- adrian

Thank you again for choosing to work with me and please don't hesitate to let me know if I can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!

I'm so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! I know photography is one of the larger investments you're making for your wedding day and I'm so honored you chose to work with me!

Having photographed so many weddings over the past few years, I tend to get asked the same things over and over again. So I thought it would be beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything from timelines to engagement sessions and inclement weather.

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Welcome

plan your session

I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, they also give you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. I've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!

Engagement Session

Over the years, I've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free, beautiful wedding day. I have many high quality relationships with vendors in the area and I'd love to introduce you to them.

WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE

Vendors

Dress
Undergarments
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces and jewelry

Session Checklist 

Wedding venues are usually a wonderful place to start - especially historic homes and resorts that have well manicured areas. I want to keep your dress as clean as possible and still get a lot of amazing images inside and outside.

When it comes to selecting a date for your bridal portrait session, another great thing to keep in mind is the weather. In order to avoid being too hot during the summer months or too cold during the winter months, I highly recommend Spring and Fall. However, I'll shoot anytime and anywhere there's great light!

Many venues charge a fee for portrait sessions. Although inconvenient, the fee is often worth it in order to have use of their getting ready room and other venue services. We typically have to work with the venues on times, but I love to shoot bridal portraits in the afternoon as late as we can to get that softer afternoon light. However, if your venue has strict hours, I am happy to work with their allotted times.

Make sure to bring your jewelry, your veil and your shoes to your bridal portrait session! 

There's a big difference between looking at yourself in the mirror at a hair and makeup trial and actually seeing how that hair holds up in the elements and how that makeup photographs. When it comes to being confident in your choices on your wedding day, photos are invaluable!

If you're considering a Bridal Portrait Session, I recommend a full trial run of hair, nails, makeup and your bouquet. I typically spend 1-2 hours shooting at bridal sessions and it's nice to have something to hold to make your hands feel a little less awkward! 

When it comes to choosing a location for your bridal portrait session, I recommend using locations that are well manicured, clean, and have great variety of indoor and outdoor locations.

Gorgeous Photos + practice run for the big day 

Bridal Portraits

That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony.

First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become more popular over the last few years. About half of my couples this year have chosen to do a first look.

While I consider myself someone who values tradition, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look. Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:

IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERE

First Looks

If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.

And reason 3 is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony.

First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special, and I totally respect your decision either way.

First Look

03

When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This generally runs into cocktail hour.

A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and, sometimes, for a few bride and groom portraits (although I prefer to do bride and groom portraits at sunset). This allows the couple to get the most out of cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.

It makes more time for pictures without sacrificing cocktail hour  

02

Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up after the first look  

Once the ceremony begins, the day takes off quickly. A ‘first look’ is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on what this day means before your day takes off.

Wedding days can be a whirlwind and they tend to fly by. There’s much to do, and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. I always encourage my couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening.

A first look cuts through the chaos of the day

01

If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! 

If rain is in the forecast, no need to fear, I'll bring a few umbrellas to your session. We will need to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light - even if it means heading offsite. 

If you don't own a pair of cute Wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair - even if you're just wearing them in between shooting locations. 

Rain Tips

I love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! I will coordinate with your planner as to the best place and time to capture them. I've made it easy for you and put together a list below.

I recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light, however, I'll have my flash available for dimly lit places.

It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for me.

Details

Wedding Day 

Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
I once had a bride bring her grandmother's hand mirror. This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, I love including family heirlooms in my detail shots.
Bonus: I'd love to have a few cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply us a small bucket of extra pieces we can incorporate those in your detail shots.

print this checklist

BRIDAL DETAILS CHECKLIST 

print this checklist

His shoes
Socks (if they're special)
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
Anything else he'll have that is special or sentimental.

Groom DETAILS CHECKLIST 

When I can, I always try to take a photo of your ring during your session. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.

To clean at home, 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.

The Rings

As we approach the wedding day, I'll be contacting your planner for a short list of people that you specifically want photographed. Please keep in mind that the more people we need to track down, the less we're able to capture spontaneous moments.

It's also very helpful to know of any special family dynamics or physical limitations that we should be aware of.

your entire family, dressed up and together 

Family Formals

It's becoming more and more common to see requests for wedding guests to unplug during ceremonies, and there's a pretty good reason for it!

You made a big investment into photography, and I'm sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. Ultimately, it's your choice, but I recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.

CONSIDER UNPLUGGING

After the wedding is over, one of the only things you'll have left is your images. I'm a big believer that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space.

One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering an album. This is the last thing we'll do after you receive your gallery. The high quality professionally designed albums that I use come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents' wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.

I'll be providing more information about creating a wedding album as we get further into the process.

THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING DAY

Handcrafted Albums

I'm looking forward to getting to know you! If you haven't scheduled your engagement session yet, let's get that in the books. Feel free to email me any time at adrianwaymentphoto@gmail.com.

Thank you!