details, tips, and answers
wedding day
I know there are countless things that go into a wedding day to make it completely unique. I also know that the planning can come with a lot of stress. It doesn't have to be that way!
My goal is to not only be your photographer but an extra hand to help you through this Experience.
Please browse this page and find tips – from wedding vendor suggestions to family shot list ideas to wedding day action items – that will reduce your stress and ultimately elevate your wedding day photos.
the experience
01.
Birch on Main
The Something Blue Shoppe
Ivory and White
Bridal Gowns
Emerald Empire Band
The Beasley Brothers
Tim Tyler
Big City Rhythm
Metropolitan Disc Jockey
dj/bands
Batter Up Cakes
Mason Dixon
Good company Cafe
Bigfoot's Little Donuts
cakes/desserts
Mason Dixon
Endless Catering
Chuppertime Catering
Savoie
catering
Shindigs and Such
PropHouse Birmingham
Be Gathered REntals
All needz
Mountain Lakes
rentals/Design
Olivia Sparks
Caitlyn Enslen (Hadaway)
Asia Nicole
Natalie Moore
hair/makeup
Chandler Smith Films
New Heights Film
Marlon cordova Films
Finally Film Co
videographers
Cole Buys Designs
BouqYard
OlD Frond Floral Co
In Bloom
Beyoutiful Designs
florals
Ledgewood Fine Stationery
Salt + Paperie
Empress Stationery
Kalee Finley Designs
The topiary tree
paper/invites
Courtney Burton
Chelsea Kennedy
Anna Wynn
Bela Lumiere
planners
a collection of vendors I Think Are Pretty Cool
vendors
02.
the Traditional timeline ⟶
the First Look timeline ⟶
One of the most crucial parts of planning your wedding is putting together a day-of timeline.
As we approach your wedding day, I will reach out via email to discuss your wedding day timeline to ensure that I understand your priorities. I will finalize a timeline for you around two months before the big day.
Whether you're wanting to do a first look or go the traditional route, I've gathered two sample timelines to guide your planning based on a summer wedding ceremony time with 8 hours of coverage.
timeline
03.
1:00 - Madison Arrives and Begins Location Scouting
1:15 - Madison Begins on Details | Second Shooter gets Candid Shots of Girls Getting Ready and Guys Hanging Out
1:45 Girls Pajama Shot | Girls Get Dressed After
2:00 - Guys Get Dressed
2:15 - Bride Gets Into Dress (Mom or Bridesmaid Buttons, Jewelry, Perfume, Garters, Shoes)
2:45 - First Look with Dad (Or Swap with First Look with Bridesmaids)
3:00 - First Look with Groom (Read Letters or Vows Together/Swap Gifts)
3:15 - First Set of Bride and Groom Portraits
4:00 - Bridal Party Portraits
4:45 - Family Formals
5:15 - Bride in Hiding While Guests Arrive | Madison Roams for Ceremony/Reception Detail Shots
6:00 - Ceremony Begins
6:30 - Ceremony Ends | Guests go to Dinner
6:30 - Glowy, Sunset Portraits if Applicable (May Be Later if Sunset is Later)
6:45 - Private Dinner for Bride and Groom
7:00- Bride and Groom Announced | Straight into First Dances
7:10 - Cake Cutting
7:15 - Dance Floor Opens
8:30 - Bouquet/Garter Toss
9:00 - Exit (Madison is Done with Coverage)
the First Look timeline:
2:00 - Madison Arrives and Begins Location Scouting
2:15 - Madison Begins on Details | Second Shooter gets Candid Shots of Girls Getting Ready and Guys Hanging Out
2:45 - Girls Pajama Shot | Bridesmaids and MOB Get Dressed After
3:00 - Bride Gets Into Dress (Mom or Bridesmaid Buttons, Jewelry, Perfume, Garters, Shoes)
3:30 - First Look with Dad
3:45 - First Look with Bridesmaids
4:00 - Solo Bridal Portraits
4:15 - Bride with her Bridesmaids and Side of the Family (Mom, Dad, Siblings)
4:45 - Groom with his Groomsmen and Side of the Family (Mom, Dad, Siblings) | Groom Solo Shots
5:15 - Bride in Hiding While Guests Arrive | Madison Roams for Ceremony/Reception Detail Shots
6:00 - Ceremony Begins
6:30 - Ceremony Ends | Straight into Full Bridal Party Shots | Guests go to Cocktail Hour or Dinner
6:40 - Family Portraits with Both Bride and Groom
7:00 - Bride and Groom Portraits
7:30 - Bride and Groom Announced | Straight into First Dances
7:45 - Cake Cutting
7:50 - Dance Floor Opens
9:00 - Bouquet/Garter Toss
10:00 - Exit (Madison is Done with Coverage)
the Traditional timeline:
BUDGET TIME TO DO NOTHING BUT ENJOY YOUR DAY
give your family a time that's 15-30 minutes early
add 15-minute buffer times at the big events
communicate time details to hair/makeup artists
pick your ceremony time with sunset timE/Daylight Savings in mind.
