1. Celebrate the process

When the tasks start to add up, it’s easy to lose sight of how precious the here and now is. That’s why you should make an effort to celebrate every milestone, big or small. Grasp every opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones. When you look back at this time - those are the moments you will remember.

2. You don’t have to do it all on your own

Delegating tasks can leave you with more time to focus on the top priorities. Gather a team of awesome people and don’t be shy to ask for help if needed. That’s what family and friends are for!

3. Invite the people you’re excited to see

This should be a no-brainer, right? You’d be surprised at how many couples long for an intimate wedding day, only to find that their invitation list continues to grow in size. Friends want to bring new partners you’ve barely met, grandma expects you to invite distant family members, and you know aunt Judy (bless her heart) will be pissed if she doen’t get an invite... Stop! Don’t let your invitation list escalate with your stress levels. You have absolute authority to invite whoever the hell you want. No questions asked.

4. Focus on what’s really important

When something doesn’t go quite as planned, try to take a deep breath and relax. It’s inevitable that this crazy thing called life will throw some curveballs from time to time. Trust me on that one. Everything will be okay!

Inspiration

The internet has an abundance of wedding inspiration! Below you’ll find a collection of my favorite blogs & online magazines that have a ton of helpful advice and beautiful imagery to get you inspired for the big day.

www.dirtybootsandmessyhair.com

www.junebugweddings.com

www.hellomay.com.au

www.greenweddingshoes.com

www.rockmywedding.co.uk

Pinterest is undoubtedly every bride’s favorite place to surf throughout the wedding planning process. There’s a whole world of helpful inspiration right there at your fingertips, however, it can get super addictive. My advice would be to take regular breaks and check in with yourself. Is this truly what I want? or did I just get a little carried away? Does this fit me and my style of wedding? or do I need to focus on the bigger picture? Let your intuition be your guide!

1. Don’t start too early

Oftentimes, couples are worried about how to keep their guests entertained throughout the wedding day. The best solution that I’ve found? Don’t start your day too early! A ceremony in the late afternoon (or even in the early evening hours) allows you to sleep in and start the day in a relaxed manner. There’s a natural flow to how the wedding day progress and people won’t even realize how time flies. It’s so much more pleasant than having your guests wait around with a champagne glass in their hands, wondering when they will get to eat and party!

2. Leave some wiggle room

Try and abstain from filling the day’s agenda with a million little things. Instead, add an extra 10-15 minutes to every activity in order to give yourself some breathing room. Trust me with this one! Its nice to feel you are early, rather than feeling stressed because the schedule says you are 30 minutes behind. And even if that does happen remember, this is YOUR day. The ceremony will be beautiful, you are surrounded by people that love you, and everything is going to be amazing!

3. Pay attention to light

From a photography standpoint, light is a key factor for gorgeous imagery and will greatly influence the mood of the ceremony, the couple shoot, and the evening events etc. Simply keep that in mind when crafting the agenda, especially for events taking place outdoors. Feel free to reach out to me for any questions or concerns on this! I also included lots of advice on how to make the best of many different light scenarios in the upcoming chapters.

When it comes to wedding dresses, every bride is different. Maybe you’ve had a vision of your perfect dress ever since you were a little kid. Perhaps you’ve decided to have your dream dress tailored for you. Or you’ve been browsing vintage shops for the last couple of months waiting to find that perfect golden oldie. Styling is such an individual thing, but no matter what your dress goals are, there are a few things you should never forget:

Stay true to yourself

While there are many traditions, there’s absolutely no rulebook when it comes to what a bride or a groom has to look like. Follow your heart and stand your ground! When bridal shop owners, makeup artists or relatives try to convince you of anything that doesn’t sit right with you, you have the right to say, “No, thank you!” Believe me, a couple of hours into the wedding day, these choices will make all the difference. Your confidance and beauty will shine through, becuase you stayed true to your own style and no one else’s!

Here are a few more things to keep in mind:

1. Schedule rehearsal dates for hair & make-up

No matter how lovely and competent your makeup artist seems on first impression, and no matter how much you adore every portfolio shot of your hairdresser, scheduling a rehearsal date is crucial to ensure you guys are aligned with the same vision. This is the perfect time to suss out your perfect application and style without the time pressure!

