Love, Jen
I'm so honored that you've trusted me with capturing your wedding day! I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and getting to know you better over the next several months.
In the mean time, this guide is designed 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.
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and feel free reach out at any point during the planning process!
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'l 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
WHAT TO EXPECT
If you're like every other couple, you're probably a little nervous thinking about being in front of the camera... I mean, you're not used to having a big black box pointed at you, am I right?! Even *I* get nervous when I'm having photos done!!
It's COMPLETELY normal to feel this way, but I want to encourage you to just relax and have a good time. I'm going to be giving you allllll the direction so you never feel like you know what your doing. We're going to capture those timeless photos that everyone loves, while getting a little goofy and having fun (don't be surprised if I pull out my speaker and turn on some music!!). Some prompts I give you both might seem a little silly at first, but TRUST ME, they create some legit magic.
All you two have to do is show up and be an adorable couple in love... easy, right?! I'll take care of the rest and we're going to have a lot of FUN!
BEST TO KEEP AWAY
- 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!
ABSOLUTELY!
Engagement photo styling tips
Engagement sessions typically last 1.0 - 1.5 hours. I recommend you bring an extra outfit, as you may wish to have two different "looks". Below you'll find some general guidelines to narrow down your perfect outfit.
what to wear
TIPS & TRICKS FOR SUCCESS
PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME: We typically plan your start time based on sunset time. If you are late, it cuts into the sunlight we have available! No one wants dark photos, so arriving on time will ensure we have gorgeous light to work with for your whole shoot! :)
RELAX! You don’t have to be a pro at this! I’m going to help you along the way and it’s going to be a blast! I don't expect anything from you. Enjoy this time together and make a date out of it! Plan dinner afterwards and celebrate!!
GET YOUR NAILS DONE: Make sure your nails are freshly painted, or spoil yourself with a trip to the salon! Chipped nails will be noticeable in your photos. Neutral colors and pastels photograph beautifully and will match any outfit!
BRING COMFY SHOES: If you're wearing heels, bring a pair of flip flops or comfortable shoes to walk from spot to spot. Your feet will thank me later!
PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP: I highly recommend doing your hair and makeup trial right before your engagement session! This will not only ease the stress of you having to do it yourself, but you'll get to see how the hair and makeup you want for your big day will actually LOOK in photos. It also gives you a way to use the trial for your session! Win, win!
SKIP THE SPRAY TAN: Even though it seems counter intuitive, I highly recommend skipping a spray tan altogether, even if it's a few days out from your session. Spray tans tend to photograph more orange than they appear and will make you appear more orange than tan! Trust me I'm a spray tan queen but you'll want to skip out on this.
You may be wondering...
Can we wear multiple outfits? - Yes! Absolutely. I recommend sticking to two if you want to do more than one outfit. Most couples go with one casual and one dressy. I recommend going with dressy first. You'll sometimes have to change in your car, but don't worry, I'll stand guard!
What happens if it rains? - Fingers crossed it doesn't! Leading up to your session I always keep an eye on weather. If two to three days out it says its going to rain I let my couples decided whether they want to go ahead and reschedule for another date or if they want to wait till the morning of to make that decisions. If we reschedule we simply pick the next available date that works for all of us!
When should we send save the dates? - 8 months out is PLENTY of time. My turnaround time for sessions is 3 weeks.
When do you offer sessions? Engagement Sessions are held Monday through Thursday mornings or evenings around two hours before sunset between the months of March and December!
Will you help us pick a location? Of course! By sending you a short questionnaire I determine the vibe you're going for and send you location examples. You can expect this questionnaire a few weeks after bookings with me!
Can we bring our dog? Yes! The best way to include them is to have someone else bring your dog during the last 15 minutes of your session.
FLORAL DESIGN
Dragonfly Flowers
Carousel of Flowers
Jennifer Designs
Colly Flowers
WEDDING PLANNER
Day Dream Events
Weddings with Verve
BelFiore Bridal Boutique
Copper and Chloe
VIDEOGRAPHY
Amanda Films
Cosgrove Films
K.A. Films
Bucket List Films
WEDDING DRESS
I Do I Do
BelFiore Bridal Boutique
Vesa Brides
Day Dream Bridal
RENTALS + Booths
Cedar and Sage Rentals
North Country Vintage Rentals
Pop Shop Photo Booth
VW Picture Bus
CALLIGRAPHY + Designs
Emily Kathryn Paper
Summit & Sage
Charlie Whiskey Designs
Penned by Alice
Baseline Productions
Love of Music Entertainment
SCE Events Group
Pure Event Group
DJ & BANDS
Hair and makeup
Beyoutiful Bride
A Beauty by Amanda
Michelle Elise Artistry
Beauty on Location
CLOSE
4k Weddings
Jennifer Sofia Studios
DAY-OF COORDINATOR
If nothing else, this is the BEST thing you can do for your wedding in this area!! It is so crucial to have a go-to person the day of that can take care of the logistics and answer questions. Otherwise, this burden typically falls on your mom, maid of honor, or photographer. They are there to run the day and make sure everything goes smoothly. This typically also includes planning the month before your wedding. Once that one month mark hits, they will take over and conquer the last minute planning details for you. What a stress reliever!
