A man in a suit holding a reflective, circular mirror that shows a bride and groom dancing on a wooden floor. The outdoor scene includes trees, a wooden fence, and benches in the background.

Wedding Experience

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.

Wedding Day Prep

A bride and groom holding hands in a gazebo at night

Your wedding is unlike any other wedding because it is unique to you. That means you should have wedding photos as unique as you are!

This is where we come in! We have had the honor of capturing love stories via photography and videography since 2011 and each one is unique and tailored to each couple.

We partner with you to ensure your vision for your wedding day is played out through beautiful imagery. From getting ready to the ceremony through the dance party, we capture beautiful photos to tell your love story.

Wedding Seasons

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.

Sample Timeline

8 Hours

A person in a wedding dress is being buttoned up by another person, with focus on the lace details of the dress.

Bride & Groom Prep

2:00pm-3:00pm

1 hours

A black and white photo of a bride and groom holding hands, standing against a wooden pillar inside a building. The groom is on the left, dressed in a suit, looking down with a slight smile. The bride is on the right, wearing a wedding gown with lace detail, facing away from the groom with her eyes closed. The building has wooden paneling and glass windows in the background.

First Look

3:00pm-3:30pm

30 minutes

Wedding invitation, white high heels, jewelry, pillow for rings, and a flower bouquet on a carpeted floor, all arranged for a wedding.

Every Little Detail

3:30pm-4:00pm

30 minutes

Bride and groom exchanging vows outdoors during wedding ceremony, standing at small wooden table with a cross, floral arrangements, and a wooden A-frame backdrop, with natural landscape and cloudy sky in the background.

Ceremony

4:00pm-5:00pm

1 hour

A wedding party on rocky riverbank, with the bride and groom holding hands and standing on a higher rock, while others, including children, sit or stand scattered on different levels of the rocks. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds, and trees line the background.

Wedding Party / Family Formals

5:00pm-6:00pm

1 hour

A newlywed couple with their foreheads touching under a white veil, smiling and gazing at each other, with the sky in the background.

Just Married Portraits

6:00pm-7:00pm

1 hour

Silhouette of a couple in a romantic setting with warm backlighting and star-like decorations

Reception

7:00pm-8:00pm

1 hour

Bride and groom sharing a kiss with guests celebrating, blowing bubbles at night.

Dance & Exit

8:00pm-10:00pm

2 hours

Every Little Detail

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.

We often hear the eye is in the details. From our experience, this is very true. Details matter!

You put so much time, love and effort into wedding planning that capturing those details help you remember how much love went into planning your special day.

Typically we capture the details before the chaos of the day begins. Plus having everything in one place helps ensure nothing important is forgotten or left out by accident.

Dress

Veil / Hair Pieces

Ties

Shoes

Rings

WHAT TO BRING:

Jewelry

Perfume / Cologne

Bouquet

Invitations

Borrowed / Blue

Bridal Party Prep

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 have taken place leading up to your big day, causing you large amounts of stress and anxiety as well as excitement.

Before taking those initial steps down the aisle, the goal is to feel calm, relaxed and confident.

One of the best ways to do this is to pamper yourself on your wedding day. Not only do you deserve those few moments to relax and let someone else help you look stunning; it also gives you the perfect opportunity to relax, have fun and bond with your wedding party.

You have invested money on your big day. Remember, you hare worth the investment and deserve to be pampered also!

Josh’s pro tip: Don’t put a lot of tasks on either couple the day of. Both of you should have time to enjoy in the moments. Delegate these out.

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.

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 is an important factor for images, especially if it’s going to be outdoors. As a general rule, the lower the sun is in the sky, the more romantic the lighting.

Example: If you are getting married outside at noon, please plan for a shaded area otherwise the light will create harsh lines that result in shadows under your eyes, plus you’ll also be squinting!

Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful. As a best practice it is also a good idea to have a backup plan for unexpected weather.

UNPLUGGED CEREMONY: When you kindly ask your guests to put away their phones, tablets and cameras to be in the moment and enjoy the ceremony with you.

While details make a difference and planning is necessary, it’s important to never lose sight of the real purpose of this amazing day - the connection and love you share with your partner!

Wedding Party / Family Formals

A bride with three bridesmaids holding bouquets, standing in an outdoor setting with greenery in the background.
A bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of red, yellow, and white flowers, standing with five groomsmen in black suits, some with yellow or red boutonnieres, outdoors during sunset with trees and grass in the background.
A group of people, including a bride and groom, are gathered outdoors on grass, celebrating a wedding. Everyone is smiling and raising their hands, with the bride and groom in the center holding bouquets and making a heart shape with their hands. The crowd includes children and adults in colorful dresses and suits, with a fence and stairs visible in the background.
Group of people, including family and friends, gathered outdoors for a wedding celebration, with a bride in a white dress and veil, and a groom in a suit, standing in front of a stone building.
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.
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.

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

EXTENDED FAMILY WISH LIST:

Couple with entire guest list (if practical)

Couple with extended family

Couples with all grandparents

Couple with each set of grandparents

IMMEDIATE FAMILY WISH LIST:

Couple with all parents

Couple with all parents & siblings

Couple with each set of parents

Couple with siblings

Couple with set of parents & siblings

WEDDING PARTY WISH LIST:

Wedding party in formal
& fun pose

Bride with all Bridesmaids

Bride with each Bridesmaid

Groom with Groomsmen

Groom with each Groomsmen

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.
A bride in a white wedding gown and a man in a blue suit holding hands while walking on a gravel path surrounded by large trees and open field on a sunny day.

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 last approximately 30 minutes where we find a beautiful area near the action but far enough away to give you privacy. During this time, we capture some 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

A couple sharing a kiss and kissers holding sparklers at night during a celebratory event, surrounded by smiling guests.
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.
A wedding couple, the groom in a suit and bow tie, and the bride in a wedding dress and veil, stand behind a decorated wedding cake, both with messy faces from eating cake, in a black and white photo.

Grand Entrance

Welcome Speech

Dinner

Cake Cutting

Toasts

Parent Dances

First Dance

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:

Bouquet Toss

Garter Toss

Anniversary Dance

Money Dance

Games

Last Dance

Grand Exit

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

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.
Silhouettes of large trees against a twilight sky with visible moon and faint stars. Two small figures are under the trees near the horizon.
Silhouetted couple standing in front of stacked hay bales at night
A person standing outdoors in a garden, holding a photo frame that shows a wedding ceremony scene with a bride and groom dancing on a circular rug.

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.

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 (2-3 weeks before)

Your Wedding Day!

Sneak Peeks

60 Day 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 been capturing love stories since 2011 and we are here to help.

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 and be fixed with preparation and a few small handy items. These are the most used items on a wedding day, we recommend to pack everything in one bag to have it on hand 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

Checklist

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