the wedding guide
located in HARRISBURG, PA
i'm the girl for the job.
I’m your wedding photographer + the one who is going to be fan girling over your dress, welling up with tears at one point or another on your wedding day, and I am TOTALLY, with zero shame, here for the cake.
This wedding guide was created just for you, sister.
• To assist in planning.
• Help you get organized.
• Give vendor guidance.
• Answer a lot of your questions.
• And prepare you for what to expect.
i already know
Keep this link safe + close. Refer to it when you have questions and peruse it as you plan!
here's the plan:
2. Are you doing an engagement session? Now is the time to decide on that. And if you already booked one, schedule it!
1. You booked me and are officially a BWP bride! WOO!
Booking your photographer is a big one to check off the to do list and you did it! We are lucky to have you!
I book engagement sessions typically 2+ months out in the Harrisburg, PA area. They take place through the week since I’m shooting weddings on weekends. We will meet 1-3 hours pre-sunset time, whatever is best for your schedule.
3. Receive your engagement photos
Realize that you're babes and totally have this photo thing down pat.
4. Planning Time
In the middle of your engagement phase, after you’ve put in a lot of the work selecting the majority of your vendors, our relationship will feel a little quiet. But know that I’m always just an email away if you need me! We will really get into the nitty gritty of timeline planning when you’re ready or at minimum, 3 months out.
5. The Prewedding Survey
You will receive this via email. It’s an all-encompassing questionnaire to gather all the details I need about your wedding day to make your timeline. After you submit this, I will create a preliminary timeline and send it your way. Then we will schedule a phone date to chat through the plan together.
6. Week Of Reminders
On the Monday before your wedding, I will always email you with last minute reminders and see if you need anything. I will share the timeline we solidified together with some suggestions to keep the day running smoothly.
7. You get married. Best day ever!
And of course I'm there documenting all the things!
8. photo delivery
Your wedding photos will be in your hands in 8 weeks or less post wedding day!
9. album design
After you receive your full wedding gallery, I will send you information on wedding albums or get you started in the design process if your package included one!
vendor recommendations
planning + event styling
Your Sweetest Day Events
Arielle Fera Events
hair + makeup
MKUP Beauty Studio
cakes
Katie's Cakes Cakery
Krysten’s Sweet Designs
florals
Wild Indigo
Forte Florals
djs
DJ Mast
Bring on the Bash
event rentals
Treasured Events
White Glove Rentals
Caroline's Rentals
wedding gowns
Lovely Bride - Philly
BHLDN
POSH Bridal - Lancaster
videographers
Vasaturo Still & Motion
In White (Lancaster)
Taylored for You - Mechanicsburg
AKG Events
Samuel Kern
Petals With Style
Isaiah K Films
David & Sarah Films
Lauren Corrigan Events
White Rose Productions
This is something that really matters to me. Obviously, I love wedding photographs, however, I do not want you to look back on your day and feel like “all we did was take photos!” I want your time with me to be efficient, organized, and really darn enjoyable. I have been to a wedding or two so I know exactly what I need to do to get the photos you hired me for while keeping your wedding day about your marriage + your experience, not just the photos. I spend a lot of time gathering the personal details of your day and your preferences to craft the perfect
timeline for your needs. With that said, here is a breakdown below to give you an idea of how long I spend on the various parts of the day and why.
the wedding day timeline
styling the bridal details: 60 minutes
Putting Your Dress On: 30 minutes
This is the time of day I photograph all of your bridal details. Your shoes, earrings, jewelry, rings, invitation suites, dress, veil, heirloom items, and florals. It’s best to have your dress totally unpacked from all forms + plastic, hanging on some type of non-plastic hanger upon my arrival. Place all of your bridal details in one spot…your shoebox is perfect for this! While I’m styling & photographing these details, the second photographer will photograph the girls getting ready.
After all the details have been captured and you gals are finished getting ready, your dress can go on! Whomever you want with you putting your dress on needs to be in their gowns by this time. Your bridesmaids don’t all need to be ready by now – just the women you want with you during the time you get dressed. A lot of brides opt for having just their mom/sisters in the room while putting the dress on in order to create a special, sweet moment amongst the most important women in their life. Once the gown goes on, your jewelry and shoes will follow. You can finish up with any remaining touch ups and if the light is good in your suite, we will do some bridal portraits here, too. This is one of the times of day that a little extra cushion of time is built in. I have seen buttons break, zippers malfunction, or hair and makeup run late…all causing the “dress going on” to take longer or be later
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first look with dad: 15 minutes
If you’d like to have a special reveal with your Dad, we can go outside to give you some space + privacy or have it be very informal right in your bridal suite. Either way, we plan some intentional time in the day to get him where he needs to be + allow you both to have some time together.
