Wedding Planning Guide

Thank You!

We know that choosing a wedding photographer is not an easy choice, but we also know you made the right decision. We got you! First, we want to make sure that you do not miss anything. We would love for you to add both Josh and Kristan to your phones. This ensures that our texts and emails always find you. Also, if you need anything you have a few ways to contact us as well.

Add Josh to your contacts

Add Kristan to your contacts

Plan & Prep

A bride and groom holding hands in a gazebo at night

Since 2011, we've had the privilege of documenting love stories through photography and videography. Every wedding is unique and reflects the couple at the heart of it, we love capturing the genuine moments, meaningful details, and unique personalities that make each celebration unforgettable.


We understand that planning a wedding comes with a lot of decisions, but it doesn't have to feel overwhelming. To help with the process, we've created this guide to share the tips, insights, and lessons we've learned from photographing hundreds of weddings. From getting ready and your first look, to the ceremony, reception, and grand exit, you'll find practical advice to help you enjoy every moment while creating beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

What Each Season Offers

SPRING:

Spring weddings are wonderful because they are portrait perfect! We recommend having plenty of Claritin or Zyrtec on hand just in case allergies start to flare up during portrait time. Spring weddings normally have the potential for some blossoms. If we happen to find any type of blooming tree it will be worth it to dedicate a few minutes for portraits. You’ll LOVE the results!

SUMMER:

Summer is one of my personal favorite seasons! This is probably because Josh and I got married in the summer! We also love the additional daylight! If you’re having a summer wedding, plan a few minutes to dip out of the reception for your portraits. Sunset is the absolute best light and you will NOT regret it. Usually these portraits happen during dinner or open dancing so that no one even notices that you’re gone for a few minutes.

FALL:

Fall weddings are amazing! We love the temperatures and the colors! Some brides worry about losing the beautiful colors and we want to encourage you that all we need is one tree with some cool leaves in order to create the fall look. A little bit of color can go a long way! Your portrait time will vary depending on your wedding date. We’ll be sure to discuss this when going over your timeline.

WINTER:

Winter wedding are gorgeous! They do take some additional planning simply because of the reduced daylight and colder temperatures. Sunset or evening ceremonies prove the most time for portraits. Also based on location, additional layers such as shawls, blankets, favorite hat, etc. can help protect against the cold and add a lot of character to portraits.

Your Big Day

The day will fly by! Take time to enjoy the moments together.
Our pro tip: Don't give yourselves too many responsibilities on your wedding day.
Instead, ask trusted family or friends to handle the details so you can focus on celebrating.

Getting Ready

People gathered in a room, likely during a wedding, with women in wedding dresses and men in formal attire, including a man in a tuxedo with a bow tie and an older man in a white shirt and tie, engaging in conversation.
Group of men in formal attire celebrating and clinking bottles together indoors.
A man in formal attire adjusting his cufflinks in a dimly lit room.
Woman with a veil and tattoos applying makeup in a black and white photo.

Self-care shouldn't take a backseat on your wedding day. Months of planning can bring excitement, but also some stress and anxiety.


Before you walk down the aisle, the goal is to feel calm, relaxed, and confident.


Many brides and/or grooms treat themselves by scheduling hair, makeup, manicures, or other pampering services. Not only do you deserve it, but it's also a great opportunity to relax, have fun, & bond with your wedding party.

You've invested in making your wedding day unforgettable. Remember, you're worth the investment too.

The Details

Cowboy boots with floral embroidery, a silver pocket watch hanging from a lace ribbon, a ring box with rings, and a bouquet of sunflowers, roses, and white flowers placed on the ground near a fallen log in a wooded outdoor setting.
Decorative letters spelling 'LOVE' with intricate designs, placed on a table with blurred background including a window and red ribbon decoration.
Colorful rolled paper craft projects with a small artificial flower bouquet, inside a wooden container.
Wedding accessories and items arranged on a white surface, including a bouquet of flowers, pearl necklace, wedding rings in an orange ring box, a perfume bottle, a pillow with embroidered details, white cowboy boots, a blue lace garter, handwritten name cards, green leaves, and jewelry.

You've probably heard that the beauty is in the details, and we couldn't agree more. Details matter!

You put so much time, love, and thought into planning your wedding, and capturing those details helps preserve the memories of your special day.

We recommend gathering all your details in one place before the day begins. It makes styling your photos easier and helps ensure nothing important is forgotten.

