Here's your complete wedding guide to preparing for your big day!
I'm SO excited to be a part of your special day! I may just be your photographer, but I'm here to help you prepare and plan by giving you all the information and tips you need to make your day run as smoothly as possible! I know wedding days can get stressful, and my goal is to make the experience as stress-free and fun as possible!
My Approach
helping you capture the moment so you can live in it
One of my priorities when photographing my couples is to help them feel as comfortable and at ease as possible. When you are feeling most like yourself, your photos will feel most like you as well! My goal is for you to look back on your photos 10, 20, 50 years down the road and instantly be taken back to that day. My approach to photos that will stand the test of time is keeping your photos as true to color as possible, and capturing authentic, candid moments that aren't too posed or forced. I also love to get to know my couples leading up to their day by grabbing coffee, having an engagement session with them, or chatting over the phone so I can capture moments that encompass you both the best and so I know how I can best serve you!
My ultimate priority is YOU.
The Process
the process
getting to know you
I will reach out to you to schedule a meeting with you (either over the phone or in person) to discuss the details of your day and answer any questions you may have. We'll go over your timeline, shot list, expectations, and more. I'll also take this time to get to know you both as a couple and learn more about your unique love story! If a meeting does not fit into your schedule, I will send you a questionnaire with all the information I will need from you!
the process
preparation
In the days leading up to your wedding, I will still be completely available for you in case you have any questions or need any help! If you decide to have an engagement session with me, we will also be preparing and shooting for that. During this time, I will help you finalize your timeline and family shot list. About 1 month before your day, I will be sending you a final questionnaire to get your final details.
the process
wedding day
The big day is here! I will confirm with you ahead of time when and where I will be arriving. On top of taking your photos, I will also be helping make sure the day goes as smoothly as possible! While we will follow a timeline, I aim to remain flexible to adjust to any last minute changes that may arise. And, most importantly, we'll have FUN!
the process
Post-wedding
Within 48-72 hours, you will be receiving your first previews! And within 4-8 weeks, your full gallery will be ready for you to share with family and friends! If you decide to order an album with me, I'll also be working with you to handcraft your wedding album!
Add-On's
Each package comes with a base of services included. If there are other services you would like to add on to your package, reach out to me and we can get that set for you!
a la carte items
second shooter
Opt for a second shooter so every angle of every part of your day is captured.
starting at $240
bridal portraits
Want even more pictures of you in your gown? Let's schedule a bridal portrait session!
starting at $250
custom album
Let's build the wedding album of your dreams! Reach out to me to get started.
starting at $250
extra hours
Feel like you'll need a little extra time on your day? Let's keep this party going!
$300/extra hour
Timeline
Wedding day timeline's can be intimidating, but don't let that scare you! While each wedding day is unique to each couple, events throughout the day tend to follow a certain agenda. If you are DIY-ing your wedding day timeline, here's an outline to help you get started.
Getting ready
Detail Shots: 15 - 20 min
Bride's Hair: 1 hour
Bride's Makeup: 45 min - 1 hour
Bridesmaid Hair: 45 min
Bridesmaid Makeup: 30 - 45 min
Bride Getting in Gown: 20 min
Bridesmaids Getting Dressed: 10 min
Pre-ceremony
First Look: 20 - 30 min
Bridal Portraits: 15 min
Groom Portraits: 15 min
Bride + Bridesmaids: 15 min
Groom + Groomsmen: 15 min
*finish photos and hide bride 30 min before ceremony begins*
ceremony + post-ceremony
Ceremony: 30 min - 1 hour
Family Photos: 15 - 30 min
Full Wedding Party: 15 min
Bride + Groom Portraits: 30 min
Reception
Bridal Party/Bride + Groom Entrance: 10 min
First Dances: 15 - 20 min
Dinner: 1 hour
Sunset Photos (if time allows): 15 - 2o min
Cake Cutting: 15 min
Toasts: 15 - 20 min
Dancing: as long as your heart desires!
Exit: 10 - 15 min
This is just a general outline and can be tailored to you (for ex. you opt for no first look, a shorter ceremony, longer bride + groom portraits, etc.). Based on this outline, here is an example timeline with a first look, 5pm ceremony start time, and photography coverage for 10 hours.
Sample Timeline
10:00 am - Girls begin getting ready
12:00 pm - Lunch + photographer arrives
12:15 pm - Photographer finishes details and gets getting ready photos
1:00 pm - Boys begin getting ready
1:30 pm - Bride in dress
2:00 pm - Bride's portraits
2:15 pm - Bride + bridesmaids
2:45 pm - Groom's portraits
3:00 pm - Groom + groomsmen
3:30 pm - Bride + Groom first look
4:00 pm - Full bridal party portraits
4:30 pm - Bride hidden
5:00 pm - Ceremony
5:30 pm - Cocktail hour and family photos begin
6:00 pm - Bride + Groom portraits
6:30 pm - Wedding party entrance
6:40 pm - First dances
7:00 pm - Dinner
7:45 pm - Toasts
8:00 pm - Cake cutting and open dance floor
10:00 pm - Send off!
Wedding Day Guideline
getting ready + details
One of the things I look for in a getting ready suite are lighting and angles. While some bridal suites are equipped with gorgeous floor to ceiling windows for natural lighting and lots of space, that will not always be the case. In situations like those, I will oftentimes take candid "getting ready" moments with my bride and her girls in the getting ready room, and then take my bride (and whoever is helping her into her dress) to a different area that has better lighting (preferably somewhere with a window). I also suggest to keep your getting ready area as tidy as possible so loose items are kept out of sight.
