Wedding GUIDE
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Thank you again for choosing to work with us and please don't hesitate to let us know if we can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!
We’re so excited to be working with you.
We can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! We know photography is one of the more significant investments you're making for your wedding day, and we're so honored you chose to work with us!
Even if you're working with a wedding planner or planning a simple wedding, there are likely still many moving pieces to complete before your big day.
Having photographed more than 350 weddings over the past years, we tend to get asked the same things over and over again. So, we thought it would be beneficial to put together a guide that walks you through everything from timelines to engagement sessions and inclement weather.
get comfortable and love your photos
Engagement Session
TIMELESS, PERSONAL,
AUTHENTIC & ENTIRELY YOU.
We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons.
Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, but they also allow you to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you.
We recommend wearing something you love. Of course, we understand it might feel like a good time to try a new outfit, but make sure you love it first. Don’t let your engagement session be your first time trying something new.
We love layers. We love fabrics like wool and linen. We love color. Could you match your outfits to the season and coordinate bits of color between you? When you watch a movie or TV show - look at how colors are coordinated between the different characters. This will give you some insight into what we are talking about.
Remember, don’t get too hung up on these things since the real secret to making a great photo is the connection between the two of you.
The same goes for picking a place to do the session.
Sometimes, couples suggest things that make us feel like it’s a tourist shoot. This isn’t a time to get great shots of the Empire State Building. We want a place to wander, talk, take photos, and have fun.
Side streets in Manhattan or parks that aren’t overly crowded. In the Hudson Valley, we’ll probably go to an estate or park and explore. We look for great light and a great connection. That is key to making unforgettable photos.
Also remember, we can’t carry your bag. So, if you are in NYC, bring the bare minimum because no one will watch your stuff while we are taking photos, and we don’t want anything stolen. We can hold a phone or keys, but that is about it.
We will also plan two dates if one doesn’t work because of the weather or something else that comes up. Most sessions are in the afternoon or early evening, depending on the time of year.
All sessions take place Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays.
A shot from Miami Vice. The color coordination is no mistake.
how should you see each other for the first time
First Looks
A NEW TRADITION OR IS IT JUST FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS?
That moment a couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day can be magical.
This is true whether the couple chooses to wait until they walk down the aisle or choose to do a first look before the ceremony.
First looks - a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony - have become a modern tradition. Almost all of our couples choose to do this unless they are marrying in a church.
There are a few good reasons to consider doing a first look. Here are three:
A FIRST LOOK CUTS THROUGH THE CHAOS OF THE DAY
A first look is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on all this day means before your day takes off.
Wedding days can be a whirlwind, and they tend to fly by. There is so much to do and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. We always encourage our couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening around them.YOU DON’T HAVE TO SACRIFICE THE COCKTAIL HOUR
When you choose not to do a first look, your portraits, family portraits, and wedding party portraits have to be done during cocktail hour.We usually spend 45-60 minutes with our couples doing photos, 30 minutes doing family photos, and about 15-20 minutes doing wedding party photos. So, adding that up, it is about 90-120 minutes. Most cocktail hours are 60 minutes. So something has to go. It’s our experience that photo time with our couples is what usually gets sacrificed. Honestly, we think this is too bad. Most of our couples get married at beautiful places, and our natural portrait style comes from not being super rushed and being able to walk around the estate or venue. It is really hard, if not impossible, to do this in 15 minutes.
One exception is with a church wedding that occurs earlier in the day. Then there is usually enough time to do all the portraits before the cocktail hour.
So if you have done a first look, usually all we ask, depending on the venue, are a few sunset shots. You are free to have fun with your fmaily and friends and enjoy your cocktail hour!BAD WEATHER
Having a first look and the opportunity to do portraits before your ceremony, gives us a built-in buffer in case the weather is not cooperating. Often this means, that we can also try to do some photos during cocktail hour if the weather hasn’t cooperated earlier in the day. Vice-versa, if we are only doing portraits after the ceremony during cocktail hour and the weather is bad, well we won’t have had another opportunity.
CHURCH WEDDINGS
We don’t necessarily need to do a first look for most weddings in churches. Usually, the ceremony time is mid-day and this then gives us time after the ceremony and before the cocktail hour to do all of the formal photos.
RAIN TIPS
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful.
If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas and something to wear on your feet. It also might be good to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light, even if it means heading off-site.
If you don’t own a pair of cute wellies, now may be the time!