FULL-SERVICE PLANNING
If you want wedding planning to be as stress-free as possible, this is the route to go! They will be there from your engagement all the way until the end of your wedding day. They are there to take care of all the planning for you, so you can relax and enjoy being engaged. They work alongside you to create the perfect vision for your wed- ding day, help you choose vendors, create your timeline, work out the logistics, and everything else that goes into planning. They basically become your best friend during the process, because just about everything is off your plate!
wedding planners
I have had the opportunity to work with many incredible wedding planners, from day of coordinators to full-service planners! They can provide help for your wedding day in a way that no one else can. They also allow me to solely focus on taking your beautiful photos while they keep the timeline going throughout the day! These are the two most common services I see!
Whats the difference?
A day of coordinator is an individual who is focused on the coordination of the logistics of the wedding. A wedding planner is a professional who assists with the planning, design, & management of planning the wedding. The both have the best interest in mind for the bride and groom. Planners are with you the entire wedding planning process where coordinators come in a few months out and make sure everything you planned runs smoothly.
DETAILS
BONUS: EXTRA FLOWERS
I love getting to capture all the special details you've curated for your wedding day.
Details are one of the first things I'll photograph when I 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!)
I 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
2 FULL SETS WITH 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.
I'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 BUCKET OF EXTRA PIECES I 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.
I love capturing the detail of your rings up close. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home:
getting ready
CHOOSE A SPACE WITH LOTS OF WINDOWS AND SPACE
If you're trying to decide where to get ready, this is HUGE! I always opt for spaces with lots of windows. When it's time to get into your dress, I will likely direct you to a clean area that has lots of window light coming in! You also want somewhere that offers a lot of space. There is typically a ton of clutter in getting ready space (as expected!) So you will want to have a designated spot that you try and keep organized. My two favorite getting ready spaces are venue suites and airbnbs!
GATHER YOUR DETAILS
If you can, please have all of your details gathered before I arrive! My biggest recommendation is to put them all in one box or bag so they are all in one place and let someone know where they are!
HAVE YOUR BOUQUET ARRIVE BEFORE I START SHOOTING
If possible, have your florist deliver your bouquet and boutonnières BEFORE I am scheduled to arrive. This ensures they will be included with all of the other pretty details! Ask if they mind having some loose pieces for me to work with!
GETTING IN YOUR DRESS
Make sure to have it in the timeline that your bridesmaids, mom, and anyone else you want to help you get into your dress be ready At least 15 minutes before your schedule time. This ensures they can be included in these special photos!
HAIR & MAKEUP
I would encourage you to have hair and makeup scheduled to be done around 30 minutes before you're scheduled to get into your dress. This gives you some buffer time in case we run behind! When making your timeline I will tell you exactly when hair and makeup should finish up.
01. A FIRST LOOK GIVES YOU 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 (with a camera shooting from afar) to soak it all in and think through what the day means to you.
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 some family pictures before the ceremony even begins. This makes the day less rushed and allows us to take more pictures too!
Once you're married, we won't need as much time set aside for photos and you can get to your cocktail hour and reception sooner!
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?
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. Brides, don't worry. If your guy is a crier he most likely will still cry when you walk down the aisle. The first look allows for better angles so I can capture those tears!
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 or a first look or wait for an epic 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.
Additional Benefits of a First Look
Throughout the chaos of a wedding day, it will very likely be your ONLY alone time! It allows you to have a chance to talk and enjoy hanging out with each other. Groom, you get to TELL your bride how beautiful she looks as soon as you see her! You get to extend your day TOGETHER by 2-3 hours.
Your only alone time.
My brides LOVE this because your hair and make up is totally fresh for all of your portraits. You don't have to worry about touching up before photos because you just had your hair and makeup done! Your bridesmaids will LOVE you for this as well!
With a first look, you can ENJOY taking all of your wedding portraits and not feel rushed. Plus, you'll receive MORE variety in your portraits because of the extra time! It makes taking photos a lot more enjoyable because you aren't trying to squeeze them all in!