2. Choosing the dress

Bring a small group of people to your dress fittings. They should know your style, shield you from heavy handed shop owners, and are honest about what looks rad and what look bleh! This is squad goals!

3. Keep it natural

I urge you both to choose something light you can move around in with ease. A skirt that won’t stop you from dancing all night and shoes that won’t keep you from climbing a tree stump for that one epic sunset shot! Remember - it’s perfectly normal that over the course of the day a strand of hair loosens or an epic adventure session leaves some muddy traces on your dress. Don’t worry about it, that’s real life! Don’t let yourself be limited by any outfit that you will only wear once in your life. Instead, let’s have some fun and create some memories!

This is your day

A huge part of the wedding industry caters towards brides and their ideas and visions. However, this is your wedding too, and you get a say in what it will look like. Take a moment and ask yourself what’s important to you. What are you looking forward to the most? What do you need in order to enjoy the day? Whether it’s amazing food, a live band playing all your favorite songs or a relaxed morning with a ton of time with your buddies. Make sure to set some priorities and communicate these things clearly with your bride-to-be and everyone involved. Your fiancée will be ecstatic to have you actively participate in the wedding planning process!

Think James Bond, not bargain sale

Your future wife is most likely putting a lot of thought into her wedding dress and the accessories she will wear. But what about you? Are you still procrastinating on what you fear will be an endless odyssey through men’s apparel stores until you finally find a decently fitting suit that’s an okay color? Don’t settle! Get inspired! Think James Bond, Thomas Shelby or Harvey Specter. No matter your taste and style, there is a suit out there to emphasize your personality. After purchasing this suit, have your it custom-tailored! That way you can be sure that it perfectly fits and the length is just right. It will make a world of difference in the photos and you’ll look pretty darn cool.

A word on photography

From my experience it’s often the bride that insists on having a professional photographer. Many grooms are sometimes more skeptical when it comes to photography. I assume it’s because they are worried I will force them into lovey-dovey poses and expect them to put on a cheesy smile for the sake of a romantic picture. And while I do my best to communicate that this is not the case, I understand there often remains some hesitation on the side of the groom. Here’s my promise to you: if you show up for the couple shoot in a great mood, excited to create something awesome and willing to trust me with my approach, then I promise I have everything I need to create epic photographs of the two of you that will last a lifetime. It’ll be much more fun than you might think and ultimately you’ll be happy to have taken some time out of your day to make some memories

What do you need to consider when choosing a Getting Ready location?

An open and calm space with lots of natural light (big windows) creates the perfect conditions for me to document everyone getting ready. I recommend a hotel room or AirBnB where the interior is bright, airy, and open. Avoid dark interiors and small cramped spaces!

If you decide to get ready at home, choose the brightest and most spacious room in the house. That means getting rid of any distracting elements. (goodbye laundry baskets and home trainers!)

Keep in mind: while the bride usually receives the most beautiful room, it’s important to put some thought into where the groom will get ready too. A scarcely lit hallway or a tiny room with no natural light isn’t ideal. Instead, check with the hotel staff and see if the guys can get ready in seperate hotel room for free. Another great idea is for the guys to get ready at a cool local barber shop or seperate space with lots of natrual light!

1. Detail Shots

Often the Getting Ready starts with capturing the detail shots of your dress, jewelry, shoes, cuff links, invitation cards etc. It will save us a lot of time if you’ve already put all these things together in one place, so that I can access them easily and arrange them for some lovely photos.

2. Sit by the Window

When you get your hair and makeup done, please make sure you sit by a window facing outside. This guarantees the best light for photographs. Your makeup artist and hairdresser surely won’t mind, as they will look for optimum lighting anyway. It will also ensure that your makeup looks just right in daylight.

3. Keep the space nice and clean

Even if you’re in a hotel room, things quickly get messy with hair straighteners, plastic bags, clothes, half-eaten energy bars and makeup containers lying around everywhere. Sometimes it makes sense to decide on a certain corner (or room) where everyone can drop their stuff or, perhaps you could ask your bridesmaids to do a quick cleaning session before I arrive. Keeping the space tidy will ensure that we don’t constantly have to move distracting elements before taking a shot.

