PLANNING YOUR WEDDING DAY
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Wedding Prep Tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
the WEDDING EXPERIENCE
Thank you again for choosing to work with us and please don't hesitate to let us know if we can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!
We're thrilled to be working with you and can't wait to learn more about you over the coming months! We understand that photography is one of the biggest investments for your wedding day, and we're truly honored that you've chosen us.
Whether you're working with a wedding planner or planning a smaller, intimate wedding, there's still a lot to manage before the big day.
With over 50+ weddings under our belt, we've noticed that many couples have similar questions. That's why we've created a guide to walk you through everything you need to know—from planning timelines to engagement sessions and even what to do if the weather doesn't cooperate.
experience
WELCOME TO OUR WEDDING PLANNING COMPANION
ABOUT
my philosophy // you've got a friend in me
I'm a photographer who believes in simplicity and convenience, so that you don't have to worry about a complicated process or unclear expectations.
More
We have officially secured your wedding date!
It's picture time! We will meet for your session about 2 hours before sunset. We'll connect, chat and give creative direction the entire time.
Schedule your engagement session. Get a personalized engagement guide for the best experience.
We recommend scheduling hair & makeup as well as a trial bouquet with your wedding florist. You'll want to check in with your alterations person before scheduling this.
step 1
STEP 3
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STEP 2
The Process:
From the Beginning
I wanted to take some time to let you know what you can expect when you work with me as your wedding photographer. It is very important to me that you feel relaxed and happy from booking me all the way through to receiving your final products and beyond, so I came up with a process to ensure all my clients have a similar yet tailored experience.
welcome
SCHEDULE sessions
ENGAGEMENTS
BRIDAls
More
Download your engagement photos & send out save the dates!
Wedding Day! Showing up to capture, support and hype you up all day!
6-weeks prior to your big day, we'll create the perfect day-of timeline & get your family pictures list.
Within 48 hours, receive a handful of images form your wedding day to celebrate!
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STEP 7
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STEP 6
Our Process:
From the Beginning
I wanted to take some time to let you know what you can expect when you work with me as your wedding photographer. It is very important to me that you feel relaxed and happy from booking me all the way through to receiving your final products and beyond, so I came up with a process to ensure all my clients have a similar yet tailored experience.
Back
save the dates
wedding timeline
wedding day
sneak peeks
More
Within 2 weeks, sit down with me virtually for your 100-image wedding preview!
Complete & submit your timeless keepsake from the best day ever to be delivered to your doorstep!
8-10 weeks after, we'll deliver the complete, fully edited gallery through your online platform.
Share your experience with the world with a Google review!
step 9
STEP 11
step 12
STEP 10
Our Process:
From the Beginning
I wanted to take some time to let you know what you can expect when you work with me as your wedding photographer. It is very important to me that you feel relaxed and happy from booking me all the way through to receiving your final products and beyond, so I came up with a process to ensure all my clients have a similar yet tailored experience.
Back
preview
FULL GALLERY
ALBUM COMPLETION
follow up
"Creating a wedding day team is the ultimate collaboration, and trust is a major part of that"
Communication
I'm here for you! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have throughout the planning process. I typically respond to emails within 2 business days or less (Monday-Thursday, 8am-3pm CST). For urgent inquiries, you can also call us at (210) 630-8164. Please note that weekends are reserved for capturing the magic of weddings just like yours!
office hours:
Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm CST
weekends:
Weekends are reserved for capturing the magic of weddings like yours!
Payment 01
For specific dates, log in to your client portal and open your invoice or contract.
Payment 02
Payment 03
Payment 04
25% RETAINER DUE UPON SIGNING THE AGREEMENT
25% DUE 90 DAYS AFTER FIRST PAYMENT
25% DUE 90 DAYS AFTER SECOND PAYMENT
Final balance due 30 days before event.
Easily access all important files in one place, including your contract, questionnaires, and any planning documents to keep everything organized and stress-free!
YOUR DOCUMENTS
Under the 'Projects' tab, track every step of your journey with me in one place! Your planning board gives you a clear view of where we are in the process, with statuses like Open, In Progress, and Done—so you always know what’s next.
YOUR PLANNING BOARD
Also under 'Projects', you can stay organized with a clear breakdown of your payments and services. Here, you can review due dates, make secure payments, and see an itemized list of everything included in your collection.
PAYMENTS & INVOICES
portal
The client
* Your password is your wedding date in format: MMDDYYYY
PREFERRED VENDORS
the people we trust
Posh Couture
Belle Decor
Top Tier Event Rentals
Perch Decor
Big D Party Rentals
Vim + Venture
Render Event Rentals
Rentals
Hazelwood Paper Co
Morgan Riley Design
Scribbles & Swirls
Chapman Calligraphy
Ink + Press Co
Every Little Something
Paper Goods
Styles by Vero
Anna Sullivan Hair
Etoilly Artistry
Kaddy @ KHBeauty
Styling Stewardess
Makeup & Hair
Shawn Yang Films
718 Creative
47 Weddings
Rosemary Films
Macie Grace Media
Videographers
Wedfully Yours
Petals Couture
Event Stems Floral
Nava Floral
Scout Floral
Florists
AML Weddings
Rachel Willis Events
Michelle Phu EVents
Ammie Marie Weddings
Gathered Events
Alexa Kay Events
KC Cloud Events
Planners
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engagement
We absolutely love engagement sessions, and here's why. They not only help you get used to being in front of the camera but also give you the chance to express your personalities in a relaxed setting that has meaning for you both. We’ve put together a whole page full of outfit suggestions, location inspirations, timing tips, and much more
Your Engagement Session
If you have a destination in mind for your session, don't hesitate to let me know, I love traveling! Travel fees may apply depending on the location.
destination engagement sessions
bridals
Ever wonder how your hair and makeup will photograph on the big day? A bridal portrait session is your chance to not only capture stunning pre-wedding photos but also have a dress rehearsal for flawless wedding day style.
