The Bride Guide

I’m thrilled you’re here!

If you’re reading this, it’s because you are officially BOOKED!! YAY!!

I am so excited to partner with you in making your wedding dreams and visions come to life! This site is an exclusive planning guide for my brides. I hope the following pages will ease your mind as you plan out your ideal timeline and prepare for you big day in the months to come! I’m here for you in whatever questions that may come up in the process, so please don’t hesitate to contact me!

jump ahead

Engagement Shoots................................04

What To Expect.........................................06

Example Timelines

Details..............................................................08

Getting Ready.............................................09

First Looks.....................................................10

The Ceremony............................................11

Bridal Party ..................................................12

Family Portraits...........................................13

Romantics.......................................................14

Reception........................................................15

Wedding Shot List ....................................17

FAQs...................................................................18

Thank You Gift............................................21

Albums..............................................................23

Next Steps.......................................................24

Engagement Shoots

I can’t stress enough how important engagement shoots are. Think of this as your practice wedding day! This is the perfect opportunity for us to connect, and also for you as a couple to get more comfortable in front of the camera before your big day. It is a rare and special occasion to get professional photos done of you as a couple. Your investment into an engagement session ensures your wedding photos will be even better because you will be more comfortable in front of the camera with me. We choose a sweet location when the sun is perfectly setting or rising, I play lots of fun and romantic music to get you relaxed, comfortable, and feeling yourselves. I deliver your gallery within 3 weeks, and and you can use them for Save the Date cards, decorations at your wedding, guest books, or they'll look amazing hung up in your home together! Don't know where to start? Send me a mood board of what you love and I'll pick the perfect spot and create the perfect evening for us!

ONE HOUR

up to 20 miles from los angeles
one look / outfit
one location

1000

TWO HOURS

up to 50 miles from los angeles
two looks / outfits
two locations

1500

THREE HOURS

up to 100 miles from los angeles
three+ looks / outfits
three+ locations

2000

what to expect

GREAT COMMUNICATION

HIGH QUALITY & TIMELY DELIVERY

Our team owns and uses the absolute top of the line gear, and shoots in the highest quality footage possible on your day. That means billboard size possible prints that won't go out of style! PLUS: with my team, we deliver sneak peeks within one week and your gallery within two months. Your wedding video is delivered in time to watch on your 6 month anniversary.

With our team, you don't need to worry or doubt if we'll capture everything. We chat throughout the process of your engagement and stay updated with every decision. I make sure my team is all on the same page, so no one misses a single beat.

We plan our shots with YOU in mind and take into consideration your preferences, your style, and even your concerns. We make sure when you look at your photos, you say, “Wow, she captured US!”

We take your wedding day seriously. We dress professionally, act professionally, and provide excellent service with YOU in mind, not us. We're not here to join the party, we're here to serve you and do excellent work that you'll be proud to show off.

A THOUGHTFUL EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONALISM

Sample Photography Timelines

Here are two examples of real wedding day photography timelines from real clients! Your planner will be the one to make your official full day timeline with information on when you arrive, what time your dinner is served, etc. I create a separate detailed timeline with our shot list for the day. It looks something like this.

Details

30-45 minutes

When I arrive, your hair and makeup should be almost fully complete, and you should be in a getting ready outfit of your choice.
If you have booked 8 hours or more, I will immediately shoot your details. Your dress must be pre-steamed, and hung up outside of the bag, ready to be photographed. I may move your dress to a desired location, unless you would like to select someone to move it for me. You must also have a bag ready for me to take photos of including the following :

Invitation Suite (two copies is preferred)
Engagement Ring
Both Wedding Bands
All Jewelry
Shoes
Veil
Hair Pieces
Extra Floral Pieces
additional important items

Getting Ready

1-2 hours

Next we will need to clear the bridal suite area for portraits. This includes all hair and makeup items, bags, shoes, food + drinks, trash, etc. We will be shooting things such as bridal party portraits, a toast of champagne, gift openings, a blessing, getting your dress and jewelry on, etc.

While you are putting your dress on with either a mom, sister, or maid of honor, the bridesmaids will get fully dressed. My assistant will direct them to where we will photograph your first look with them. This is a special moment most girls don't want to miss! (you may opt out of any photos at anytime)

If you'd like to include a first look with dad, please let me know. This will happen after bridesmaids photos.

