Planning your Wedding

Right, so here we are in the nitty gritty of planning your wedding day! I hope the info below takes away some of the stress and answers some of the quetstions your may have!

Timeline

Right, so here we are in the nitty-gritty of planning your wedding day! I hope the info below takes away some of the stress and answers some of the questions you may have!

The first thing you want to do is find out what time the sun will set on your wedding day. We highly recommend using the hour before sunset {also known as the golden hour} for your couple images. I call it "unicorn and rainbows hour" because the light is just magic! Don't forget to add an extra 10 minutes after sunset for a few blue light images {that is the time of day when the sun has just set}. The images have a very special "calm" quality to them.

I personally use a website called Time&Date to see the sunset time for a specific date and area. - www.timeanddate.com

Next, you want an idea of how much each section or chapter of your wedding will need.

TIP: You don't want your guests to wait too long. Here is a few things that we recommend:

• Guests can start moving into your venue 30min before you do. Getting everyone inside takes time. Your guests will naturally want to go to the bathroom to freshen up or to the bar to refill their drinks and of course, find their seats.
• Have your MC do the house rules and indemnity {if your venue requires you to read it to your guests} before you walk in. This can be done 15-10 minutes before you are announced. You really don't need to be there for this part, you know where the bathrooms are and where to find the table wine and this buys you a couple of extra minutes for the last bit of golden light for your photos.
• After the house rules, your MC can welcome everyone and then announce you. This way, when you walk in it's all hype and then you can go into starters immediately without having to go through house rules etc.

The trick is to work backward from sunset time. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• travel time between locations if you are not doing every chapter at the venue or in one location.
• Mountain ranges and valleys that can block light from the setting sun
• Bad weather can steal sunlight. In that case, we usually swap mingle time and couple photo's around so that we have the best light for your pictures together.

Family Photo's

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Allocate between 2-3 minutes per group shot. Yes guys, really. There is always someone stuck at the bar or bathroom during family photos. The actual taking of the picture is really quick, getting everyone there and ready for the picture takes time.
2. Think 10-12 group shots per 30 minutes.
3. Print 3 copies of your list and have them ready on the day.
4. Be patient! For most couples, this is the worst part of the day but I can confidently say that a few years down the line this will be some of your most cherished photos of your wedding day.

The Actual Wedding Day

This is how we work and what we recommend for your wedding day as well as a few tips to make it run smoothly. Let's go through your day one section at a time.

Groom Getting Ready

We usually allocate around 90 minutes for the groom getting ready photos. This is roughly divided into 30 minutes for detail shots and getting to know everyone, 30 minutes getting ready {and yes guys, it can take that long. I've seen groomsmen wrestle with suspenders for longer than that...} and then 30 minutes of portraits of the groom and groomsmen.

WHY DO WE PHOTOGRAPH THE GROOM FIRST AND NOT AN HOUR BEFORE THE CEREMONY?

We get this question a lot and I understand why. We've shot over 1000 weddings together and this is the best way to do it. I hate having my grooms feel like they are going from one photo session to the next. When we do the groom photos first thing in the day, it's done and they get to relax until chapel. I also find that the groom is the main contact point for guests before the ceremony and that doesn't leave us with much time or opportunity to do photos between greeting guests, nerves, and all the last-minute questions.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. You don't need to be dressed when we get there but there are extra points for having all your details {shoes, watch, cuff links, vows, tie, etc} ready for me to photograph. We recommend being groomed and showered though.
2. It will be painless, it might even be fun :)

Detail Photo's

I love doing reception details. It gives me a full picture of your style and the mood of your wedding. At this time we document your table setups and little details that you have in your reception area.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. We love documenting your stationery. Please print an extra set for me to photograph if you want to include it in your photo gallery.
2. Communicate with your stylist and florist the time on your schedule that we will photograph the venue.

Bride Getting Ready

We usually allocate around 120 minutes/2 hours for the bride getting ready photos. This is roughly divided into 30 minutes for detail shots and getting to know everyone, 15 minutes for champagne shots in gowns with your bridesmaids, 30 minutes for getting ready, another 15 minutes for revealing your dress to your dad, and then 30 minutes of portraits of the bride and bridesmaids.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Ask your Makeup artist to be done or almost done 2 hours before the ceremony, this allows a pocket of time if you run late. I see so many brides with almost no bridal portraits because their hair and makeup were behind schedule.
2. Pick the people you surround yourself with while getting ready. A room filled to the brim with family and flower girls can become very stressful very quickly.
3. 
   