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bridal portraits: 30 minutes
I prioritize photographing the bride as soon as she is dressed and ready. This is usually the only time I’m going to be alone with her for the entire day. Her hair and makeup is also as fresh as it’s going to get, and she usually hasn’t cried (too much) yet.
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First Look + Portraits: 30-45 minutes
I will find the perfect first look location shortly before the first look is supposed to take place. I always strive to find a place that is more private, and away from vendors. The light determines where we shoot, therefore, I cannot decide on portrait locations until the day of. The amount of time we allocate to this depends on if your venue requires a lot of walking/golf card transport/ etc. If you are not doing a first look, I like to have a full 45 minutes of just bride + groom portraits after the ceremony.
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bridal party: 30 minutes
During this time, we photograph the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, and both parties together. We photograph the bride with each bridesmaid and the groom with each groomsman as well. Make sure the girls arrive with bouquets in hand + the guys have their boutonnieres on.
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hide + details: 45 minutes
Forty five minutes before the ceremony, I like to end portraits as guests begin to arrive and we don’t want anyone to see you. This also gives you time to freshen up before the wedding if need be. We also use this time to photograph your ceremony space + details before the guests fill the space.
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ceremony: 30 minutes
Most ceremonies are 20-35 minutes long, if not in a church. We usually allocate 30 minutes for this in case things run late. Church weddings vary and length is determined by couple.
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family formals: 30 minutes
Family formals can take place right before the ceremony or right after, whichever you prefer. If you want to do them before, you need to ensure that all immediate family (grandparents, parents, siblings + sibling’s spouses/children) are there pre-ceremony. It is vital that you educate all the family members needed for these photos about where to be and when, before the day arrives. If you’d like extended family groupings, that is something we will plan in advance as well! The pre wedding survey will ask you about this! I allocate thirty minutes to family formal time, however, we usually can get immediate family only completed in 15-20 minutes. It varies based on family size and number of groupings.
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cocktail hour: 60 minutes
If you did a first look, you will most likely be attending your entire cocktail hour! If you wish to do your family formals after the ceremony, we will complete those, and then while you socialize, we will photograph your reception space + the décor before guests enter. Then we mingle with your friends & family at cocktail hour to capture candids and causal group photos of your guests. If you are not doing a first look, you will not be able to attend cocktail hour as we will have to photograph all the family formals, full bridal party shots, and all bride & groom portraits during this time. It's a busy hour!
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SUNSET PHOTOS: 10-15 minutes
This light is the best! It’s also one of my favorite parts of the day because the bride + groom are freshly married, you’re both way more relaxed, you have some happy drinks and food in your bellies…the culmination just makes these portraits really sweet. I will let the planner/DJ know we are slipping out for a few minutes so they don’t announce any special events while we are gone.
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RECEPTION EVENTS:
2 hours on average
Once the reception starts, I defer to the DJ/band leader for the schedule of events. I have a more relaxed approach during this time as I aim to capture the candidness of your reception, the action, and all the fun things unfolding. On average, I’m at a reception for two hours minimum. This will usually capture the main events plus some open dance floor time, it depends how your reception events are structured.
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the exit
If you’d like sparkler photos or something of the nature, you can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party + parents! This has been increasingly popular over the years as you don’t need to add coverage or stop the party, yet you still get the photos you want!
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All weddings with a full catholic mass or multiple locations in the day (for example, the getting ready, ceremony, and reception is all in different locations), I recommend 9-10 hrs
of coverage for your day.
coverage recommendation
No way! I support you whether you want to do a first look or have a traditional aisle reveal. I will get into the details of this later, keep reading!
“so, does this mean we have to do a first look?!”
the getting ready
The prep part of the day sets the tone for the rest of the day! Ideally, it will be relaxed, all in one location, there will be room for everyone and their belongings, with a lot of natural light for the photographer + the makeup artists.
quick tips:
1. The more windows, the better.
2. Add some cushion to your hair + makeup time in case you want to make changes day of, they are running late, etc.
3. Be mindful of where all the bridesmaids store their stuff! It’s ideal if you can keep all of the bags + belongings in a separate room or one corner of the room. If the room isn’t big
enough for all of this, we will have a quick clean up session before you get dressed, no big deal!
part of the day
what to gather
styling your details
When I arrive, the first thing I will do is style + photograph all of your bridal details. These are the things you will need to gather and do before I get there. It is best to put all of these items in your shoebox if possible! Then we we get there, I can grab that box and start doing
my magic while my other photographer shoots the girls getting ready. Here’s what you will need to gather:
For liability reasons, I do not like to be the one to remove all the pins, packing, and plastic from your wedding gown. If you could have that all removed by my
arrival time, that is ideal. Hang that pretty gown on anything but a plastic hanger and you will be all set!
