Yay! it’s almost here!

I’m so excited to be apart of your wedding day!

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you have planned to do an engagement session, I usually suggest booking these about 9-12 months out from your wedding for Save the Dates. Most sessions will take place during a weekday in the evening time, or can be scheduled for a weekend morning yearround, or a weekend evening during off season (Nov-March) depending upon availability. Engagement session turnaround times are 2-4 weeks.

For ideas on what to wear, you can view my what to wear guide here:
https://www.amybookerphotography.com/blog/what-to-wear-to-your-photography-session

We will have either a consultation in person, over the phone, or through e-mail to go over the game plan for your wedding a few months prior. If at any time you’d like any vendor suggestions, or need help with anything, I am happy to help!

Considering a videographer? Some of my favorite videographers include:

Jordan & Khyrstina Films

Good Co Studios

Alesia Films

Emma K Films

PREPPING FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY

Timeline

In order to provide some amazing photos, I suggest setting aside the following time increments for photography on their wedding day. If you do not have a wedding coordinator and would like help with creating a timeline for your wedding day, we are happy to help with that!

Getting Ready Prep: Varies, I suggest at least 1-2 Hours
First Look: 15 minutes
Family Portraits: 30-45 minutes
Portraits: 30-45 minutes (This is usually done in two parts the first part during your cocktail hour, or first look and the second at sunset)
Sunset Portraits (optional): 10-15 minutes

Other things to consider:

Sunset: Make sure you check sunset times for your wedding day and how that will effect the timeline above.
Portrait Hour: Portraits should be scheduled outside of high noon. Anytime after 2pm (as long as there is some shaded areas/trees to work with on the property), is the best time to plan your portrait hour. The most beautiful light occurs just 60-90 minutes before sunset.
Ceremony: Pick a ceremony time that isn’t too early in the day for sunset, and also keep in mind where the sun will be shining during your ceremony. When you’re doing your venue walkthrough, download the app: “SunSeeker”. It’s a cool live view app that’ll tell you where the sun will be setting at what time during different seasons of the year.
Hair & Makeup: Hair and makeup artists will often give you an estimated completion time. Add 20-30 minutes to this time as a buffer, just in case you want something changed or re-done, or the schedule is running behind. If you’ve opted for getting ready photos, I will arrive as you’re getting your make-up done so I can photograph your details while you finish up. When you’re just about done, I’ll want to grab “touch up” photos of putting blush on, lipstick, or your hairpins.
Travel Time Between Locations: If the travel time is 15 minutes, add another 15-20 minute buffer in the event of traffic, accident, or delay.

Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Wedding Photography

Tip # 1: Photo requests/inspiration/Must have photos

Please let me know ahead of time if there are any specific fun photos you’d like to do with your wedding party, or must have shots that you’d like me to capture that are outside the “usual”. With many weddings under my belt, I have a system down to make sure to capture all the amazing moments and everything in between. Sometimes there’s those shots that seem like a cool idea, and I’d love to know ahead of time so we can plan for it! Like feeding eachother pizza, bridal party champagne pops, recreating a photo from your childhood, etc.

I suggest creating a photo shot list for family groupings so we can stay organized the day of! It is usually easiest to do family groupings all in one go, vs trying to do half before the ceremony or half afterwards. Have someone who knows your family, or the coordinator to help gather people for your family photos. If we decide to take them afterward your ceremony, have your officiant announce for all family members to stay behind for family photos.

Tip # 2: Unplugged Ceremony

Consider having an unplugged ceremony - this means no devices like phones or giant iPads focused on you as you walk down the aisle. Sometimes this can be super distracting to look at when you look back at your photos. I encourage you to let your family members know that you’d like them to be present! As a wedding photographer. My team and I have got you covered, we shoot with multiple cameras on us during your ceremony to ensure multiple angles and perspectives during your ceremony.

Tip # 3: Consider a first look

Some of my couples decide to do a first look and see eachother beforehand. A first look is a great opportunity to see eachother before the day gets busy! It’s nice to take a moment to slow down and be present with eachother. This is also a great opportunity to finish up pictures beforehand, so you have more time to mingle with your friends afterwards.

Another alternative, is doing a letter reading to eachother, or holding hands behind a door/back to back to eachother. This can help add a meaningful touch, and gives you all the feels!

Tip # 4: Preparation Images (Things to prepare)

Your Details:

Please have all of your rings and details that you’d like photographed together. This helps save time the day of so we aren’t using up time searching for items! *Make sure the dudes have their boutonnières ready to go, this is one of the most forgotten items!

This includes:

Rings - Both sets of rings, Engagement Ring + Wedding Bands, Family Ring, etc.
Invitation - (2) Sets of the invitation if possible so I can photograph front and back portions at the same time for your flat lay.
Shoes
Garter
Jewelry (Earrings, Hair Piece, Bracelet, Necklace, Etc)
Something borrowed, something blue, etc.
Cologne/Perfume
Tie
Cuff Links
Customized Gifts
Flowers - Ask your florist if they can set aside some clippings for the photographer to use when styling your details. This really brings your details photos to a different level when we can include them!
Boutonniere

The Dress Something that is a huge time saver for me, is having the Bride and Bridesmaids dresses ready to go for when I arrive. If you have time, remove all of the cardboard and plastic for us and have a pretty hanger ready if possible (this can include a wooden hanger, or custom hanger).
Putting on Jewelry/ Veil We want to be able to photograph you putting on your jewelry and/or veil, so please wait for us to arrive before your put either on!
Putting the Dress On We will never take nude or half-nude photographs or you while you are putting your dress on (unless requested!) - we will always wait until your dress is on and ready to be buttoned or tied. We simply want to photograph the finishing touches. We will, however, have you stand in a very specific spot while you are dressing in order to take advantage of beautiful window light. Myself or my assistant will have already cleared the background of any distractions or clutter, so it is important that you stay in this spot during the whole process to ensure perfect exposures and clean backgrounds. During this time we will also turn off any overhead lights or lamps. It may seem very dark in the room when we do this, but it is exactly the type of lighting we need to create beautiful photos!

Consider making a family photo shot list to stay organized!

Wedding Shot List Examples for Family:

Both Extended Families (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins)

Extended Family - Each Side

All Cousins

Immediate Families

Immediate family - Each Side

Parents

One with each Parent

Just Parents Together

Siblings

Both sets of Grandparents

Maternal Grandparents

Paternal Grandparents

Just Grandparents Together

After your wedding

TURNAROUND TIME

I will have your preview photos ready for within 1 week of your wedding delivered through an Online Gallery. This will include all of your family photos, and a general highlight from the day. If there’s any specific photos you want delivered first in your preview, just let me know! You will be able to download the images, or purchase prints + wall art directly through the gallery. Your friends + family can purchase prints as well! Your remaining images will be delivered 4-10 weeks past your wedding date. On average, our turnaround time is 4 weeks for Elopements, and 6-8 weeks for Weddings. A rush fee of $500 can be added on if you would like your wedding gallery edited within 1 week.