Love, A&P
We are so honored that you're considering us to capture your wedding day!
We've created this guide 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.
We hope this helps ease some stresses during the wedding planning process. We are here to help however we can!
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'll 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 1-1.5 hours. We recommend you bring an extra outfit, as you may wish to have two different "looks". Below you'll find some suggestions on what to do and not to do. Ultimately we want you to be you so if that means breaking the rules - BREAK EM!
what to wear
FLORAL DESIGN
Fresh Cut Floral
Bellini Blooms
Antigua Floral
Jill Windham
WEDDING PLANNER
Gold Night Events
Olivia Miley Events
Gavin Snyder Events
Southern Productions Weddings
VIDEOGRAPHY
April & Paul
The Film Poets
Livemore Weddings
Ember and Ash Films
WEDDING DRESS
Town and Country Bridal
Bliss Bridals
Lovebirds Bridal Boutique
Elle James Bridal
RENTALS
Love Good Rentals
Galleries of Jackson
Blooms
Parlour Rentals
CALLIGRAPHY
Scriptura Nola
K Kraft Co
White Ink Calligraphy
Bottle Brush Designs
D Play Band
DJ Trazy
The Band U.S.
Style Entertainment
DJ & BANDS
CATERING
Elements Catering
Southern Oaks
Fresh Cut of Jackson
Black Pearl Catering Co
CLOSE
DETAILS
BONUS: EXTRA FLOWERS
We love getting to capture all the special details you've curated for your wedding day.
Details are one of the first things we'll photograph when we 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!)
we 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
feel free to include 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.
we'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 amount OF EXTRA PIECES we 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.
We love capturing the details 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 a 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 to soak it all in and think through what the day means to you. OH and you can hug!! Why in the world is this not a thing during the ceremony?!
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 family before the ceremony even begins. This makes the day less rushed and allows us more creativity! Once you're married, you can get straight to the PARTYING!
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 gives 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 a first look or wait for a 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 route (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
DETAIL & Getting Ready SHOTS
12:45 pm
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH DAD (optional)
1:00 pm
First Look
2:00 pm
Wedding Party
3:00 pm
Family Formals
3:30 pm
Break Before Ceremony
4:00 pm
Ceremony Begins
4:30 pm
Cocktail hour
4:30 pm
Sunset bride & Groom photos
5:00 pm
Private Meal/We capture Reception details
5:30 pm
Grand Entrance + First Dance
6:00 pm
Cake Cutting, Tosses, Toasts
9:00 pm
Reception exit (fake or not)
with a
first look timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
FIRST LOOK
1:00 PM
Detail & Getting Ready Shots
1:45 PM
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH DAD (Optional)
2:00 PM
BRIDAL PORTRAITS + BRIDES AND BRIDESMAID PORTRAITS
3:00 PM
Groom + Groomsmen Portraits
4:00 PM
Family photos separately
5:00 pm
Ceremony Begins
5:30 pm
Family photos
5:45 pm
Full Bridal Party Photos
6:00 PM
Bride + Groom Photos
6:30 pm
Reception entrance
6:45 pm
Dances, Cake Cutting, etc.
9:00 PM
exit photos (real or fake) + coverage ends
without a first look
traditional timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
Traditional
4:30 PM
Capture CEREMONY SITE & Reception Details
"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) know 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 efficient 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
In our Wedding Questionnaire we'll ask you to select some of the provided family photo options as well as add in any extras (such as extended family). 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.
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, we will be taking photos of the speeches and dancing as well as candid shots of your guests. We will always be available to grab a photo of you with any group of guests that may have not been in a planned group photo. We are happy to be 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, we 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
LINK TO GALLERY GOES HERE
HOW IT WORKS
One of our favorite parts of the wedding experience is delivering your beautiful gallery of images! When your photos are edited and ready, you'll receive a 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'll also be able to share this link 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 you've received your wedding gallery we can start designing your wedding album. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it.
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
After receiving your gallery, you'll have a chance to pick out your favorite images. It's as easy as selecting the star on your images!
Album Page Layout
Once your options are selected, we'll create the page layouts using the best of your wedding day photos. When we're done we're send a proof your way and we can make any changes you want.
Enjoy your alubm
Once everything looks good to go and you like the layout, we'll order your album and have it your way in NO time!
Album design process
Feel free to shoot us an email with any questions!
Day after sessions are FUN! They give you an opportunity to spend more time playing around in that gorgeous wedding dress and suit anywhere you want. Want to head to the mountains or the beach? LET'S GO! Want to go to your favorite coffee shop or milkshake stop? HECK YES! We love when our couples get creative and choose to play a little longer. This time comes once in a lifetime for you and it deserves to be celebrated the right way!
