In this Guide
We know wedding planning already comes with a lot to think about. Add in the idea of being photographed throughout the day, and it’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about being in front of the camera.
That’s exactly why we created this guide. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to feel prepared, relaxed, and fully present so your day — and your photos — unfold naturally.
Let’s dive in!
Everything You need to know
You've already met with us, so you know our personality, experience, and general approach! Our goal is to always make our clients feel comfortable, confident, and have a damn good time on the most important day of their lives!
Dual Coverage
Two Photographers, One Vision
Two photographers means maximum coverage. We shoot together to ensure that no moment goes missed! Not only can we split up and be in different locations, but we also shoot different focal lengths and swap between digital & film. This allows us to capture a wide variety of images—wide & narrow. Motion & stillness. Authentic moments & guided poses.
We'll be spending a lot of time with you on the most important day of your life. So, we aim to bring GOOD ENERGY and be a fun addition to your day.
Guided + Documentary
Going with the Flow
If you've done an engagement session with us, you know that we provide as much direction as you need!
However, on your wedding day, you'll have a lot more going on. Which means we shift to a more documentary approach—capturing authentic moments as they unfold.
We guide with our gut. This means that when we see a tender moment unfolding, we let it play out. Or, if there's a time to be more hands on, we step in! You can rest assured that we adapt to you as the day unfolds..
Digital + Film
We have a lot of cameras!
You probably hired us knowing that we shoot both digital & film!
We love this approach because it provides two things: First, the speed and efficiency of digital, ensuring each moment is captured. Second, the romance and intention of film, providing a tactile, analog feel that is impossible to mimic.
You'll see us swapping between cameras & lenses throughout the day. Relax knowing that we shoot with intention, prioritizing different formats for different purposes.
You already have the foundation set—the venue, the dress & suit, rings, florals, food & drinks... It's going to be incredible! In the months and weeks leading up to the big day, planning for a few key things can make sure the stage is set for beautiful photos of the best day of your life!
Engagement Session
If your wedding package included an engagement session, or you booked a session as part of a bundle—we recommend planning for this shoot at least 6 months out from your wedding date, if possible. This will allow plenty of time to get you on our books, work around weather, provide time to prepare your gallery, and get your photos ready for use in in invites and wedding websites.
If you haven't booked an engagement session, but would like to, feel free to reach out to us at any time!
Questionnaire & Touch Points
Your confirmation kit included a questionnaire. If you haven't already, please fill it out! It will provide us with key info that will allow us to plan effectively for your day.
Also, please know that we don't believe in too many touch points! We only book a certain amount of weddings each year. This is so we can provide each client with the attention and service they deserve.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email, text or DM!
Final Meeting
Let's chat through the final details! We schedule a final meeting with you about a month out from your wedding date. We use this time to walk through your timeline and discuss any final details or questions you might have.
We find that this meeting usually helps our couples feel a bit relieved and assured. Like everything is finally coming together! It also helps us finalize a shoot plan for ourselves, ensuring maximum efficiency on your wedding day.
Your Wedding Day
It's Finally Here!
Everything you've planned for is finally happening! It's going to be so good! We're so happy for you and can't wait to celebrate with you.
On the day of, we'll arrive a bit early to scope out the venue / location. From there, we'll jump into action. Throughout the day, we'll never be far off. Whether it's interacting with you directly, or standing back to let moments unfold.
You Don't Need to Perform
This day is all about you. It's a celebration of your love and your future together. Let go of perfection and embrace what happens. If you're worried about putting on an act, you'll miss it!
Be Here, Now
The day goes fast, remember to stay present. Be here, now. Not only will this help you absorb every special moment, but it will also make for the best photos. Laugh, cry, dance, hug, and most importantly be fully yourself.
Trust the Process
We got you. Your vendors have done this many, many times before. You have a solid plan and team in place, so you're free to relax and enjoy your day to it's fullest.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Sneak Peaks & Gallery Delivery
On the day of, you'll leave with a handful of printed Polaroids. From there, we provide sneak peaks within 72hours. Final gallery delivery is about 6-8 weeks from your wedding date. You'll receive a link to your fully custom, curated gallery with unlimited high-res downloads & printing options.
Pro Tip: Make a date night of it! Put on your wedding playlist, pour some wine, and relive your memories together on a big screen while cuddled up together!
Getting Ready
The getting ready portion of the day sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s where anticipation builds, emotions start to surface, and some of the most intimate, candid moments unfold. A little intention here goes a long way in creating calm, beautiful imagery.