4. Surround yourself with your favorite people

Having all seven of your awesome girlfriends, your two sisters, your aunt and your mother join you in the morning may sound like a good idea at first, but keep in mind that with too many people around things can get quite busy and crowded. With a large group of people, you will have a hard time keepng the morning stress free and open to taking it all in. My advice would be to choose a handful of your favorite people to share these precious first hours of the day with. You can still give the rest of your beloved friends a big hug as soon as you see them later in the day.

5. Think about what you will wear before you put on the dress

I will take quite a few photographs before you put on your wedding dress, so put a little thought into what to wear beforehand. A morning gown or a Kimono looks beautiful in the photographs and are just as comfortable as your favorite sweat pants and a t-shirt.

6. Write little letters to each other

It’s very likely the two of you will be incredibly nervous during those hours you spend separately. So, why don’t you write each other a little love note that both of you can read before you head off to the First Look or ceremony? It is a beautiful, loving gesture that calms the nerves. You’ll get goosebumps every time you look back on these moments through the photographs.

How much time do I need to capture the Getting Ready?

There are a few factors to consider when calculating the time needed for capturing everyone getting ready. How many people are going to be there? When will the makeup artist and hairdresser arrive? How many hours have you booked with me?

Usually, two hours is a perfect time frame for me to tell the story of this part of the day. It allows me to capture the setting, mood, and all the beautiful details in between. I will likely capture the finishing touches of makeup and hair as well as the fun moments of you hanging out with the most important people in your life!

Also keep in mind while creating the schedule, that I will need time to travel to where the guys are getting ready. Often I don’t need as much time with the groom and his buddies, but simply keeping those things in mind can really help the day run smoother.

We can always work with less time, but please note this often means some things may to fall by the wayside. Still, I do my best to capture all important moments of the getting ready process.

Light is a key factor

When choosing the perfect place for your ceremony, keep in mind that light is a key factor that will greatly influence the mood of the ceremony setting. A time later in the day is ideal for outdoor ceremonies, when the sun is lower in the sky. This obviously changes throughout the months, so do a quick check on Google of when the sun will start to set on your wedding day.

If you are set on having your outdoor ceremony around noon, potentially on a sunny and hot day, make sure you position yourself in a way that you are backlit and provide some shade for your guests, too, e.g. with trees or parasols in nude colors. Feel free to ask me beforehand or on site if you are not sure about how to set everything up.

Communication is important

If you are having a religious ceremony, make sure to check in with your pastor or religious leader beforehand and see how they feel about photography throughout the ceremony, or even in the church in general. Some venues are very sensitive when it comes to these topics are worried the photographer will be a distraction or could even interfere with the ceremony. If you tell the person conducting the ceremony about your photographer a couple of weeks or months before your big day, you will have enough time to clear potential concerns and can let me know about any regulations in place.

Generally speaking, I am very respectful and cautious when it comes to the ceremony. I don’t move around a lot and only approach throughout key moments. When the timeline allows for it, I introduce myself to the person conducting the ceremony beforehand to win them over. Politeness always goes a long way!

Take your time

The moment the bridal party enters the ceremony site is exciting, and while that excitement may lead to a certain hecticness, I urge you to take your time on your way down the aisle. This not only allows you to enjoy your big entrance, but also gives me the opportunity to capture everything going on. Keeping your distance from the person ahead of you is also important so you are not blocking each other. Same goes for the first kiss by the way - instead of a peck on the lips, linger a tad longer. We know you want to!

After the ceremony

Right after the ceremony is usually when everyone wants to congratulate you and give you a hug. Many beautiful moments will happen between you and your guests and I will be there to capture them. It is important to put a little bit of thought into where you want the congratulations to take place - neither a dark corner of the chapel nor outside in bright sunlight is ideal for photographs. Instead, look for a quiet shaded area with a lot of space for people to line up

Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony and once everyone has given you a hug, the guests will move to the reception area. Make sure you offer a variety of drinks and snacks to keep everyone happy while you move around and talk to people. It’s also amazing to have some live music at this point. It creates an awesome atmosphere.

Ask your location manager about the position of the sun throughout certain parts of the day, as it may mean you need to make some adjustments. Will the sun vanish behind the house by the afternoon? It might get chilly and you could consider providing your guests with some blankets. Is the reception area open and exposed to the sun on a summer day? If so, provide enough shade for everyone. Usually the staff on site has a ton of experience, so make sure to check in with them upfront for some insider tips.