Dress
Veil / Hair Pieces
Ties
Shoes
Rings

WHAT TO BRING:

Jewelry
Perfume / Cologne
Bouquet
Invitations
Borrowed / Blue

First Look

A couple stands back to back, holding hands with a wall between them indoors, with the man in a white shirt and dark pants and the woman in a lace wedding gown, in a room with wooden floors and a decorated Christmas tree.
A woman in a white wedding dress and a man in cowboy attire standing in front of a vintage truck on a grassy field under a clear blue sky.
A bride in a lace wedding dress standing outdoors with a man in a vest and jeans in the background.
A man and a woman are standing back to back. The man is smiling and wearing glasses, a black jacket, and a shirt. The woman has dark hair, tattoos on her arm, dark makeup, and is wearing a black dress and a tiara, looking at the camera with a serious expression.

TRADITIONAL:
When the couple does not see each other until the ceremony.


MODERN:
When the couple has a private first look or first touch before the ceremony.

More couples are choosing a modern first look as it provides a few minutes of privacy, comfort, and reassurance before the ceremony to see each other and be reminder each other why you are getting married. Many share that it is like getting two first looks as the anticipation builds back up as the minutes tick down to the ceremony.

Either route you go, ensure that it is the right decision for you.

Ceremony

A couple is getting married in a decorated room. The bride is in a white dress and veil, the groom is in a white shirt and blue pants, and a woman with a hat and a blazer is officiating the ceremony.
A couple kissing under an umbrella on their wedding day, with the bride wearing a lace dress and the groom in a dark suit, visible through a transparent veil.
A bride and groom share a kiss during their wedding ceremony outdoors, standing beneath an arch decorated with white flowers and greenery.
A bride and groom face each other with noses touching, outdoors on their wedding day, holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers.

Lighting plays a big role in your wedding photos. As a general rule, the lower the sun is in the sky, the softer and more romantic the light.

If you're planning an outdoor ceremony at noon, choose a shaded area whenever possible. This helps avoid harsh shadows and squinting in the bright sun.

Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful, but it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of unexpected weather.

UNPLUGGED CEREMONY: Kindly asking guests to put away phones, tablets, and cameras allows them to be fully present and enjoy the moment with you.

While details and planning matter, never lose sight of the true purpose of your wedding day: celebrating the love and connection you share with your partner.

The ‘First Kiss’ Photo

A bride and groom kiss under a wooden pavilion with an outdoor landscape background at dusk.
Couple kissing during wedding ceremony with guests seated in the background.
A bride and groom exchanging vows at an outdoor wedding under a wooden pavilion, with guests seated on either side on folding chairs, and autumn leaves scattered on the sidewalk.
A newlywed couple sharing a kiss during their wedding reception in a decorated indoor venue with string lights and guests watching.

When you imagine your first kiss photo, which view comes to mind?

GUESTS’ VIEW: This photo can be taken down the aisle to capture friends/family looking at the couple or with the couple as the prime focus.

COUPLE’S VIEW: We partner with the officiant to step in and capture this photo with the couple in front and friends/family in the background.

Family Formals

The variations are endless. A best practice is to have a list of your must-have images for your Family Formals beforehand.

EXAMPLE WISH LIST:

Couple with entire guest list (if practical)
Couples with grandparents
Couple with extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins)
Couple with parents & siblings
Couple with parents
Couple with siblings

Wedding Party Portraits

A wedding party outdoors under a large tree, including the bride in a white gown, groom, children, and bridesmaids and groomsmen in blue and light blue attire, holding bouquets and standing on grass with wooden fence in background.
Group of people dressed in formal attire standing outdoors in a park-like setting with trees in the background, suggesting a wedding or special event.

EXAMPLE WISH LIST:

Wedding party in formal & fun poses
Bride with Bridesmaids
Bride with Groomsmen
Groom with Bridesmaids
Groom with Groomsmen

From fun to elegant, your Wedding Party portraits should reflect your personalities and style. We don’t know what we don’t know, so if there is a must-have shot please include it in your wish list.

Just Married Photos

Bride and groom walking hand in hand on a rocky lakeshore, dressed in wedding attire, with a cloudy sky overhead
A newlywed couple standing arm-in-arm next to a large black steam locomotive, with the bride's veil flowing in the wind, outdoors on a clear day.
A bride and groom standing on the steps of a large, historic house decorated for a wedding with hanging flowers on the porch. The bride is seated holding a bouquet, and the groom is standing next to her holding her hand.

Just married portraits are a unique opportunity to get some beautiful images as newly married spouses and also gives you a chance to take a small break in the day. It’s an opportunity to take in the moment and be with each other without all the distractions a wedding day can bring.