1. Totally unpack your gown + put it on a pretty hanger
This is the most common missing item on the morning of. Oftentimes, the rings are given to the planner or best man, however we encourage you to hang onto them for the morning. This is the best time to have them photographed!
2. Both wedding rings
3. Veil + hairpieces
4. Shoes
5. All jewelry
6. Perfume
7. (2) full invitation suites
8. Any heirloom items
This one is key! Styling with your wedding flower palette really ties these photos together!
9. Extra blooms from your florist
your veil
when to wear
This is entirely up to you sister! If you absolutely adore it, I think you should put it on after you put your dress on! Sometimes if brides do a first look, they keep it off for the first look and then put it on when they come down the aisle. It helps prevent the groom from accidentally pulling it out of your hair when he hugs you at the first look AND it gives you a slightly different, super bridal look for when you come down the aisle. However, some brides want their veil on in all of their bridal portraits and we typically shoot these before the first look. So, you just have to decide what is important to you + what would work best for your day!
groomsmen prep
The second photographer will head over the groomsman when the bride puts her dress on. The guys should be in shirts + pants only when the second photographer arrives. She will photograph them hanging out and getting ready after that.
If you would like some photos of your grooms details – like his shoes, cuff links, watch, any heirloom items – have him lay them out all in one spot for her arrival.
details about
first look or aisle reveal?
which is better
Let me start by saying, I support you whether you want to do a first look or a traditional aisle reveal. I have photographed over 100 weddings and they’ve all been lovely!
If you see each other at the aisle for the first time, you’ve spent almost half the day away from the person you are marrying! Seeing each other beforehand, allows you to have more time alone with each other before the events begin!
1. More time together
The beautiful thing about a first look is how private + intimate it is! During a traditional aisle reveal, the groom has 100-300 people watching for his reaction. Since you’re at the altar, you can’t exactly hug and kiss right away, or talk about your feelings, or pray, or anything! A first look really makes this moment only about you two, and gives you the ability to savor it how you wish, with no pressure and no onlookers.
2. More private + less pressure
let's talk about first looks
This kind of goes with my previous point, but because a first look is more private and less pressure, and you’re able to be WITH the person you’re marrying earlier in the day, a lot of couples feel like this moment grounds them after a busy and emotional morning.
3. Calms the nerves
If there is any unfavorable weather on your wedding day, doing a first look earlier in the day simply gives us more opportunities to get portraits around breaks in bad weather.
4. More flexibility if there is bad weather
Because you completed almost all of your photos before the ceremony, you have the full cocktail hour to socialize, eat all the food, and try your signature drinks!
5. You can go to cocktail hour
In my experience, couples that do first looks typically have more portraits in their final galleries. I’m usually able to get portraits before the wedding of course, grab 5 mins of just married photos as you go into cocktail hour, and get sunset photos! So you receive a lot of portraits with a lot of variety!
6. More portraits in your final gallery
potential cons of a first look
You do have to get ready earlier in the day to complete your photos beforehand. If you choose to do a private first look, your family + friends may not be there to witness it like they would be at the aisle for a traditional reveal.
Amara & Brian
"Maecenas bibendum massa sed sem placerat porta. Praesent sed interdum lacus. Aenean ac orci tortor. Vestibulum dictum quam vitae augue varius, sed varius nisi tincidunt. Sed sem odio, dignissim nec malesuada posuere, varius non ante. Quisque ultrices tortor id augue tincidunt placerat. Curabitur sed lacus a nunc consequat pellentesque. Nam quis orci eu nulla sodales ullamcorper. Fusce ut ipsum eget augue vehicula sollicitudin eu id leo. Nunc arcu augue, aliquet vitae purus et, euismod porttitor velit. Praesent ac fermentum odio."
Bride & Groom
let's talk about aisle reveals
Your parents and grandparents did it this way. This is for the couple that is rooted in tradition and loves a classic wedding.
1. Timeless + Classic
Your portraits usually take place closer to the end of the day during sunset light, which is lovely light!
