Wedding Planning Guide
It’s no secret that planning a wedding can be overwhelming but I’m here to ease your mind. This is my full-time job, so you could say I’ve just about seen it all. I’ve used what I’ve learned over the years & gathered it all in one place to help you plan your day as easily as possible.
Around six months before your wedding, I’ll be sending you a questionnaire to gather all of the information I need to plan out my end. Feel free to reference this guide if you have any questions while filling that out!
Timeline Planning
I’m putting this first because it is the area that I usually get the most questions about.
Tip #1: Always allot more time than you think you need to each part of the day (especially when it comes to hair & makeup, as this sets the tone for the day). It’s always better to be ahead of schedule than behind.
Tip #2: Things will go more smoothly if your locations are fairly close together. If both getting ready locations (ladies & guys), the ceremony & reception are far away from each other, that’s a lot of travel & can make the day feel rushed.
No two timelines are ever the same & it varies from wedding to wedding, but here are some basic examples (based on when I arrive):
Without a first Look
11AM - Arrive to where bride is getting ready & photograph the dress & details (rings, jewelry, perfume, shoes etc.)
12PM - Photograph ladies getting ready (second shooter is with guys, if you have one)
12:30PM - Photograph bride getting into dress/putting on jewelry/bridesmaid first look if desired
1:15PM - Leave for Ceremony
1:30PM - Get set for Ceremony
2PM - Ceremony begins
2:45PM - Family photos
3:15 - Wedding party photos
3:45 - Bride & groom photos
4:15PM - Leave for reception or stay if it’s in same location
4:30PM - Reception Entrance
4:45PM - Toasts
5PM - Dinner
6PM - Cut Cake
First Dance
Father/Daughter Mother/Son Dances
Bouquet/Garter Toss
Open Dancing/Dollar Dance/Anniversary Dance
Sunset photos if time allows
8PM - Kalli Leaves
With a first look
11AM - Arrive to where bride is getting ready & photograph the dress & details (rings, jewelry, perfume, shoes etc.)
12PM - Photograph ladies getting ready (second shooter is with guys, if you have one)
12:30PM - Photograph bride getting into dress/putting on jewelry/bridesmaid first look if desired
1:15PM - First Look, Bride & Groom Photos
2PM - Wedding Party Photos
2:30PM - Get set for ceremony
3PM - Ceremony begins
3:45PM - Family Photos
4:15PM - Leave for reception or stay if it’s in same location
4:30PM - Reception Entrance
4:45PM - Toasts
5PM - Dinner
6PM - Cut Cake
First Dance
Father/Daughter Mother/Son Dances
Bouquet/Garter Toss
Open Dancing/Dollar Dance/Anniversary Dance
Sunset photos if time allows
8PM - Kalli Leaves
PS - Don’t forget to consider what time the sun sets, especially if your wedding day is after daylight savings time ends. If you’re having a winter wedding, everything in this schedule may need to be earlier. Reach out to me if you have any questions!
Prep Space
Tip #1: Windows! Having a prep space with lots of natural light will will change everything & give you those clean, elegant images you want! Mixing natural & artificial light is usually a no no, so see if your prep space has enough light coming in even when the artificial ones are turned off.
Tip #2: Get rid of clutter! I know between clothes, makeup, food etc. there is a lot of stuff needed to get ready for your big day but try to keep it out of the area where you’ll actually be doing your make up & putting on your dress, if possible.
Tip #3: Getting ready somewhere that is special to you, such as your first home or the home of someone you love, is always a great idea. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like it’s “Pinterest worthy”, what matters is that it reflects what you want to remember about your special day.
Side note: I know lots of cute places to get ready. If you need suggestions, just let me know!
first looks
First of all, for anyone who doesn’t know what a first look is, it’s when the bride & groom see each other, privately, before the ceremony.
If you're considering it, I highly suggest having one for a few reasons:
#1: You don't have to hide from each other until the ceremony. It's your wedding day, spend it together. ;)
#2: It's very rare that you'll find another moment in the day for just the two of you to privately be together. Talk, cry, love on each other!
#3: We will have more time for portraits.
#4: You can get to your reception faster because most of your portraits will already have been taken before the ceremony. *This is even more important during months when the sun sets early.
With that being said, there is no right or wrong way. Absolutely do what feels right to you, it's YOUR day!
Details
One of the first things I always photograph when I arrive are your details. It’s best to have all of these things organized and in a shoebox when I arrive. Some things you may want to include are:
Your rings (all 3)
Your invitation suite
Shoes
Perfume
Any jewelry you’re planning to wear
Garter
Family Heirlooms
If you can - please ask your florist to provide you a few extra flowers or pieces of greenery for me to use as well.
Unplugged Ceremonies
I don’t really have any tips for this, it’s more of just a heads up. ;)
I love that family members want to document your wedding day & honestly don’t mind a quick snap during the ceremony. The problem is, it’s never just that. Some people will hold up their phones & record every minute. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), this tends to ruin a lot of my photos because, instead of looking at & admiring you as you’re walking down the aisle, they’re looking at their phone screen. :/
Putting up a sign & having the officiant announce that you’re having an Unplugged Ceremony helps deter people from doing this. Again, it’s your day, do what feels right to you! I’m just here to let you know my thoughts & experience.
Outdoor ceremonies
I absolutely love outdoor ceremonies but dealing with the natural elements can sometimes make things a little more complicated. Follow these tips to make sure your outdoor ceremony goes off without a hitch:
Tip #1: Have your ceremony later in afternoon/evening for the best light & to make sure your guests aren’t burning up in the summer months.
Tip #2: Position your altar to where the sun is setting behind it. if possible. This will give you a glow from behind, rather than having the sun shining in your face while reciting your vows. If it’s in the shade, that’s even better!
Tip #3: Make sure your hair & makeup artist knows that your ceremony is outside so they can plan accordingly to deal with heat, wind etc.
Tip #4: Make sure you have a backup plan. This is more venue related than photography related but it’s always worth mentioning!
Family Photos
Tip #1: There will be a section in your questionnaire about who you want in family formals. Every family is different so feel free to let me know details like if divorced parents want separate photos, etc. It’s better for me to know these things ahead of time.
Tip #2: We can always add people in on the day of but please try to save that for after we’ve completed the photos that are on the pre-made list to keep things organized. Speaking of, please do not stress yourself out by trying to keep everyone in line or calling out names, that’s our job. ;)
Tip #3: Make sure all family members that you’ll want in photos know to not leave for the reception immediately after the ceremony. We don’t want them missing out!
Reception Lighting
Tip #1: Ask your DJ not to use colored lights until open dancing begins. The last thing you want is to have a bunch of green dots on your face during your first dance.
Tip #2: If your venue is darker, uplighting & string lights are a great way to add ambiance (fancy voice). ;)
Recommended Vendors
These are the types of vendors that I get asked about most often. If there are any others you’re looking for, feel free to ask!
Florists
Erin’s Events, Huntingburg, IN
Emerald Design, Evansville, IN
Huntingburg Greenhouse, Huntingburg, IN
Make-up Artists
Makeup by Taylor, Jasper, IN
Blush & Beauty by Leann, Jasper, IN
The Beauty Bar, Jasper, IN
Videographers
Journey Home Films, Vincennes, IN
Slye Films, Louisville, KY
Brescher Filming, Jasper, IN
Ok friends, I know that was a lot! My goal here is to be informative & not overwhelming so don’t feel like you have to take every word from this into consideration. Just keeping some of these things in mind will guide you towards having the amazing wedding day you’re dreaming about! Of course, I’m always here to guide you as well! Happy planning! :)