Love, Nicole
I'm so honored that you've trusted me with capturing your wedding day! I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and getting to know you better over the next several months.
In the mean time, this guide is designed to help you create a wedding day that lends itself to the best photos possible! This will walk you through everything from timelines to details to family photos.
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and feel free reach out at any point during the planning process!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
WELCOME
Below you'll find some handy tips for nailing down the perfect style.
Engagement sessions are a great way for us to connect and get to know each other before your big day arrives! You'll learn all about our posing structure and you'l be a pro by the end of your session! This will make your wedding day pictures a piece of cake!
& why we love them!
ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
no way, jose
- Being "matchy-matchy"
- White Socks That Stick Out
- Big Logos and Writing on Shirts
- Small, Intricate, Busy Patterns
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Something uncomfortable that needs constantly adjusted
- Professional Hair and Makeup
- Complementary color schemes
- Comfortable + easy to move in
- Flowly skirts or tops that show movement
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - we want you to feel confident and look your best!
yes! yes! yes!
Engagement photo styling tips
Engagement sessions typically last 1.5 - 2 hours. I recommend you bring an extra outfit, as you may wish to have two different "looks". Below you'll find some general guidelines to narrow down your perfect outfit.
what to wear
FLORAL DESIGN
Crow River Floral & Gifts
101 Market/Petals to Pines
WEDDING PLANNER
Bride Support
Abby Hanson
VIDEOGRAPHY
Zandolee Media
WEDDING DRESS
David's Bridal Richfield MN
Bridal Accents Couture
RENTALS
CALLIGRAPHY
Plume Calligraphy
Calligraphy By Carole
Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment
DJ & BANDS
CATERING
Custom Catering by Short Stop
Lancer Catering
CLOSE
DETAILS
BONUS: EXTRA FLOWERS
I love getting to capture all the special details you've curated for your wedding day.
Details are one of the first things I'll photograph when I arrive on your wedding day so it's great if you have all these items in once place that morning. The list below is a great starting point if you're not sure what to include!
ENGAGEMENT + WEDDING bands (& if you have a pretty ring box!)
I once had a bride bring her grandmother's handkerchief. This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, I love including family heirlooms in your detail shots.
groom detail checklist
SENTIMENTAL KEEPSAKES
2 FULL SETS WITH ENVELOPES + STAMPS & ANY OTHER PAPER STATIONARY YOU MAY HAVE (LIKE PROGRAM CARDS, ETC)
SHOES
VEIL
BOUQUET
HAIR PIECES
JEWELRY
VOW BOOK
His shoes
Socks
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL OR SENTIMENTAL.
I'd LOVE TO HAVE A FEW CUTS OF THE FLORALS YOU'LL BE USING THROUGHOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY. IF YOUR FLORIST WILL SUPPLY A SMALL BUCKET OF EXTRA PIECES I CAN INCORPORATE THOSE IN YOUR DETAIL SHOTS.
bride detail checklist
Dress & Hanger
Rings & Ring Box
(IF THEY'RE SPECIAL)
wedding day
INVITATION SUITE
PRINT THIS CHECKLIST!
THE RINGS
Soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
I love capturing the detail of your rings up close. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home:
01. A FIRST LOOK GIVES YOU QUIET MOMENT ALONE
Wedding days go by in a blur. As soon as the day begins there is so much to do and so many people to see. Doing a first look will give the two of you a moment alone (with a camera shooting from afar) to soak it all in and think through what the day means to you.
02. MORE TIME FOR PICTURES & YOUR RECEPTION
When you have a first look, we can take pictures of the two of you, the bridal party, and some family pictures before the ceremony even begins. This makes the day less rushed and allows us to take more pictures too!
Once you're married, we won't need as much time set aside for photos and you can get to your cocktail hour and reception sooner!
03. POSSIBLY AVOID bad WEATHER
If there's bad weather on the forecast, a first look gives you the option to get pictures done earlier in the day and possibly avoid being stuck in the rain!
First look
WONDERING IF A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.
04. get out all your tears without the audience
A first look give both of you a moment to cry without the audience of all your wedding guests. You can get all your tears out knowing you'll have time to freshen up before pictures too.
It's a special moment when you see your other half for the first time on your wedding day. It'a a moment worth remembering whether you do or a first look or wait for an epic reveal as you walk down the aisle.
If you're wondering whether or not to do a first look on your wedding day, here are some ideas to consider.
"I love her. and that's the beginning and the end of everything."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
BUILDING THE PERFECT
with a
first look
no first look
traditional
Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional (not seeing each other until the bride walks down the aisle), we'll work with you to create the perfect wedding day schedule. Take a look at the examples below to get a general idea of when to plan for photos on your wedding day.