Your Bridal Session
We'll spend 1-2 hours capturing your beauty, giving you time to get comfortable posing and holding your bouquet (it can feel a bit awkward at first!).
Here's why you'll love a bridal portrait session
Below is a breakdown of how much time we typically ask to set aside for different parts of your wedding day
Time Budgeting for Your Wedding Day
This includes your dress, shoes, rings, invitation suite, jewelry, and any meaningful heirlooms. Setting aside time for these detail shots ensures we capture all the little elements that make your day unique.
45 min
40 min
15 MIN
40 MIN
Bridal Details & Accessories
These moments include final touches, robe shots, popping champagne, and those heartfelt interactions with your bridesmaids before you step into your dress.
This allows time for you and your partner to take in the moment, enjoy each other’s presence, and get some emotional and intimate portraits before the ceremony.
Bride & Bridesmaids Getting Ready
THE First Look
A second photographer will be there to document the groom’s final touches—buttoning the jacket, adjusting the tie, and celebrating with his groomsmen.
Groom & Groomsmen Getting Ready
A relaxed and natural session to capture the two of you together before or after the ceremony. This includes a mix of candid and editorial-style portraits in beautiful lighting.
40 min
25 min
30 MIN
30 MIN
Couple’s Portraits
We’ll organize groupings ahead of time to keep things smooth and efficient while ensuring every important family member is included.
This allows time for you and your partner to take in the moment, enjoy each other’s presence, and get some emotional and intimate portraits before the ceremony.
Family Formals
Ceremony
This includes fun, celebratory moments with your bridesmaids and groomsmen together, as well as classic editorial portraits.
Wedding Party Photos
45 min
While guests enjoy cocktails, I’ll capture the reception space untouched, along with candid moments of guests mingling.
cocktail hour
These times are flexible depending on your wedding timeline, but this guide will help you plan for a seamless and stress-free photography experience.
firstlook
In recent years, "first looks"—intimate moments shared by the couple before the ceremony—have gained popularity. In fact, nearly half of our couples this year have chosen to embrace this trend.
The First Look
That special moment when the couple lay eyes on each other for the first time on their wedding day holds an undeniable magic. Whether they opt to savor this moment as the bride makes her grand entrance down the aisle or opt for a heartfelt "first look" before the ceremony begins, the emotions run deep.
A First Look is your chance to hit pause, to steal some quiet moments together before the whirlwind begins. It's a chance to simply be present with each other, to savor the weight of the day, and to connect before the celebrations take flight.
Wedding days are a beautiful whirlwind, a kaleidoscope of emotions and activity. But let's be honest, they can also feel like a blur. A First Look creates a peaceful haven just for the two of you. It's a chance to share a laugh, soak in the excitement, and truly appreciate the moment before the day unfolds. We know how important it is to savor every detail of your wedding, and a First Look can help you do just that.
What is a first look & should I do it?
first looks
Top 4 Reasons to
say yes to it:
Your Only Alone Time All Day
Eases Nerves & Creates an Intimate Moment
all the tears, no audience
More Time for Portraits
ENJOY SOME OF COCKTAIL HOUR
First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.
TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS
family photos
We start big! We'll gather everyone for a grand group photo, including grandparents, siblings, their spouses and more. Then, we'll gradually whittle down the group, capturing photos with grandparents, parents, and siblings.
Family Formals List
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings + Bride's Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents
Bride + Groom + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Mom
Bride + Dad
Bride + Groom + Groom's Extended Family
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings + Groom's Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents
Bride + Groom + Groom's Siblings
Groom + Mom
Groom + Dad
Your Checklist:
details
We'll need you to have these things together & ready to go for us at our first photo location when we arrive so we can start shooting your details as soon as possible!
All the Details
Here's What You Need:
Full Invitation Suite
Your full suite, with duplicates if there is two-sided pieces. All paper items including placement cards, welcome dinner, rsvp card, stamps, vow books, love letters to each other etc!
Apparel Details
Bridal Accessories include shoes, veil, dress, hair accessory, your rings, . Groom accessories include shoes, cufflinks, tie/bowtie, watch, cologne, his ring.
Other Details
Such as heirlooms, ring boxes, ribbon, perfumes, personalized items, other special details to make your flatlays unique.
Please budget a minimum of 45 minutes of time for styling your detail items. Notify your florist ahead of time for flatlay floral needs.
time allotment for details
Now that you've started creating the flow of your wedding celebrations, are you thinking you'd like to add on bridals or rehearsal coverage? Perhaps upgrade to full weekend coverage? We just ask that all changes are made by your final payment (14 days out from your wedding day).
what if we need more coverage?
adding more coverage
ADD MORE COVERAGE
YOUR GALLERY
A viewing experience you'll love
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!
-Layflat albums
-prints
-matted frames
-greeting cards
-canvases
✓ single image download
✓ full gallery download
✓ web-size & hi-resolution images
✓ AI POWERED FACIAL RECOGNITION
✓ mobile app available
✓ SHARING CAPABILITIES
✓ PERSONALIZED SMART STORE
✓ save your favorites
✓ easily Share on social media
✓ Professional prints & products
everything:
Your curated online gallery has
— Stephanie
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!
