you wedding guide
What you need to know to make the most of your wedding photographer on your special day! Read the guide below, or download it here.
Click Here
your wedding day is almost here!

I am incredibly honored to be spending such a special day with you. Thank you in advance for having us!  

This guide is to help you feel prepared on your wedding day, put you at ease, and ultimately get the most out of your wedding photography.
wedding in Blairsville, Georgia
Wedding in downtown Asheville

Before your wedding:

First, here is a checklist to make sure you’re on top of things ahead of time – and to ensure you have less to worry about on your big day. 
  • Timeline
  • Transportation
  • Shot lists
  • Bring details
wedding in Asheville's Masonic Temple
Get married in Asheville's Masonic temple

Getting ready

Timeline

If you are interested in additional help with creating your wedding day timeline, I  am here to help guide you. Together we can create a custom timeline for your wedding day so that your day runs as smoothly as possible. 

Transportation between locations

If your wedding day will be held in multiple locations, be sure to arrange transportation ahead of time. We are always willing to offer an extra seat in our car if it is needed.  

Shot list

I prefer not to work off of an entire-day shot list. Please trust me to document all your memories in a really beautiful way and to capture all the important parts. However, a concise shot list for family portraits is always really helpful to make sure we don’t miss anyone and can make things run with ease.

Bring details

If you are interested in having your wedding day details photographed please have them set aside for me prior to my arrival. Ie., heirlooms, invitation suite, flowers, dress, rings, nice dress hanger, jewelry, shoes, etc.

Back to top

Getting ready

Timeline

If you are interested in additional help with creating your wedding day timeline, I am here to help guide you. Together we can create a custom timeline for your wedding day so that your day runs as smoothly as possible. 

Transportation between locations

If your wedding day will be held in multiple locations, be sure to arrange transportation ahead of time. We are always willing to offer an extra seat in our car if it is needed.  

Shot list

I prefer not to work off of an entire-day shot list. Please trust me to document all your memories in a really beautiful way and to capture all the important parts. However, a concise shot list for family portraits is always really helpful to make sure we don’t miss anyone and can make things run with ease.

Bring details

If you are interested in having your wedding day details photographed please have them set aside for me prior to my arrival. Ie., heirlooms, invitation suite, flowers, dress, rings, nice dress hanger, jewelry, shoes, etc.

Back to top

Getting ready

Approximately 1 hour of photo coverage recommended.
Getting-ready photos help tell the story of your wedding day and capture intimate moments between the special people in your life. These memories are sometimes overlooked, but I recommend making a point of capturing them. 
  • Location
  • Hair & Makeup
  • Start Time
  • Details
  • Groomsmen Photos
photographing your special day

Getting ready

Approximately 1 hour of photo coverage recommended.
Getting-ready photos help tell the story of your wedding day and capture intimate moments between the special people in your life. These memories are sometimes overlooked, but I recommend making a point of capturing them. 
  • Location
  • Hair & Makeup
  • Start Time
  • Details
  • Groomsmen Photos
photographing your special day
Where should I get married in Asheville

Getting ready

01. Location

When looking at venues, hotel rooms, or Airbnbs try to pick a getting ready location with a lot of natural light. The preparation photos set the stage for the entire collection of photographs. Natural light and a clean space is really important. If you need assistance picking out the perfect  getting ready space, I am more than happy to help!

02. Hair and Makeup

Plan enough time for hair and makeup. The process can take longer than you expect to complete. Setting aside ample time for this part of the day will make sure you do not have to cut into other portions or deviate from your timeline. I would suggest consulting with your hair and makeup artist to be sure on how long you will need to allot and if you can allow for a little extra time. (just in case)

03. Start time

I recommend having your photo coverage start 30 minutes before your hair and makeup is finished. This will allow me to capture the final touches and some of the moments between your bridesmaids, mom, and family members in the room.

04. Details

If you are having your details photographed remember to bring along your important pieces like perfume, heirlooms, vow books, invitation suites, and anything that is special to you and your wedding day. It is also a good idea to come prepared with a nice hanger to have your dress photographed on.

05. Groom Photos

The groom getting ready location is just as important as yours. Please consider a clean space with natural light for the guys to have their getting ready photos taken. If you have booked a second shooter I will send my second to document the groomsmen while I’m spending my time with you and your bridesmaids.

Back to top

First look

Approximately 30 minutes of photo coverage recommended.

A first look is when a couple chooses to see each other for the first time before the ceremony. A first look can be a great addition to your day because it is a really intimate moment that is shared with just the two of you (and your photographer). It can help ease your mind, give you more time for photos together, and helps make your timeline flexible and easier to work with.

your first look
Weddings in Ashevilles Masonic temple

If you choose to forego a first look

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle, we’ll do it that way. It’s your day and we’ll photograph the moment – whichever moment you choose.

Some things to keep in mind:

– Consider an earlier ceremony time so we have enough daylight for family photos, bridal party photos, and bride and groom photos.

– Sometimes planning a longer cocktail hour for your guests is a great way to be sure we have enough time for photos.

Where should I get married in Asheville

If you choose to forego a first look

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle, we’ll do it that way. It’s your day and we’ll photograph the moment – whichever moment you choose.