12:00 pm
COVERAGE BEGINS & DETAIL SHOTS
12:45 pm
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH DAD
1:00 pm
BRIDAL PORTRAITS + BRIDES AND BRIDESMAID PORTRAITS
1:30 pm
GROOM'S FINAL PREPARATIONS & DETAILS
2:00 pm
GROOM + GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS
2:30 pm
FIRST LOOK PORTRAITS
3:15 pm
BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
4:00 pm
HIDE BRIDE AWAY
4:30 pm
ceremony detail shots
5:00 pm
ceremony begins
5:30 pm
family photos + cocktail hour
6:00 pm
candid cocktail hour photos
6:15 pm
photograph reception area + details
6:30 pm
reception begins
6:40 pm
grand entrance + first dance
6:45 pm
dinner is served
7:15 pm
toasts
7:30 pm
special dances + dancing
7:45 pm
cake cutting, bouquet + garter toss
8:00 pm
exit photos + coverage ends
with a
first look timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
FIRST LOOK
PRINT & CUSTOMIZE THIS timeline!
1:00 PM
COVERAGE BEGINS & DETAIL SHOTS
2:00 PM
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH DAD
2:30 PM
BRIDAL PORTRAITS + BRIDES AND BRIDESMAID PORTRAITS
3:00 PM
GROOM'S FINAL PREPARATIONS & DETAILS
3:30 PM
GROOM + GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS
4:30 pm
PHOTOGRAPH GUESTS ENTERING CEREMONY
5:00 pm
ceremony begins
5:30 pm
family photos + cocktail hour
5:45 PM
BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
6:10 pm
BRIDE + GROOM PORTRAITS
6:45 pm
PHOTOGRAPH RECEPTION AREA
7:00 PM
RECEPTION BEGINS
7:10 PM
GRAND ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE
7:15 pm
DINNER IS SERVED
8:00 PM
CAKE CUTTING, BOUQUET + GARTER TOSS
8:30 PM
DANCING
9:00 PM
exit photos + coverage ends
without a first look
traditional timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
Traditional
4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPH CEREMONY SITE
PRINT & CUSTOMIZE THIS timeline!
"You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
FAMILY PORTRAITS
A FEW HELPFUL TIPS + TRICKS
crowd management
It's great if you can assign a friend or family member to help make sure we have everyone we need for family photos. This person should know who everyone on the photo list is but not be in too many photos themselves.
KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN THE LOOP
It makes the whole process of family photos faster when everyone in them knows what to expect. Let your family members (or anyone else who will be in a photo) to stick around as soon as the ceremony ends so that we don't have to take extra time finding everyone who's walked away.
short + sweet
Family photos aren't anyone's favorite part of a wedding day and we try to take them as efficiently as possible. With that said, keep in mind that every grouping typically takes 2-3 minutes to pose. We want to make sure we get all the family photos that need to be taken without cutting into your cocktail hour or reception too much!
create a list
We'll ask you for a list of family picture groupings a few weeks before the day of your wedding. Please make sure you list everyone's first name so that we know who to call for when we're grouping people together for a photo.
(There's a template below that's super easy to customize!)
sample family photos list
BRIDE'S GRANDPARENTS
BRIDE'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY + GRANDPARENTS
BRIDE'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
BRIDE'S SIBLINGS
BRIDE'S PARENTS
GROOM'S GRANDPARENTS
GROOM'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY + GRANDPARENTS
GROOM'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
GROOM'S SIBLINGS
GROOM'S PARENTS
THE BRIDE + GROOM WITH...
PRINT & CUSTOMIZE THIS LIST!
RECEPTION + GRAND EXIT
RECEPTION
During your reception, I will be taking photos of the speeches and dancing as well as candid shots of your guests. I will always be availabe to grab a photo of you with a group of guests that may have not been in a planned group photo. I love being your personal paparazzi!
Grand exits
Grand exits are such a fun bookend to your day! They typically consist of a human tunnel along with sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks or something else to celebrate with!
It is helpful if you can designate a few people attending your reception to help organize people into two lines and distribute whatever they will holding.
If you're up for it, I like to have couples run through the tunnel twice to make sure we get that EPIC send off photo!
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- Dr. suess
IMAGE DELIVERY
IN A CURATED ONLINE GALLERY
view a sample gallery
View gallery
HOW IT WORKS
One of my favorite parts of the wedding experience is delivering your beautiful gallery of images! When your photos are edited and ready, you'll receive a unique link to your online gallery. This is a URL where you will have access to all of your images at high resolution. You can scroll through, view, and download them at any time. You will need a guest link in order to share the gallery with friends and family so they can relive your best day with you!
THE HIGHEST QUALITY AlbUMS FOR YOUR MOST TREASURED MOMENTS. THESE QUALITY BOOKS WILL LIVE ON FOR GENERATIONS.
WEDDING ALBUM
Heirloom
ALBUM DESIGN
A few weeks after your wedding (once you've received your online gallery!) we can start designing your wedding album. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it.
Link to example gallery
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
You'll have the chance to pick out your album size, material and color. Our album builder inside our gallery is super easy!
Album Page Layout
Once your favorites are selected, your gallery will ask you if you want them to lay out the album for you. When you have made your selections I will go through the design and layout to ensure everything looks fab!
Enjoy your alubm
Once everything looks good to go and you like the layout, I will order your album and have it sent directly to you.
Album design process
Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions!
SITE DESIGN BY RACHEL KICK
Thank you for trusting us to capture your special day! If you need to contact me at any point during the planning process, feel free to shoot me an email!