These portraits are private and usually where we find a beautiful area near the action but far enough away to give you privacy. During this time, we capture beautiful memories that will be the first you hang up in your home. We believe that the way you start your marriage is a key indicator of how you will start your life together. Make it calm, peaceful, and full of love and joy. If there is one set of photos you don’t want to skip, these would be it.

Reception

Woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet above her head, smiling, with a group of women in the background at a nighttime celebration with string lights.
A couple dancing closely against a brick wall, with soft bokeh lights in the foreground.

Much like the ceremony you have the freedom to make your reception your own!

It’s your party. It should be exactly how you want it to be!

Here is a list of events that typically happen during a reception:

Grand Entrance
Welcome Speech
Dinner
Cake Cutting
Toasts
First Dances
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Anniversary Dance
Money Dance
Games
Last Dance

Dance

People dancing at a wedding reception, including a bride in a wedding gown lifting her dress, others in formal and semi-formal attire, under a large decorative ceiling.
Two children dance and spin, with a boy lifting a girl in a teal dress, on a dance floor at a celebration under string lights, with adults dancing in the background.
A bride and groom dancing together during their wedding reception on an outdoor wooden stage at night. A band is playing in the background under string lights, with a dark blue sky overhead and decorative deer skulls with antlers mounted on the stage supports.
Black and white photo of a wedding celebration with guests dancing, including a bride being lifted and smiling, visible among other people in formal attire.

A band is a great option if you want a specific type of music played. This is because bands typically specialize in one genre of music. If you want a more diverse range of music, you may want to choose a DJ.

Our best advice, whether you choose a DJ or a band, is that you get someone that fits your personality and who can also MC your night. A great MC helps keep the party going and eliminates extra stress by announcing various parts of your night.

Our approach with your dance is simple. The later the night gets, the wider our lenses get and the more action we capture. Close, fun, personal. When you look at your photos we want you to feel like you were there all over again.

Epics

Silhouetted couple standing in front of stacked hay bales at night
A wedding ceremony in a rural outdoor setting with the bride and groom standing together on a grassy field surrounded by guests, some in western-style clothing, with trees and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Not every couple get what we call an “epic” image such as these examples. There are a couple different reasons for this. Sometimes an “epic” is simply not a priority for the couple and that is always ok because we flex to your vision. Often times though the reason an “epic” may not happen is due to lack of allotted time for photos.

Inevitably, during your wedding day there will be something that does not go as planned and compromises with timeframes will need to happen.

Time allotted for photography is often the first thing to be constrained. It is important that you talk with us about your itinerary of the day to ensure enough time for photos is blocked off.

With our experience, we can help you allot for the right amount of time based on your needs and wants.

Wedding Day Tool Kit

A couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss outdoors at dusk, with string lights in the background.

Most wedding day hiccups can be fixed with a little preparation and a few handy items. We recommend packing these wedding day essentials in one bag so they are within reach when needed.

Grooming
Tweezers
Deodorant
Bobby pins/hair ties
Floss / Toothbrush
Hairspray
Makeup for touchups if needed

Wardrobe
Lint roller
Scissors
Sewing kit / Safety pins
Tide pen / Tide To-Go
Steamer / Static Spray
Crotchet Hook (Buttons/Bustle)

Wellness
Advil / Tylenol
Claritin / Benadryl
Tums / Pepcid
Band-aids
Contact lens solution
Tissues / Wet Wipes

Extras
Marriage License
Phone Charger / Power bank
Vows (if written)
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Umbrella / Fan

What Happens Next

A woman in a lace wedding dress walking arm in arm with a man in a beige suit and cowboy hat outdoors on a sunny day, with green trees and open field in the background.

Your Engagement Session

The planning process

Final talk through (1-2 weeks before)

Your Wedding Day!

Sneak Peeks

Digital Gallery Delivery

During this process, we hope you consider us

Friends with Cameras.

Reach out if anything arises (even if it is not photography related). We have captured love stories since 2011 and are happy to help.

Booking Timelines

Venue

Photographer

Videographer

Caterer

Cake Baker

Band / DJ

Engagement Session

Mail Save the Dates

Officiant

Wedding Dress

Additional Attire

Hair & Make Pros

Barber

Hotel Accommodations

Mail Invitations

Guestbook

Favors / Exit Props

12-24 Months

8-12 Months

8-12 Months

8-12 Months

6-12 Months

6-12 Months

6-8 Months

6 Months

Personal Preference

Personal Preference

Personal Preference

3-6 Months

3-6 Months

3-6 Months

2 Months

1-3 Months

1-3 Months

Don’t know where to start? Here is a List of Vendors that we have previously worked with and recommend.