welcome tO the party!

So. We're Officially Together.

let's get married

You've done it. We liked each other, had a good vibe and I'm so excited to be your photographer. I'm here to help, at any time and in any way I can. Here's a guide I created to answer questions, give thoughts and ideas and things I've seen work really well at weddings.

This is a general guide and some of this may not apply to your specific wedding, but hey, you've got me wrapped around your finger so if you need anything, holler at me.

Important Note:

The B E S T way to contact me is via email.

You'll likely have my phone number by now, but please refrain from sending text messages other than to communicate about coordinating phone calls, or the week leading up to your wedding. I don't want your messages to get lost in the shuffle and email helps me keep things organized between personal & professional life! This doesn't mean you can never reach out, I'm here to help you, but email is the best way to communicate with me!

g e t t i n g r e a d y

6 Hour Packages - Generally covers up to 30 minutes of getting ready

8 Hour Packages - Generally covers 30 minutes to 1 hour of getting ready

Things to Have on hand & Consider

Invitations, jewelry, cuff links, boutonnieres, note to your future spouse, tie or bow tie & socks, his + her shoes, veil, garter(s), flower crown, lipstick, makeup, robes, shot glasses or groomsmen's gifts, other meaningful, fun, or sentimental details

his + her rings and ring box(es)

Order Matters: Typically brides will get their hair done first (to avoid sweating off makeup). Often times we'll do staged photos of getting ready at the very end of our time so you look completely put together & have all your makeup on. More makeup is better for photos! False Eyelashes, the whole 9 yards. If you're wearing a dark lipstick I recommend testing it and making sure it doesn't come off (practice kissing with it) or be prepared to reapply often! If you're looking for a brand that doesn't come off I recommend Lipsense or a Matte with chapstick over top.

Guys in Ties: Guys typically don't take long to get ready...but the process of actually encouraging to have them get into their attire can take a loooooong time. Making sure all the guys have their suits, ties or bow ties, socks & shoes ready can help get the process going!

C E R E M O N Y & R E C E P T I O N

This is the part where you're actually married! Don't forget to sign your marriage license or certificate. Heck. Bring it with you if you want and we'll have you sign it in real time! Make sure to read where to sign carefully!

Things to Consider

First Look: Holy Cow. I cannot recommend a First Look enough! I love them. They're great. 10/10. First Looks are such intimate moments that the two of you can share before you're officially married and they're often emotional and so sweet. It's a completely different experience than walking down the aisle and doesn't detract from the significance of that moment at all. This can be a sweet moment to give your person a heartfelt note or gift.

First-Time Officiants: It's so fun to have someone you know marry you! It's important for first-time officiants to practice the ceremony with you and make sure he or she asks you to hold hands during the ceremony! Make sure they have you kiss for the first time as a married couple!

Circular Ceremonies: It's a significant symbol to be literally surrounded by family, friends & the love & support they have for you two. This can be tricky to capture from a photography perspective.

Unplugged Ceremonies: Cell-Phone-Less ceremonies are really cool. They allow your guests to fully enjoy the ceremony and be present in the moment as you two join your lives together. It also prevents a ton of cell phones from popping up in photos. While great, it can be really difficult to actually enforce unplugged ceremonies unless a coordinator, officiant, or someone important is making it happen and asking phones to be put away. A great way to have this happen is to provide a photo opportunity at the end of the ceremony where guests are invited to pull out those cell phones and snap away, Instagram it or Facebook Live Stream. Speaking of live stream, it can be difficult when loved ones are unable to attend your wedding, so for Facebook Live I highly recommend setting up a tripod rather than having a guest walk around during the ceremony.

Get Centered & Lined Up: When you have an arch, alter, floral arrangement or some other structure you'll be standing in front of, it makes the photos look incredible when you're centered. Standing off-center can make the photos feel lopsided and can change the aesthetic of the image and be a distraction. You can always mark the ground where you want you and your bridal party to stand if there's any concern!

Toasts: I've seen Open Mic toasts go so well there isn't a dry eye in the room. I've also seen Open Mic toasts where no one speaks. This comes down to knowing your guests or at least having a back up plan! I also recommend giving the speakers a range of how long to speak for (1-4 minutes or 10+) whatever floats your boat.

Cake Cutting: Traditionally, the top layer of the cake is saved & frozen to eat again on the 1st year anniversary. While not quite as common any more, it's still a practice that some couples like to use. Totally optional, but if that's your thing, you do you!

Reception Send Off & Sparklers: You'll want to find 20" or 36" sparklers if you're planning on doing them, they burn for about 2.5 to 3 minutes and give us lots of time to play and have fun! Make sure to have a bucket of water, dirt or sand to put the sparklers out. They're flammable, very, very flammable so make sure you hand lighters out after the sparklers. I often recommend doing a mock send off earlier in the night if you or your guests plan to party it up. Drunk people & open flame can be an interesting combination!

Send-Off Alternatives that Work Well:

Fiber-Optic Wands, Confetti Canons, Ribbons, & Birdseed.

P O R T R A I T S

Portraits are awesome, epic, fun, silly, and romantic. Let's take a TON of them! These are arguably the most important photos from this day, so let's make sure to schedule ample time for them.

Things to Do & Consider

Lighting & Sunset: I like to get as many portraits done as possible! These are some of the most important memories you'll have. Portraits often happen at two different times of the day: Full Daylight and Sunset or Golden Hour. For portraits during the day, full shade or full sun are ideal. We don't want you looking splotchy in the uneven shade beneath trees!

Sunset & Golden Hour portraits are always a great idea! Golden Hour happens at different times depending on the venue, mountains, buildings & other structures and landscapes can impact the time of the sunset. You can Google sunset on your wedding day and in your city! This time represents "True Sunset" or the moment the sun dips behind the horizon. Unless we're shooting on the coast, we should go out 30-45 minutes prior to True Sunset and take our portraits.

Props: "Thank You" signs for a photo to send along with your thank you cards, your bouquet and veil!

sample timeline

This represents full day timeline with a ceremony beginning at 4pm and 8 hours of photography coverage. This was created for a one-location wedding & all-inclusive venue + getting ready space.

10am-12:30pm Hair & Make Up

1:00pm Aspen & 2nd Photographer arrive

1:30pm Done with makeup

2:00pm Done getting ready

2:15pm First Look

2:30-3:30pm Wedding party photos (bride's side + groom’s side)

3:30pm Guests begin to arrive/pre-ceremony music

4:00pm Ceremony

4:30pm Recessional & Ceremony ends

4:30-5:30 Cocktail hour

5:30pm Grand Entrance

5:40pm Dinner