Before the Big Day
Timeline Planning
Let's talk about your timeline so we can work together to build in time for portraits, travel, and moments of calm. Add buffer time between major events (e.g. getting ready, ceremony, and reception) to account for travel, delays, or just catching your breath.
Bonus Tips & Thoughtful Ideas
Love letters or gift exchange before the ceremony make for sweet, tear-jerking photos and help calm nerves.
Gifting your parents or bridal party something meaningful on the morning of is a lovely way to honour their support.
Hire a videographer if it’s in your budget. Your photos will tell the story, and video adds the sound and movement that completes the memory.
Have a backup plan for weather.
Rain, wind, or clouds? Embrace it, it often creates magical, unique photos.
Break in your shoes early yes even the boys. Your feet will thank you!
Remember, your dress is meant to be worn and lived in. Unless you're wearing it the next day, let it move with you, let it brush against the ground, dance in the breeze and collect the stories of your day. A little dirt is a sign of a day lived fully. Everything can be cleaned!
Getting Ready
Bride & Groom
Lighting is Everything: Choose a space to get ready with plenty of natural light, big windows are best! Soft, natural light makes for stunning, flattering photos. I’ll help by opening blinds and turning off any harsh, yellow overhead lights. Avoid getting ready in dark, cluttered rooms or spaces with strong artificial lighting (like hotel lamps or bathroom lights), as this can make skin tones look uneven in photos.
Clear the Clutter: Before I arrive, tidy up the room. Move aside food wrappers, plastic bags, clothes piles, and empty glasses. Clean, simple backgrounds let your details and moments shine.
Details Box: Have It Ready: Prepare a box or bag with all your important items so I can photograph them as soon as I arrive:
For the bride: Shoes, perfume, jewellery, rings, flowers/bouquets, vow books, garter, invitation, veil, sentimental items (like a family heirloom, locket, or a special note).
For the groom: Cufflinks, shoes, aftershave, tie or bow tie, watch, belt, jacket, pocket square or flowers, meaningful mementos (like a family pin or gift).
Why This Matters: Having these ready lets me capture all the little details that tell your story, without disrupting your getting-ready flow.
Pack an Emergency Kit: Prepare a small kit with safety pins, fashion tape, stain remover, baby wipes, tissues, band-aids, mints, and a mini sewing kit, just in case! Pinch Provisions have some cute kits.
Iron or Steam: Steam dresses, suits and shirts before the day or have a professional do this for you. Hang them high for wrinkle-free, photo ready goodness. You may like to look into a mobile steaming service.
Groom’s Prep
I usually start with the groom. It’s helpful if he and his groomsmen are showered, shaved, and dressed in pants and shirts when I arrive. Then we can capture: Close-ups of them adjusting ties, cufflinks, putting on jackets, and lacing shoes. Fun, candid moments of the guys relaxing, laughing, and sharing a drink.
Pro Tip: Remove tags from suits and stickers from the bottom of shoes. If it’s hot or humid, consider having an extra shirt for the groom &/or groomsmen to change into a fresh shirt later in the day.
Bride’s Prep
Aim to have hair and makeup almost done, just lipstick touch-ups needed, by the time I arrive. This lets me photograph the finishing touches without rushing your artist/s.
Pro Tips:
- Wear a button-up shirt or robe to avoid pulling anything over your head.
- If your dress is strapless where a strapless bra or if backless no bra at all to avoid any red pressure skin marks
- If you usually use eye drops pop some in before your makeup artists arrives to give your eyes a clear fresh feel and avoid watery eyes while you are getting your makeup done.
- Ensure you eat and brush your teeth before your makeup application.
- If possible remove any unnecessary tags, stickers or hanging ribbons from your dress and shoes.
- Label bridesmaid dresses if they’re similar styles and sizes to avoid mix-ups.
- Have a pretty wooden hanger for your dress (and bridesmaids’ dresses) for beautiful photos.
- Try on shoes before the day (and bring comfy flats for dancing later!).
Bouquets: Coordinate with your florist so the flowers arrive before I do. This way, I can photograph them first and include them in your detail shots.
Avoid scheduling your ceremony during the hottest part of the day if there’s no shade, you and your guests will thank you later.
Always have a wet-weather & wind backup plan (just in case!)
Walk Slow and Steady
When walking down the aisle, take your time and savour the moment! It has been months in the making.
Nerves can make you rush, but slowing down lets you soak it all in and makes for more elegant photos.
Resist the urge to look directly at the camera the whole way down the aisle, soak in the moment instead. Look around and say hi to your guests.
Smiling as you walk down the aisle goes a long way (and makes for beautiful photos).
During the Ceremony
Stay Centred: Make sure you’re standing in the middle of the aisle or floral arbour for the ceremony. Your celebrant can help adjust your position to keep things balanced for photos.
Ask someone to fan out your dress after you’ve walked down the aisle, it makes such a difference in photos.
Once centred try to look at each other instead of the celebrant, even if it feels a little awkward.
Be mindful of your hands during the ceremony. Hold each other's hands, stay close together and be connected at all times. I promise it will help with the nerves but also look much nicer in your images.
Unplugged Ceremony:
Ask your celebrant to kindly request that guests put away phones and cameras during the ceremony. This helps everyone stay present and lets me capture unobstructed photos of you and them during this time.