Below are some recommendations that apply to both brides and grooms:
Ideal Lighting
Natural light is everything. Choose spaces with large windows and soft, directional light if possible. Position hair and makeup near the window, and avoid overhead lighting when you can—it tends to cast harsh shadows and unflattering tones. Clean, neutral walls also help keep the focus on you and the moment.
Decluttering
Getting ready rooms fill up fast. Bags, food, extra outfits, packaging. Taking a few minutes to clear surfaces (nightstands, counters, floors near windows) makes a huge difference in how photos feel. Think simple, open, and intentional. Your future self will thank you.
Details
Have your details gathered in one spot from the start: dress, shoes, rings, invitations, perfume, heirlooms. Same goes for robes or getting-ready outfits for you and your people. When everything is ready, we can document it seamlessly without interrupting the flow of the morning.
Buffer Time
Getting ready almost always takes longer than expected. Hair and makeup can run behind, or moments unfold that are worth slowing down for. Adding extra buffer time keeps the morning relaxed and ensures there’s space for those meaningful, in-between moments—without feeling rushed.
First Look vs. Aisle Reveal
Deciding whether to see each other for the first time either before the ceremony or waiting for the aisle is one of the biggest choices that shapes your wedding day experience. There’s no right answer—just what feels most true to you. Each option creates a different rhythm, energy, and flow for the day.
Benefits of Each
A first look (and private vows) offers a private, intimate moment to connect before everything begins. It often calms nerves, allows for more portraits earlier in the day, and creates space to actually spend more time together. It doesn't take away from the emotion of an aisle reveal. It allows the emotion to build through the day.
An aisle reveal holds onto that tradition—seeing each other for the first time during the ceremony. It can feel incredibly emotional and impactful, especially with all your people present and witnessing it in real time.
Timeline Impact
Going with a first look typically shifts a large portion of photos to before the ceremony. This opens up more flexibility later—like allowing you to join cocktail hour or having a more relaxed evening.
An aisle reveal means most portraits happen after the ceremony, which can make that post-ceremony window feel a bit more structured and time-sensitive, especially depending on light.
For this reason, we recommend doing first look, private vows, bridal party & family photos before the ceremony.
Emotional & Logistical Impact
A first look tends to feel slower and more intentional. Just the two of you, with space to be fully present. It can also help ease timeline pressure since many key moments are already captured.
An aisle reveal leans into anticipation. The build-up, the walk, the reaction, it all unfolds at once. Logistically, it requires a bit more coordination after the ceremony, but emotionally, it can feel cinematic and unforgettable.
Family Photos
Maintaining Your Sanity
Family photos can be some of the most meaningful images from your day—these are the ones that live on walls, get passed down, and matter more with time. With a little planning, this part of the day can feel smooth, efficient, and even enjoyable.
A List is A Must-Have
Having a clear, pre-planned list ensures no one important gets missed and keeps things moving quickly. Without one, this portion can easily become chaotic or slow. A simple, organized list allows us to move from group to group with intention, so you can get back to your day.
Keep it Simple
Focus on immediate family and your closest people first. Think parents, siblings, grandparents, and a few meaningful combinations. The more groups you add, the longer it takes—and it can quickly eat into time meant for other parts of your day. Keeping it tight helps everything stay relaxed and efficient.
Coordinators are Clutch
We’ll guide and photograph, but having a designated person who knows your families is essential. This is ideally a planner or coordinator, but a trusted friend or family-member who can help call out names and gather the next group works too. It keeps things flowing and takes the pressure off you... and off us trying to wrangle a group of people we've never met.
Timing
Traditionally, family photos are scheduled for 30-60 minutes post-ceremony (as guests begin cocktail hour). While that is fine, we do recommend scheduling family photos before the ceremony, when possible. It allows everyone to be fresh, keeps the timeline moving smoothly afterward, and frees you up to fully enjoy cocktail hour and the rest of your celebration.
Ceremony & Bridals Timing
The timing of your ceremony & bridal photos plays a huge role in how your photos look and feel—especially when it comes to light. Being intentional about when things happen allows us to capture your ceremony beautifully and make the most of the best light for portraits.
Outdoor Ceremony Lighting Considerations
Midday sun (roughly 11am–3pm) can be harsh, creating strong shadows and bright highlights. If possible, aim for a later ceremony time or choose a shaded location to soften the light. Even slight shifts like positioning yourselves with the sun behind you can make a big difference in creating more flattering, even tones. This is another reason why we generally recommend scheduling family photos before the ceremony—to allow for a slightly later start time.