Ceremony | Chapel

We are heading to the Chapel of LOOOOVVVVEEE! This is one of my favorite times of the day. I love the anticipation in the air and the look when the groom sees his bride for the first time. The walk down the aisle feels slow and fast at the same time and it is such a privilege to witness it every time.

Take a deep breath and feel every emotion. This is how you will create the memories that you will relive every time you look at your photos.

OUR CEREMONY WILL ONLY BE 20/30 MINUTES, WE DON'T NEED AN HOUR.

Yes, you do, you really need an hour. Even if your ceremony is just 30 minutes, add to that 5 minutes before you can walk down the aisle to allow the last guest to move in, 10 minutes after the ceremony for guests to move out, grab confetti, and for you to sign the register, another 5 minutes for good wishes from your closest family after you've signed the register and then 10 minutes to enjoy confetti and congratulations from your guest outside. It quickly becomes an hour. Not allowing enough time for your ceremony is the first thing that can make your wedding day feel like it's rushed and that you're trying to play catch up to your timeline.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Allow an aisle length between every bridesmaid as they make their way into your ceremony area.
2. Slow is the name of the game. When in doubt, slow down. This is the rule for walking down the aisle, vows, and exchanging rings, and definitely double counts for your first kiss.
3. You are allowed to hold hands and to be close together during your ceremony. Every now and again we get a couple that is so nervous they stand a good 1.5 m away from each other. Remember to look at the person you love next to you and move in a little closer if you feel they are too far away.
4. SPACING: Try to create an area where you stand in the front that has enough space. Don't stand on top of your officiant. It is the saddest thing when I edit images and the couple is so close to the officiant that I can not crop out the microphone stand or brightly colored iPad case. In this regard, space is your friend, use it.
5. Ask your bridesmaids not to fluff your gown immediately when you are in position next to your groom. This is usually a very emotional moment and a really good photo opportunity to capture you and the people around you. When everyone is seated and the officiant starts, that is a good time for them to discretely fluff your gown and take your flowers.

Cocktails & Mingle time

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Allocate between 2-3 minutes per group shot. Yes guys, really. There is always someone stuck at the bar or bathroom during family photo's. The actual taking of the picture is really quick, the getting everyone there and ready for the picture takes time.
2. Print 3 copies of your list and have them ready on the day.

Your Photo's

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Allocate between 2-3 minutes per group shot. Yes guys, really. There is always someone stuck at the bar or bathroom during family photo's. The actual taking of the picture is really quick, the getting everyone there and ready for the picture takes time.
2. Print 3 copies of your list and have them ready on the day.

Reception

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Allocate between 2-3 minutes per group shot. Yes guys, really. There is always someone stuck at the bar or bathroom during family photo's. The actual taking of the picture is really quick, the getting everyone there and ready for the picture takes time.
2. Print 3 copies of your list and have them ready on the day.

It's all in the details...

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. Clear away plates before you start your speeches. Nobody, absolutely nobody wants to be photographed while eating or having half a plate of food in front of them.
2. Table photos:

Really nice to have's

I highly recommend adding an emergency kit to your venue bathrooms. It is one of the nicest things you, as a host can do for your guests.

TOP THINGS I WOULD INCLUDE:

• Pain killers, nausea tablets, tums
• Safety pins, needle and thread
• Dry shampoo and a comb
• Plasters and some more plasters - they really are life savers!
• Sanitary products
• Wet Wipes & ear buds
• Gum

Pre Wedding Dinner

We are available for pre-wedding celebrations. We love doing them and it is such a special part of your wedding celebration!

TOP THINGS I WOULD INCLUDE:

• Pain killers, nausea tablets, tums
• Safety pins, needle and thread
• Dry shampoo and a comb
• Plasters and some more plasters - they really are life savers!
• Sanitary products
• Wet Wipes & ear buds
• Gum

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