The groomsmen will be shot by my assistant during your details and bridesmaids photos. The Groom will start with just pants and shirt on, and we will document the final touches such as suit, tie, shoes, and any accessories. The Groomsmen can get fully dressed at any time.

first look

20-40 minutes

A first look is completely optional.

If you choose a first look, we will shoot most of your romantics before your ceremony. You have the options to read your vows, spend alone time together, and get your nerves out before the ceremony. If you choose to do this, you will be mic'd for video, and we will take you to a private area to document it.

We will also schedule time around sunset for a few more photos when the lighting is warmer and softer.

the ceremony

15-60 minutes

Your ceremony will be documented from start to finish.

In your final wedding questionnaire you will indicate what kind of special events will occur, for example: soloist, special reading, communion, etc.

Tips for perfecting your ceremony photos ahead of time :

Remind your bridal party to smile as they walk down the aisle, and to walk slowly.

Please practice staying CENTER of your alter

Your maid of honor should take your flowers, and adjust your Dress and Veil at all cost.

You should hold hands and face each other, NOT the officiant.

Your officiant should walk out of the frame for your first kiss.

Stop in the aisle one more time for a kiss on your way out!

Prepare your aisle seat guest with a bag of rose petals to throw as you walk down the aisle!

bridal party portraits

10-15 minutes

There are three options for shooting your bridal party portraits :

  • Immediately following your first look (preferred if doing a first look)

  • Immediately following the ceremony (preferred if no first look)

  • Immediately following your family portraits

If you don’t do a first look, I prefer to shoot your bridal party portraits immediately following your ceremony. Your bridal party follows you back down the aisle, and that's a great time for us to shoot their portraits, before family, so that they can head to cocktail hour. This also give your family time to use the restroom, maybe grab a drink, and come back ready for photos.

family portraits

15-30 minutes

You will provide a detailed list of family portraits for me and my assistant.

Please assign someone who knows both of your families to help facilitate groupings.

We will shoot only the combinations you provide. No other family member or friend will be allowed to intervene or make suggestions. This protects YOU from having to say no, and protects our timeline from saying yes and us running behind schedule. In the case people try to intervene, I will stick to our list, unless directed otherwise by you.

This will look something like this :

  • Bride + Groom + Mom (Carol) + Dad (Greg)

  • Bride + Groom + Mom (Carol) + Dad (Greg) + Sister (Tiffany) + Brother (Stephen)

  • Bride + Sister (Tiffany) + Sister (Ashley) + Sister-in-law (Nicole)

etc....

romantics

The only way to ensure you will get photos together on your wedding day is if we schedule it! We call these Romantics! Whether we shoot them after your first look, after family photos, or we steal you away during dinner at sunset (or ALL of the above), this is a must have on your wedding day! Sometimes there is a perfect spot at your venue, other times we have to drive down the street to an epic spot (which I scout beforehand) We will make sure you get some beautiful, posed and candid, perfectly lit photos, as these are the ones you'll want to show off for decads to come ;)

I recommend allotting 20-60 minutes for this!

the Reception

Your reception starts at your grand entrance. We will capture things such as your bridal party walk-ins, bride + groom grand entrance, a welcome speech or toast, a first dance, a blessing over dinner, etc. After you get your meal, that is when my team will take a 30 minute break to eat our dinner, get water, use the restroom, and be ready to rock for the rest of the night. This is a great time to sign your marriage license. Your officiant should be responsible for getting your signatures and mailing it after the wedding. Photos will not be taken of this.

Your wedding planner must warn us for key events the rest of the night, including speeches, dances, cake cutting, bouquet / garter toss, etc. If we are not warned we will follow the strict schedule given to us by you / your planner.

Photos of guests are not guaranteed. This is the purpose of the photo booth / disposable cameras. The Media Team will not be responsible or held accountable for taking formal photos of the guests or their families, other than candids throughout the cocktail hour, reception, and dancing.

TIP #1 : Practice how you will stand and place your hands for your cake cutting ahead of time.

TIP #2: Prior to your big day, assign someone to bustle your dress for your grand entrance, and have them practice before the big day.

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