WELCOME & INTRO
ENGAGEMENT SESSION
PRE-WEDDING CHECKLIST
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
GETTING READY
PLANNING YOUR PHOTO LIST
FIRST LOOK
AFTER THE WEDDING
Before I really get into the helpful information, I want to make sure to take a moment to say "Thank You" for being here. Being considered to be the person who preserves your wedding moments in photos is an honor, and I know it was a decision you didn't make lightly. I am thrilled to be able to work with you, and over the next few months as we stay in touch, and you plan your wedding day, I cannot wait to hear about all the details so that when the special day is finally here, I can see all those meticulous decisions you made, come to fruition!
Choosing who you want to work with to bring your wedding to life is a significant decision, and I am honored that you are placing your trust in me. Through the last decade I've discovered what is important is not only beautiful images, but also the process leading up to your big day. I want to make this process a memorable and enjoyable experience for every one of my clients, through helpful guides, prompt communication, and updates as I process your wedding day gallery.
Engagement photos are the perfect way to get to know me and my process a little better. We can schedule and plan your session around you - making sure that the "where" reflects who the two of you are. From greenhouses to gardens, forest hikes and museums; we can put together a plan that suits you and your wedding.
Whether you're using engagement images for your wedding website, save the dates and invitations, or a guest book at your ceremony - planning this session gives you a chance to be in front of my camera and capture the excitement and anticipation of being engaged.
what's included
consultation, planning, client questionnaire
60-90 minute on location photosession
personal mood board & clothing suggestions
up to two locations & outfit changes
high resolution online digital gallery
50+ retouched images to download
Engagement photos should be about you and your personality, but I also know that choosing outfits can be tricky. I recommend planning two outfits - one that is date night casual, and one that is dressier, so that we can get you two different looks in your images. If you're working with me, you probably like the art inspired romantic work I showcase, so my recommendations are based on what will help you create the aesthetic you see on my site. If the suggestions don't work for you, let's work together to put a plan together for what makes you feel incredible.
I love the classic look of earth tones, neutrals, and soft colors - there's something eternally warm and inviting about taking inspiration from nature. Warm tans, soft dove grey, deep greens inspired by the forest, black and the blues of the ocean waves. These tend to be beautiful palettes against most locations - whether in nature or against some classic architecture. If you want to add some color, incorporating accessories or a singular piece of a statement color is a fantastic way to work in those bold looks without being too overwhelming.
People often think about color and shape, but don't think about how texture can add a visual element of interest to your outfits by giving it the depth it needs. Think about dichotomy and visual interest - a cozy knit with a soft flowing skirt, or a statement necklace with soft moving linen. For men, a smooth leather jacket over a ribbed sweater, or mixing incorporating linen, seer-sucker, or velvet can add a pop of textural interest.
Using layers to add visual interest is important. I've told clients throughout my career that bringing or wearing accessories and layers is important - if you arrive and it's too much we can always take it off and pare it down, but if you don't have the items with you, we can't add them. Jewelry, scarves, pocket squares, vests, and peacoats are all fantastic layering pieces that can be used to add pops of color and textural interest.
This might seem obvious but it's worth a mention. You're going to look your best when you feel your best - and that means trying your outfits on and seeing what makes you feel the most you, and comfortable. Taking the time to test run your outfit(s), even around your house, will ensure that when you're in front of the camera, you know you look phenomenal and stunning, because your confidence will absolutely radiate.
This might seem obvious, but you'll want to consider the location of your engagement session when considering clothing. A crop sweater and corduroy won't have the same impact at a museum as it might in a more urban setting or a vintage picnic hike vibe. I'd love to work with you to curate the outfits that fit you and your location when we are planning!
during your engagement session we will be working together to get a mix of poses and locations - so be sure you're comfortable sitting on the ground, and running | dancing | playing in the outfits you choose
Weather can be unpredictable. About a week prior to your session I'll begin monitoring the forecast. If the forecast is calling for heavy rain or snow, or unsafe heat, we may reschedule. Please be flexible if we are planning an outdoor session for you as I do my best to work with the weather we are given.
I generally suggest scheduling your engagement session around 3-6 months prior to your wedding day. This ensures we have plenty of time to plan, and you have plenty of time to print any images you'd like to use for your invitations or wedding. The three months prior to your wedding are going to be busy, and you won't want to add one more thing to your list as your day approaches.
Locations can be an incredibly personal choice - from a first date coffee shop, to a favorite activity, often couples will incorporate something they love into their sessions. If you aren't sure of where to have your engagement photoshoot though, I'm here to help. I have ideas for everyone, and together we can choose somewhere that reflects you, and will give us an interesting backdrop and beautiful lighting.
You said yes, and now you're officially engaged and about to start planning your wedding day and....... if you're anything like me, this is where things start to feel a little daunting, and where a lot of people I know freeze up. After all, you only get to have this day once, and in the age of Pinterest, the options for "what to do" are literally endless.
That means it's time for a brainstorming session with your partner. Asking some important questions can help you establish the overall tone, emotion, and vibe of the wedding, and get you started on the planning process.
Starting here should help get you a jumping off point to getting started designing your day. If you're still feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I do offer design and planning services, and are happy to help couples get going by creating a custom mood board based on a questionnaire that helps me learn about you - inquire about adding those services to your photography package.
I personally think the easiest way to build a timeline for your wedding day, is to work a little bit backwards. I typically encourage my clients to start with their ceremony time (what time do you want to begin, how long do you anticipate it being?) and their reception time (do you want a brunch reception? An evening candlelit dinner? Do you want to skip serving a meal altogether?). This typically gives couples a rough idea of the big events of the day (keep in mind, venues can dictate how late your event can go)
From there we can work in times for photos, when you'll need to be in your wedding clothes, if you want to schedule a time for a first look, how long your vendors need for setup and getting ready, etc. We can then work backwards to find out what time you'll need to plan to start your day (such as wakeup and breakfast) and build out our timeline.
