy and environment. And it’s important to know ahead of time how your own demeanor and personal needs will mix with each situation.
Family Group Shots
We recommend doing immediate family only right after the ceremony (parents, siblings, grandparents, wedding party). If you have bigger groups, do them at the reception right after the cake cutting. Just have the DJ or band make an announcement.
Indoor Receptions
The more lighting you can bring in, the better! We love uplighting (orange, red, purple and pink look the best; stay away from green); candles, chandeliers and twinkle lights.
Tent Receptions
We love tent receptions, because the white canvas works really well with the way we use our flashes. To make it even prettier, add some sparkly chandeliers or lanterns, and lots of candles on the tables.