When I first arrive, I will start off the day by taking your detail shots. The easiest way to do this is to have all the items you want included put away in a box beforehand. You can designate your maid of honor, or a trusted friend/family member, to be in charge of handing me the box when I arrive. I will also be taking shots of your dress, shoes, bouquet, and veil. If you need ideas of what to include in your detail shots, check out my blog outlining a bunch of different options!
when packing your getting ready bag, here are some things you can include!
- Sewing Kit
- Multiple Steamers
- Perfume/Cologne
- Static Guard
- Hairspray
- Dramamine/Nausea Relief
- Tissues
- Marriage Certificate
- Safety Pins
- Extra Bobby Pins
- Floss
- Tweezers
- Oil Blotting Sheets
- Tums/Stomach Ache Relief
- Wet Wipes
- Black Pens
- Fashion Tape
- Extra Hair Ties
- Hair Comb/Brush
- Water/Snacks
- Advil/Pain Reliever
- Pads/Tampons
- Scissors
- Stain remover
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Makeup Wipes
- Allergy Medicine
- Band-Aids
- Blister Treatment
first look
One of the biggest decisions some brides face is whether or not to include a first look. As an indecisive person myself, I always appreciate and find pros and cons lists helpful! Here is a list I made for you to help you decide if you should have a first look.
First Look Pros
- Gets out your pre-wedding nerves
- You share a more intimate moment with your soon-to-be spouse
- Gets you more photos of the two of you as bride and groom
- You can privately read your vows to each other instead of in front of a crowd
- Free up your timeline after the ceremony so you can enjoy cocktail hour, get more photos, or move quicker into your reception
First Look Cons
- Can make your timeline feel rushed pre-ceremony
- You may have to freshen up your makeup afterwards (cue the tears!)
- You may have to wake up earlier to include it in your schedule
- Your first look at the altar may feel different
- It could feel awkward depending on your comfortability with the photographers and videographers around (plus anyone who tries to spy!)
First looks between a bride and a groom are beautiful and are often looked back on as one of their favorite parts of the wedding day! However, if you opt to skip the first look, another suggestion would be to do a first touch with your soon-to-be spouse! This would be where the two of you would stand back to back or at a corner so you can't see each other but can still hold hands, and you can read personal vows to each other, pray together, or talk out your nerves! Another suggestion would be to do a first look with your mom or dad, bridesmaids, or someone special in your life.
pre-ceremony photos
After everyone is done getting ready, I will grab the bride and her bridesmaids first to take their photos! Unless the bride chooses not to, I like to take the bride's portraits with her girls there to hype her up and get her excited! I will aim to get the girls done first so the bride has a chance to hide away before guests start arriving. I'll then get the guys and do the same! Occasionally, we will have time for the bride and/or groom to grab formal family photos with their parents and siblings. If you do a first look, I'll also get photos of the full wedding party if time allows.
Ceremony
I highly recommend having an unplugged ceremony (no distracting phones from the guests)! The best way to implement this is to include this on your wedding website, have signage or programs that display this, and to have your officiant announce this at the beginning of your ceremony.
One of the biggest confusions for a ceremony is what to do with the rings! If you have a ring boy, you can either give the rings to him to hand to the best man and maid of honor, or you can give him fake rings while the best man and maid of honor hold the rings. If the best man has the bride's wedding band, he can keep it safe in his pocket. If the maid of honor has the groom's wedding band, she can wear it on her finger as she walks down the aisle.
ring tip for brides!!
Wear your engagement ring on your right hand when walking down the aisle. That way, when your groom puts your wedding band on your left ring finger, you can easily put your engagement ring back on so the order of rings is correct!
Family photos
I will make sure to have a family shot list from you before the wedding day so your family photos can go as quickly and painlessly as possible!
Pro tip: Have your officiant announce for all family members to stay at the ceremony site so we don't have to chase down any rogue guests!
bride + groom portraits
Bride and groom photos are one of my FAVORITE parts of the day! You're officially married and it's so sweet to witness that excitement between you two as we take your portraits! If you did an engagement session with me, this time will be very similar to that. So expect lots of laughs, hugs and kisses, and have fun!
reception + Exit
During your reception, I will basically be a fly on the wall while you and your people celebrate! When dinner is served, I (and my second shooter if you opt for one) will eat dinner while you and your wedding party eat to ensure no important moments are missed. If time allows for sunset photos, I will normally sneak the bride and groom out once they finish eating and while the guests are still finishing up. The rest of the evening, I will be around capturing the night as it happens!
Exits are such a special part of the day! There are so many different options for an exit. Sparklers, bubbles, confetti, lanterns, anything you can think of! If you decide to do a big exit, your guests will need to have the chance to get in to place and ready, especially if you are doing something with precise timing like a sparkler exit. One way to do this is for you and your spouse to have a last private dance while everyone lines up and gets ready. A wedding coordinator or a trusted individual will be in charge of giving everyone instructions, and I would have a group of individuals (wedding parties are great for this!) to hand out the sparklers, bubbles, etc. And once you two are ready, you'll be on your way!
post wedding
Once your wedding day has come to an end, you can expect a gallery of sneak peeks from me within 48-72 hours! These sneak peeks will include the biggest events of your day so you can share them as soon as you'd like! I would absolutely love to see your photos on social media, so be sure to tag me on Instagram and Facebook (@cayliebethphotos). Your full gallery will be delivered to you within 4-8 weeks.
If you decide to order a wedding album or prints with me, I will also work with you to put everything together! You'll pick which prints, fabrics, and details you'd like and I'll get everything printed and shipped to you!
final thoughts
Phew! That was a lot! If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message or give me a call! I'd absolutely love to chat with you and go over any questions you may have about your upcoming day.
I'm praying for you both as we get closer to your big day!