Golden Hour Bridals
Golden hour (the hour before sunset) offers the most dreamy, soft light of the day. Planning time for couple’s portraits during this window gives you that warm, glowy look. Often, after a full day of socializing and interactions, our couples find that stepping away briefly during dinner or open dancing to catch this light is always worth it. Not only for beautiful light, but for a quick breather to be present together.
Seasonal Light Considerations
Sunset times shift a lot throughout the year. In summer, you’ll have long evenings and later golden light, while spring and fall ceremonies often happen closer to sunset or even after. This affects how to structure the timeline—sometimes prioritizing earlier portraits, or building in intentional time before or after the ceremony depending on available light.
Sample Timeline
Below is an example of a full-day summer wedding timeline that can make for a smooth day. It front-loads the first look, private vows, family & bridal photos before the ceremony, allowing you and your guest to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. It also provides some buffer time before the ceremony in case anything runs long (it always does!)
9-10am - Arrival, Getting Ready
12pm - Photographers Arrive, Begin Coverage of Getting Ready, Dress Details & Putting On, Flat-Lays, Venue, etc.
1:30pm - First Look & Private Vows
2pm - Bridal Party & Family Photos
2:45 - Break / Flex Time
3:30 - Guests Arrive
4pm - Ceremony
4:30pm - Cocktail Hour Begins, Sign Marriage Certificate
5:15pm - Grand Entrance, Welcome
5:30pm - Dinner
6:30pm - Speeches, First Dances
7:15pm - Cake Cutting, Open Dance Floor
8pm - Bridal Photos @ Golden Hour
8:45pm - Final Private Dance, Final Send Off
9pm - Cleanup
10pm - End
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT TO RUN A TIMELINE BY US, WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO PROVIDE INPUT!
REACH OUT TO US ANY TIME!
Let's Pause for A Moment
Taking a few minutes away during golden hour gives you space to pause, breathe, and be together in the middle of it all. It’s often the most beautiful light of the day. Soft, warm, and incredibly flattering—making it the perfect time for relaxed, intentional portraits while everything else fades into the background for a moment.
If you've done an engagement session with us, this will feel incredibly familiar! If you haven't done a couples shoot with us before, you can read our Photo Shoot Guide below:
Unplugged Ceremony
An unplugged ceremony means inviting guests to put their phones and cameras away so they can be fully present with you. It helps create a more intentional, connected atmosphere while also ensuring your photos are clean, unobstructed, and focused on real emotion, not screens. A quick announcement or sign is usually all it takes, and the result is a ceremony that feels more immersive, respectful, and true to the moment.
Be Adaptable
No wedding day goes exactly to plan, and that’s okay. Staying adaptable allows you to stay present and enjoy what’s actually unfolding. Even if the timeline goes slightly off-the-rails, we’ll still guide and pivot as needed, making sure nothing important is missed while leaving room for the real, in-between moments.
Hydrate & Eat
It sounds simple, but it’s easy to forget. Eat and drink water throughout the day. A little fuel goes a long way in keeping your energy up, your mood steady, and helping you feel your best from start to finish.
Stay Together
The reception goes by fast, and it’s easy to get pulled in different directions. Staying near each other as much as possible lets you actually experience it together. Sharing moments, reactions, and the energy of the night side by side.
Inclement Weather
Weather in the PNW is part of the story, and we’re always prepared for it. Rain, wind, or fog can create some of the most atmospheric, beautiful images, as long as you’re prepared too. Bringing layers, embracing the conditions, having a backup plan, and staying flexible allows us to lean into whatever the day brings and make something truly memorable out of it.
Indoor Lighting
Indoor spaces often mean lower light and mixed artificial lighting, which can change the look and feel of your photos. We come prepared with lighting when needed, but it’s helpful to know that indoor images may feel a bit moodier and less natural-light driven. Embracing the space as it is allows us to create intentional, true-to-environment imagery.
The Dip-Kiss
To dip or not to dip?
Whether you want to introduce the dramatic, crowd-pleaser "Dip-Kiss" is totally up to you. However, if you decide to introduce this move, we have two key recommendations for you:
First, PRACTICE. Practice this move ahead of time! We have seen a bride get dropped before. We don't want that to happen to you.
Second, PLEASE TELL US AHEAD OF TIME. If you plan to do this during your ceremony exit at the end of the aisle, during first dance, or otherwise... please give us a heads up so we can be in position!
Finally, remember that our job is to allow you to be fully present and have a damn good time on the most important day of your life! Your only responsibility is to experience the day. Trust us and your vendors to take care of the rest.
We hope this guide has helped you feel inspired and excited for your day! Every detail comes together to capture the most important day of your life!
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or last minute ideas. We can't wait to celebrate with you!