Fresh hair and makeup
More portraits in your final gallery
You can finish the majority of your wedding photos before the ceremony begins. We will jump right into bride and groom + bridal party photos after the first look! This means no long cocktail hours with guests waiting on us to finish taking photos!
Logistically, it's a dream!
Once we do family formals directly after the ceremony, you can actually go enjoy cocktail hour or start the reception! If any of your bridal party aren't family members, they get to enjoy ALL of cocktail hour!
So many couples say their nerves went away after they saw each other! It helps you to feel more relaxed and make the ceremony more enjoyable. Plus, you’ll probably remember your ceremony better because you weren’t so nervous. The whole thing would probably be a blur otherwise!
You can enjoy cocktail hour
It diminishes nerves.
"I love her. and that's the beginning and the end of everything."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
BUILDING THE PERFECT
with a
first look
I'll work with you to create the perfect wedding day schedule. 3 months before your wedding day I'll be sending you a timeline questionnaire filled with all types of questions to help my outline your photography timeline. This is my lifeline for your day and doesn't leave my side! It allows us me to make sure we are on time to get all of the photos we need to get. Once I put this together I'' know if you'll be needing to add additional hours on. 8-9 hours is typically the sweet spot so I've included a sample timeline of an 8 hour wedding below for you to check out! Again I'll be making this for you, but it'd always helpful to be able to see what a typical 8 hour wedding looks like and covers!
Take a look at the example below to get a general idea of when to plan for photos on your wedding day.
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
"You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement."
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) 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 efficiently 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
We'll ask you for a list of family picture groupings a few weeks before the day of your wedding. 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.
(There's a template below that's super easy to customize!)
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...
View Example family list here
I think these are a GREAT idea, and I’ve had many of my couples do them with amazing success! Guests are typically very respectful if you ask them to not be taking photos during the ceremony and it will reflect in your photos. This especially shows in the wider shots; you’ll either see a lot of guests holding their phones up for photos, or your guests sitting and enjoying the moment!
To make this happen at your ceremony, I recommend first having a sign at the entrance of the ceremony that encourages guests to put away their devices! However, if you want to save money on the sign you can:
- Include a short and sweet line on your ceremony program that requests that no one has their devices out.
- Request your officiant to announce it a few minutes before the ceremony starts, to reenforce what they’ve already read!
- Have you officiant announce for everyone to take out there phones to grab one photo at the begining of your ceremony and than to put it away so they can be in the present moment with you,
Unplugged ceremonies
RECEPTION + GRAND EXIT
RECEPTION
During your reception, I will be taking photos of the speeches and dancing as well as candid shots of your guests. I will always be availabe to grab a photo of you with a group of guests that may have not been in a planned group photo. I love being your personal paparazzi!
Mock exits
Mock exits are such a fun add on to your day! They typically consist of a human tunnel along with sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks or something else to celebrate with!
Instead of saving your exit until the very end, you can plan a mock exit with just the members of your bridal party and your immediately family members. This allows us to have more control over these shots and the party never has to stop. In most cases, no one even notices that the bride and groom are missing for a few minutes. Also, it’s almost impossible to tell that the whole wedding isn’t there waving sparklers and sending off the happy couple. This idea allows my couples to save money and still have all of the shots that they dreamed of.
Sunset portraits are literally the BEST ten minutes of portraits you'll get on your wedding day. Typically we'll sneak out for 10 minutes during your reception (in-between events, of course!) or right after family formals to grab a few of these! Trust me, they are WORTH IT and are those dreamy, swoon-worthy photos you see all over Pinterest with the glowy lighting.
They also give you another chance to slow down and connect with each other, away from the chaos of your big day!
Here are a few things to know:
- Bring the veil + bouquet! This looks DREAMY with sunset lighting!
- If it ends up being overcast, don't worry! I've had SO MANY overcast and rainy weddings end up having a beautiful sunset. In fact, the photo on the right here was that EXACT scenario! This sunset was a complete surprise! If the sun isn't peaking out, we might still sneak out for some extra portraits for variety!
sunset portraits
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- Dr. suess
IMAGE DELIVERY
IN A CURATED ONLINE GALLERY
HOW IT WORKS
One of my 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 your wedding (once you've received your online gallery!) we can start designing your wedding album. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it.
Link to album guide
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
You'll have the chance to pick out your album size, material and color. I have a page outlining all of the choices!
Album Page Layout
Once your options are selected, I'll create the page layouts using the best of your wedding day photos. When I'm done I'll 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, I will order your album and have it sent directly to you.
Album design process
Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions!
SITE DESIGN BY RACHEL KICK
Thank you for trusting us to capture your special day! If you need to contact me at any point during the planning process, feel free to shoot me an email!