Pro Tip: Ask your celebrant to invite guests to take one quick photo of you both before the ceremony begins then have them tuck their phones away for the rest of the ceremony. It gives everyone the chance to capture a moment and stay fully present for the rest of it.
Ring Bearer Tip
If you have a ring bearer, practice beforehand so they know to walk behind you and face your guests when handing over the rings rather than having their back to them & me, this ensures a beautiful view for guests and enables me to fully capture this moment.
First Kiss Tips
Kindly ask your celebrant (before the day) to step aside, so you get that perfect shot!
Pause first. Take a breath, smile at each other, and let the moment sink in.
A soft, romantic kiss lasting a few seconds looks best on camera.
Hold each other naturally. Hands around the waist or a gentle face touch adds intimacy.
Tilt your heads slightly. This avoids blocking each other’s faces.
Smile and laugh afterward. Those candid reactions make gorgeous photos.
Practice if you like! It can make you feel more comfortable and confident.
The Exit. Yay You're Married!
Now who are you sharing it with?
Consider this… when you walk back down that aisle as newlyweds, who do you want waiting for you at the end? A colleague from work with a plus one you’ve never met… or the parents who raised you, the people who have loved you from day one and/or the friends who know you best?
I see it happen so often, a couple makes their big exit, full of adrenaline and joy, only to be greeted first by guests they barely know, while Mum, Dad are still gathering their things at the back of the queue.
My little piece of advice? Have your parents or favourite people exit right after you or better still have them waiting there for you. That way, when you reach that magical moment, the first hugs, the first “oh my gosh, we’re married!” reactions, are with the people who mean the most and are right there wrapping you up in it.
It’s a tiny tweak that makes the biggest difference.
The Don't forgets
Don’t forget to grab your bouquet before your exit walk.
Don't forget to walk confidently down the aisle as newlyweds!
Don't forget to pause halfway for a dip kiss, raise your bouquet, smile and/or celebrate.
Confetti
What is a wedding without confetti! It truly does yell celebration. Definitely consider this on your wedding day and confirm with your venue if they allow it. Confetti makes for epic photos and gets all your guests involved. The Whole Bride has the best bio degradable, light and floating confetti on the market, worth a look. Or A fun little alternative for your ceremony exit if confetti is not allowed... Place bubble machines just out of sight at either side of the front and back of the aisle, and have someone turned them on right before you walk back down as newlyweds. You could also offer guests small bottles to make them feel part of the celebration. Imagine it: you’ve just said “I do,” and as you walk back hand-in-hand, a cascade of bubbles surrounds you. It looks dreamy in photos and feels like pure celebration. It’s such a simple (and affordable) touch, but trust me, the photos are so worth it! If you’re planning confetti, bubbles, or petals make sure to assign a guest/s to hand them out or advise when to turn them on during the signing so everyone’s ready when you are. Your celebrant might be able to educate your guests on the correct throw of the confetti... straight up not directly at your faces.
Portraits
Group Photos
If you are keen on having a large group photo of all your guests have your celebrant announce before your walk back down the aisle so everyone knows they are needed and where to gather. The best time for this is straight after the congratulations and before family portraits.
Family portraits
Before the day I suggest sending a SMS to notify any of the individuals who will be taking part in the formal family portraits that they will be needed straight after the ceremony congratulations. It could be something like this. "Hi [Family Member]! Just a quick note to let you know how much we’d love to have you in the family portraits right after the ceremony. Please stay close by so we can capture some beautiful memories with you. Your presence means the world to us, and we can’t wait to celebrate together. Thank you so much! "
Before your day we will make a list of family combinations in advance to save time and avoid confusion. I will also ask you to assign a confident friend or family member to help me organise group combinations.
Golden Hour Magic
The best time for bridal portraits is during golden hour (1 hour before sunset). This soft, warm light creates dreamy, flattering photos. We can plan for this in your timeline before the day.
Alone Time
We will also plan a few moments just for the two of you. This gives you a breather from the crowd and creates beautiful, intimate photos that capture your connection.
Special Considerations
Let me know if anyone in your family or wedding party has specific needs (mobility, hearing, vision, environmental allergies etc). This helps me plan locations and so on for everyone’s comfort.
Reception Time
Lighting & Vibes: Soft, romantic lighting, fairy lights, lanterns, candles sets the mood and looks stunning in photos. Keep your dance floor lighting clean for the first dance, coloured DJ lights can cast wild shadows and colour. No couple wants to look like Shrek & Princess Fiona with green lights shining upon them.
Speeches & Toasts: Ask the DJ or band to use a wireless mic for speeches. It lets speakers stand near you, making the photos more personal and emotional. If that isn't possible standing near your speaker makes for more connected and emotional images.
DIY Details: Tell me about any handmade or sentimental details at your reception (decor, guest books, signage etc). I’ll be sure to capture them beautifully.
Surprises: Planning a surprise dance, fireworks, or special performance? Please let me know in advance so I can prepare the right equipment to capture the magic.
Feeding Your Photographer: I’m constantly on the move all day and don't get the chance to sit down at all! I very kindly request that I eat when you do, this is usually when little is happening in the timeline to capture, and I promise no one wants photos of themselves eating.
Final Thoughts
This is your day. If things run a little late or someone forgets the rings, don’t stress. I’ll be right there capturing it all with love and calm energy. Just focus on each other, laugh lots, soak it all in, and let me handle the rest.
Trust me and enjoy every moment. I’m here to capture your day naturally and beautifully.
Can’t wait to capture your love story!