make the most of your timeline by considering these tips
timeline tips
04.
Bride with Mom (Karen)
Bride with Dad (Keith)
Bride with Mom + Dad (Karen & Keith)
Bride with Brother (Lucas)
Bride & Groom with Brother's Family (Lucas, Peyton, & Sawyer)
Bride & Groom with Bride's Parents (Karen & Keith)
Bride & Groom with Bride's Parents + Bride’s Siblings with Spouses and Kids (Karen, Keith, Lucas, Peyton, & Sawyer)
Above group + Bride’s Grandparents Set 1 (Brooke & Chris)
Above group + Bride’s Grandparents Set 2 (Haley & Nathan)
Bride + Groom + sets of Parents (Keith, Karen, Rachel, Marvin)
Groom with Mom (Rachel)
Groom with Dad (Marvin)
Groom with Mom and Dad (Rachel & Marvin)
Bride and Groom with Groom’s Parents (Rachel & Marvin)
Above group + Groom’s Grandparents Set 1 (Antwon & Bevin)
Above group + Groom’s Grandfather (Whitey)
sample family photo list:
Family photos are so important, especially on a day when two families become one! Creating a list of must-have family portraits will ensure I'm not missing any photos of important people and the process goes quick and easy.
I encourage you to bring a few printed copies to reference and assign a family member, friend, or bridesmaid to make sure each person is present for portraits. Include names and relation so we can call them out, and please be sure to let me know if there are any separations.
family photos
05.
any sentimental items
BOUQUET + Loose Florals!!!
Any Personalized Reception Details
2 Copies Invitation suite
jewelry + accessories
Matching Ribbon or Ring Box
veil, Garter, Hair Pieces
shoes
All Three Rings
dress + dress hanger
wedding details that I photograph
(Put them in a box!)
checklist
06.
I have a Details box full of ribbons, neutral ring boxes, etc. You're welcome to buy your own to ensure they match perfectly. P.S. Ask your florist for loose Blooms for details!!!
If we will be traveling to different locations, that will need to be factored into your timeline. You may need additional hours or coverage to capture everything and not be super crammed.
06. Consider Travel Time.
If I had a dollar for every time the guys forgot to put on their bouts.... Assign this job to someone you trust so your money won't be wasted.
05. Don't forget the boutonnieres!
Want pretty getting-ready photos? Ask your bridesmaids to keep the spot near the big window clean and free of clutter for your "getting ready" pictures. Find a good corner to keep everyone's bags so that the room doesn't get crazy cluttered!
04. Make sure to keep your bridal Prep area clutter free!
You know those pretty bridal portraits that look like the veil is flying in the wind... Chances are it was tossed by an assistant. The best veils that fly for photographs have some length to them and are NOT weighed down with beading or lace. If you want this kind of picture, I suggest a simple, long veil. Off-white or ivory photographs best. True white can photograph with blue tones.
03. Veils that Fly...
If you don't have a high floral budget, make sure to put a lot of focus on your bouquet. It's gonna be in a ton of pictures, so I would prioritize that!
02. Prioritize your bridal bouquet!
Adding loose blooms to your detail pictures will help tie in some more of your color scheme to those invitation flat lays you see everyone do. I promise it's worth it!
01. Ask your florist for extra loose blooms for detail pictures and flatlays.
Here are some random tips that may help!
Wedding Day Tips
08.