The timelines you'll find here are samples only, and should be modified to best fit your own personal day.
7:00am Venue Setup
8:00am Photographer & Videographer Arrival
10:00am Ceremony
10:30am Family Private Mimosa Hour & Portraits
11:30am Brunch
1:15pm Lawn Games
& Cake Cutting
11:00am Bride & Groom Portraits
12:45pm Toasts & Mingling
2:45pm Grand Exit
7:30am Getting Ready
9:30am First Look
10:30am Mimosa Hour for Guests
12:00pm Venue Setup
3:00pm Photographer & Videographer Arrival
6:00pm Ceremony
6:30pm Family Private Cocktail Hour & Portraits
8:00pm Toasts
8:30pm Dancing
7:00pm Dinner
8:15pm Cake Cutting
11:00pm Grand Exit
2:00pm Getting Ready
5:00pm First Look & Portraits
6:30pm Cocktail Hour for Guests
This is it! Your wedding day has arrived and you've done the planning, made your timelines, hired your vendors, and thoughtfully put together a guest list of the people you love most in the world. Now it's time to bring it all together for your perfect wedding day...
During the getting ready portion of the day is when your creative professionals (myself and your videographer) are going to want to ensure we have all of the little details ready to document. Typically during the final hour of your hair and makeup, or beard trim, we are there making sure we go between you, and the little things you've carefully and thoughtfully chosen to have at your wedding.
From your invitations to your perfume, having everything in one place is an important part of making this run smoothly. I recommend putting together a box of the little things - and then designating someone to be in charge of keeping track of it, for us. We will make sure all your items end up back with your designated keeper so you know exactly where they're at when it comes time to use them.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, or a must have list, but rather an idea of things that may be important to you on your wedding day, and you may want documented. Maybe instead of these items you have a locket with portraits of a loved one who can't be with you, maybe you have a handwritten letter from when you first started dating, or a special pebble you picked up on your first walk on the beach under the stars - all of those would be beautiful details to include. Let your relationship and who you are determine what to include as a part of your wedding day
This is by no means a comprehensive list, or a must have list, but rather an idea of things that may be important to you on your wedding day, and you may want documented. Maybe instead of these items you have a locket with portraits of a loved one who can't be with you, maybe you have a handwritten letter from when you first started dating, or a special pebble you picked up on your first walk on the beach under the stars - all of those would be beautiful details to include. Let your relationship and who you are determine what to include as a part of your wedding day
There's more to the getting ready portion of your wedding day than the makeup and hair. This is the time during the day that is about you. Think about how you want to start your day... is it with your partner in bed having some time to just snuggle before chaos sets in? Maybe it's running down to the docks at sunrise and skinny dipping in the frigid bay with your favorite girls before the rest of the world is awake. Sneaking off to breakfast with your dad so just the two of you can talk about life and love and what a big day this is. This is the time for little rituals... the time to set the tone for your entire day. Don't get caught up in running around and going, going, going without taking a moment to breathe first. Schedule that time right after you're awake to feed yourself - both physically and spiritually - by giving in to the little impulses of having moments to yourself. After that - we can get ready to get going.
make sure you find spot near a window or an outlet where a ring light can be plugged in. your makeup artist and hairstylist will thank you as they want the best light for you to get ready in! on that note - be sure to leave a clean window space for when you get into your clothes - having a side and front light by utilizing natural window light is going to give you gorgeously moody and dramatic images while you are buttoning up your dress or suit
you have the room all ready to get dressed, and then... you start to spread out, people arrive, things get set down, and before you know it, the room that looked so pretty before is now a cluttered mess. try to keep it organized with labeled tote bags in a designated spot for folks to keep their things, and ensure there are a few trash cans in the room for any plastic, food scraps, or makeup waste so it doesn't pile up on tables. ask your wedding party to help you keep the place clean so you don't just see clutter when you get your photos back
prep an "emergency kit" with on-the-go staples like a purse size sewing kit, safety pins, a stain stick for just in case, gum or mints, tissues, and bobby pins. you never know when you might need something, so better to have it ready
for those with wedding gowns: before your wedding day, make sure you know who is getting you into your dress, and have them practice, especially if there is buttons. they will need the time to not only button everything up, but also should know how to bustle up your dress later in the evening. if they can, have them go with you to the pickup and final fitting so the shop can show them how to do everything up
for those wearing suits: make sure someone in your wedding party, or yourself, knows how to tie your tie or bowtie before the wedding day... spend some time looking for knots that you love and practice well in advance, so on the day of - you have a pro in your group ready to help anyone that isn't sure how to knot
Truth be told - a first look vs seeing each other when you walk down the aisle is such a personal decision that it's hard for me to advise one way or the other. Both have pros for them; and I think we often overlook the very underrated third option - - getting ready together. So instead of advising you to do one or the other - I'm going to just share what I love about each to maybe help you decide what is right for the two of you.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret that so many people don't talk about. When it comes to a wedding day - formal photos are one everyone's least favorite time. Standing around, smiling posed at a photographer for thirty minutes or an hour while they want to be celebrating is the lull in the day... so I have some suggestions on how to make it more enjoyable, and how to choose who you want to include during family and posed photos.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret that so many people don't talk about. When it comes to a wedding day - formal photos are one everyone's least favorite time. Standing around, smiling posed at a photographer for thirty minutes or an hour while they want to be celebrating is the lull in the day... so I have some suggestions on how to make it more enjoyable, and how to choose who you want to include during family and posed photos.