Love, Ashley
Hey there! Congrats on your engagement! I am SO excited to be a part of your special day.
I love to begin the process by getting to know my couples personally. Whether we email, schedule a consultation call, or meet in-person during an engagement session, I’ll always be there from the moment we meet to the moment you walk down the aisle. My photography style is documentary and natural. From candid, intimate moments that nobody else sees to belly laughs and everything in between, you’ll find less structured posing and instead, more genuine moments of togetherness.
The information in this planning guide is meant to help you through all of your photography-related planning so you can relax and get excited for your big day! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give me a ring or send over an email! I am here for you every step of the way.
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 I love them!
ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
no way
- 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 to be constantly adjusted
- Wearing apple watches or hair ties on your wrist
- 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!
yes! yes! yes!
Engagement photo styling tips
Engagement sessions typically last 1.5 - 2 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
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 necklace. 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
A FULL SET WITH ENVELOPES + STAMPS & ANY OTHER PAPER STATIONARY YOU MAY HAVE (LIKE PROGRAM CARDS, ETC)
SHOES
VEIL
BOUQUET
HAIR PIECES
JEWELRY
VOWs 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
THE RINGS
Soak your ring in warm water with dish 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 them yourself.
To clean at home:
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?
First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.
04. get out all your tears without the audience
A first look give 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 the ceremony.
A first look is a private, intimate moment where you get to see one another prior to walking down the aisle. It allows you to get all of the nervous butterflies out and have a chance to spend more time with one another. Many couples who do first looks take their family/wedding party photos prior to the ceremony so that they can take more time to enjoy their cocktail hour & reception. Not all couples elect to have a first look, and that’s totally ok!
Another potential option is a first touch, where you’re able to “touch” one another and pose for some photos (and even read private vows!) without actually seeing each other. Examples are placing you back to back or on either side of a door or wall.
If you're wondering whether or not to do a first look on your wedding day, here are some ideas to consider.
"I love her. and that's the beginning and the end of everything."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
BUILDING THE PERFECT
with a
first look
no first look
traditional
Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional (not seeing each other until the bride walks down the aisle), I'll work with you to create the perfect wedding day schedule. Take a look at the examples below to get a general idea of when to plan for photos on your wedding day.
12:00 pm
COVERAGE BEGINS & DETAIL SHOTS
12:45 pm
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH DAD
1:00 pm
BRIDAL PORTRAITS + BRIDES AND BRIDESMAID PORTRAITS
1:30 pm
GROOM'S FINAL PREPARATIONS & DETAILS
2:00 pm
GROOM + GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS
2:30 pm
FIRST LOOK PORTRAITS
3:15 pm
BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
4:00 pm
HIDE BRIDE AWAY
4:30 pm
ceremony detail shots
5:00 pm
ceremony begins
5:30 pm
family photos + cocktail hour
6:00 pm
candid cocktail hour photos
6:15 pm
photograph reception area + details
6:30 pm
reception begins
6:40 pm
grand entrance + first dance
6:45 pm
dinner is served
7:15 pm
toasts
7:30 pm
special dances + dancing
7:45 pm
cake cutting, bouquet + garter toss
8:00 pm
exit photos + coverage ends
with a
first look timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
FIRST LOOK
1:00 PM
COVERAGE BEGINS & DETAIL SHOTS
2:00 PM
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH DAD
2:30 PM
BRIDAL PORTRAITS + BRIDES AND BRIDESMAID PORTRAITS
3:00 PM
GROOM'S FINAL PREPARATIONS & DETAILS
3:30 PM
GROOM + GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS
4:30 pm
PHOTOGRAPH GUESTS ENTERING CEREMONY
5:00 pm
ceremony begins
5:30 pm
family photos + cocktail hour
5:45 PM
BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
6:10 pm
BRIDE + GROOM PORTRAITS
6:45 pm
PHOTOGRAPH RECEPTION AREA
7:00 PM
RECEPTION BEGINS
7:10 PM
GRAND ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE
7:15 pm
DINNER IS SERVED
8:00 PM
CAKE CUTTING, BOUQUET + GARTER TOSS
8:30 PM
DANCING
9:00 PM
exit photos + coverage ends
without a first look
traditional timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
Traditional
4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPH CEREMONY SITE
"You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
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...
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!
Grand exits
Grand exits are such a fun bookend to your day! They typically consist of a human tunnel along with sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks or something else to celebrate with!
It is helpful if you can designate a few people attending your reception to help organize people into two lines and distribute whatever they will holding.
If you're up for it, I like to have couples run through the tunnel twice to make sure we get that EPIC send off photo!
"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!
