I'm so ecstatic for you! You're about to tie the knot! This guide is packed with helpful tips that is aimed at assisting you throughout the entire process of your wedding planning.
I'm Lauren! I'm a California based Equestrian Photographer who specialized in capturing the love between couples who love and embrace the western lifestyle as much as I do. My goal is to be so much more than your photographer. I'd love for you to consider me your friend because we will be spending a lot of time together on your wedding day! Out of all the amazingly talented photographers whom you could have chosen, I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for choosing me.
~ You are my today and all of my tomorrow. ~
After booking, feel free to talk to me about your wedding ideas and plans as much or as little as you wish. Some clients share absolutely everything that's going on in their planning process, whereas some I know very little until closer to the wedding day. Either is fine! Just be you and if you need help with a certain problem or would like an extra, objective opinion on an idea, I'm always happy to help where I can.
If you are planning to do you engagement portrait session with me, we will find a date that works and discuss what you may wish to do for it. It's a great time to learn how to pose and to warm up to the camera. It's also an opportunity to get to know me and for me to get to know you even more. I ask you about your camera fears or worries and hope to put you at ease. We have a crazy amount of fun and get some stunning photos while we're at it.
While we may be talking through your planning stages, at six weeks before your wedding day, I will send you a questionnaire to fill out. Not only does this help me write the blog post after your day, but it helps me get to know you guys even more. I ask questions about the timeline of your wedding day, which will help me figure out the logistics of your day, and plan when we can run away for some incredible fine art portraits.
I generally like to stick to locations that provide a natural shooting environment, such as a local state park, a big open field, or even an orchard. However, if you have a location with sentimental value in mind - the place where he proposed or a favorite picnic spot - we can chat about including that in your shoot. To provide you with as much shooting time as possible, I recommend choosing no more than two locations.
I generally begin shooting during the golden hour period that occurs 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset. Sunrise shoots are also available, however, please keep in mind that it can be more difficult to coordinate hair and makeup for a sunrise session.
Deciding what to wear is one of the most difficult parts of the engagement session planning process. I recommend narrowing down your selections by choosing one casual and one dressy outfit.
For your dressy look, I recommend long, flowing dresses that you can twirl in or throw all of that excess fabric around. Dresses in solid neutral/muted tones or simple patterns that show texture and movement always photograph beautifully. Typically, heels are great. However, I recommend wearing a lower heel or boots/flats if you are your fiance are of similar height. If your engagement session is taking place during the fall or winter, bring a coat to wear between locations. Bring a flat pair of comfortable shoes so that you can walk between locations easily.
First things first: It's important to get your hair and makeup done professionally. Your engagement session presents an excellent opportunity to schedule a trial run with the hair and makeup team you will use on your wedding day. If they happen to be unavailable, consider scheduling a makeup appointment at MAC, Sephora, Ulta (or similar). Let your makeup artist know that you're having your makeup done for a photoshoot - they will need to apply more product than normal for your look to show up on camera. Be sure to bring the lipstick you're wearing with you in case touch-ups are needed during our shoot.
Because you have most likely spent time carefully picking various details of your wedding, I enjoy photographing them as part of your day's story. Please prepare and gather items for detailed shots.
The rings, bouquets, wedding invitations, jewelry, perfume, boutonnieres, shoes, and cufflinks are all gorgeous details and shouldn't be forgotten! It is helpful for me, your wedding photographer, to rely on a bridesmaid or other helper to organize these items, so make sure to keep them close.
I like to capture your excitement and emotion while you prepare. Those priceless moments with your bridesmaids, mother, sister, or anyone else who is assisting you - those are some of the best! There's something about the jitters leading up to the wedding!
This part is primarily candid. However, I try to make sure everyone is generally ready before I start photographing them. You probably don't want a photo of yourself with half done makeup or hair. You'll want to ensure that you're getting ready in a way that you'd want to be captured on photos. It's absolutely up to you how you go about doing so. Some brides have their bridesmaids wear matching/coordinating outfits while others give customized robes for the bridesmaids to wear while getting their hair and makeup done. It is totally up to you! These are your memories that will be preserved. By the time I enter the room, you should all be looking and feeling fantastic!
When picking a location to get ready, look for an open place with lots of natural light. If the space provided by your venue does not seem like a good fit, you may want to consider renting out a lovely airbnb or a boutique hotel room.
Before we chat about timeline, let's touch on First Looks...
Should you do one or not? If you don't know what a First Look is, it's when the couple choose to see each other for the first time before the wedding. This is usually done about an hour and a half to two hours (or less in some cases) before the ceremony. It’s typically a private reveal, between just the two of them and usually a photographer.
Couples choose to do a first look for several reasons! But the main one, quite simply, is time. When you do a first look, it allows you to take all of the pictures of your wedding party (and sometimes your family) before the ceremony even occurs. We get most of your planned photos out of the way before the ceremony. Otherwise you will have to do all the photos after the ceremony.
If you think you are going to be very emotional when you see your spouse to be for the first time, then a first look may be for you. It’s a good time to let yourself to be emotional and cry it out, or laugh it out, or giggle yourself silly! Remember, it’s just the two of you, so enjoy it. In addition to being able to relax and focus on each other, it also allows the couple to see one another without 150 sets of eyes staring at them as they walk down the aisle.
A FIRST LOOK WILL NOT RUIN YOUR FIRST LOOK WEDDING CEREMONY MOMENT
If you’re traditional, it’s okay to skip it. You may choose to look at it this way: if you do have a first look, you get to have two special moments instead of one. One is private, personal, true emotion moment and another one is more serious, all eyes on you kind of moment.