2. end of day portraits
potential cons of an aisle reveal
You usually do not get as much variety in light and locations doing a traditional reveal simply because the light is setting for the day by the time we get to your portraits and we do not have as much time since we have to photograph so many things after the ceremony. Most couple are not able to attend the full cocktail hour because we will have to do bride + groom portraits, family formals, full bridal party photos, and capture your reception space before guests enter. You also need to make sure that your ceremony is early enough to still have natural light available after the ceremony to complete all of the necessary portraits.
ceremony considerations
Lighting: Consider what time you’re getting married, where the sun will be in relation to your guests + yourselves, could you move the ceremony location to an open shade area at your venue, etc. If you’re getting married inside, it’s best to have even lighting on the alter, as opposed to pin lighting on the bride + groom with the bridal party in the shadows. I will not be able to properly expose for both groups if this is the case!
Timing: After deciding if you’re doing a first look or a traditional aisle reveal, pick a ceremony time that complements this decision. I’m happy to help you work through this if you need my help!
Time of Year: If you’re getting married in the winter, consider if you’re doing a first look or aisle reveal and what time the sun sets for the day in regards to your ceremony time.
Unplug: You’ve invested a lot of money into professional wedding photographs, so you should let them shine! There are so many ways you can politely ask guests to refrain from having smart phones + iPads in the way as you walk down the aisle. Check with your venue, officiate, planner, or pinterest! There are so many ways to get this point across!
what if it rains?
In 8+ years of shooting weddings, I have only had two weddings where it actually rained all day. Most of the time, the weather breaks just long enough for us to run outside for some portraits! If it rains, it rains, and you will still be husband + wife at the end of the day! Here are some things to consider when thinking of a rainy day wedding:
1. I don’t need that much space to make lovely photos. Shooting near a window, or utilizing porches, barn overhangs, etc are all great to get pretty rainy day photos.
2. I will do some extra scouting the morning of if it’s to be a rainy day to find alternate locations.
3. Talk with your venue about their rain plan. Try to “call it” as late as they will let you on the day of!
4. Gather some rainy day supplies: fun rain boots for the bride + bridesmaids, clear umbrellas for shooting in the rain, rain jackets, etc.
5. Know that you will have to touch up your hair and makeup most likely if you venture out into the wind, drizzles, snow, etc.
but bri,
I know this feels scary, however, find peace in the fact that all of your vendors have worked a rainy day wedding before.
family formals
The family formal session can be very quick if you educate all of the family members required about where they need to be and when, before the wedding day arrives. As long as everyone is there right before the ceremony or right after (whichever you pick), then I can fire through our agreed upon list very quickly. Typically, “family formals time” is for immediately family and grandparents only. If you desire to have extended family group shots (like with aunts, uncles, cousins), we will plan to do these right after the ceremony/during cocktail hour/during the reception. This is also something all of the extended family members need to be notified of in advance to make this process quick + easy.
more about
This is probably a rare instance to have this many family members all in one place, lookin’ their best. These photos are so important and I strive to make them as efficient and organized as possible. It’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine to see family formals drag on, everyone roaming about, no plan in place, with the moms stressed over whether the photographer is “getting all the right photos.” Friends, not here. That is not what I do! The pre wedding survey I send out asks you to select all the traditional family combinations you’d like, extended family groupings, and if there are any familial issues I need to know about. I will also ask for everyone’s names, too! After receiving all of this info, I compile a very systematic and orderly family portrait list to maximize people moving in and out of the group, getting grandparents done & sitting down as soon as possible, and hitting all the wants for your parents’ legacy photo walls.
reception details
I usually photograph your reception details right after your ceremony while cocktail hour begins. Most venues are not totally setup before the ceremony but if they are, I buzz into the space to capture it then. It is ideal if your cocktail hour is in a separate space from your reception. This allows the photographers to capture all of those lovely details you spent so much time planning, to be captured before guests touch anything, and the place is full of people.
capturing the
the exit
and finally,
If your photo coverage ends before the end of your reception, you can still have lovely sparkler or exit photos with a “faux exit!” This has become very popular for couples to do because it’s a way for you to get the photo moments you wanted without adding extra hours of coverage. We simply slip outside with a few friends + family while the party continues, take a few quick photos, and back in you go!
that's the skinny, my friends
If you have any questions along the way that are not addressed above, I’m always here for you.
I want to make this day as enjoyable as possible while giving you the best wedding photos ever. Never hesitate to reach out to me with questions, help, or recommendations.
I’m so honored to be your wedding photographer!