Bride’s Preparations: Plan for Calm, Beautiful Moments
The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Have Your Details Ready: Please have your dress, shoes, jewelry, perfume, and other accessories ready and in one place. This helps me find the perfect spot with the best light and background to photograph these details beautifully and efficiently.
Timing the Makeup: From a photography perspective, the best moment to start photographing you is when your makeup is around 90% done. At this stage, you’ll already have that polished bridal glow, which translates beautifully on camera.
Putting on the Dress: This is often one of the most emotional and intimate moments of the day, shared with your mother, sister, or maid of honor. It’s a beautiful scene to capture—full of anticipation and connection.
If you’d prefer not to have this moment photographed, no problem at all—just let me know in advance so I can step out while you get ready and return once you’re dressed.
Create a Calm Atmosphere: A peaceful, uncluttered environment makes a big difference. Too many people in the room can create stress and distraction—not just for you, but also for your photos. Consider keeping the number of people in the room to a minimum during this part of the day.
Groom’s Preparations:
The groom’s getting ready moments are an important part of the story and deserve just as much attention. To make the most of this time:
Have Everything Ready in One Place: Please make sure key items like the jacket, tie or bow tie, shoes, watch, cufflinks, and perfume are all together and ready in a clean, uncluttered spot. This helps me capture those classic detail shots quickly and creatively. If the groom has any special items (such as a family heirloom or a meaningful gift from the bride), make sure these are featured in your photos.
When I Start Shooting: I usually begin photographing the groom once he’s already wearing his trousers and shirt. From there, I’ll document the final touches—like buttoning the shirt, adjusting the tie, putting on the jacket, and so on. These are the moments that add elegance and personality to the photos.
First Look: A Private Moment, Full of Emotion
The First Look is an intimate and emotional moment where the couple sees each other for the first time before the ceremony. It’s a beautiful way to pause, connect, and share a quiet moment together amidst the excitement of the day.
Emotional & Authentic: This moment is often filled with genuine reactions—tears, laughter, hugs—that make for some of the most heartfelt photos.
Let Me Know in Advance: If you're planning to have a First Look, please let me know ahead of time so I can choose a calm, private, and beautiful location that enhances the experience and looks great in photos.
Wedding Ceremony: Make It Personal and True to You
The ceremony is the emotional heart of your wedding day. Beyond the formalities, it’s a chance to create a moment that truly reflects your relationship and values. The more personal it is, the more meaningful—and photogenic—it becomes.
Make It Yours: Whether it’s through custom vows, special readings, music that resonates with you, or small symbolic gestures, personal touches make your ceremony feel more authentic and emotional—not just for you, but for your guests too.
Don’t Block Your Face: When walking down the aisle or exiting the ceremony, try not to hold your bouquet too high or bring your arms in front of your face. Keeping an open, relaxed posture helps capture your emotions and expressions clearly. If you plan to have a confetti or petal toss, make sure it’s organized to avoid chaos.
Family Portraits: Keep It Intimate and Well-Planned
Family portraits are a classic part of any wedding day, but they don’t need to be overwhelming. The best way to keep this moment calm and meaningful is to plan it in advance and focus on what really matters.
Close Family Only: If you choose to take portraits only with your closest family members—such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and godparents—you can do so immediately before your couple session. This helps keep things relaxed and efficient.
Discreet and Intimate: To ensure everything runs smoothly, let these specific family members know in advance that they’ll need to step away from the cocktail area at the right time. This allows us to do the portraits in a quieter spot, away from the crowd, resulting in more intimate and natural images.
Plan Ahead: Having a short, organized list of combinations you’d like is helpful, so we can move through this moment quickly and keep the flow of the day going.
Couple Session: A Quiet Pause
The couple session is one of the few moments during the day where you can slow down and simply be together. It’s a chance to connect, breathe, and let it all sink in—while I quietly capture the beauty and emotion of it.
Keep It Short and Sweet: Around 20 minutes is ideal. More than that, and you might start feeling disconnected from your own wedding. This is your day—above all, you should live it and enjoy it. The couple session should feel like a pause, not a break from the celebration.
The Best Light: The most flattering and romantic light usually happens close to sunset (the golden hour). If we can schedule the session around the time your guests are being seated for dinner, it works perfectly—everyone will be busy finding their place, and your absence will go almost unnoticed.
Come with the Right Mindset: Just be yourselves. Hold hands, walk, talk, laugh. Trust me to guide you subtly when needed, but the most powerful photos come from real connection, not pressure or performance. This moment is about the two of you—enjoy it.
Reception Room Lighting
Reception lighting can drastically affect your photos, so think about the ambiance you want to create:
Soft and Warm Lighting: Work with your venue to ensure the lighting is soft and warm. Harsh lighting can cause unflattering shadows, while dim lighting can make it hard for the photographer to capture crisp images.
The Best Light: The most flattering and romantic light usually happens close to sunset (the golden hour). If we can schedule the session around the time your guests are being seated for dinner, it works perfectly—everyone will be busy finding their place, and your absence will go almost unnoticed.
Candles or String Lights: Consider adding candles or string lights to create a cozy, romantic atmosphere that will look beautiful in photos.
Speeches and Toasts
Speeches are a beautiful way to share memories, emotions, and kind words—but their length and timing can really influence the atmosphere in the room.
Brief and Sweet: Encourage your speakers to keep their speeches concise and focused. Long speeches can make guests restless or cause them to lose attention
Avoid Between Courses: It’s best to avoid speeches being made between dishes. Not only can the sound of cutlery and ongoing service be distracting, but plates with leftover food don’t create the most elegant background in your photos.
Earlier Is Better: If possible, schedule speeches early in the evening, before guests become fully immersed in dinner or dancing. This helps maintain everyone’s attention and ensures the moment feels special.
DJ and Band: Set the Mood, Light the Party
The reception is your time to celebrate—and the right lighting and vibe on the dance floor can make all the difference.
Good Lighting for the Dance Floor: Make sure your DJ or band provides dynamic and atmospheric lighting. Soft, colorful lights help create energy and make your dance floor feel alive—plus, it looks amazing in photos.
Keep It Fun: This is where some of the most spontaneous and joyful moments happen. Dance, laugh, and let go. Your photographer will be there to catch all the magic.
Lead the Party: When the couple is on the dance floor, everyone else follows. Your presence keeps the energy high and invites your guests to truly let loose and celebrate with you.