Some things to keep in mind:

– Consider an earlier ceremony time so we have enough daylight for family photos, bridal party photos, and bride and groom photos.

– Sometimes planning a longer cocktail hour for your guests is a great way to be sure we have enough time for photos.

Where should I get married in Asheville
Asheville weddings

Wedding Party Portraits

Approximately 30-45 minutes of photo coverage recommended.

If you are having a first look we have more options as to when we can take wedding party photos. We can take them after the first look or if you prefer to have softer light incorporated we can take them after the ceremony.

If you are not having a first look we will take wedding party photos just after your family photos when the ceremony is finished.

Wedding party photos do not have to be super posed or sterile if you do not want them to be. It can be treated as intentional time set aside for you to hang with your pals. I’m just there to document all the love.

FAMILY

PORTRAITS

Approximately 30 minutes of photo coverage recommended.

If you are not having a first look, family photos are taken directly after your ceremony. I keep them pretty simple and traditional. We want to make sure we are documenting all your family members that were a part of your day.

If you are having a first look we can take family photos before the ceremony which can free up your family members to mingle with guests during cocktail hour.

Let the members of your family know ahead of time that family photos are happening right after the ceremony so we are sure that everyone knows to stick around when the ceremony has ended.

A shot list of all the family members and the different groupings is really helpful to be sure we don’t forget about anyone.

Wedding photographer in Georgia

The Ceremony

Approximately 45 minutes of photo coverage recommended.
  • UNPLUGGED
  • OUTDOOR CEREMONIES
  • INDOOR CEREMONIES
  • PROCESSIONAL
  • FIRST KISS
  • RECESSIONAL

01. Unplugged

An unplugged ceremony is where you ask all of your guests to be present in the moment with you. You can do this by asking them to turn off their cell phones and let the photographer(s) take care of documenting the ceremony.

We love unplugged ceremonies because guests aren’t stepping in front of us to get their own photo or standing up during the ceremony. We hope that your guests will trust us enough to capture all the goodness that is happening!

If you are interested in an unplugged wedding you can have a sign at the ceremony entrance stating that it is an unplugged ceremony and also have your officiant make an announcement to remind everyone to put their phones away and be present.

02. Outdoor Ceremonies

Outdoor ceremonies planned 2 hours-1.5 hours before the sunset is ideal for the best light. If you are unable to plan your wedding around the sunset time try to pick a place with shade or trees to diffuse the light.

The ceremony

outdoor wedding photographer
Masonic temple weddings

The ceremony

03. Indoor Ceremonies

Indoor ceremonies are a great option because you don’t have to worry so much about light and weather. If you are planning to have your wedding indoors please let us know beforehand if there are any photography restrictions.

04. Processional

If you have two photographers booked for your wedding, one of us will be towards the back- middle of the aisle for the processional and the other will be closer up top getting reactions.

05. First Kiss

You want to make this sucker count so be sure to hold your first kiss!

06. Recessional

When walking back down the aisle, it always makes a good picture to stop and kiss about halfway down. I will get your guests in the background cheering you on. It’s a beautiful moment to be remembered!

Couple’s Portraits

Couple’s Portaits

Taking a moment out of your wedding day to stop and take it all in with your partner is SO important. You don’t get very much alone time on your wedding day with everything is buzzing by so fast. This little moment together with just the three of us is pretty special.

I will encourage you to take deep breaths and just sink into what you are feeling, all while guiding you through some connection and cuddles that will yield some beautiful photos!

If you are planing on a first look, we can plan to take most of your couples photos during that time and really document that special moment of seeing each other for the first time.

Directly following the ceremony can also be a great time for couples photos because of all the emotions you are feeling. It’s a beautiful time to be alone and really let yourself feel.

Whether you are having a first look or waiting until after the ceremony to have your couples portrait session, it’s always a great idea to plan to step away for 20 minutes around sunset (golden hour) and take a few more photos with me. This is a really romantic time of day, the light is soft, the air can be a bit cooler, and another chance to be alone for a few moments longer.

The reception

Approximately 2-3 hours of photo coverage recommended.

  • Dinner
  • Lighting
wedding photos after dark
Masonic temple weddings

The reception

01. Dinner

This is a time for you and your loved ones to nourish yourselves. I won’t take photos of people eating, instead this is a time where I will switch out memory cards, change batteries, and eat.

During dinner I prefer to be served with guests, in the same room, so that I don’t miss any key moments like toasts.

02. Lighting

Reception lighting is usually really dim. I choose to use ambient lighting as it captures the feeling of the room more so than a harsh off-camera flash. Ambient lighting also allows me to remain discreet where off camera flash can be a little distracting. With ambient lighting, the photos will have some grain and texture, much like film. If this is a look you do not want, please let me know ahead of time and we will plan to use off camera flash during the reception.

Please ask your DJ to avoid using flashing lights or colored lights until after special dances are finished.

After the wedding

I will be in touch with you within a week after your wedding to share a few photos.

You can expect to receive the fully finished gallery within 10-12 weeks after your wedding date via a downloable link. The link can be shared with your wedding guests.

Always know that I’m here for you and gladly will do whatever I can to help make the planning process easier for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out!

– Briana & Matt

outdoor wedding photographer