engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
Wedding Guide
to THE MAIN WEBSITE
- Lisa
I look forward to working with you and can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! Even if you're working with a wedding planner or you're planning a simple wedding, there are likely still a lot of moving pieces left leading up to your big day.
Having photographed more than 300 weddings, 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
Engagement Guide
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 us the chance to meet before the wedding. Check out the engagement guide for tips related to engagement sessions.
Engagement SessionS
Transportation
OFFICIANT
Invitations & CALLIGRAPHY
RENTALS
Attire
CAKE & Desserts
HAIR & MAKEUP
DJ & BANDS
CATERING
ViDEOGRAPHY
FLORAL DESIGNERS
WEDDING PLANNERS
Over the years, I've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. I've worked with many of the vendors below and can't recommend them enough!
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE
Vendors
That moment you see each other for the first time on your wedding day is magical. And this is true whether you choose to wait until you walk down the aisle or choose to do a 'first look’ prior to the ceremony.
A 'first look' is a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony. This has become more popular over the last few years.
Below are a few good 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 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.
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 wedding party portraits, and then your wedding portrait session.
A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for portraits. This allows you 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
Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up
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 all the 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 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
If you're doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 1.5 to 2 hours pre-ceremony (although I LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional photos at sunset!)
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all I ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding.
If you're planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your portraits. Making sure I have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.
Whether you choose to do a first look or not, I will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.
tips for a seamless wedding day timeline
timeline
Wedding Day
building the perfect
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful!
If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. We will also need backup locations for portraits.
If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!
If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful!
If rain is in the forecast, I recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. We will also need backup locations for portraits.
Rain Tips
I love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once I arrive at your wedding (if you want your details photographed), I need about 30 minutes to style and capture details. I recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.
It would be wonderful if you could put all of your attire, rings, jewelry, shoes, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot. Please unwrap and take tags off everything, but don't worry about styling - I'll pick the best locations for all the detail photographs.
Details
Wedding Day
Attire
Hanger (a pretty one!)
Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
Shoes
Flowers
Jewelry
Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Vow Books
Bonus: A small bucket of extra floral pieces from your florist that I can incorporate into your detail shots.
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
DETAILS CHECKLIST
When I can, I always try to take a photo of your rings while you're getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned prior to your wedding day.
The Rings
For formal group portraits, I’ll set you up and move people in and out of photographs as I make my way down the list you provide me in advance.
Before your wedding I send out a pre-wedding questionnaire and ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or handicapped family members & more).
Tip: Designate the loudest person in your family to be my helper during family portraits. Sometimes people wander off. Someone with a loud voice that is familiar with family is very helpful in calling out/finding them while I am busy arranging people.
your entire family, dressed up and together
Formal Portraits
If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and we're 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.
CONSIDER UNPLUGGING
If your reception is at a separate venue, add some "fluff time" so that we can run over to the venue to capture it while it's still "untouched" by guests.
Fluff Time
05
If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, this can be fun, just make sure they are fully dressed in their wedding attire.
First looks for parents
04
Have flowers delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and portraits. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help not leave wet marks on your attire.
Extra Florals
03
If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep people cool. Also little cooling fans. I have a good one I can recommend from Amazon.
Prep for the heat
02
If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch before portraits is always a good idea for you and your wedding party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!
Don't forget the snacks
01
tips
Additional
I'd love to help you plan your timeline. If you'd like our input, don't hesitate to send an email!
I'M here to help
09
If you join cocktail hour, I'll follow you around taking candid photographs. Anytime you'd like a photo with someone, just let me know.
Photo anyone?
08
Family portraits go smooth when both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they'd like before the wedding. If you supply us with a list ahead of time, we can go over it and make sure we shoot things in an order that is efficient.
Make a list
07
I always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest. Guests typically arrive early to weddings.
Hide the bride
06
View Detailed List of Tips
Inquire Now
I can't wait to hear all about what you are planning! Click below and fill out the contact form or email me at lisa@lisastone.com.