CONGRATULATIONS
I am so honoured to join you on your wedding day
I know there is a lot that goes into planning a wedding,
so I want to make the photography the easiest part.
Here’s What to Expect
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Once you’ve paid the booking fee & confirmed your contact details, you’re officially on the calendar! Next, you’ll get an email from me with a link to sign your contract & select or confirm your wedding photography package.
(the invoice will be available after you sign the contract and can be paid by or before the day of the wedding)
You’ll also get a link to a questionnaire that has been designed to help you with the planning process - there is no need to fill it out until closer to your wedding date.
Between now and your wedding, I’ll send you a couple of emails to keep in touch, and about a week before the wedding we will schedule a video chat to go over the timeline, details, and anything else that comes up - and it is always nice to see each other again before the big day!
ON THE WEDDING DAY
There’s no need to pose or smile or do anything at all. Just be yourself, do what you do, have fun and relax - and make wonderful memories!
MORNING PREP
The day is here! And you’re surrounded by people who love you and who are excited to celebrate with you. It’s a time for pampering, fixing hair, doing make-up, and calming excited nerves. I won’t tell you want to do, or give you a schedule, I’m just there to capture the real, natural, funny, emotional, and sometimes nerve-wracking moments as you get ready.
If you’re getting ready in the same place, or if the groom is nearby, I'll pop over to do the same with the guys. Don’t worry… I’ll make sure they’re all dressed. And wait for me for the good stuff - like opening your bride’s present, or fixing up the boutineers!
BRIDAL PORTRAITS & GROOM’S PHOTOS
When you are all done and ready to go, I’m going to take five minutes to get some pictures of you before you’re a married woman. I’ll give you a few suggestions of where to stand or stand, how to hold your flowers, and more than likely ooh and ah over your dress.
The Guys
It doesn’t take long to get a few photos of the groom, best man & groomsmen all dressed up and ready to go. Don’t worry, we usually have a bit of a laugh and I try to calm a few jitters as well.
THE REVEAL / FIRST LOOK
Some brides like to get dressed on their own, and then surprise their bridesmaids, or father, or dear friends before they meet at the ceremony. It’s always a special moment when that happens.
And if you’re thinking you’d like to see each other before the ceremony, let me know and we can talk about a “First Look”
THE CEREMONY
BEFORE
If I can, I will leave a little before you and take pictures of your family and friends arriving, hugging, settling in and all the excited anticipation. If I haven’t had a chance to get a picture of the guys, I’ll take some candid portraits as they’re meeting everyone, doing the last minute bits, and waiting for you!
Make sure to send me a text before you leave so I’ll be ready for your arrival!
DURING
I’ll photograph all the beautiful moments that take you from being not-married to married: the bride’s entrance, the vows, the rings, the kiss and all. My goal during this time is to be as discreet as possible, while also making sure to get photos of the most important parts of the ceremony.
AFTER
The bride & groom usually exit first, with everyone else coming after you for hugs, kisses, and congratulations. I love this time and use it to get candid & natural pictures with you & your guests.
Once this is done, people may want to get a photograph with you, I am happy to take those as well… or take photos of them taking photos of you!
Family Portraits
The family formals are a beautiful tradition and important to have, but they don’t have to take long - we’ll go fast, have a bit of fun, and before you know it everyone will be on their way to the reception!
These are best done right away at the ceremony location.
More photos can be taken later at a different place, but the most important photos, especially those with people who tire easily, young children, or even the people who simply tend to wander away (my brother, cough-cough) are best taken as soon as possible.
HOW IT WORKS
For a very short and loud few minutes, I’ll wave my hand in the air and get everyone’s attention.
I’ll give a few basic pointers (stand close together, look at me) and off we go!
W will start big and go small: First, we’ll take pictures of everyone - both sides of the family, friends and bridal party.
Then we will move to each side of the family, close friends, and finally the bridal party.
If you have a flower girl or any other children, I usually take photos with them ASAP - and then let them run free.
Who do you want most to have a formal photo with? Aside from immediate family, is there a godmother, favourite uncle, or even friend who flew in from Australia that you haven’t seen in 10 years… if they are important to you, they are to me as well!
Let me know down the names & your relationship to each person & group you want. (ex: Mary, godmother to bride) and if there is anyone who needs to go first due to age, injury, or any other special circumstances.
It’s also super helpful to have someone who
knows what most of the people look like and can help me out.
It takes around 3-5 minutes per group photo, I have a few tricks to make it go quickly & smoothly, but it’s good to have an idea of how long it will take when you’re making your list.
things to think about
Bride & Groom Portraits
While it’s really lovely to have a few pictures of the two of you together, how creative you want to be & how much time you want to spend is up to you. If you simply want a few photos of the two of you together so you can get back to the fun, we’ll make it quick and easy. We’ll go for a walk, just the three of us, and when we find a nice spot, I’ll tell you to stop, give you a few prompts or suggestions, and a bunch of pictures… and done. If you’d like to take a bit more longer, it can be a very special time to just be the two of you, in love, together on your wedding day. We can stay close to the venue, or head somewhere else for an hour.
And if you have absolutely no desire to pose or take time away from the day, then I will do my best to create beautiful, completely candid, completely documentary photos of you together, and so often, those are the ones that end up being treasured the most.
The Evening
Details and traditions, from the guest book to the cutting of the cake, weddings just keep getting better as the evening goes on. I love all the traditions - the grand entrance, the speeches, the first dance and everything!
My goal during the evening is simply to tell your story, so that years from now you can look back at the pictures and relive your day, any time you want. It goes by so quickly, and these pictures slow it all down.
During this time, I’ll be working in a reportage/ documentary manner - candid, unposed, with no direction at all. But I’m also there to get pictures of what you want, whether that’s a quick “Marie take a picture of me and Uncle Sean” or pictures of things you don’t even know are going on. I’ll be around for the reception, the grand entrance to dinner until they serve the first course.
At that point, I’ll slip away for something to eat, to back up all your precious photos, and to gather my energy for the evening. If I am with you for a full day, I’ll photograph the first dance, and several more dances. I’ll let you know before I have to go so you can make sure I get pictures of what’s most important to you. If you decide you want more, I’m happy to stay longer - all you have to do is let me know (before or on the day) and I can add that on to your package.
Your Photos
6-8 weeks after your wedding, you’ll get a link to an online gallery where you can see your pictures! You’ll be able to download all of them to your computer or cloud storage, and share your favourites on social media.
After you’ve looked at it, you can share it with your friends and family by sending them a link. They will create their own account. (If there are any photos you’d like kept to yourself, there is a button to “hide” them from the shared link.)
If your package included a wedding album, or you decide to purchase one for yourselves or as a parent gift, you’ll be sent a link to choose your favourite pictures - there’s nothing like being able to have these memories in your hand and home, a keepsake for all the years to come. I’ll design it for you and send it to you to approve the layout and choose your cover and personalisation. Production & delivery takes up to 8 weeks.
So what does it look like?
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