Family Photos

Once the reception is in full swing it’s also a great moment to take family formals. I suggest keeping the list short and sweet. No more than 8 to 10 constellations. Believe me, things will take longer than anticipated. Give the list to someone who knows the wedding party well so he/she can line up the next group while I start taking photos. It’s also helpful to let people know upfront when you plan on taking family formals so they know when to be present. Put it in the wedding day schedule or ask the officiant to make an announcement after the ceremony.

How much time do you need to set aside for the couple shoot?

30 minutes is usually great, not including the drive to and from the venue (if necessary). Depending on the flow of your day it can also make sense to split the couple session into parts. We might do a little session right after the First Look and then head out once more in the evening to catch some of that warm, glowing sunset light.

When is the best time for the couple shoot?

The best light is usually right before and after sunset, during the so called ‘golden hour’ and ‘blue hour’. The sun is very low in the sky, immersing the world in a warm light that looks incredible in photographs. I understand that it’s not always possible to leave the wedding party around dinner time, but if there is a way to make it possible, the incredible light will make it so worth it.

When creating the timeline for the day, please note that the middle of the day is less than ideal for photos, especially if it’s sunny. At that time the sun is high in the sky and the bright light and harsh shadows will create photos that are not ideal.

Where should the couple shoot take place?

There are lots of beautiful places to be found almost anywhere. But less is more! Let’s focus on two or three spots close to each other, so we are not rushing around!

If I have the time, I will scout around the property for a bit in the morning and I will find some scenic spots where we can shoot later in the day. Feel free to look around the area yourself and send me some snaps beforehand as well!

In addition to a beautiful backdrop I always pay a lot of attention to the light in a particular place, the position of the sun and possible reflections of trees that may create green shadows on your skin. These are the kind of things a photographer considers to ensure you get the best results. You can always trust my judgement

Pay attention to the lighting

I always prefer to work with natural light and save my flash for the party and dance floor. That way I can work almost unnoticed and not interfere with the event, or the work of the videographer (if present). Bright spots or disco lights in all kinds of colors don’t look great in photos (hello green/purple skin and harsh shadows!) Instead, opt for candles, fairy lights and tons of warm, indirect light sources. The party lights can come on once it’s time to let loose on the dance floor!

Feed your photographer

I take photos while the guests are seated and have their first drinks, and I stop shooting once dinner is being served. Eating guests don’t like to be photographed and that gives me the opportunity to take a break, eat and safely store some equipment that I don’t need for the rest of the night. Please make sure that I am being served dinner at the same time as the other guests (not afterwards, as venues tend to do with vendors) since I need to be ready to go again as soon as speeches commence.

Keep speeches short and humorous

Personally, I quite enjoy capturing speeches and the emotional moments that unfold. My advice would be to keep them humorous, to the point, and have no more than 3-4 throughout dinner (e.g. in between courses).

The perfect time for cake

I always suggest thinking about cutting the wedding cake in the evening, when coffee is being served. The photos of the cake will turn out so much prettier and your guests will enjoy their delicious piece before jumping on the dance floor!

It will be amazing

It’s totally understandable that you’re worried about the day being a success, the timeline working out and everyone having fun. Here’s just a quick reminder that it is all going to be wonderful.

Your wedding day is one big get-together of all your favorite people in the world. These are the same people that have seen you grow into the person you are today and the ones who have been by your side through the good (and bad) times. These folks will have a great time regardless of how the day unfolds, because they love you. And they are so, so happy for you!

First Dance and Party!

Make your first dance magical

Your first dance is a one of the final highlights of the day, so make sure to put some thought into the setting. Look for a nice area with a beautiful background and lots of space for your guests to stand and watch. Practical light sources such as sparklers and fairy lights create a nice and romantic atmosphere. For ideal photographic conditions, ask the venue to switch off any colorful spotlights. Also, some venues might have a warm light in the background pointed at you two, which can have a beautiful effect.

And now, it’s time to let go and enjoy!

It’s party time and that means there’s nothing left to do but dance your heart out. Make sure people are allowed to join you on the dance floor right after the first dance, so that the vibe will be at its absolute peak.

Thank You!

I hope the advice on this page has helped you and given you confidence for the rest of the wedding planning process. If you found any of this information helpful, I would definitely love the opportunity to talk with you more about your big day!