Wedding Guide
Before we get to the good stuff I just wanted to take a moment and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
That you two have decided to get me on board for one of the most important days in your lives means the world to me. It’s this trust that inspires me every day to create the best work I possibly can.
I know there is a ton of information out there and it can feel overwhelming at times.
This page is meant to give you a little guidance along the way. The advice in here will not only allow for stunning wedding photographs, but it will also ensure that you get to enjoy a relaxed wedding day.
That said, all tips in here are merely suggestions.
Only you two know what feels right and I urge you to follow your intuition. After all, this day is here to celebrate you, your unique personalities and your decision to spend your lives together.
I am so honored that I get to be a part of this amazing chapter of your story.
So this is a little guide to help you prepare for your big day.
The Engagement Shoot
An engagement photoshoot is a great way for you to capture the excitement and joy of your engagement period. There are several reasons why I would encourage you to have an engagement shoot.
- To capture memories: Engagement is a special time in a your life, and an engagement photoshoot is a great way to capture the excitement and love of the moment.
- To get to know me and how I work with you.An engagement photoshoot enables us build a relationship before the wedding day. This can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, resulting in better photos on the wedding day.
- To have some beautiful images for wedding announcements and invitations: You can use your engagement photos to announce your engagement to friends and family, and/or to create unique and personal wedding invitations.
- To create personalized decor: Engagement photos can also be used to create personalized decor for your wedding day, such as guestbooks, photo displays, and table centerpieces.
Overall, an engagement photoshoot is a fun and meaningful way for you to celebrate your love and capture memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.

First things first.
I'll send you a contract to sign, a questionnaire and an invoice for the deposit.
Once the deposit is paid and the contract is signed that date is yours.
The questionnaire doesn't need to be completed immediately. It is a guide for me about your plans, approx timeline , numbers etc.
The next thing to do is to book a date for your complimentary engagement shoot if this is included in your package,
Tips to have the best wedding day photos.
Relax and trust me. Don't feel you have to force a smile or a certain expression at anytime throughout the day. Instead just live in the moment and be yourself. Feel everything and express that. I will take care of the images that come out of that.
Here are some of the ways you can make sure you look great in your wedding photos:
To make sure a double chin doesn’t ruin your photos, keep your head held high. This will also give your jaw definition and make you appear more confident. If keeping your chin up makes your neck ache, try leaning forward a little instead to achieve the same effect.
Think what to do with your hands. Fiddling with your dress or hair can spoil your pictures and make you look nervous. Try to keep your hands hanging loosely by your sides, otherwise hold a clutch bag that complements your dress or hang onto that bouquet!
Keeping a fixed smile in place can make your jaw ache, and can begin to look false after a while, but you can’t look sulky in your wedding photos. A great tip is to push your tongue against the back of your front teeth to keep that smile bright and natural looking.
Avoid heavy fake tan which tends to look flat in photographs and can come out orangeier than it looks in natural light. Pink and red tones are picked up by the camera so use a foundation with yellow tones to balance out your complexion.
Most of all relax and enjoy. This day belongs to you.
Consider a First Look
This may be your only alone time
When you wait to see each other for the first time down the aisle you don't have a special moment alone to talk, you go right into the wedding ceremony. Doing a first look you have a special moment between the two of you and really soak it all in seeing each other for the first time.
Takes away nerves
Before you say I DO your wedding day nerves really start to set in. Bride's and Groom's that have done a first look feel more at ease afterwards.
It doesn't make the walk down the aisle any less special. IN fact it can make it even more special.
You will need less time between the ceremony and the reception
If you do a first look we will do some of the formal photos then too. It means you have photos when your makeup and hair is still perfect and it also means you need less time to do formals later on. So you can get to your reception quicker or use the time to do some creative images.
Tips for stunning detail images
Clean your rings prior to your wedding day
Consider a nice hanger for your wedding dress photo.
Have any items out that you would like a picture of. This can include any jewellery, wedding shoes etc
Have a copy of the wedding invitation and wedding program available for a detail image.
Times for Photos (approx)
30 -60mins- Bride and Groom
30 mins for whole bridal party
10-15 mins fo the bridesmaids
10-15 mins for the groomsmen
20-30 mins for immediate family
20-30 mins for extended family and special friends
Time of ceremony
I strongly advise that you have your ceremony towards the later part of the afternoon. This gives you and your bridal party ample time to prepare.
It means also that your photos will take place in the most flattering light which is from late afternoon to sunset.
The worst time of a day for an outdoor ceremony is noon unless it can occur in open shade.The sun is directly overhead and will create hard unflattering light and harsh shadows. It will also cause you to squint if you are facing the sun.
Must Have Shot List
- the first look
- the first kiss
- the cheek kiss
- individual portraits
- the whole wedding party
- groomsmen
- bridesmaids
- flower girl and ring bearer
- parents with bride and groom
- siblings with bride and groom
- grandparents
- full group shot
- bride's bouquet
- groom's boutonniere
- the rings
- the veil
- the cake
- cutting the cake
- the first dance
8 Tips for your wedding day
Tip 1
Create a detailed timeline of your wedding day that includes when flowers are set to arrive, when hair and makeup will get done etc. Include exact times and locations. Share this timeline with everyone included in your wedding day.
Tip 2
Have food on hand while you get ready.Having healthy snacks and lots of water will make for a better day.
Tip 3
Practice walking in your wedding day shoes to make sure they're comfortable enough to stand around in for the duration of your wedding. Looking uncomfortable in your photos because of sore feet won't make beautiful images.
Tip 4
Pack a wedding day emergency kit and bring it with you. Essentials include clear nail polish, paracetamol for headaches, makeup for touch up and a travel sewing kit. Bandaids, lozenges, tampons and tissues are also good.
Tip 5
Have your cake and flowers arrive at the latest possible moment (but still budget in some buffer time).
Flowers wilt and cakes can melt on hot days so putting these deliveries off can ensure both look great for your pictures, ceremony and reception.
Tip 6
Have a "spot checker" on hand who's there to help you out with things like tangled trains, smeared lipstick or out of place hair. This can be someone n your bridal party or your mother or a favourite Aunt.
Tip 7
A trial run of your hair and makeup is highly recommended. You want to be completely happy with your hair and makeup on the day.
Tip 8
Follow up with all your vendors a week before your wedding to make sure everything is in place and ready to go. Should anything be wrong this will give you ample time to correct it.
One last thing.....
It is a really great idea and a huge timesaver for a member of the family who is a good organiser and has a loud voice to organise the family for the important family photos. If you make a list prior to the day of everyone you want to be photographed with and give this list to that person.
They can organise everyone when we are ready to do the family and friend photos and we can get through these quickly allowing more time for the bride and groom time.