I love a first look for all of these reasons, but this is a choice that you and you spouse to be will need to make on your own. Every couple has their reasons for choosing to do (or not to do) a first look and I’ll respect that and be supportive of whatever decision you make.
And we are finally here! This is the moment you've been looking forward to! It is easy to get caught up in the stress, but remember the most important thing is that this is the beginning of your lives together. Savour the moment!
My goal is to capture all of the emotions during the ceremony. I will be as discrete as possible while moving around to capture as much as possible and as creatively as possible. Most ceremonies last between 15-30 minutes, but if you plan on including any specific traditions, I'd recommend giving yourself closer to an hour.
Two important tips that I have are asking the officiant to move out of the way before the first kiss so they aren't in the background of the photo and holding your kiss longer than usual for lots of shots!
You've done it! Woohoo! Now that you're married, it's time to celebrate! I'll shoot some candid and group shots during the reception, so if you have any friends or extended family members you need photos with, now is the time! During the reception, a lot of things happen, therefore I'll photograph everything. You have freedom to make the reception your own! The possibilities are endless!
Here are the usual reception events:
There are many ways that you can make your wedding your own and the wedding timeline is one of them. There really is no right or wrong way. This is YOUR wedding! However, there are timelines that are more conducive to capturing the photos that you will want captured to remember your special day. You will want to plan to do the majority of your wedding photos when it is still light outside in order for me to avoid using the flash of a camera. I predominately shoot backlit in natural light which will create the dreaming portraits that you will want to hang on your wall for years to come. If possible, I reserve the use on my flash for the more candid photos at the reception.
To give you an idea, below is a rough sample timeline of a summer wedding.
(Assuming sunset is about 8:30pm - which is about late June/beginning of July)
2:00 bride/bridesmaids getting ready photos
2:30 groom/groomsmen getting ready photos
3:00 detail and venue shots
3:30 first look
4:00 wedding party formal photos
5:00 ceremony
5:30 formal family photos
6:00 formal B&G photos
6:15 join reception - grand entrance
7:45 steal B&G for a few sunset portraits
8:30 cake cutting
9:00 bouquet/garter toss
~open dancing~
10:00 grand exit
My number one priority is capturing the most important details of your day. Below is a list of general shots that I make sure to get on your wedding day. If there are any specific shots or a specific combination of family members for the family photos taht you want to make sure I capture, please let me know before your wedding day! Below is a link to download my shots list which includes blank lines for you to add on any other shots. I find it helpful to leave this list within reach and just add to it as the ideas cross your mind, which, if you are like me, could be in the middle of the night!
GETTING READY || The dress | The veil | Shoes | Jewelry | The bouquet | Boutonnieres | Rings | Invitations | Getting makeup done | Putting on wedding attire | Putting on jewelry | Putting on shoes | Candids of everyone
BRIDAL PARTY || Each side separately | Individual photos | Entire party
THE COUPLE || Shots of rings | Individual photos | Couple together
THE CEREMONY || Ceremony site & details | Everyone walking down the aisle | Each partner's reaction | Exchanging of rings | Reading of vows | First kiss | Guests
RECEPTION || Grand Entrance | Cake | Decorations | Guest interactions | Toasts & speeches | First dance | Parent dances | Guests dancing | Cake cutting | Bouquet toss | Garter toss | Grand exit
Within 48 hours after your wedding, I will send you an email with a link to your gallery which will have some sneak peeks. By your one-month-anniversary (month-iversary), you will receive another email saying that your full wedding gallery is ready! All of your re-touched high resolution images will then be ready for immediate download. You may also share to social media, make a favorites folder in your gallery, and order prints and other products.
All collections have full permission to print, share and use for personal advertising.
Any tangible items included in your package will be mailed to you as soon as possible after the deliver of your online gallery.
I highly recommend printing from a professional printing lab. You can choose to order directly from your online gallery itself. I know from experience that this printing company does a great job. They will also match my brightness and colors so that the image will print the same as what is being viewed on the gallery. However, I do give a print release so you are able to print wherever you choose.
Please tag me in social media posts! I love seeing your images put to use.
Classic prints are exactly what they sound like: classic. They stand through the test of time, never go out of style, and always look amazing with any type of home decor. Printed on professional-grade archival paper for increased color gamut, excellent skin tones, sharpness and brilliant image quality. All classic prints come ready to frame & be hung on the wall or put on your desk to enjoy daily. Choose from e-surface (most common), metallic or matte finishes. Sizes range from 4x6 to 30x40.
Hand-crafted canvases are designed to turn any photo into a beautiful piece of art. Printed on premium fine art canvas, Canvas Prints are a contemporary way to showcase your images. Sizes range from 8x10 to 30x40. Starting at $145.00 plus tax.
Metal prints are the perfect statement pieces. Using an innovative dye sublimation process, they are printed directly onto high quality aluminum for a clean and lasting finish, while showing off vibrant colors for an impressive display. Sizes range from 8x8 to 30x40. Starting at $78.00 plus tax.
Beautifully simple albums from start to finish. With a one-piece wraparound cover design, from 5 to 50 spreads, photographic and press papers, thick pages inside a material cover, these stunning albums will make the perfect addition to your coffee table to enjoy everyday. Two size options: 12x8 and 10x10. The 10x10 5 spread starts at $356.25 plus tax.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything else I can do to assist you beyond this guide! As a reminder, 3-4 weeks before your wedding we will have a final phone conversation and walk through everything. In the meantime, happy wedding planning!
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