HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS

You deserve to have the best experience when it comes to your wedding photos! With that being said, we have put together a small list of requests and recommendations that will help us to document your special day in a way that is unique and authentic to you! Thank you so much for taking the time to look over this information and providing us with your preferences!

PLEASE GATHER YOUR SPECIAL DETAILS.

As a couple, you no doubt have spent valuable time and energy in designing or selecting your wedding invitations, as well as picking out your jewelry, shoes, perfume and other accessories! Many couples have incorporated family heirlooms into their wedding day. Please have these items gathered together on the morning of your wedding day so that they can be styled and captured by us as your photographer/videographer. If you and your fiancé are getting ready on the same property, please have both the bride and groom’s accessories gathered together in the bridal suite (i.e. cologne, shoes, cuff links, tie, etc.). We will be happy to document all these details and then bring the groom all these items in time for getting ready photos. If you would like your wedding invitations photographed (highly recommended by us) please set aside two copies of the full invitation suite along with your other gathered details. If you are having a calligrapher address your envelopes please include at least 1 fully addressed envelope.

MAKE TIME FOR YOUR PHOTOS!

Typically, during 8 hours of wedding coverage, we recommend setting aside at least a total of 2 hours for photos. This does not include things such as “getting ready photos” or “sparkler exit” photos. Rather, this time is photography time dedicated specifically to the couple, as well as immediate family members, and include moments such as first look, family portraits, and couple’s sunset photos. We would be happy to consult with you or your wedding planner regarding your wedding day timeline! If you have a planner putting together a timeline for you, please feel free to request that it be sent to us for review. You can also email a copy of your timeline to us at [email protected]. We’d love to take a look and offer any feedback desired!

BREAK UP YOUR PHOTOS!

We prefer not to torture couples and their wedding guests with 3 hours in a row of photos. We are assuming you would prefer not to be tortured as well. Therefore, we recommend breaking up the time you set aside for photos on your wedding day. For example, many couples choose to see each other for the first time prior to their ceremony (known as “the first look”). This intimate moment makes for beautiful couples photos and can be immediately followed by photos with the bridal party. After the ceremony, the couple may then choose to take photos with family. In this way, their photography time has been “broken up” with the wedding ceremony. This arrangement makes for a nice flow of activity during your wedding day. Couples who choose to go a more traditional route, where they wish to see each other for the first time during the wedding ceremony, can also consider breaking up their photos in a slightly different way. For example, photos with the bride and bridesmaids can be taken prior to the wedding ceremony, as well as photos of the groom and his groomsmen. All that’s left after that in terms of bridal party photos is a single capture of the entire group which can easily be done after the ceremony, along with family photos.

FAMILY PHOTO COMBINATIONS: Please provide us with a family photo/combination list on the form submission below. This will allow us to be extra efficient during family photos, so that you can get back to the party asap! If you have already established a list with your wedding planner, then you’re already set! If not, and you’d like to work off a sample list, feel free to use this list to get you started:

Bride + Mom

Bride + Parents

Bride + Dad

Bride + Sibling(s)

Bride + Immediate Family

Bride + Groom + Bride’s Parents

Bride + Groom + Bride’s Immediate Family

Groom + Mom

Groom + Parents

Groom + Dad

Groom + Sibling(s)

Groom + Immediate Family

Bride + Groom + Groom’s Parents

Bride + Groom + Groom’s Immediate Family

Bride + Groom + Bride’s Extended Family

Bride + Groom + Groom’s Extended Family

Bride + Groom + All Immediate Family

Bride + Groom + All Extended Family

Consider adding photo combinations with grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, nieces/nephews etc.

BE FLEXIBLE IF POSSIBLE! Wedding photos during sunset can be some of the most beautiful photos taken during the entire day. However, sunset happens at different times throughout the year. If sunset photos are desired during your wedding (highly recommended by us), please identify the sunset time on the date of your wedding and block out 30-40 minutes of photography time prior to sunset. This will allow us to whisk you away for some one on one time with you and your new spouse. You’ll get away from the crowd for a bit and focus on the romance and beauty of it all.

PLEASE COMMUNICATE WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU! For example, if you have spent countless hours curating your cocktail menu and want to be present with your guests during that time rather then taking photos, let us know! We can always adjust accordingly. Another example: if you as the bride, want photos of your dad seeing you for the first time in your wedding dress, let us know so we can plan accordingly and help coordinate. The more you inform us of what is personally valuable to you on your wedding day, the more we can be ready to capture the perfect moments on camera. If you have a wedding planner, he/she will also be an incredible asset in this regard.

THAT ABOUT WRAPS IT UP! Thanks for taking the time to read what we have put together here. We look forward to keeping in touch with you as your wedding date draws closer. Everything is going to turn out beautiful!!!

Cheers, Ashley Rae Studio

WEDDING DETAILS FORM