If you are not working with a planner, it could be good to check with your venue to make sure they are aware of the weather. Same with your other vendors. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events, and a tent floor is also a great idea.
While we can’t guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a beautiful day and beautiful photos.
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn’t any reason why they can’t be as beautiful as a sunny day wedding.
WEDDING DAY DETAILS
We will talk to you about how important details are to you.
For some couples, details are very important. From your signature invitations to florals, you want everything captured. This is okay, but know that sometimes this requires a little extra time, and if you only have one photographer, it may mean adding a second photographer so we know everything will get photographed.
For most weddings, we capture the main details of the day; after all, you love capturing all the little details you’ve part of your wedding day.
If details are important to you and you are working with a wedding planner, we suggest budgeting about 30 minutes at the start of the day to capture and style the details of the invitations, flowers, rings, dresses, shoes, etc.
We recommend choosing a getting-ready location filled with natural light and if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.
It would be fantastic if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, etc. together in one spot for us. Please unwrap your outfits and assign someone in your party to handle them. You can pre arrange it before we get there to save time. Just think of a spot where the light is good.
FAMILY FORMAL PHOTOS
For family portraits, we’ll place you in the center of a large group photo with all of your parents and grandparents. You will always stay in the center.
We’ll keep removing family members and switch a few closer family members in and out so we get photos of you and your parents, you and your siblings, some with both of you, etc. Then, we’ll repeat the process with your spouse’s family. The whole thing will go quicker and smoother if you let the family know how the portrait process will work ahead of time.
When we send out our pre-wedding questionnaire, we’ll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations such as divorces or handicapped family members, and more. Still, if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you’ll find our typical list below:
FAMILY FORMAL CHECKLIST
both of you + side one family ( parents, siblings, grandparents)
both of you + side one family
Just you with your parents
Just you with parent 1
Just you with parent 2
Just you with your siblings
Just you with grandparents
your parents
Any siblings & spouses
Then we repeat the other side
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
Sometimes, this can get a bit chaotic, so we ask that you ask your wedding party members to cooperate with us for smooth sailing. For wedding party photos, we work with you on a list.
both of you + entire wedding party
person one with their side
person two with their side
each of you with each individual wedding party member
CONSIDER UNPLUGGING
If you have been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking their guests to remain unplugged during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange request to ask guests to put down their phones, there’s a pretty good reason for it!
You made a significant investment in photography, and we’re 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 cameras to help us do the best images possible capturing your wedding we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
DON’T FORGET THE SNACKS
A not-so-heavy snack or lunchtime before portraits is always a good idea for you and your wedding party to avoid hungry bellies and to pass out - especially on those hot summer days. Also, remember to have plenty of water for everyone - your wedding party, family members, and your photo & video crew.
EXTRA FLORALS
Make sure your bouquet is delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and your first look. They are often offered in water and must be dried off before use. I think having towels handy can help.
FIRST LOOK FOR PARENTS
If you plan on having a first look, you can have one with your wedding party or a parent, but remember they will feel more comfortable fully dressed for the moment.
EXTRA TIME
You can never have too much time.
PHOTO ANYONE?
During the reception, we’ll follow you around. Anytime you’d like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your paparazzi.
MOTHERS
If your mother is going to be present during getting ready photos you will usually want to make sure they are fully dressed and their hair and makeup are done before you get dressed.
Sample TIMELINES
-
8 HOURS
2:00 GETTING READY
3:00 FIRST LOOK + YOUR PORTRAITS
4:00 FAMILY PORTRAITS
4:30 WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
5:30 GUESTS ARRIVE
6:00 CEREMONY
6:30 COCKTAIL HOUR
7:30 RECEPTION
10:00 PHOTOGRAPHY ENDS -
9 HOURS
1:30 GETTING READY
2:30 FIRST LOOK + PORTRAITS
4:00 FAMILY PHOTOS
4:30 WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
5:30 GUESTS ARRIVE
6:00 CEREMONY
6:30 COCKTAIL HOUR
7:30 RECEPTION
10:30 PHOTOGRAPHY ENDS -
10 HOURS
1:00 GETTING READY
2:30 FIRST LOOK + YOUR PORTRAITS
4:00 FAMILY PHOTOS
4:30 WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
5:30 GUESTS ARRIVE
6:00 CEREMONY
6:30 COCKTAIL HOUR
7:30 RECEPTION
11:00 PHOTOGRAPHY ENDS