CHOOSING LOCATIONS

Begin by choosing your preferred backdrop: would you like a natural setting with trees and water, or an urban landscape featuring buildings and streets? Consider what’s most practical based on your wedding's location. If there’s travel involved between the ceremony and reception, think about nearby attractions you might enjoy along the way to minimize travel time.

If your ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, we can take full advantage of the surroundings. Share what you love about that specific location, whether it’s the scenic beauty or the architectural details, and we can build from there.

If your chosen location is far from the reception site, you might want to consider scheduling your portraits before the ceremony. This way, you can head straight to cocktail hour with your guests once the ceremony concludes.

Choosing the Perfect Getting Ready Location

If you're planning to get ready somewhere other than your home or wedding venue, we highly recommend opting for an Airbnb or VRBO rental instead of a hotel room.

Hotel rooms are often smaller, darker, and less accommodating, while renting an entire home provides a more spacious, relaxed atmosphere. With more room to spread out and multiple areas to choose from for photos, a private home offers plenty of character and charm, unlike the generic feel of most hotel rooms.

The natural light in a home is also a game-changer—it allows me to capture stunning, high-quality images that are beautifully lit and full of personality. Light and atmosphere are key to creating memorable photographs, and a thoughtfully chosen space can make all the difference!

GOLDEN HOUR

The quality of light is the key factor in creating stunning photographs. My absolute favorite time to shoot is during the last hour before sunset, often referred to as “the golden hour.” During this time, the light is warm and soft, making everything look incredible. I would take just 15 minutes of this beautiful golden light over an hour in the harsh brightness of midday. However, if we find ourselves in that situation, I'll do my best to keep you out of the sun.

Conversely, on cloudy days, lighting is usually the best. Clouds function like large softboxes, diffusing sunlight and minimizing harsh shadows, resulting in everyone looking fantastic.

IF IT RAINS

Don’t forget to bring umbrellas and weather-appropriate footwear! If possible we will also bring a photogenic umbrella for you to use. We’re still going to capture some amazing shots, so there’s no need to worry. In fact, rainy conditions often lead to some of the most cherished photos!

ADDITIONAL TIPS & IDEAS

Kindly request that anyone reading or speaking, including the officiant, use printed paper, glass or any physical vows instead of a phone or iPad. The glow from a screen can cast an unflattering light, and there's something far more romantic about holding your vows on paper rather than glancing at a phone while declaring your love.

Consider making your ceremony phone-free. This way, you’ll have beautiful photos and videos capturing the genuine, joyful expressions of your family and friends, fully present and engaged in the moment—without the distraction of glowing screens.

For the ceremony, it's common to reserve the first one or two rows for family members. However, this often leads to an excess of empty seats, with noticeable gaps in the front (especially in the second and third rows) because guests are hesitant to sit too close. My recommendation is to assign each seat to a specific guest by name. This way, you can ensure the front rows are fully occupied, resulting in photos that showcase a well-filled ceremony without empty rows at the front.